Larissa Elliott Books

So many people pitch in Twitter pitch events. So few people get agent or editor "likes". It can be disappointing. It can really hit hard for some people. First of all, don't let a lack of likes get you down! Because there are so many pitches, it's possible yours wasn't seen. Or it's possible that agents were just too busy to browse. Pitch events are a nice way to skip the slush pile, but cold queries can achieve the same result. Actually, most people get their agent by querying the old-fashioned way! Anyhoo, pitch events are still great to participate in. Regardless of "likes" for your pitches, you can still learn a lot from the event. Here are just a few ways you can benefit even without any likes! 1. Networking You know all those other pitches that you see out there? Those were written by writers. Writers like you. Wouldn't it be nice to get to know them? If you see pitches that intrigue you, comment to tell the writer what you think! Follow th...

I got serious about writing picture books during the summer of 2019. After a few years of struggling to write novels, I was excited to find a genre that felt within my grasp. But it wasn't that easy. I applied for the #PBChat mentorship but wasn't selected. I entered #FallWritingFrenzy and #Halloweensie but didn't win. I sent out queries but received rejections. I was down about my writing. Maybe this kidlit thing wasn't for me.  I heard about  #PBCritiqueFest , a contest hosted by Briah Gehrlein on his blog pbspotlight.com . Finally, a random drawing. Something that I could actually win without having to prove I was good enough. Finally, a contest that could benefit writers who were still early in their writing journey. I went all out with the extra entries. I was determined. And I won! I was matched with Rebecca Gomez for my critique. When I got my story back, there was "red ink" all over it. I have to admit, I was pretty crushed. I cried. I put the story in...

I came across a wonderful blog post about rhyming and rhythm with the amazing Carrie Finison, author of "Dozens of Doughnuts". Check it out: http://lauralavoieauthor.com/studying-rhythm-to-master-rhyme-by-carrie-finison/ Catherine Emmett goes over some key tips to writing in rhyme on her blog: https://catherineemmett.co.uk/catherineemmett/rhyming-picture-books/ Important considerations for writing in rhyme using the brilliant mentor text "Frederico and the Wolf" by Rebecca J. Gomez: https://picturebookbuilders.com/2020/07/meet-federico-and-the-wolf-a-master-class-in-metered-rhyme/ This site is great because it gives examples of lots of different poetic elements like different kinds of meters, refrains, story structure: https://word-painting.webs.com Have you come across a great resource about writing in rhyme? Let me know in the comments!

In the spring, I wrote a story for the Spring Fling writing contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O'Neal. It featured the maple tree and how it feels left out when all the other trees and flowers show off their colors. When the Fall Frenzy contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis was announced, I looked through inspiration photos , and there was Maple in all its blazing glory, leaving Pine to be ignored. This was the inspiration for my contest entry. Enjoy! Ever Green by Larissa Elliott  65 words     Air turns cooler. The first leaf turns. Pine looks on.   A rainbow of apples. Pumpkins of every color. But Pine is ever green.   Oak glows yellow. Maple blazes in glory. Pine remains unchanged.   Leaves shower down. Piles become a playground. Pine’s boughs sag.   Brown leaves crunch. Maple shivers bare. Pine holds on.   Flakes float from the sky. Squirrel nestles in. Pine stands tall, forever  and ever  green.