Category Archives: Tips and Tools

Sara Schonfeld on Making the Most of Rejection

26 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in Editor's Perspective, Tips and Tools, Writers Days

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Jumping from journalism to editing, Sara Schonfeld never strayed far from children’s stories. She joined Katherine Tegen Books in 2019 and has recently taken on the role of Associate Editor for the imprint. Her list includes everything from picture books to young adult novels from authors such as Alice Walker, Cristina Fernandez, and Ally Malinenko (author of the forthcoming Ghost Girl).

A rabbit lover and fan of anything Marvel, this “Bunny Boss” is looking for stories that are uplifting and affirming, showing the power of relationships, identity, and self for young readers.

Sara will be sharing insights on rejection letters and how to make the most of them in her presentation during SCBWI-L.A.’s Writers Day 2021. She has given us a preview of some of those tips here on Kite Tales, but you can still register for the event here to get the full scoop.

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Interview with Nonfiction Picture Book Author Christine Van Zandt

19 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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Christine Van Zandt is a Los Angeles writer, editor, and longtime SCBWI volunteer. She’s a familiar name here on Kite Tales, previously as the Editor and now as a regular contributor. Her debut picture book, A Brief History of Underpants, will be published in June, though that wasn’t the initial plan . . . read on to get the scoop!

FARRHA KHAN: Welcome to Kite Tales! Congratulations on your picture book, A Brief History of Underpants. Why was your publication pushed from April to June?

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From Written to Spoken Word – Part Three: The Business of Audiobooks

14 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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by Amy Rubinate

Photo Credit: Ron Butler and Erin Bennett

Many authors use audiobooks to enhance their readership and increase sales. To confirm why a writer would want to ensure that their book is made into an audiobook, I went straight to the source. I asked the executive director of the Audiobook Publishers Association (APA) Michele Cobb for her thoughts. She replied, “By giving the consumer all the format options, you maximize their ability to connect with your title. With eight years of double-digit growth, audiobooks have proven their value again and again.”

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Interview with Author Rucker Moses

31 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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Rucker Moses is the pen name of Los Angeles authors Craig S. Phillips and Harold Hayes Jr. Together, they have been nominated for three Emmys for writing in a children’s program. Along with Theo Gangi, Rucker Moses are co-authors of the middle grade book Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found (book one of two, Penguin, February 2021).

CHRISTINE VAN ZANDT: Welcome to Kite Tales! Your new book has three authors. Wow! How did two of you work together, and then how did your Rucker Moses portion coordinate with the sections Theo Gangi wrote?

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Let Twitter Be Part of Your Writing Life

24 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in #KTChat, Tips and Tools

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by Jean Lizotte Grabow, SCBWI-L.A. Social Media Manager  

Social Media is an opportunity for us as writers and artists to become part of the larger publishing community, create a brand for ourselves, and promote our work. 

Today we are focusing on Twitter as a tool for all book creators, particularly writers, to support our careers. The platform has an amazing publishing community and many opportunities to participate, including our very own SCBWI-L.A. Kite Tales #KTChat contest (more on this below).  

Here are some tips for maximizing your time on Twitter to enhance your writing life.  

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From Written to Spoken Word—Part Two: Writing for Audio

10 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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by Amy Rubinate

Photo Credit: Ron Butler and Erin Bennett

Audiobooks are an increasingly important part of the literary marketplace, and there is a high likelihood that every book will become an audiobook sooner or later. In light of this shift in the market, authors may wonder if they need to keep the audio version in mind when writing, and adjust their writing style to accommodate this medium. I would suggest that the answer is yes, even if the changes are subtle or few. But let’s start with the easiest adjustment: using audiobook techniques to your advantage as part of the writing process.

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From Written to Spoken Word – Part One: Bringing Stories to Life

10 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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by Amy Rubinate

Studio in Session: Dark room with several computer monitors and recording equipment.
Photo Credit: Ron Butler and Erin Bennett

There is an adage in the audiobook industry that the right narrator can make a bad book good, and a good book great. I like to expand on that by saying that the pairing of a great narrator and a great book is a kind of alchemy that creates a new art form all its own. Audiobooks bring a written story to life—not on page or stage or screen, but through the physical act of storytelling.

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Give Your Writing Process a Boost with These 8 Tips from SCBWI-L.A. Regional Team

06 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by in Tips and Tools

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Now that 2020 is, thankfully, behind us and we’re all making plans for the coming year as best we can, we hope you are looking ahead at 2021 with renewed energy. With that in mind, our mighty Regional Team has provided their favorite writing process and productivity tips to help shake off the holiday season and give us a boost for whatever project we’re tackling.

Here are our Regional Team’s writing process tips:

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#KTIllustrates Deadline Extended: Let’s Stir Up The Imagination!

09 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by in #KTIllustrates, Tips and Tools

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So much has been happening in the world in the last few months that it might feel like we haven’t yet caught a break. A day of rest might seem like a luxury of the past or we might be struggling to generate ideas with the constant stream of worries swirling around in our heads.

With this in mind, we’re going to give ourselves some time to rest and extend the deadline for our #KTIllustrates contest to February 5, 2021. 

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How Does a Contest Submission Get to Be ‘Most Promising?’

11 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by in Central Coast, Contests & Grants, Tips and Tools, Tri-Regional News

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by Anonymous SCBWI Contest Judge

Years ago, I’d sit among other eager writers, waiting to hear if my submission had won “Special Mention” or even better, “Most Promising.” Watching the elated winner claim their award, I’d wonder why my story didn’t capture the prize.

Now as a contest judge who’s “been there,” I hope that sharing my insights on how to take a story from good to impressive will help another aspiring writer.

Judges respond to stories that engage us. I may love some genres more than others, but when judging, I set aside personal preferences and look at the caliber of the work.

I read contest submissions multiple times to answer two key questions:

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