Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations

Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations Episode 7: Writing Unique POVs with Kamalani Hurley

In this episode of Nonfiction Kid Lit Craft Conversations, host Kirsten W. Larson interviews debut author Kamilani Hurley about her Junior Library Guild selection "Kaho'olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People."
Learn valuable insights about:
Kamalani's Journey to Children's Writing
Crafting Unique Perspectives
Developing Emotional Arcs
Balancing Complex Topics
Using Sidebars Effectively
Writing Tips and Advice
Future Projects
 
Perfect for:
- Children's book writers
- Educators
- Illustrators
- Anyone interested in Hawaiian history
- Nonfiction storytellers
Connect with our guest: Website: KamalaniHurley.com
Get the transcript: KirstenWlarson.com
Subscribe for more episodes about the craft and business of children's nonfiction!
 
#ChildrensBooks #WritingTips #KidLit #NonfictionBooks #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #PictureBooks #HawaiianHistory #JuniorLibraryGuild #KidLitCraft

Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations Ep 6 with Beth Anderson -- Pacing

🔍 How to Write Page-Turning Nonfiction Picture Books | Writing Craft Tips with Beth Anderson
Master the art of writing gripping nonfiction picture books in this craft-focused interview with award-winning children's author Beth Anderson. Discover the behind-the-scenes process of her latest book "Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and The Race to Save Abraham Lincoln," illustrated by Sally Wern Comport (Calkins Creek).
✍️ WRITING CRAFT TECHNIQUES COVERED:
• Creating page-turning tension in nonfiction
• Writing historical events for young readers
• Balancing context and pacing in picture books
• Developing character emotions in nonfiction
• Using research to enhance storytelling
• Working with editors and illustrators
 
Perfect for nonfiction picture book writers, children's book authors, and anyone interested in writing engaging historical stories for kids. Beth shares specific examples and practical techniques you can apply to your own writing.
👉 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Nonfiction Fest: www.nffest.com
Kirsten's "Reimagine Your Writing" Workshop: writers.kirstenwlarson.com
Beth's website: https://BethAndersonWriter.com
Free educator guide: https://bethandersonwriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hiding-in-plain-sight-ed-guide.pdf
Interiority w/ Mary Kole: HTTPS://KIDLIT.COM/2017/10/23/WHAT-INTERIORITY-IS-AND-WHY-IT-MATTERS/
Psychic distance from Emma Darwin https://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/psychic-distance-what-it-is-and-how-to-use-it.html
Kirsten's website (to join newsletter for transcripts and for podcast website): https://kirstenwlarson.com
#NonfictionPictureBooks #KidLit #WritingTips #ChildrensBooks #PictureBookCraft #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #KidLitWriter #NonfictionWriting #PictureBooks #WritingForChildren #AuthorInterview #HistoricalNonfiction #WritingProcess #KidLitCraft #HistoricalFiction #WritersOfYoutube #AuthorTips #PictureBookWriting #WritingAdvice
 
📚 Buy "Hiding in Plain Sight": Available at all major booksellers

Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations Ep. 5 with Katherine Roy

🎨 Join us for an inspiring conversation with Katherine Roy, the acclaimed creator of "Making More" and "Sea Without a Shore" with Barb Rosenstock! In this episode, Kirsten Larson interviews Katherine about her fascinating journey from RISD graduate to award-winning nonfiction author and illustrator.
Discover how a stint as a deckhand sparked Katherine's passion for marine biology, leading to her breakthrough book deal with Simon Boughton. Learn about her unique creative process, from messy sketches to stunning final illustrations, and get insider tips on:
The art of nonfiction storytelling
Balancing facts with visual appeal
Research techniques for illustrators
Working with authors and editors
Creating dynamic compositions
The importance of reference materials
#ChildrensBooks #Illustration #PictureBooks #Nonfiction #KidLit #Publishing #CreativeProcess #AuthorInterview #ArtEducation #ChildrensLiterature
Links:
Scott McCloud's UNDERSTANDING COMICS: https://bookshop.org/p/books/understanding-comics-the-invisible-art-scott-mccloud/228758?ean=9780060976255
Katherine's bookmaking process: https://www.instagram.com/reel/COyWwu0H4Xk/?hl=en
Follow Katherine:
Website: https://www.katherineroy.com
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katherineroystudio/ 
Follow Kirsten:
Website: https://kirstenwlarson.com
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kirstenwlarson/ 
To get the full transcript of this podcast, sign up for Kirsten's newsletter. It will be included with the next monthly mailing.
Sign up here:  https://kirsten-w-larson.kit.com/8ca48d284c 
Want to shape the conversation? Join my Reimagine Insiders paid community for an opportunity to ask future guests your questions.  https://writers.kirstenwlarson.com/b/insiders 
Learn more about my new class, "Crafting Your Nonfiction Picture Book: A step-by-step revision course," here.  https://writers.kirstenwlarson.com/b/craftingclass 

Ep 4 Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations with Stephanie Gibeault on Nonfiction Proposals

What does it take to craft a compelling children's nonfiction book proposal?Today I talk to Stephanie Gibeault, author of MAKING SENSE OF DOG SENSES, to learn more about book proposals.Show notes:Classes and resources mentioned:    •    Jane Friedman’s book proposal post (which also includes a proposal template): https://janefriedman.com/start-here-how-to-write-a-book-proposal/     •    Highlights Foundation: https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/     •    MG Expository Pitches Post (including Stephanie's pitches): https://kirstenwlarson.com/2024/09/20/winning-expository-book-pitches-examples-and-analysis/     •    Stephanie's website: https://stephaniegibeault.com/    •    Her X profile is @GibeaultWrites: https://x.com/GibeaultWrites     •    Her Instagram profile is @stephanie_gibeault: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_gibeault/ To get the full transcript of this podcast, sign up for Kirsten's newsletter. It will be included with my next monthly mailing. Sign up here: https://kirsten-w-larson.kit.com/8ca48d284c Want to shape the conversation? Join my Reimagine Insiders paid community for an opportunity to ask future guests your questions. https://writers.kirstenwlarson.com/b/insiders

NF Kidlit Convos Ep 4: Nonfiction Book Proposals with Stephanie Gibeault

What does it take to craft a compelling children's nonfiction book proposal?
Today I talk to Stephanie Gibeault, author of MAKING SENSE OF DOG SENSES, to learn more about book proposals.
Show notes:
Classes and resources mentioned:
Jane Friedman’s book proposal post (which also includes a proposal template): https://janefriedman.com/start-here-how-to-write-a-book-proposal/
Highlights Foundation: https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/
MG Expository Pitches Post (including Stephanie's pitches): https://kirstenwlarson.com/2024/09/20/winning-expository-book-pitches-examples-and-analysis/
Stephanie's website: https://stephaniegibeault.com/
Her X profile is @GibeaultWrites: https://x.com/GibeaultWrites
Her Instagram profile is @stephanie_gibeault: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_gibeault/
To get the full transcript of this podcast, sign up for Kirsten's newsletter. It will be included with my next monthly mailing. Sign up here: https://kirsten-w-larson.kit.com/8ca48d284c
Want to shape the conversation? Join my Reimagine Insiders paid community for an opportunity to ask future guests your questions. https://writers.kirstenwlarson.com/b/insiders

NF Kidlit Craft Convos Ep 3: Nonfiction Poetry With Buffy Silverman

How do we craft, edit, and sell poetic nonfiction picture books? Today I talk to Buffy Silverman, author of STARLIGHT SYMPHONY, to learn more about writing in rhyme.
Show notes:
Classes and resources mentioned:
Renée LaTulippe's Lyrical Language Lab: https://www.reneelatulippe.com/lyrical-language-lab/
Laura Purdie Salas's Poetry site: https://laurasalas.com/poetry/
Poetry Friday: https://www.nowaterriver.com/what-in-the-world-is-poetry-friday/
Authors/poets mentioned:
April Pulley Sayre
Laura Purdie Salas
Joyce Sidman
Irene Latham
Maria Gianferrari
Katey Howes
David Harrison
Books mentioned:
THE PUMPKIN SEED'S SECRET by Hannah Barnaby, illustrated by Cédric Abt
PIGS DIG A ROAD by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brian Biggs
JUMPER by Jessica Lanan
Connect with Buffy at https://buffysilverman.com/
You can order STARLIGHT SYMPHONY wherever books are sold. Please support Buffy by asking your local library to buy a copy of STARLIGHT SYMPHONY for its collection. Details about the book here: https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/24762
To get the full transcript of this podcast, sign up for my newsletter. It will be included with my next monthly mailing. https://kirsten-w-larson.ck.page/8ca48d284c
Want to shape the conversation? Join my Reimagine Insiders paid community for an opportunity to ask future guests your questions. https://writers.kirstenwlarson.com/b/insiders

Kidlit Convos Ep 2: Writing Deep Scenes with Nancy Churnin

Learn more about RAINBOW ALLIES and download the educational resources: https://www.nancychurnin.com/rainbow-allies
 
Are you going to be at the National Council of Teachers of English Conference or in the Boston area the weekend before Thanksgiving? Here's Nancy's panel information:
 
Friday, Nov. 22 Boston Convention Center
415 Summer Street, Boston 02210
10:45 Affirming the Humanity of Diversity, 9:30 a.m. t0 10:45 a.m. in Room 209
1:50 p.m. Signing copies of Rainbow Allies in the Publishers Spotlight booth
 
Saturday, Nov. 23
10-12 a.m.
Morse Institute Library 14 East Central St, Natick, MA
Ten Tree Books, an independent bookstore, will provide and sell books that I will sign.
 
To get the full transcript of this podcast, sign up for my newsletter. It will be included with my next monthly mailing. https://kirsten-w-larson.ck.page/8ca48d284c

Kidlit Convos Ep. 1: Writing a Picture Book Series with VOLCANOES author Nell Cross Beckerman

What does it take to become the author of a nonfiction picture book series? Nell Cross Beckerman, author of CAVES and VOLCANOES (both illustrated by Kalen Chock) explains.
 
Episode links:
Head to Nell's website for classes for writers, links to buy autographed books, educator's guides and more: https://www.nellcrossbeckerman.com/#/
As a special gift, you can watch Nell's Zoom where she shares her whole creative process for writing VOLCANOES, which includes appearances by editor Katie Heit, art director Brian LaRossa, and illustrator Kalen Chock. https://tinyurl.com/Volcanoes-zoom