How to Write Short Stories (for kid readers)

If you’ve been following along with my guest post, you probably know that I love mysteries, and I love writing for kids. What you might not know is that I didn’t start my writing career in Kidlit. I spent about ten years mostly writing short stories. I still love writing short form—there’s nothing like the satisfaction of writing THE END after just a few writing sessions.

            Aside from writing shorts stories for adult readers, I’ve been lucky enough to get my stories for kids in anthologies, most recently in Mystery Writers of America’s Super-PuzzletasticMysteries and the forthcoming SCBWI anthology The Haunted States of America (my story represents Colorado), out in July of 2024. Short fiction can be a great way to build those hard-earned publication credits. Plus, you learn to work with an editor.

            I try to write at least a few short stories every year despite novel deadlines, mostly for quicker satisfaction (versus novels) and also to exercise that writing muscle that comes with writing short form. You have to be sharp, focused, and get to the point in a hurry.

            I recommend that everyone give writing short stories a try. Here are a few tips to get you on your way:

 

1.     The End is The Beginning.

Start by deciding how you want your story to end, then fill in the plot points and character development along the way. Because you’re writing short form, characters can simply have a realization at the end, but you still need to earn it just like in a novel. A quick outline will make it easier to write.

 

2.     Take Time to Revise.

Short stories need editing, just like any writing. Consider sharing your story with a critique partner for some feedback. If you’re planning on submitting your story to a special market, anthology, or magazine, make sure you read the guidelines when it comes to submission length, topic, and the reader’s age. There are fewer markets for short Kidlit, so you’ll want to do your homework for the best chance of acceptance once you submit your story.

 

3.     Try Stuff Out.

Short fiction is a great way to experiment with genre, voice, and plot. Try out science fiction if you’ve always written mystery. Try third person instead of first (or second person, if you’re feeling fancy). Because your investment in time is much lower, you can take a chance or two.

Most of all, have fun!

When you’re ready to submit your story, you can check out SCBWI’s The Essential Guide for Publishing for Children (free to download from your member portal) for information on magazines and how to submit your work. Watch SCBWI and other writers’ organization newsletters for calls for submissions for anthologies.

 

About Fleur:

Fleur Bradley has loved mysteries ever since she first picked up an Agatha Christie book at the age of eleven. She’s the author of middle-grade mysteries Daybreak on Raven Island and Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (Viking/PRH), the Double Vision trilogy (HarperCollins), as well as numerous short stories, one of which was recently chosen for the annual Best Mystery Stories of the Year anthology. Fleur’s work has been nominated for the Agatha and Anthony Award and has won the Colorado Book Award, among others.

A reluctant reader herself, Fleur is also a literacy advocate and speaks at events on how to reach reluctant readers. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in a small cottage in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies.

You can find Fleur online at fleurbradley.com.

Your Author, Illustrator, and/or Translator Newsletter

So while there's a lot of wisdom from the yoga saying "eyes on your own mat," much of that is about not comparing your journey to others', as it's really not helpful. 

Having said that, knowing how other creatives are navigating their newsletters can inform and inspire what we do with our own. As a reminder, having a big following on the social media platforms is no guarantee you'll be able to reach that following, as you don't own those connections--the platform does. And platforms can change their algorithm at any time, and then ask you to pay to reach the people who already said they're interested in keeping up with what you do. 

Building your own newsletter email list is GOLD, because they are connections that you control, that you own in the reciprocal relationship where you're going to share things that hopefully your audience is interested in, meaning they'll stay with you for the next time you'll reach out.

There's so much to consider, particularly the balance of how much you give compared to how much you ask!

BookBub's AJ Yee reported on a 2023 survey of over 500 authors about their newsletters. The data in The State of Author Newsletters is really interesting, including:

How often folks email their lists (winner: 41% email once a month), 

The top 14 things folks include in their newsletters -- top three are updates about new books (92%), cover reveals (70%), and recommendations of other authors' books (65%)

Infographic from the BookBub data, "What Kind of Content Do You Typically Include"

And the top 9 ways folks gain new subscribers -- top three are links in the back of their books (75%), links on social media (65%), and giveaways of free books (56%)

The State of Author Newsletters is fascinating, and hopefully will inspire you with your newsletter!

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee

Social Media Tips that Stand the Test of Time

 Last week, I talked about having a marketing plan and setting goals. This week, I thought I’d talk about social media, since that’s obviously closely linked. I do a talk at writers’ conferences on the subject, and the room is always filled with creatives who are almost afraid of social media. And that can’t be the point.

            The best way to look at social media platforms is this: they are a tool to help you reach individual readers. That’s it. You’re talking to one reader at a time.

You don’t have to dance on Tiktok if that’s not your thing.

 

1.     Set Social Media Goals

A good place to start is to make a list of social media platforms and see what they do. Facebook is for friends and fans, X (formerly Twitter) is for quick bites of information, Instagram for photos and short videos, Tiktok for spontaneous videos. Think about what you’re comfortable sharing. Readers, librarians and teachers love a behind-the-scenes look at your workspace, your inspiration, and your process.

            If you’re new to social media, set smaller goals until you feel more comfortable. If short form sharing doesn’t speak to you, consider starting a newsletter. Much like this blog, it allows you to write longer pieces and reach readers directly in their email inbox.

            The key is to build a habit and share regularly. That way, your readers and fans know when they can expect to hear from you. Start with weekly goals and a checklist, so you can walk away (and get back to writing!) when you’re done.

This is my virtual author visit setup (complete with ravens)

2.     Create a Social Media Calendar

Using your big-picture goals, set a social media calendar. What are you going to share, and when will you share it? Each platform has a best time to share as well (you can Google this) so plan around that. You can even use a social media scheduling tool.

A word of caution: all these platforms only work if you engage with fans. Comment on and share other people’s posts—it’s called social media for a reason: you must be social.

           

3.     Focus on Individual Connections & Do Nice Things for Others

If it feels like you’re screaming into a void, you’re probably not approaching social media right. Even if only one person comments or shares your post, that’s okay: you still made a connection. People who have massive followings and engagement tend to be bigger name authors and illustrators, so don’t compare yourself to those people. It takes years to develop this kind of following. It’s better to look at growing your number of followers as a long term goal but not as something you can control.

If you’re unsure of what to do, do something nice for someone else. Post a review, share a new release (called a bookbirthday), and celebrate good news a friend has. It’ll earn you some goodwill points and with some luck, they’ll share your good news when it’s your turn.

 

Extra tip: try out two platforms if possible. The consensus used to be that you should pick your favorite platform and focus there, but with the recent uncertainty in platforms (Twitter’s demise and transformation into X, Tiktok on the brink of being banned, etc.), don’t put all your social media eggs in one basket. Try to be active on at least two platforms.

You can Google examples of social media calendars, though I urge you to find your own process. Everyone shares in their own way. That’s what makes social media interesting.

How about you? How do you manage your social media?

About Fleur:

Fleur Bradley has loved mysteries ever since she first picked up an Agatha Christie book at the age of eleven. She’s the author of middle-grade mysteries Daybreak on Raven Island and Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (Viking/PRH), the Double Vision trilogy (HarperCollins), as well as numerous short stories, one of which was recently chosen for the annual Best Mystery Stories of the Year anthology. Fleur’s work has been nominated for the Agatha and Anthony Award and has won the Colorado Book Award, among others.

A reluctant reader herself, Fleur is also a literacy advocate and speaks at events on how to reach reluctant readers. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in a small cottage in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies.

You can find Fleur online at fleurbradley.com.

Registration for the SCBWI 2024 Summer Virtual Conference opens Today, Tuesday May 21 @ 10AM PST!!

 

#SCBWIsummer24 is going to be amazing!

The 2024 SCBWI Virtual Summer Conference will include:

• Inspiring keynotes featuring Kate DiCamillo and Felicita Sala
• Panels of agents, editors, and art directors discussing the current state of children’s publishing⁠
• A half-day Intensive just for Illustrators
• Over 35 breakout sessions with tracks for illustrators, self-publishing authors, traditionally published authors, nonfiction authors⁠, and more
• An opportunity to pitch to acquiring agents and editors⁠
• The career-launching Portfolio Showcase⁠
• Online socials and peer critiques⁠
• Website and Social Media Consultations

Get all the details and see the full scheduled here. And if you register before June 21st you get a special early bird discount of $20 off.

We hope you'll join us!

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On!
Lee

Creating a Marketing Plan (that doesn’t take over your life)

Confession time: I love marketing. I know, most authors dread it, but to me it can be as much fun as writing my books. That said, marketing can become a serious black hole where time and space does not exist…*cue Twilight Zone music

            I’ve wasted my share of hours on Twitter (actually, that’s X now), Instagram, and whatever platform is the latest buzz. I had to set limits on the time I spend on social media, and how much time I spend on marketing in general. It’s very easy for marketing to take over your life, especially around book launch time.

            It took me a while to get this balance right. Here are a few things that worked for me:

 

1.     Set Clear Goals (try 3 at first)

When my first book came out, I tried everything I could think of. I sent postcards, attended conventions, and roamed around social media platforms telling everyone who would listen about my book. Some of it was effective, but a lot of it was a waste of time. I quickly realized that if I wanted to write the next book (which I was under contract for), I had to stop trying to do everything and focus on those marketing activities that were more effective.

            It helped me to set goals. For instance, I have a goal to write a newsletter once a week. I put in roughly four speaking proposals to literacy and writers conventions a year. I post to social media platforms almost daily, but I limit my time spent there (I use it as my watercooler/coffee break, since I’m a full-time writer).

This is me at a school visit (they are my favorite kind of marketing)

            Define what you want to accomplish, so you can use these goals to remain focused. Extra tip: split your time between in-person and online marketing, roughly evenly. That way, you’re getting your message out there on multiple platforms and reaching different audiences. Be realistic about what you’re capable of doing.

 

2.     Define Steps to Get You There

Once you’ve identified your (annual or quarterly) marketing goals, make a checklist of actions that will get you there. For example, a goal of four speaking engagements a year means you have to create a presentation to pitch, plus research so you can make a list of events you want to pitch it to. Those are clear actions you can check off when finished. Try to estimate the amount of time each task might take, so you can schedule them on your calendar, just like you would a doctor’s appointment or your kid’s karate lessons.

            If you have a book launch or other event surrounding your book (say, Earth Day for a book about the environment), you’ll want to make sure your marketing steps reflect your outreach goals. Be sure to plan ahead so you don’t miss an opportunity. If you want to land speaking engagements in 2025 for example, you’ll want to start planning your pitch and research where you want to put in a proposal now. Those proposal windows are often small, so you’ll want to be ready.

3.     Schedule Time for Marketing and Walk Away

As a rule of thumb, I make sure that I never spend more time on marketing than I do writing my next book, unless I have a book launch happening. I have to protect that writing time, because I want to have a new book to talk about in a few years. Marketing is fun to me, and I always have a marketing activity on my calendar. But once I check off the actions on my to-do list, I walk away.

            Accept that you can’t do everything. You’re not a robot, you know.

 

Tell me: what do you do to make sure marketing doesn’t take over your writing life?

Bonus Resources: you can check out my newsletter. I share writing tips just like these posts, plus inspiration every week.

 

About Fleur:

Fleur Bradley has loved mysteries ever since she first picked up an Agatha Christie book at the age of eleven. She’s the author of middle-grade mysteries Daybreak on Raven Island and Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (Viking/PRH), the Double Vision trilogy (HarperCollins), as well as numerous short stories, one of which was recently chosen for the annual Best Mystery Stories of the Year anthology. Fleur’s work has been nominated for the Agatha and Anthony Award and has won the Colorado Book Award, among others.

A reluctant reader herself, Fleur is also a literacy advocate and speaks at events on how to reach reluctant readers. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in a small cottage in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies.

You can find Fleur online at fleurbradley.com.

Today (Tuesday May 14, 2024) is the last day to vote in Round One of the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards

All current members of SCBWI may vote once in each division per each voting round. Go login and vote here: https://www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite 

screenshot of the new voting platform for the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards

Round two will open on May 16!

(It's a great way to support your fellow children's book creators, and a super way to add to your to-be-read list, too!)

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee

3 Tips for Writing a Mystery for Kids

 Hello, I’m Fleur Bradley and I write mysteries for kids.

    This is my standard introduction whenever I go to a conference or other event, so it seemed only fitting to start my series of blog posts here this way. I love mysteries. I actually got my start as a writer in the genre, writing short mysteries and getting them published in magazines and anthologies. In fact, there’s an SCBWI anthology out in July, The Haunted States of America, with one of my stories (representing Colorado) in it. More on writing short stories in a future blog post…

    I still write a few short stories every now and then, though I spend most of my time writing MG and YA mystery novels now.

    As luck would have it, kids love mysteries too. Just like me, they love the puzzle, the excitement, and turning the pages to see if the whodunit is in fact the who that they thought dunit.

    I’ve been writing mysteries long enough that pacing and placing clues comes easy to me now, though that took many years. The question I get most often from fellow SCBWI writers is how to place your clues so a mystery novel works.

    Here are a few tips. 

1.     Start with your Big Reveal and Work Backwards

The best way to ensure you place your clues in the right spot is to start with the big reveal of your mystery bad dude or lady, and work your way backwards. Outline the scene where your kid detective puts the pieces together and reveals who the antagonist is. Then simply make a list of clues that would logically get your protagonist to come to that conclusion.

2.     Sprinkle Clues Throughout

Next up, you’ll want to place those clues throughout the manuscript. These revelations will become plot points you work your manuscript scenes towards, a bit like stops on a road trip. Make sure your protagonist has to work to uncover these clues and that they don’t just fall into their lap—especially avoid clues handed on a silver platter by adults. Your detective should earn it. Bonus points if your protagonist’s skills make them uniquely qualified to put these clues together, a little like Sherlock, Marple or whoever your favorite detective is.  

            Extra tip: You can use tangents or false clues to send your detective down the wrong path. They’re called red herrings in the mystery world.

3.     Play Fair with Your Reader

Make sure you play fair with your reader. No one likes a ten-page monologue by the antagonist, telling us how they outsmarted everyone, or a magical uncovering of a dozen clues at the end. Some sort of final reveal scene is okay, but it shouldn’t be a clue or info dump. Your reader should be able to put the clues together if they read your story again, or even the first time. As a mystery reader, half the fun is in seeing if who you think did the crime is actually it.

I’ll never tire of the mystery genre, because I love this clue hunt.

Tell me: do you have a favorite detective, either on the kid or adult side?

 

Quick resources:

To find a list of mysteries for kids, check out this list I made on Bookshop and Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Awards database.

 

About Fleur:

Fleur Bradley has loved mysteries ever since she first picked up an Agatha Christie book at the age of eleven. She’s the author of middle-grade mysteries Daybreak on Raven Island and Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (Viking/PRH), the Double Vision trilogy (HarperCollins), as well as numerous short stories, one of which was recently chosen for the annual Best Mystery Stories of the Year anthology. Fleur’s work has been nominated for the Agatha and Anthony Award and has won the Colorado Book Award, among others.

A reluctant reader herself, Fleur is also a literacy advocate and speaks at events on how to reach reluctant readers. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in a small cottage in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies.

You can find Fleur online at fleurbradley.com.

Make Your Book Indistinguishable In Quality to One Published By the Big Five Publishers: A Free Resource

Hello, SCBWI friends!

The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) has a free PDF checklist called The IBPA Industry Standards Checklist for a Professionally Published Book.

It's very helpful two page PDF that can help you make sure that when you publish your own work it is professionally put together and presented--both for industry folks (librarians, booksellers, agents, trade outlets, etc...) and the reading public.

The good news is the reading public doesn't care who published a book. So if you make sure your book is professionally done, you're giving that book the best chance to succeed.

Note: The term "self-publishing" tricks a lot of people into thinking that they just need to learn how to do it all themselves. This is the wrong approach. You need to hire professionals to do a lot of the elements that you can't do at a professional level. (Think about it: If no one is going to pay me to design the cover of their book, then I have no business designing the cover of my book.)

A better term for a creator publishing their own work is "author publisher" - because as a publisher, you're the final say on how professionally put together the book is. You hire the team, you oversee the project, and you're the one who signs off on the version that goes out into the world.

So if you are or want to be an author publisher, this IBPA Checklist for a Professionally Published Book is an excellent resource.

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee

What Are All the Different Paths to Getting Your Work Published? The IBPA Publishing MAP (Models and Author Pathways) Helps You Explore the Options

Even for the same creator, each book project can have a different path to publication. The nonprofit Independent Book Publishers Association (I work for them as their Chief Content Officer) has put together a FREE overview and resource for the book publishing industry and for authors looking at different pathways to getting their creative works published. It's called the IBPA Publishing MAP (Models and Author Pathways).

The IBPA Publishing MAP includes eight different publishing models:

• Association, Society, & Non-Profit Publishers
• Author Publishers
• Corporate Trade Publishers
• Higher Education & Academic Publishers
• Hybrid Publishers
• Independent Publishers & Small Presses
• Service Providers
• University Presses

For each model, the IBPA Publishing MAP explores and explains these attributes:

• Definition
• Examples
• How They are Funded
• How They Generate Income
• Model Characteristics
• Appropriate for Authors Who
• Not Right for Authors Who

Additionally, the IBPA Publishing MAP includes a discussion of areas of model overlap, a disclaimer regarding predatory business models, and links to related resources.

Many advisors, volunteers, and staff members worked together to make this first iteration of the guide the best it could be on release. As with all documents, there are always ways to improve it, especially as publishing continues to evolve. You can leave feedback here in comments or email the IBPA team at info (at) ibpa-online (dot) org

IBPA's hope is that this is helpful to members of the SCBWI community as you consider the different options for getting your creative work published!

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee