Children's
3 Big Tips for Writing a Children’s Picture Book Like a Pro
Small but mighty, picture books help raise children into lifelong readers. Children's book author Diana Murray offers 3 big tips for writing a picture book like a pro.
So You Wrote a Picture Book, Now What?
From finding trusted critics to securing an agent, author Christine Evans walks you through every step toward publishing your picture book after you've finished the writing process.
How Writers Can Impress Booksellers: 6 Tips From a Veteran Indie Bookstore Owner and Author
Forming relationships with your local bookstores not only benefits your book's sales, but it also introduces you to a special reading community. Author Nicole Magistro offer 6 tips to impress booksellers.
Lessons Learned From Self-Publishing My Picture Book
Author Dawn Secord shares her journey toward self-publishing a picture book featuring her Irish Setter named Bling.
3 Ideas for Increasing the Diversity of Children's Home Libraries
Sailaja Joshi, the founder of Mango & Marigold Press, shares a few thoughts on how to increase the diversity of children's home libraries to help expand their perspectives.
Where Are the Toxic Families in Children's Books?
Christina Wyman discusses how for children who suffer difficult family dynamics, seeing their experiences reflected in books is few and far between.
5 Ways to Add a Refrain to Your Picture Books (and Why You Should)
Children's author Christine Evans shares how repetition is good for growing readers and gives you the tools to write your story's perfect refrain.
We’re a Nation of a Billion Indians, and Yet, I Hardly See Myself in Children’s Books
Middle-grade author Payal Doshi discusses a lack of diversity in children's books and how her latest release, Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, is working to correct that.
Drawing the Line for Withholding Secrets in Young Adult and Middle Grade Novels
Middle-grade and young adult author Ren Koppel Torres shares the top tips for how you can keep secrets from your characters and readers.
Payal Doshi: On Letting Rejection Bring You Clarity
Middle-grade author Payal Doshi discusses the sometimes-disheartening process of querying a novel and how she used rejection to fuel her passion for writing.
Rajani LaRocca: On Letting Your Synopsis Guide Your Writing
In this article, middle-grade author Rajani LaRocca discusses how the synopsis for her newest release, Much Ado About Baseball, guided her writing process.
Motive Magic for the Middle Grade/Young Adult Writer
Doctors don’t want you to know this secret to melt sagging plotlines and eliminate one-sided characters. Luckily, Ren Koppel Torres is here to share!
How to Write Middle Grade Fiction That Is Compelling And Compassionate
All writers need to know their audience, and that's especially true for middle grade fiction. In this post, author Alyson Gerber offers up tips for writers on how to write middle grade fiction that is compelling AND compassionate.
3 Tips to Invite Your Readers into Your Story World–For Writers and Readers of All Ages and Stages
No matter the age of your audience, there are a few keys ways to ensure that they are hooked by your story. In this article, author Mary Alice Monroe gives her top 3 tips for accomplishing this.
Alyson Gerber: On Writing Difficult Topics for Young Readers
Critically acclaimed author Alyson Gerber discusses how she tackled the topic of disordered eating in her latest middle-grade novel, Taking Up Space.
Lynn Painter: On Rom-Coms and Escapism
Author Lynn Painter discusses the strengths of the romantic comedy genre and how she utilized them in her novel Better than the Movies.
Luke X. Cunningham: A Writer's Hopes for Their Readers
Emmy-nominated writer Luke X. Cunningham explains how he came to write a middle-grade mystery novel and what he hopes for the kids who read his book.
Kitty O'Meara: Finding Joy and Community in a Pandemic
Debut picture book author Kitty O'Meara shares her experience of writing a viral poem that's been turned into a printed picture book in only a few months about finding joy and community in a pandemic.
7 Tips for Developing a Compelling Middle-Grade Fiction Premise
A strong premise often leads to a strong story. In this post, MG author Fleur Bradley shares her seven tips for developing a compelling middle-grade novel, including advice related to writing for the age group, the gatekeepers, and the kids in all of us.
Fleur Bradley: Finding Joy in the Writing Process
In this post, middle-grade author Fleur Bradley shares why she enjoys mysteries, how illustrations impacted her most recent novel, her top tip for writers, and more!
Rachel Renée Russell: The WD Interview
In this January 2015 WD interview, Rachel Renée Russell talks about changing careers from lawyer to author and the chart-topping success of her Dork Diaries series.
Deconstructing Five Spooky Children's Picture Books (Spoiler Alert)
For this post, we're deconstructing five spooky children's picture books to see how they're put together to find success. Warning: Spoilers are included in these deconstructions.
Building Picture-Book Characters: 5 Elements You Need to Know
In this excerpt from Ann Whitford Paul's new book Writing Picture Books, Revised and Expanded Edition, learn the five fundamental elements you should know inside and out about your picture-book characters.
From YA to YEAH: 4 Ways to Keep Teen & Young Adult Readers Hooked
Many YA authors are adults, which means the generation gap between these writers and their intended audience can make it easy to miss the mark. Teen writer (and avid reader) Lorena Koppel lays out four ways to make sure your YA novel meets young audiences' expectations and interests.