Making Characters Come Alive

Your characters will be dull and lifeless if you do this to them. 

https://wordservewatercooler.com/2018/02/01/how-to-kill-off-your-characters-without-even-trying/

Kidlit Blogs

Keep up with the world of children's books by following these blogs and websites. 

https://blog.feedspot.com/childrens_book_blogs/

Picture Book Templates

Debbie Ridpath Ohi offers free picture book thumbnail templates for download. 

http://inkygirl.com/inkygirl-main/2015/11/4/free-picture-book-thumbnail-templates-for-writers-and-illust.html

Referrals

When you're thinking about asking for a referral, think about what that means from both the agent and the referring author points of view.

https://subitclub.com/2017/11/07/wrestling-with-referrals/

Plot Mistakes

Watch out for these eight common plot mistakes and learn how to fix them. 

http://annerallen.com/2018/02/plot-holes-and-pot-holes-8-common-mistakes/

Prologues

If you are submitting a partial manuscript, don't use of any of those precious pages by including a prologue. 

http://bookendsliterary.com/2018/02/22/dear-author-dump-the-prologue/

Book Conferences and Festivals

Publishers Weekly give a select list of book-related conferences, festivals, and fairs for 2018. 

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/trade-shows-events/article/75712-select-book-conferences-festivals-and-fairs-in-2018.html

Picture Book Publishers

These publishers accept unagented picture book manuscripts. 

https://picturebookplanet.com/publishers/

Getting an Agent After an Offer

Before you accept that offer, think about contacting an agent.

http://bookendsliterary.com/2018/02/20/how-an-agent-can-do-when-that-offer-comes-in-how-an-agent-benefits-you/

Child Characters

If you write kidlit, it's pretty important that you be able to write believable child characters. 

https://kidlit.com/2018/02/19/writing-child-characters/

Second Drafts

Congratulations on finishing your first draft, but now it's time for revising, starting with your second draft. 

http://stavroshalvatzis.com/story-design/writing-second-draft

Blog Posts

If you're stuck on ideas of what to post on your author blog, here are some suggestions. 

https://insights.bookbub.com/creative-blog-post-ideas-authors/

#ownvoices

What does it mean to write with #ownvoices? 

http://www.corinneduyvis.net/ownvoices/

Chosing a Writing Conference

With so many conferences aimed at writing, how do you choose ones that will help further your writing and your career?

https://brevity.wordpress.com/2018/02/06/some-thoughts-on-choosing/

Great Voice

If you want to write books with a great voice, you need to read books with a great voice. 

https://kidlit.com/2018/02/05/reading-way-great-writing-voice/

Scaffolding in Nonfiction

In order to present new concepts in your nonfiction, you have to provide the informational support so they can understand it. 

http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2018/02/getting-to-i-get-it-scaffolding-in_2.html

Book Events

Here are some tips to help you engage children's interest at book events. 

http://www.kidliterati.com/2018/01/reaching-readers-engaging-kids-at-book.html

Plotting a Novel

How to plot both the big picture and individual scenes in a novel. 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/01/plotting-novel-big-picture-vs-single.html

Plotting a Novel

You need to plot your novel both at the book and at the scene level. 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/01/plotting-novel-big-picture-vs-single.html

Networking with Agents

When you meet an agent at a conference, here are five questions to get a conversation going. 

http://bookendsliterary.com/2018/01/25/five-questions-to-ask-an-agent-editor-when-networking/

Picture Book Biographies

Three keys to writing and selling a picture book biography.

https://sevena28flores.wordpress.com/2017/11/09/three-keys-to-selling-a-childrens-picture-book-biography/

Children's Book Industry

It's important to understand the business of children's books if you want to be published. 

https://uhalumni.org/manoa/story/8-things-to-know-about-the-childrens-book-industry

Types of Editors

Your manuscript can benefit from the help of a different type of editor, depending upon where you are in the writing process.

Common Rejections

Here are some rejections you might receive and what they actually mean. 

https://taralazar.com/2016/02/02/common-rejections-and-what-they-mean/

Realistic Characters

Five things your characters need to make them real. 

https://www.writingforward.com/storytelling/five-things-your-characters-need

Word Counts

Your book should be as long as it takes to tell your story and no longer. 

http://www.literaryrambles.com/2010/09/word-counts-for-children-books.html

Elevator Pitches

When you're asked to say what your book is about, you need to be ready. 

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2017/12/whats-book-perfecting-art-elevator-pitch/

What to Write Next

Your manuscript is off to your agent or to editors, and it's time to figure out your next project. 

https://jamigold.com/2018/01/what-to-write-next-playing-favorites/

Retyping Your Revision

Retyping makes you consider all the words and sentences in your revision and not just your changes. 

https://hollyschindler.wordpress.com/2018/01/07/why-you-should-retype-your-revision-yes-the-whole-thing/

Advice from Publishers

Here is some basic info children's book publishers wish writers knew. 

https://writeforkids.org/blog/2014/09/7-things-editors-at-childrens-book-publishers-wish-writers-knew/

Book Titles

How to choose the best title for your book (even though your publisher might change it.)

http://annerallen.com/2016/10/book-titles-10-tips-choose-right-title/