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Jessica Scott Kerrin

@jessicascottkerrin.com

358 followers 124 following 38 posts

I'm a Canadian 🇨🇦 children's author who shares pro tips and curated links to middle-grade resources that I've found helpful for middle-grade authors, plus middle-grade books (mostly funny ones) I've enjoyed.

Posts Replies Media

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 23/05/2025

"Who wrote the books that inspired you as a kid?" writingforchildren.com/learning-fro... #kidlit #mglit

writingforchildren.com

Learning From Your Writing Heroes | Institute of Children's Literature

Reading is a natural part of writing. How can we reflect on our favorite writers and their own perseverance to make us better writers?

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 15/05/2025

Children's authors "get to see the world through brand-new, wonder-filled eyes. We get to reconnect with our curiosity and turn it on our environment and the people in our circle." #kidlit #mglit

writerunboxed.com

What I’ve Learned Writing for Children

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 25/04/2025

Discussing your draft novel with AI. "Sometimes it is magical; sometimes it tells you to eat glue." www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdS7... #kidlit #mglit

arguing with ai (about my novel)

YouTube video by Yuvi Zalkow

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 25/04/2025

"We are all different in the way we make art." Have a peek at this author/ illustrator's day: #kidlit #mglit

Put Your Butt in the Chair: Inside the Simple Alchemy of Making Art

“I go hours before I’m able to write a word. I make tea. I mean, I used to make tea all day long….I sharpened pencils in the old days when pencils were sharpened. I just ran pencils down. Ten…

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 16/04/2025

"I get stuck for the same reasons every single time." #kidlit #mglit

stdennard.substack.com

Three Reasons I Usually Get Stuck In My Stories

Or, the stuff that's always missing when my books aren't "working"

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 15/04/2025

“Books can offer a way for boys to see themselves beyond the archetypes of “champion, warrior, or superhero." #kidlit #mglit

publishersweekly.com

Bologna Children's Book Fair 2025: Reaching Boy Readers Where They Are

Citing research on everything from academic performance to mental health, dropout statistics, and incarceration rates, panelists of “Where the Boys Are: The Right Books Can Make Them Heroes” discussed...

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 14/04/2025

How to handle beta readers. bethmorriswrites.substack.com/p/can-you-ha... #kidlit #mglit

bethmorriswrites.substack.com

Can You Handle the Truth?

how to find (and be) a good beta reader

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 11/04/2025

"28% growth in kids audiobooks" www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/... #kidlit #mglit

publishersweekly.com

Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2025: Audiobook Publishers Look to Balance Growth with Creativity

Audiobook executives from the Germany, Poland, and the U.S. discussed the expanding children’s audio market, evolving rights structures, cross-format opportunities, subscription models, and AI concern...

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 10/04/2025

"Here's to you and your books. Happy cleaning!" www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/r... #kidlit #mglit

It’s Time to Clean Your Books

A dusty bookshelf might look romantic, but dust can damage books, attract insects, and harm your health. We have book-expert-endorsed tips for routine maintenance.

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 24/03/2025

“Most avid readers are created between the ages of eight and 12. Our whole industry should be invested in this reading cohort.” Predictions from middle-reader publishers: bit.ly/4l0Bi0g #kidlit #mglit

Turning the Tide on Middle Grade Books

Movers and shakers behind five newish imprints are aiming to turn the tide on sales in the middle grade category.

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 17/03/2025

This middle-grade by Kate Dicamillo is a humourous exploration of an unlikely friendship between three Southern girls. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jenna Lamia, who delivered a brilliant interpretation. Five stars. #kidlit #mglit

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 17/03/2025

No dragons or vampires in sight! Why quiet stories are also important: www.wordsandpics.org/2025/03/feat... #kidlit #mglit

wordsandpics.org

FEATURE How To Write “Quiet” Stories

Words and Pictures is the online magazine of SCBWI British Isles.

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 13/03/2025

Just ordered a copy. :)

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 10/03/2025

Sometimes the worst rejections come with the best outcomes. Worth reading: lindseyexplainsitall.substack.com/p/how-many-r...

lindseyexplainsitall.substack.com

How many rejection letters have you collected?

As for me? More than 1,500, but who's counting? (Apparently, I am.)

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 10/03/2025

Interested in reading humourous middle-grade nonfiction? I laughed alongside Leonardo during this account of the theft of his infamous painting. #kidlit #mglit

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 08/03/2025

In consideration of audiobooks for children and others: worth a read. substack.com/@posthypnoti...

Confessions of a Former Book Snob

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 05/03/2025

Some thoughts on writing historic fiction for children. Lest we forget. Worth reading: www.wordsandpics.org/2025/03/writ...

wordsandpics.org

WRITING Historical fiction for children

Words and Pictures is the online magazine of SCBWI British Isles.

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 28/02/2025

Just finished the audio version of A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban, then went out and bought the print edition. It's a warm, funny middle-grade book, a delightful deep dive into self-confidence for young readers learning to play a musical instrument. Five stars. #KidLit

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 27/02/2025

I'm in!

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 21/02/2025

Words of encouragement in these dark times from an outstanding Canadian: Daniel Levy www.instagram.com/reel/DGSHyOh...

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Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 21/02/2025

Just finished my second read of this wonderful middle reader. It is as funny as it is heartfelt. A great study in multiple points of view set in a very small town. Five stars. @erinentrada.bsky.social

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 18/02/2025

So funny and full of great pro tips for those of us struggling with distractions instead of writing. I've added Rain on Tents to my Spotify list.bit.ly/4hBbxRY

How to Write While Deeply Distracted

(from an ADHDer to the rest of you)

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Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 16/02/2025

Just finished this middle-reader. Five stars. Everyone deserves a remarkable teacher like Ms. Bixby.

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 14/02/2025

More books to add to my reading stack: bit.ly/415vqd4

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Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 13/02/2025

I just joined the CCBC Book Head Book Club (featuring middle-grade fiction). It's free if you're a member of the Canadian Children's Book Centre: bit.ly/4gLSWBj

Join the Book Head Book Club

Join the Canadian Children's Book Centre for the first gathering of the Book Head Book Club, our new book club that will delve into today's best Canadian books for middle-grade readers and teens. Our ...

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 13/02/2025

Pro tip: If you use Google as your search engine, you’ll see that AI results now show up first in search results. To override this annoyance, you can type “-AI” at the end of your search term. Voila! No AI.

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 12/02/2025

A funny read (don't be that author!): bit.ly/4hBa7Ha

Children’s Editors on the Worst Places They Were Ever Pitched

There are a few occupational hazards to being an editor in children’s publishing. One is how often people feel compelled to tell you their book idea—sometimes in unexpected (and unwelcome) circumstanc...

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 12/02/2025

I came across this compiled list of publishers that focus on authors in their region (includes Canada and the U.S.). A helpful resource: (bit.ly/4hyeXVx)

76 Publishers With Geographic Limitations

We generally only review presses that accept work without geographic limitations on who can submit, but this list includes many publishers who do have geographic requirements. We have never fully re

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 12/02/2025

100 ways to end a story - worth a read: bit.ly/3QcG38P

100 Ways to End a Story (with examples) - Bookfox

There is a certain magic in a well written ending. It must be both satisfying and surprising, unexpected and also perfectly fitting. But where do you stop? Which sentences are the last sentences? In t...

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 21/01/2025

This was worth reading after my solitary day of a news blackout - worth reading: rebeccaevanswriter.com/2025/01/20/a...

rebeccaevanswriter.com

An Invitation to Keep Your Course

Today, there’s a swearing-in. Yesterday, three hostages were released. The day before, TikTok “went dark.” Last week, Zuckerberg decided to eliminate fact-checkers on Meta, citing a “cultural tippi…

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Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 13/01/2025

On first pages - worth a read: bit.ly/4jfawQF

(and how not to)

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 03/01/2025

On picture books - worth a read:

Let the Kids Get Weird: The Adult Problem With Children’s Books

Picture books must hitch a ride on the parent if a child is to get a look-in so the children’s publicity machine is tilted fully at the adults. The frontlist is built around celebrities children ha…

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 15/05/2024

Publisher Weekly's article about a Middle Grade Book Club making "good trouble": bit.ly/3wpIYEY

A Middle School Book Club Makes Good Trouble, on a National Scale

Good Books Young Troublemakers, a book club for middle graders that highlights potentially controversial content, began as a local venture at Dog-Eared Books in Ames, Iowa.

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 27/03/2024

Substack article on writing about (or not writing about) personal trauma by Chuck Palahniuk: bit.ly/3x3bhbS #writing #writingadvice #writingtips

Try This On: Phone It In

The Freedom of Not Giving a Shit

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Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 26/03/2024

Writing advice about including your protagonist's interior thoughts by Rebecca Makkai bit.ly/3wX8ilC

Interior(ity) Design Fails

How NOT to Get In a Character's Head (Part 1 of 2 or possibly 3)

Jessica Scott Kerrin @jessicascottkerrin.com · 25/03/2024

NSCAD video about being an author/illustrator: award-winning grads Jack Wong and Sydney Smith

Art Work: Tell Me a Story

Join illustrators and Governor General Literary Award winners Jack Wong (BFA 2014) and Sydney Smith (BFA 2006) As they discuss illustrating for children’s bo...