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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily

@scottwrites.bsky.social
177 followers 232 following 479 posts

Writer, reader, guitarist Represented by Tsunami Literay Ink

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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
My agent was an editor for a long time. She has made some excellent story suggestions and some others that have needed discussion to get to ways to satisfy the reason for the suggestions when maybe the idea itself didn't feel right. We communicate well, so it works. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Also had to say no recently to a friend I've kind of been mentoring because time is a genuine issue right now while my agent and I dig for treaasure in my manuscript backlog. The one that hurts a bit is reducing my conference time commitment for the sake of my stuff. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A few months ago, I said no to somebody I've read for before. I felt bad, but I was in the midst of preparing for my conference and there was just no way. This person also has a history of ignoring feedback. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I often get pulled into reading for people when I don't actually have the time. I'm frequently reminded by a couple of writing friends that, with my experience, I probably shouldn't be reading/critiquing for free. But I like helping and mentoring. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Joining late. Lost track of time because I was trying to find some books I read as a kid based on the vaguest of memories. Tonight's topic is aimed directly at me, right? #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Right now, I'm pretty good at letting my agent write my queries. She makes me look good, where my own queries felt like, "Um, you don't want to ready this thing I did, do you?" #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Hi #kidlitchat! When creating a query, I'm especially good at the "Dear [Agent's Full Name]" part. I'm less confident with "Dear [First Name]" unless I've met the agent.
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Hi #kidlitchat friends! Since June? Signed with my agent in June. Since then, we've submitted three boos from my backlog, and we're getting #4 ready. Then we'll have to pause subs for a bit. While revising to submit, I've also been working on another new project. Plus my conference work.
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
One hard thing about picturing a reader in kidlit, like your child or niece/nephew or whomever: By the time the book is written and sold and published, that kid has outgrown it. I guess it can still help during the writing, but your intended reader will age out of the audience. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
One quick plug for an event sponsored by my conference this Thursday evening, then I'll get back on topic. Writing the Graphic Novel with author McKelle "Mickey" George. Only $10. Come join us! www.wifyr.com/event-detail... #kidlitchat
wifyr.com
Writing the Graphic Novel with Mickey George | Writing And Illustra
In recent years, graphic novels have taken publishing by storm. Lots of authors, especially in kid lit, are interested in writing graphic novels. But if you aren’t an artist, where do you start?
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Hi #kidlitchat! I don't picture a reader. I've heard of people doing that, but I never have. Often, when I start, I'm not even positive what age I'm writing for, except with PBs. I have a story on sub now for general audiences, which has been both a MG and YA story in its development.
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Some old faves are dated, but still work for nostalgia, like some of the Hardy Boys, Homer Price, and Uncle Remus. Two of the best ever are Harriet the Spy and James and the Giant Peach. And let's not forget PBs like Harold and the People Crayon and The Giant Story. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Let's start with some that are not only favorites but were influential to grown-up writer me: The Enormous Egg The Hobbit The Story of King Arthur and his Knights American Tall Tales #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I will be presenting at this event next month! #amwriting #kidlitchat www.wifyr.com/event-detail...
wifyr.com
Virtual Intensive: Fall Back Into Writing | Writing And Illustra
Whether you're writing a picture book or a novel, here's your chance to learn what needs to be done to finish your work-in-progress. Join us for three days of workshops and industry insights with auth...
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
I also updated my website recently...not that it gets a lot of attention. But it's there if I need it for promotion/marketing. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Hi #kidlitchat friends! Main thing I'm doing to reach my audience? Going through my archive of manuscripts with my agent and submitting to publishers soo I can HAVE an audience to reach! We're currently prepping my 3rd manuscript in about a month. PB, historical general fiction, and MG--so far.
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
My dream is to write somebody's favorite book, even if it's just for a day or two, even if that person buys the only copy that gets sold. I was on a BART train in Oakland, and I saw a mother and child reading a PB by a writer friend in Utah, completely engrossed in it. I want that. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Middle grade voice feels natural to me. I'm an 11yo at heart, maybe 12 when I'm feeling grown-up. And I love that time when kids are discovering the world and how they fit in it (a common theme in my stories), and even the smallest, everyday, thing can be an adventure. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
I've always gravitated toward kidlit. I've published short fiction for adults and am actually working on an adult novel submission, but my brain just goes to kidlit. I identify with it, love it. Even as a lit major, it feels like so much of the best, most pure writing is for kids. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
It feels like anything is possible in kidlit. Genre doesn't matter--the world is a magical, wonderous, and sometimes frightening place, perfect for stories. In adult fic, even fantasy, worlds are grounded by reality. In kidlit, anything is possible. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I've had at least two characters achieve their dream (they thought), only to be disappointed. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
As one of those who came late to #kidlitchat while participating in other communities, HUGE congrats for being here so long, and thank you!
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Hi #kidlitchat Good topic. Can't wait to see the answers. Maybe this is writer-mean, but I like to have something the character is looking forward to become a major disappointment. It's one of my least favorite real-life things to witness, but I love it in stories.
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
One thing I've noticed in pitch events is how much alike many of the pitches look. Somehow, you want to stand out, but not in an obnoxious or gimmicky way. You have to play the game by the rules, but still be unique. Not easy! #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
When I read my agent's pitch a couple weeks ago, I came away thinking, "I wrote that? I'm good!" She said what I said, but magnified. Time will tell whether her pitch is successful, but she sold me on me. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Sometimes, a catchy phrase might help. I try that for my "b-movie in print." But the reader has to like b-movies for that to help. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
This is something I think about. For example, I have a humorous sci-fi/horror, so I need to show both laughs and creep factor in a short space. Saying it's funny and creepy is meh. Showing it might get attention. Been a struggle for sure. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Good evening, #kidlitchat chums! The shorter the pitch, the harder it is to make the reader feel. (Obvious, right?) I pay close attention to nouns and verbs and try (try!) to convey the mood.
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
How about a Muppets version of Captain Underpants, starring Gonzo? I'd be all over that. Or the Muppets do Goosebumps. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Has anybody turned Maus into a movie? That might be pretty good. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Hi #kidlitchat friends! Tough question. I don't watch much, and almost never think of books in terms of movies or TV. So I'm going to see what recommendations come up tonight.
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
For me, revision is where the craft comes in. I love watchingg something very rough turn into something I can be proud of. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Revision's my favorite. The initial draft is probably my least favorite on most projects, though it depends. Doing both right now. Want to vs have to? I write because I love it. So far, I haven't felt like I've had to. But I'm used to a writing job and can write when I don't want to. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Hi #kidlitchat friends. Big day yesterday. My agent officially submitted my first PB to an editor who expressed interest at my conference last month. Favorite part of the process? That's easy. Revising!
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
It's been a long time since I've really been stuck. Writing daily for a long time helps. So does having multiple projects. And having a professional writing job for almost 40 years where I often write about things that I'm not that interested in has also trained me to keep going. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Anybody else ever try to freshen things up by writing something intentionally bad? Not ungrammatical or misspelled, just awful writing? I've done that before. It's been a long time, but it was fun and it got things flowing. When I felt like I was writing badly, I wrote REALLY badly. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I've also freshened things up by introducing a new sublot, character, or location. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Often, when I jump to a scene and then come back, I discover I don't even need the scene that had me stuck anymore. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Another trick I use--I don't write all my scenes in order, start to finish. I skip around. If I'm stuck or need to look at the work a new way, I jump to another scene in a different part of the story. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I usually have more than one project going. As others are saying, when I need fresh eyes, I put one away for a while and come back after a break. #kidlitchaat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Nice to be back at #kidlitchat after last week's conference. I like the topic. I see a lot of revisions and "fresh eyes" in my future, since one of the things that happened at the conference is I got myself an agent.
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Reposted by Scott Rhoades Writes Daily
Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
#kidlitchat #wifyr #kidlit #amwriting
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Anybody know if SavvyAuthors still does their pitchfests? I did those for a few years, then took a break to try to prevent over-exposure with their usual cast of agents. Got a few requests through them, though. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Hi, #kidlitchat friends! It's great to be able to join this week. I haven't done an online pitchfest for a while, but I always have at least a logline-style pitch and a query pitch.
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
#kidlitchat #wifyr #kidlit #amwriting
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
It's tough. You're supposed to follow everything in the industry, network, read all the latest books plus know the classics, write constantly, market endlessly, experience life, and still maintain a bit of sanity and support yourself and your family. A great info sourcse is gold. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
The downside of the conference work, though, is that between that and my daily writing--oh, and that whole day job thing--there's not a lot of time left for chasing down the industry news. Not if I still want time to read books, which of course I do. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
I get the newsletter from QueryManager, which helps me track agent movement. I also hear some publishing news through conference connections. But I feel a bit less in touch than a couple years ago. #kidlitchat
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Nice to be back with #kidlitchat after missing for conference planning stuff last week--and again next week.
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Scott Rhoades Writes Daily @scottwrites.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Feels like early summer here, when it should still be cold and potentially snowy. Concerned about water this summer. #kidlitchat
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