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Writing for Children & Young Adults
N. Griffin: On Connecting Truth and Fiction
Acclaimed author N. Griffin discusses merging her life experiences with fiction in her new young adult novel, Trigger.
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.
Author Spotlight: Erin Moynihan on Laurel, Everywhere
Erin Moynihan talks about what prompted her to write her debut YA novel about coping with loss, and working with the indie publisher Ooligan Press.
Screenwriter and Novelist, Turned YA Author, Christopher J. Moore: Author Spotlight
Christopher J. Moore started his writing career in screenwriting, working on successful TV shows, but soon realized he wanted his stories to reach a broader audience. After adapting several of his screenplays into stand-alone novels, he embarked on a new YA series, "The Switch Family."
How I Wrote My Son As the Hero of His Own Adventure Novel
When John Peragine's son became sick, turning him into the hero of a children's novel became part of the family's journey to healing.
Reddit for Writers: 47 Writing Subreddits to Explore
This supplement to the 2019 edition of our 101 Best Websites provides a guide to writing subreddits—destinations across Reddit where writers can find useful information, community, and resources.
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.
Brad Meltzer on Research, Rejections, and More
"Don't let anyone tell you 'No.'"Bestselling author Brad Meltzer reveals the secrets around his new non-fiction book, 'The First Conspiracy'—plus thriller writing tips, and more.
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.
How to Pitch a Picture Book: Secrets for Breaking Into a Growing but Competitive Market
Want to know how to pitch a picture book? We've got you covered. Break into this competitive and growing market with the help of writing tips and inside observations from a leading literary agent.
This is NOT Research Advice
Kerri Maher, author of WD Books' This is Not a Writing Manual and the new novel The Kennedy Debutante, offers research advice—or rather, NOT research advice—explaining how diaries, letters and books she read made their way into her fiction.
Writing Scary Stories & Horror for Kids: 4 Lessons from Goosebumps Author R.L. Stine
For more than 25 years, Stine has been writing horror for kids around the world with his Goosebumps series, which has sold over 350 million copies in 32 languages. Here are four lessons from the master himself.
Meet the Agent: Quressa Robinson of Nelson Literary Agency
Quressa Robinson, literary agent at Nelson Literary Agency, talks about what types of submissions she'd like to see more of, common misconceptions authors have about literary agents, and what makes a query stand out.
Using Kids and Parents as Beta Readers for Children's Fiction
After writing two very different manuscripts, Marie Unanue sent them out to kids and their parents, who acted as beta readers, along with a survey. The process resulted in her final early reader chapter book.
Zetta Elliott on Starting Her Own Imprint & Character Development in Children's Fiction
Zetta Elliott discusses addressing complex topics in children's fiction, starting her own imprint, Rosetta Press, and what she'll address in her upcoming keynote at indieLAB.
Sunny Author Jason Reynolds on Writing, Publishing and Advice for New Writers
Award-winning YA novelist Jason Reynolds has cemented his place in literary history with titles like When I Was the Greatest, The Boy in the Black Suit and Long Way Down. Here we talk to Jason about writing, publishing and his advice for new authors.
The WD Interview: Bestseller Jacqueline Woodson on Confronting Controversial Subjects & Writing Across Age Categories
In this exclusive extended interview with National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jacqueline Woodson, the Newberry Honored author talks character building, diversity movements, and the real-world importance of books for kids and teens.
The Writer's Digest Podcast, Episode 5: Children’s Literature and Diversity in Publishing — Interview with Patrice Caldwell
In this episode of the Writer’s Digest Podcast, hear from author, editor, and founder of People of Color in Publishing Patrice Caldwell, who shares an inside look at the importance of diversity in publishing today, the relevance of the mirrors and windows concept to literature, the reason people of color leave the publishing industry and how to retain them, and what you can do right now to make our industry better.
Author Interview: David Barclay Moore on Writing, Publishing and His Novel The Stars Beneath Our Feet
David Barclay Moore is an award-winning author whose novel, The Stars Beneath Our Feet, has been optioned for film, set to be brought to the screen by actor/director Michael B. Jordan and Endeavor Content. Here we talk to David Barclay Moore about writing, publishing, and the film adaptation of the novel.
How Young Girls’ and Women’s Issues Have Evolved in Young Adult Literature Today
There has been an impressive build-up in Young Adult literature to present-day concerns. Camilla chance discusses in light of her own work.
Encouraging Young Writers: Why You Should Set Aside Time to Read and Write With Kids
Making time to read and write with your kids can not only encourage your young writers to flex their creative muscles—it can also help you find time to work on your own passion projects.
Fearless Fiction: Mindy McGinnis on Rape Culture, Universal Emotions and Strong Female Protagonists
A prolific Edgar Award–winner, Mindy McGinnis’ stories cross subgenres of young adult fiction, from fantasy to dystopian to contemporary. Here, WD talks with her about the unique aspects of her work, including the way she addresses rape culture and incorporates strong female protagonists.
Embrace the Power of Imagination: Ashley Hope Pérez Talks Latinx Literature and Contemporary Global Issues
The author of three novels for young adults, Ashley Hope Pérez’s most recent work, Out of Darkness, has received national acclaim. Here she discusses the representation of latinx literature in the discussion of global lit.
Mental Health, Feminism and the Future of YA Fiction with Kelly Jensen
Kelly Jensen’s background as a teen librarian influences her own writing (she is a popular essayist, and author of It Happens: A Guide to Contemporary Realistic Fiction for the YA Reader) as well as her editorial career, in which she now covers YA fiction for Book Riot.