Browse the Blog

So when people ask me whether AI will replace writers, I’m not answering as a theorist. I’m answering as someone embedded in the daily reality of publishing. And that reality is this: Publishing has never rewarded “good enough.” It wants specificity. Emotional depth. Voice. Those things don’t scale neatly. And they don’t come from shortcuts.

If you're just trying to get your book out of your head and onto a page, that's totally fine! Heck, you can jot your very first draft down on a napkin if you have to. (We’ve all been there!) But, there comes a time when you have to dress your manuscript up for the big leagues. If you’re ready to pitch an agent or an editor, there are some general guidelines to follow.

Our world is craving genuine people and authentic stories. The market is flooded every day with new children’s books. What will set yours apart?

Some days, finding time to write feels like trying to catch a firefly with oven mitts on—possible, technically, but wow does it take effort.

Below are four excellent writing conferences (including ours!) that picture book writers should keep on their radar—plus two kidlit writing organizations that are just too good to leave out. 👇

Deciding whether your children's book manuscript is truly ready to send out into the world—whether that means querying agents or diving into self-publishing—can feel both thrilling and terrifying. And honestly? Only you can make that call. But as an agented and traditionally published picture book author who’s helped hundreds of writers navigate both traditional and indie publishing paths, I’ve found that most successful authors can answer YES to the following question

Good dialogue captures a character’s personality, moves the story forward, and helps the reader connect with the character. But when dialogue sounds inauthentic, it can throw off the rhythm of a read-aloud and disconnect the reader from your characters.

As a freelance picture book editor, I read hundreds of manuscripts each year. And some common mistakes always stand out.

...it's critical that you take the time to learn the genre and it's unique expectations before you dive in.

At a recent conference, someone sat down across from me and said, “I wrote a picture book, but it got too long—so now I’m turning it into a young adult novel.” This wasn’t a one-off comment. When I asked more questions, I realized: they had no idea that middle grade was a thing. They didn’t know what chapter books were, either. And they definitely didn’t realize that a picture book isn’t just a book with pictures. That moment is exactly why I wrote this post. Because I’ve bee

One of the most common dilemmas new authors face, is what to do with feedback once they receive it.  

Grammarly is a digital writing tool that provides grammar and spell checking, plagiarism detection services, and suggestions...

Here’s a round up of my favorite FREE writing contests and challenges for children's book authors. 

In the search for the perfect critique partner, it's easy to get so wrapped up in what we want out of the relationship, that we forget about what we need to bring to the table! But, as the word partner implies, the relationship is not only about receiving feedback…it's also about giving it!

If you're writing children's picture books, bringing your vision to life is the hardest part. If you have an idea for a picture book...