
Now Offering — Critique Services
Picture Book Coaching (Nonfiction or Informational Fiction) – $200
A professional critique of a nonfiction or informational fiction manuscript up to 1800 words. This service includes:
- A one-hour critique session over Zoom to discuss big picture notes and possible revision approaches.
- Line edits and comments within the draft as well as an editorial letter with overall notes addressing key elements like structure, voice, hook, character development, as applicable.
- An additional second look at your revised draft with comments within the draft (no editorial letter).
- If you provide back matter, sidebars, and a bibliography in addition to your 1800-word text, I will provide high-level comments on them as well.
- Additional reads of the same manuscript – $50 each
- Contact me at creatingcuriouskids [at] gmail [dot] com to schedule.
What clients are saying:
Kirsten was incredibly helpful throughout my process. She helped me get my manuscript to a point that I feel proud of. … She is truly gifted at what she does.
–Suzanne Buzby Hersey
Teaching

- Find me at The Writing Barn.
- Also, don’t miss this session, Noodling With Nonfiction Picture Book Structure, through 12x12PB.
Additional Writing Advice
- BRAINSTORMING:
- RESEARCH
- NONFICTION STRUCTURE
- Booklist of Nonfiction Picture Books by Text Structure (5/21, PDF)
- #MentorTextMoment YouTube series studying the craft of nonfiction.
- Pinterest Boards of Mentor Texts by Structure
- TIPS ON WRITING NONFICTION
- 5 Tips for (un)Writing Narrative Nonfiction (12×12) (4/20)
- “Sounds of Science.” Sound devices in science writing from STEM Tuesday on The Mixed Up Files.
- How To Start a Story (STEM Tuesday)
- Text Features (STEM Tuesday)
- Souping Up Sensory Detail (STEM Tuesday)
- WORK FOR HIRE
- The Wonderful World of Work for Hire
- KidLit Distancing Social with Children’s Book Insider: STEM books, nonfiction, and work for hire (1/21)
- WRITE THIS! with Tonya Ellis in which we discuss work for hire
- WRITING FOR CHILDREN’S MAGAZINES
- Just Starting Out
- Writing to Themes
- Write the Whole Thing
- Magazine query samples: ASK/ Mission to Mars, ASK/After the Dinos, and Appleseeds/Deserts
- QUERYING NONFICTION
- WRITING GRAPHIC NOVELS
- BOOK MARKETING
- Children’s/MG/YA Book Bloggers/Influencers List (send suggestions/updates to creatingcuriouskids [at] gmail [dot] com)
- Starting a Book Co-Marketing Group in 5 Easy(ish) Steps by Kirsten W. Larson of the Soaring ’20s (Note: Sign up for the Soaring ’20s Newsletter to get this resource as a free download)
- WRITING ROUTINES