Meet Our January Guest Guru - Lynne Marie

Our director, Lynne Marie, is excited to start off her sixth year at the helm of Rate Your Story as our January Guest Guru.

Up to eight 2026 Members will have the opportunity to get a feedback and rating from her. Members can request Lynne Marie 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.

Remember, if you sign up for 2026 Membership by December 31, 2025, you will also be invited to an exclusive First Pages with Lynne Marie in January!

If you are not familiar with Lynne Marie, she is an award-winning, multi-published author of picture books, an acquiring editor at the Little Press Publishing, a co-host at Seasons Of Kidlit, an avid reader and more! Read on to learn a little bit more about Lynne Marie in our Interview and find out what she is looking for in a submission.

What makes you excited for 2026?

Presently, the children's book industry has its challenges. However, I believe when the going gets tough, the tough get going! So I'm excited to see the movers and shakers in action in the coming year! I have already seen a number of Members and Mentees buckle up and recommit to learning their craft and doing what they need to do to break through!

What do you feel makes you stand out as a Mentor and Critiquer?

Over twenty-five years ago, I started my journey by going back to college to learn my craft. And since then, I have continued my training through classes at the New School and other establishments, as well as many many Highlights and SCBWI conferences and workshops on local, state, national and international levels. I have been a professional mentor for over fifteen years and have interned at three kidlit literary agencies, worked at two small presses, and aided many authors in making their publishing dreams come true. Also, rather than just say what many writers want to hear, I give honest feedback and actionable suggestions to help get the manuscript to the next level. That is likely why I inherited Rate Your Story, which is based upon the premise of honest feedback.

Who is Rate Your Story for?

Rate Your Story is designed to benefit writers at all levels, from beginner to advanced. For example, until last year, Nancy Churnin (who has published many, many books) was a long-time member. Now, she's just too busy to take advantage of the membership perks. And, there are many others, too! In fact, I was a long-time Member until I became a Judge. I almost didn't become a Judge because I didn't want to give up my Membership! I honestly love the concept and have drawn upon my knowledge and experience to make many improvements to it.

What category of writers do you come across in your work?

This is a great question! I find there are two categories of writers seeking feedback. The first category is writers who are looking for validation on their manuscript, rather than honest and actionable feedback. This type of writer is more likely to become offended at any feedback offered and also less likely to try the feedback on for size. The other category is writers who have their mind and hearts in the right place -- they really want an honest assessement of their work and are willing to consider and try the feedback on for size and strive to improve their work, as well as to do what they can to read more and better learn their craft.

What do you recommend in the case of the validation-seeking writers?

I recommend that all writers check their ego at the door and approach their feedback and/or mentoring sessions with objectivity. It's hard to learn this, but it's important to be objective, rather than be too close to or biased about one's work. I always recommend that if feedback doesn't initially resonate, to give it at least a few days or a week or so before reapproaching. Often when the "dust" settles, it's easier to see the feedback more clearly and take it in the helpful spirit in which was given. Any criticism of the work is not about the author or their potential, but merely about what is not working in the manuscript and what needs to be addressed to bring the story to the next level.

What brought you to children's books?

An undying love for creating stories, as well as a history of reading any and every book I could get my hands on since a four-year old child!

What do you love about children's books?

They are passports to adventure, with people, places and things to experience, all in a short period of time! Magical!

Share a little bit about your most recently-published book. How long was its path to publication? What did you learn from this experience? What is your favorite thing about this book? 

I will use The Palace Rat as an example as it was written while I was back in school in 1998 and it got published in 2023. There was much to be learned from this experience, including:

Experience life and be inspired - this story was inspired by a rat I saw in the Courtyard of the Palace of Versailles.

Respect the evolution and universality of a story - I allowed the story to grow and bloom, rather than just reflect about what my personal experience was. My imagination was key!

Pull back on the history and focus on the story - as much as I love French history for many reasons, I had to leave that in the background and make the story kid-accessible by just introducing them to a sliver of it (King Louis XIV and Versailles).

Draw upon good literature - it was also inspired, in part, by the tales City Mouse / Country Mouse, and The Prince and the Pauper.

Change and grow with the business - when I originally wrote this, some folktales were 2500 words and so was my manuscript. I had to learn to streamline, cut, and kill my darlings (words, scenes, details and characters) and strive for the pacing and word count that reflected the sensibilities of the current market.

It takes as long as it takes - like fine wine, some stories need to age to achieve their full potential.

Don't give up - It got published 25 years after it's original draft!

What does a story need to make it a favorite for you?

You will hear this answer a lot, so it's important to listen up and really learn to identify these concepts and master them. Heart and Humor. But also, good writing and storytelling, with a main character I can connect with as a child reader and a problem I can identify with as a child reader. Like Wolfie the Bunny!

Other examples: One Word From Sophia, The New Kid Has Fleas, My School Stinks,

many by Beth Ferry, Tammi Sauer, and others that have mastered these concepts and also presented ideas that felt fresh and new and had satisfying endings and takeaway.

What is a common issue you see in the manuscripts you critique?

Often elements just come out of nowhere and are not intrinsic to the story. Everything in a picture book should in some way be seeded in the beginning.

Please share a Submission Tip with our Members. 

Read. Write. Re-vision. Revise. Get your story straight before worrying too much about the word choices. Invest in yourself by investing in good mentoring to help elevate your knowledge and exprience. Do the work and don't give up. Don't submit a manuscript until it's truly ready. Otherwise, it will be a no when it could have been a yes.

Wishing you all the best on your path to publication in 2026!