Tag: writing childrens books

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Kids Lit

Writing is a Group Activity!

Kids Lit

I recently went to an in-person retreat – one of the few I have gone to since COVID-19. I was hesitant about the person-to-person training, but more conferences are dropping the virtual or hybrid model. Sometimes there are perks for those who show up.

And I remembered how much energy can be generated by like-minded people who have made an effort to drive to rural Iowa to learn and share. Plus my list of “writing friends” just got longer!

Q:    What brings a group together?

A:     Common interests

  • sharing groups who write for specific markets exchange ideas and encourage each other
  • critique group to discuss and analyze manuscripts
  • authors releasing books in the same year who swap launch ideas swapping
  • launch groups focus energy on new releases
  • authors represented by the same publisher or agency
  • subgroups of larger organizations like SCBWI
  • librarians of a particular genre
  • Teachers of a specific grade

Q:     How do you engage?

A:     You bring YOU!

  • support and contribute first, comment on posts
  • build relationships not customers, answer questions, volunteer to help
  • be credible, encouraging, supportive
  • pick 5 individuals or groups of like-minded people and follow them on every platform
  • pick one day a week and comment on every post on one platform

Something new…

I heard about a new group strategy for writers that can assist in publicity and sales but are not with other writers. Since my next book is on trees (specifically the Quaking Aspen), I thought I’d see where the tree lovers are.

INSERT NOV PIX 3

Google: Shot in the Dark

I googled: “groups interested in trees”. I had my choice of several umbrella groups, but I chose one that included national forests. I found not only a blog but also a list of grants and partnerships I might explore. I signed up for the newsletter.

I googled “Quaking Aspen” and one of the first hits was our local Morton Arboretum, 20 minutes away! Which has a gift shop. And library story time!

Selecting one platform: Facebook

I am pretty active on Facebook so I tried the same search “groups interested in trees.” This time I found there were more local to the Chicago area and had volunteer opportunities. And a blog.

Word to the wise: I was excited and did a FB search for Quaking Aspen. I scored a rock music group and a family farm. Not every search was a hit!

Hoped for results: By the time my tree book is published in 2026!) I hope my name is familiar to other writers and maybe even local and not-so-local tree lovers. Stick around to see how this plays out!

Multi award winning author Robin Currie led public library children’s departments as a preschool literacy specialist. With more than 1.7 M copies sold of 40 picture books, she writes stories to read and read again! She is pretty bummed the publication date of her next book was pushed back a year but will use the time to build relationships!

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Mastering Middle Grade

Are you Writing a Middle Grade or Chapter Book?

Sometimes when I tell people I write middle grade, they nod knowingly and say “Cool. Like a chapter book, then?”

Then I respond, “Well, no, not really. I mean, yes, middle grade books in fact do contain chapters. Lots of them, usually. But middle grade books are different from chapter books.”

The conversation usually stops because pizza delivery guy doesn’t usually care why or how middle grade books are different from chapter books.

But if you’re reading this, I suspect that you do.

A chapter book:

  • Has a main character who is between the ages of 7-10, and can be anthropomorphic (e.g., a talking dog).
  • Is illustrated, sometimes on every page, usually in black and white.
  • Sticks to a word count of between 5,000 and 20,000 words (an average of 45-60 pages)
  • Is action-focused, with minimal internal character development.
  • Aims for readers aged 7-10.

 Examples of chapter books are The Magic Treehouse, Flat Stanley, or Amelia Bedelia series.

A middle grade book:

  • Has a main character who is between the ages of 10-13.
  • Contains few illustrations.
  • Has a word count of between 25,000 – 40,000 words (an average of 150-200 pages)
  • Features both a well-developed character journey and motive-driven plot.
  • Aims for readers aged 8-12.

Examples of middle grade books are here, here, and here

If you write middle grade, you know how important it is to make sure your work is relevant to your reader. Understanding the distinctions between chapter books and middle grade is a great first step.

Happy Writing!

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.

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Mastering Middle Grade

Staying the Course – Interview with Author KA Cummins

As an occasional reader of speculative fiction, I had seen the name KA Cummins in Havok Magazine. She is the author of a number of clean fantasy/spec fic short stories for teens. This year, however, her debut middle grade science fiction, The Snow Globe Travelers: Samuel’s Legacy, has already received a Readers’ Favorite Five-Star Review.

I am thrilled to have had the chance to interview KA about her experience and share it with you.

K. A. Cummins is a math lover, techie, consumer of mass amounts of information, art enthusiast, a homeschooler, and an indie author. She also enjoys seizing opportunities for adventure, when they arise. Her work has appeared in Havok Magazine and she regularly contributes to Lands Uncharted. She was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Writers of the Future contest for the 3rd Quarter of 2016 and was runner-up in the Realm Makers Scholarship Contest hosted by Endless Press in January of 2018.  

KM: As an author who writes for MG, YA and adult, I’d love to hear your perspective on what makes writing for MG readers unique. Do you approach the MG work differently? If you do (or don’t), can you elaborate about why? Was there anything specific that drew you toward writing for this audience?

KAC: Our youngest son was a big part of why I initially gravitated towards writing middle grade. We struggled to find books that challenged his mind without challenging his morals or introducing him to concepts too early. I’ve since fallen in love with middle-grade stories.

Overall, middle-grade stories aren’t very different from teen and adult stories, and the approach to writing them is the same. Tone, content restrictions, and the intensity of emotional plot points separate them from teen and adult more than anything else. A middle-grade story needs to have fun exaggerations and comic relief to break up the more serious elements that drive the plot. Consideration should also be given to the appropriateness of content.

KM: When marketing to middle grade, many people consider not only the readers, but the gatekeepers (librarians, parents/grandparents, teachers). What have you learned as you’ve prepared to launch your debut MG?

KAC: Marketing has been a challenge for me. I think I’ve tried pretty much all of the advice I’ve encountered. My only suggestion would be to focus on how the book adds value to the lives of children and to look for avenues to cultivate relationships that align with who you are and the path on which God has you.

KM: What advice, suggestions, or encouragement would you offer a new MG writer?

KAC: Let God guide you, even if it goes against conventional wisdom. He knows you better than you know yourself and He has a plan for you. Be mindful and intentional in all of your choices (this can be a tough one, it has tripped me up before), and stay focused on God and His Word so you know when you’re drifting from the path.

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.

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Kids Lit

Write Like a Dinosaur to Succeed in Children’s Publishing

Kids Lit

Write Like a Dinosaur

While doing research for my latest children’s devotional book, “Dinosaur Devotions: 75 Dino Discoveries, Bible Truths, Fun Facts, and More!” (Tommy Nelson), I realized that children’s writers can learn a lot from our dinosaur friends, so here are a few of my “Dino Do’s” for my fellow children’s writers.

Do be like a Compsognathus (comp-sog-NAYTH-us)—This little dinosaur, about the size of a chicken, didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Though he chased after and munched on small prey, he sometimes watched and waited and let the more powerful predators kill unsuspecting dinos, and then the Compsognathus would sneak in and snack on the dead animals. It’s not that this dino was lazy; it was just smart.

What does this mean to you?

  • Find a mentor text. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Learn from those who have already written an amazing book on the topic (in the genre) that you are desiring to write.
  • Be inspired by those who’ve gone before you. Don’t copy but imitate greatness.

Do be like a Corythosaurus (ko-RITH-o-SORE-us)—The Corythosaurus had exceptional eyesight and hearing.

And you’ll have to as well if you’re going to keep children entertained, engaged, and reading.

  • Listen to how children talk.
  • Watch how they move and interact with the world around them.
  • Make sure you use all of your senses when sharing your stories.

Do be an Amargasaurus (ah-MARG-uh-SORE-us)—The Amargasaurs lived in a dry, hot environment, and scientists believe it might have used its sails to cool off when it became overheated.

When you see books in the marketplace that don’t reflect your values and that makes you angry, cool off like the Amargasaurus and…write something just as cute that showcases your beliefs.

Do be like a Edmontonia (ED-mon-TONE-ee-ah)—This dinosaur was a bulky, armored, tank-like dinosaur. It was covered in bony plates, and along its sides were large spikes. You might say he was heavily armored and protected.

The Edmontonia had very thick skin. You’ll have to guard your heart and feelings if you are in this publishing world very long.

  • Rejection letters pave the road to publication.
  • Remember why you’re writing. Remember that if God called you, He will equip you. And, remember that a bad review isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, controversy often brings publicity which almost always increases sales.

 

Do be like a Utahraptor (Yoo-tah-RAP-tor)—Not much was known about the Utahraptor because so few bones of the large raptor had ever been found. But, that all changed in 2014 when the bones of six Utahraptors were found together on a mountain in the State of Utah. Finding so many Utahraptor skeletons together made experts believe these dinosaurs stayed together and probably hunted in packs.

Like the Utahraptors needed each other to survive and thrive, so do we.

  • Join a critique group—but not just any critique group. If you mostly write picture books, then join a critique group with other picture book writers because someone who specializes in YA probably won’t provide as much helpful feedback.
  • Network with anyone and everyone you encounter because you never know who might be a source for your next story or a future publishing contact.
  • Connect with other children’s writers on social media and exchange ideas. Share each other’s blogs. Promote each other’s work. Celebrate each other’s awards. Engage with your online communities and grow that platform together.

Do be like a Shantungosaurus (shan-TUNG-oh-SORE-us)—While it seemed physically impossible due to this dino’s size, the Shantungosaurus was able to stand on its back legs and actually run.

How does this apply to you? You’ll have to do what might seem like “the impossible” to get published in the children’s market, but you can do it!

  • Just don’t give up.
  • Create habits that breed success.
  • Hang out with people who are better than you.
  • Attend writers conferences.
  • Take online classes and keep learning the craft.

​So, be like a dinosaur and grow your writing career as big as a Patagotitan.

 

Michelle Medlock Adams is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author of over 90 books with close to 4 million sold. Her many journalism and book awards include top honors from the Associated Press, AWSA’s Golden Scroll for Best Children’s Book, and the Selah Award for Best Children’s Book. Michelle currently serves as President of Platinum Literary Services, a premier full-service literary firm; Chairman of the Board of Advisors for Serious Writer, Inc.; and a much sought-after speaker at writers conferences and women’s retreats all over the United States.

When not writing or teaching writing, Michelle enjoys bass fishing and cheering on the Indiana University Basketball team, the Chicago Cubbies, and the LA Kings.

Michelle is celebrating the recent release of her books, Get Your Spirit On!, Fabulous & Focused, Dinosaur Devotions, and C Is for Christmas, and she’s anticipating the upcoming release of What Is America? (Worthy Kids) and They Call Me Mom (Kregel), a devotional book she co-authored with Bethany Jett.

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Writers Chat

Children’s Christmas Picture Books with Jill Roman Lord

Have a children’s book idea simmering? Jill Lord shares how you can transform those dreams into published picture books that will delight children and the parents who read to them…again…and again…

Join us!

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. Participants mute their audio and video during the filming, then we open up
the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is a
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.

Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our
Facebook Group.