New Craft Webinars Launch Feb 12. Register Today! + Picture Book Cover Reveal!


Hello friends!

Holiday highlights! I hope you had a lovely holiday season. We spent the holidays in Greece on the island of Crete, as well as Athens, Delphi, and the Peloponnese. I was able to squeeze in some last-minute research for my next picture book (still a big secret until an illustrator is assigned). I just sent revisions to my editor Monday and am hoping I can say more soon.

Big news! My next published picture book, THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW: How Science Happens, illustrated by Cornelia Li, from Little, Brown, hits shelves September 16, 2025. Here is the gorgeous cover!

Read about this book's twisty journey here. I invite you to preorder the book (wherever books are sold) or add it to your "want to read" list on Goodreads. Either is a huge help.

New "Nonfiction Mini" webinars for 2025! Starting February 12 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, I'm launching a series of low-cost webinars on a variety of nonfiction craft and business topics. The first webinar will be "Sifting Through Story Ideas: Six Essential Questions." It's $25 for non-members; just $10 if you are a member of my Reimagine Insiders Community. Learn more about the webinar and register here.

This month's question: What do you want to know about the craft and business of writing nonfiction?

I have many ideas for my upcoming Nonfiction Mini Webinar series, but I am always eager to learn more about what you, as nonfiction writers and lovers, need. What are your struggles and barriers? What do you want to know more about? In other words, how can I help? Reply to this email, and let me know.

Winning Nutcracker. Thanks to all who voted in the December Nutcracker Smackdown. Darth Vader was the winner, and I am happy to report, all of the nutcrackers are safe and will be out on my mantle next year.

Read on for more news and offerings below. Until next month, happy writing and revising!

Kirsten


Inside this newsletter:

  • Sign up for the next session of "Reimagine Your Writing" Workshop
  • Join me via IG Live to learn about Write. Submit. Support.
  • New Office Hours (and discounts) for the Reimagine Insiders Community; join us!
  • Next podcast drops Feb. 7 with Beth Anderson (plus get the January Katherine Roy transcript)
  • February 2025 "New in Nonfiction" List (139 titles)

Sign up for the next session of "Reimagine Your Writing" Workshop


Join me on IG Live to Learn about Write. Submit. Support

Not sure if Write. Submit. Support is for you? Join Susan Johnston Taylor and me as we go live from The Writing Barn's Instagram to discuss the program at noon Central on 1/30. Just follow The Writing Barn, and tap or click the profile icon at noon Central to join us. Learn more about W.S.S. here.


New in the Reimagine Insiders Community

What is Reimagine Insiders? In short, a paid community (like a Patreon) that costs just $5 per month. New this year: Insiders members receive $15 off Nonfiction Mini webinars, AND we are holding monthly live office hours/group coaching once a month (which are recorded). In February, we'll be talking about first pages: what work they need to do, and how do we revise them for maximum reader engagement. Insiders are submitting samples of their first pages for us to discuss live. Sign up BEFORE February 7 to join our First Pages Office Hours on the 7th at 3 p.m. Eastern. Learn more here.

Next podcast episode, plus transcript

Tune in for the next episode of the Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations podcast (on Youtube as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) with Beth Anderson dropping February 7. Beth and I discuss pacing and balancing back story and context with a brisk plot.

Get the full transcript for my January interview with author/illustrator Katherine Roy here.


New in Nonfiction

Roundup of February New Releases

Here's the latest roundup of the newest juvenile nonfiction books released by U.S. publishers. You'll find the full list of 139 books in Edelweiss by clicking the link below.

My books

Kirsten W. Larson

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
Paperage Lined Notebook

Hello friends! Read Across America, a new journal, out for a hike We are finally having some lovely spring weather here in SoCal! I recently took a five-mile hike to soak up the sun (right). It always improves my mood! I needed the break, as life has been super busy helping my high school senior make decisions about where he'll be attending college next fall. Ack! A new journal (center): I swear by these Paperage lined notebooks, which come with an elastic band, built-in bookmarks, and a...

Sign up for Reimagine Your Writing Workshop starting Feb. 25; writers.kirstenwlarson.com

Hello friends! PA Bootcamp (l), at Big Sur with Isabella Kung (middle and r) Back from Big Sur! I had a delightful time at Andrea Brown Literary Agency's Big Sur Writers Workshop (which, I learned, is actually held in Monterey). It was my first time on faculty, and it was a joy to help two different groups of five writers as they worked to improve their manuscripts. Registration for next year opens May 10 and scholarships are available. Surviving PA Bootcamp: I went undercover at PA Bootcamp...

Apollo Astronaut, British Beefeater, and Pittsburgh Steeler nutcrackers

Hello friends! True confessions: I have so. many. nutcrackers! I've whittled down my collection, but it's so hard to pick a favorite. Here's your chance to weigh in. Shoot me an email with your favorite nutcracker from my collection by Dec. 19. I'll post the winner on Facebook and IG (@kirstenwlarson). Here are your choices: Apollo Astronaut British Beefeater Pittsburgh Steeler Darth Vader Prop Plane Pilot Cub Scout 2024 Year in Review. Every year, I participate in Julie Hedlund's 12 Days of...