Picture Book or Chapter Book

What's the best way to tell your story--as a picture book or a chapter book? 

https://taralazar.com/2018/09/17/is-your-picture-book-actually-a-chapter-book/

When NOT to Submit

Ten reasons you're not read to submit your manuscript to an editor or an agent. 

https://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2018/12/10-reasons-to-not-submit-your-story-to.html

The Writing Life

Thirty lessons about the writing life, starting with persistence is more important than talent. 

https://writerunboxed.com/2018/11/27/30-things-ive-learned-about-the-writing-life/

Query Tips

The most important query tip is to write a good book, but here are some others that can help you in your agent search.

https://dianaurban.com/tips-authors-querying-literary-agents

Writing Novels

Consider these ten points as you're planning, writing, and revising your novel. 

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/the-10-step-checklist-to-writing-a-better-than-average-novel/#

Categories of Children's Books

Different categories of children's books, from board books to young adult, have different word counts and target audiences. 

http://www.jennybowman.com/2018/03/01/what-genre-is-my-childrens-book/

Understanding Your Character

In order to write a character your readers can relate to, you need to understand that character. 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2018/12/characters-are-people-too-bring-your-book-to-life-part-i/

Strong Operning Scenes

By strengthening the opening of your book, you increase the likelihood of a person reading on. 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/12/5-ways-to-write-stronger-opening-scenes.html

Comp Titles

When you're submitting a manuscript, it helps to list some books comparable to yours. 

https://kidlit.com/2018/12/10/comp-titles-in-a-query-book-comps/

Punch Up Your Picture Book

These five simple suggestions will help your picture book one that kids will want to read over and over again. 

https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/picture-books-with-punch/

Top Nonfiction Blogs

There are a lot of writing blogs out there, and here are 25 of the best ones for nonfiction. 

https://blog.feedspot.com/nonfiction_blogs/

Picture Books by the Numbers

This survey surveyed published picture book authors on questions like how long did it take to get published and how big was the advance.

https://hannahholt.com/blog/2017/9/20/picture-books-by-the-numbers-2017
https://hannahholt.com/blog/2017/9/25/writing-picture-books-a-look-at-the-number-part-2

Manuscript Formatting

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make your manuscript conform to industry standards. 

https://jerryjenkins.com/manuscript-format/

Following Up With an Agent

Here are some hints about how long to wait and how to do it before following up on an agent submission. 

https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2018/04/when-to-follow-up-with-a-literary-agent

Agents as Advocates

One of the big advantages of having an agent is they can step in when you are having a disagreement with your editor. 

https://rachellegardner.com/let-your-agent-be-the-bad-guy/

Adult Characters

How much page time should adult characters have in your middle grade novel? 

http://www.deareditor.com/2018/12/re-how-much-page-time-can-adult-characters-have-in-middle-grade-novels/

Multiple Points of View

If your story is told through the eyes of more than one character, you don't want to confuse your readers. 

https://nybookeditors.com/2016/09/write-novel-multiple-points-view/

Tension in Dialogue

Here are some hints on how to increase the tension in your your character, and hence your story, through dialogue. 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2018/12/9-tension-building-elements-for-character-dialogue/

Bookstore Events

How to reduce the likelihood of a low turnout for your next bookstore event. 

https://careerauthors.com/stories-from-the-road/?fbclid=IwAR37zkp3BniiTV-pummeX-tzS7VzEmQvnc5HXyZCQpgWBhaBDh0YMhIgz0k

holiday picture books

Here are some points to think about if you're writing a book with a tie-in to a specific holiday.

https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2018/12/writing-holiday-picture-book-by.html?fbclid=IwAR2-TCq-K7k0-WrYjuDW68pzOr2Kys1FFG97S8GQNzdl315cpKFM3fJ_9cU

Critique Partner or Beta Reader

You need people to both look at your manuscript with a critical eye (critique partner) and to read it like a reader (beta reader).

https://www.bridgidgallagher.com/blog/127-the-difference-between-critique-partners-and-beta-readers-and-why-you-need-both

Naming Characters

One of the fun parts of writing a story is choosing the perfect name for your character. 

https://electricliterature.com/how-to-give-your-characters-unforgettable-names-656abb1e260d

Art Notes

Is that art note in your picture book manuscript really necessary? 

https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2018/12/11/ask-dianne-dealing-with-conflicting-informagtion-plus-book-winner-update/

Revising Older Manuscripts

There's a lot you can learn when you revise manuscripts from when you were a newer writer. 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/09/5-things-re-editing-your-older-work-can.html

Tension

Your book has no plot without tension, and here are some ways to add it while revising.

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/02/three-ways-to-add-tension-during.html

Subrights

Here are examples of fair income splits between you and your publisher for subrights (audio, film, book club, etc.).

https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2018/11/14/writing-tips-10-ways-to-fake-a-professional-edit/

Editing Like a Professional

Use these tips when you revise to bring your story to the next level. 

https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2018/11/14/writing-tips-10-ways-to-fake-a-professional-edit/

First Person Narrators

If you're writing in first person, how do you describe your protagonist without resorting to the old "looking in the mirror" trick?

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/08/what-do-i-look-like-protag-describing.html

Out-of-Print Books

Is there a way to bring new life to a book your publisher has decided to declare out of print? 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2018/12/guest-post-shutta-crum-on-breathing-new.html

Subtext

Body language transmits more information than spoken dialogue. 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2018/11/know-subtext-got-subtext-on-the-page/

Elevator Pitch

You never know when you might be in a position to give a short pitch of your manuscript, so be prepared. 

http://www.thewritersalleyblog.com/2018/08/elevator-pitch-anytime-anywhere.html