Coaching KidLit cover art

Coaching KidLit

Coaching KidLit

Written by: Sharon Skinner
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A podcast about writing and publishing good KidLit, hosted by Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sharon Skinner.

Talking about the craft of writing children‘s books.

A NOTE TO OUR LISTENERS:

Christy Yaros, co-founder of the Coaching KidLit podcast, has stepped away to focus her time and energy on other exciting opportunities. I’m deeply grateful for the insight, heart, and dedication she brought to building this podcast and supporting the KidLit community.

As we move forward, I’ll be continuing the podcast solo—welcoming a range of guests to share their expertise and inspiration for writers creating stories for kids and teens. I’m excited to carry on the mission we started together and to keep supporting you on your KidLit journey.

—Sharon Skinner

Sharon Skinner is a book coach, editor, and author who helps writers craft stories that connect deeply with readers. With a passion for both story structure and heart, she brings decades of experience to coaching writers across genres and age categories, from picture books to adult. As the host of the Coaching KidLit podcast, Sharon continues its mission to inform, inspire, and support KidLit creators at every stage of the journey.

At Coaching KidLit, we’re committed to inclusion.
We believe stories are richer and more resonant when they reflect a wide range of lived experiences. That includes voices from the LGBTQIA+ community, Native and Indigenous peoples, people of color, people with disabilities, neurodivergent creators, and those from diverse cultural, religious, and gender backgrounds.

We also understand disability through a broad lens, and we align with the social model of disability, which focuses on removing barriers—not "fixing" individuals.

Bottom line? Everyone deserves to be seen and heard. And we're here to support stories that make that happen.

Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. Art
Episodes
  • Episode 58: Mastering the Mushy Middle with Guest Michelle Lee

    Episode 58: Mastering the Mushy Middle with Guest Michelle Lee
    Oct 7 2026

    Host Sharon Skinner chats with author Michelle Lee about tackling the "mushy middle" of kidlit novels. Michelle shares her journey from poetry and academia to middle-grade fiction, reflecting on her love for lyricism and diverse storytelling. They discuss practical strategies for overcoming story stagnation, including reviewing emotional arcs, evaluating character presence, and revisiting earlier scenes to find narrative seeds. The episode emphasizes the importance of connecting every scene to character growth and encouraging writers to embrace revision and emotional honesty to create cohesive, engaging stories.

    Connect with Michelle Online:

    Website: https://www.michelleleewritesmagic.com/ Instagram: @michelleleewritesmagic
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    38 mins
  • Episode 57: Writing Your Obsessions with Guest Pooja Makhijani

    Episode 57: Writing Your Obsessions with Guest Pooja Makhijani
    Sep 2 2026

    Host Sharon Skinner chats with author Pooja Makhijani about her winding writing journey, including her break from kidlit to focus on journalism, and her return with picture books centering on food, family, and cultural care networks. Makhijani shares how her passion for food and sensory detail infuses her work, the importance of writing to your obsessions, and her collaborative process with illustrators. The discussion touches on embracing imperfection in both baking and writing, staying mindful and present to enrich storytelling, and practical tips for incorporating authentic sensory experiences into kidlit.

    Connect with Pooja Online:

    Website: https://www.poojamakhijani.com Instagram: @laborofloaf
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    33 mins
  • Episode 56: Creating Picture Books with Guest Claudia Rueda

    Episode 56: Creating Picture Books with Guest Claudia Rueda
    Aug 5 2026

    Host Sharon Skinner chats with author and bestselling illustrator Claudia Rueda about her creative journey from political cartoonist and lawyer to picture book creator. They discuss Claudia’s process for developing characters, especially her latest series, the Smushkins, and explore the unique challenges of writing and illustrating picture books for young children. Claudia shares insights into crafting stories visually, teaching picture book creation, and the importance of trusting the creative process. The episode also covers how writers can collaborate effectively with illustrators and offers actionable advice for both aspiring writers and artists in the kidlit world.

    Connect with Claudia Online:

    Website: https://claudiarueda.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiarueda
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
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