Tag Archives: Christine Van Zandt

Ask an Editor: How Much Should I Share on My Website?

30 Wednesday Oct 2024

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“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.

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Ask an Editor: How Do I Research Topics for a Nonfiction Book?

07 Wednesday Aug 2024

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“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.

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Ask an Editor: 13 Great Things to Do While Waiting to Sell Your First (or Next) Book

15 Wednesday May 2024

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“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Hi Deneice – When I started on this journey writing children’s books about seven years ago, I was unagented and unpublished.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!

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Treasure Chest: April 2024

03 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by in Los Angeles, SoCal, Treasure Chest, Tri-Regional News

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Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the
Tri-Regions and beyond

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. 

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Ask an Editor: School Visits (Finding Gigs, What to Charge)

17 Wednesday Jan 2024

Posted by in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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“Ask an Editor” is a quarterly forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Alexis – I have three traditionally published nonfiction picture books and have heard that I can make money doing school visits. You seem to do a lot of them. How do I get my first school visit and what should I charge?

—KK, Los Angeles

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10 Inspiring Kite Tales Quotes from 2023

27 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in Agent's Perspective, Author's Perspective, Community Corner, Editor's Perspective, Illustrator's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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The high-flying little girl in Laura Hunt’s illustration “Kite Night,” winner of this year’s SCBWI-L.A. Twitter Banner Contest, answered the question of whether it’s ever too late to follow your dreams.

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.

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Ask an Editor: Query Letters—When to Start Writing One?

01 Wednesday Nov 2023

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“Ask an Editor” is a quarterly forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine—I’ve finished the first draft of my middle-grade mystery but still have a ways to go before it’s ready for me to submit it to literary agents. When do I start writing my query letter?—Ava, Los Angeles

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Publishing BTS: Author Sara Hosey and Freelance Editor Christine Van Zandt Talk Process

16 Wednesday Aug 2023

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Editor's Perspective, Tips and Tools

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Sara Hosey, author of Iphigenia Murphy, Imagining Elsewhere, and Summer People

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

Summer People by Sara Hosey, published by CamCat Books, August 2023
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Ask an Editor: What Is an R&R?

19 Wednesday Jul 2023

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“Ask an Editor” is a quarterly forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine–When I queried my YA novel to a few agents, one sent me an “R&R” (revise and resubmit) request. Should I do this?—Effie, Los Angeles

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The Sue Alexander Grant Is Open for Submissions!

12 Wednesday Apr 2023

Posted by in Author's Perspective, Contests & Grants, SAG, Writers' Retreat

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by Christine Van Zandt

The 2023 Sue Alexander Grant contest opens tomorrow, April 13, offering one SCBWI-L.A. writer a guaranteed spot and free tuition to the Working Writers Retreat (to be held at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, September 29 to October 1, 2023). This will be the first time this popular event has been held in person since 2019!

We asked last year’s Sue Alexander Grant recipient, Christine Van Zandt, to talk about her winning manuscript:

Christine Van Zandt, 2022 Sue Alexander Grant recipient, with western monarch.

The idea for Butterfly Dreams began in May 2020, when my daughter and I bought our first milkweed plant unaware that a mother monarch had sent us home with a surprise—actually 26 surprises! Soon, our plant was covered in adorable caterpillars. We excitedly watched them grow … until something came along one night and ate every last one.

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