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Journey to KidLit - How to Write & Publish Books for Kids

Brooke Van Sickle
Children's Books
Children's Book Publishing
Kidlit Academy
Character Development
Back Matter
Query Letters
Plot Structure
Comp Books
Story Arcs
Children's Literature
Picture Book Submissions
The Polish Method
Writing Techniques
Illustration Process
Emotional Engagement
Manuscript Word Count
Comp Titles
Editing Manuscripts
Social Emotional Learning
Story Ideas

Brooke Van Sickle is the best-selling author of Picture Book Perfection: How to Write a Children’s Book that Sells and the founder of Journey to Kidlit, a global online resource that helps aspiring children's book writers learn how to craft and publish their own stories.

PublishesDailyEpisodes36Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Fiction

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Artwork for Journey to KidLit

Latest Episodes

What does it really take to publish—and market—a children’s book today? In this special conversation, Frances Gilbert (Editor-in-Chief at Doubleday Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House) shares her journey as both an editor and an autho... more

Finished your manuscript and wondering if it’s time to hire an illustrator? Not so fast. In this episode of The Journey to Kidlit Podcast, Brooke Van Sickle shares the biggest industry secret that most new writers don’t know—and how jumping into illu... more

Think you need an agent, an MFA, or a publishing background to become a children's book author? Think again. In this inspiring episode, former teacher Shannon Anderson shares her real-life journey from shelving books at the library as a teen to writi... more

You’ve made it to the final day of the Kidlit Story Kickoff — and by the end of today, you’ll have a complete first draft of your children’s book! 🥳 This final session covers: • How to properly format your manuscript • When and how to add illustrati... more

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Recent Guests

Shannon Anderson
Former elementary school teacher turned children's book author
Episode: From Dreams to Book Deals: How Shannon Anderson Became a Children’s Book Author Without Any Industry Experience

Host

Brooke Van Sickle
Host of Journey to KidLit Podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 14 ratings
  • The Reason You Need an Editor

    Thanks for this important little nugget. I feel braver already!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thanks, Rena
    United States5 years ago
  • Practical and Applicable Advice

    Are you ready to extract that book idea from your mind and let those characters play on paper? Brooke offers practical and applicable advice to get action behind dreams. Every episode offers useful tips. I highly recommend this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Do Over Mom
    United States5 years ago
  • Love!

    I have really enjoyed this podcast. It’s short AND informative structure allows for everyone to give it a listen. Thanks for bringing your knowledge to all of us!! ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ashley Abramson
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is consistent praise for the knowledge and experience shared by the host, which helps aspiring authors navigate the complexities of children's book publishing.
Many highlight the informative structure of the episodes, finding them short yet rich in content, which encourages them to pursue their writing aspirations.
Listeners appreciate the practical and applicable advice offered, making them feel braver in their writing endeavors.

Chart Rankings

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Apple Podcasts
#245
United Kingdom/Fiction

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Top Questions Every Aspiring Picture Book Author Asks (Answered!)
Q: Would you put it in your query letter if you felt your book would fit under an SEL category?
Definitely, your job is to make this the most marketable and saleable thing; SEL is huge right now.
Top Questions Every Aspiring Picture Book Author Asks (Answered!)
Q: If you had already written your manuscript and then stumbled upon your beautiful outline of how to write a story, would you go back and put it all in the pieces and see if it fits the outline?
You're probably going to have to start with the developmental edit; it's big picture stuff, where are your holes?
Top Questions Every Aspiring Picture Book Author Asks (Answered!)
Q: When you do a picture book proposal for a traditional publisher and you're going to have back matter, do you include those when you send in a manuscript, or do you just indicate that there will be back matter?
Most of the time, you can just say back matter upon request; it really depends on the publisher and what's going to make the most sense for the book.
Top Questions Every Aspiring Picture Book Author Asks (Answered!)
Q: Is it possible to write a picture book for fourth to fifth graders if the subject is bullying, being true to yourself?
You shouldn't write it for fourth and fifth graders because a fourth and fifth grader is not going to a bookstore to ask their mom to buy them a picture book; they're going to purchase middle grade books.
How to Choose the Right Comp Titles for Your Children's Book (and Why It Matters)
Q: Is it okay to use classic titles like Dr. Seuss as comp titles?
It's better to avoid them because they create unrealistic expectations and comparison, and focus on more recent examples.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Journey to KidLit

What is Journey to KidLit about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Geared towards aspirational children's authors, this series offers inspiration and practical guidance on the writing and publishing process within the children's literature landscape. Episodes cover a wide range of topics, from manuscript formatting and character development to market research and the intricacies of publishing deals. Uniquely, the host not only shares her own experiences but also invites guests with varied backgrounds in children's literature, enhancing the depth of discussions. This podcast stands out as a valuable resource for writers eager to hone their craft and navigate the complexities of bringing their stories to a young audience.

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Which podcasts are similar to Journey to KidLit?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Journey to KidLit:

1. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
2. Hidden Brain
3. The Daily

How many episodes of Journey to KidLit are there?

Journey to KidLit launched 6 years ago and published 36 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on Journey to KidLit include:

1. Shannon Anderson

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