All entries by this author

Try this Picture Book Editing Checklist

Jun 3rd, 2010 | By Laura Backes | Category: Brand New on the CBI Clubhouse!, Genre Specific Tips

Editors receive more picture book manuscripts than any other genre. To make your work stand out from the crowd, you need to do more than study how to devise a winning plot and create believable, unique characters. You need to polish your prose until it sparkles. Here’s a checklist to help with the editing process…



Author Ronica Stromberg on Writing for Tweens, the Inspirational Market, Blogging and More.

Apr 8th, 2010 | By Laura Backes | Category: Brand New on the CBI Clubhouse!, Genre Specific Tips

Laura chats with Ronica Stromberg, author of the Kirsten Hart series for tweens, about writing for the inspirational market and promoting herself through school visits and her blog.



How to Tell if a New or Small Children’s Book Publisher is Legitimate

Mar 1st, 2010 | By Laura Backes | Category: Brand New on the CBI Clubhouse!, Submitting to Publishers

It seems like every day you can open up a trade journal and read about new children’s book publishers entering the scene. While most of these publishers are well-funded and have some sort of background in the industry, a few may be bad risks for an author or illustrator. Here are some ways you can check out a publisher before signing a contract.



Inside the Mind of a Children’s Book Editor

Dec 10th, 2009 | By Laura Backes | Category: Publishing Trends, Submitting Your Manuscript

To get published, it pays to understand the way editors think.  Here’s a primer…
 



Four Steps to Becoming a Better Writer

Nov 30th, 2009 | By Laura Backes | Category: Beginners' Corner, Brand New on the CBI Clubhouse!

Great writers aren’t born – they’re made. Here are some of their secrets.



Agent/Author Laura Rennert on What Writers Need to Know to Succeed (podcast w/transcript)

Oct 5th, 2009 | By Laura Backes | Category: Publishing Trends, The Latest Author Podcast

Be a fly on the wall as top agent and newly minted author Laura Rennert talks about what’s new in children’s books, the electronic market and common submission mistakes made by writers.