KidLit Confidential

KidLit Confidential

Experts in the world of Canadian kidlit describe what they do and how it impacts - or can be impacted by - us as creators.

Episodes

Book Reviewer Jeffrey Canton

April 4, 2023 • 27 mins
The Globe and Mail's Children's Book columnist -- and our country's only national reviewer -- Jeffrey Canton discusses what type of books he reviews, what Canadian authors do particularly well, and what he'd like to see more of.
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Marketing Director Vikki VanSickle

February 28, 2023 • 36 mins
Vikki VanSickle discusses kidlit book promotion from her vantage point as a bookstore manager, award-winning author, and former marketing and publicity director with twelve years' experience at Canada's two largest publishers.
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Christie Williamson - Department Manager, Indigo Books

February 1, 2023 • 25 mins
For five years, Christie Williamson was manager of the Kids and Teens department at one of Canada's largest Indigo stores. In this episode, she explains how Indigo selects and merchandizes books -- and also what authors can do to help improve their sales.
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Publicity Manager Evan Munday

September 19, 2022 • 31 mins
Evan Munday discusses book promotion from the point of view of both a publicity manager at Penguin Random House Canada and the author of the the popular middle-grade series The Dead Kid Detective Agency.
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Literary Translator Alice Casarini

May 15, 2022 • 23 mins
Alice Casarini discusses her process of translating children's and YA fiction - and also reveals a surprising way foreign rights to your book might find a buyer.
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Coordinator Ardo Omer on Children's Book Festivals

January 26, 2022 • 25 mins
Why is it that some authors get chosen to present at children's literary festivals and others don't? What can you do to get your book considered by selection committees? The Festival of Literary Diversity's Kids Coordinator, Ardo Omer, gives us an inside look at the selection process.
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Publishing Director Lynne Missen on Editing

November 23, 2021 • 36 mins
Why are some excellent manuscripts not accepted for publication? That's where we begin this conversation with Lynne Missen about the art of editing -- and her role as publishing director at Penguin Random House in the delicate business of helping to bring writers' visions to the page.
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Agent Lora Fountain on International Sales

October 18, 2021 • 17 mins
Probably all authors dream of having an international best-seller. Lora Fountain of Lora Fountain Literary Agency in Paris walks us through how translation rights are sold and also gives us some tips on which type of books work best -- or don't -- in foreign markets.
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Bookstagrammer Heather Ellis on Instagram - 2021-09-03, 4.37 PM

September 3, 2021 • 19 mins
Heather Ellis's Instagram account, The Literature Archive, has grown to over 100,000 followers in two years. Heather explains hashtags, algorithms - and how you can grow your bookstagram account too.
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Cover Designer Talia Abramson 2021-09-03, 3.26 PM

September 3, 2021 • 26 mins
Designer Talia Abramson walks us through the cover design process, tells us how best to give direction and gives us some insight into what a book cover is really supposed to do.
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Producer Ann Jansen on Audio Books - 2021-09-03, 2.57 PM

September 3, 2021 • 27 mins
Penguin Random House Canada's Director of Audio Production Ann Jansen tells us how audio books are made and what type of feedback producers hope to get from authors. She also gives a few tips about getting into audio book production.
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Author Don Aker on In-School Presentations

June 15, 2021 • 28 mins
Both from his 33 years as a high school teacher and his experience as a sought-after presenter, award-winning YA author Don Aker has learned a few things about how to give a riveting school visit. www.donaker.com


Some products and services mentioned in this episode:
Authorsbooking.com
Writersunion.ca
Bookcentre.ca
Scbwi.org
The First Stone by Don Aker
Delusion Road by Don Aker
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Author Marty Chan on Virtual Visits

April 15, 2021 • 23 mins
Award-winning MG and YA writer Marty Chan shares easy technical and performance tips for connecting virtually with students.  martychan.com
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Sites and services mentioned in this episode: 
Blue Yeti
Microsoft Team
Google Meet
Zoom
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Agent Fiona Kenshole on Query Letters

April 15, 2021 • 24 mins
Want to get an agent or an editor to read your unsolicited manuscript? Senior editor Fiona Kenshole shares her advice on writing a killer query letter.
transatlanticagency.com

Services mentioned in this episode:
manuscriptwishlist.com
querytracker.net
pitchwars.org
#pitmad
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Publisher Andrew Wooldridge on the book business

February 4, 2021 • 21 mins
Andrew Wooldridge talks about how he rose from working in Orca’s warehouse to running the publishing house. www.orcabook.com
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