#kidlitchat topics
7/15/09
Why children’s literature? What excites you about it, whether it’s reading, writing or ???
Adaptations of kids’ books for movies. Good for the field? And what about these picture book to film adaptations?
What would YOU like from a weekly #kidlitchat?
7/21/09
How do you know when you’re DONE — at least ready to submit?
Do you have a favorite link/online resource for children’s literature: writing/news/reviews, etc.? And can you add why?
7/28/09
Do you/should you research editors before subbing — if so, how?
Do you outline/storyboard? Why or why not?
8/4/09
How many of you are in critique groups? Online/in-person, nice or an absolute necessity?
Do you /should you pay attention to trends?
8/11/09
Key takeaways from the SCBWI summer conference, and questions from those who did not attend.
Editor Dinah Stevenson’s 4 Cs: creativity, craft, community, and ???
8/18/09
Do you post original work online? Do you do it to share it? Or do you do it to workshop it? (Morphed into our first “TMI” discussion)
8/25/09
Now that we’ve somewhat recovered from SCBWI-LA,what OTHER cons, workshops do you find most valuable?
9/1/09
How can we keep our work contemporary, relevant, AND “appropriate”? What’s taboo in PBs, MG, YA and non-fiction?
9/8/09
How do you approach plot? Do you start from templates (a la “the quest story”) or let character determine plot or . . . ?
9/15/09
How and where do you spend your time on social media . . . and why? What are your goals in using social media?
9/22/09
How important do you think a strong opening is? What do you look for in one? How do you work on yours?
9/29/09
Do you only focus on “literary” trade books or do you consider magazines, mass market, or online gigs? Why or why not?
10/6/09
We’ve got vooks, Kindles, a school library with no books — do you think we need to think differently or just go on like always?
10/13/09
How important is symbolism to you as a writer/illustrator/reader? What archetypes prevail today?
10/20/09
Do we need to worry about age and audience when we write/edit? Does it matter if we think it’s MG or chapter book or YA?
10/27/09
How do you set writing/illustrating goals to keep yourself accountable? Any tips or ideas?
11/3/09
Newbery, Caldecott, Printz? No! It’s the #kidlitchatties! What are your favorite books of 2009 . . . and why?
11/10/09
What makes a strong character? What are your favorite tips and tools for developing characters?
11/17/09
Queries, synopses, info, nerves . . . what are your biggest submission hurdles and how do you get over them?
11/24/09
Gobble, Gobble! What personal connections within the kidlit community are you most grateful for? How do you give back?
12/1/09
We love to share information online. Is it possible to share too much professionally? Personally?
12/8/09
Many of us are in revision mode this month. How do you approach revisions? Any tips from the pros?
12/15/09
All about agents! How to research them, what to send them . . . and should you get one?
12/22/09
What one craft/business gift would you give the writer or illustrator on your list?
12/29/09
What are your writing/illustrating/editing/agenting resolutions for the new year?
1/5/10
How can the children’s lit community address the relative lack of diversity in published work?
1/12/10
How do you determine POV for your story? Do you experiment with approaches
(second person, etc.)? Do readers care?
(second person, etc.)? Do readers care?
1/19/10
Hooray ALA award winners! Share your thoughts about the winners/honorees and also the importance (or lack of) of awards.
1/26/10
With the ever-growing array of communities, sites, chats, etc. online, how do you manage your time?
2/2/10
Critiques: the good, the bad, and the ugly! Share tips for giving and receiving notes... and horror stories just for fun.
2/9/10
Why do so many kidlit inspired movies miss the mark? Yet... do you ever think "movie" in your head while writing?
2/16/10
Is crossing genres or writing for different age groups a good career move? Does it confuse our readers (or publishers)?
2/23/10
What are your biggest hopes and biggest fears for the future of publishing and children's books?
3/2/10
Who are the authors/illustrators whose work most inspired you to get into this crazy business?
3/9/10
Grammar. Word choice. Rhythm. Do basics ever get in the way of story? (Any tips or grammar horror stories?)
3/16/10
Niches–do you ever write to fill them? Non-fiction or novelty only? Or can it work in fiction?
3/23/10
Let's talk about us instead of issues. What are you working on? Any good news to share? Any other questions? :-)
3/30/10
Sequels and updates and mashups, oh my. Which work, why, and what classic author/title should be next?
4/6/10
How does poetry (writing it/reading it) help you as a writer? How does poetry fit in today's marketplace?
4/13/10
What online promotions are working for you (for a book or a site)? Any cool tools or tips to share?
4/20/10
What are your best tips for writing/illustrating while still having a life/a day job/kids/whatever?! #kidlitchat
4/27/10
Print on demand is cheap. eBooks solve distribution issues. Is self-publishing now viable for kid's books?
5/4/10
Submission etiquette, tips and expectations from both sides of the transom.
5/11/10
What are your favorite reads so far this year? Any surprises? Notice any trends?
5/18/10
What tells you that you’ve written a winner (or found one to acquire)? Voice? Hook? Character?
5/25/10
Do reviews still matter? Did they ever?
6/1/10
Do you have a routine or warm-up exercise for getting into the writing/illustrating/editing zone?
6/8/10
Is the setting of your book like a character? What tips/ideas do you have about the importance of setting in your work?
6/15/10
What does branding mean to you as an author or illustrator? Is it always a bad word?
6/22/10
Summer’s here! Do your reading/work habits change with the season? How do you avoid summer doldrums?
6/29/10
It’s never too soon to start the buzz: what are your early picks for the next season of book awards?
7/6/10
Do you volunteer your creative talents for special causes? If so, what are the pros and the cons?
7/13/10
Why do you choose to write/illustrate/edit/read/rep children’s literature? What’s new since last year?
7/20/10
Meta-chat! What would make #kidlitchat better/more fun/more useful for you?
7/27/10
How has your submission strategy changed to keep pace with new developments in publishing?
8/3/10
#LA10SCBWI attendees: What were the highlights? Everyone else: What did you miss most?
8/10/10
What is your best advice for writers and illustrators who are new to children's publishing?
8/17/10
Queries! Share your best tips for writing good ones... and fave stories of bad ones.
8/24/10
School's back! If it were up to you, which books would be required reading... and why?
8/31/10
Is everything faster paced now, including picture books? What pacing tips do you have?
9/7/10
What YA, MG, or picturebook would you most like to see turned into a movie or TV series?
9/14/10
What did you do this summer? Let's chat about ourselves and our projects and get re-acquainted.
9/21/10
Money management! What expenditures have a good return on your investment (conferences, sitters, software)? What don't?
9/28/10
Read any good banned books lately? What have you done to #SpeakLoudly this week (or year)?
10/5/10
Yearly writing/art challenges begin soon: how valuable are these prompts, contests and challenges to the kidlit community?
10/12/10
NYTimes sez the picture book is in decline, but before Harry Potter, fantasy was dead. Are these cycles or real changes?
10/19/10
Is it MG or YA? How can you tell? Do you care?
10/26/10
The second annual Kidlitchatties! What are your top picks for Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, etc. so far?
11/2/10
The Saggy Middle Syndrome (in your work, silly!) - share your tips and ideas for avoiding draggy pacing and plot.
11/9/10
What online sites/communities are working for you professionally? For marketing? For fun?
11/16/10
Will you do anything for money? How do you protect yourself and your work?
11/23/10
It's the #kidlitchat Thanksgiving pot-luck feast: bring what topics you want to the table, and let's chow down.
11/30/10
NaNo and PiBo are done, and now... ? What are your fave revision and dummy making resources, tips, and techniques?
12/7/10
Holiday-themed books
12/14/10
Let's talk promotions. How do you market yourself from pre-publication to post-publication?
12/21/10
Share the good things that have happened for you and your career this year.
12/28/10
What are your writing/illustrating/editing/agenting resolutions for the new year?
1/4/11
Award prediction time! What's going to win at ALA this weekend? And what "should" win?
1/11/11
Let's talk about diversity in children's literature: how are we doing, and what else can we be doing?
1/18/11
Is anybody listening? How do we spread the word about children's books beyond the kidlit community?
1/25/11
It's time for our State of the Business chat. Is it bleak? Rosy? How do you assess your own contribution?
2/1/11
What do you do when you hit the wall (in a draft, in your career)? Tips, tricks, and excuses welcome.
2/8/11
It's #kidlitchat Open Mic night -- introduce yourselves! What's new with you? Any interesting topics on your radar?
2/15/11
Apps and ebooks are good business, AND they're our business. Let's share tips/ideas/resources/questions about 'em.
2/22/11
What book for young readers would you most like to see turned into a movie or TV show? Got cast?
3/1/11
It's a business, not just art. What are key professional mistakes you've seen folks make, and what tips to avoid 'em?
3/8/11
What's the best way to stay in touch with/connect with your audience: blogs, Facebook, school visits or...?
3/15/11
How do you create memorable characters? Share your tips, tools, and give up your secrets (or not)!
3/22/11
Have new technology/new publishing models caused you to re-think self publishing?
3/29/11
It's the end of the quarter open mic night! What's on your mind? What are you up to?
4/5/11
Word choice is key in prose and poetry. What are your tricks for choosing right? Any authors you use as inspiration?
4/12/11
Where do you feel most at home online (besides Twitter)? What's working for you professionally on and offline?
4/19/11
Whatcha reading? Any great new books you've found this year?
4/26/11
What are the keys to a good agent/client match? How do you go about finding and keeping that match?
5/3/11
It's open mic night! What's on your mind? What are some future topics you'd like at #kidlitchat
5/10/11
Transitions and structure--share tips and tricks for navigating from scene to scene.
5/17/11
Let's revisit social media/online tools/time management for authors/illustrators. Tips, ideas, and what's working now?
5/24/11
What are the best conferences, best classes, or best learning experiences you can recommend? And why are they so good?
5/31/11
What's hot . . . or not? Which books, genres, trends are sizzling right now?
6/7/11
ALA, SCBWI-LA, Highlights: where are you headed this summer, and how are you preparing?
6/14/11
Instead of reacting, how should we be driving the conversation about our work, its meaning, and impact?
6/21/11
'Fess up: what craft issues give you nightmares? Editors/agents: what problems do you see consistently?
6/28/11
What workshops/retreats have been the most valuable to you? Which are on your wish list?
7/5/11
Critique groups, beta readers, spouses, and friends: where and how do you get trusted feedback?
