Keep Writing Kidlit

Lindsey has great advice for queriers in the latest interview. I'll give you just a taste of it: "If you give up, you will never know what it feels like to finally have an agent who believes in your work. Hold onto that positive energy and KEEP GOING!!"

www.keepwritingkidlit.com/lindsey-adus...

Did you know there's a giveaway in the latest interview? 👀👀👀 Read all the way to the end and enter for your chance to win a query critique from @laduskevich.bsky.social! Good luck!

Thanks for speaking with me!

Agent Series #1: Lindsey Aduskevich Welcome to our first interview of 2026! In planning for this year, I thought long and hard about the mission of Keep Writing Kidlit, considering the best ways to support writers working toward traditional publication. For many of us, that means querying agents. And, at this stage, it’s often a good idea to query newer […]

It's finally time to reveal the #kidlit agent I'm interviewing this week... @laduskevich.bsky.social! Lindsey shares her path to becoming an agent, her plans for her first year, and everything on her #MSWL. Read to the end for a giveaway!

It's almost time for our next interview... and it's a special one because I'm speaking with a #kidlit agent! You'll get to read it on Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss it!

I'm sorry I've been so quiet on here, but NEW INTERVIEWS ARE COMING! We've got our first one of 2026 dropping on February 25th. (Because Wednesdays are great of course!) It's a special one and a bit of a change up, but I'll drop more hints about it as it gets closer! #kidlit

If you have something to donate, please consider it! More items are needed. (I donated a ten-page screenplay critique!) Let's help those in need!

airtable.com/applmf5LfQBu...

Are you participating this year? I loved this post! #Storystorm

Kidlit411 Banner Design Winners & Honorable Mention (2026 and 2027) A one-stop place for all your kid lit information needs.

One of our amazing interviewees -- @drnancydraws.bsky.social -- won an Honorable Mention in the KidLit 411 Banner Design Contest. She'll be featured along with an Author Spotlight in December 2027. In the meantime, check out her entry below! Congrats, Nancy!

www.kidlit411.com/2025/11/kidl...

It's the holidays, and if you want a little gift for yourself... How about a critique from @morganlau.bsky.social? Today is the LAST DAY to enter the giveaway! Go to the blog and read Morgan's interview to get all the details! I'm hoping you win!

It's the time of year for reflection & planning, remember '25 & imagining '26. Take some time this week to write down what you did in '25 to protect the right to read. Think about what worked & what didn't, of course, but also, how it felt. What was fun? What as a slog? What would you do again...

Hey #kidlit family! Check out this fun interview I did with Megan from @keepwritingkidlit.bsky.social.

There may be a free critique in it for you! 😉✍️

#keepwritingkidlit #kdzpodcast

Motivator #7: Morgan Lau After discussing writing contests in the last interview, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that many of the people behind those endeavors are kidlit writers. Truly, the kindness of this community inspires its members to give back. This week, I’m speaking with a storyteller who did just that! Morgan is an author-illustrator, environmentalist, and […]

I'm so excited about this week's interview! I'm talking to @morganlau.bsky.social about creating resources for the #kidlit community. Morgan has great advice, and she's also giving away a critique. Don't miss out!

https://www.keepwritingkidlit.com/morgan-lau/

Just a few more hours to enter the giveaway! Go to the blog and read the latest interview for all the details. Don't miss it! #kidlit

My absolute favorite quote from the last interview: "No writing is ever wasted." If you haven't yet, go read it and soak in all the wisdom from @felizreading.bsky.social. #kidlit

It's World Children's Day! I'm saddened every day by the children suffering around the world, from Ukraine, to Gaza, to Sudan. I called my reps today about protecting children in Gaza using the Foreign Affairs section of 5Calls. If you're taking action today too, I'd love to hear about it!

This week, I'm interviewing @felizreading.bsky.social, and we had a great time talking about writing contests. Adriana is also generously giving away a critique so go to the blog and make sure you're entered to win!

I don't usually think about it when writing a first draft. I'm a picture book writer so I just try to get it all down on paper. Then, I'll go back and make sure there's a sturdy framework. I do love lines that echo each other and the beginning and end though. #kidlitchat

A little tease for tomorrow's interview and newsletter... we're talking about contests! If this topic interests you, go to the blog (link in bio) and get on the list. Can't wait to share it with you! #kidlit

There're only TWO DAYS LEFT to enter the latest giveaway. And the prize is a query critique! Read the most recent interview to find out how to enter! #kidlit #amquerying

A punch card featuring two rows of five boxes each.

I got a rejection today. I was bummed, but... I remembered my Query Pass Punch Card! It's the first time I've punched it since I created it. It took the sting away ever so slightly.

Do you want one too? Just sign up for our newsletter! #kidlit #booksky

www.keepwritingkidlit.com/subscribe/

"But these days, inspiration can strike from either direction. I actually have two story ideas brewing right now, both sparked by concepts I painted a few years ago."

What comes first... the writing or the art? Nancy explains her process as an author-illustrator:

"Early on, I’d write everything down and then illustrate once the story was fleshed out."

It's less than one week at this point, but the graphic is still adorable! Please look out for THIS IS NOT A SLEEPY BEAR BOOK on shelves near you 11/11/25. @briangehrlein.bsky.social wrote the book and he's a friend of the blog! Way to go, Brian! #ThisIsNotASleepyBearBook

Royal blue promotional graphic titled “Emergency Grants Open”. Beneath the title text is a row of three illustrations depicting boxes of food donations. At the bottom of the graphic are three rows of text with a bright gold background that contain the following message: “Diverse writers, illustrators, publishing professionals, and educators financially impacted by loss of SNAP benefits or access to food, apply for a grant today!

🚨 WNDB is committed to providing emergency grants to diverse authors & illustrators, publishing professionals, and educators experiencing dire financial need due to loss of SNAP benefits. We are now open for a new round of emergency grants, between $250 and $1,000 each.

💻 bit.ly/WNDB-emergency

Motivator #5: Nancy Stark Lee I’ve said I wanted to interview kidlit creatives who I don’t know and I meant it. This week, I’m finally doing just that! Nancy and I have never met (though I did reach out to her at the suggestion of a mutual friend), and I am so excited to learn about her. Not only is […]

After a short break, we are back with another wonderful interview. Don't miss reading all about @drnancydraws.bsky.social because you'll want to say you knew her before she was published! #kidlit

https://www.keepwritingkidlit.com/nancy-stark-lee/

Wow! What a great opportunity! #amquerying

This giveaway ends tonight! There's less than seven hours to enter!

There's an amazing giveaway on the blog right now -- a non-rhyming manuscript critique from one of our amazing interviewees! Go read the interview and then enter the giveaway! #amwriting #amquerying

It's that time again... the latest interview is up! Go read it, get motivated, and make your Wednesday that much more enjoyable. #kidlit #amwriting

www.keepwritingkidlit.com/luce-williams/