30 Wednesday Aug 2023
Posted in Toot Your Horn!
SCBWI members’ publishing news is something to celebrate here at Kite Tales! Check out whose book is coming to a platform near you or around the world. Horn-tooting and digital high fives welcome in the comments!
16 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
19 Wednesday Jul 2023
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
Tags
#AskanEditor, authors, Christine Van Zandt, editor, middle grade, novel, picture book, publishing, writing tips, YA
“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
07 Wednesday Jun 2023
Posted in Toot Your Horn!
Tags
board book, Graphic Novels, middle grade, nonfiction, picture book, published, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, young adult
SCBWI members’ publishing news is something to celebrate here at Kite Tales! Check out whose book is coming to a platform near you or around the world. Horn-tooting and digital high fives welcome in the comments!
24 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 reading17 Wednesday May 2023
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–Since you write nonfiction, are you an expert on those topics? How much does an author need to know to write nonfiction and get it published?—Gen, Pasadena
29 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Central Coast, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, CenCal, craft, Patricia Toht, poetry, publishing, rhyming, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members, writing, writing tips
by Ann Rousseau Smith, SCBWI CenCal News Liaison
Join us on Thursday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. for a webinar with Patricia Toht titled “Let’s Get Rhyming!” Despite what some may insist, it’s not a crime to write in rhyme! But it does take effort to master your verse. Join author and Rhyme Doctor Patricia Toht as she shares her new releases, Together With You and Pick a Perfect Egg, along with other wonderful books in rhyme, and reveals key elements that make them shine. The price will be $12 for SCBWI members.
Continue reading15 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Industry Conferences, Los Angeles, PAL, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, craft, Creative Toolbox, Henry Lien, publishing, R.S. Mellette, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, writing
by R.S. Mellette
Before attending Henry Lien’s Creative Toolbox Workshop in January, I wasn’t much of a workshop person. I’ve got a theatre (with an “re”) degree. I’ve studied all the great playwrights from the inside out—meaning I’ve played their characters, and there is no better teacher about what works and what doesn’t than a live audience. I have written screenplays. I’ve won awards for TV and film. I have books published with glowing reviews. I have earned my snobbish attitude!
But I’ve also been locked inside for two years, like the rest of us, so any chance to see another person face-to-face is a joy these days. Also, I know Henry. Author of the Peasprout Chen middle grade fantasy/adventure series, he sat on a panel I put together for L.A. Comic Con. He’s a really nice guy, so I should go wave the flag of the SCBWI-L.A. board, right?
Fine. I went.
Continue reading08 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Author's Perspective, Tips and Tools
Tags
authors, Fina Mendoza Mysteries, Kitty Felde, MG, middle grade, novels, publishing, writing, writing tips
by Kitty Felde
There is nothing more scary than a blank screen. Starting a new novel from scratch is more terrifying than any roller coaster in any amusement park anywhere in the world.
That’s why I avoid an empty page.
Instead, I’m a great believer in germination. Instead of starting from bare earth, I plant the tiniest of ideas, giving them time to take root and put up shoots. I never know which seeds will fully blossom, but I’m willing to be surprised.
Continue reading01 Wednesday Mar 2023
Posted in Toot Your Horn!
Tags
board book, middle grade, nonfiction, nonfiction anthology, picture book, published, publishing, SCBWI community, SCBWI members, young adult
SCBWI members’ publishing news is something to celebrate here at Kite Tales! Check out whose book is coming to a platform near you or around the world. Horn-tooting and digital hi-fives welcome in the comments!
