Hi there Kathy Temean readers, it’s Mira Reisberg again and I’m so excited to be back to share some tips and techniques for writing great children’s book titles. Before a reader opens your book, the very first thing they read is the title. It’s the first impression, the beacon that draws readers into the wonderful world that you’ve created. And while it doesn’t always make or break whether an editor or agent says, “Yes!” to you or your story, your title can make a huge difference. And then of course, once your story is made into a book, ready to sell and get into children’s hands, your title i ..read more

APRIL AGENT OF THE MONTH Daniele Hunter – McIntosh & Otis DANIELE HUNTER has a BA in English from Drew University, with concentrations in literary criticism, poetry, and creative writing. graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She is a member of the AALA and their DEI committee and co-directs their fellowship program through Literary Agents of Change. She has been with the children’s department at McIntosh & Otis since a 2016 internship, and is thrilled to now be acquiring! I’m looking for (in order of priority) young adult, midd ..read more

Writing Soulful and Lyrical Fiction and Nonfiction: Sweet Tips for Every Stage Hullo friends of Kathy Temean’s, Dr. Mira Reisberg here with some more writing tips. These are about writing soulful and lyrical fiction and nonfiction children’s books, which can absolutely include humor. I am including some examples from awesome former students that epitomize this, although I wish I had time and space for more. Infusing your prose with soulfulness and lyricism can captivate young hearts and minds, whether you’re crafting a picture book, chapter book, middle-grade novel, or young adult novel. To s ..read more

APRIL AGENT OF THE MONTH Daniele Hunter – McIntosh & Otis DANIELE HUNTER has a BA in English from Drew University, with concentrations in literary criticism, poetry, and creative writing. graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She is a member of the AALA and their DEI committee and co-directs their fellowship program through Literary Agents of Change. She has been with the children’s department at McIntosh & Otis since a 2016 internship, and is thrilled to now be acquiring! I’m looking for (in order of priority) young adult, midd ..read more

Re-Envisioning, Revising, and Re-Inspiring: Why Mira’s KidLit Journey Matters for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity Hullo friends of Kathy Temean, I’m excited to announce that after 36 years in the kidlit field and having hopefully helped many students, I’m finally at that stage where I’ve set a date to retire in March. So, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of two new memberships at the Children’s Book Academy: the Ruby and Diamond KidLit Makers Clubs. https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/join-the-club.html These clubs are more than just a culmination of my life’s work; they’re a re-envision ..read more

APRIL AGENT OF THE MONTH Daniele Hunter – McIntosh & Otis DANIELE HUNTER has a BA in English from Drew University, with concentrations in literary criticism, poetry, and creative writing. graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She is a member of the AALA and their DEI committee and co-directs their fellowship program through Literary Agents of Change. She has been with the children’s department at McIntosh & Otis since a 2016 internship, and is thrilled to now be acquiring! I’m looking for (in order of priority) young adult, midd ..read more

BOOK WINNERS: Angie Quantrell won SKRUM by Bernard Gumz Danielle Hammelef won DANCING THROUGH SPACE by Lydia Lukidis Nancy Payette won THE LOST FOREST: An Unexpected Discovery Beneath the Waves by Jennifer Swanson Darlene Beck Jacobson won WHEN YOU GO INTO NATURE by Sheri M. Bestor ******* NEW IMPRINT OPPORTUNITY:  Sourcebooks will launch a new children’s book imprint, broadly publishing fiction, nonfiction, and graphic titles across age categories. It will publish 16-24 titles per year. Joining Sourcebooks on April 11 to build the imprint are two editorial staffers from Ka ..read more

APRIL AGENT OF THE MONTH Daniele Hunter – McIntosh & Otis DANIELE HUNTER has a BA in English from Drew University, with concentrations in literary criticism, poetry, and creative writing. graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She is a member of the AALA and their DEI committee, and co-directs their fellowship program through Literary Agents of Change. She has been with the children’s department at McIntosh & Otis since a 2016 internship, and is thrilled to now be acquiring! I’m looking for (in order of priority) young adult, mid ..read more

BOOK WINNERS: Rosi Hollinbeck won Nancy Bess Had a Dress by Claire Annette Nolan ******* KUDOS: Author-illustrator Anne Lambelet’s BEATRIX AND HER FRIENDS, a biography about the beloved children’s book author Beatrix Potter and the enduring characters she created, to Margaret Quinlin at Margaret Quinlin Books, for publication in spring 2026, by Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary (world). ******* Sneed Collard III’s CITY SUPERSTARS, about the animals that not only survive, but thrive, in cities around the world, illustrated by Riley Samels ..read more

A FEW SPACES ARE STILL OPEN FOR THE WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING 2024 SPRING FULL MANUSCRIPT AND PICTURE BOOK VIRTUAL RETREAT ******* ERICA MCGRATH – WRITERS HOUSE Erica McGrath is a junior agent actively growing my list of adult and children’s books at Writers House. She started working at Writer’s House as an intern in 2018. Since then, she’s worked closely with the contracts department, and has supported Senior Agents Stephen Barr and Susan Cohen. Under their mentorship, Erica has had the opportunity to work closely with a range of award-winning authors and illustrators including Maggie Thrash ..read more