Part of being a writer is seeking out feedback on our work. That’s why we’re all here at Rate Your Story, right? We know how valuable this process is. But how do you digest this valuable feedback? There are a few common “styles” of how people take in feedback on their work. THE MAMA BEAR: You’ve written your story, and you couldn’t be happier. You love this little story cub more than anything. You’ve convinced it’s your best work yet, and you can’t WAIT to hear your critique

Tips from The Soaring '20s Debut Group The Soaring ‘20s is a group of authors and illustrators debuting picture books in 2020 (and in some cases, 2021). We’re on Twitter (@Soaring20sPB) and Instagram (Soaring20sPB), and our website (https://www.soaring20spb.com/) features our books, bios, and blog. Many thanks to RATE YOUR STORY for having us on your blog, a wonderful resource for children’s writers and illustrators! In this post, six of our authors and illustrators respond t

Getting girls interested in STEM is becoming an important goal of educators and many parents. One of the best ways for parents and librarians to support igniting that spark is through nonfiction biographies. Many picture books about women scientists are being published to the delight of parents wanting to read them to girls before prejudices about math and science begins to germinate. So many women scientists were not just brilliant and dedicated, they were much more. There a

Even as a child, I collected Halloween and Christmas picture books, among them, THE WITCH stories by Norman Bridwell and CLEM THE CLUMSY CAMEL by Virginia Mueller, to name just two of my many, many favorites. In addition, I treated every day like a holiday. I actually had my own copy of CHASE’S BOOK OF DAYS. Any day could be made into a holiday -- even the first day of school! Little did I know that, at the time, I was learning and tilling the soil for my future books! That

Each year the Annual RYS Awesome Openers Writing Contest grows, and this year was certainly no exception. Our judges have spent weeks reading and debating over submissions. We're thrilled to announce the selected winners below. Drum roll, please... NOVELS CATEGORY 1st Place: Ona the Impossible by Lisa Perron 2nd Place: Seriously, Universe? by Leslie Wibberley 3rd Place: Vivify by Leslie Bush Norris Honorable Mention: The Possibility of Light by Alison Goldberg PICTURE BOOK

The Backstory: After sending countless stories to one editor, and getting rejected, I asked her, "What would you like to see from me in the future?" She told me to send her a folktale. So, that day, I went to the library and took out a lot of folktale books--about 20 or so--borrowed more from friends, and bought some on-line. Then for days, I sat and read folktales from morning to night. I didn't skip any--just in case the one I skipped happened to be the perfect one. I k

So… you want to write a manuscript that’s as strong as can be? You want your manuscript to fight the good fight in today’s competitive market? Well then... LAYER YOUR MANUSCRIPT! Layering can bump a manuscript from good to FANTASTIC! In my Rosie the dragon and Charlie series, I layered, layered, layered. Let me demonstrate. A Recipe for Layering: Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves (Illustrated by Nate Wragg/Two Lions) Step One: Add a dragon Step Two: Mix in themes of fri

We're excited to announce the 2020 Annual Rate Your Story Awesome Openers Writing Contest will be open for submissions starting August 1st! *Please note: submissions received before August 1st will not be accepted. To read all of the contest details please visit our contest page by clicking HERE. The contest is open to all! First prizes winners in each of our three categories will win a skip-the-slush-pile submission pass for Kelly Delaney, editor at Alfred A. Knopf Books for

The Soaring ‘20s is a group of authors and illustrators who have come together to support each other as we debut picture books in 2020 (and in some cases, 2021). You can find us on Twitter (@Soaring20sPB) and Instagram (Soaring20sPB). Check out our website at https://www.soaring20spb.com/ to learn about our books, our bios, and to access our resources and blog. Many thanks to Rate Your Story, a wonderful resource for children’s writers and illustrators! In this post, several

I’ve taken many leaps throughout my career, confident that at the right moment, the net will appear. I started my career as a radio news journalist (with NPR affiliate, WUWM and ABC affiliate, WISN), both in Milwaukee, WI. That was certainly the start of my writing career, which further developed as I worked in corporate communications for large media and energy companies. In 2001, I founded my own public relations and marketing company, Hyler Communications. I helped clients