Buy This Book Here: https://amzn.to/4yEI9Dh Exciting News! Up to four (4) 2026 Rate Your Story Members will have the opportunity to submit and get feedback and a rating from Teresa this month. Members can request this perk from Judy, Admin Assistant and In-box Coordinator Extraordinaire (RateYourStory@gmail.com). If there are spots available and your manuscript seems like a good fit, you will receive the benefit. Q: What did you love about being a child? A: Looking back on m

This post has been a long time coming (my sincere apologies), but unfortunately it took me longer than expected to sort out the winners due to many reasons, including a tragic death in the family, a severe illness and moving, to name a few things that really threw me for a loop this year. But I'm glad to be getting back on track. Here is the winner badge, which you can display on your website or social media. Please link back to RateYourStory.org if possible. And now here's o

As you can see, I couldn't resist taking a third swipe at this topic and we didn't take a break from it after all! Please read Part 1 of this series HERE, and Part 2 of the series HERE, where we establish some of the things editors and agents look for in a picture book submission (most submissions, not just those about criminals). Once you do, you will see that a picture book about a criminal is certainly an exception to the rule. So why do these books get published? Some wor

Buy Happy Birthday America HERE This month, we're shooting off the fireworks of excitement to have multi-published, award-winning picture book author, Rate Your Story Judge Roxanne Troup as our Guest Guru over at Rate Your Story's Kidlit Creators Forum. Up to four 2026 Members will have the opportunity to get a feedback and rating from her. Members can request Roxanne as a Guru from Judy, Admin Assistant and In-box Coordinator (RateYourStory@gmail.com), and if there are avail

by Lynne Marie Please read Part 1 of this series HERE, where we establish some of the things editors and agents look for in a picture book submission. Once you do, you will see that a picture book about a criminal is certainly an exception to the rule. So why do these books get published? Some work -- and we'll take another look at why. Let's look at a few more examples: THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press, 2012) A Junior Library Guide Selection. Jacket Copy:

by Lynne Marie I am not sure whether you will find this at all surprising, but at www.RateYourStory.org, we do get some submissions where the main character is, yes -- you guessed it -- a criminal! GASP! Now criminals aren't the usual picture book fare and there are good reasons why. Generally, here are some things one expects from a picture book: A main character that's likable and kids can connect with, and who usually exhibits good behavior, or at least, good intentions. A

By Lynne Marie I never actually fully realized the importance of the name of this challenge (MARCH ON with Mentor Texts) until I sat down to write this post. During our challenge month, I planned a farewell trip for my Nephew-in-law (and Niece and Great Niece and Great Nephew) to Disney World; Spent over two weeks on a Transatlantic Cruise to Spain (I’m also a Travel Agent); caught the Norovirus; helped care for my elderly father; said goodbye and celebrated my Nephew’s life;

Buy Book Here: https://amzn.to/41FQkAd This month, we're excited to have multi-published, award-winning playwright and author Erin Dealey as our Guest Guru. Up to four 2026 Members will have the opportunity to get a feedback and rating from her. Members can request Erin as a Guru from Judy, Admin Assistant and In-box Coordinator ( RateYourStory@gmail.com ), and if there are available spots and your manuscript seems like a good fit, you will receive the benefit. What did you w