I read an article by Dr. Mark Hyman (1) about why it’s so challenging to make healthy habits stick. One of the reasons listed was “cognitive distortion.” This concept is credited to psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck. He developed the theory in the 1960s as part of his Cognitive Behavioral Therapy work.I found the idea fascinating…
Author: Karen Cioffi
Karen Cioffi is an award-winning author and children's ghostwriter. She loves to help those who want to be the author of a children's book fulfill their dream. Contact Karen today to get your story started!
How to Sell Your Book in Bulk
Selling books can be a challenging endeavor. It’s easier to write a book than sell it. But what if you could sell your books in bulk? It is possible, but there are different strategies for different genres.I’ll use my fantasy chapter book “Walking Through Walls” as an example for the first few points. It’s a…
Book Marketing: Have You Tried Selling Locally?
By Linda Wilson, Children’s Author A group of fellow children’s authors and I have formed a loosely-knit group of book sellers extraordinaire in our hometown, Albuquerque, New Mexico. We keep each other informed of upcoming sales and fairs by having our names on the lists of local events. One person fills out the application, and…
Coaching vs. Mentoring Children’s Writers
When it comes to helping children’s writers develop their craft and grow their careers, the terms coaching and mentoring are often used interchangeably. This article is specific to children’s writing, but it applies to all genres.While both roles are geared to support the writer, their methods and goals are quite different. Understanding these differences can…
How to Craft a Children’s Story from a Theme
To craft a children’s story from a theme, the first step is to know what you want to convey to the child. The next step is to brainstorm relevant words. After you have a handle on your theme, weave it through the plot, characters, and dialogue; however, don’t explicitly let the reader know what it…
The AI and Blogger Connection: Good or Bad
I’ll admit that I use AI to help with my blog posts. It gives almost instantaneous outlines or even full articles that I rewrite. This is a huge timesaver.In my AI-generated articles, I tweak the content, putting my own insights and experience into it. I also change words that I would not ordinarily use.For example,…
Writing Picture Books or Novels: Which is Easier to Write?
At first glance, writing a children’s picture book might seem easier than writing an adult novel. The reason for this is because picture books are short, usually under 1,000 words, and often include colorful illustrations and simple language. Adult novels, on the other hand, can run into tens of thousands of words and delve into…
Republishing a Previously Published Children’s Book
Several months ago, I wrote an article while republishing three picture books and a chapter book, which I got the rights back to from the traditional publisher who stopped selling them. The chapter book was with the publisher for over ten years, and the picture books for five years. They weren’t selling well, so the…
Backlist vs. Back-End Book Marketing
I’ve recently gotten the rights back to four of my children’s books, three picture books, and one chapter book. Revising and republishing them, I got a do-over. I’ve added both back-end marketing and backlist marketing to the books.So, what’s the difference between these two strategies, and why does it matter?When it comes to marketing books,…
Can You Submit Your Self-Published Book?
The rise of self-publishing has opened doors for countless authors, allowing them to bypass traditional gatekeepers and bring their stories directly to readers. Yet many self-published authors still aspire to secure a traditional publishing deal, seeking wider distribution, professional editing, and marketing support. A common question arises: Can an author submit a self-published book to…