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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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.
![]() 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. 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 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. Children’s Book Publishers Updated 10.2020 Abdo Publishing Website: abdopublishing.com Submission Guidelines: abdobooks.com/submission-guidelines Abrams book Website: abramsbooks.com Submission Guidelines: abramsbooks.com/submission-guidelines Albert Whitman & Company Website: albertwhitman.com Submission Guidelines: albertwhitman.com/submission-guidelines Allen and Unwin Website: allenandunwin.com Submission Guidelines: allenandunwin.com/submission-guidelines Alligator Books Website: alligatorbooks.co.uk Submission Guidelines: alligatorbooks.co.uk/submission-guidelines Andersen Press Website: andersenpress.co.uk Submission Guidelines: andersenpress.co.uk/submission-guidelines Andrews McMeel Website: andrewsmcmeel.com Submission Guidelines: publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com/submission-guidelines Annick Press Website: annickpress.com Submission Guidelines: annickpress.com/submission-guidelines Arbordale Publishing Website: arbordalepublishing.com Submission Guidelines: arbordalepublishing.com/submission-guidelines Arsenal Pulp Press Website: arsenalpulp.com Submission Guidelines: arsenalpulp.com/About-Arsenal-Pulp-Press/Submission-Guidelines Artisan Books Website: authorspublish.com/artisan-books-now-accepting-manuscript-submissions/ Submission Guidelines: workman.com/work-with-us/author-submissions#artisan August House Website: augusthouse.com Submission Guidelines: augusthouse.com/submissions-guidelines Azbooks Website: azbooksusa.com Submission Guidelines: azbooksusaconsumer.com/submission-guidelines Bancroft Prees Website: bancroftpress.com/ Submission Guidelines: bancroftpress.com/submissions/ Barefoot Books Website: barefootbooks.com Submission Guidelines: barefootbooks.com/submission-guidelines Barron’s Educational Series Website: barronsbooks.com Submission Guidelines: barronbooks.com/submission-guidelines Bedazzled Ink Website: binkbooks.bedazzledink.com/about-us/ Submission Guidelines: does not accept Black & White Website: /authorspublish.com/black-white-publishing-accepting-submissions/ Submission Guidelines: blackandwhitepublishing.com Bloomsbury Website: bloomsbury.com Submission Guidelines: bloomsbury.com/submission-guidelines Blue Apple Books Website: blueapplebooks.com Submission Guidelines: blueapplebooks.com/submission-guidelines Blue Moon Website: bluemoonpublishers.com Submission Guidelines: blueapplebooks.com/submission-guidelines The Book Company Website: thebookcompany.com.au Submission Guidelines: thegoodbook.com/submission-guidelines Boxer Books Website: boxerbooksltd.co.uk Submission Guidelines: boxerbooksltd.co.uk/submission-guidelines Boyd’s Mill Press Website: boxerbooksltd.co.uk Submission Guidelines: boxerbooksltd.co.uk/submission-guidelines Buster Books Website: busterbooks.co.uk Submission Guidelines: mombooks.com/submission-guidelines Candlewick Press Website: candlewick.com Submission Guidelines: does not accept submissions Capstone Website: capstonepub.com Submission Guidelines: capstonepub.com/submission-guidelines Caramel Tree Website: carameltree.com Submission Guidelines: carameltree.com/submission-guidelines Cardinal Rule Press Website: cardinalrulepress.com Submission Guidelines: cardinalrulepress.com/#submissions Charlesbridge Publishing Website: charlesbridge.com Submission Guidelines: charlesbridge.com/submission-guidelines Cheeky Monkey Publishing Website: cheekymonkeypublishing.com Submission Guidelines: cheekymonkeypublishing.com/submission-guidelines Chicken House Website: chickenhousebooks.com Submission Guidelines: chickenhousebooks.com/submission-guidelines Chronicle Books Website: chroniclebooks.com Submission Guidelines: chroniclebooks.com/submission-guidelines Clearfork Publishing/Spork Website: clearforkpublishing.com/ Submission Guidelines: clearforkpublishing.com/submission-116692.html Curious Fox Website: curious-fox.com Submission Guidelines: curious-fox.com/submission-guidelines Dancing With Bear Website: dwbpublishing.com Submission Guidelines: dwbpublishing.com/submission-guidelines David Fickling Books Website: davidficklingbooks.com Submission Guidelines: cavidficklingbooks.com/submissions.php Dawn Publications Website: dawnpub.com Submission Guidelines: dawnpub.com/submission-guidelines/ Eerdmans Website: eerdmans.com Submission Guidelines: eerdmans.com/submission-guidelines Eklavya Website: eklavya.in Submission Guidelines: eklavya.in Epigram Books Website: epigrambooks.sg Submission Guidelines: shop.epigrambooks.sg/submission-guidelines Familius Website: familius.com Submission Guidelines: familius.com/submissions Fat Fox Books Website: fatfoxbooks.com Submission Guidelines: fatfoxbooks.com/submission-guidelines Floris Books Website: florisbooks.co.uk Submission Guidelines: florisbooks.co.uk/submission-guidelines Flashlight Press Website: flashlightpress.com Submission Guidelines: flashlightpress/submission-guidelines Flying Eye Books Website: flyingeyebooks.com Submission Guidelines: flying-eye/submission-guidelines Free Spirit Publishing Website: freespirit.com Submission Guidelines: freespirit.com/submission-guidelines Goelette International Website: goeletteinternational.com Submission Guidelines: goeletteinternational.com/submission-guidelines Hachette US Website: hachettebookgroup.com Submission Guidelines: hachettebookgroup.com/submission-guidelines Harpercollins Website: harpercollins.co.uk Submission Guidelines: harpercollins.com/submission-guidelines HayHouse Website: hayhouse.com Submission Guidelines: hayhouse.com/submission-guidelines Hinkler Books Website: hinklerbooks.com Submission Guidelines: hinkler.com.au/submission-guidelines Histria Books Website: authorspublish.com/histria-books-accepting-submissions/ Submission Guidelines: histriabooks.com/submission-guidelines/ Hogs Back Books Website: hogsbackbooks.com Submission Guidelines: hogsbackbooks.com/submission-guidelines Hohm Press Website: hohmpress.com Submission Guidelines: hohmpress.com/main-pages/submissions.html Holiday House Website: holidayhouse.com Submission Guidelines: holidayhouse.com/submission-guidelines Hot Key Books Website: hotkeybooks.com Submission Guidelines: authorspublish.com/hotkey-books-now-accepting-book-submissions/ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Website: hmhco.com Submission Guidelines: hmhco.com/submission-guidelines Imagine That Publishing Website: imaginethat.com Submission Guidelines: imaginethat.com/submission-guidelines Immedium Website: immedium.com Submission Guidelines: immedium.com/submission-guidelines John Black Books Website: johnblakebooks.com Submission Guidelines: jollyfishpress.com/submissions/ Jolly Fish Press Website: jollyfishpress.com Submission Guidelines: jollyfishpress.com/submissions/ Kane Miller Website: friends.kanemiller.com Submission Guidelines: friends.kanemiller.com/submission-guidelines Kids Can Press Website: kidscanpress.com Submission Guidelines: kidscanpress.com/writers Lake Press Website: lakepress.com.au Submission Guidelines: lakepress.com.au/submission-guidelines Laurence King Website: laurenceking.com Submission Guidelines: laurenceking.com/submission-guidelines Lee & Low Website: leeandlow.com Submission Guidelines: leeandlow.com/submission-guidelines Levine Querido Website: levinequerido.com Submission Guidelines: levinequerido.com/submissions Lion Hudson Website: lionhudson.com Submission Guidelines: lionhudson.com/submission-guidelines Little Bee Books Website: littlebeebooks.com Submission Guidelines: does not accept Little Tiger Press Website: littletigerpress.com Submission Guidelines: littletiger.co.uk/submission-guidelines MB Publishing Website:mbpublishing.com Submission Guidelines: mbpublishing.com/submissions/ Magination Press Website: apa.org/pubs/magination Submission Guidelines: apa.org/pubs/magination/submission-guidelines Mathew Price Website: mathewprice.com Submission Guidelines: mathewprice.com/submission-guidelines Maverick Children’s Books Website: maverickbooks.co.uk Submission Guidelines: maverickbooks.co.uk/submissions/ Mighty Media Press Website: mightymediapress.com Submission Guidelines: mightymediapress.com/submission-guidelines New Frontier Website: newfrontier.com.au Submission Guidelines: newfrontier.com.au/submission-guidelines Nosy Crow Website: nosycrow.com Submission Guidelines: nosycrow.com/contact/submission-guidelines/ Octopus Books Website: octopusbooks.co.uk Submission Guidelines: octopusbooks.net/submission-guidelines OnStage Publishing Website: onstagepublishing.com Submission Guidelines: onstagepublishing.com/submission-guidelines Pants On Fire Press Website: pantsonfirepress.com Submission Guidelines: pantsonfirepress.com/submission-guidelines Paulist Press Website: paulistpress.com Submission Guidelines: paulistpress.com/Pages/Center/auth_res_0.aspx Peachtree Publishers Website: paeachtreepublishers.com Submission Guidelines: peachtreepublishers.com/submissions Penguin/Random House Children's Publishing Website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/childrens Penny Candy Books Website: pennycandybooks.com Submission Guidelines: pennycandybooks.com/submit Persea Books Website: authorspublish.com/persea-books-accepting-book-manuscript-queries/ Submission Guidelines: perseabooks.com/contact/ Peter Pauper Press Website: peterpauper.com Submission Guidelines: peterpauper.com/submission-guidelines Picadilly Press Website: piccadillypress.co.uk Submission Guidelines: does not accpet Priddy Books Website: priddybooks.com Submission Guidelines: priddybooks.com/submission-guidelines Princeton Architectural Press Website: authorspublish.com/princeton-architectural-press-accepting-submissions/ Submission Guidelines: papress.com/pages/book-proposal-guidelines Quarto Knows Website: quartoknowss.com Submission Guidelines: quartoknows.com/corporate/submission-guidelines Quirk Books Website: quirkbooks.com Submission Guidelines: quirkbooks.com/page/submissions Random House Website: randomhousechildrens.co.uk Submission Guidelines: penguinrandomhouse.biz/submission-guidelines Really Decent Books Website: reallydecentbooks.co.uk Submission Guidelines: reallydecentbooks.co.uk/submission-guidelines Rockpool Childrens Books Website: rockpoolchildrensbooks.com Submission Guidelines: rockpoolpublishing.com.au/submission-guidelines Shadow Mountain Website: shadowmountain.com Submission Guidelines: shadowmountain.com/submission-guidelines/ Simon and Schuster Website: simonandschuster.com Submission Guidelines: simonandschuster.biz/submission-guidelines Sky Pony Press Website: skyhorsepublishing.com/sky-pony-press Submission Guidelines: skyhorsepublishing.com/sky-pony-press/submissions/ Sleeping Bear Press Website: sleepingbearpress.com Submission Guidelines: sleepingbearpress.com/submission_guidelines Sterling Publishing Website: sterlingpublishing.com Submission Guidelines: sterlingpublishing.com/submission-guidelines Templar Website: templarco.co.uk Submission Guidelines: templarco.co.uk/submission-guidelines Thames and Hudson Website: thamesandhudson.com Submission Guidelines: thamesandhudson.com/submission-guidelines Text Publishing Website: textpublishing.com.au/books Submission Guidelines: textpublishing.com.au/manuscript-submissions Tilbury House Publishers Website: tilburyhouse.com Submission Guidelines: tilburyhouse.com/submission-guidelines Triangle Square Website: sevenstories.com/imprints/triangle-square Submission Guidelines: authorspublish.com/triangle-square-now-accepting-childrens-book-submissions/ Top That! Publishers Website: imaginethat.com Submission Guidelines: tilburyhouse.com/submission-guidelines Turner Books Website: turnerpublishing.com Submission Guidelines: turnerpublishing.com/submissions Tuttle Publishing Website: tuttlepublishing.com Submission Guidelines: tuttlepublishing.com/submission-guidelines Qed Publishing Website: qed-publishing.co.uk Submission Guidelines: quartoknows.com/submission-guidelines Usborne Website: usborne.com Submission Guidelines: usborne.com/submission-guidelines Versify Website: versifybooks.tumblr.com Submission Guidelines: versifybooks.tumblr.com/contact Walker Website: walker.co.uk Submission Guidelines: walker.co.uk/submission-guidelines Workman Website: workman.com Submission Guidelines: workman.com/submission-guidelines 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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We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our awesome bloggers!!
Here's our lineup: 1st Mondays begin with awesome Aussie debut author and former student Amanda Lieber who will be focusing on Aussie kidlit. 2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books. 3rd Mondays will feature our new blogger coming soon. 4th Mondays features new blogger, the fabulous Brentom Jackson, who has a beautiful approach to blogging. And 5th Mondays we'll be taking a break Archives
December 2023
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