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Understanding the “New Adult Fiction” Category
by Jane Choate What is new adult fiction? New adult fiction bridges the gap between young adult and adult books. It typically features protagonists between the ages of 18 and 26. The label was first used in 2009 when St. Martin’s Press hosted a contest looking for stories that could be marketed […]
Writing for Children & Teens: Simple Steps to Understand Your Readers
No matter the age of your reader, knowing your audience is key. Knowing their tastes, their needs, their wants, their expectations is vital in penning the kind of stories that will touch their hearts and minds. Jane Choate is here to give you some easy steps to truly understand your readers.
Book Categories for Children from Picture Books to YA
Children’s book categories encompass children from birth through their teen years. Here’s how the age groups break down, and how each category is written.
Watch Your Tone!
Tone is one of the trickiest issues for many writers. In this piece, veteran author Jane McBride explains it all, simply and elegantly.
Writing Is Easier When You Stop Trying So Hard
Struggling to make progress with your writing? Maybe you need to step back and take a breath. Here’s how…
Teens Review What Works, What Doesn’t in New Books
In this article from School Library Journal, five reviewers, ranging in age from 12 to 15, give their thoughts on the latest books from popular authors. A must-read for anyone writing middle grade and young adult fiction.
Writing the Modern Fairy Tale: Use a Twist
Give classic stories a new twist to create modern fairy tales for children and teens.
Know Your Genre Before You Write
If you’re new to writing, sorting out all the different fiction genres, and figuring out where your writing fits, can be a daunting task. In this video, our Writer’s Coach Teresa Funke explains the various writing genres and how to choose which genre is right for you.
Why I Write Teen Books with Diverse Characters
A young adult author and former teacher writes about the kids he knows best – kids of color, gay kids, marginalized kids, poor kids, kids with disabilities, gang members, and incarcerated kids – because he wants all youth to see themselves represented in a positive light within the pages of teen literature.
Find Your Voice by Copying
New writers can develop their own unique voice by first copying the works of authors they admire, then using what they’ve learned to create original stories.
