The Kidlit Compass Blog
The Truth About Querying: Why Persistence Matters More Than You Think
One of the most emotionally difficult parts of getting a book published is querying. Writers spend years crafting manuscripts, polishing query letters,...
Read More
Writing Difficult Topics for Young Readers: Balancing Truth and Hope
One of the greatest challenges in writing for children and teens is addressing difficult subjects responsibly. Writers today are increasingly exploring themes...
Read More
Why Writing for Children is So Much Harder Than People Think
There is a persistent misconception that writing for children is somehow “easier” than writing for adults. After all, children’s books are shorter....
Read More
Should Writers Follow Trends in Children’s Publishing?
Every year at both the Southampton Children's Literature Conference and at Picture Book Summit, whenever aspiring writers have a chance to ask...
Read More
What Makes a Manuscript Stand Out to Agents and Editors?
If you ask agents and editors what they’re looking for, you may hear many different answers: A strong hook. A fresh concept....
Read More
Should You Query Agents or Submit Directly to Publishers?
Writers entering the children’s publishing world are often surprised to discover that most major publishers do not accept "unsolicited" - meaning "un-agented"...
Read More
How Do You Know When Your Manuscript is Ready to Query?
One of the most common questions I hear from my students, editing clients, and other aspiring children’s book writers is: How do...
Read More
The Mucky Middle: Maintaining Momentum from Page 8 – 24
Writers often worry about beginnings. They worry about endings even more. But the place where picture books most often falter is the middle—the...
Read More
Story Sonar: Listening Beneath the Surface of an Idea
I've often written about the importance of developing what Peter H. Reynolds calls story radar—the ability to notice ideas in the world...
Read More