Sharon welcomes middle-grade author Jessica Vitalis. Jessica shares her journey from picture books to novels in verse, emphasizing perseverance, community, and continual craft improvement. They discuss the value of mentor texts, the process of writing across genres, pursuing literary awards, and the importance of connecting with and contributing to the kid lit community.   Visit and/or Follow Jessica Online:Website: https://jessicavitalis.com/Bluesky: @jessicavitalis.bsky.socialInstagram: @jessicavauthor

Sharon Skinner interviews prolific children's author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison, who shares insights and actionable advice on indie publishing, from book production to marketing, drawing on her experience publishing over 70 award-winning kidlit titles. Visit and/or Follow Darcy Online:Facebook.com/DarcyPattisonAuthordarcypattison.bsky.socialMimsHouseBooks.comDarcyPattison.comsubstack.com/@darcypattisonindiekidsbooks.com TOPICS COVERED Darcy Pattison’s Journey to Indie Publishing (00:03:10)  Choosing and Researching Nonfiction KidLit  (00:04:56)  Managing the Business and Profitability of Indie Publishing (00:08:41)  Offset Printing vs. Print-on-Demand for Picture Books (00:16:04)  The Importance of Setting Clear Publishing Goals (00:22:00)  Outsourcing Tasks and Wearing Multiple Hats as an Indie Publisher (00:29:01)  Encouragement and Advice for Writers Considering Self-Publishing (00:31:48) 

Sharon and guest Rebecca Dolence discuss using creatures as symbols in kid lit, exploring how folklore and personal experience inform storytelling. They share insights on developing creature backstories, avoiding stereotypes, and twisting familiar tropes, while encouraging writers to innovate and deepen character symbolism in their children’s literature. Key Topics Covered: The role of creatures and symbolism in children’s literature and storytelling Avoiding stereotypes by giving creatures nuanced personalities and backstories How personal experience and voice shape writing and coaching approaches Using folklore, mythology, and animal symbolism in kid lit Twisting and innovating on familiar tropes and creature archetypes Visit Rebecca online at: LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Substack And check out her Creature of the Month Club  and Free Villain Worksheet Other Resources: Slam Poetry Wiki What is My Spirit Animal

Award-winning author Joan Schoettler joins Sharon Skinner to discuss her journey from teacher to kidlit writer, delving into the craft of verse novels, the importance of concise language and emotional resonance, and how authentic storytelling can connect deeply with young readers. Visit Joan online at: https://joanschoettler.com/ and follow her on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Sharon interviews guest Sara Fujimura about her writing journey and Authorpreneurial strategies, including networking, marketing, and maintaining a writing career, even when setbacks occur. Emphasizing community building, Sara details her experiences in both indie and traditional publishing, the importance of identifying one’s audience, and how she overcame challenges. The episode provides actionable advice for aspiring authors, focusing on balancing writing and business aspects while achieving personal definitions of success. Visit Sara online at: https://sarafujimura.com or https://www.tanabatawishes.com  

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner welcomes Matt McMann, USA Today bestselling author of the middle grade spooky mystery series Monsterious. Matt shares his unique writing journey—from winning school writing contests as a kid, to a long career as a musician, and finally returning to writing with encouragement and guidance from his wife, bestselling author Lisa McMann. Matt discusses the ups and downs of his path to publication, including multiple book rejections before finding success with Monsterious. He explains the difference between dynamic, static, and anthology series and why he chose the anthology format for his books, allowing each story to feature different characters and monsters. Matt emphasizes the importance of perseverance and ongoing practice in developing writing craft. Visit Matt online at mattmcmann.com, and follow him on Instagram @matt_mcmann

In this episode of Coaching Kidlit, Sharon Skinner welcomes award-winning children's author Christopher Cheng for an inspiring conversation about emotional writing in kidlit. Chris shares insights from his journey as a teacher and author, discusses the importance of writing from the heart, and reveals how personal experiences shape his stories. Listeners will learn practical tips on staying organized and embracing their unique voice—all while celebrating the emotional depth that makes children’s literature so powerful.   Visit Chris online at: ChrisCheng.com

Sharon and Christy welcome Guest Harshita Jerath, author of picture books such as "The Leaping Ladoo" and "Cooler Than Lemonade" to discuss how she blends elements from her Indian heritage with American experiences in her writing, creating stories that resonate with broader audiences while maintaining cultural authenticity. Visti Harshita online at: Website: harshitajerath.com Instagram: @hjjerath Facebook: Harshita Jerath Books and Blog

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner dives into the ins and outs of indie publishing with guest Natalie Wright. Natalie shares her journey from lawyer to successful indie author, discussing her writing process, character development, and the importance of a strong author platform. She offers valuable insights into creating emotionally resonant stories and building an engaged readership. Sharon and Natalie also emphasize the significance of authenticity and deep connection with target readers in both writing and marketing strategies.  

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner, joined by guest Janet Fox, discusses various aspects of middle grade (MG) writing. Janet shares her writing journey, her passion for MG, and offers valuable insights on the craft of writing, particularly focusing on MG readers, character development, the importance of passion in writing, and tackling the challenges of writing mysteries and contemporary stories. Janet Fox is online at janetsfox.com and Fox Tales on Substack

Sharon Skinner interviews Dianne White, an esteemed picture book author known for works such as "Blue on Blue" and "Who Eats Orange." They delve into Dianne's background, discussing her journey from being an elementary school teacher to becoming a celebrated author. Dianne shares insights on how her teaching career and love for languages have influenced her storytelling. The conversation also highlights the time-intensive nature of creating picture books and the value of persistence.

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sara Gentry interviews Sharon about line level language and writing and revising KidLit. They focus on creating engaging language for picture books, establishing authentic middle-grade voices, and developing complex stories in young adult literature. The conversation highlights the importance of sensory details, precise word choices, and character perspectives to make stories resonate with young readers. Sharon emphasizes the significance of revision for line-level writing, using mentor texts, and understanding the unique sensory experiences of characters to enhance storytelling.   Download Sharon's Sensory Detail Revision Tool Here.

In this episode, hosts Sharon Skinner and Christy Yaros discuss various aspects of handling research with returning guest Laurie Calkhoven, Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, who shares her extensive experience in writing over 50 books for young readers, including tips on conducting effective and organized research for both fiction and nonfiction. Click for Laurie’s Research Resource Files: https://tally.so/r/nrroJ5

In this episode, host Christy Yaros and guest Sara Gentry dive into the vital role of community for KidLit writers. They explore various types of writing communities, from large organizations like SCBWI to intimate critique groups, and discuss how to choose the right community for your needs. Christy and Sarah share valuable tips on balancing free and paid resources, the benefits of connecting with fellow writers, and how community support can enhance your writing journey. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting out, this episode offers practical advice on finding your people in the world of children's literature and reminds listeners that in the sometimes solitary world of writing, you're never truly alone. Follow us on Instagram and X/Twitter: @CoachingKidLit For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and X/Twitter @SharonSkinner56. For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and X/Twitter @ChristyYaros. You can find Sara Gentry at solutionsforwriters.com or connect with her on Instagram, Threads, and X @writewithsara.

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner talks with special guest Lori Alexander about writing and publishing nonfiction for children. Lori shares her journey from writing picture books to nonfiction, highlighting her award-winning works on historical figures in science and medicine. She discusses her process of finding ideas, conducting deep research, and using narrative techniques to engage young readers. The episode provides actionable advice for aspiring nonfiction KidLit writers and touches on current trends and recommendations for science writing resources. Find out more about Lori Alexander at https://www.lorialexanderbooks.com/

Sharon and Christy talk with prolific writer and fellow Author Accelerator Book Coach Laurie Calkoven about the differences between various early KidLit categories, including picture books, early readers, and chapter books.

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, hosts Sharon Skinner and Christy Yaros dive into techniques for effectively telling stories that involve backstory, flashbacks, and flash-forwards. They discuss the importance of understanding the narrative perspective in time and the challenges associated with various methods of integrating past events into the present storyline. Practical guidelines are given on how to balance storytelling elements to keep the reader engaged without overloading them with information.     00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:00 Understanding the Narrator's Position in Time 02:18 Creating Immediate and Relatable Narratives 04:13 Incorporating Backstory Effectively 05:36 Balancing Flashbacks and Story Flow 24:45 Prologues and Epilogues: When and How to Use Them 29:45 Actionable Tips for Writers 33:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Follow us on Instagram and X/Twitter: @CoachingKidLit For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and X/Twitter @SharonSkinner56. For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and X/Twitter @ChristyYaros.

In this episode, Christy and Sharon delve into the art of getting character emotions on the page and explore effective techniques for showcasing characters in their unique worlds, setting character-specific rules, and crafting emotionally engaging narratives.

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, hosts Sharon Skinner and Christy Yaros dive deep into the concept of theme in KidLit writing. They discuss how to think about theme as the overarching idea of a book, touching on Cheryl Klein's concepts of experiential, emotional, and thematic points. The hosts emphasize the importance of connecting with the reader through characters' emotional journeys and how different themes can be explored at varying levels of KidLit, from picture books to young adult novels. They also cover the significance of revision and layering in developing rich, thematic content, and advise writers on planning and revising with theme in mind, using practical examples and actionable advice to help writers enhance their work.   Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56. For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Sharon talks Picture Books with award-winning author/illustrator and Picture Book publishing guru, Michael Hale. From the importance of open communication and trusting collaboration between authors and illustrators to the invaluable advice for aspiring creators considering traditional vs. self-publishing, this episode is brimming with inspiration and practical tips about creating book dummies, the value of cheerleaders in your writing journey, and how to bring your best work to life. Topics Covered: Concise Storytelling Paths to Picture Book Publishing Working with Illustrators Challenges in Collaboration Developing the Craft