Wordless Picture Books

How wordless picture books empower children. 

http://www.slj.com/2014/05/authors-illustrators/how-wordless-picture-books-empower-children-slj-day-of-dialogue-2014/#_

Ageism

Our children's books need diversity and non-stereotyping of older people. 

http://www.lindseymcdivitt.com/2014/05/16/we-need-diversity-in-aging-also/

Plotting

Michael Crichton used 3x5 index cards when plotting out his stories. 

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2014/05/michael-crichtons-method-plotting-story/

Curriculum Guides

Make it easier for teachers to incorporate your book into their lessons by providing a detailed curriculum guide.

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/tying-your-novel-into-the-core-curriculum/
http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2014/05/28/curriculum-guide-darlene-beck-jacobson/

Fast Drafting

Commit to getting that first draft on paper and then put away the manuscript for later revision.

http://rateyourstory.blogspot.com/2014/05/how-to-achieve-high-and-publishable.html

What's Your Book About

Before you can perfect your pitch, you need to understand what your book is about. 

http://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2013/02/pitching-is-like-fishing-more.html

Getting an Agent

There are many myths associated with the process of acquiring an agent. 

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2014/06/so-youre-desperate-to-get-agent-heres.html

Art Notes

Another approach to use when you need to put art notes into your picture book manuscript. 

http://taralazar.com/2012/10/03/art-notes-in-picture-book-manuscripts/

Anti-Heroes

Why do we love anti-heroes, and why aren't more of them women? 

http://writerunboxed.com/2014/05/31/anti-heroes-why-devious-is-so-delectable-and-where-are-all-the-women/

Critique Comments

What if you don't agree with your critiquer's comments? 

http://www.shellicornelison.com/2014/06/celebrating-critique-comments-i-dont.html

Query Language

Use of effective language in your queries will increase the chances of receiving interest from an agent or editor. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/06/effective-language-in-your-queries-will.html

Writing Young Adult

Here are some tips for writing YA from author Seth Fishman. 

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/61185-how-to-write-ya.html

Publisher Mergers

What happens and what should you do if your publisher merges with another one? 

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2014/05/when-your-publisher-merges.html

Nonfiction Picture Books

Led by children's book historian Leonard Marcus, a panel of picture book experts discusses nonfiction in picture books. 

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/62215-nonfiction-in-picture-books-a-panel-discussion.html

Disagreeing With Editorial Letters

What do you do when you receive suggestions from your editor that you don't agree with? 

http://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/difficult-editorial/

Rejecting Rejection

Remember that rejections are part of the business of getting published. 

http://www.thewritingbarn.com/2014/05/19/rejecting-rejection/

World Building Rules

Sometimes it's okay to break the rules when you're building a world for your book.

http://kidlit.com/2014/05/12/breaking-the-rules-in-world-building/

Overnight Success Stories

Most of the "landing an agent in a day" stories hide the years of work leading up to them. 

http://rateyourstory.blogspot.com/2014/05/how-i-landed-my-agent-meta-story.html

Plot Issues

Don't force them, but rather use them as an opportunity. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/05/dont-force-plot-issues-look-for.html

Editorial Process

Here's a description of three phases of editing: macro, line, and copy.

http://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/editorial-process/

#WeNeedDiverseBooks

Join the campaign to increase diversity in books. #WeNeedDiverseBooks 

http://latinosinkidlit.com/2014/05/05/make-the-weneeddiversebooks-campaign-a-movement-that-pushed-for-intentionality/

Query Letter Additions

Your query letter should only include those items specifically requested by the guidelines, such as the letter itself, SASE, and pages. 

http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2014/05/ten-most-useless-things-you-mail-in.html

Being Nearly There

Sometimes it seems as if the hardest part of the writer's journey is when you've almost succeeded.

http://writerunboxed.com/2014/05/09/surviving-nearly-there/

School Visits

Hints for planning, preparing, and performing school visits. 

http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2014/05/planning-preparing-and-performing.html

Middle-Grade Characters

Middle-graders are becoming independent and starting to solve problems on their own or with limited help. 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2014/05/guest-post-giveaway-kami-kinard-on.html