In this episode, Sharon and Christy are joined by fellow Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sam Cameron to discuss how to craft nuanced, authentic LGBTQ+ characters that avoid stereotypes. They provide advice on tropes to avoid, positive examples of LGBTQ+ representation in books, and resources for conducting About GLAAD

Uncle Bobby's Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen

When Aiden Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

The Prince and the Dress Maker by Jen Wang

Darius the Great is not Okay by Adib Khorram

Marissa Meyers’ Gilded Duology

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

This Poison Heart by Kaylynn Bayron

For more information about Sam Cameron, visit truantpen.com or follow her on Twitter at @sblaircameron.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

In this episode:

• Christy and Sharon discussed the importance of re-envisioning and revising a manuscript to ensure that it achieves the author's intended point. They emphasized the need to take a step back and look at the big picture, focusing on character arc, plot structure, and other key elements.

Sharon's Manuscript Triage and First-Aid Basics: https://bookcoachingbysharon.com/manuscript-triage-and-first-aid-basics/

Christy's Story Map Template: https://christyyaros.com/writer-resources

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

In this episode, Sharon and Christy talk with author/illustrator Tanja Bauerle about the joys and challenges of shifting categories from picture books to middle grade, how book coaching helped her level up her novel writing game, and what it's like working on a Revise & Resubmit request from an agent.

Mary's Monster by Lita Judge

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Boat of Dreams by Rogério Coelho

https://tanjabauerle.com/resources/

https://bookcoachingbysharon.com/start-here-book-coaching-qa/

https://christyyaros.com/writer-resources

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

For more information about Tanja Bauerle, visit tanjabauerle.com or find her on Instagram @tanjaillustrates or Twitter @tanjabauerle. 

In this episode, Sharon and Christy talk about attending workshops and conferences for craft. They discuss why they're important, how to decide which ones to attend, and how to get the most out of the ones you do.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com or follow her on Instagram @sharon_skinner_author_bookcoach and Twitter @SharonSkinner56.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ChristyYaros.

In this episode, Sharon and Christy talk about how to navigate critique groups, the positives, perils and pitfalls inherent in getting and giving feedback, and how to find a critique group that will best serve your needs.

Sharon's Critique Guide, "The Art of Critique: Giving and Getting Good Feedback"

Christy's Critique Group Needs Self-Reflection Journal

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com.

In this episode Christy and Sharon are joined by fellow Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sara Gentry. Sara, Sharon, and Christy talk about using the Author Accelerator Inside Outline as a tool for studying published books as mentor texts.

Books discussed:

The Next Great Jane by K.L. Going

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

After the Fall by Dan Santat

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com.

For more information about Sara Gentry, visit solutionsforwriters.com

Sharon and Christy discuss what makes a good opening for a KidLit novel, and test each other's detective skills with some excellent opening lines from published KidLit.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com.

Christy and Sharon talk about plot, different forms of plot/subplot, some of the plotting tools that are available, and dig into plot in KidLit.

Darcy Pattison's Shrunken Manuscript Revision Method: https://www.darcypattison.com/writing/revision/shrunken-manuscript-watch-webinar/

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com.

Cindy L. Rodriguez returns to chat with Christy and Sharon about the value of hiring a book coach, whether you're just starting out, still aspiring, or a multi-published author.

Cindy’s debut picture book, Three Pockets Full, came out from Cardinal Rule Press on September 1.

Jump to:

[3:04] The Backstory of the Story

[8:02] Critique Group vs. Coach 

[11:08] The Manuscript Evaluation

[13:16] On Feedback from Your Book Coach/Editor

[19:29] The Story You Think You're Telling vs What's on the Page

[24:36] Working with a Coach When You Already Have a Contract

[26:58] Why We Love "Why?"

[30:29] Book Coaching as an Investment in You

[32:20] Actionable Items

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com.

Christy and Sharon dive into Coaching KidLit, what exactly this book coaching thing is, which is not a very simple answer, but nonetheless an interesting one, because at its essence, it's all about helping you write, edit, and polish your manuscript so it's the best it can be.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @CoachingKidLit

For more information about Sharon Skinner, visit bookcoachingbysharon.com.

For more information about Christy Yaros, visit christyyaros.com.