Updated February 2026 You’ve been working on your story for a while now, and you think it’s just about done. It’s been critiqued numerous times, and you revised it numerous times. Now, it’s time for editing. This entails proofreading and self-editing. You don’t want to short-change yourself on the last stretch, so get ready to…
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!
Submitting Your Manuscript – 8 Tips
Updated February 2026 Writing is a personal experience. All writers face their own obstacles and processes. However, one common aspect of writing is that it always starts with an idea. You may take that idea and turn it into an outline. Then sprinkle it with letters and words and watch it grow. Words turn into…
Children’s Writing Pitfalls: Words
I wrote a fantasy story geared initially toward middle-grade readers. Realizing the word count wasn’t enough for a middle-grade story, I changed it to a chapter book. Good idea. Right? Yes, it was, but if you do something like this, you need to remember to check the age appropriateness of the words you originally used….
Become an Author – 5 Basic Rules
It may seem like becoming an author today is a simple decision. You just write something, get it up on Kindle, and you’re an author. Well, that’s true, but that doesn’t make you an author. Experienced authors wouldn’t consider you an author. And, chances are, if you get any readers, they wouldn’t call you an…
Being a Writer – Learn the Craft of Writing
In the June 2010 issue of The Writer, author Jane Yolen discussed the need to learn the craft of writing in an article titled, “Dedicate Yourself to a Writing Apprenticeship.” She explained that the process is long and slow, but necessary for learning the craft of writing and becoming a writer. If you’re wondering what…
Critiques are Essential for Writers
Updated February 2026 As a children’s ghostwriter, rewriter/editor, and coach, I’ve read lots of manuscripts and books, and it’s easy to tell which authors haven’t bothered to have their work critiqued. In any advice I give on writing for children or writing in general, I always emphasize the importance of honing your skills and belonging…
Finding Children’s Story Ideas
Sitting at the computer with a blank Word document in front of you may be intimidating for a writer. You just finished one manuscript, or you’ve hired someone to ghostwrite a story, or whatever the reason is, you need or want to write a children’s story. Hmmm. What should it be about? You think and…
Back to School Basics for Teachers
By Karen Cioffi and Robyn Feltman Well, so much for summer break. The teaching grind is just around the corner. Yeah, yeah, two months off isn’t long enough, but hey, it’s pretty good. So, now it’s time to start getting in gear to go back to the professional attire and mindset, early morning rising, and…
Back to School Countdown for Kids
Five, four, three, two…yup, it’s that time of year again, rising early, getting to school on time, homework, tests…yuck! But you know, it’s not really that bad. If you’re prepared and get into the right mindset, that’s half the battle. Everything we have to do in life and come up against in life gives us…
Children’s Writing and Publishing Process – The Traditional Path
Children’s books fall into one of three primary categories: picture books, middle grade, and young adult. And children’s writers need to take the necessary steps to achieve success, whether aiming for traditional publishing or self-publishing. Regarding traditional publishing, there are four steps in a writing career: writing, submitting to agents and publishers, getting a contract,…