The Building Blocks of Plot, or “Dramatic Arc”
Basic plot structure for a picture book is the same as for any other kind of dramatic structure, be it a novel, a play or a film: 3 acts –…
The Kidlit Compass Blog
Gotta Getta Website!
You knew this was coming (and hopefully most of you have already done this): You must have your own website. Even better is to have a website for yourself as…
Products and Promotional Materials
Last week we talked about identifying and reaching out to your niche, or your target audience, and not relying on your publisher to do so for you. Another thing you…
What’s Your Niche?
OK, it’s not Monday, but the holidays have intervened. That said, let’s talk about niches. Having a niche means being known as “The Person Who Writes X,” as in “Oh,…
Put Your Best Foot Forward
Most publishing houses make acquisitions decisions by committee. Having been a fly on the wall at a lot of those meetings, as well as having made acquisitions decisions myself, I…
They’re Called PICTURE Books…
Like many children’s book authors who are also parents, I get a lot of ideas from my own kids. Several years ago, something sort of magical happened to my son…
Know the Market!
It’s been said that we all run at least two businesses – the business we’re in, and the business of marketing the business we’re in. Writers are often daunted by…
“But I’m a Writer, Not a Salesperson!” or, Intro to Marketing for Authors
The role of a children’s book author in the marketplace is dramatically different today from what it was even ten years ago. Books are now acquired based as much on…
