Shows
KidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 12: The END--A Satisfying Ending That Also Sets Up a SequelEpisode 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 Easter...
2025-05-0136 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves’ Gambit, Ep. 11: How to Plan a HeistEpisode 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, 2...
2025-04-1733 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 10, Chapter and Scene PacingEpisode 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/bo...
2025-04-0344 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves’ Gambit, Ep. 9: Overarching PacingThe 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
D...
2025-03-2039 min
Nonfiction Kidlit Craft ConversationsNonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations Episode 7: Writing Unique POVs with Kamalani HurleyIn this episode of Nonfiction Kid Lit Craft Conversations, host Kirsten W. Larson interviews debut author Kamilani Hurley about her Junior Library Guild selection "Kaho'olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People."
Learn valuable insights about:
Kamalani's Journey to Children's Writing
Crafting Unique Perspectives
Developing Emotional Arcs
Balancing Complex Topics
Using Sidebars Effectively
Writing Tips and Advice
Future Projects
Perfect for:
- Children's book writers
- Educators
- Illustrators
- Anyone interested in Hawaiian history
- Nonfiction storytellers
Connect w...
2025-03-0735 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 8: Action ScenesAction 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!
F...
2025-03-0637 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 7: Relationship ArcsLike 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...
2025-02-2138 minNonfiction Kidlit Craft ConversationsNonfiction Kidlit Craft Conversations Ep 6 with Beth Anderson -- Pacing🔍 How to Write Page-Turning Nonfiction Picture Books | Writing Craft Tips with Beth Anderson
Master the art of writing gripping nonfiction picture books in this craft-focused interview with award-winning children's author Beth Anderson. Discover the behind-the-scenes process of her latest book "Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and The Race to Save Abraham Lincoln," illustrated by Sally Wern Comport (Calkins Creek).
✍️ WRITING CRAFT TECHNIQUES COVERED:
• Creating page-turning tension in nonfiction
• Writing historical events for young readers
• Balancing context and pacing in picture books
• Developing character emotions in nonfiction
• Using r...
2025-02-0738 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 6: Introducing a Big Cast of CharactersIntroducing a lot of characters can lead to a muddle in readers’ minds. Erin and Anne-Marie explore why you may want to use a big cast, identify pitfalls to avoid, and break down how Kayvion Lewis introduces the nine teen thieves in Thieves’ Gambit in a way that draws readers in rather than confuses them.
Books we mention in this episode (affiliate links):
One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn...
2025-02-0735 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 5: Complicated Family RelationshipsIn Episode 5, Erin and Anne-Marie examine the complicated family relationships in Thieves’ Gambit and explore why to use them, how to introduce them for maximum effect, and how to leverage those relationships to create more tension without taking away the main character’s agency.
Things we mention in the podcast:
Our new website! kidlitcraft.com
Writing Middle Grade for Picture Book Authors class
Revise a Novel with Me! class
Ask the Author Book Club
Jan 18: Stacey Lee, KILL HER TWICE
Feb 25: Michael Leali, THE TRUTH ABOUT TRI...
2025-01-1739 min
Cheryl! De Gooische Vrouwen PodcastAflevering 77: Kleur BekennenLieve mensen, de laatste aflevering alweer van het seizoen! Wat vloog de tijd. Jesse en Jeroen bespreken deze week aflevering 8 van seizoen 8: Kleur Bekennen.
En we moeten zelf bekennen; Jeroen klinkt een beetje verkouden en dat klopt. Want dat was-ie ook.
Verder bespreken we de seizoensfinale in alle geuren en kleuren, wat we vonden van de Gooische Mannen en of alle vrouwen wel goed tot hun recht zijn gekomen in die laatste 45 minuten.
Volg ons op de socials @cherylpodcast.
Jesse's bronnen:
https://www...
2024-12-111h 15KidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 4: Shifting Desire LinesIn Season 1, we talked about internal and external desire, but how does it work when the character wants one thing at the beginning and switches to wanting something else? In Season 2, Episode 4, Erin and Anne-Marie dive into Kayvion Lewis’s YA thriller, Thieves’ Gambit, and dig into why it the main character Ross's shifting desire line works, as she goes from wanting to making friends at a summer gymnastics camp to winning an international thieving competition.
Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast!
Find more content like this at...
2024-12-0623 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 3: The World As It IsThe opening of a book establishes The World As It Is, and Kayvion Lewis’s Thieves’ Gambit is no exception. Lewis masterfully establishes Ross Quest’s world of international thievery and how she relates to it, including her desire to escape into something more normal.
Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast
Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com
Support KidLit Craft
Patreon
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2024-11-2022 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 2: ThemeWe’re starting with theme! Kayvion Lewis introduces the theme of TRUST in the very first sentence of Thieves’ Gambit. In this episode, Erin and Anne-Marie explore the different strategies Lewis uses to explore the theme through characters, situations, and plot twists that challenge the main character Ross’s view of the world.
Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast
Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com
Support KidLit Craft
Patreon
Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small l...
2024-11-0632 minKidLit Craft PodcastThieves' Gambit, Ep. 1: IntroIntroducing Season 2! We're taking a deep dive into Kavyion Lewis's YA thriller THIEVES’ GAMBIT. Find out why we chose it and what we have in store for this season.
Get your copy of THIEVES’ GAMBIT from Bookshop.org and support the podcast
Find more content like this at kidlitcraft.com
Support KidLit Craft
Patreon
Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles)
Email us at podcast@kidlitcraft.com
Sign up for our newsl
2024-10-3008 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 14: Martine Leavitt Interview, Part 2In this second part of our interview with Martine Leavitt, the author of Buffalo Flats, she tells us about the mountains that inspire her, how to put emotion on the page, what the heck an objective correlative is, and much more, including what she’s working on now.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by Anne-Marie Strohman and Erin Nuttall.
Support KidLit Craft
Patreon
Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of sty...
2024-06-2714 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 13: Martine Leavitt Interview, Part 1Episode 13: Martine Interview, Part 1
In this episode, we interview Martine Leavitt herself! She talks to us about her inspiration for Buffalo Flats, the painful process of writing it, and her secret to sticking with writing when it's hard. Martine had so much wisdom to share that we split the interview into two episodes. Watch for Part 2 next week.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavitt
Calvin by Martine Leavitt
Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
A KidLit Craft arti...
2024-06-1827 minKidLit Craft PodcastKidLit Craft: Summer Update 2024Find out what's next for the KidLit Craft podcast, and exciting upcoming offerings from KidLit Craft.
Links:
Sign up for the KidLit Craft Newsletter
For information on the Writing MG for PB Authors class, email Anne-Marie at editor@kidlitcraft.com. Or find out more here: INFO SHEET.
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
Our next podcast book: THIEVES’ GAMBIT by Kayvion Lewis
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by Anne-Marie Strohman and Erin Nuttall.
Support KidLit Craft
...
2024-06-1306 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 12: Language and MetaphorThroughout Buffalo Flats, Martine Leavitt uses rich language and evocative metaphors. We break down how and why she uses specific language and metaphors, and to what effect. We also talk about how to decide what language and metaphors to use in your own work.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
Lolo’s Light by Liz Garton Scanlon
KidLit Craft post on language and metaphor in Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton
KidLit Craft post on metaphors in Partly Cloudy by Tanita S. Davis
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by Anne...
2024-05-2427 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 11: In-Community AccessibilityIn Buffalo Flats, Rebecca belongs to a religious community that exists within the larger community in the Northwest Territories of Canada. In this episode we look at how Martine makes this community recognizable to those in it and accessible to those not, and we share our personal experiences reading about the community. The craft techniques we discuss apply not just to religious communities, but to any smaller group within a larger culture.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
After the...
2024-04-2526 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 10: Historical FeminismWe explore how Martine incorporates feminism into historical fiction in a way that respects history and characters, by finding friction points between the character’s desires and their experience of the world. Also, Erin emotes about corsets.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
The book Erin references set in 15th-Century China is Lisa See’s Lady Tan’s Circle of Women.
The story of Esther
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by Anne-Marie Strohman and Erin Nuttall.
Support KidLit Craft
Patreon
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2024-04-1134 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 9: HumorAt risk of making Martine’s humor less funny, we take apart the humor in Buffalo Flats, from set-ups and punchlines to adding a funny twist, from individual sentences to full subplots.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
Laurel & Hardy, “Chickens Come Home”
Pizza Pirate
This is Us
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by Anne-Marie Strohman and Erin Nuttall.
Support KidLit Craft
Patreon
Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles)
Email us at podcast@kidli...
2024-03-1429 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 8: RomanceIn this episode, we’re talking ROMANCE! We look at how Martine Leavitt sets up the balance between physical intimacy and emotional intimacy, uses contrast in secondary romances, and manages a perfectly balanced love triangle for the main character, Rebecca, in her YA novel Buffalo Flats. We also talk about how to write a perfect romantic kiss.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
A KidLit Craft post on playing with tropes in romance
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by Anne-Marie Strohman and Erin Nuttall.
Support KidLit Craft
2024-02-2729 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 7: SubplotsA novel requires more than just one main plot. In this episode, we look at three major subplots in Buffalo Flats by Martine Leavitt, one that involves Rebecca’s family, one that involves her local community, and one that involves the larger community. We look at how Martine weaves in these subplots and how she makes them work hard for the story and for Rebecca’s internal journey.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
A KidLit Craft post on using best friend subplots in middle grade novels
Another look at subplots: thinkin...
2024-02-0520 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 6: MisbeliefIn this mini-episode, we switch things up! Anne-Marie defines what a misbelief is, how it connects your character’s internal and external journey, and we see the concepts in action in Martine Leavitt’s YA novel, Buffalo Flats.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
Writing exercises to explore a character’s misbelief
Misbelief in Paul Acampora’s How to Avoid Extinction
A different kind of controlling belief in How to Trap a Tiger, MG by Tae Keller and Calvin, YA by Martine Leavitt.
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by A...
2024-01-3015 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 5: Internal DesireMartine Leavitt’s YA novel Buffalo Flats is full of desire. In addition to wanting to own a piece of land, the main character, Rebecca, also wants to become the person God wants her to be, and that means loving other people, most of whom she finds annoying or unlovable. Erin walks through how the desire is introduced, what standard Rebecca is holding herself to, and what internal obstacles there are. She also examines how the external and internal desires conflict with each other and support each other.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buf...
2024-01-2232 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 4: External DesireMartine Leavitt’s YA novel Buffalo Flats is full of desire. The main character, Rebecca Leavitt, wants more than anything to own a piece of land near where her family is homesteading in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Erin traces how Martine introduces the external desire right from the start, where Rebecca runs into obstacles, and what the stakes are for Rebecca.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
Heroes Trailer: Save the Cheerleader, Save the World
Newsies
Louise Hawes on YEARNING
Making Desire Concrete at KidLit Craft
Another way to make desir...
2024-01-1122 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats: UpdateWe’re three episodes in, and we’re taking a holiday break! Anne-Marie and Erin share how life is in podcast land and encourage you to read Buffalo Flats during the break. Starting in Episode 4 there will be spoilers. But the book is so rich that even if you listen first, you’ll have wonderful moments of discovery when you read the book.
Links:
KidLit Craft website
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by Anne-Marie Strohman and Erin Nuttall.
Support KidLit Craft
Patreon
Buy T-s...
2023-12-2405 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 3: Opening ChapterErin takes us through the four scenes that make up the first chapter of Martine Leavitt’s YA novel Buffalo Flats. We talk desire line (both internal and external), character, setting, language, humor and more.
Links:
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
"Making Your Character's Desires Concrete" by Anne-Marie
"Crafting Character: Discovering Desire" from KidLit Craft
Backstory, articles from KidLit Craft
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by Anne-Marie Strohman and Erin Nuttall.
Music by Trevor Strohman.
Support KidLit Craft
Patreon
Buy T-s...
2023-12-1823 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 2: Opening SceneErin takes us through the powerful opening scene of Martine Leavitt’s YA novel Buffalo Flats and examines how the elements of the first scene set up the entire novel–character, desire lines, themes, setting, voice, tone, humor, and more.
Links:
Martine Leavitt’s Buffalo Flats
The Sound of Music
Hadestown
Six
A tor
Nerd term: limited omniscient
A KidLit Craft post on an omniscient narrator that use sections of limited omniscience.
The KidLit Craft Podcast is hosted by Anne-Marie Strohman and Erin Nuttall.
Support KidLit Craft
Patreon
Buy T...
2023-12-1119 minKidLit Craft PodcastBuffalo Flats, Ep. 1: IntroductionAt KidLit Craft we look at the mechanics of how writers do what they do, so we can improve our own writing. In this series, we’re taking a deep dive into Martine Leavitt’s YA novel Buffalo Flats. Erin has called this the perfect novel, so we’re tearing it apart to see how Martine put it together.
In this introductory episode, we cover how we met (at Vermont College of Fine Arts, where we both did MFAs in Writing for Children and Young Adults), how the podcast came about, why Buffalo Flats, and what you can exp...
2023-12-0509 min