Revisions Tips

Suggestions for revising, including "don't revise as you go along." 

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-top-tips-on-revising-your-novel-by.html

Making a Good Book Trailer

If you want your book trailer to shine, you need to put in the work.

http://toddmitchellbooks.com/book-trailers-ten-tips-to-help-you-avoid-the-suck-part-i/

Tighten Your Writing

These simple hints will help you cut all those needless words from your manuscript.

http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/cut-thousands-of-words/

Hooks

Does your book need a hook? It doesn't hurt. 

http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2013/10/chris-eboch-on-does-book-need-hook.html

Great Openings

How can you grab your reader in the first few pages?

http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2013/10/08/how-to-grab-delight-or-shock-your-readers-right-from-the-start/

Character Likeability

If you have an unlikeable character, he/she needs to add something else to the story.

http://chavelaque.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-ramble-on-likability-in-novels.html

Writing a Series

There's more to writing a series than writing multiple books with the same characters. 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-angie-smibert-on-how-not-to.html

Two Common Manuscript Mistakes

Most writers are guilty of overusing rhetorical questions and also telling then showing. 

http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2013/10/nutshell-spoilers-and-rhetorical-no-no.html

Agents vs. Editors

When agents and editors evaluate your manuscript, they look for different things. 

http://kidlit.com/2013/10/14/agents-vs-editors/

Latin@s in Kid Lit

This website explores the world of Latina/o in children's literature. 

http://latinosinkidlit.com/

New Trends in YA

Agents give their opinions about where young adult writing is heading. 

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/59297-new-trends-in-ya-the-agents-perspective.html

Using Poetic Devices

Steal (in moderation) some of these techniques from writing poetry to add interest to your writing. 

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2013/10/craft-of-writing-power-up-your-prose_8.html

Diversity and Character Depth

You book isn't multi-cultural just because you slapped an ethnic-sounding name on a character. 

http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/are-you-in-this-for-the-long-haul/

Writing for the Long Haul

What are some things that will help/hinder a long-lived writing career? 

http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/are-you-in-this-for-the-long-haul/

Proofreading Tips

After you've made your revisions, it's time to proofread.

http://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/proofreading-tips-for-authors-part-i/

Reduce Reader Fatigue

Break up your writing and vary your punctuation and sentence structure to keep your your reader's interest. 

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2013/09/break-it-up-how-to-reduce-reader-fatigue.html

Rejection

Why rejections can be both good and bad news. 

http://migwriters.blogspot.ca/2013/08/my-love-hate-ok-mostly-hate.html

CC Your Agent

When in doubt, copy your agent on any correspondence. 

http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2013/09/when-in-doubt-cc-your-agent.html

Heroes and Anti-Heroes

What's the difference between the good guys and the bad guys? 

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2013/09/23/hero-vs-anti-hero/

Blogging Tips

Whether you're new to blogging or an old hand, here are some tips to bring traffic to your blog. 

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/25-blogging-tips-for-fresh-bloggers.html

Building a Nonfiction Manuscript

Make your nonfiction book work on multiple levels by including backmatter. 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2013/09/guest-post-melissa-stewart-on-layer.html

Indie Booksellers

You want to make friends with your local independent bookstores. 

http://schoolvisitexperts.com/?p=936

Space Stories

It's time for science fiction stories to make a comeback. 

http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/aug/13/children-space-fiction-publishers-science-fiction?CMP=twt_gu

Conflict

How you handle the conflict will greatly affect the quality of your story.

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-your-conflict-is-solved-will-make.html

Naming Your Characters

Do you name all your characters at the outset or do you wait and see what name comes to you as you write? 

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2013/09/QotW-naming-your-characters.html

Book Signing Materials

What should you always bring with you when you're doing a book signing.

http://buildbookbuzz.com/your-book-signing-event-tool-kit/

Fiction vs. Nonfiction

Author Barbara Kingsolver tells how to tell the difference. 

http://scbwi.blogspot.com/2013/09/barbara-kingsolver-on-difference.html

Dialogue Tips

Five easy tips to make your dialogue more believable. 

http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/cheeseless-dialogue/

Chapters

It's not only easy to figure out how to divide your book into chapters. 

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2013/08/chaptering-those-magical-last-lines.html

Inspiration

Sometimes the best way to be inspired is to do nothing. 

http://streetsideconvos.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/are-you-feeling-uninspired-and-stuck-how-to-boost-your-creativity-and-productivity-by-doing-nothing/

Identifying Rhythm

If you're writing a rhyming picture book, you must be sure you understand how to write with rhythm. 

http://www.juliehedlund.com/debbie-diesen-may-12-x-12-featured-author/

100 Greatest Children's Books

The New York Public Library's list of the greatest books for kids. 

http://www.nypl.org/childrens100

Keep On, Keeping On

If you want to be published, you need to continue writing and submitting.

http://kristiholl.net/writers-blog/2013/07/want-to-be-successful-take-aim-and-keep-shooting/

Voice and Love

What is that elusive concept called voice.

http://katiaraina.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/on-voice-and-love/

Board Books

Everything you wanted to know about writing and publishing board books.

http://www.underdown.org/board-books.htm

Pitching Your Projecf

Fill in the blanks and create a pitch for your manuscript. 

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2013/09/pitching-your-projects/