Calling all KidLit Writers!
KidLit Summer Camp 2025 is heading your way July 7-11!
Hear from our featured lineup of book coaches and authors so you can come away with tips and inspiration that will encourage your writing this summer.
***This event will focus on writing and will not include content specific to illustrating. And though this event is about writing for kids and teens, this event is not for kids and teens. Adult writers only, please.
You don’t want to miss this popular event!
Featured Guests
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Beth McMullen
Beth McMullen is the author of ten traditionally published novels and is a cohost of the Writers With Wrinkles podcast. With over 20 years in the industry and an Author Accelerator certification under her belt, she uses her deep, no-fluff expertise to help fiction writers navigate their writing struggles.
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Cordelia Jensen
Cordelia Jensen is the author of four verse novels. As a certified book coach with an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from VCFA, she has taught creative writing in a variety of settings, including Bryn Mawr College, The Kelly Yang Project, The Writing Barn, and The Highlights Foundation.
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Eija Sumner
Eija Sumner writes picture books for children and novels for older kids and teens. She is the author of the picture books CROCODILE HUNGRY and THE GOOD LITTLE MERMAID'S GUIDE TO BEDTIME, both published by Tundra books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada.
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Erin Halden
Erin Halden is a writer, developmental editor, and certified book coach who helps writers dig into the emotional heart of their stories. A former television producer and scriptwriter, she has published more than a dozen short stories and holds an MFA in writing for children and young adults.
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Erin Radniecki
Erin Radniecki is a nature enthusiast, writer, and Author Accelerator certified book coach. She helps nature-passionate people write fiction that makes readers care about the natural world. When Erin isn't working, you can find her gardening for pollinators in her backyard.
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Gabrielle K. Byrne
Gabrielle K. Byrne has two middle grade fantasy books out with Macmillan. She's helped many writers improve their stories as a coach and as a mentor in "Pitch Wars." Gabby has a masters degree in literature, a second bachelors in environmental studies, and is an Author Accelerator certified book coach.
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Justin Minkel
Justin Minkel is the author of the chapter book Clubhouse Clash for kids in grades 2-4, and his middle grade fantasy novel on submission. Justin has an MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University. He mentors young writers through Society of Young Inklings.
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Laurie Calkhoven
Laurie Calkhoven is an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach and author. From early readers to laugh-out-loud chapter books and historical novels that bring the wacky facts of history to light, she's published more than fifty books for children and teens.
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Rebecca A. Dolence
Rebecca A. Dolence is a lover of stories, over-analyzing, and everything creepy. As an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, she specializes in coaching fantasy, magical realism, and various subgenres of horror for all ages. Rebecca is also the creator and host of the Creature of the Month Club.
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Sharon Skinner
Sharon Skinner is a multi-published author with a BA in English and MA in Creative Writing. She is a Certified Book Coach and freelance editor who helps writers weave their words into stories that shine. Sharon also serves as the Regional Advisor for SCBWI Arizona.
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Tina Cho
Tina Cho is the award-winning author of six picture books, with two more forthcoming. Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, THE OTHER SIDE OF TOMORROW received five starred reviews and many industry accolades.
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Victoria Marie Lees
Victoria Marie Lees is an award-winning poet and author who has published multiple short stories for the children's magazine market. She finds inspiration for her creative work from family adventures and nature. Her memoir, DETERMINATION: A MOTHER OF FIVE CONQUERS COLLEGE, released in May 2025.
While you wait for camp to start…
Enjoy this 2024 interview with Janet Fox, a multi-published, award-winning author and Author Accelerator certified book coach. Janet shares her experience writing across KidLit categories (she’s written picture books, middle grade, and YA!) and how she’s navigated her author career writing broadly.
Camp Basics
KidLit Summer Camp is for writers who are writing for kids and teens.
Whether you’re writing picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, or young adult, we have guest interviews that are relevant to you. We won’t have any videos specific to illustrating - this event focuses on the writing aspect.
Though this event is free, you’ll benefit most by registering by email.
During the week of KidLit Summer Camp, you’ll receive a daily email with links to videos with our featured guests. These videos will be pre-recorded, so you can watch them at a time convenient for you!
Join us for some chats “Around the Campfire.”
We’ll have some live Zoom chats during the week of camp so that you can ask questions and connect with other KidLit writers. These live sessions will not be recorded, and space may be limited.
NEW this year: recorded Q&A opportunities!
For the first time, we’re allowing participants to pre-submit their questions for a panel of book coaches to answer. These responses will be recorded and shared on YouTube.
Not sure if you can watch all the interviews the week of the event?
You can catch up on the replays later - there is no deadline!
Camp Schedule
During the week of KidLit Summer Camp, registrants will receive an email every morning with links to select videos. Watch the videos on your own time! All the sessions are fabulous, but of course you may prioritize the ones that best fit your situation. You’ll also be able to attend live “Around the Campfire” sessions hosted by Sara and guest book coaches on Zoom, and have your questions answered through recorded Q&A opportunities.