All About Book Trailers
A book trailer is an engaging marketing tool that brings your book to life in a unique visual experience. It's basically a 30-90 second video that explains the narrative arc of your story. Why have one? First, video is a popular way of marketing. People [...]
Ten Tips to Become a Better Writer
Most authors do not begin as excellent writers. It's a life-long process. Here are some tips to help you improve: Writing takes practice. To get in the habit of doing it, follow tips one and two: Find your writing space. Have a comfortable space without [...]
Incorporating Research into Writing Juvenile Fiction
Our job as writers is to create believable and entertaining stories for our readers. This is true whether you’re writing for children or adults. Details about the setting — location, time period, and everything that goes with it — are what make the story realistic. [...]
Tips for Writing Short Stories
Short stories offer the opportunity to practice the craft of writing. They don’t take months or years to complete, and the sense of accomplishment once you finish is satisfying. Short stories also provide a chance to explore genres you might not otherwise try. Here [...]
How to Get Middle-Grade Students Excited about Reading
When kids are young, they are excited about books. Many even want to be authors when they grow up. I always chuckle during school visits when I ask the question, “Who wants to be an author when you grow up?” Inevitably, every hand goes up [...]
Writing Historical Fiction for Young Readers
Writing historical fiction can be both rewarding and challenging at the same time. How do you write a story that captivates kids and teaches them a subject most have no interest in? The trick is to make the history lesson so subtle that readers are [...]