Kidlit Distancing Social #18 Replay – Bad Kitty Author Nick Bruel on Creating Subversive – and Hilarious – Characters

Nick Bruel is the author and illustrator of New York Times bestseller Boing! and the Bad Kitty books.
 
Nick has created some brilliantly subversive – and hilarious – characters. On the Social, he and Laura had an extensive and fascinating discussion about his process and his tips for writers looking to give their kidlit characters a little extra edge.

Kidlit Distancing Social #17 Replay – P.J. McIlvane on Connecting with Editors & Agents at Twitter Pitch Parties

This week, we welcome P.J. McIlvane, picture book author & co-founder of #PBPitch, an ongoing series of Twitter Pitch Parties connecting kidlit authors with editors and agents.
 
P.J. explains what Twitter Pitch Parties are, how writers can use them to advance their careers and shares some inside tips on how to stand out and catch the eye of an editor or agent.

On the Next Kidlit Distancing Social: Laura Backes on Crafting Great Opening Lines & Strong Beginnings

This week on the Social, it’s time for a writing craft geek-out session! Join Laura Backes, founder & publisher of Children’s Book Insider, the Children’s Writing Monthly, for an evening devoted to opening lines and strong story beginnings.

If you’ve been struggling to kick off your manuscripts with powerful, reader-grabbing openings, this is the session for you.

Kidlit Distancing Social #16 – Sean McCollum on Following Your Passion & Living an Exciting Writing Life

In this episode, we welcome Sean McCollum, an award-winning author who has built a career based on following his passions around the globe – and then writing books about them. He shares how he did it and talk about how others can follow in his footsteps. If you’re looking to add excitement and passion to your writing life, Sean is the man to meet!

Kidlit Distancing Social #15 – Helen Wu on Writing for the International Market

In this episode, we welcome Helen Wu, associate publisher at Yeehoo Press, a publisher dedicated to publishing fun, enchanting, and socially responsible children’s books for audiences around the world. Helen and Laura have a meaty discussion about emerging worldwide kidlit trends, and opportunities for authors to publish internationally.

Watch all the Kidlit Distancing Social Replays

Find out what your favorite authors, editors, agents & writing educators have to say when they appear on the Kidlit Distancing Social, a free educational hangout for kidlit writers, presented by Children’s Book Insider, the Children’s Writing Monthly.

Kidlit Distancing Social #14 – Eileen Robinson on Middle Grade Fiction for Boys

In this episode, we welcome Eileen Robinson, publisher at Move Books, a small press that focuses on middle grade novels for boys. MG for boys is a hot and growing market, so this is a very timely topic.

Eileen’s had an accomplished and varied publishing career including work in acquisitions and development, pub planning, leveled reading, audio books and more.

Kidlit Distancing Social #13 – Josh Funk on Creating Successful Kidlit Series

In this episode, Josh Funk brings his special brand of fun to the Social. Josh has created one successful children’s book series after another, and he’ll share how he did it, and how other writers can follow the same path. This is really powerful insight for any writer seeking to build a long-term successful writing career.

Watch all the Kidlit Distancing Social Replays

Find out what your favorite authors, editors, agents & writing educators have to say when they appear on the Kidlit Distancing Social, a free educational hangout for kidlit writers, presented by Children’s Book Insider, the Children’s Writing Monthly.

Kidlit Distancing Social #12 – Laura Backes on What Picture Book Writers Need to Know About Illustrations

On this week’s Kidlit Distancing Social, CBI Publisher Laura Backes discusses the interplay between words and illustrations in picture books, and shares how writers can create picture book manuscripts that are optimized for illustrations.

Kidlit Distancing Social #11 – Patrice Williams Marks on How Sensitivity Readers Can Help Writers

Author, screenwriter and sensitivity reader Patrice Williams Marks shares how all writers can respectfully and constructively become part of a new global discussion on fairness, equality and justice for all.

Kidlit Distancing Social #10 – Emma Dryden on the Changing Landscape of Children’s Publishing

Emma Dryden, founder of drydenbks, freelance editor and former Publisher of Atheneum Books for Young Readers and Margaret K. McElderry Books, helps us navigate the new publishing landscape, and shares her tips for staying abreast of – and thriving through – the changes.

Kidlit Distancing Social #9 – Gabriela Pereira on the Power of Community

This week on the Kidlit Distancing Social, Gabriela Pereira, founder of DIYMFA, joins us for an inspiring discussion on the power of community for writers, and how to become more connected.

Kidlit Distancing Social #8 – Writing in Rhyme w/Julie Hedlund

This week on the Kidlit Distancing Social, Julie Hedlund, author and creator of 12×12 Challenge, joined us to chat about one of her specialties – writing rhyming picture books.

Understanding Children’s Book Genres

I just received a letter from a writer who said, “Alas, I find myself adrift in a sea of unexplained and/or contradictory publishing terms.” It’s true — you can read three different books on writing and find three different definitions of “picture book.” So, to make your life easier, here’s what I hope is a definitive glossary of children’s book genres:

Kidlit Distancing Social #7 – Tips for Getting Your Book Published w/Mary Kole

This week on the Kidlit Distancing Social, editor Mary Kole joins us to talk about submitting your work to editors and agents.

Kidlit Distancing Social #6 – Writing Young Adult and Middle Grade Books w/Dani Alcorn

This week on the Kidlit Distancing Social, author Dani Alcorn joins us to chat about writing young adult books.

Kidlit Distancing Social #5 – Ask Us Anything – The Sequel! w/Laura Backes & Jon Bard

In this week’s info-packed Kidlit Distancing Social, Laura once again answers a slew of your questions about writing and publishing children’s books.

Kidlit Distancing Social #4 – Ask Us Anything! w/Laura Backes & Jon Bard

In this week’s info-packed Kidlit Distancing Social, Laura answers a slew of your questions about writing and publishing children’s books.

Kidlit Distancing Social #3 – Magic Is All Around You w/Teresa Funke

In this week’s Kidlit Distancing Social, Teresa Funke, kidlit writer and author of Bursts of Brilliance, joins us to inspire you to find story ideas and writing inspiration without leaving your home.

Kidlit Distancing Social #2 – Opportunities in Magazine Writing w/Kerrie Flanagan

In this week’s Kidlit Distancing Social, Kerrie Flanagan, author of Writer’s Digest Guide to Magazine Article Writing, joins us to discuss current opportunities in the magazine writing market, and share her process for developing story ideas.

Kidlit Distancing Social Bonus Webinar: Connecting With Your Creativity in Difficult Times w/Alice Kuipers

An inspirational and educational webinar, presented by author Alice Kuipers, on how to find your creative muse under even the most difficult of circumstances.

Kidlit Distancing Social #1 – Celebrating the life of Tomie dePaola w/Katie Davis

We kicked off our new weekly series – The Kidlit Distancing Social – by welcoming author/illustrator Katie Davis (with a surprise cameo appearance by author Steve Swinburne) as we celebrated the life and work of the late, great Tomie dePaola. It’s a fun, inspiring show and we know you’ll really enjoy it.

Children’s Writing FAQ #3: Can I Send My Manuscript to More Than One Editor or Agent at a Time?

Our third Frequently Asked Question by beginners is “Can I Send My Manuscript to More Than One Editor or Agent at a Time?”. Read on for the answer and links to excellent free information…..