With a daughter named Autumn, you might not be surprised that this is my favorite season. I also love the Fall Writing Frenzy contest, where we can write a flash piece inspired by lovely autumnal and spooky images. This is my third year participating. Here is the image that inspired my 200-word flash fiction, “A…
Tag: kidlit
Book Spotlight: The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Firefly Summer was the perfect middle grade read for the last week of August with this book’s warm, feel-good vibes and immersive summer life. My summer was wrapping up. I had saved this book for when the weather was about to change. When I was yearning for one…
My Reading List 2024
I can already tell you one of my new year’s resolutions for 2025 because it’s something I didn’t do in 2024 — I didn’t keep track of the books I read! I resolve in 2025 to keep an ongoing list. But for now, I will cobble together a list, knowing I will forget some books….
Luca’s First Love – A winning entry for #KidLitChuckleChallenge ’24
I took a chance on this new writing contest hosted by authors April Berry, Kris DeCaro, and Julie Hauswirth called #KidLitChuckleChallenge. The challenge is to write a 200-word flash piece that makes the judges laugh and uses a character and an object from a set list. I chose: Avocado the Penguin (character) and Broccoli (object)….
Honorable Mention Received for ‘From Antarctica, With Love’
This was my second year participating in author Kailei Pew’s 2024 Kids’ Choice KidLit Writing Contest, and my young adult flash piece – From Antarctica, With Love – received an honorable mention! What an amazing surprise! For those who aren’t familiar with this contest, the judges are KIDS! The contest runs from picture books through…
Valentine 451
If you’re looking for a little extra love this Valentine’s Day, check out my YA contemporary flash fiction! I submitted the following to a Valentine-themed contest hosted by Manuscript Academy and judged by literary agent, Taj McCoy. The contest specified these were to be meet-cute flash pieces with a word count of 300 words and…
My Reading List of Middle Grade and Young Adult Books for 2023
While 2023 may have had some ups and downs, it was a great reading year for me. Along with beta reading, reading ARC’s (Advanced Reader Copies) and indulging in the occasional romance or adult sci-fi, I also read some fantastic middle grade and young adult books. Since the book I drafted this year is a…
Book Spotlight: Karma Moon: Ghost Hunter by Melissa Savage
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Karma Moon: Ghost Hunter is an engaging middle grade read filled with quirky characters and hilarious banter between Karma and her best friend, Mags. When Karma’s dad lands the job of lifetime – a documentary series with Netflix – he and Karma have to pack up for spring break…
Book Spotlight: Ravenfall by Kalyn Josephson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars I read Ravenfall twice this year. The first time I read it because the story looked spooky and fun. The second time, I read the book with my boys because I thought they would enjoy it. They did, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time through….
My #FallWritingFrenzy submission – Scared A Latte
#FallWritingFrenzy is a free writing contest for kidlit writers hosted by literary agent, Kaitlyn Sanchez, and supported by an amazing list of prize donors. The writing challenge is to pen a 200-word poem or flash fiction for any kidlit age, inspired by one of the photos on Kaitlyn’s blog. Scared A Latte is a middle…
Christine Letizia 