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How Can We Help YOU??? PRIZES are involved!!

3/29/2022

83 Comments

 
Picture
By Stephanie Bearce
Hey Friends!
We Ninjas want to hear from YOU! As most of you realize we host the always fun and exciting NF Fest in February. For the rest of the year, we try to help the nonfiction community with information right here on the Nonfiction Ninja Blog.

We would LOVE to hear from YOU! What do you want to learn about? What burning questions tug at your nonfiction heart? Do you want to know how to snag the perfect agent? Curious about mentor texts? Need Pat Miller's recipe for perfect doughnuts?

Please leave a response in the comment section below, about what you would like to learn this year. (I've given a few suggestions, but feel free to get crazy and creative.) Everyone who comments will be entered into a drawing to receive one of two FREE manuscript critiques from our well-published Ninjas. (Full PB or NF proposal)

Just tell us what would you like to learn more about?
  • Idea Generation
  • Research Tips
  • Promotions and Social Media
  • Queries and Submissions
  • Editing and Revision
  • Using Mentor Texts
  • Writing Proposals
  • Something NOT on this list!!! Tell Us!!
We are anxiously waiting to hear from YOU! Please give us your wish list. (We want to be your nonfiction Santa Claus!)





83 Comments
Jessica Coupe link
3/29/2022 12:30:20 pm

I'd like to learn more about writing proposals and Editing and Revision

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stephanie bearce link
4/4/2022 03:21:19 pm

We can do that! Thanks so much for telling us what you want to learn.

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Joni Nemeth link
3/29/2022 12:32:54 pm

I'd like more specific information directed at non-fiction illustrators (not that I don't love and appreciate all you do!). I've been told I should submit more artwork to non-fiction illustration agents but there's very little about how that process works. (And maybe it's no different then the regular way).

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 03:24:06 pm

We have our illustration guru, Susie, on it! Look for more posts that will help illustrators.

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Susan Johnston Taylor link
3/29/2022 01:45:29 pm

I’d love to know more about researching and writing collective bios, like how to choose what subjects to include, how to make sure that the sections seem cohesive without feeling repetitive, etc.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:08:33 pm

We will definitely cover more research! Thank you!!

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Mallory Nygard link
3/29/2022 02:16:17 pm

Absolutely more on queries and submissions. It can feel like there's a secretive Man Behind the Curtain, so I'd appreciate you pulling back that curtain!

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stephanie bearce link
4/4/2022 04:12:38 pm

Are there any agents you would like to suggest? We will certainly work on getting agents to be guests.

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Bonni Goldberg link
3/29/2022 02:22:24 pm

I vote for research tips, revision, and using mentor texts. Thank you for asking!

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:14:39 pm

Thanks for sharing! We will be working on some special mentor text posts very soon.

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Agatha Rodi link
3/29/2022 02:35:30 pm

I would like to know more on revision and editing techniques to have flow.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:23:04 pm

Thanks! We will get some more info out there on revision and editing.

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Susan Eyerman
3/29/2022 02:41:47 pm

I would love to know more about how to embellish a really good NF story that has few usable personal details and still keep it non-fiction.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:24:07 pm

Great question. How to add interest to the story but keep it nonfiction.

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Halsey, Kathy
3/29/2022 04:02:33 pm

Hey, Ninjas, I'd like tips on how folks organize their research, how and if they include it in drafts, tool that make bibs and source notes easy to create, and what their edito prefer - selected bibs, recommended reads, etc.

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Peggy Thomas link
4/1/2022 07:20:56 am

Hi Kathy!
Stay tuned. Soon, I'll be posting about how I organize my Internet research.
As for creating bibliographies, try Citefast.com or Easybib.com.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:25:53 pm

You are in luck - Peggy Thomas has a post coming up all about this!

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Ann Ryan
3/29/2022 05:06:07 pm

Yes to using mentor texts.
Also how to collaborate with a cause such as National Parks or Audubon Society or similar organizations (especially smaller ones) by weaving them into your book and supporting them in some way.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:27:39 pm

Oh - I love the idea of how to collaborate with other groups!

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Katie McEnaney link
3/29/2022 05:15:40 pm

I would love to know more about how you decide which ideas are "the one" to pursue. How much time, attention, research, etc does it take, and what tips do you have for writers just starting out? (Especially for those of us with kids and/or full-time jobs who can't chase endless research rabbit holes.) Thanks!

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:28:49 pm

Thanks! This will be a great post to consider.

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Maryellen annese link
3/29/2022 05:29:17 pm

Thank you for this opportunity! I’d love to hear more research and revision tips, knowing when a MS is ready to submit. I’d also love to see more on queries and submissions.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:30:23 pm

Thanks! These are important subjects. We'll be working to get some posts to help.

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Sarah Hawklyn link
3/29/2022 07:38:49 pm

I am interested as to how to write humor in a NF informational PB.

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Natasha
3/29/2022 07:44:28 pm

I'd love to learn more about techniques for builds tension and creating arc in non-biography NF.

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Virginia Rinkel link
3/29/2022 08:10:19 pm

How to guage sending query letters to which possible publishers - facts that will help us decide.

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Ellen
3/29/2022 08:27:19 pm

I would love tips on how to ORGANIZE my research! How do you keep track of it? How do you manage digital files and books and photos and printouts… and be able to refer to them if you or someone else has a question? As you are writing, do you keep track of where the information came from? Do you annotate? Thanks!

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 03:52:17 pm

We are working on this one! Stay tuned for a great post by Peggy Thomas.

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Donna Rossman
3/29/2022 09:01:08 pm

Many nonfiction biographies start with a line about the MC as a child - Hoping you can explore different ways to begin if there is nothing known about the MC’s childhood. Would love a list of mentor texts where there is little known about the MC’s early life.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:32:18 pm

How to start the story is always hard. Great idea for a post!!

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Karen Chun
3/29/2022 09:23:19 pm

I would love information about how to document research and what kind of back matter should or shouldn't be included.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:33:12 pm

We are on it! Thanks for your ideas!!

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Ramona Persaud link
3/30/2022 05:25:47 am

I’d love more about teasing the narrative out of the nonfiction :)

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:35:59 pm

Thanks! We will work on getting you information about this.

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Don Halquist
3/30/2022 05:29:15 am

I would like to learn more about editing and revising. Thanks so much!

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:37:37 pm

The hardest and best part of writing!

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Emily
3/30/2022 06:07:35 am

I'd love to learn more research and revising tips! Thank you!

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:39:18 pm

This is a popular topic. We'll try to get more info out there to help.

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Sue Leopold link
3/30/2022 06:22:41 am

Thank you for helping writers grow and learn.

I am curious to discover the best ways to include elements of sidebars and back matter in a nonfiction picture book manuscript.

Additionally, I want to understand how to write from the POV of an inanimate object (ex. a tree) and how best to personify the STEAM topic.

Reply
Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:40:21 pm

These are great topics! Thank you for sharing.

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Jessica Stremer link
3/30/2022 07:06:56 am

How to find specific standards (common core, nggs, etc), how to navigate the library of congress website to maximize research, and how to properly cite sources for longer nf (mg and above).

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:44:59 pm

Standards are a good topic. Thanks for the suggestion.

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Val McCammon
3/30/2022 07:24:45 am

I would love more insight, ideas, and mentor text suggestions all related to incorporating the "emotional element" in nonfiction where it's appropriate, taking the nonfiction topi further with the "emotional connection" as the topic lends itself. THANKS!

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:47:13 pm

Thank you so much for giving us your wish list! We will be working on it!!

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Cynthia Argentine link
3/30/2022 09:06:39 am

Such a fun post! Love the energy!

I’d like to learn more about deep and historical research, perhaps including online sources for rare, old newspapers and the like. I’m also interested in book proposals for middle grade. I’ve got several ideas for MG NF floating around but I haven’t put them down into official proposals yet.

Thanks for all the information during NF Fest and throughout the year!

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:50:08 pm

We love research and we'll be talking about it!!!

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Robin link
3/30/2022 09:47:11 am

Research Tips and mentor texts for blended F/NF

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:51:56 pm

Blended N/NF is interesting. We'll see what we can do to help.

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Jilanne F Hoffmann
3/30/2022 11:09:08 am

I've been getting rejections from editors saying they love the writing but don't have a vision for illustration. I'd love to know how to overcome this hurdle.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:53:35 pm

Another great topic for our illustration guru! We'll try to help.

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Hannah LaGrone
3/30/2022 11:55:43 am

I’d like to learn about formatting sidebars, back matter, bibliography etc. and agree with many of the suggestions above!

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:56:11 pm

Great topic! Thanks for sharing.

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Elaine Kachala link
3/30/2022 12:39:00 pm

I'd like to know more about how to create kid-friendly hooks and takeaways when writing nonfiction STEM picture books and the info is complex.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 04:57:41 pm

Hooks are something I want to learn, too! We will find an expert to teach us all.

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Joyce Patricia Uglow
3/30/2022 12:40:15 pm

Please consider an in-depth look at secondary text in informational fiction and/or narrative nonfiction that provides a new layer (quote, factoid, leveled-up audience, etc.). What structures works best for such bi-level/secondary text? How is the best way for formatting this type of manuscript for submission?

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:00:51 pm

I love this idea!

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Colleen Fogarty
3/30/2022 01:01:23 pm

I'm writing a PB biography, so the text is somewhat limited,
Can you tell us how to include sidebars and backmatter (in the MS submission? or elsewhere?)

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:03:15 pm

Backmatter will be high on our list. Thank you!

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Matt Lilley
3/30/2022 03:00:40 pm

I have some experience doing write-for-hire for educational publishers, but it's always hard to find gigs. Any tips related to that, such as finding publishers and packagers to query, would be great.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:04:37 pm

WFH is a great topic. We will work on it!!

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Doreen Robinson
3/30/2022 05:42:23 pm

I’d love to hear from agents that rep middle grade NF STEM. It would be nice to have some blog posts that are written by agents offering their insights and sharing what makes them say yes to a NF book proposal.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:10:15 pm

Agents! On the list! Thank you.

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Angela Padron link
3/31/2022 02:40:39 am

Id love to hear about voice and writing in different styles for NF.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:12:04 pm

Thanks for sharing!

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Debi Boccanfuso
3/31/2022 09:22:51 am

I’d like to learn about deciding … or maybe analyzing.. the right kind of format for the right kind of NF topic.. how do you decide?

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:15:54 pm

Finding the right format can be a challenge. Hopefully, we will be able to help.

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Sharon McCarthy
3/31/2022 01:23:42 pm

More examples of close third person POV, sometimes called psychic distance or distant third. It seems to becoming popular for PB biographies from the seminars I have seen. Would love to learn more about it.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:18:46 pm

Interesting topic. Thanks for the suggestion.

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Patsi B. Trollinger link
4/1/2022 08:30:17 am

All types of info about research - The what/why.how of crafting a research plan that can hold up over time. Pro's and cons of various methods for keeping track of research results so that subsequent retrieval methods work. Also: anything about trends and innovations in NF structure, content, etc..Thanks!

Reply
Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:19:48 pm

We are on it! This info is coming up soon.

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Maria Johnson
4/1/2022 10:34:49 am

Love what you do. Always could use more help with how to organize research, demystify STEM and other standards, and GN NF territory too.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:22:17 pm

Thanks for the ideas! We will be working on it!

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Rita Russell
4/1/2022 02:36:38 pm

I'm interested in knowing more about best research and organization practices, as well as the mechanics of interviews via phone, in person, and online.

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:23:38 pm

Research is the core of NF! We will work on posts that will be helpful.

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Cheryl MacAller
4/1/2022 07:55:15 pm

I would love to learn more about writing proposals!

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Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:24:15 pm

On it!!

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Jyothi Nookula
4/2/2022 07:36:51 am

I would like to learn about
1) how to make PB Bios/ NF stories be more of "Show Not Tell"?
2) Poetic devices that can boost NF writing.

Reply
Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:30:19 pm

Show don't tell is always tough. We will try to help!

Reply
Betty Matthews
4/4/2022 06:33:59 am

I need help proofing a picture book on the Arctic food cycle in rhyme with fact bubbles.

Reply
Stephanie Bearce link
4/4/2022 05:27:40 pm

Are you looking for an editor/proofer? Several of the ninjas do this work. Would you like me to connect you?

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Brenna Jeanneret
4/9/2022 12:42:57 pm

I'd love to hear more about adding emotional arc or finding the heart of NF :)

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susan Twiggs link
4/12/2022 09:22:54 am

i'd like to know which agents are interested in nonfiction and which editors are looking for it who take unagented authors.
thanks

Reply
Marzieh Abbas link
4/18/2022 05:24:21 pm

I'd love to learn more about finding the thread/through line of your NF topic

Reply



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  • Home
  • Meet the Ninjas
    • Lisa Amstutz
    • Stephanie Bearce
    • Nancy Churnin
    • Susie Kralovansky
    • Pat Miller
    • Christine Liu Perkins
    • Linda Skeers
    • Peggy Thomas
  • Ninja Notebook
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  • Contact