Melissa H. Mwai

KidLit Deconstruction Zone Podcast episode title card: Demystifying Graphic Novels for Writers with illustrated graphic novel panel and book character wearing a construction hat.

Got 10 minutes? The KDZ crew chats all things writing graphic novels on the KidLit Deconstruction Zone Podcast in our newest YouTube episode: bit.ly/4leRjQA.

#kidlit #writingchildrensbooks

Title card of the illustrated word love with a read heart

Sharing February's newsletter with writing/art prompts to show love and care. Also, there's author news about my children's poetry anthology, the KDZ Podcast episode on love, and celebrating my birthday, plus one year of monthly creative projects. Huzzah! 💜

bit.ly/3OHQm7c

Aquatic adventures in the Caribbean. Snorkeling. Swimming with dolphins. I don’t love beaches but I adore the ocean. #KidLitArt

Thanks, Larissa. We’re talking about graphic novels in March. #KidLitArt

Thank you, Charlene. #KidLitArt

Agree. Seeing artists outside of kidlit is really helpful. #KidLitArt

I like making art with my kiddo. Her creativity inspires me when I’m stuck. My monthly newsletter requires me to write & make art too so that holds me accountable. #KidLitArt

The unproductive thing made me crack up. #KidLitArt

For the alt question, depends on what inspiration I need but I enjoy watching other collage artists show their process.

Vanessa Brantley Newton & @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social have a lot of free/paid resources! #KidLitArt

I love to listen to audiobooks & nerdy podcasts while making art. Hoopla or D&D actual plays for the win. #KidLitArt

My big kidlit win is that we launched season 2 of the KidLit Deconstruction Zone Podcast & I redid graphics! (Making new episode thumbnails has been a learning experience.)

youtube.com/@kidlitdecon...

#KidLitArt #writingpodcast

snoopy is jumping in the air with the words yay yay yay written below him ALT: snoopy is jumping in the air with the words yay yay yay written below him

Congratulations on that win. #KidLitArt

Awww that is adorable! #kidlitart

Hungry Hearts book cover with an illustrated soup bowl edited by Elsie Chapman & Caroline Tung Richmond

Arriving fashionably late to the kidlit party.

✳️ Personal: should be able to share a book cover soon!

✳️ Reading: read this amazing YA anthology called Hungry Hearts by Elsie Chapman & Caroline Tung Richmond. It brought me such joy!

#kidlitchat

Not too outrageous is spot on.

There’s such a fine like between fantasy-sounding names & wall of absurd combination of letters in names/settings.

Usually name choices like that take me right out of a story as a reader.

But sometimes absurd perfectly match the book’s tone.

#kidlitchat

Fun fact: When I’m stuck for a name, I use an obvious placeholder w/specific punctuation like [main character] to replace later.

I’ve done massive character name changes in manuscripts & dislike having to hunt for the partial errors if you do a find/replace all. Such a headache.🤕 #kidlitchat

Name variants are a cute way to honor someone you love. I’ve done it a few times. #kidlitchat

a cartoon dog is covering his mouth with his hand while smiling . ALT: a cartoon dog is covering his mouth with his hand while smiling .

Hehehe. It totally was a creative exercise in pushing the limits. #kidlitchat

For names:

1. Lists
2. Puns
3. Homages

For titles (besides the above) I also like direct quotes & metaphors…especially for poetry/chapter titles.

#kidlitchat

Agree about enjoying #kidlitchat on Tuesdays.

Also reminds me back to the Twitter days of #PBChat hosted by @justincolonbooks.bsky.social. I’ve made fabulous friends with #kidlit folks in that community. 💜

I miss cookiepitch. That was such a fun experience that encouraged us write pitches for outrageously terrible stories & leave reviews for real books we loved.

#kidlit #kidlitchat

Not sure if this IG reel link will work here, but….here’s 3 tips to write about love for kids….

www.instagram.com/reel/DUvWia2...

#kidlit #kidlitchat

Guess What Time It Is? Guidelines For The 11th Annual Valentiny Contest For Children’s Writers! If you guessed Valentiny Time, you are RIGHT! (Please excuse me for skipping PPBF today – I wanted to get this up so you can get to work on your entries!)

Psst: One resource I shared was Susanna Leonard Hill’s Valentiny Writing Contest for children’s books. Submissions due by 2/14!

susannahill.com/2026/01/23/g...

#kidlitchat #kidlit

In this month’s resource roundup for #writers, #artists, & #neurodivergent people, I’m inspired by love…and hope you are too.

🔗 substack link: bit.ly/46AuFvU

I don’t think of plot pastas :) but I do think of dramatic plot threads! Whether I’m writing fiction or nonfiction, I want the drama to tie to stakes & emotions. Usually those threads get refined while I’m revising: word choice, sentence structure; choosing what to reveal and when.

#kidlitchat

So how can you include love as a thematic question in your children's book?

We can never have enough stories reminding our readers--and ourselves--to show kindness, respond with empathy, and act in love to those around us.

Keep writing. 💜

#lovewins #childrensbooks #writing #kdzpodcast

Writing Love Kids Understand: 4 Tools for Children's Authors YouTube video by The KidLit Deconstruction Zone Podcast

We're doing a #picturebook critique #giveaway.

To enter the picture book critique giveway, let us know in the YouTube comments which tool helped you + drop a heart, and send us an email kidlitdeconstructionzone(at)gmail.com by February 28th.

➡️ youtu.be/9Ybpd65FEng?...

#writing

Writing Love Kids Understand: 4 Tools for Children's Authors YouTube video by The KidLit Deconstruction Zone Podcast

Hi writing friends. The KidLit Deconstruction Zone Podcast is back with our first episode of season 2. In this episode, we chat about writing love in KidLit + information about a critique giveway mentioned at the end.

➡️ youtu.be/9Ybpd65FEng?...

#kidlit #writing #childrensbooks

TOPIC: Yesterday was Groundhog Day in the US. Taking a cue from the movie, let's talk do-overs--aka REVISIONS. How many revisions do you typically go through on a story or art? And do you sometimes keep revising to avoid . . . finishing? (Extra points for honesty.) #kidlitchat

Thank you for the encouragement!