The Weekly 411 (2/7/25)

 

© Alice Carter

Feb. 7, 2025 vol. 6

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. We can also be found on Bluesky. This week's illustration is by Alice Carter.

Publishing News

Why Simon & Schuster Flagship Imprint Won't Require Blurbs Anymore

Where is the Kid Lit Community Online?

SCOTUS Takes Case Naming LOVE, VIOLET & 8 Other Books

Special Rising Stars Picture Book Mentor Announcement

We are excited to present a free picture book mentorship for both un-agented and agented picture book authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators without agent-repped book deals. 

 

PB Rising Stars pairs published picture book creators with the next generation of children’s book creators for an immersive, three-month one-on-one mentorship experience. In addition, mentees will have access to free craft workshops taught by industry professionals, a one-month publishing business intensive, and built-in community for life. Mentee applications open March 7-21.

Check out this video introducing the PB Rising Stars Mentors:

Read more about each mentor, their full wish lists, and what they are looking for at www.pbrisingstars.com/mentors. Also, join a Meet the Mentors Panel Q&A on Tuesday, February 25th from 8:00-9:30 PM Eastern Time! *Limited spots available -  register now*

Picture Book Giveaway

 

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Janie Writes a Play, by Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Charlesbridge) out on Feb. 11. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.

About the Book: Based on a true story to the beginning of the storied career of children’s book author Jane Yolen, written by her very own daughter, Heidi E.Y. Stemple. Janie Yolen loves to read, write, dance, and sing. So when her teacher announces Janie's elementary class will perform a play, Janie is thrilled. There's just one problem . . . the play is boring. With the support of her teacher and classmates, Janie rewrites the play, resulting in a hit class musical.  

 

About the Author: Heidi E.Y. Stemple didn’t want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn’t until she was 28 years old that she gave in and joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called Famous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published almost 50 books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children. Heidi lives and writes on a big old farm in Massachusetts that she shares with a dozen deer, a family of bears, three coyotes, two bobcats, a gray fox, a red fox, tons of birds, and some very fat groundhogs. Once a year she calls and counts owls for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

 

About the Illustrator: Madelyn Goodnight is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. Her work reflects her love of childhood. She holds a degree from Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is the illustrator of The Pear Tree; Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi!; and Rock Your Mocs.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  

Middle Grade Giveaway

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade book, Racing the Clouds, by Sydney Dunlap (Jolly Fish Press), out on Feb. 18. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.

art by Brie Schmida, design by Kate Liestman

 

About the Book: If thirteen-year-old Sage had done one thing differently that day last November, everything would be fine. Only she didn't, so she and her dad had to leave Philadelphia for a new life in middle-of-nowhere Virginia. Her dad has never actually said he blames her for what happened, but how could he not? Sage is determined to push it all out of her mind, but then, just before summer vacation, she hears from the grandparents she’s never met. They want her to visit, and she realizes this could be her chance to mend the rift that’s kept everybody apart. When she meets Grandmother Marion, though, Sage is sure her trip is headed for disaster. Except she wasn’t counting on making a new friend or rescuing a sweet stray dog. With them by her side, maybe she can find the courage to face what she's been avoiding all along. From the award-winning author of It Happened on Saturday comes a heartfelt and empowering story that explores the complexity of family relationships, the value of forgiveness, and how to find your way forward in a tough situation with resilience and hope.

 

About the Author: Sydney Dunlap is an award-winning author and former elementary school teacher who has worked extensively with youth facing challenging circumstances. She enjoys reading and writing heartfelt, hopeful books that explore tough topics that aren’t often addressed in middle grade literature. Her 2023 debut novel, It Happened on Saturday, has received several medals and was named a 2025 OLA Masterlist selection, Utah Beehive Award nominee, and Crystal Kite Honor Book. Her 2/18/25 release, Racing the Clouds, has been called a “heartfelt, hopeful … story of resilience” by Kirkus Reviews and a “satisfying emotional journey” by Publisher’s Weekly. A lifelong animal lover, Sydney lives with her family in a home where the dogs and cats outnumber the people. You can find her online at www.sydneydunlap.com. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  

For Writers

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Secrets of Suspense

Screenwriting Tips for Novelists

Picture Books

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Adding Humor to Children's Stories

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How You Share is a Craft

Beware of Burnout