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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Book Launch Events; 8/28 Heart of Nonfiction PB Webinar + Scrivener 3 Template and Workbook
Published 3 months agoΒ β’Β 3 min read
Hello friends!
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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. π« 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 picture book, THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW, illustrated by Cornelia Li (Little, Brown) is less than a month away!
Speaking of, here's a little flip through of the book in case you missed it on social media:
Tuesday, September 16th at 7 p.m. Eastern: Want a peek inside my messy brain? Join me for The Messy Magic Behind This Is How You Know, where I'll spill all on how this book got made. It's free, but sign up here for the Zoom link.β
Saturday, October 4th at 11:30 a.m. Pacific.: Join me at Barnes & Noble in Palmdale for Storytime, a STEM activity, and a book signing. More here.β
Saturday, October 11th at 2 p.m. Pacific: I'm doing an author talk and hands-on science experiments at the Quartz Hill Library in Quartz Hill. The event will be open for sign ups soon.
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#AmWriting My Next Craft Book
What's a gal to do while waiting for beta readers to give feedback on her novel? Why write her next craft book, of course. I'm drafting a prequel of sorts to Reimagining Your Nonfiction Picture Book, which focuses on how we research and write children's nonfiction from magazine articles to picture books and young adult nonfiction. Like Reimagining, this book is packed with practical tips and advice, includes exercises you can use to research and shape your nonfiction (or informational fiction), and so much more.
But I need your help ... Are you a writer of children's nonfiction? If so what's one thing you would like to know (or wish you knew when starting out)? How can I make your path easier?
Things I'm Loving Right Now
Welcome to Wrexhamon Hulu. It's like the reality TV version of Ted Lasso.
AV Alta Football Club, our local USL soccer team. We've been to a couple of games, and I definitely have become a fan.
Seeing the real inspiration for Weird Barbie at From Barbie to Anna Karenina: The Cinematic Worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer at the Academy of Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
Snacky dinner: My friend Liz pioneered this when our kids were tiny, and we didn't want to cook in the middle of summer. Put out some hummus/dips, crackers, cheese, fruit, carrots, etc. Dinner done!
In this issue:
Next class: Let's Go Back to School w/ Nonfiction PBs + Scrivener template and workbook
Blog roundup: Scrivener tips + Nonfiction Pitches + Info Fiction vs. Nonfiction
Reimagine Insiders Office Hours β Sept 5 at 3 p.m. ET on Repurposing Research
Podcast: Marcie Colleen on Accountability & Community (Sept. 5) and Darcy Pattison on Self-Publishing (Sept. 19)
September 2025 New in Nonfiction list
Happy writing and revising!
Kirsten
Next Class
Mastering the Heart of Nonfiction Picture Books + Scrivener 3 Template and Workbook β
Nonfiction vs. Informational Fiction: 6 Key Insights for Children's Book Authors
Writing nonfiction for children presents unique challenges that every author eventually faces. The most significant? Deciding when to stick to the facts and keep the story nonfiction versus incorporating fictional elements to better serve the story.
Are you tired of scrolling through endless documents trying to find that one scene you need to move? Struggling to see the big picture of your novel, screenplay, or article? Scrivener 3βs Corkboard View is your solution.
How can we repurpose our mountains of research? In September 5th's Q&A session (3 p.m Eastern), we'll discuss incorporating research into educator materials, blog posts, school visits, and conference presentations. If you are a part of my paid community, please bring your questions and ideas. Want to learn more? Read about the community and benefits here.β
Here's the latest roundup of the newest juvenile nonfiction books released by U.S. publishers. You'll find the full list of 300 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! 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...
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....
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