Why Rejection Cannot Defeat You
by Jane Choate
(Originally appeared in the July, 2021 issue of Children’s Book Insider, the Children’s Writing…
Kidlit Social #81: Meet the Publisher, with Robert Agis of Starry Forest Books
On this episode, Laura welcomes publisher Robert Agis. Robert is President of Starry Forest Books, an independent publisher with titles…
Kidlit Social #69: ‘Radical Solutions’ to Beat Fear, Doubt & Criticism and Thrive Creatively
On this episode of The Kidlit Social, meet award-winning Middle Grade/YA author and creative writing professor Todd…
Kidlit Social #61 Replay: Tracy Sue Walker on Folklore, Myths & the Stories We Tell
On this episode of The Kidlit Social, meet writer and storyteller Tracy Sue Walker. Tracy Sue is the author of the Kids for Truth about…
Kidlit Distancing Social #54 Replay: Becoming a Full-Time Writer with Shannon Anderson
In this episode, meet Shannon Anderson, award-winning author of 14 kidlit books.
Shannon just quit her 25-year day job as a…
Kidlit Distancing Social #43 Replay: Overcoming the Obstacles that are Holding You Back
This week, Laura welcomes our friend Dani Alcorn of Writing Academy to discuss the things that block writers from finding true…
Kidlit Distancing Social #39 – Overcoming Self-Doubt & Finding the Courage to Put Your Work Out Into the World
This week on the Social, meet Jennifer Vassel, an inspiring self-publishing success story. Jennifer is the author and founder of “I…
Kidlit Distancing Social #30 Replay – Kevin Carroll on Communicating Big Ideas to Young Readers
Kevin Carroll has led a remarkable life – and he’s just getting started. Head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers,…
Kidlit Distancing Social #28 – Nicole C. Kear on Writing Across Age Groups & Genres
This week, you’ll meet a writer who is making her mark across multiple genres and categories – and learn how you can do…
Kidlit Distancing Social #27 – Teresa Funke on the Steps You Can Take Now to Become a Successful Author
This week, we welcome back the inspiring Teresa Funke (Dancing in Combat Boots, V for Victory, 10 Things All Successful…
Kidlit Distancing Social #25 Replay – Brian Weisfeld on Writing Books that Promote a Passion & Deliver a Message
This week, we welcome Brian Weisfeld, author of The Startup Squad series (Macmillan), is devoted to empowering girls with an entrepreneurial…
Kidlit Distancing Social #16 – Sean McCollum on Following Your Passion & Living an Exciting Writing Life
On this week’s Kidlit Distancing Social, we welcome Sean McCollum, an award-winning author who has built a career based on following…
Kidlit Distancing Social #10 – Emma Dryden on the Changing Landscape of Children’s Publishing
On this week’s Kidlit Distancing Social, Emma Dryden, founder of drydenbks, freelance editor and former Publisher of Atheneum Books for Young…
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…
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 -…
Kidlit Distancing Social #7 – Tips for Getting Your Book Published w/Mary Kole
This week on the Kidlit Distancing Social, editor Mary Kole of kidlit.com joins us to talk about submitting your work to editors and…
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.
Laura also checks in…
Kidlit Distancing Social #5 – Ask Us Anything – The Sequel! w/Laura Backes & Jon Bard
In part two of our Ask Us Anything extravaganza, Laura answers a slew of questions about writing and publishing.
Laura also checks in…
Kidlit Distancing Social #4 – Ask Us Anything! w/Laura Backes & Jon Bard
In this week’s Kidlit Distancing Social, Laura answers a slew of questions about writing and publishing.
Laura also checks in with an…
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…
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…
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…
A Message to the KidLit Writing Community
Hi folks, it’s Jon from Children’s Book Insider & Writing Blueprints.
In uncertain times, the best of humanity always manages to…
No More Fear. It’s Time to Finally Tap Your Writing Potential.
Many writers, myself included, have had the experience of finishing a book, sending it in, seeing it published, and thought, “Well, it was okay, but…
How One Man’s Simple Idea Changed the Way the World Reads
Is it possible for one “regular” person to truly change the world? To bring hope and connection to millions?
When Todd Bol built a…
35 Years a Writer, 35 Lessons Learned
by Jane McBride
(Note: This article is from the new January 2018 edition of Children’s Book Insider, the…
‘The Best Things in Life Are on the Other Side of Terror’
If fear is holding you back from pursuing your dreams, listen to what Will Smith has to…
The Surprising Benefits of Rejection
by Jane Choate
“We are all failures. At least the best of us are.”— J. M. Barrie, author
Most working writers have…
Why You Matter — and Why the World So Desperately Needs You
Happy 2017!
As writers, we can often feel frustrated, and even overwhelmed, by our perceived smallness.
We look at bestselling…
Why Every Writer Needs a Purpose — and How to Discover Yours
by Jon Bard & Andrea Woolf
You are standing at the end of a massive field. In front of you is a giant, steel ball.
You are told…
Five Minutes to Change Your Life Forever
I recently heard something that has impacted me in a profound way. I wanted to share it because it might do the same for you.
It’s from an…
Trick Yourself into Finding Time to Write
by Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D.
How do you find time to write? Many people struggle through their day-to-day lives, only to discover at…
A Simple Technique for Writers to Cope with Information Overload
Overwhelmed with writing instruction, market leads, helpful tips and “to-do” tasks? Jon has a quick, cheap and effective way to…
Finish the Book Already!
by Christina Hamlett
Have you ever wondered if the characters in your unfinished novel will ever get so tired of waiting for you to wrap…
What to Do with Your Crazy Ideas
From her Great Ideas Giveaway series of videos, Teresa Funke offers steps to help you test the ideas you worry might be too “crazy” to launch,…
Take a Moment and Look at This — It May Change the Course of Your Life
While we may often point to external circumstances as the cause of successes or failures, the truth is that what we achieve in life is largely the…
A Writer’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays
In this quick video, Author/Writer’s Coach Teresa Funke offers tips on how to maintain your creative energy during the stressful holiday season.…
I Was a Serendipitous Children’s Writer
by Noelle Sterne
I was as surprised as anyone at how I came to write and publish a children’s book. It all began . . .…
Turn Your Inner Critic into a Wise Editor
by Helen Landalf
Every writer I know has an inner critic. Even successful authors must put up with the nagging voice that pesters them…
A 2 Minute Master Class in Time Management for Writers
Feeling stressed? Can’t get everything on your “to do” list done? Spend a minute or two with this infographic and start changing your relationship…
The Successful Children’s Writer: Many Eggs, Many Baskets
We’ve been working with children’s writers for 25 years, and we’ve discovered that what separates successful authors from also-rans isn’t…
How to Accept Feedback on Your Writing
Getting feedback, whether it’s from a writer’s group or a professional editor, is a crucial step in your journey to becoming a published author. In…
Top Editor Emma Dryden on Working with Editors and Acting Professionally
Emma Dryden is one of children’s publishing’s most accomplished editors, having worked on hundreds of books for young readers, including board…
How to Get Your “Black Belt” in Writing Children’s Books
Successful authors have done one single, simple thing that has helped them vault to success writing children’s books. In this video, Jon…
10 Declarations for the 21st Century Children’s Author
It’s time for a fresh start.
For the moment, forget apps and ebooks. Forget query letters and page counts. Let’s focus…
Winning the Mental Game of Writing
Being a writer is not a task for the faint of heart. Dealing with rejection, criticism and self-doubt has been part of the literary landscape…
Struggling With Your Writing? Don’t Quit! Watch This Instead….
Say hello to Teresa Funke — children’s author, writing coach and entrepreneur. Teresa’s a real pro, and she’s seen the ups and downs of a writing…
To Change the World, First Become Fearless
Fear is indeed a powerful emotion. Left unchecked, it can paralyze you, stop you in your tracks, and suck the life out of you, leaving…
