Are You Ready to Learn What it Takes to Become a Published Children's Author?


The National Writing for Children's Center is the home of the Children's Writers' Coaching Club (CWCC), and a growing resource for children's writers, aspiring children's writers, and elementary school teachers and/or librarians.

Click here to join our club for only $27.00 per month and get started on your children's writing career today!

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May 13

Fablehaven author Brandon Mull is the Guest Today on Book Bites for Kids

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FablehavenListen to Book Bites for Kids, LIVE on blogtalkradio.com today at 2:00 central time when the guest will be New York Times Best Selling Author Brandon Mull.

Mull will talk about his books Fablehaven and The Candy Shop War. Call in to the live show today to ask Mull a question or make a comment at 1-646-716-9239 and you just might win a copy of one of his books and a poster and bookmark. Prize details will be explained during the show.

Here’s another short interview with Brandon Mull to whet your appetite for his interview today on Book Bites for Kids:

Find out more about the Fablehaven series at www.fablehaven.com.

May 12

Now…for My Next Number!

Today’s guest on Book Bites for Kids, LIVE on blogtalkradio.com at 2:00 central time will be Margaret Park, author of Now..for My Next Number!

May 06

Harold D. Underdown Guests This Week on Book Bites for Kids

Idiot's guideIf you have questions about writing and publishing for children, this week is your chance to get answers to those questions.

All this week, Harold D. Underdown will be the guest on Book Bites for Kids, every afternoon at 2:00 central time on blogtalkradio.com.

Underdown is a children’s book editor, working as a consulting editor at present. Previously, he was Vice President and Editorial Director at ipicturebooks. Before that, he was editorial director of the Charlesbridge trade program, and he has also worked at Orchard Books and Macmillan. Underdown is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books, now in its third edition. He speaks at conferences, provides editorial services to publishers and authors, and maintains an informative web site about children’s publishing called The Purple Crayon.

Today (Tuesday) Underdown will talk to Book Bites for Kids host, Suzanne Lieurance, about who he is and what he does, plus he’ll give plenty of information about writing and publishing for children.

On Wednesday he’ll cover basic information any writer needs to know to get started as a children’s writer.

On Thursday, he’ll discuss what happens after a writer signs a contract with a publisher and what it is like working with a publisher.

On Friday, he’ll talk about what’s going on right now in the world of children’s publishing. All this, and much, much more!

Listen to the show at Blogtalkradio and call in during the LIVE show to ask your question or just make a comment at 1-646-716-9239.

May 03

Do Antelope Eat Cantaloupe - This Week’s Picture Book Review

Reviewed by Suzanne Lieurance

do antelope eat cantaloupeTitle: Do Antelope Eat Cantaloupe
Author: Leigh Legere
Illustrator: Aubrey Klein
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: Leathers Pub (January 30, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1585974595
ISBN-13: 978-1585974597
Reading level: Ages 4-8

At some point, most children learn the story of Noah’s Ark. They know that Noah loaded animals, two by two, onto his ark in preparation for the great flood that would cover all dry land on earth.

But in this delightful picture book by first time author, Leigh Legere, children learn that Noah had a big problem once the animals were all aboard.

What would he feed them all?

Noah sat on a log to figure this out.

Should I bring cantaloupe for the antelope? he asked himself. Do I pack grapes for the apes?

Children and adults alike will enjoy the silliness of this book with each turn of the page.

Vivid illustrations by Aubrey Klein add to the fun, until finally, Noah figures out the answers to these questions in a way that gently conveys a comforting message to readers of all ages.

Parents will appreciate the sturdy construction of this picture book (complete with dust cover) since children will want to have it read to them again and again.

The book was a Southwest Writer’s Workshop Award Winner.

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Listen to this interview with author Leigh Legere here on Book Bites for Kids.

Apr 06

Find Out How to Create a Widget Like This One for YOUR Book!

Listen to Book Bites for Kids on Tuesday, April 15th, when my guest for the show will tell you how you can create a widget like this one for your own book absolutely free!

If you’d like to be a guest author or illustrator on Book Bites for Kids, simply email Suzanne Lieurance at suzannelieurance@hotmail.com.

Apr 04

The Cake Thief by Sally O. Lee

The Cake ThiefTitle: The Cake Thief
Written & Illustrated by: Sally O. Lee
Soft cover: 34 pages
Ages: 8-12
Publisher: Book Surge Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1419683923
Publication: December 2007

Beautifully written and illustrated by Sally Lee, The Cake Thief is about a young boy named Clarence who’s not the most sociable person you’d ever meet. He tends to be a loner. For fun, and because he likes cakes so much, Clarence sneaks into his neighbors’ homes and steals their cakes.

On one particular evening, instead of a cake, Clarence finds a party invitation addressed to him.

What should I do? thought Clarence. I have been invited to a party. And I have never been invited to a party before, and I have never baked a cake.”

Clarence frets about what he should do and discovers that with some planning and action he is a welcomed party guest.

You will be dazzled by the wonderful illustrations and the storyline that teaches children it is much more fun to be part of something than to be alone.

About the author:
Sally Lee has a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art and art history from Colby College. Her work has been exhibited in several shows and in private collections, and she is the recipient of an art grant from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her illustrations have been published in Worldlink Magazine, IEEE Magazine, and more. She lives and works in Massachusetts. Visit Sally Lee at: http://www.leepublishing.net

NOTE: Suzanne Lieurance recently interviewed Sally Lee on Book Bites for Kids. Listen to that interview at www.blogtalkradio.com.

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gse_multipart16490.jpgReviewed by Donna M. McDine for the National Writing for Children Center. Donna’s publishing credits include Stories for Children Magazine, Stories for Children Newsletter, Kid Magazine Writers, Long Story Short, Institute of Children’s Literature Rx for Writers, SCBWI Metro NY Newsletter, and Once Upon A Time. And an acceptance from Boys’ Quest magazine to publish her non-fiction children’s article entitled, “Fishing Through a Frozen Lake,” to be published December 2012. Visit her at: http://www.donnamcdine.com

Apr 02

Announce Your Blog Today on Book Bites for Kids!

Book Bites for Kids LogoEvery Wednesday is Promo Day on Book Bites for Kids, LIVE on blogtalkradio at 2:00 central time.

Today, members of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club will be calling into the show to tell everyone what they enjoy most about the club.

They will also announce the URL for their blogs for writers. They have some great blogs! You’ll want to get these URLs so you can check them out.

Call in and announce your blog URL or tell us your good news about a new book contract, your upcoming book signings or your appearance at a writers’ conference.

The number to call is 1-646-716-9239.

Listen to the show at www.blogtalkradio.com.

Mar 25

Do You Make a Living as a Children’s Author?

477142_money_4During the month of April, Book Bites for Kids will feature interviews with many writers who make their living as children’s authors.

We’ll not only talk about these authors’ books, we’ll also discuss how they manage to actually support themselves from their writing.

If you make your living as a children’s author, please email SuzanneLieurance@hotmail.com and schedule an appearance on Book Bites for Kids next month. Share your tips for success with other children’s writers.

Mar 22

Tera’s Dawn by Susan K. Schank

Watch and listen to this video for Tera’s Dawn a new picture book from author Susan K. Schank.

Schank was the guest author on Book Bites for Kids on Tuesday, March 18th.

Listen to her interview at blogtalkradio.com once you have watched this video and you’ll find out how to order this beautiful new book.

Mar 21

Call in to Book Bites for Kids Today and Win a Sneak Peek!

Dance Jam Productions coverCelise Downs will be the guest author today on Book Bites for Kids, LIVE on blogtalkradio.com at 2:00 central time.

Celise is making this fun offer - The first three people who call in or email a question during Celise’s interview, will receive a teaser from her upcoming third novel, A Royale Pain; Book One in the Draven Atreides, Teenage FBI series.

Listen to the show at www.blogtalkradio.com and call this number to ask your question or make a comment 1-646-716-9239.

If you want to email your question ahead of time, send it to suzannelieurance@hotmail.com.

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