GreatStorybook

Actionable Information and Creative Inspiration for Writers and Illustrators. From Baby Books to YA Novels.

How to Write an MG Novel

This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series Format Essentials

What distinguishes an MG Novel from a Chapter Book or a YA Novel? Get the low-down right here: format, theme, language.

How to Find Great Storybooks

This entry is part 7 of 14 in the series Community

If you’re looking for resources that can help you find great new stories, this is your list! Find out how to find great storybooks from the tried-and-true. Includes many sources.

10 Must-Haves for a Solid Illustrated Storybook

This entry is part 2 of 7 in the series How to Start

Without structure a storybook falls apart, or lets us down in some way, lacking the kind of Good Stuff we find in our favorite storybooks. Here’s a list of 10 things every illustrated storybook should have no matter what – so that your book can be a favorite.

Special Interview with Author/Artist Lita Judge

This entry is part 3 of 10 in the series GSB Interviews, Interesting People

Lita Judge is an extremely talented and widely published author and illustrator of children’s books. Be inspired by this Biologist who decided to pursue her dreams – to write and illustrate stories for kids and travel the world doing it.

International Appeal: how to write for it

This entry is part 8 of 14 in the series Community

What do writers need to know about the international market? A lot. This is how you write culturally specific stories with international appeal.

Literacy on the Margins

This entry is part 5 of 7 in the series Devil in the Details

Writing for literacy on the margins isn’t an easy task, but with focused attention to certain details, a writer can incite change. To a coach somewhere in America, this is for you.

How to Write Third Person Narrative

This entry is part 6 of 8 in the series Narrative

This is about how to write third person narrative, the most difficult form of narration to tackle. There are reasons why – but if you know them, you can avoid the common pitfalls. Here we go: Don’t Panic.

Getting Gigs the Book Fair Way: 4 Steps

This entry is part 5 of 5 in the series Bologna Book Fair 2016

Here’s how you prepare for a successful book fair experience and even land a writing or illustrating gig.

Portfolio Viewings: What your portfolio MUST show Art Directors

This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series Bologna Book Fair 2016

If you’re getting your portfolio ready for an Art Director and aren’t sure what it should include, this is your To Do List. Here’s how to get successful Portfolio Viewings at book fairs like the one in Bologna.

Comparing Book Fairs: Frankfurt vs. Bologna

This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series Bologna Book Fair 2016

This is where I get down to comparing book fairs from the writer’s and illustrator’s perspective. If you’d like to know how the Bologna Book Fair and the Frankfurt Book Fair differ, this is your source! Pros and cons.