Children’s Writing | Cathy C. Hall Writes

I’ve always been kind of a history nut. Like if I’m walking along a path around Native American mounds, I might say, “Wow. Four hundred years ago (give or take a decade), a Cherokee woman might have walked this exact same path.”

When my kids were little, and accompanied me on these adventures back in time, they laughed about my “Wow” remarks. That’s okay. I’ve always been seriously awed by the people who’ve walked before us. I still am. So I just might give this latest Children’s Writer Contest a go.

It’s historical fiction for age 13, up to 1500 words, and due by October 31st. And you must have a strong bibliography of resources. That’s the sticking point for me. I don’t have any historical research hanging around.

But if you’ve written an historical novel, and have tons of interesting tidbits in your research file, you should jump on this contest! You could win FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS! And if you already subscribe to Children’s Writer, you don’t have to pay the entry fee. But even if you have to pay the $15, you’ll get an 8 month subscription with it.

Um, anyone got some great historical research they’re not using? I’ll trade you for a scathingly brilliant story idea.

If you’re writing for children or teens, I know you’re reading lots and lots of books written for children and teens, right? But sometimes, you want to take a little book vacation, so to speak. And I’ve got the perfect book for you!

My author friend, Amanda Lee/Gayle Trent, is on a blog tour right now with her latest release The Quick and the Thread. She stopped over at the Hall of Fame with this delightfully cozy embroidery mystery. And now I’m giving it away. So scoot over there-right now-and comment for a chance to win this fun read!

Back sew soon? (I’m sorry. I’ve been making really horrible puns like that since The Quick and the Thread showed up.) Anyway, I’ve got another book for you, one that you can sink your teeth into when you return from your reading vacation.

It’s Harold Underdown’s latest edition of The Complete Idiots’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books. I have an older edition of this swell book, but I’ve heard (via Twitter) that Harold’s added TONS of new and improved information. Southern Breezer, Tina Nichols Coury, interviewed him for her Publishing Tip of the Day here, where you can hear straight from the Harold’s mouth, a bit of fine information.

Oh! And the coloring pages! Elizabeth Dulemba offers coloring pages at her blog. They’re always fun and always free! Elizabeth also offers TONS of great information for illustrators, so if that’s your thing, you’ll want to follow her.

Now, as I have already read The Quick and the Thread, I should probably get back to work!