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

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

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

In this episode, Host Sharon Skinner sits down with acclaimed children's author Claudia Mills, who has penned over 60 books for young readers across all age categories. Together, they dive deep into the art of crafting difficult characters with tough dilemmas, drawing from Claudia Mills’s latest middle grade novel, Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom.

Discover how Claudia Mills’s background in philosophy enriches her stories, why asking big questions matters in middle grade fiction, and actionable tips for making characters leap off the page.

Whether you’re a writer looking to bring more authenticity to your work or a reader fascinated by the challenges faced by unforgettable kid lit protagonists, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and heartfelt advice.

Connect with Claudia Online:

Website:https://www.claudiamillsauthor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiamillsauthor/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/claudiamills123.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudiamillsauthor

Host Sharon Skinner chats with Aubre Andrus, an award-winning author and ghostwriter of over 50 children's books, about building a writing career through work for hire projects. They discuss the ins and outs of work for hire, self-publishing, balancing passive and direct income, and the importance of networking directly with editors. Aubre shares tips on negotiating contracts without an agent, managing deadlines, and developing the versatile skill set required for writing in established brands and series. Actionable advice is offered for writers seeking to break into work for hire, emphasizing strategy, networking, and continual skill development.

Connect with Aubre Online:

Website: https://www.aubreandrus.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreandrus/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/aubreandrus.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AubreAndrusLLC

Grab Aubre's Handout: 10 Real Work for Hire Book Projects

Sign up for Aubre's Free Work for Hire Webinar: How I Built a Career in Children's Publishing Webinar Sign-up

In this episode, Sharon Skinner interviews author and mental health clinician Sarah Scheerger about integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into kidlit. Sarah Scheerger discusses her writing journey, the inspiration behind "Dude. Be Nice" and the importance of empathy and perspective in children's books, revision insights, educator resources, and actionable writing tips.

Connect with Sarah online at:

Website: https://www.sarahlynnbooks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahscheerger/ X: https://twitter.com/sarahscheerger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahlynnscheergerbooks

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Sharon Skinner welcomes back former high school teacher, book coach, and writer Sam Cameron to delve into the intricacies of writing for teens by understanding the teenage brain. Drawing from her teaching and coaching experiences, Sam explores how teen brain chemistry affects their curiosity, need for agency, and intensity of emotions. The discussion covers techniques for ensuring teen characters drive the story, the importance of presenting authentic interiority and emotional experiences, and strategies for preventing adult characters from overshadowing teens in kid lit narratives.

Connect with Sam Online:

Website: https://truantpen.com/ Substack: Truant Pen Instagram

Host Sharon Skinner chats with author Meredith Davis about her writing journey, the power of connections in publishing, and the importance of discovering and owning your unique superpowers as a writer. They discuss Meredith’s books, including The Minor Miracle and Her Own Two Feet, and explore how truth and personal history inform fiction. The episode offers practical advice for writers on finding their strengths, building writing community, and using personal experiences to create layered, authentic stories for young readers, and delves into the importance of owning one’s creative gifts, while offering actionable exercises for writers to discover and lean into their individual superpowers.

Connect with Meredith Online:

Website: https://meredithldavis.com Substack: Author with a Kidlit Crush Instagram FaceBook