Coaching KidLit

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 bac...

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, man...

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 onl...

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 tech...

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...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner chats with acclaimed children’s author Anne Broyles about her writing journey, growing as a writer, and the importance of perseverance. Anne shares insights on writing across genres, working with editors, and her latest nonfiction book, "Eating to Save the Planet." They discuss the lifelong process of improving craft, finding community, and w...

Sharon Skinner and Heather Preusser explore the art of voice in kid lit, sharing practical strategies for creating distinct character voices, teaching voice techniques, and the importance of reading and analyzing mentor texts. Learn tips for revision, humor, and actionable exercises to enhance your writing craft. Visit Heather online at: Website: HeatherPreusser.com or Instagram: @heather_ preusse...

Host Sharon Skinner and guest Erin Radniecki discuss nature-based writing: weaving nature into kid lit, fostering a sense of place, and using personal passion for nature to enrich storytelling and connect young readers to the natural world. Topics Covered: Erin’s journey: Combining passion for nature and writing [00:01:34] Coaching nature-curious writers: Focus on characters’ relationship with nat...

Sharon welcomes middle-grade author Jessica Vitalis. Jessica shares her journey from picture books to novels in verse, emphasizing perseverance, community, and continual craft improvement. They discuss the value of mentor texts, the process of writing across genres, pursuing literary awards, and the importance of connecting with and contributing to the kid lit community.   Visit and/or Follow Jess...

Sharon Skinner interviews prolific children's author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison, who shares insights and actionable advice on indie publishing, from book production to marketing, drawing on her experience publishing over 70 award-winning kidlit titles. Visit and/or Follow Darcy Online: Facebook.com/DarcyPattisonAuthor darcypattison.bsky.socia l MimsHouseBooks.com DarcyPattison.com substack...

Sharon and guest Rebecca Dolence discuss using creatures as symbols in kid lit, exploring how folklore and personal experience inform storytelling. They share insights on developing creature backstories, avoiding stereotypes, and twisting familiar tropes, while encouraging writers to innovate and deepen character symbolism in their children’s literature. Key Topics Covered: The role of creatures a...

Award-winning author Joan Schoettler joins Sharon Skinner to discuss her journey from teacher to kidlit writer, delving into the craft of verse novels, the importance of concise language and emotional resonance, and how authentic storytelling can connect deeply with young readers. Visit Joan online at: https://joanschoettler.com/ and follow her on Facebook , Pinterest or Instagram

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Sharon interviews guest Sara Fujimura about her writing journey and Authorpreneurial strategies, including networking, marketing, and maintaining a writing career, even when setbacks occur. Emphasizing community building, Sara details her experiences in both indie and traditional publishing, the importance of identifying one’s audience, and how she overcame chal...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner welcomes Matt McMann, USA Today bestselling author of the middle grade spooky mystery series Monsterious. Matt shares his unique writing journey—from winning school writing contests as a kid, to a long career as a musician, and finally returning to writing with encouragement and guidance from his wife, bestselling author Lisa McMann. Matt dis...

In this episode of Coaching Kidlit, Sharon Skinner welcomes award-winning children's author Christopher Cheng for an inspiring conversation about emotional writing in kidlit. Chris shares insights from his journey as a teacher and author, discusses the importance of writing from the heart, and reveals how personal experiences shape his stories. Listeners will learn practical tips on staying organi...

Sharon and Christy welcome Guest Harshita Jerath, author of picture books such as "The Leaping Ladoo" and "Cooler Than Lemonade" to discuss how she blends elements from her Indian heritage with American experiences in her writing, creating stories that resonate with broader audiences while maintaining cultural authenticity. Visti Harshita online at: Website: harshitajerath.com Instagram: @hjjerath...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner dives into the ins and outs of indie publishing with guest Natalie Wright. Natalie shares her journey from lawyer to successful indie author, discussing her writing process, character development, and the importance of a strong author platform. She offers valuable insights into creating emotionally resonant stories and building an engaged rea...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner, joined by guest Janet Fox, discusses various aspects of middle grade (MG) writing. Janet shares her writing journey, her passion for MG, and offers valuable insights on the craft of writing, particularly focusing on MG readers, character development, the importance of passion in writing, and tackling the challenges of writing mysteries and c...

Sharon Skinner interviews Dianne White, an esteemed picture book author known for works such as "Blue on Blue" and "Who Eats Orange." They delve into Dianne's background, discussing her journey from being an elementary school teacher to becoming a celebrated author. Dianne shares insights on how her teaching career and love for languages have influenced her storytelling. The conversation also high...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sara Gentry interviews Sharon about line level language and writing and revising KidLit. They focus on creating engaging language for picture books, establishing authentic middle-grade voices, and developing complex stories in young adult literature. The conversation highlights the importance of sensory details, precise wo...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, hosts Sharon Skinner and Christy Yaros discuss key aspects handling research with returning guest Laurie Calkhoven. Laurie, an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, shares her extensive experience in writing over 50 books for young readers, including tips on conducting effective and organized research for both fiction and nonfiction. She emphasizes the import...

In this episode, host Christy Yaros and guest Sara Gentry dive into the vital role of community for KidLit writers. They explore various types of writing communities, from large organizations like SCBWI to intimate critique groups, and discuss how to choose the right community for your needs. Christy and Sarah share valuable tips on balancing free and paid resources, the benefits of connecting wit...

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner talks with special guest Lori Alexander about writing and publishing nonfiction for children. Lori shares her journey from writing picture books to nonfiction, highlighting her award-winning works on historical figures in science and medicine. She discusses her process of finding ideas, conducting deep research, and using narrative techniques...

Sharon and Christy talk with prolific writer and fellow Author Accelerator Book Coach Laurie Calkoven about the differences between various early KidLit categories, including picture books, early readers, and chapter books.

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, hosts Sharon Skinner and Christy Yaros dive into techniques for effectively telling stories that involve backstory, flashbacks, and flash-forwards. They discuss the importance of understanding the narrative perspective in time and the challenges associated with various methods of integrating past events into the present storyline. Practical guidelines are given...