29 Wednesday Sep 2021
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
By Colleen McAllister
Has your writing become generic without your permission? The habits and routines that help us write with regularity and consistency can take us down stale story paths without us realizing.
Here are some ways to break out of your comfort zone and breathe new life and specificity to your work.
Character Backstory Challenge
08 Wednesday Sep 2021
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
By Colleen McAllister
Stuck at home, staring at the same walls, unable to figure out how get inspired without getting in debt? Here are five things you can do to feed your creativity but don’t require you to open your wallet to do it.
Virtual Visits
Continue reading26 Wednesday May 2021
Posted in Editor's Perspective, Tips and Tools, Writers Days
Tags
Alice Walker, Ally Malinenko, Beatrix Potter, Cristina Fernandez, editing, Ghost Girl, rabbits, Rejection, Sara Schonfeld, Writers Day, Writers Day 2021
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.
Continue reading19 Wednesday May 2021
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
A Brief History of Underpants, Christine Van Zandt, nonfiction, nonfiction picture book, picture books, published, publishing
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?
14 Wednesday Apr 2021
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
Amy Rubinate, audiobook publishing, Audiobooks, Erin Bennett, Ideal Audiobooks, Live Oak Media, Mosaic Audio, picture books, Ron Butler, writing tips
by Amy Rubinate
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.”
31 Wednesday Mar 2021
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
alternate reality, Black, Craig S. Phillips, fantasy, Harold Hayes Jr., humor, Kingston and the Magician's Lost and Found, magician, middle grade, mystery, Rucker Moses
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?
24 Wednesday Mar 2021
Posted in #KTChat, Tips and Tools
Tags
#KTChat, branding, contests, promotions, social media, Twitter
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.
10 Wednesday Mar 2021
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
Alex Gino, Amy Rubinate, Anna Meriano, Audiobooks, editing, Ideal Audiobooks, Megan McDonald, Mosaic Audio, narration, Patricia Hruby Powell, Tara Dairman, writing
by Amy Rubinate
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.
10 Wednesday Feb 2021
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
by Amy Rubinate
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.
06 Wednesday Jan 2021
Posted in Tips and Tools
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:
