Newsletters

 Make your newsletter stand out from the others.

https://janefriedman.com/the-newsletter-market-has-become-crowded-but-most-of-your-competition-is-easy-to-beat/

Publicists

 How do you make best use of your publicist?

https://melissataylortips.substack.com/p/a-childrens-book-marketing-director

Multiple POV

 How do you differentiate characters in a multiple point of view story?

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/multiple-viewpoint-story/

Loose Ends

 Should you tie up all the loose ends at the end of your story?

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/loose-ends-in-fiction/

Character Names

 Consider these points when choosing your character names.

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/the-7-rules-of-picking-names-for-fictional-characters

Novel Midpoints

 Here are some tips to fix a sagging midpoint in your novel.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/03/how-to-fix-a-weak-novel-midpoint/

Storyboard

 Every picture book author should make a storyboard (even if you have no artistic ability).

https://taralazar.com/2016/10/06/every-picture-book-author-should-make-a-storyboard/

Dialogue Tags

 What's the best way to use dialogue tags?

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/04/how-to-use-dialogue-tags-and-keep-the-flow/

Backstory

 Your reader doesn't need to know everything you do about your character's backstory.

https://reneefountain.substack.com/p/backstory-part-2-why-your-reader

Character Behaviors

 How do you write authentic and believable character behaviors?

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/write-authentic-character-behavior/

AI Editorial Feedback

 AI editorial feedback is improving, but should you use it?

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2026/03/a-i-editorial-feedback-is-getting-better-but-should-you-use-it

Hiring an Editor

 How much should you pay, and what is included, when hiring an editor?

https://emmawaltonhamilton.com/blog/how-much-is-an-editor-for-a-childrens-book-understanding-the-costs-and-services/

Writing Mistakes

 Here are some common writing mistakes and how to fix them.

https://writerunboxed.com/2026/02/23/common-mistakes-new-writers-make-and-how-to-fix-them/

Scams

 Scammers prey on a writer's desire for affirmation.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/books/review/publishing-scams.html

Feedback on Novels

 Avoid the temptation to get feedback on your novel too early.

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2026/03/when-to-get-feedback-on-a-novel

Picture Book Wordiness

Cut these phrases to avoid wordiness in your picture book.

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/writing-better-character-goals/#

Character Goals

 Here are six requirements for writing better character goals.

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/writing-better-character-goals/#

Front-Loaded Backstories

 Don't dump the entire backstory in the first few pages of your novel.

https://reneefountain.substack.com/p/front-loading-backstory-opening-pages?r=2qsmnk

Story Beats

 Make your story beats more powerful.

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/03/story-beats/

Health Issues in Middle-Grade Novels

 How do you handle health issues in middle-grade novels without preaching?

http://www.literaryrambles.com/2026/03/7-ways-to-write-health-issues-into.html

Unreliable Narrators

 How do you write an unreliable narrator so that you'll keep your reader engaged?

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/02/8-tips-for-writing-an-unreliable-narrator/

Early Drafts

 How do get from a messy beginning draft to your next draft?

https://janefriedman.com/11-steps-from-your-big-fat-mess-to-your-next-draft/

Reimagined Fairy Tales

 There are many ways you can reimagine a classic fairytale such as changing the setting.

https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2026/02/how-to-write-reimagined-fairy-tale-by.html

Writing Science

 How do you explain difficult scientific concepts in a way appropriate to the age of your readers?

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/02/setting-the-stage-with-powerful-description/

Powerful Descriptions

 Using powerful descriptions sets the stage for your novel.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/02/setting-the-stage-with-powerful-description/

Submission Package

 What should you put into your submission package?

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/02/submission-package/

Mirror Moment

 Whether you're a pantser or a plotter, you can use this midpoint method.

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/mirror-moment-in-fiction/

Writing Mistakes

 Are you making any of these newbie wriiting mistakes?

https://annerallen.com/2026/02/new-writers-are-you-making-any-of-these-4-mistakes/

Middle Grade Basics

 What does it mean when a book is called middle grade?

https://jerichowriters.com/how-to-learn-the-market-for-middle-grade-mg-fiction/

Writing Picture Books

 Here are some resources and recommendations for picture book writers.

https://www.jennybowman.com/how-to-write-a-picture-book-resources-and-recommendations/

Developing Characters

 Here are three ways to develop a fictional character.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/three-ways-to-develop-characters-in-fiction/

Paid Writing

 There are many more ways to get paid as a writer other than writing a book.

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/02/get-paid-as-a-writer/

Middle Grade Novels

 Here are some points to be mindful of when writing a middle grade novel.

https://diymfa.com/writing/five-lessons-learned-writing-first-middle-grade-novel/

Book Fairs and Festivals

 Here's a partial list of book fairs and festivals by state.

https://www.writersdigest.com/publishing-insights/list-of-book-fairs-and-book-festivals-by-state

High Concept Ideas

 Find some high concept ideas by mashing together two popular or funny topics.

https://taralazar.com/2026/01/24/storystorm-2026-day-24/

Story Stakes

 Timing is everything in choosing when to share the stakes in a story.

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/when-to-reveal-story-stakes/

Character Tropes

 Avoid writing cliches when using character tropes.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/how-to-use-character-tropes-without-writing-cliches/

Picture Book Tips

 One picture book tip from this article is to make sure you have "art bait" for the illustrator.

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/01/picture-book-tips-and-tricks/

Children's Magazines

 How do you go about getting published in children's magazines?

https://sarahallen.substack.com/p/getting-published-in-a-childrens

Getting Unstuck

 Here are some tips to moving again when you get stuck on a manuscript.

https://taralazar.com/2026/01/17/storystorm-2026-day-17/

Unreliable Narrators

 Can your unreliable narrator be sympathetic to your readers?

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/02/8-tips-for-writing-an-unreliable-narrator/

Picture Book Biographies

 What's the current market for picture book biographies?

https://www.nffest.com/2026/02/pssstdid-you-get-memo-about-writing.html

Picture Book Revision

 Here are favorite revision tips from various authors.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/02/fix-flat-deep-pov-7-probing-questions-for-better-immersion/

Flat Deep POV

 Here are seven probing questions to fix flat point of view for better immersion.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/02/fix-flat-deep-pov-7-probing-questions-for-better-immersion/

Editorial Letters

 How do you turn feedback into action?

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/02/understanding-editorial-letters-how-to-turn-feedback-into-action/

Author Websites

 What should be on the homepage of your author website?

https://www.meiramedia.com/websites/childrens-book-author-homepage-checklist-2026/

Improving Your Story

 How do you take your story from good to great?

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/01/story-from-good-to-great/

Book Publicity

 How has publicizing books changed?

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/the-new-rules-of-book-publicity/

Brainstorming

 Come up with story ideas by combine two words that don't seem to go together.

https://taralazar.com/2026/01/06/storystorm-2026-day-6/

Picture Book Tips

 Here are twenty tips for revising your picture book.

https://www.nffest.com/2026/02/in-wrong-place-at-wrong-time-problem.html

Third vs. First Person

 What's it look like to revise your book from third person to first?

https://thewingedpen.com/2021/03/30/point-of-view-tense/

Opening Chapters

 Here's a checklist of things that your opening chapters should accomplish.

https://annerallen.com/2013/06/10-things-your-opening-chapter-should/

Nonfiction Hooks

 How do you hook your readers when writing nonfiction?

https://www.nffest.com/2026/02/the-hook-factor-finding-no-way-that.html

Time Passage

 What are good ways to show the passage of time in your story?

https://erinentrada.substack.com/p/how-to-pass-the-time-in-fiction

Viewpoint

 Is it better to use a single or multiple viewpoints in your book?

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2026/02/single-or-multiple-viewpoints/

Writer's Blog

 Her are some tdos and don'ts if you're a writer and want to blog.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/02/the-dos-and-donts-of-blogging-for-writers/

Middle Grade Books

 Here are some suggestions about writing a middle grade book.

https://www.penguin.co.uk/about/company-articles/how-to-write-a-children-s-middle-grade-book

Freelance Editors

 Things to consider before hiring a freelance editor.

https://rachellegardner.com/hiring-a-freelance-editor-2/

Right Tense

 How do you decide what tense to use for your point of view character.

https://thewingedpen.com/2021/03/30/point-of-view-tense/

Vague Catchalls

 Use precise language and avoid vague catchalls in your writing.

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2025/02/stamp-out-vague-catchalls-in-your-writing

Subtext

 Use subtext instead of having your characters say everything.

https://reneefountain.substack.com/p/subtext-things-your-characters-shouldnt

Scammers

 Understanding these ten facts will help you identify a scammer.

https://annerallen.com/2026/01/stay-safe-from-scammers/

Picture Book Structure

 There are several different structures you can follow when writing a picture book.

https://taralazar.com/2012/11/07/piboidmo-day-7-tammi-sauer/

Hard-to-read Books

 Here are five flags that your book may be too much work or too complicated to read.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/04/5-red-flags-your-novel-might-be-too-much-work-to-read/

Scary Stories

 Avoid these pitfalls when writing your scary story.

https://www.deareditor.com/2025/10/avoid-scary-pitfalls-when-writing-scary-stories/

Creating Characters

 Branching out possible characterists can help create interesting characters.

https://taralazar.com/2026/01/19/storystorm-2026-day-19/

Pitching

 The pitch is a writer's selling point for their manuscript.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/01/ways-to-make-the-pitch-a-writers-selling-point/

Picture Book Ideas

 Asking "what if" is the golden question for generating picture book ideas.

https://emmawaltonhamilton.com/blog/what-if-the-golden-question-for-picture-book-ideas/

Protagonists

 How to find the heart and soul of your protagonist.

https://www.blogger.com/blog/posts/1016917725611909564

Agent Follow Up

 How often and when should you follow up after querying an agent?

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2026/01/how-often-to-follow-up-with-a-literary-agent

Book Advertising

 Does advertising better sales for books?

https://kathleenschmidt.substack.com/p/why-advertising-doesnt-work-for-books

First Impressions

 Are your fictional characters making a good first impression?

https://annerallen.com/2026/01/fictional-characters-making-first-impression/

Publishing Success

 Here are some myths about what it takes to have a publishing success.

https://www.writersdigest.com/5-myths-of-writing-and-publishing-success

Better Stories

 Here are some tips for writing better stories.

https://nathanbaugh.substack.com/p/11-quick-ideas-to-tell-better-stories

SEL Picture Books

 How do you write SEL (social emotional learning) picture books?

https://writersrumpus.com/2025/12/23/from-idea-to-impact-writing-sel-picture-books/

Character Building

 How do you create a character who fits into their culture, even when that culture is not acceptable to modern readers?

https://writerunboxed.com/2025/06/17/character-building/

Career Author

 What's happened to the idea of being a career author?

https://weareallcreatives.substack.com/p/the-end-of-the-career-author

Fresh Ideas

 How do you change your picture book from a tired trope to a fresh idea?

https://picturebooksummit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/PBSummit-9-Tips-for-Aspiring-Picture-Book-Writers.pdf

Character Motivation

 Here are three types of character motivation that matter.

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2025/12/why-character-motivation-matters/

Final Pass

 What is the final pass before your manuscript goes to print?

https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/the-final-pass-when-a-novel-goes

Final Chapter

 How do you write a satisfying ending for your novel?

https://annerallen.com/2025/12/writing-the-final-chapter/

Promoting Sequels

 Here are 11 tips for promoting sequels or later-in-series books.

https://insights.bookbub.com/clever-ideas-promoting-sequels-series-books/

Copyedits

 What are the different passes in the copyediting process?

https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/what-is-the-copyediting-process-like

Tropes

 You can freshen up tired tropes without loving what readers love.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/freshen-up-tired-tropes-without-losing-what-readers-love/

Commercial Nonfiction

 How can you use gamification to make your nonfiction more commercial?

https://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2025/12/gamification-and-quest-for-commercial.html

Conflict

 There are four key moments when you should hold the conflict.

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2025/12/four-moments-when-you-should-hold-the-conflict/

Active Protagonists

 It's hard for your readers to engage with a character who isn't trying.

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2025/11/its-hard-to-engage-with-a-character-who-isnt-trying

Books vs. Movies

 You're writing a book, so stop writing it as if it were a movie.

https://rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/youre-writing-a-book-so-stop-writing

Endings

 How do you know when your story is finished and it's time to type "the end?"

https://erinbowman.substack.com/p/knowing-when-to-type-the-end

Common Phrases

 Find and delete these common phrases from your manuscript.

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2025/11/find-and-delete-these-phrases-from-your-novel

Sensory Details

 Use sensory details in your scenes to immerse the reader in the experience.

https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-scenes-with-your-senses

Being a Successful Writer

 What qualities help make an author successful?

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2025/11/qualities-of-a-successful-writer/

Email Lists

 Here are 22 ways to grow your author email list.

https://insights.bookbub.com/email-marketing-authors-grow-list/

Setting in the Recent Past

 Be careful when setting your book in the recent past.

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2025/11/be-careful-setting-childrens-books-in-the-recent-past

Prologues

 How do you write a prologue that works?

https://janefriedman.com/prologues-that-work/

Finishing a Novel

 Finish your novel by writing one word at a time.

https://www.writersdigest.com/one-word-at-a-time-how-to-finish-writing-a-novel

Character Chemistry

 Here are eight ways to create an amazing chemistry between your characters.

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2025/11/6-tips-for-creating-great-character-chemistry/

Onomatopoeia

Using onomatopoeia as a repetitive device moves your story forward.

 https://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-joy-of-onomatopoeia.html

Secondary Characters

 Secondary characters also need a motivation for their actions.

https://annerallen.com/2025/11/whats-my-motivation-secondary-characters-should-want-something-too/

Word Count

 Here are the standard, industry-accepted word counts of various categories and genres of books.

https://www.goodstorycompany.com/blog/how-long-should-a-book-be

Picture Books

 Five necessary steps in becoming a picture book author.

https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/how-to-write-childrens-picture-book

First Book

 Should you count your first book as a practice one and throw it away?

https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/how-to-write-childrens-picture-book

Media Savvy

 Set media goals to become a media-savvy author.

https://www.writersdigest.com/media-savvy-author-setting-your-media-goals

Negative Traits

 Use negative traits to create a powerful character arc.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/transforming-negative-traits-into-powerful-character-arcs/

Author Events

 Here are some tips to making your author event successful.

https://writerunboxed.com/2025/12/09/successful-author-events-101/