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Get Spooky with Seasonal Writing Ideas

10/28/2020

By Maggie Lauren Brown

My absolute favorite season is upon us—fall! Fall means sweater weather, crunchy leaves underfoot, spiced beverages, Halloween, and… SPOOKY STORIES! Here are some ideas to get the creepy writing juices flowing.

1. Think about what scared you as a kid. For me, it was a life-sized Halloween vampire cutout that my mom stored under our basement stairs. No matter how many times she showed me it wasn’t real, I was positive he would lurch through the slats and bite my ankles every time I used those stairs. That could make a great creepy kidlit story.

2. Browse creepy-but-cute images online. Talented kidlit illustrators post their work on Instagram and Twitter regularly. Scroll through hashtags to check out their images, or Google search something specific you’d like to see. When you see an image you like, can you think of a backstory that goes along with it? Obviously you don’t want to rip off anyone’s characters, but let the images help your mind wander. I love this adorable ghost illustration from Fia Kilbourn’s Instagram and this bat-baby from Kaz Windness’.

3. Check out seasonal contests. SCBWI is currently hosting a contest searching for stories that will be published in book of fifty-two scary stories—one from each state—by Macmillan. If you’re an active SCBWI member, check out the Haunted States of America submission form here. Fall Writing Frenzy is another seasonal contest for kidlit writers. The entry deadline is closed, but you can read all of the short, fall-inspired entries here for inspiration, and submit next year.

4. Get into the spooky spirit. Luckily, there are many fall outdoor activities that can be done while social distancing. Explore a pumpkin patch, tell scary stories around a bonfire, maybe take a stroll through a graveyard. What do you see, smell, feel? Take in your surroundings the way a kid would, and the spark of an idea might fly.

The great thing about writing spooky picture books or horror MG or YA is that kids like to be creeped out year-round. Even though Halloween is almost here, it’s okay to keep exploring spooky ideas throughout the year. I know I will, and I hope to meet a ghost friend or two along the way.

Happy writing and Happy Halloween!

Maggie's Story:
Once upon a time, Maggie Lauren Brown performed as a synchronized swimmer, mermaid-for-hire, and high school English teacher. Now, she writes about her adventures in children’s books. Maggie is an SCBWI and 12x12 member, a Children's Book Academy course assistant, and is represented by Adria Goetz of Martin Literary Management. Maggie's debut picture book, JOY THE PANDACORN, releases next year with Clear Fork Publishing.

Connect:
Preorder JOY THE PANDACORN
www.MaggieLaurenBrown.com
www.twitter.com/ByMaggieBrown

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Three Scary Stories for Halloween

10/19/2020

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by Bryan Patrick Avery

Well, it’s October and that means magicians all over are figuring out how to add something suspenseful or scary to their routines, just in time for Halloween. Authors are doing the same thing as well. This month let’s take a look at three scary stories readers will love to curl up with this Halloween season.

DESMOND COLE GHOST PATROL: THE HAUNTED HOUSE NEXT DOOR is the first book in a chapter book series written by Andres Miedoso and illustrated Victor Rivas. The main character, also names Andres Miedoso moves into a new house next door to a kid name Desmond Cole. Desmond is just a little too odd for Andres’ tastes. Andres spends his early days in the house avoiding Desmond (it’s much harder than it sounds). He finally turns to Desmond for help when he discovers that there is ghost living in his house. Lucky for Andres, Desmond is the local ghost hunter and is more than happy to help.

Like most chapter books, this one is heavy on humor (don’t eat the lasagna) and light on the frights. Kids won’t lose sleep over this one but should really enjoy it. If you’re interested in writing about ghosts in a chapter book, this is a great example of how to write a scary story for this age group.

Those who know me, know I love mysteries. I also really like stories about the supernatural. I found the perfect mix of mystery and ghost stories in Fleur Bradley’s MIDNIGHT AT THE BARCLAY HOTEL, illustrated by Xavier Bonet. JJ Jacobson is an amateur ghost hunter. When his mother receives an invitation to stay at the very haunted Barclay Hotel for the weekend, JJ convinces his mother to go and take him along.

Not long after they arrive, the guests discover the hotel owner has been murdered and the guests are the suspects. JJ enlists the help of his two new friends to solve the mystery and clear his mother’s his mother’s name. With any luck, he might even get some ghost hunting in as well.

MIDNIGHT AT THE BARCLAY HOTEL is an entertaining mix of humor and mystery and is perfect for anybody looking for a great example of a middle grade mystery.

For the youngest readers, check out the picture book, CREEPY CARROTS. Written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown, CREEPY CARROTS is the story of Jasper. Jasper loves carrots. He plucks them from the local carrot patch whenever he can. Then, one day, Jasper starts to feel like the carrots are following him. He sees carrots in his room, carrots in the closet, and even in the bathroom.

CREEPY CARROTS is an entertaining story that ratchets up the tension with both suspense and humor. The twist ending is fabulous and will keep readers coming back to the book again and again. If you’re looking for an example of a scary/fun picture book for young readers, check out CREEPY CARROTS.

Well, that’s all for this month. Have a terrific (and safe) Halloween. Happy writing and have a magical month.

Bryan Patrick Avery discovered a love of magic and mystery at the age of four, after receiving a magic set and his first Bobbsey Twins Mystery book. Today, he is an award-winning poet and author, and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Mystery Writers of America. He's also a life member of the Society of American Magicians (which was once led by Harry Houdini) and charter member of the International Association of Black Magical Artists. Bryan's greatest joy is making stories appear out of thin air.

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IT’S ALL ABOUT . . . AUTUMN WRITING PROMPTS

10/12/2020

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by Melissa Stoller

In my corner of the world, leaves are turning colors and the breeze is cooler. Autumn is a time of year filled with sights, smells, and tastes all its own.

Here are some autumn writing prompts to help spark your imagination:

1. TREES – notice the trees outside your window, in a magazine, or online. Think about the leaves - color, texture, shapes. What animals inhabit the tree or its surroundings? What would it feel like to incorporate a tree, leaf, or animal into a story?

2. FALL HARVEST – can you smell and taste apples, pumpkins, or cinnamon? What fall foods of childhood, or of your current life, prompt story ideas? Look through old photos featuring family feasts and sprinkle some food memories into your current manuscript.

3. PEOPLE – which people do you associate with most in the fall? Of course, Fall 2020 is unlike any other. Call up memories of past visits. Conjure people you would like to see now. Imagine fall scenarios and pick one to include in a story.

I hope these tips for using your senses and the fall season to heighten your manuscripts is helpful. Let me know in the comments. Cheers to Autumn and to creativity.

BIO:

Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island and The Liberty Bell Train Ride (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017 and 2021); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla! (Clear Fork, Fall 2018). Upcoming books include Sadie’s Shabbat Stories and Return of the Magic Paintbrush (CFP). Melissa is a Blogger and Assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a Moderator for the Debut Picture Book Study Group, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, and a founding member of The Book Meshuggenahs. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and long beach walks.

CONNECT:

https://www.MelissaStoller.com
https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
http://www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller

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2020 Picture Book Palooza Sneak Peek and Publishers List from Mira

10/5/2020

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Hi dear ones, we are cooking up a storm for you all with the upcoming Picture Book Palooza featuring over 28 now published former students and a group of editors and agents. This is the first time we are charging, but it's only $20 and is a fundraiser for our scholarships. Here's the info link: http://bit.ly/CBAPBPalooza for a quick peek. We would love for you to join us as it's going to be truly extraordinary and for a wonderful cause!!! Click here to join us and please share!!!
There will be 7 panels over two days focused on the following topics:
21st Century Nonfiction, Fiction From Life, Awesome Kidlit Community Resources, Writing for Social Justice, Concept Versus Fiction Books, Editors & Agents – What We Like and Why

Meanwhile, my assistant and I have just updated the Publisher's List that we share with students, and while it's not comprehensive, it's pretty good. So grateful that patience while formatting is one of my super powers. :) Also, be aware that things change on the drop of a dime on the internet so what's good today may not be good tomorrow. AND ... some of the big publishers have a ton of imprints that may not be listed here. I'll keep adding more over time.

Mira Reisberg Bio: Mira Reisberg PhD has worn just about every hat in the industry: award-winning author/illustrator, agent, kidlit university professor, editor and art director, and fearless director of the Children’s Book Academy. Her students have published over 500 books and won every major North American award. Mira is obsessed with creativity and helping others make wonderful children’s books. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her handsome husband and two quirky cats.

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