While RYS members have many opportunities to get excellent writing advice at a reasonable cost, there’s another path to consider when...

When you start writing children’s books, among the most important things you can learn are elements of craft that can power your story....

I usually write picture books. I’ve taken classes, joined 12x12, and found a critique group. So when I got an idea that felt too big for...

When I began writing for children, I was an eager author. I started with one picture book and then focused on that manuscript far longer...

In this age of Marie Kondo’s book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I am worried that the pressure to keep your house neat and clean...

Some children dream of becoming an astronaut, a world-famous singer, or perhaps a ninja/doctor (that last one was my son). My dream to...

My parents divorced when I was only two. As I got older I missed my father so very much. I lived in California and he lived in New York,...

So you’ve decided to write a trilogy. Maybe a longer series than that. Seriously? You know that you’re on the hook for at least three...

What’s your first thought when you hear that question? I’ll bet it’s one of two things: connected to the internet, OR connected to...

Waiting is a big part of the writing life. You wait for inspiration, for editors and agents to respond, for your book to sell, and...

With so many beloved holiday titles out there, many released year after year, it can be a challenge to get your holiday book published....

Announcing the 2018 Rate Your Story Awesome Openers Writing Contest Winners! Novels First Place: Dragon Blood by Mary Jolley Second...

Rudyard Kipling is perhaps best known for his JUST SO STORIES, a compilation of delightful fictional explanations for why many animals...

I'm excited to share this exclusive interview with Sarah Rockett from Sleeping Bear Press. I can speak from personal experience and say...

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the...

I’m always ready to cheer when book deals are announced, especially if I know the author and/or illustrator. But honestly, I wouldn’t be...

WIELDING THE RIGHT WORDS (And the Right Journals.) by Shutta Crum Okay, you’ve slogged through a difficult—even hellish—first draft (or...

1) PICK A PERSON YOU LOVE Whoever you pick is someone who is going to be part of your life for a long time. You will be spending time...

“You gotta have heart. Miles 'n miles ‘n miles of heart,” or so sang the team in the musical Damn Yankees. If you’re a ball player,...

When it comes to getting that elusive publishing contract, we all obviously have to spend a lot of “butt in chair” time writing and...