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A podcast about writing and publishing good KidLit, hosted by Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach Sharon Skinner.
Talking about the craft of writing children‘s books.
A NOTE TO OUR LISTENERS:
Christy Yaros, co-founder of the Coaching KidLit podcast, has stepped away to focus her time and energy on other exciting opportunities. I’m deeply grateful for the insight, heart, and dedication she brought to building this podcast and supporting the KidLit community.
As we move forward, I’ll be continuing the podcast solo—welcoming a range of guests to share their expertise and inspiration for writers creating stories for kids and teens. I’m excited to carry on the mission we started together and to keep supporting you on your KidLit journey.
—Sharon Skinner
Sharon Skinner is a book coach, editor, and author who helps writers craft stories that connect deeply with readers. With a passion for both story structure and heart, she brings decades of experience to coaching writers across genres and age categories, from picture books to adult. As the host of the Coaching KidLit podcast, Sharon continues its mission to inform, inspire, and support KidLit creators at every stage of the journey.
At Coaching KidLit, we’re committed to inclusion.
We believe stories are richer and more resonant when they reflect a wide range of lived experiences. That includes voices from the LGBTQIA+ community, Native and Indigenous peoples, people of color, people with disabilities, neurodivergent creators, and those from diverse cultural, religious, and gender backgrounds.
We also understand disability through a broad lens, and we align with the social model of disability, which focuses on removing barriers—not "fixing" individuals.
Bottom line? Everyone deserves to be seen and heard. And we're here to support stories that make that happen.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Episode 54: Breaking Into Work for Hire with Guest Aubre Andrus
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Jun 03, 2026 |
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Episode 53: Writing KidLit with SEL and Emotional Resonance with Guest Sarah Scheerger
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May 06, 2026 |
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Episode 52: Writing for Teen Brains with Guest Sam Cameron
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Apr 01, 2026 |
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Episode 51: Owning Your Truth and Superpowers with Guest Meredith Davis
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Mar 04, 2026 |
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Episode 50: Growing as a Writer with Guest Anne Broyles
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Feb 04, 2026 |
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Episode 49: Vivid Voice Techniques with Guest Heather Preusser
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Jan 07, 2026 |
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Episode 48: Nature-Based Writing with Guest Erin Radniecki
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Dec 03, 2025 |
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Episode 47: Writing Across Genres with Guest Jessica Vitalis
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Nov 05, 2025 |
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Episode 46: Steps for Self-Publishing Success with Guest Darcy Pattison
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Oct 01, 2025 |
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Episode 45: Creatures as Characters & Symbols with Guest Rebecca Dolence
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Sep 03, 2025 |
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Episode 44: Art and Impact of Verse in KidLit with Guest Joan Schoettler
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Aug 06, 2025 |
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Episode 43: Advice for Authorpreneurs with Guest Sara Fujimura
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Jul 02, 2025 |
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Episode 42: Demystifying Middle Grade Series with Guest Matt McMann
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Jun 04, 2025 |
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Episode 41: Exploring Emotional Writing with Guest Christopher Cheng
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May 07, 2025 |
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Episode 40: Combining Cultural Aspects with Harshita Jerath
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Apr 02, 2025 |
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Episode 39: Ins and Outs of Indie Publishing with Guest Natalie Wright
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Mar 05, 2025 |
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Episode 38: Digging Into Middle Grade with Guest Janet Fox
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Feb 05, 2025 |
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Episode 37: Poetry in Picture Books with Guest Dianne White
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Jan 01, 2025 |
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Episode 36: Line-Level Language with Sara Gentry
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Dec 04, 2024 |
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Episode 35: Handling Research with Guest Laurie Calkhoven
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Nov 06, 2024 |
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Episode 34: The Value of Community for KidLit Writers with Guest Sara Gentry
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Oct 02, 2024 |
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Episode 33: Non-Fiction Chapter Books with Guest Lori Alexander
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Sep 04, 2024 |
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Episode 32: Demystifying Early KidLit Categories with Guest Laurie Calkhoven
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Aug 07, 2024 |
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Episode 31: Navigating Time in Storytelling: Past, Present, and Future
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Jul 03, 2024 |
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Episode 30: Character Emotion on the Page
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Jun 05, 2024 |
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Episode 29: Thematic Depth
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May 01, 2024 |
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Episode 28: The Interplay of Words and Art in Picture Book Writing and Publishing with Guest Michael Hale
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Apr 03, 2024 |
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Episode 27: Writing Craft Book Roundup
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Mar 06, 2024 |
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Episode 26: Navigating Through Emotional Topics in Middle Grade with Author Karen Chow
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Feb 07, 2024 |
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Episode 25: Writing Routines and Practices
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Jan 03, 2024 |
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Episode 24: Project Management for Writers with Guest Sara Gentry
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Dec 06, 2023 |
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Episode 23: On Your Mark, Get Set, Write! NaNoWriMo and Beyond
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Nov 01, 2023 |
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Episode 22: Writing Speculative Fiction with Guest Sara Gentry
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Oct 04, 2023 |
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Episode 21: Using Other People’s Words
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Sep 06, 2023 |
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Episode 20: KidLit 101 with Guests Cheryl Malone and Victoria J. Coe
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Aug 02, 2023 |
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Episode 19: Scene vs Summary: Balancing Showing and Telling
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Jul 05, 2023 |
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Episode 18: Creating Three-Dimensional LGBTQ+ Characters with Guest Sam Cameron
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Jun 07, 2023 |
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Episode 17: Re-Envisioning vs Revising
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May 03, 2023 |
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Episode 16: Category Shifts with Guest Tanja Bauerle
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Apr 05, 2023 |
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Episode 15: Getting the Most Out of Workshops and Conferences
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Mar 01, 2023 |
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Episode 14: Navigating Critique Groups
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Feb 01, 2023 |
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Episode 13: Mentor Texts with Book Coach Sara Gentry
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Jan 04, 2023 |
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Episode 12: Good Beginnings
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Nov 02, 2022 |
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Episode 11: Plot
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Oct 05, 2022 |
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Episode 10: How Does a Published KidLit Author Use a Book Coach? with returning guest Cindy L. Rodriguez
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Sep 07, 2022 |
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Episode 09: Coaching KidLit: What We Do and How
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Aug 03, 2022 |
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Episode 08: Using Source Material
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Jul 06, 2022 |
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Episode 07: KidLit Journeys with Author Cindy L. Rodriguez
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Jun 01, 2022 |
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Episode 06: Character Development
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May 04, 2022 |
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Episode 05: Emotional Truth
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Apr 06, 2022 |
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Episode 04: Why?
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Mar 02, 2022 |
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Episode 03: Who is Your Target Reader?
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Feb 02, 2022 |
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Episode 02: Beginner Mistakes
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Jan 05, 2022 |
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Episode 01: What is KidLit?
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Dec 01, 2021 |