We are thrilled to be hosting literary agent Mary Cummings of Betsy Amster Lit on our blog this month. Scroll down for Mary's interview...

In January, 2015, I started researching and working on the story of Elizabeth Jennings’ rejection from the streetcar in 1854. I’d found...

For twenty-five years I’ve been an Early Childhood teacher, teaching children from pre-k to third grade in the public schools of...

YOUR NEXT GREAT BOOK TOPIC You’ve probably heard the common writer’s adage, “Write about what you know.” Which is often a good idea. But...

For the past year, my critique group, The Broad Strokes has set aside the first half hour of every meeting to share our favorite new...

We'd like to thank everyone who participated in the fourth annual Rate Your Story Awesome Openers Writing Contest. Our judges have spent...

Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away (it really does feel like another galaxy), I was given a writing assignment in my eighth grade...

Rhyme. Everyone says, “Don’t do it.” “No one will buy it.” “No one will rep it.” And yet many writers are lured in by soothing rhythm of...

Lynne Marie is the author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten - illustrated by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic, 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of...

It's August and we're officially kicking off our annual Awesome Openers Writing Contest! A portion of the proceeds is going to benefit...

When you first announce a pregnancy or a new birth, the first question most people ask: “Is it a boy or a girl?” This seemingly innocuous...

Everyone’s writing journey is unique. For many of us, publication is the end goal. Still, there are many ways to reach it. I think it’s...

TIPS & TRICKS FOR ASSEMBLING YOUR OWN #BOOKCREW This Spring I debuted two new books, both with briny, beachy, boaty themes. LUCY LOVES...

Like many people who write I was first an insatiable reader. This hunger for stories led me to study French literature in college. Right...

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...