Kidlit Social #82: The Texas Librarians Spearheading a New Anti-Censorship Movement
Meet Carolyn Foote & Becky Calzada, two Texas school librarians who, along with librarian Nancy Jo Lambert, are the founders of #FReadom Fighters, a grassroots advocacy group supporting librarians, teachers, students and authors in the raging fight against censorship.
Kidlit Social #81: Meet the Publisher, with Robert Agis of Starry Forest Books
Laura welcomes publisher Robert Agis. Robert is President of Starry Forest Books, an independent publisher with titles ranging from board books to chapter books published under their Starry Forest and Little Hero imprints.
Kidlit Social #80: How to Write an Exceptional Book Description with Michelle Schusterman
On this episode, Laura welcomes author, writing instructor and ghost writer Michelle Schusterman. The topic: How to craft a standout, succinct book description. A good book description can help you know if your idea is working and will find an audience, and provides the basis for your query letter.
Kidlit Social #78: Writing Picture Books with Layers and Purpose with Carol Gordon Ekster
On this episode, Laura welcomes Laura welcomes picture book author Carol Gordon Ekster (Some Daddies, Before I Sleep I Say Thank You, You Know What?, Where Am I Sleeping Tonight?: Kids Coming to Terms with Divorce).
They discuss why picture books need layers of meaning today in order to earn the right to be published. Carol gives tips for developing ideas into publishing-worthy picture books, as well as revealing how she has turned over 2000 rejections into a learning opportunity. Join us for some inspiration and great advice!
Kidlit Social #77: Meet Sarah Baker, SCBWI’s New Executive Director
In this episode, Laura welcomes Sarah Baker, the new Executive Director of the Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).
They talk about her ideas for making the Board of Directors more representative of members, updating SCBWI’s volunteer structures, making the whole organization more inclusive on a local and global scale and redesigning the SCBWI website. We also get Sarah’s best advice for aspiring and published authors and illustrators in the modern publishing industry.
Kidlit Social #76: April Cox on Self-Publishing the Right Way
On this episode, we welcome children’s book author and self-publishing coach April Cox.
April is the founder of Self-Publishing Made Simple, and Little Labradoodle Publishing. We dig into topics including how to know if self-publishing is right for you, common self-publishing mistakes, and the best places to spend your self-publishing marketing dollars.
Interview: Harold Underdown, Executive Editor for Kane Press
Kidlit Social #75: 2nd Anniversary Edition – Laura Answers Your Writing Questions!
On this episode, we celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of the Kidlit Social with an “Ask Laura Anything” special! Laura answers a wide range of questions about writing, editing and submitting your work.