Coaching KidLit

Sharon and guest Rebecca Dolence discuss using creatures as symbols in kid lit, exploring how folklore and personal experience inform storytelling. They share insights on developing creature backstories, avoiding stereotypes, and twisting familiar tropes, while encouraging writers to innovate and deepen character symbolism in their children’s literature.
Key Topics Covered:
The role of creatures and symbolism in children’s literature and storytelling
Avoiding stereotypes by giving creatures nuanced personalities and backstories
How personal experience and voice shape writing and coaching approaches
Using folklore, mythology, and animal symbolism in kid lit
Twisting and innovating on familiar tropes and creature archetypes
Visit Rebecca online at: LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Substack
And check out her Creature of the Month Club  and Free Villain Worksheet
Other Resources:
Slam Poetry Wiki
What is My Spirit Animal

Award-winning author Joan Schoettler joins Sharon Skinner to discuss her journey from teacher to kidlit writer, delving into the craft of verse novels, the importance of concise language and emotional resonance, and how authentic storytelling can connect deeply with young readers.
Visit Joan online at: https://joanschoettler.com/ and follow her on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Sharon interviews guest Sara Fujimura about her writing journey and Authorpreneurial strategies, including networking, marketing, and maintaining a writing career, even when setbacks occur.
Emphasizing community building, Sara details her experiences in both indie and traditional publishing, the importance of identifying one’s audience, and how she overcame challenges. The episode provides actionable advice for aspiring authors, focusing on balancing writing and business aspects while achieving personal definitions of success.
Visit Sara online at: https://sarafujimura.com or https://www.tanabatawishes.com
 

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner welcomes Matt McMann, USA Today bestselling author of the middle grade spooky mystery series Monsterious. Matt shares his unique writing journey—from winning school writing contests as a kid, to a long career as a musician, and finally returning to writing with encouragement and guidance from his wife, bestselling author Lisa McMann.
Matt discusses the ups and downs of his path to publication, including multiple book rejections before finding success with Monsterious. He explains the difference between dynamic, static, and anthology series and why he chose the anthology format for his books, allowing each story to feature different characters and monsters. Matt emphasizes the importance of perseverance and ongoing practice in developing writing craft.
Visit Matt online at mattmcmann.com, and follow him on Instagram @matt_mcmann

In this episode of Coaching Kidlit, Sharon Skinner welcomes award-winning children's author Christopher Cheng for an inspiring conversation about emotional writing in kidlit. Chris shares insights from his journey as a teacher and author, discusses the importance of writing from the heart, and reveals how personal experiences shape his stories. Listeners will learn practical tips on staying organized and embracing their unique voice—all while celebrating the emotional depth that makes children’s literature so powerful.
 
Visit Chris online at: ChrisCheng.com

Sharon and Christy welcome Guest Harshita Jerath, author of picture books such as "The Leaping Ladoo" and "Cooler Than Lemonade" to discuss how she blends elements from her Indian heritage with American experiences in her writing, creating stories that resonate with broader audiences while maintaining cultural authenticity.
Visti Harshita online at:
Website: harshitajerath.com
Instagram: @hjjerath
Facebook: Harshita Jerath Books and Blog

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner dives into the ins and outs of indie publishing with guest Natalie Wright. Natalie shares her journey from lawyer to successful indie author, discussing her writing process, character development, and the importance of a strong author platform. She offers valuable insights into creating emotionally resonant stories and building an engaged readership. Sharon and Natalie also emphasize the significance of authenticity and deep connection with target readers in both writing and marketing strategies.
 

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner, joined by guest Janet Fox, discusses various aspects of middle grade (MG) writing. Janet shares her writing journey, her passion for MG, and offers valuable insights on the craft of writing, particularly focusing on MG readers, character development, the importance of passion in writing, and tackling the challenges of writing mysteries and contemporary stories.
Janet Fox is online at janetsfox.com and Fox Tales on Substack

Sharon Skinner interviews Dianne White, an esteemed picture book author known for works such as "Blue on Blue" and "Who Eats Orange." They delve into Dianne's background, discussing her journey from being an elementary school teacher to becoming a celebrated author. Dianne shares insights on how her teaching career and love for languages have influenced her storytelling. The conversation also highlights the time-intensive nature of creating picture books and the value of persistence.

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sara Gentry interviews Sharon about line level language and writing and revising KidLit. They focus on creating engaging language for picture books, establishing authentic middle-grade voices, and developing complex stories in young adult literature.
The conversation highlights the importance of sensory details, precise word choices, and character perspectives to make stories resonate with young readers. Sharon emphasizes the significance of revision for line-level writing, using mentor texts, and understanding the unique sensory experiences of characters to enhance storytelling.
 
Download Sharon's Sensory Detail Revision Tool Here.