Kids Lit
Review of the Reviews
I clearly remember screaming, “I got a Kirkus!” My loving spouse supported me by saying, “What?” For an author…
May 12, 2026-
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Kids Lit
Put Their Book on the Shelf!
One of the most helpful things you can do for an author is to request that your local library…
April 16, 2026 -
Kids Lit
Maurice Sendak. Dr. Seuss. J. K. Rowling. And me?
(Also Beatrix Potter and Louisa May Alcott.) Our prized common thread? 20–30–45 rejections before a publishing contract. Files and…
March 8, 2026 -
Kids Lit
A Troop? Swarm? Gaggle? What do you call a group of Editors?
Whether you are starting or multi-published, there are editors in your life. Some are most helpful before submission, and…
February 6, 2026 -
Kids Lit
Post Launch
On September 2, 2025, my Christmas book, Just Enough Room for Christmas, was published. That means on December 26,…
January 8, 2026 -
Kids Lit
The Christmas Read-Aloud Crowd
A torrent of new books comes out each holiday season, celebrating Christmas, both religious and secular. Some, sold to…
December 8, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Peeking over the Artist’s Shoulder
This month, I interviewed an artist friend about how his mind works! Welcome, Jack Foster. Jack and I met…
November 8, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Just BLOGGING Along! Happy 30 years to the BLOG!
Though not named BLOG until several years later, the practice of sharing personal writing and opinions online dates back…
October 8, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Into the Bottomless Pit…
This is THE month – the month my latest book, Just Enough Room for Christmas, launches out into the…
September 8, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Objects in the Rear-view Mirror…
I wrote this totally CUTE board book featuring CUTE dinosaurs, and it has the CUTEST art ever. During the…
August 8, 2025 -
Kids Lit
From Blue to Aquamarine: Concept Books about Color
Concept books – in this case, books about colors – are not all that simple to write and sell.…
July 9, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Something Old is New Again!
On July 1, New York and most of publishing hang out a sign: See you in September! And many…
June 11, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Online Helps Out: Paid Writers’ Groups
In any genre, there are dozens of opportunities to get involved with online writing groups. Most of these groups…
May 15, 2025 -
Kids Lit
What do you do with GOOD NEWS?
Write, revise. Critique, revise. Submit, revise. And then one day: submit, interest, offer, contract! For every five years of…
April 8, 2025 -
Kids Lit
7 FREE Ways to Keep Gifting into the New Year!
Here’s 2025 all fresh and shiny, full of hope and all the little calendar boxes ready to fill! While…
March 6, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Books to Read BEFORE You Write
Mentor books are those an author studies before they do any writing. For a retreat last week, I had…
February 8, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Writing is a Group Activity!
I recently went to an in-person retreat – one of the few I have gone to since COVID-19. I…
November 8, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Writing is a Group Activity!
I recently went to an in-person retreat – one of the few I have gone to since COVID-19. I…
October 9, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Our Most Important Sentence
Once the dream book is finally contracted, the most important writing starts. Essentially what we write in preparation for…
September 8, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Is That True??!!
I heard comments/complaints in a writer’s group recently that “it is impossible to get your book into the library”…
August 8, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Summer is for Experimenting!
I have been working/pitching a series of four board books for the last few years on the seasonal changes…
July 9, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Pitch Opportunities
Last month we put together pitches – the 30-second “What is your book about?” Unless you happen to end up next…
June 8, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Wind Up and. . .Pitch!
“So, tell me about your book.” What a great invitation – whether it is from family or friends or…
May 8, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Advice for Just Starting Out
Has this happened to you? You are introduced to someone new as a children’s author. Response: “I have an…
April 8, 2024 -
Kids Lit
Even A Chewable Board book Must Be Accurate
Research for 181 words? Research and back matter have never been more important. Reviewers and consumers have access to…
March 8, 2024
