Hello friends!

Big news! My next book is out now--Telling It True: Writing Nonfiction Kids (and Teens) Want to Read.

This is a picture of Kirsten Larson holding her next book, Telling It True.

Telling It True is both a prequel and companion to Reimagining Your Nonfiction Picture Book. While Reimagining zooms in on revising nonfiction picture books, Telling It True zooms out. It walks you through the full process of finding strong nonfiction ideas, researching effectively, and drafting engaging, fact-based books, no matter the format, from picture books through YA, magazines, and even the educational market. It’s designed to help you make smarter decisions: choosing the hookiest concepts, selecting the right audience for your idea, sifting through story structures, and making publishing choices.

Telling It True is the sum total of my 15+ years of professional writing, editing, and teaching experience. It breaks down the craft and business of children's and MG/YA nonfiction into practical, manageable steps with exercises at the end of every chapter. If you believe true stories deserve great storytelling—and want a clear way forward—this book is your roadmap.

👉 Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Telling-True-Nonfiction-Reimagine-Writing/dp/B0GHNWX7W3/

Also available at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and indie booksellers very soon in paperback and ebook!

From left to right: Catching LA Kings hockey; taking in an LA Laker game (LeBron! Doncic!); my Jane Austen LEGO set, a Christmas gift

Things I'm loving right now

Fallout (Season 2) on Amazon Prime. Are you into post-apocalyptic stories? A fan of shows about corporate greed like Severance? This is a delight! Here's an overview: "In a future, post-apocalyptic Los Angeles brought about by nuclear decimation, citizens must live in underground bunkers to protect themselves from radiation, mutants and bandits."
The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark. I'm telling everyone I know to read this book! In 1975, a brutal family tragedy leaves now-horror writer Vincent Taylor the sole survivor—and a lifelong suspect—of his siblings’ deaths. Decades later, his estranged daughter Olivia agrees to ghostwrite his final book, only to discover it’s not fiction at all but Vincent’s long-buried confession about what really happened that night.
Old Navy Bounce Fleece. It's cold y'all! I am living in some wide-leg sweats and a matching hoodie. My husband says I look like Rocky Balboa, but I don't care!

Read on for podcast updates and an exciting new approach for my nonfiction community.

Kirsten

It's not too late to join Reimagine Insiders 2026

If you've been thinking about joining Reimagine Insiders but haven't taken the leap yet, there's still time. We're working together on children's nonfiction projects throughout 2026, and you can jump in right now to get the structure, community support, and expert guidance that will help you finally complete that manuscript you've been dreaming about.

Through monthly craft posts and group coaching calls (our "office hours"), you'll move step by step from generating and vetting story ideas to drafting, revising, and shaping a submission-ready manuscript. Our next meeting is February 6th. Whether you're a teacher exploring writing during your breaks, a librarian with stories to tell, or a writer seeking accountability, Reimagine Insiders offers the thoughtful support you need. It's only $5 per month! Learn more and join us at writers.kirstenwlarson.com.

Podcast: The Art of Narrative YA Nonfiction

Check out the latest episode with YA nonfiction powerhouse, Deborah Heiligman talking about her latest book, Loudmouth: Emma Goldman Versus America (A Love Story). Link

Discover how Deborah:
-Finds her "mantra" for each book
-Works primarily with primary sources
-Crafts gripping scenes from historical research
-Tells stories of badass women who spoke truth to power
From Charles Darwin to Vincent van Gogh to Emma Goldman, Deborah shares her process for writing narrative nonfiction that reads like fiction.