13 Wednesday Nov 2024
Posted in Author's Perspective
by Kelly Pellico
I’ve spent 148,628* hours reading, studying, and writing picture book manuscripts. I’ve scoured library shelves and listened to an endless stream of craft advice through podcasts, webinars, classes, and conferences. And . . .
(Insert suspenseful page turn)
Continue reading11 Wednesday Sep 2024
Posted in Author's Perspective, Editor's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
Cara J. Stevens, editing, editing tips, manuscript, Marie Kondo, picture book, picture book author, writing, writing tips
Marie Kondo has inspired millions of people to simplify and streamline their lives by assessing their belongings and keeping only what sparks joy in their life’s story. Are you ready to do the same for the stories you write?
by Cara J. Stevens
I’m in the process of packing up our house for a move. We’re downsizing from a large cozy, suburban house to a sparkling new, small apartment in the city. We’re also becoming empty-nesters as our son is moving into his first apartment and our daughter is happily settled across the country. To prepare for this new chapter, I’ve been systematically going from room to room, sorting our belongings into piles: keep, donate, sell, send off with the kids, and throw out. What has helped me through this potentially overwhelming task is Marie Kondo’s transformational book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.
At the same time, I’ve been working with clients struggling to edit their picture book manuscripts. They’re having trouble “killing their darlings.” It hit me, as I was elbow-deep in memorabilia, that downsizing a home and downsizing a manuscript share striking similarities. Both require looking objectively and lovingly at what has brought you to this moment and assessing its usefulness for the journey ahead.
Continue reading02 Friday Aug 2024
Posted in Author's Perspective, Industry Conferences
Tags
Abrams, American Library Association, authors, Beach Lane Books, chapter book, conferences, Graphic Novels, illustrators, Kate Messner, Katherine Roy, kidlit, librarians, MG, Nell Cross Beckerman, picture book author, picture books, publishers, SCBWI events, Scholastic Press, YA
by Nell Cross Beckerman
What is ALA? Who gets to go to ALA? How can I go to ALA? Will my publisher pay for me to go to ALA? What is it like going to ALA? WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH ALA??
Perhaps these questions have been floating in your head for years, easy to ignore or not contemplate for too long. That’s what it’s been like for me. But this year, as the American Library Association (ALA) held its annual conference in San Diego last month, it was impossible for me to ignore the giddy updates and photos flooding my socials with friends who were SO EXCITED TO BE AT ALA!!!! Because I was there, too.
As a traditionally published picture book author who debuted in 2020, I’m happy to share my recap of how I got to go to the conference, along with some insider tips to help demystify attending ALA Annual.
Continue reading28 Wednesday Feb 2024
Posted in Author's Perspective, Writers Days
Liz Garton Scanlon is the author of numerous beloved books for young people, including picture books Everyone Starts Small; Full Moon Pups; Kate, Who Tamed the Wind; the Caldecott-honored All the World; and many others, all illustrated by some of the very best artists in the business. She’s also co-authored several books with her pal Audrey Vernick, including the hilarious Bob, Not Bob and The World’s Best Class Plant. Scanlon’s middle grade novels are The Great Good Summer and Lolo’s Light, and her chapter book series Bibsy Cross debuts this June. Liz has taught at Austin Community College, Whale Rock Workshops, the Writing Barn, and at countless schools and conferences. She serves on the faculty of the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and lives in Austin, Texas. Find more at Liz’s website.
Continue reading31 Wednesday Jan 2024
Posted in Author's Perspective, Poet's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
April Halprin Wayland, interview, Janet Wong, Myra Cohn LIvingston, Orange Marmalade, Paige Vinten Taylor, poetry, poets, Pomelo Books, publishing, Sylvia Vardell, TeachingAuthors.com, UCLA, writing, writing tips
by Paige Vinten Taylor
In her own words, April Halprin Wayland is “a writer, a mother, a wife, a speaker, a fiddle player, an organizer, a teacher, a poet, a doodler (see blog posts), a daughter, a sister, a performer, a storyteller, a peace activist, a traveler, a walker, a hiker, a meditator, an aqua farmer, a sun farmer, an animal lover, a cloud collector, a procrastinator, an infrequent twitterer, facebooker (sometimes) and instagramer. All!”
Paige Vinten Taylor: Welcome to Kite Tales, April. We’re so glad you’re here with us to talk everything poetry. Can we begin at the beginning? When did you first decide that you loved poetry?
Continue reading27 Wednesday Dec 2023
Tags
authors, Benson Shum, Brady Smith, Cara J. Stevens, Christine Van Zandt, Courtney Stevenson, craft, illustrators, Imelda Hinojosa, inspiration, Jackie Huang, Karol Ruth Silverstein, Kitty Felde, Laura Hunt, Laura Taylor Namey, Lucy Hamilburg, Molly Ruttan, Philana Marie Boles, publishing, publishing tips, quotes, Savannah Brooks, SCBWI community, Vincent X. Kirsch, writing tips
Editing Kite Tales has its perks. One is being among the first to see, hear, and be able to use the many uplifting ideas expressed by the blog’s kidlit guests during the year. Another is being one of the first to look back at year’s end and take inspiration anew. Here are some of my favorite 2023 moments gathered up in KT’s traditional list of 10 inspiring quotes. (Plus some extra inspo via the images.) Scroll through. Click through. Catch a thermal current and be uplifted. Thank you to everyone who brought words, pictures, and stories to the blog this year. Thank you to our readers! May you continue to soar in 2024.
Continue reading16 Wednesday Aug 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Editor's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
ADHD, authors, Blackstone Publishing, CamCat Books, Christine Van Zandt, editing tips, editors, publishing, publishing tips, Sara Hosey, Summer People, writing, YA
The editorial process is a give-and-take experience between two equal, essential partners. Kite Tales listens in as YA author Sara Hosey and freelance editor Christine Van Zandt discuss working together to bring a book they felt was both crowd-pleasing and socially significant to market. Summer People, published by CamCat Books and released August 8, 2023, tells the story of seventeen year-old Christmas Miller. Over the course of a summer, as Christmas tries to navigate sudden friction in her closest friendship and fathom a violent attack on another of her friends, she learns that the ADHD she’d thought was a liability is actually a superpower. Here are Sara’s and Christine’s reflections on the path to publication. – KT
09 Wednesday Aug 2023
Tags
author-illustrator, authors, Brady Smith, illustrators, Louie and Bear, Random Acts of Drawness, You're Missing It!
Anyone who has seen the Instagram series Random Acts of Drawness knows that Brady Smith can draw just about anything. In addition to being a first-class speed drawer, he’s written and illustrated three picture books, an interactive activity/sketchbook, and a graphic novel series.
He’s also a fine artist who’s had solo exhibitions in Los Angeles, Houston, and New York and painted over half a dozen large-scale murals in LA, Salt Lake City, and Austin.
Brady spoke to us about his work and process from his studio in Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife, Tiffani Thiessen, their two kids, four dogs, and eleven chickens.
Continue reading24 Wednesday May 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Industry News
Tags
#WNDB, Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, authors, diversity, Judy Blume, Little Divas, middle grade, Philana Marie Boles, publishing, We Need Diverse Books
by Philana Marie Boles
Since its inception in 2014, I have applauded the refreshing “We Need Diverse Books” initiative. Yet internally, as a multi-published author, I’ve also whimpered a weary cry whenever I see those words. I’ve wanted to remind anyone who will listen, “But we’re here. We’ve always been here. Diverse books just need to be seen and supported.”
Continue reading03 Wednesday May 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Editor's Perspective, Tips and Tools
by Cara J. Stevens
Part 2: 7 Self-editing checkpoints to take your manuscript from first draft to ready for submission
**Note: This is the second in a two-part series. To read part one, click here.**
My first post covered storytelling basics to get you to a solid first draft. Once your manuscript is complete, however, it’s far from finished!
Here are seven checkpoints to guide you once you’re ready to edit.
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