Hello friends!

Jack Kirby exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center, Read Across America in my BFF Lourdes's 5th grade, and Literacy & STEM night at my librarian buddy Erin's school.

Happy summer! I mean, spring?

But it's 91 degrees here in Southern California as I type. Gah. 🥵

It's been a month of school visits for me. It's such a joy to connect with young readers to discuss writing, book-making, and STEM at local schools.

On the picture book front…

I’ve been developing a new nonfiction idea, which is now with my agent for feedback. The plan is to pitch it to one of my existing editors.

I spent about 10 hours researching, including digging into online sources and skimming books. But the real work wasn’t just gathering information. It was shaping the idea into something surprising and meaningful for kids.

Before I draft, I make sure I have three things in place:

a strong hook (why this story will grab--and surprise--a reader)
a clear takeaway (what the reader will understand or feel, a universal, heart-level message)
a handful of specific, vivid examples that prove the idea can carry a full book

If one of those pieces is missing, the draft almost always stalls later.

I’ve been sharing this process with my Insiders during our monthly Zoom office hours, and next month (April 10th) we’ll be workshopping our pitches before drafting, making sure our ideas are solid from the start.

If you want to explore writing nonfiction pitches, you can learn more here on my blog.

And, if you want to know more about how writing a pitch can help you draft your book, check out my latest book, Telling It True, which focuses on getting down that first draft.

Things I'm loving right now

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast: If you loved The Derry Girls, you'll love this Irish comedy-thriller Netflix from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee (Netflix). Three high-school friends attend their classmate's wake only to realize she may not be dead at all.
If You Must Go, I Wish You Triplets by Virginia DeLuca (memoir): A psychotherapist’s 60-year-old husband leaves a seemingly ideal second marriage declaring he wants children. A memoir of a marriage unraveling with all its complicated feelings.
Apple Notes App: I am ditching OneNote for Apple Notes thanks to its integration with Reminders and Calendar. Katherine LeRoy got me hooked after I watched these videos she recommended from Brooke Tierney.

Read on for podcast updates and my current offerings.

Kirsten

A rave review for Telling It True

Buy here, or, if the book has helped you, please review it wherever you get your books.

Podcast: What Happens When History Forgets Her Name

In this episode, authors Lindsay H. Metcalf (Footeprint) and Debbie Loren Dunn and Janet Fox (The Real Rosalind) explore the craft of writing young adult nonfiction, the research process behind uncovering hidden scientific histories, and how to transform archival discoveries into emotionally compelling narratives. From the stories of Rosalind Franklin and Eunice Newton Foote to broader conversations about credit, persistence, and passion in science, this discussion dives deep into what it takes to write nonfiction that resonates with teen readers.

Topics covered:

✔️Writing YA biographies

✔️Researching overlooked women scientists

✔️Crafting emotional arcs in nonfiction

✔️Balancing historical and scientific accuracy with narrative engagement

✔️Advice for aspiring nonfiction writers

Tune into the Nonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations podcast (on Youtube as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) Are you enjoying the podcast?

Please rate and review on Apple podcasts
Or like and subscribe on YouTube
Click here to get transcripts
And support the podcast by buying from the Bookshop.

Prefer to read your content? I post summaries after each episode airs on my blog.

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 April 10th. 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.