The Weekly 411 (10/11/24)

 

© Heather Bell

Oct. 11, 2024 vol 41

The Weekly 411 gathers all the links added to Kidlit411 each week. To receive this post by email, sign up for our email updates. Are you on Facebook? Join our Kidlit411 group for conversations and camaraderie. This week's illustration is by Heather Bell.

Middle Grade Giveaway

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade book, Bird Nerd, by Jennifer Ann Richter (Holiday House) out on Oct. 22. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below. 

About the Book: Nyla Braun has always been called a nerd at her Philadelphia school. But that hasn’t stopped her from pursuing her nerdy hobbies, especially when she has best friend Tasha by her side. When a birding tournament between Nyla’s class and a class from a suburban school is announced, Nyla sees her chance to get the respect she deserves. If they win, that is. The Burb Birders will be tough competition. With the contest underway, Nyla soon catches the attention of the most popular girl in class, who also wants to win, setting off a chain of small disasters as Nyla tries to balance old friends and new and the pressure to be cool when you really just want to be yourself.

About the Author: Jennifer Ann Richter is a former diplomat, teacher, investment representative, editorial assistant, voice captioner, and audio description writer for TV (with a few odd jobs in between). Somehow she managed to focus long enough to get serious about her writing—a love that had always been simmering in the background. Her big break came after novel attempt number four. Jennifer’s interests are as varied as her employment history, and they often find their way into her poetry, short stories, and novels. Her debut novel, Bird Nerd, was inspired by the birding hobby she picked up as an adult. Astronomy, space travel, and her experiences living and working in Germany have also featured prominently in her writing.Check out jenniferannrichter.com for more, including Jennifer's Bird of the Month. She also has plans for a YouTube channel.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Picture Book Giveaway

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Mole and Tell by Catherine Payne and John Payne II, illustrated by Elisa Rocchi (Science Naturally). Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.

About the Book:  Mole and Tell introduces kids to Mole Day, a holiday held from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. October 23 every year. Using the familiar activity Show and Tell, readers will explore several measurements of moles. This book is a fun way to kick off any Mole Day celebration!

About the Author: Catherine Payne works as an English instructor and tutor on Guam. As a storyteller, she loves to draw connections between literature and science. Author John Payne II, Catherine’s brother, works as a writer on Guam. He enjoys reading and traveling around the world.

About the Illustrator: Elisa Rocchi grew up in the countryside of northern Italy, along with her unique friend and pet cat, Minù. She has always loved drawing and writing and works as a children’s book illustrator. Elisa currently lives in Milan, Italy, with her husband and son.

a Rafflecopter giveaway   

For Writers

The Dos and Don'ts of Novel Endings

Contests & Awards

Oct. 29 - 31 14th Annual Halloweensie Contest

• What: write a story under 100 words for children using the words tiptoe, goblin, and chill
• Award: free books, critiques, and other services from authors, agents, and other publishing professionals

Writing Courses

Nov. 11 12:30-2pm ET Developing a Premise for Serialized Fiction Unlock the secrets of creating compelling, episodic stories for young readers! In this interactive workshop with Marcie Colleen, you'll explore the art of developing a series with engaging characters and captivating narratives that keep kids coming back for more. Whether you're writing early readers, chapter books, or comics, this workshop will provide the tools you need to plan, write, and sustain stories that hook young readers from start to finish. Perfect for aspiring and experienced writers alike! Handout included.

Dec. 7, 10 - 11a.m. PDT - Better Your Verse: 10 Tips on Writing Great Verse Novels Novels in verse are incredibly popular with young readers. But while it is a pleasure to read words that sing, it can be daunting to craft a novel that is spare in terms of words yet not sparse in its ability to paint emotionally rich scenes filled with three dimensional characters. Whether you're considering writing a novel in verse or have already plunged in and are ready to polish a manuscript, award-winning author Padma Venkatraman, whose poems have appeared in POETRY magazine, several anthologies and been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, will present tips to help make your work shine. She will also suggest exemplars and resources for further reading, so you can continue to hone your skills and grow as a poet and storyteller.

Oct. 22 and 24, 7 p.m. (online) Research Mini Workshop with the Highlights Foundation. Research is the backbone of nonfiction. It also adds depth, detail, and accuracy to fiction. Join authors Stephanie Gibeault, Jolene Gutiérrez, and Anita Yasuda as they share the tools and strategies writers need to dig into research with confidence. Whether you’re writing for the trade market, the educational market, or magazines, understanding how to conduct and organize your research matters.

Freelance Editors & Critiques

Meg Eden Kuyatt individual feedback, courses, and mentorship programs

Social Media

The Ultimate Guide to Building an Author Website in 2024

Inspirational Things

When Writing Seems Impossible: Staying Focused in Times of Chaos, Turmoil & Existential Dread

An Idea is Not a Book