Craft Articles
Join us in exploring others’ craft and building our own.
Here you will find explorations of mentor texts – articles that dive into specific craft elements in published books, interviews with authors, and tips on growing and improving as a writer.
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Christine Evans: Kicking Your Story Forward
There's no rush. Take your time to make your work the best it can be before sending it out.
Lea Lyon: Following Curiosity and Trying New Things
“If you're researching for a nonfiction project, search beyond library databases. Reach out to librarians and archivists. Visit locations where events from the story you're researching took place, and visit archives and libraries in the area. Above all, reach out to experts in the subject matter. They are invaluable resources and are invested in the public (especially children) knowing more about their area of expertise.”
Seina Wedlick: Deconstructing Story Structures
“Traditional publishing is often a slow process...There are occasionally books that get snapped up and released really quickly, but, more often than not, it’s a much longer wait . . . It’s so important for writers to plug into a community of other writers they can share this journey with and to use the ‘waiting period’ to work on something new or hone-in on their craft.”
Are Critique Groups Right for You? Tips From Gennifer Choldenko
I have been in critique groups on and off for most of my career. I’m here to tell you that they can be wildly helpful and bracingly unhelpful–the trick is how to make them work for you.
Anne-Marie Guest Blogs at The Official SCBWI Blog
In January 2023, I had the pleasure of being the guest blogger for The Official SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Blog. Here are links to the posts, in case you missed them.
Grounding Fantasy in the Familiar: An Interview with Sam Subity
With contemporary fantasy, it doesn't take such a stretch of the imagination for the reader to follow along when you blend the familiar with the unfamiliar.
Interview with Brian Weisfeld: On Developing and Co-Writing a Series to Inspire Entrepreneurship
The four years of creating that original manuscript were the hardest and most humbling of my entire career. But my journey is also a reminder that there are a lot of different paths to publication.
Catching Up with Lindsay Lackey--a debut author's first year
Get to know our September featured author, Lindsay Lackey! Lindsay's debut middle grade novel All the Impossible Things came out on September 3, 2019. Read on to find out about everything from her book launch to school visits to writing the next novel, as well as the biggest surprise moment of her 2019.
Interview with Kate O’Shaughnessy: Writing with Honesty and Heart
Ignore trends entirely, and write the book that truly calls to you.
Interview with Lindsay Lackey: Craft and Community--a Perfect Fit
I love the deep sense of wonder writers of children’s books possess, and how we all—deep down—still believe in magic. The world is so often dark and stormy, but kidlit writers relentlessly gather around the flickering candles in the darkness.
