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Kirsten W. Larson

Download the Nancy Churnin podcast transcript, plus 106 new nonfiction titles inside

Published about 1 year ago • 2 min read

Hello friends!

Happy fall, y'all! My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary at Disney's Napa Rose Restaurant (left) while we were at the resort for my husband's Society of Experimental Test Pilots conference. The kids normally travel with us, but they had their own competing plans this year. So, I took that opportunity for a Disney day with two of my besties, Lourdes (center) and Cynthia (right) in the center picture by Lourdes.

In writing news, I pantsed my way through the first draft of my Finlay Donovan-style rom-com thriller (70,000 words). I've already begun revising it at the story level using Jennie Nash's Inside-Outline approach. Learn more about the Inside-Outline here. ​

My friend Nancy gave me this awesome candle (pictured right), which helped motivate me to get to "The End" of my novel. The candle would make a great gift for a writer friend! If you search "Smells like she's writing a bestseller," you'll find lots of options on Etsy.

This month's question is: Do you prefer your Halloween movies spooky or sweet? I definitely prefer sweet (and funny) over scary. "A Hubie Halloween" with Adam Sandler was a recent favorite (Netflix).
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Until next month, happy writing and revising!
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Kirsten

Inside this newsletter:

  • Transcript link for Episode 2 of Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations with Nancy Churnin
  • Best-selling nonfiction book hooks (Insider Community discussion)
  • Learn with me at NCTE (Nov. 22-23) and Crash Course in Craft (Nov. 2)
  • November 2024 "New in Nonfiction" List (106 titles)

New podcast episode, plus transcript

Don't miss episode 2 of Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations (on Youtube). Nancy Churnin (Rainbow Allies, illustrated by Izzy Evans) provides a helpful reframe on how to approach sources and experts. Don't have time to listen? Get the transcript here​.​

In the Insiders Community

Two people in my paid community recently asked for an analysis of the best-selling nonfiction hooks. Analyzing several sources, I found the following topics and approaches to be some of the hottest sellers.:
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1. Disasters and major conflicts
2. Celebrities and famous figures
3. Sports
4. Timely Topics/Underrepresented Voices
5. Comparisons and competitions
6. Gross-out humor and weird facts
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Want more hooks plus the full analysis (including sample books) and tips for applying these ideas to you own work? Join my Insiders community. Aside from monthly posts and videos, discounts, and live Zooms, Insiders have a brand-new opportunity -- a chance to submit questions to upcoming podcast guests. Learn more about the community here.​

Learn with me!

NCTE 2024 Boston

Headed to Boston for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Conference 2024? I hope to see you there. Here is my schedule:

Friday, Nov. 22, 3:30-4:45 PM: Teaching with the 2024 Charlotte Huck and Orbis Pictus Award Books (Room 205A)

Saturday, Nov. 23, 12:30 to 2:30 PM: Children's Book Award Luncheon (Room 210B)

Crash Course in Craft

Have you ever purchased a book to learn the craft of writing books for kids, but aren't sure how to best put it to use? Here's a chance to learn from the authors themselves! Get a sneak peek of what I'll be covering on my website, along with the example books I'll use.

New in nonfiction

Roundup of November New Releases

Here's the latest roundup of the latest juvenile nonfiction books from U.S. publishers. You'll find the full list of 106 books in Edelweiss by clicking the link below.

My books

Kirsten W. Larson

Let's Reimagine Nonfiction!

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.

Read more from Kirsten W. Larson
Kirsten and Nils Larson in front of the NASA X-59

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...

18 days ago • 3 min read
This is a picture of author Kirsten Larson with fans at the Barnes and Noble story time for THIS IS HOW YOU YOU KNOW

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...

about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Kirsten reading her new book THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW to kids

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....

3 months ago • 5 min read