Kidlitcraft - Podcast Details

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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

Nonfiction 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 15

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 Buy T-shirts and sweatshirts (click on “small logo” or “big logo” for a range of styles)2024-11-2022 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 Buy T-s...2024-04-1134 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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 min

KidLit 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