In this episode, Host Sharon Skinner sits down with acclaimed children's author Claudia Mills, who has penned over 60 books for young readers across all age categories. Together, they dive deep into the art of crafting difficult characters with tough dilemmas, drawing from Claudia Mills’s latest middle grade novel, Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom.
Discover how Claudia Mills’s background in philosophy enriches her stories, why asking big questions matters in middle grade fiction, and actionable tips for making characters leap off the page.
Whether you’re a writer looking to bring more authenticity to your work or a reader fascinated by the challenges faced by unforgettable kid lit protagonists, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and heartfelt advice.
Connect with Claudia Online:
Website:https://www.claudiamillsauthor.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiamillsauthor/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/claudiamills123.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudiamillsauthor
Jul 1
39 min
Host Sharon Skinner chats with Aubre Andrus, an award-winning author and ghostwriter of over 50 children's books, about building a writing career through work for hire projects. They discuss the ins and outs of work for hire, self-publishing, balancing passive and direct income, and the importance of networking directly with editors. Aubre shares tips on negotiating contracts without an agent, managing deadlines, and developing the versatile skill set required for writing in established brands and series. Actionable advice is offered for writers seeking to break into work for hire, emphasizing strategy, networking, and continual skill development.
Connect with Aubre Online:
Website: https://www.aubreandrus.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreandrus/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/aubreandrus.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AubreAndrusLLC
Grab Aubre's Handout: 10 Real Work for Hire Book Projects
Sign up for Aubre's Free Work for Hire Webinar: How I Built a Career in Children's Publishing Webinar Sign-up
Jun 3
31 min
In this episode, Sharon Skinner interviews author and mental health clinician Sarah Scheerger about integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into kidlit. Sarah Scheerger discusses her writing journey, the inspiration behind "Dude. Be Nice" and the importance of empathy and perspective in children's books, revision insights, educator resources, and actionable writing tips.
Connect with Sarah online at:
Website: https://www.sarahlynnbooks.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahscheerger/X: https://twitter.com/sarahscheergerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahlynnscheergerbooks
May 6
30 min
In this episode of Coaching KidLit, Sharon Skinner welcomes back former high school teacher, book coach, and writer Sam Cameron to delve into the intricacies of writing for teens by understanding the teenage brain. Drawing from her teaching and coaching experiences, Sam explores how teen brain chemistry affects their curiosity, need for agency, and intensity of emotions. The discussion covers techniques for ensuring teen characters drive the story, the importance of presenting authentic interiority and emotional experiences, and strategies for preventing adult characters from overshadowing teens in kid lit narratives.
Connect with Sam Online:
Website: https://truantpen.com/Substack: Truant PenInstagram
Apr 1
38 min
Host Sharon Skinner chats with author Meredith Davis about her writing journey, the power of connections in publishing, and the importance of discovering and owning your unique superpowers as a writer. They discuss Meredith’s books, including The Minor Miracle and Her Own Two Feet, and explore how truth and personal history inform fiction. The episode offers practical advice for writers on finding their strengths, building writing community, and using personal experiences to create layered, authentic stories for young readers, and delves into the importance of owning one’s creative gifts, while offering actionable exercises for writers to discover and lean into their individual superpowers.
Connect with Meredith Online:
Website: https://meredithldavis.comSubstack: Author with a Kidlit CrushInstagramFaceBook
Mar 4
36 min
In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner chats with acclaimed children’s author Anne Broyles about her writing journey, growing as a writer, and the importance of perseverance. Anne shares insights on writing across genres, working with editors, and her latest nonfiction book, "Eating to Save the Planet." They discuss the lifelong process of improving craft, finding community, and why patience and resilience are essential for kid lit writers. Actionable advice encourages writers to keep learning and never give up on their publishing dreams.
Connect with Anne on Social Media:
IG: annebroylesauthor
Bluesky: @annebroyles.bsky.social
Feb 4
31 min
Sharon Skinner and Heather Preusser explore the art of voice in kid lit, sharing practical strategies for creating distinct character voices, teaching voice techniques, and the importance of reading and analyzing mentor texts. Learn tips for revision, humor, and actionable exercises to enhance your writing craft.
Visit Heather online at:
Website: HeatherPreusser.com or Instagram: @heather_ preusser
Key Topics Covered:
Defining and teaching "voice" in writing
Strategies for distinct character voices
Differences in voice across genre and age categories
Revision and highlighting voice in manuscripts
Influences from mentor texts and media
#KidLit #WritingCommunity #BookCoach #VoiceInWriting #ChapterBooks #CraftOfWriting #ChildrensBooks
Jan 7
34 min
Host Sharon Skinner and guest Erin Radniecki discuss nature-based writing: weaving nature into kid lit, fostering a sense of place, and using personal passion for nature to enrich storytelling and connect young readers to the natural world.
Topics Covered:
Erin’s journey: Combining passion for nature and writing [00:01:34]
Coaching nature-curious writers: Focus on characters’ relationship with nature [00:03:36]
Nature in various genres: Magical realism, contemporary, and broader definitions [00:06:13]
Importance of sensory details and connecting with nature as inspiration [00:16:40]
Using nature as metaphor or thematic element, even if not writing nature fiction [00:18:30]
Human relationships with nature and sense of place ([00:21:02]
Action items: Story Ecosystem Starter Kit & getting outside for inspiration [00:28:10]
Visit and/or Follow Erin Online:Instagram: @writewithnatureWebsite:: writewithnature.com
Dec 3, 2025
33 min
Sharon welcomes middle-grade author Jessica Vitalis. Jessica shares her journey from picture books to novels in verse, emphasizing perseverance, community, and continual craft improvement. They discuss the value of mentor texts, the process of writing across genres, pursuing literary awards, and the importance of connecting with and contributing to the kid lit community.
Visit and/or Follow Jessica Online:Website: https://jessicavitalis.com/Bluesky: @jessicavitalis.bsky.socialInstagram: @jessicavauthor
Nov 5, 2025
34 min
Sharon Skinner interviews prolific children's author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison, who shares insights and actionable advice on indie publishing, from book production to marketing, drawing on her experience publishing over 70 award-winning kidlit titles.
Visit and/or Follow Darcy Online:Facebook.com/DarcyPattisonAuthordarcypattison.bsky.socialMimsHouseBooks.comDarcyPattison.comsubstack.com/@darcypattisonindiekidsbooks.com
TOPICS COVERED
Darcy Pattison’s Journey to Indie Publishing (00:03:10)
Choosing and Researching Nonfiction KidLit (00:04:56)
Managing the Business and Profitability of Indie Publishing (00:08:41)
Offset Printing vs. Print-on-Demand for Picture Books (00:16:04)
The Importance of Setting Clear Publishing Goals (00:22:00)
Outsourcing Tasks and Wearing Multiple Hats as an Indie Publisher (00:29:01)
Encouragement and Advice for Writers Considering Self-Publishing (00:31:48)
Oct 1, 2025
33 min
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