Think nonfiction kids' books are boring? Think again! I'm a writer, teacher, and writing coach dedicated to helping students reimagine their true stories, turning them into captivating reads. Subscribe to my newsletter for tips, new releases, and more.
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A Glowing Kirkus Review + Next Class: When Facts Become Fiction (Informational Fiction)- just $25
Published about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hello friends!
Behind the scenes: Society of Experimental Test Pilots banquet at Disney; with fabulous friends at my B&N event; visiting our older son for Parent's Weekend at UC San Diego.
First, a huge thank you for all the outpouring of support for This Is How You Know, illustrated by Cornelia Li. It was such a joy to see so many friends at my Barnes & Noble Story Time (center) as well as my LA County Library event where we made oobleck and did other STEAM activities. From the bottom of my heart, thanks for showing up for me and this book!
Also big thanks for all of you who reviewed on Amazon, Goodreads, and other platforms. They make a huge difference. (If you haven't reviewed yet, please do!) I am happy to report that we finally received a glowing professional review from Kirkus Reviews (see below).
With beta readers: Telling It True: Writing Nonfiction for Children (craft book).My November goal is to revise this book, get it into copyediting, and finalize the glossary and appendices. It is a "prequel" to Reimagining Your Nonfiction Picture Book, covering the full gamut of nonfiction for kids including magazines and work for hire.
Going to my agent: I'm almost done with edits to my rom-com spy thriller for grown ups, which I'll send to my agent next month to see what she thinks. Fingers crossed! Also, I'm considering writing a novella based in the same world. It might be a fun Reedsy Novel Sprint challenge for November, aka the new NaNoWriMo.
Still mulling: A new nonfiction project idea. Though it might be a card or board game for all ages? I'm reading up on game design as I brainstorm.
Strengths for Writers. As I've worked through some writing and business decisions over the past couple of months I decided to take the Clifton Strengths for Writers course. Gallup's Clifton Strengths is a much more nuanced personality test than, say, Meyers Briggs. I'm a Learner, which means I always need to learn (and share) new things. My other top five are Achiever (goals! getting stuff done!), Relator (small groups vs. strangers), Focus (one project at a time; big blocks of time), and Discipline (structure and routine). This will surprise no one who knows me. I've found this process supportive as I pivot into new areas of writing.
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Things I'm Loving Right Now
The Diplomat (Season 3) on Netflix. Think House of Cards but abroad as Keri Russell encounters constant intrigue as the U.S. ambassador to England.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman mashes up D&D and a to- the-death game show like Hunger Games in a new-to-me genre, LitRPG. I dare you not fall in love with Princess Donut, the talking cat.
& Juliet (the musical). We caught the last day of the run at the San Diego Civic Theatre. It's meta -- Shakespeare and his wife rewrite Romeo & Juliet as if Juliet lived. And it has a great score packed with hits from Brittany Spears, Backstreet Boys, and others. So fun!
In this issue:
New Inked Voices Cohort: Apply by Nov. 2
Next Class: When Facts Become Fiction (Informational Fiction), Nov. 18
NCTE Roundtable: "Activating Future Dreams with STEM Books," Nov. 21 at 12:30 p.m. (Denver Convention Center)
Reimagine InsidersOffice Hours (paid community) – Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. ET on "Writing Tough Topics"
Upcoming Podcast Episodes: Marzieh Abbas and Valerie Bolling on "Writing All the Things" (Nov. 7)
November 2025 New in Nonfiction list
Happy writing and revising!
Kirsten
New Inked Voices Cohort starts January
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Inked Voices Member applications open until November 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Work with author Kirsten Larson and a small group of peers to revise your nonfiction picture book manuscript. Writers will engage deeply with their own work and that of their peers through workshopping, revision, and craft discussion. Learn more and apply at Inked Voices.
Next Webinar: When Facts Become Fiction ($25)
Is your manuscript true...but not entirely?
Many of us find ourselves caught between fact and fiction. We want to tell a true story—but what if the research record has gaps? What if we need dialogue to bring a scene alive? Or create a fictional narrator to make the science sparkle? When and how do we pivot from nonfiction to informational fiction (which some also call creative nonfiction)?
In this practical, 60-minute webinar, we'll navigate the fine line between nonfiction and informational fiction so you can decide which form best serves your story and your readers. Learn more and sign up here.
Meet Me at NCTE
Teaching STEM Skills Through Great Books? Yes, Please!
What if you could help students build curiosity, creativity, and resilience while reading amazing STEM books? Join five talented authors and author-educators who'll show you exactly how to do it. This isn't a sit-and-listen session—it's a fast-paced roundtable where you'll rotate through hands-on activities and walk away with lessons you can use on Monday morning. Learn more.
October Insider Office Hours (Paid Community): Writing Tough Topics
How do we write tough topics for kids? Join us for our November 14 session (3 p.m Eastern), where we discuss how to handle tragedy, nuance, and complex scientific concepts. Writing a tough topic? Bring a spread or sample of your work to share, and we'll discuss. Read about the community and benefits here.
Upcoming podcast episode
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This month I chat with Marzieh Abbas and Valerie Bolling, two authors who write across genre and age category. Learn their tips and tricks for "Writing All the Things."
Here's the latest roundup of the newest juvenile nonfiction books released by U.S. publishers. You'll find the full list of 104 books in Edelweiss by clicking the link below.
Think nonfiction kids' books are boring? Think again! I'm a writer, teacher, and writing coach dedicated to helping students reimagine their true stories, turning them into captivating reads. Subscribe to my newsletter for tips, new releases, and more.
Hello friends! First, a bit of fun family news. On Oct. 28th, my husband made the historic first flight of the X-59, a prototype experimental aircraft designed to test whether we can make future aircraft quieter so we can (someday) fly supersonic across the U.S. I got to sit next to the control room and hear and watch everything. It was so cool! Check out the NASA video below. Post flight! Attending educators conferences From left to right: In the Little, Brown book at NCTE, signing books for...
Hello friends! Left to right: With fellow authors Dana Middleton and Nell Cross Beckerman; with young readers at story time at Once Upon a Time Bookstore in support of Science Saturday. As you have undoubtedly heard, my next picture book, This Is How You Know , illustrated by Cornelia Li, is out now from Little, Brown. I just hosted two events and have two more coming up. If you are local, I hope you'll join me. Signing and Storytime at Barnes & Noble - Palmdale at 11:30 a.m. October 4th....
Hello friends! Grad dinner 71 stories above LA, dropping off the college freshman, and Barbie exhibit at the Motion Picture Museum I don't know about you, but summer is over at our house. 😫 We dropped off our college freshman (middle) for his summer bridge program at UC San Diego, where he is taking two engineering classes and meeting tons of people. Plus my high schooler is back in school. All this means I'm back in the office full time, which is a good thing since the launch of my next...
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