books Archives - Page 3 of 8

November 5, 2019

Go, Girls, Go! Behind the Picture Book with Author and Editor Frances Gilbert

Curious what happens when a children's book editor for a big publishing house decides to write her own book? Looking for a new picture book that'll have your family chanting "Go, Girls, Go!" with eye-popping illustrations? Interested in knowing what tips an experienced editor would encourage you to consider for your picture book manuscripts? In this interview, we step behind the book with Editor-in-Chief of Doubleday Books for Young Readers (BFYR), Frances Gilbert, and learn how an editor views being an author.

October 14, 2019

Picture Book Critique Fest #PBCritiqueFest 2019

Fall is a fantastic season for writing. Coming off the tails of the KitLit Fall Writing Frenzy and taking us to the tip of NaNoWriMo in November is the Picture Book Critique Fest #PBCritiqueFest. With 37 industry participants (literary agents, authors, and illustrators) and 35 valuable giveaway prizes (manuscript and dummy critiques), this is one writing contest you can't afford to miss. Did I mention it's completely free?!

October 5, 2019

How Audiobooks Became a Powerful Format to Sell Books

It's hard to imagine a world without audiobooks and only those 89 years old or above (not exactly my target audience) could personally remember such a time. The audiobook revolution was an unexpected, slowly adopted medium for book sellers that is now responsible for more than $1 Billion in U.S. revenue.

September 27, 2019

Illustrating Children’s Books with Phyllis Harris

Thinking about becoming a career illustrator? Ever wonder what it’s like to be a published illustrator of children’s books? Gleam some insight from successful illustrator Phyllis Harris and get a...

September 24, 2019

What it Takes to Write Children’s Books with Brooke Van Sickle

How seriously do you take your writing? It's a question every author must ask themselves repeatedly throughout their writing journey. It's also the question we hate to ask. The journey of an author is tough. It's grueling. It can be isolating and discouraging. To write is one thing. To write for children is something else entirely. Author and freelance editor Brooke Van Sickle is here to help improve our understanding of what it takes to write for children.

September 19, 2019

Learning to Write Longer by Writing Shorter

Big tasks can be overwhelming. Huge writing assignments or the notion of starting a book with an intended final word count in the 80,000 word range (after edits) is daunting, discouraging, and usually leads to distraction and defeat. Little tasks and short writing goals, however, are easy and achievable. If you don't think you can trick your brain into viewing your writing assignment differently, think again.

September 12, 2019

How Successful Authors Overcome Writer’s Block

We've all experienced the common nemisis...writer's block. It appears when we least expect it and takes away our trusty muse. Some authors and illustrators fight it. Some try to ignore it. Creatives rally together in the disdain they have for the feeling of not having anything to say, not being sure what to write, and being anxious over what to draw next. Take courage and learn how these successful authors handle and overcome writer's block.

September 10, 2019

Creating Picture Books as a Team with Amy and Greg Newbold

Creating picture books is not always a solitary, lonely endeavor. Great books require great teams and where better to start than within the same home? Amy and Greg Newbold share their story, experience, and insight into how they work together, as husband and wife, in creating beautiful books for children. Join us as we gleam from their experience chasing, and dare I say reaching, the author and illustrator's dream of publishing books.