Journey to KidLit - How to Write & Publish Books for Kids
Episodes
Frances Gilbert on Publishing, Rejection, and Marketing Your Own Books
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really take to publish—and market—a children’s book today? In this special conversation, Frances Gilbert (Editor-in-Chief at Doubl...
Do I Need an Illustrator? The #1 Mistake New Children's Book Writers Make
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finished your manuscript and wondering if it’s time to hire an illustrator? Not so fast. In this episode of The Journey to Kidlit Podcast, Brooke ...
From Dreams to Book Deals: How Shannon Anderson Became a Children’s Book Author Without Any Industry Experience
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think you need an agent, an MFA, or a publishing background to become a children's book author? Think again. In this inspiring episode, former teach...
Day 5: How to Format and Polish Your Children's Book Manuscript (Kidlit Story Kickoff)
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve made it to the final day of the Kidlit Story Kickoff — and by the end of today, you’ll have a complete first draft of your children’s b...
Day 4: How to Build the Perfect Plot for Your Children's Book (Kidlit Story Kickoff)
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today is all about plot and your story’s structure! 📚 In Day 4 of the Kidlit Story Kickoff, we’ll outline your plot from start to finish using ...
Day 3: Finalizing Your Story Assets to Tell a Complete Story (Kidlit Story Kickoff)
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time to finish gathering your story assets! Welcome to Day 3 of the Kidlit Story Kickoff. So far, you’ve created your character, now it’s t...
Day 2: How to Create Your Main Character (Kidlit Story Kickoff)
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s create the star of your story! Today in Day 2 of the Kidlit Story Kickoff, we’re developing our characters into 3-dimensional people who fee...
Day 1: How to Choose the Best Story Idea for Your Children's Book (Kidlit Story Kickoff)
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Day 1 of the Kidlit Story Kickoff! 🎉This is a 5-part writing challenge to teach you how to start successfully writing a children’s boo...
Top Questions Every Aspiring Picture Book Author Asks (Answered!)
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let me ask you — have you ever wondered how long your picture book should really be? Or if writing in rhyme is a good idea? Or maybe you’re stuck ...
How to Choose the Right Comp Titles for Your Children's Book (and Why It Matters)
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever get stuck picking comp titles for your query letter? You're not alone! 😩 In this episode of the Journey to Kidlit podcast, Brooke Van Sickle ...
Are You Writing a Picture Book or Something Else? How to Know If Your Idea Fits the Market
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does your picture book manuscript feel too long? 📝 Or maybe you're wondering if it's actually an early reader, chapter book, or something in betwee...
What Is Back Matter in a Children's Book? How to Use It to Strengthen Your Story and Impress Publishers
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever seen a children's book with questions, activities, or bonus content at the end? 📚 That’s called back matter — and it can be a secret weapo...
3 Must-Have Ingredients for a Successful Children’s Book (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wanted to write a children’s book — one that’s not only beautifully written but also something publishers want to buy and readers ...
From Facebook to Children's Book with Kitty O'Meara - Episode 23
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kitty O'Meara never thought a simple Facebook post meant to encourage some friends during quarantine would take on a life of its own. But when Deepak ...
Tips on Illustrating for children with NY Times Best-Selling illustrator Holly Hatam - Episode 22
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are you hoping to one day illustrate a children's book? Or wondering what it takes to create illustrations in books? My guest today will be sure to an...
A New Way to Market Your Kids Book - Journey to Kidlit Podcast Ep. 21
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Do you find it's a struggle to market your children's book? You're not alone! A lot of authors struggle with this, which is why my guest today has dec...
Making Picture Book Writing a Family Affair with Megan Pighetti - Episode 20
03 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when someone makes a Fairy-Tailed wish on the eve of their birthday? This is a family tradition that's been happening for a long time in ...
Finding Time to Write as a Busy Mom with Author Lindsay Barry - Journey to Kidlit Podcast Ep. 19
19 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lindsay Barry sat down to talk about her upcoming books, Journey to Constellation Station and The Backpack (Both published by the Santa Fe Writers Pro...
Author Interview with Laura Segal Stegman about her new Middle Grade - Ep. 18
05 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I have a very special guest on the podcast today! Laura Segal Stegman is sharing her publishing journey on what it took to publish her debut middle gr...
Creative talk with Children's Book Illustrator Elizabeth Savanella - Podcast Ep. 17
22 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I'm so excited for my guest today because she's the children's book illustrator for my newest picture book, Humans In-Training! Elizabeth Savanella sa...
Some Inspiration to Write that Book You've been Thinking About - Journey to Kidlit Podcast Ep 16
15 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'm hoping to inspire you to get started writing that book you keep thinking about! In this episode, I'm sharing a clip of an interview I did wi...
The Reason You need an Editor for Your Children's Book -- Podcast Episode #15
08 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Think you can get away without using an editor? My guest explains why that kind of thinking might not be right. Listen to this week's edition of the ...
3 Tips to Help You Find a New Idea to Write about - Journey to KidLit Podcast Ep. 14
01 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Need a new children's book idea to write about? I'm talking with award-winning author, Maya Sara Karthik, about her tips on how to find one. Listen t...
3 Things to Know Before You Self Publish a Children's Book - Journey to KidLit Podcast Episode #13
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are you thinking about self-publishing your children's book? If you're not up for these three things, self-publishing might not be for you. Listen to...
4 Tips to Find Time to Write (& Be Productive when you do!) - Journey to KidLit Podcast Episode #12
11 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Feel like you don't have any time in your week to write your book? You might be surprised how much time you have! Listen to this week's edition of th...
Finding your story (Even if you want to tell a message) - Journey to KidLit Podcast Epidsode #11
04 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's really tempting to want to use a children's book to convey a message or teach a lesson. (I know I wanted to!) But that's not really how to tell a...
Using KDP to Self-Publish Your Children's Book with Brigitte Brulz - Journey to KidLit Episode #10
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
My guest on the show has recently written and published her third children's book with Amazon's KDP. Author Brigitte Brulz shares what it takes to sel...
Self-publishing a Children's Book Series with Katie Pye - Journey to KidLit Episode #9
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
My guest on the show has recently written and published her very own children's book series. Author Katie Pye's the Fairytale Fraud series, offers a t...
How to Write a Good Query Letter - Journey to KidLit Podcast Episode 8
02 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I've been writing and sending query letters for years now. Some of them that were pretty fantastic and others that were not so great. But how do you k...
Interview with Host of the Storyland Podcast, Jessica Snider - Journey to KidLit Episode 7
25 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
My guest on the show is a huge advocate for Indie Authors and Indie Publishing. So much so, she has created a whole podcast dedicated to helping indie...
Work from Home Habits for Writers - Journey to KidLit Episode 6
29 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you transitioned into a work-from-home environment? Don't keep that from your dreams of writing books. Use these works from home tips to help imp...
Become a Children's Book Illustrator with Gabriela Dieppa - Journey to KidLit Ep. 5
22 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Debut children's book illustrator, Gabriela Dieppa, stopped by the podcast today to discuss her upcoming picture book, Pirates Stuck at "C", and what ...
Journey to KidLit Episode 4 - Not Everyone Should Self-Publish a Book
15 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Self-publishing books is very popular now because of easy it is to do! With traditional publishing taking forever, and feeling like outdated gatekeepe...
Journey to KidLit Episode 3 - How to Know Your Book's Ready to Submit
01 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a finished story that's ready to be published? Make sure you've done these 3 steps before you submit your story to agents and editors. (It...
Journey to KidLit Episode 2 - The 6 Categories of Kid's Books
24 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are you interested in writing books for kids? Children's book author, Brooke Van Sickle, breaks down the six different categories of kids' books for y...
Episode 1 - Becoming a Kids Book Writer with Brooke Van Sickle
18 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are you interested in writing books for kids? New picture book author, Brooke Van Sickle, explains how she become a published children's book author i...