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Amanda Smith

@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social

High School English Teacher; Poet; Writer of Children's Books; Co-founder of https://www.24carrotwriting.com/

26 Posts73 Follower116 Folgt
Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 2w ago

Join me as I explore great characters from literature, why they resonate with young adult readers, and how they can help writers with characterization. www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/learn-... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

Learn from Literature: Characters That Engage Young Adult Readers

~by Amanda Smith ​            For the last three years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of teaching literature to high school students. While studying a variety of literature in a range...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"Don't kill your darlings. Rather send them to Story Island Resort," advises @jcostabates.bsky.social on #24CarrotWriting. www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/dont-k... @kristimahoney.bsky.social @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social

Don’t Kill Your Darlings

Guest blog by Janet Costa Bates ‘Kill your darlings,’ a phrase attributed to William Faulkner, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, even Stephen King, means to take out any bit of writing that is not...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This week on #24CarrotWriting, @nancytandon.bsky.social shares strategies for writing scary stories appropriate for Middle Grade readers. www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/lets-t... @kristimahoney.bsky.social @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social

Let’s Tell Ghost Stories!   How to Scare But Not Terrify Middle Grade Readers

Guest Blog by Nancy Tandon ​ Ask any teacher or librarian and they will tell you: most kids love scary stories! They cannot get enough. Supernatural ghost stories, haunted house mysteries, monster...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 3mo ago

While owls might make terrible teachers, they are fabulous main characters. Congratulations to @kristimahoney.bsky.social on the launch of OWLS MAKE TERRIBLE TEACHERS, the fun follow up to ALPACHAS MAKE TERRIBLE LIBRARIANS. www.24carrotwriting.com/book-picks/o... @gnomeroadpub.bsky.social

OWLS MAKE TERRIBLE TEACHERS by Kristi Mahoney

- Review by Kelly Carey Owls Make Terrible Teachers (Gnome Road, 2026), the hilarious follow up to Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians (Gnome Road, 2024) by Kristi Mahoney, features an owl substitute...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 5mo ago

It is Spring Break and after two days in the pottery studio and one slow-burn, YA novel, I am ready to prioritize writing tasks. I was reminded of this blog Andrew Hacket wrote for #24CarrotWriting about writing in the busy season. Check it out! www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/stayin...

Staying Productive When Life Gets Busy

Guest blog by Andrew Hacket Get a job, they say. Have a family, they say. Buy a house, they say.  But what they don’t say is how hard all of the above make following your creative dream to be a...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 5mo ago

This week on 24 Carrot Writing, guest blogger Andrew Hacket shares four strategies to keep writing even through life's busy seasons. www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/stayin... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

Staying Productive When Life Gets Busy

Guest blog by Andrew Hacket Get a job, they say. Have a family, they say. Buy a house, they say.  But what they don’t say is how hard all of the above make following your creative dream to be a...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 5mo ago

I've always admired the combination of whimsy and realism in @brianlies.bsky.social work. What pure joy to discover CAT NAP: The pinnacle of creativity, craft, and solid storytelling. www.24carrotwriting.com/book-picks/c... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

CAT NAP by Brian Lies

~ Review by Amanda Smith In Cat Nap (Greenwillow Books, 2025) written and illustrated by Caldecott Honor-winning artist Brain Lies, a sleepy kitten is disturbed from his comfy nap by a mouse. The...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Thinking about writing a sequel? Guest blogger, Carrie Finison offers great questions to ponder to help you find the right hook on #24CarrotWriting www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/what-e... @carriefinison.bsky.social @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

What Equals a Sequel? Questions to Consider When Writing the Second Book in a Series

By Guest Blogger Carrie Finison “It’s tough to sell a picture book in this market.” That’s something that I’ve been hearing since I started writing back in 2010. After several manuscript...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 8mo ago

What do you give to the writer, reader, book person in your life? You are sure to find the perfect present on 24 Carrot Writing's holiday gift list: www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/2025-w... @kristimahoney.bsky.social @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social

2025 Writer's Holiday Wish List

Our 2025 guest bloggers have shared fascinating tips and wonderful practical advice all year long. But they aren't done! We've asked them to select the perfect items to put at the tipity-top of every....

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 9mo ago

At #24 Carrot Writing, we've wrapped up our picture book favorites for you to find a perfect gift and/or mentor text (a gift in itself): www.24carrotwriting.com/book-picks/h... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

Holiday Book Pick Wrap-Up!

Looking for that perfect something-to-read to wrap up your holiday gift shopping? Browse 24 Carrot Writing's Book Picks for 2025, as well as some of our Book Pick authors' personal favorites to...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 9mo ago

This week on #24CarrotWriting Vicky Fang shares excellent advice on creating a series-worthy character and tips for developing a book series. www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/writin... @fangmousbooks.bsky.social @candlewickpress.bsky.social @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

Writing a Series-Worthy Character

Guest blog by Vicky Fang ​Having a main character that can drive multiple books is a key part of creating a chapter book series. But how do you create a series-worthy character?  ​​I’m...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 10mo ago

.@kirstenwlarson.bsky.social shares fantastic tips for staying on track during distracting times. Whether you are a writer or not, this post offers valuable life-skills to get those "to dos" done. www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/stayin... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

Staying Organized and Motivated During Difficult Times: Lessons from Writing Through Crisis

Guest blog by Kirsten W. Larson ​The idea for my latest book, This Is How You Know: How Science Happens ( Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025),   illustrated by Cornelia Li, a lyrical love...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Gorgeous GATHER GRATEFUL, that Kirkus called "a spellbinding, festive tale of community," launched yesterday. Pick up your copy at your local indie bookstore and celebrate all the cozy, together-things of fall! To learn more, check out this review: www.24carrotwriting.com/book-picks/g...

GATHER GRATEFUL by Megan Litwin

Review by Kristi Mahony If you are looking for a book to help welcome in the fall season, Gather Grateful (Candlewick Press, September 2025) by author Megan Litwin and illustrator Alexandra Finkeldey....

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · 11mo ago

GATHER GRATEFUL by @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social is the perfect book to celebrate fall! Read @kristimahoney.bsky.social review and join Megan @anunlikelystory.bsky.social for her launch on September 21. www.24carrotwriting.com/book-picks/g... @annieromano.bsky.social @candlewickpress.bsky.social

GATHER GRATEFUL by Megan Litwin

Review by Kristi Mahony If you are looking for a book to help welcome in the fall season, Gather Grateful (Candlewick Press, September 2025) by author Megan Litwin and illustrator Alexandra Finkeldey....

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · last yr.

"The truth is, it gets tiring carrying so many nos." Dear writer, if you are tired, this one is for you: www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/a-litt... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

A Little Note of Encouragement

​ Dear Fellow-writer in the Query Trenches or on Submission, ​ Hi there. I recognize you by your thin smile and guarded eyes when non-writers ask how your writing is going and tell you that they...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · last yr.

One of the fun aspects of doing work-for-hire is you never know when things are going to be published. For the second week in a row, Kids Corner is featuring a devo and blog I wrote; this time about Samuel and obedient hears. kidscorner.net/devotions/go... and kidscorner.net/parent-blog/...

God's Grand Story: Samuel Serves | Devotions

Like Samuel, you can serve God by obeying, being kind, and listening to His voice. Learn how Samuel faithfully followed God’s call from a young age.

kidscorner.net

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · last yr.

With the @scbwi.bsky.social Summer Conference around the corner, pitch panic might be setting in. 24 Carrot co-founder and and literary agent, @annieromano.bsky.social offers tips that will help you prep the perfect pitch! www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/calmin... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social

Calming the Butterflies: An Agent Pitch Session Primer

~ by Annie Cronin Romano​ ​ I have been an associate agent for nearly four years and have participated in quite a few virtual conferences and pitch sessions. Last month, I had the privilege of...

24carrotwriting.com

Kristi Mahoney@kristimahoney.bsky.social · last yr.

Local MA teachers-- @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social is an award-winning author and teacher at heart that does the most incredible school visits. Check her out for the fall before she books up!

Megan Litwin@meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social · last yr.

Hey there #EduSky! My teacher heart loves to visit schools! ❤️ Check out my carefully -designed programs (from assemblies to classroom poetry workshops) on my website.Who will I be lucky enough to meet next year? www.meganlitwinbooks.com/schoolvisits

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · last yr.

It's time for #24CarrotWriting 's very own holiday, so dust off your party hat and your goals for June Year's Eve! www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/happy-... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @annieromano.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

Happy June Year's Eve

by Kelly Carey I have let dozens of distractions knock me off my writing goals the past few months. Some have been fully necessary while others have been suspiciously less worthy. Regardless of the...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · last yr.

Revising a manuscript is a lot like spring-cleaning. Check out my blog on #24CarrotWriting for some tips on decluttering your manuscript. www.24carrotwriting.com/-blog/the-cl... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social @annieromano.bsky.social

The Closet-Cleaning Method of Revising

~ by Amanda Smith​ Before leaving on a revision retreat in the summer, I left my two boys with detailed instructions on cleaning their closets. One of the check boxes stated: Are you ready to get...

24carrotwriting.com

Amanda Smith@amanda4kidlit.bsky.social · last yr.

A fun and quirky book of comparisons that points out we have more in common with one another than any other thing on earth. An important and timely message presented in a playful package. www.24carrotwriting.com/book-picks/l... @meganlitwinbooks.bsky.social @kristimahoney.bsky.social

LIKE by Annie Barrows

by Kelly Carey ​With a charming child narrator whose no-nonsense and humorous approach is equal parts endearing and funny, Like (Chronicle Books, 2022) by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Leo...

24carrotwriting.com