KidLit Craft Podcast

kidlitcraft

At KidLit Craft we look at mentor texts to discover ways to improve our own writing. Our Deep Dive series looks at one novel over multiple weeks.

32 Episodes

In-Betweens, Ep. 4: Writing Mental Health and Other Difficult Topics with Rocky Callen
6/4/2026
40:03
Anne-Marie talks with Rocky Callen, author of A Breath Too Late, about writing about difficult topics, including suicide, suicidal ideation, and domestic violence. We cover what to consider in drafting and revision, as well as how to take care of yourself as an author. If you or someone you know is struggling with any of these issues, you can reach out to the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988 (https://988lifeline.org) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (thehotline.org) Rocky’s debut novel, A Breath Too Late, will re-release in September and is available for pre-order now: abreathtoolate.com She is also a contributing co-editor of Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories that Smash Mental Health Stereotypes (co-edited with Nora Shalaway Carpenter) and the author of the YA novel Crashing into You. KLC article on Rocky’s story “The Call Me Hurricane”: Crafting the Short Story KLC interview with Rocky: Stories fo Mental Health are Absolutely Necessary Things we talk about: The Silence that Binds Us by Joanna Ho The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent by Ann Jacobus The Hero is You by Kendra Levin Daniel Nayeri KLC series on Sidewriting Louise Hawes People Magazine published Rocky’s list of books that center mental health The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com To help support the podcast, buy us a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/kidlitcraft Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles) Email us at [email protected] Sign up for our newsletter
In-Betweens, Ep. 3: All About Developmental Edits with Denise Santomauro
5/21/2026
48:37
Anne-Marie is joined by freelance editor Denise Santomauro. We break down what a developmental edit is, why you might want one, and how to work with a freelance editor, from initial contact through contracts to the final edit letter. Denise works as a freelance editor and book coach. You can find her at denisesantomauro.com. Things we talk about: Angellela Editorial Reedsy Editorial Freelance Association (editorial rates) The Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives by Daisy Fancourt Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com To help support the podcast, buy us a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/kidlitcraft Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles) Email us at [email protected] Sign up for our newsletter
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In-Betweens, Ep. 2: Writing Retreats with Lindsay Lackey and Kristi Wright
5/14/2026
26:28
Anne-Marie is joined by middle grade author Lindsay Lackey and KidLit Craft co-editor Kristi Wright to talk all things writing retreats! What conditions make it possible to get work done, how to plan your own writing retreat, and favorite writing retreat snacks. Find Lindsay Lackey at lindsaylackey.com and on Instagram @lindsaywrites. Find Kristi Wright at kristiwrightauthor.com and on Instagram @kristwrite. Find Anne-Marie at amstrohman.com and on Instagram @am.strohman Things we mention: Madeline L'Engle retreats Whale Rock Workshops (Retreat and Master Skills Workshop) McCormack Writing Center (formerly Tin House, check out their YA workshop) Vermont College of Fine Arts Bookworks in Pacific Grove, CA Laurel Village Books Inc. in SF Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com To help support the podcast, buy us a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/kidlitcraft Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles) Email us at [email protected] Sign up for our newsletter
In-Betweens, Ep. 1: Everything MFA--and Michael Leali's MFA Boot Camp
2/10/2026
43:49
Anne-Marie sits down with middle grade author Michael Leali to talk everything MFA: what programs are out there, why you might want one, our MFA stories, how to apply, and Michael's new MFA in Writing for Young Readers Bootcamp, offered through University of San Francisco. REGISTER FOR MFA BOOT CAMP, taught by Michael Leali Things we talk about: MFA Programs in writing for children Vermont College of Fine Arts, MFA in WCYA University of San Francisco, MFAY Hamline University, MFAC Simmons University The New School University of Reno, Nevada Emerson College, Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing (YA track). We talk about this being a residential program, but this is a fully online program. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Anne-Marie's MFA application Critical Essay Part 1, Part 2 Another example of a critical essay-turned-KLC craft article on character motivation Find Michael at michaelleali.com. Interested in finding more about working one-on-one with Michael or Anne-Marie? Email Anne-Marie at [email protected], and she'll point you in the right direction. Want to support the podcast? Buy us a coffee!
Thieves' Gambit, Ep. 12: The END--A Satisfying Ending That Also Sets Up a Sequel
5/1/2025
36:23
Episode 12 In our last episode of season 2, Erin and Anne-Marie take a closer look at THE END of Thieves’ Gambit, specifically, how Kayvion Lewis creates a satisfying ending for this novel and at the same time sets up the sequel. Han Solo in carbonite The Twilight series Kurt Vonnegut–The Shape of Stories How I Met Your Mother–Slap Bet Upcoming KidLit Craft Events “The Sticky Note Plot,” taught by award-winning YA and MG author David Macinnis Gill–May 10, 2025, noon-1:30pm Pacific/3-4:30pm Eastern Ask the Author Book Club with Lindsay Lackey–NOTE: NEW DATE–May 13, 2025, 4:30-5:45pm Pacific/7:30-8:45 Eastern “Building a Novel with Touchstone Moments,” taught by award-winning middle grade author Lindsay Lackey–NOTE NEW DATE AND TIME: May 27, 2025, 9:30-11am Pacific/12:30-2pm Eastern Register for summer classes! More info here: kidlitcraft.com/classes Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast! Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com Patreon Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles) Email us at [email protected] Sign up for our newsletter
Thieves’ Gambit, Ep. 11: How to Plan a Heist
4/17/2025
33:49
Episode 11 We’re gathering the people with essential skills, making a plan, anticipating obstacles, doing reconnaissance, and pulling off a heist. Erin and Anne-Marie break down the elements needed for a heist and analyze how Kayvion Lewis designed and executed the (writing of the) sarcophagus heist in Thieves’ Gambit. Things we talk about: Ocean’s Eleven Ask the Author Book Club with Lindsay Lackey–NOTE: NEW DATE–May 13, 2025, 4:30-5:45pm Pacific/7:30-8:45 Eastern “Building a Novel with Touchstone Moments,” taught by award-winning middle grade author Lindsay Lackey–NOTE NEW DATE AND TIME: May 27, 2025, 9:30-11am Pacific/12:30-2pm Eastern Summer Classes are now open for registration! kidlitcraft.com/classes Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast! Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com Patreon Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles) Email us at [email protected] Sign up for our newsletter
Thieves' Gambit, Ep. 10, Chapter and Scene Pacing
4/3/2025
44:35
Episode 10 Pacing scenes and chapters in an action/thriller might seem to be all about how to move through the story as fast as possible, but in this episode, Anne-Marie and Erin focus on controlling the pace, why you want slower moments, and how to move fast without sacrificing clarity or emotional resonance. Things we talk about: Dopesick Henry James Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton The Golden Bowl by Henry James Mission: Impossible 2 Dangerous Play by Emma Kress Register for our Ask the Author Book Club at kidlitcraft.com/book-club Register for our April 26 workshop, “Building a Novel with Touchstone Moments,” taught by award-winning middle grade author Lindsay Lackey Summer Classes are now open for registration! kidlitcraft.com/classes Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast! Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com Patreon Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles) Email us at [email protected] Sign up for our newsletter
Thieves’ Gambit, Ep. 9: Overarching Pacing
3/20/2025
39:43
The pacing of a story determines how a story feels to read, and writers get to control that pacing by placing story elements at certain moments in the book and by how they move from chapter to chapter or scene to scene. In this episode, Anne-Marie and Erin explore how Kayvion Lewis keeps the pace fast and the tension high. Books we talk about: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Nina Lacour’s books (like We Are Okay and Watch Over Me) The Davinci Code by Dan Brown David Gill Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (our blog post on how Christie keeps tension in the story) Murder on the Orient Express film (trailer) Erin’s percentages for overall structure and pacing: Hook–1% pg 2 Gambit invite Inciting Incident–10% Mom kidnapped First Game of Gambit–13% Intro to Thieves–14% Romantic intro–16% pg 59 2nd Game–Museum–21% Character Reveal–27% unwilling to leave injured player even risking gambit loss 3rd Game Train–42% Plan Heist 3rd Game—50% New Info–64% pg 249 Big Obstacle-70% (pg256) handcuffed to balcony Kiss–80% Mom’s 1st betrayal–Comes at 88% Double Cross the Gambit–89% Twist/ Devroe’s betrayal–94% Mom’s 2nd betrayal–comes at 98% Register for our Ask the Author Book Club at kidlitcraft.com/book-club Register for our FREE March 29 workshop, “Making Emotions Concrete,” taught by Anne-Marie Register for our April 26 workshop, “Building a Novel with Touchstone Moments,” taught by Lindsay Lackey Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast! Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com Patreon Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles) Email us at [email protected] Sign up for our newsletter
Thieves' Gambit, Ep. 8: Action Scenes
3/6/2025
37:12
Action scenes in a thriller novel need to be fast-paced, but fast-paced means more than lots of really quick actions in a row. Erin and Anne-Marie break down three different kinds of action scenes in Thieves’ Gambit to find tips and tricks for hitting the perfect sweet spot of pacing. Books we talk about: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Register for our Ask the Author Book Club at kidlitcraft.com/book-club Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast! Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com Patreon Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles) Email us at [email protected] Sign up for our newsletter
Thieves' Gambit, Ep. 7: Relationship Arcs
2/21/2025
38:43
Like character arcs and story arcs, relationship arcs can span the course of the novel, explore themes, reveal and challenge the main character, and complicate plot lines. In Episode 7, Erin and Anne-Marie examine Ross’s friendship arc with Noelia and her romance arc with Devroe. Things we mention in this episode KLC’s Ask the Author Book Club, February 25 guest author is Michael Leali Our episode on Romance in Buffalo Flats (Season 1, Episode 8) Mr. and Mrs. Smith (the movie) Mr. and Mrs. Smith (the series) The movie with sexy banter during fight scenes with Ryan Reynolds, the Rock, and Gal Gadot: Red Notice Emma Kress and her YA novel Dangerous Play Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast! Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com Patreon Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles) Email us at [email protected] Sign up for our newsletter

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KidLit Craft Podcast

kidlitcraft

32 Episodes

In-Betweens, Ep. 4: Writing Mental Health and Other Difficult Topics with Rocky Callen

In-Betweens, Ep. 3: All About Developmental Edits with Denise Santomauro

In-Betweens, Ep. 2: Writing Retreats with Lindsay Lackey and Kristi Wright

In-Betweens, Ep. 1: Everything MFA--and Michael Leali's MFA Boot Camp

Thieves' Gambit, Ep. 12: The END--A Satisfying Ending That Also Sets Up a Sequel

Thieves’ Gambit, Ep. 11: How to Plan a Heist

Thieves' Gambit, Ep. 10, Chapter and Scene Pacing

Thieves’ Gambit, Ep. 9: Overarching Pacing

Thieves' Gambit, Ep. 8: Action Scenes

Thieves' Gambit, Ep. 7: Relationship Arcs