Alison Weiss

Getting ready to query or self-publish can be daunting. You don't need to do it alone. If you're looking for professional guidance from query letter to line editing, I'm taking bookings now. Find my services here. If you have questions, please reach out. alisonweisseditorial.com

a penguin wearing a hat is carrying a stack of books including a book that says " tudgy 101 " ALT: a penguin wearing a hat is carrying a stack of books including a book that says " tudgy 101 "

Happy weekend reading!

#RevisionTip Dreaming--or waking up from a dream--is passive, and the moment can feel flat to the reader.

If the dream is important, try revising it as a scene that happens in real time on the page. It will give your character agency and push the drama forward in an exciting way. #revising

a woman with short hair and glasses says what does your character want ALT: a woman with short hair and glasses says what does your character want

Come #askkidlit, my lovelies! Bring all your publishing questions, and I'll see what I can do! If you'd rather DM, just let me know!

a penguin wearing a hat is carrying a stack of books including a book that says " tudgy 101 " ALT: a penguin wearing a hat is carrying a stack of books including a book that says " tudgy 101 "

Happy weekend reading!

Unapologetically read what gives you joy and strength and ignites a fire inside. Arm yourself with facts, with stories, with possibilities. There are those who don’t want you to know all you can be. Who want to imprison you with woe. They want you small. Devour words and build to dizzying heights.

Hey. Pssssst...

If you're reading for pleasure and you're not actually enjoying the book, it's OK to stop reading.

Similarly, if you're writing because you love to write and you're not enjoying the story you're working on, it's OK to walk away.

It's a form of #selfcare.

✨💜

Registration is open to all for this FREE 24 hour zoom event! I'll be hosting with other NY #SCBWI organizers to help inspire you to light a creative spark and make whatever #kidlit creation you've been waiting to bring to life!
Stay for 24 hours or pop in and out.
www.scbwi.org/events/the-e...

Sometimes in publishing, you need to sigh, take a deep breath, and go about your day.

a woman wearing headphones with the words that 's the real question below her ALT: a woman wearing headphones with the words that 's the real question below her

Come #askkidlit. Let's make publishing just a tiny bit easier.

Sleuth-Worthy Stories - Raising Arizona Kids Magazine From classic detective stories to fun mysteries with quirky characters, Maricopa County Library District has rounded up some great mystery reads for all ages! Ready to uncover your next favorite myste...

Love seeing @janetsumnerjohnson.bsky.social's THE WINTERTON DECEPTION: FINAL WORD in Raising Arizona Kids! www.raisingarizonakids.com/2025/09/sleu...

Title: Why do you want the book to be banned? A cartoon with ten panels showing people answering: 1. I read the book and hated it. 2. I didn't read the book, but I still hate it. 3. I hate books! 4. I love banning things! 5. I could not relate to the characters. 6. I'm not sure, but better safe than sorry? 7. My copy arrived damaged. 8. It could fall into the hands of a child. 9. It could fall on to the head of a child. 10. I didn't understand the ending.

My cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com books

Unapologetically read what gives you joy and strength and ignites a fire inside. Arm yourself with facts, with stories, with possibilities. There are those who don’t want you to know all you can be. Who want to imprison you with woe. They want you small. Devour words and build to dizzying heights.

Write!

And if you can’t write, think about what you will write!

#15minsprint #justwrite #kidlit

Have a kid who's just not a reader? Have they seen YOU reading lately? If it's not a priority for you, why would they think it should be a priority for them?

If you're looking for a flexible/forgiving novel writing challenge that starts today, runs until end of October, I've created my first Pacemaker group challenge (limit 100 users). Open to both free & premium Pacemaker.press users. Details below:

www.pacemaker.press/users/inkygi...

Off to buy all the books at my favorite indie because WE LOVE INDIES!📚📚📚

Today I offer a reminder of the word ‘forswunk’ (13th century): exhausted from too much work. To be ‘foreswunk’ (my own version) is to be exhausted before you even begin.

Are there topics you really wish you could get a presentation on from an editor at a conference, but they never seem to be covered? Let me know! I'm doing some plotting. Gathering ideas.

Submit a Suggestion Thank you for your suggestion. The decision to purchase an item is based on the Library's selection criteria, budget constraints, and the item's availability from our vendors. You may also use our Interlibrary Loan service. Fields marked by an asterisk are required. Title * Author, Performer, or Director * Next →

If there’s an author you appreciate, one of the simplest, most helpful, least expensive things you can do for them is ask your public library to add that author’s newest book to their collection.

Many library websites have a form for that. So give it a try, and make an author’s day!

Totally agree. I think you read a chapter/I read a chapter can be a wonderful experience. The growth of silent book clubs has also made me think a lot about reading independently together.

I love it!

It works the other way, too. I've turned my dad into someone who can't go to sleep without reading first. (Like me!) When I visit, we debate books while we do the dishes.

Have a kid who's just not a reader? Have they seen YOU reading lately? If it's not a priority for you, why would they think it should be a priority for them?

Collage of different templates for picture book creators, with small panels for thumbnail sketches. Promo graphic reads "Creating Picture Books: How-To Guides, free templates, and resources" by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.

Picture book creators! Confused about the difference between self-ended & separated-ended picture bks in traditional trade publishing? Why paginating your mss can help you figure out pacing & more? Also feel free to download my free templates:

debbieohi.com/2025/09/pict...

#KidLit #PictureBooks101

Here’s something nobody told me: you can “make it” in publishing and still feel insecure. Success doesn’t erase doubt.

Heck yes. I've had an influx of high-word-count requests come in wanting to start within a couple of weeks (or worse: wanting to be DONE within a few weeks).

Editing takes time, so we often book out a bit. If there's an editor (or other professional) you know you want to work with, ask early!

For Mayan culture, THE JAGUAR STONES series is great.

Getting ready to query or self-publish can be daunting. You don't need to do it alone. If you're looking for professional guidance from query letter to line editing, I'm taking bookings now. Find my services here. If you have questions, please reach out. alisonweisseditorial.com

Congrats, Claire! So exciting!

The publishing process doesn't get easier, and even if you have multiple books under your belt, you're still going to feel like an impostor. But at some point, you'll be in the middle of dealing with an annoying process challenge or working at a plot issue,