Creating Memorable Main Characters in Under 500 Words
In picture books, 500 words (or less) is the goal for narrative fiction and non-fiction...
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The Kidlit Compass Blog
Voice vs. Tone – What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
"Voice" and "tone" are often used interchangeably—but in the publishing world they are not the same. And understanding the difference can elevate...
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First Lines that Lure – How to Hook Readers from Page One
This September, we’re focusing on the two Cs that define successful picture books: Craft and Character. And what better place to begin...
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Submission Tracking – The Key to Managing Your Submissions
You’ve revised, polished, formatted, and researched. You’ve written a strong query and identified a list of agents or editors who might be...
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Demystifying the Submissions Process
You’ve polished your manuscript, formatted it beautifully, crafted a clear and compelling query letter… and now, you’ve finally hit send. First: take a...
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How & When to Use Art Notes in Picture Book Manuscripts
It’s a classic question: Should I include art notes in my picture book manuscript? The answer - if you are an author only...
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Formatting a Picture Book Manuscript the Right Way
August may be quiet in the publishing world, but that’s exactly why it’s the perfect time to get your submission ducks in...
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The Mid-Year Manuscript Check-In: Are You On Track?
It’s hard to believe we’re already more than halfway through the year! Summer often brings a welcome shift in rhythm—longer days, looser...
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FREE Training for Picture Book Writers: The Picture Book Publishing Roadmap
The picture book industry is evolving fast — but here’s the good news: debut authors are still landing agents and book deals...
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How to Build an Author Platform as a Picture Book Writer
When we think about writing picture books, we usually focus first on craft: developing characters, honing language, creating page-turns, building heart and...
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