10 Wednesday Dec 2025
Posted in Great News!
Tags
Cate Touryan, Christine Van Zandt, Kitty Felde, Margo Sorenson, Patrice Karst, Robert Joseph, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, Sheila Fein
SCBWI loves celebrating our members’ successes and noteworthy news, and there are many! Read on to find out who’s got something to shout about. Digital high-fives welcome in the comments!
Continue reading05 Wednesday Nov 2025
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
Tags
#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, critiques, editor, Events, publishing
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.
Hi Christine – I landed a critique from my dream agent at an upcoming writer’s event. I send in the manuscript ahead of time, then have a Zoom with them. Should I submit my best picture book manuscript or one that I’m struggling with?
– Paula, the Valley
Hello Paula – I’m always happy to hear that people are signing up for critique opportunities. How you proceed depends somewhat on your personality. Are you a planner or a pantser (e.g., you like to fly by the seat of the pants)? Pantsers tend to send in whatever story in whatever condition, figuring any feedback is good, and they’re willing to see where that submission takes them.
However, if you’re more of a planner, then consider the following information.
Continue reading06 Wednesday Aug 2025
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
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#AskanEditor, Amanda Davis, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, Events, Jocelyn Rish, Keila V. Dawson, marketing, Micky O'Brady, Moni Ritchie Hadley, publicity, publishing, R.S. Mellette, Tina Athaide, Tracy Gold, websites
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.
Hi Christine – I’m selling my book for the first time at an event. What tips can you share? I’m looking for things that have worked well for sales and that were cost-effective.
– Ellie, Pasadena
Hello Ellie – You’ll have fun! That’s one of the great things about being a kidlit author.
Authors who have been there and done that share their tips:
Continue reading14 Wednesday May 2025
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
Tags
#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, marketing, publicity, publishing, websites
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.
Hi Christine – My book deal has been announced on Publisher’s Weekly but I don’t have an ISBN, exact publication date, or a cover image yet. When should I announce it myself?
– Carrie, Los Angeles
Hello Carrie – Congratulations! It’s exciting seeing the PW announcement—now the world knows! You don’t need to wait for an ISBN or the book cover. In fact, even if you have the book cover, you can use that at a later date as a “book-cover reveal” announcement.
Continue reading15 Wednesday Jan 2025
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
Tags
#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, craft, editor, indie-publishing, publishing, self-publishing, websites, writing
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.
Hi Christine – I’ve been trying to land an agent for four years, but have had no success. Should I self-publish my book?
– Hana, Culver City
Hello Hana – It typically takes 3–5 years from when a manuscript is polished and querying begins until an author lands an agent or publisher, and there is no guarantee a manuscript will get picked up. I understand that’s a long time to wait on a chance.
Continue reading27 Friday Dec 2024
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#AskanEditor, Alexis O'Neill, Andy Greene, April Halprin Wayland, authors, Cara J. Stevens, Christine Van Zandt, craft, illustrators, inspiration, Jaime Zollars, Joy Peskin, Julia Edwards, Kelly Pellico, Kim Wildman, Liz Garton Scanlon, Nell Cross Beckerman, Paige Vinten Taylor, Philana Marie Boles, publishing, publishing tips, quotes, Roya Asgari, SCBWI community, writing tips
It’s been a roller coaster of a year. But that means there’ve been ups as well as downs. Joy, growth, progress, breakthroughs, satisfaction. So, take a moment to peruse our traditional year-end inspirational quotes column, which this year includes a baker’s dozen. We need ’em! And we have them, thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to share your time, expertise, images, thoughts, words—and reasons for huzzahs—with all of us through Kite Tales. Now, let’s hop in the time machine together and take a look back at some of the highlights.
Continue reading30 Wednesday Oct 2024
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.
Hi Christine – Should I post all or part of my manuscript on my website? I’m pre-published and seeking an agent.
—Stan, Los Angeles
Hello Stan – I realize it seems simpler to have your work on your website and have others come there to view it, but that goes against the expectations of our industry and increases your chances that your ideas or content may be used in ways that do not benefit you.
Continue reading07 Wednesday Aug 2024
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
Tags
#AskanEditor, 12x12, author-illustrators, authors, business, children's book insider, Christine Van Zandt, craft, editor, illustrators, publishing, Storystorm, The Lyrical Language Lab, The Writers' Loft
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.
Hi Christine – What’s the best way to research nonfiction picture book topics?
—Bria, Los Angeles
Hello Bria – While everyone has their own styles and preferences, I’ll share some techniques I’ve used for the nonfiction picture books I’ve had published.
Continue reading15 Wednesday May 2024
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
Tags
#AskanEditor, 12x12, author-illustrators, authors, business, children's book insider, Christine Van Zandt, craft, editor, illustrators, publishing, Storystorm, The Lyrical Language Lab, The Writers' Loft
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.
Hi Christine – I’m pre-published and wonder if I should have a website or be on social media.
—Deneice, Northridge
Hi Deneice – When I started on this journey writing children’s books about seven years ago, I was unagented and unpublished. Now I’m represented by the fabulous Liza Fleissig and am the proud author of two nonfiction picture books, Milkweed for Monarchs (Beaming Books, 2024) and A Brief History of Underpants (becker&mayer! kids, 2021). If I can do it, so can you!
Continue reading03 Wednesday Apr 2024
Posted in Los Angeles, SoCal, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News
Tags
authors, Christine Van Zandt, Comic Orange, craft, illustrators, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, middle grade, PAL events, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund, SCBWI members, SCBWI SoCal
On Thursday, April 11th at 4pm PT / 7pm ET, you’re invited to the Children’s Book Changemakers Special, presented by the SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund. This exciting Zoom program is free to all (no SCBWI membership required) and features rare appearances from iconic children’s book thought leaders whose work has made a difference. More information or register today.
Kite Tales 