Guest Blog Posts on Writing
“Good Medicine” – Read this post on StoryWarren that highlight books that are a joy to read aloud.
“Layers, Layers, Layers” – Check out my guest post for the Cardinal Rule Press blog that walks through the layers that we writers should think about putting on…our stories, that is.
“Game Time” – My guest post for Maria Dismondy’s blog dives into the ways that a family game night can build character traits…a spark creative ideas for future writing!
“Small Towns and Spooky Stories” – Guest post for School Library Journal’s Teen Librarian Toolbox. Click here.
Blog Interviews
Rising Stars in KidLit – August 11, 2024
Chelsea’s World of Books – September 4, 2024
Helpful Links
- SCBWI – The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
- 12×12 Picture Book Challenge – an amazing community dedicated to the craft of writing picturebooks
- Highlights Foundation
- The Purple Crayon
- Kidlit 411
- The Writing Barn – offering classes on a wide variety of topics, from craft to the business of publishing
- Manuscript Academy
- Storyteller Academy
- Josh Funk’s Guide to Writing Picture Books
Professional Critiques
What I Critique
- Picture Books
- Chapter Books
- Middle Grade
- Query Letters
What to Submit
- Include a 1-2 sentence summary, your vision for future drafts, 3 specific craft-based questions, and where you feel like this project is in the writing process.
- Only send 10 full pages (note, for middle grade, this usually means submitting either the proposal or the first chapter).
- Please submit as a MS Word document.
What to Expect
- Comments as notes in the margins of your manuscript. This does not mean extensive line-level edits, rather overall ideas for what is working and what could be improved.
- Questions to help you think about ways to revise or next steps.
- Optional follow-on 20 minute Zoom session to discuss my comments or your questions in depth.
- Turn around in 1-3 weeks.
- Fees – flat fee of $75, with optional $25 add on for Zoom consultation
What Others Are Saying:
“Heather’s critique of my story was so helpful! She was very kind and encouraging with my work. Any questions she asked were truly thought-provoking and showed me new places I could take my story that I hadn’t thought of before. She had so many great, new ideas. As writers, we work so much in isolation, and more than anything, it’s wonderful to have a sounding board. She gave very specific feedback. If I had only one word to describe Heather’s work with critiques: it’s a gift.” – Picture Book Writer
“Heather helped me breathe new life into my manuscript. She was able to figure out which spots needed extra attention and she gave thoughtful, constructive, and specific feedback that enabled me to take my manuscript to the next level. I highly recommend her services.” – Kristen Donahue, Picture Book Author
Heather C. Morris 