Welcome, Fightin’ Bookworms, to our step-by-step journey

to getting published!

 

 

For 19 years now we’ve explored numerous aspects of writing fiction and nonfiction for all age groups, looked at the business end of the author’s life, and talked to a lot of interesting, smart people about how to be successful in this industry. But now we’re starting something completely different. Now we have a step-by-step plan to take you from aspiring author to published professional. 

You’re all invited to join us for the CBI Challenge. 

Each month, one article per issue will be devoted to the Challenge. We’ll start at the foundation, laying the groundwork for learning how to create books for children that will catch an editor’s eye. But the article only scratches the surface. Every month on the CBI Clubhouse you’ll find a special CBI Challenge section with companion material — videos, web site walkthroughs, extra articles, podcasts — plus a "challenge" assignment that ties in with that month’s theme. A special message board area dedicated to the Challenge allows you to post your writing assignments, get feedback from other Fightin’ Bookworms, trade tips and advice, and forge connections. Down the road we’ll be adding teleseminars that link to the Challenge topic that month. 

Though Jon and Laura are leading the Challenge, you, the Fightin’ Bookworms, will make it work. We invite you to create audio or video clips for the Clubhouse with your own take on the topic that month. Start discussion threads on the message board. Form online critique groups. Trade your own writing exercises. And published authors, while you may not need to work through every month of the Challenge, we welcome your presence on the message board giving advice and insight to newbies. 

If you’re brand new to writing for kids, the Challenge is for you. If you’re switching from adult to children’s books, fiction to nonfiction, picture books to middle grade, or educational publishing to trade, the Challenge is for you. Take the Challenge if you’ve been revising the same manuscript for years but can’t get past the slush pile. Pick up the Challenge on months when the topic — such as pacing in picture books, show don’t tell, or incorporating flashbacks — is something you’ve been told you need to work on. Join us if you’re tired of writing alone and want some friends along on the journey, to help you over the rough spots and celebrate those successes when they come.  

From this page, you’ll have ongoing access to each module of this interactive course that will take you from aspiring writer to (hopefully!) published author. 

Here’s Jon with a quick video about the CBI Challenge that will explain everything!

 

Click on each Module title to view all the content for that section. New Modules will be added every month.

MODULE 1: Finding Your Passion as a Children’s Writer

MODULE 2: Developing Your Story Idea

MODULE 3: Making Time to Write

MODULE 4: Laying the Foundation for Your Main Character & Plot

MODULE 5: Building Your Protagonist

MODULE 6: Creating Your Antagonist

MODULE 7:  Ignite Your Plot with a Catalyst

MODULE 8:  Perfect Your Pacing

MODULE 9:  Build a Strong Middle

MODULE 10:  Create a Strong Subplot

MODULE 11:  Crafting a Powerful Ending

MODULE 12:  How to "Show, Don’t Tell"

MODULE 13:  Working with Point of View

MODULE 14:  Build a Writing Lifestyle

MODULE 15:  Sharpen Your Strengths

MODULE 16:  Get Feedback On Your Work

 

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