We are so pleased to welcome Fiona Kenshole, senior agent at Transatlantic Agency, to discuss all things children’s books. If you’re writing picture books, early readers, chapter books or middle grade, this episode is for you.

We talk about how children’s publishing is different from adult publishing, the elements each age group needs, building tension, creating voice, and writing about power and autonomy as seen from a child’s perspective.

We also talk about image notes (and why they’re so controversial—plus a great story from Fiona on this), how even NYT bestselling authors do extensive edits, and Fiona’s upcoming class on July 28.

Fiona will be teaching How To Write Children's Books That Surprise and Delight July 28 at 8:30pm EDT. You can learn more and get your ticket here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/fiona

Timestamps:

10:15: How children’s publishing is different from adult publishing (also clip)

12:20: How to keep a child’s perspective in mind while writing

13:53: Specific for each children’s age groups

18:26 How to be funny

19:56: Voice in middle grade

25:20: Power dynamics in children’s books

27:16 Building tension in middle grade

36:55: Illustration notes, and why they’re so controversial

40:16: Fiona’s class on July 28