Children’s literature is constantly changing. The books being published today differ dramatically from those published even twenty years ago. This evolution reflects broader cultural shifts - things like greater emphasis on representation, changing educational philosophies, political climates, technological changes, shifts in parenting styles, and evolving conversations around mental health and…

Many writers dream about seeing the words “bestselling author” attached to their name. But bestseller lists are far more complicated — and often more arbitrary — than people realize. There is no single universal bestseller measurement. Different lists track different sales sources, different reporting systems, and different timeframes. The New…

One of the most surprising aspects of picture book publishing for many new authors is discovering that they often have little or no direct communication with the illustrator. This can feel unsettling. After all, picture books are intensely personal projects. Writers naturally imagine specific visual interpretations while drafting the manuscript.…

One of the biggest surprises for debut authors is discovering how slooooooowly traditional publishing moves. Writers often imagine that once a manuscript sells, publication quickly follows. In reality, most traditionally published books take two years — sometimes longer — to reach shelves. This timeline exists because publishing involves an extraordinary…

One of the most persistent myths about publishing is the idea that published authors automatically earn a living from book sales alone. The reality is far more complicated. Most writers — even many successful, award-winning writers — maintain additional income streams, often writing-adjacent. These may include teaching, editing, freelance copywriting,…

Aspiring authors are often nervous about the possibility of losing creative control once they enter the publishing world. Will editors change everything? Will illustrators change the vision? Will publishers alter the story beyond recognition? In reality, the answer is more collaborative than many writers expect. Publishing is built on partnership.…

One of the most important things a writer can do is deceptively simple: Read. And not just the classics. Writers must consistently read current books in the age category and genre they hope to publish within. This is not optional. Publishing evolves constantly. Language shifts. Themes evolve. Formats change. Reader…

Publishing professionals often distinguish between books that are “marketable” and books that are “lasting.” The two are not always the same thing. A marketable book usually has a strong hook — an idea that can be pitched quickly and easily. It may tap into current conversations or feel highly commercial.…

Writers often imagine that securing an agent is like winning a golden ticket — one magical "yes" that changes everything overnight. In reality, finding the right literary agent is usually a slower and...

One of the most emotionally difficult parts of getting a book published is querying. Writers spend years crafting manuscripts, polishing query letters, researching agents, and preparing submissions. Then they send their work out… and often hear "not the right fit," or worse - crickets. It can be truly challenging to…

Every year at both the Southampton Children's Literature Conference and at Picture Book Summit, whenever aspiring writers have a chance to ask agents or editors a question, they ask some variation of the same one: what’s hot right now? The assumption behind the question is understandable... writers want to improve…

If you ask agents and editors what they’re looking for, you may hear many different answers: A strong hook. A fresh concept. Market awareness. Commercial potential. But beneath all of those lies one essential quality... Voice. Voice is what makes a manuscript feel alive. It’s the quality that makes an…

One of the most common questions I hear from my students, editing clients, and other aspiring children’s book writers is: How do I know when my manuscript is truly ready to submit to agents or editors? The honest answer is that most writers submit too early. It's so hard to…

Writers often worry about beginnings. They worry about endings even more. But the place where picture books most often falter is the middle—the long stretch between setup and resolution where momentum must be sustained without yet delivering payoff. The middle of a picture book is not a bridge between important…

A highly selective mentorship for a small cohort of serious picture book writers from May 12th to June 16th. Apply now!

Every writer eventually encounters a creative rut. The ideas feel flat. The enthusiasm fades. The work that once felt exciting begins to feel mechanical. When that happens, many writers assume they’ve somehow “lost” their creativity. But in my experience, ruts rarely mean creativity has disappeared. More often, they mean something…

Every writer collecting submissions will eventually collect something else as well: rejections. They arrive in many forms—polite passes, form responses, the occasional champagne rejection that almost makes the “no” feel like encouragement. At first, rejections can feel deeply personal. After all, writing a book often means putting a piece of…

Discover why writer's block isn't the enemy but a sign of deeper creative issues, guiding you toward the insights needed to overcome it and enhance your writing process.

One of the most common issues I see when reviewing picture book manuscripts is this: a story that’s pleasant, charming, or even amusing—but static. Things

Many writers assume that depth comes from complexity—that richer stories require more plot, more explanation, more moving parts.

Picture books are often thought of as "simple." Short sentences. Only so many pages. A quick read.

Dialogue in picture books does a lot of heavy lifting. Good dialogue:

Let’s start with a confession.

This excerpt from the new book Digital Inc. by Richard Curtis examines why ebooks failed to supplant print as many tech pioneers expected.

There’s a particular magic to picture books that still thrills me—even after years of writing, editing, and teaching them:

Podcast Episode · 12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast · 01/29/2026 · 31m

My friend Peter H. Reynolds once gave me a great image for cultivating ideas. He said he had "story radar"... and I loved it so much, I borrowed it. Now I

Some writers love outlines, others feel boxed in by them.

Writers often get asked this question: Where do you get your ideas?But it's a tricky one to answer. Why?

Discover the importance of mentors, editors, critique partners, and friends in a writer's journey. Find your writing tribe and flourish in a supportive network.

Rejection is part of the writing life—but that doesn’t make it easy.