Host Sharon Skinner chats with author Meredith Davis about her writing journey, the power of connections in publishing, and the importance of discovering and owning your unique superpowers as a writer. They discuss Meredith’s books, including The Minor Miracle and Her Own Two Feet, and explore how truth and personal history inform fiction. The episode offers practical advice for writers on finding their strengths, building writing community, and using personal experiences to create layered, authentic stories for young readers, and delves into the importance of owning one’s creative gifts, while offering actionable exercises for writers to discover and lean into their individual superpowers.

Connect with Meredith Online:

Website: https://meredithldavis.com Substack: Author with a Kidlit Crush Instagram FaceBook

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner chats with acclaimed children’s author Anne Broyles about her writing journey, growing as a writer, and the importance of perseverance. Anne shares insights on writing across genres, working with editors, and her latest nonfiction book, "Eating to Save the Planet." They discuss the lifelong process of improving craft, finding community, and why patience and resilience are essential for kid lit writers. Actionable advice encourages writers to keep learning and never give up on their publishing dreams.

Connect with Anne on Social Media:

IG: annebroylesauthor

Bluesky: @annebroyles.bsky.social

Sharon Skinner and Heather Preusser explore the art of voice in kid lit, sharing practical strategies for creating distinct character voices, teaching voice techniques, and the importance of reading and analyzing mentor texts. Learn tips for revision, humor, and actionable exercises to enhance your writing craft.

Visit Heather online at:

Website: HeatherPreusser.com or Instagram: @heather_ preusser

Key Topics Covered:

• Defining and teaching "voice" in writing
• Strategies for distinct character voices
• Differences in voice across genre and age categories
• Revision and highlighting voice in manuscripts
• Influences from mentor texts and media

#KidLit #WritingCommunity #BookCoach #VoiceInWriting #ChapterBooks #CraftOfWriting #ChildrensBooks

Host Sharon Skinner and guest Erin Radniecki discuss nature-based writing: weaving nature into kid lit, fostering a sense of place, and using personal passion for nature to enrich storytelling and connect young readers to the natural world.

Topics Covered:

• Erin’s journey: Combining passion for nature and writing [00:01:34]
• Coaching nature-curious writers: Focus on characters’ relationship with nature [00:03:36]
• Nature in various genres: Magical realism, contemporary, and broader definitions [00:06:13]
• Importance of sensory details and connecting with nature as inspiration [00:16:40]
• Using nature as metaphor or thematic element, even if not writing nature fiction [00:18:30]
• Human relationships with nature and sense of place ([00:21:02]
• Action items: Story Ecosystem Starter Kit & getting outside for inspiration [00:28:10]

Visit and/or Follow Erin Online: Instagram: @writewithnature Website:: writewithnature.com

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.social Instagram: @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/DarcyPattisonAuthor darcypattison.bsky.social MimsHouseBooks.com DarcyPattison.com substack.com/@darcypattison indiekidsbooks.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