What I Have Learned So Far About Trust and Truth in Indie Publishing by Todd Burleson

In my first post for the GROG Blog, I shared what I had learned about stepping into the world of independent publishing, choosing an editor, launching a Kickstarter campaign, and discovering communities like Reedsy. That was the beginning of my journey.

This time, I would like to share what happened next. Two areas in particular have taught me lessons that might be useful for other writers, whether you are publishing independently or traditionally:

1. Trusting beta readers with a manuscript that has been more than a decade in the making.
2. Wrestling with cover design and learning how to make the outside of a book feel as true as the inside.

My son Jack experiencing flight for the first time, the same feeling I had when I sent the manuscript to beta readers.

Trusting Others With the Story

After thirteen years of shaping this story, handing it to beta readers felt both thrilling and terrifying. I did not choose my readers casually. Colleagues brought professional expertise. Friends knew me well enough to be honest and kind to me. Children, the very audience I was writing for, helped me see what rang true and what did not.

To make it easier for them, I prepared different file formats, including PDFs, ePubs, and print copies for adults, as well as simple tablet-ready files for kids. I created feedback forms that felt like conversations rather than assignments. Parents were invited to read alongside their children, allowing questions to be discussed together.

What I have received so far has been thoughtful and respectful, full of insights that push me to refine characters and settings. It has reminded me that feedback is not just about affirmation. It is about making the story more lifelike and rich.

Waiting for feedback is not idle. It is the work of trust.

For me, the real lesson is that independent publishing is not only about control. It also requires the courage to let go and trust others with the story.

One of my early cover drafts. Beautiful, but not the right fit.

Finding the Outside of the Book

While feedback was coming in, I faced another challenge: the cover.

My first experiments in Canva were clumsy but thrilling. For the first time, the manuscript looked like a book. But early designs worried me. Would they look unprofessional, too homemade, not worthy of the years I had invested?

I experimented with AI images and hired a designer whose work I admired. Neither approach fit. The results were too fantastical, too young, or too far from the tone of a story grounded in WWII Dayton, Ohio.

The lesson was clear: talent is not enough. Fit and truth matter most.

In the end, I returned to my own drafts, layering figures, planes, and backgrounds like a collage. I used ChatGPT as a critique partner, asking it to respond as a professional cover designer. The feedback was concrete and immediate. It was not perfect, but it helped me move forward.

A cover is not just decoration. It is the invitation to the story inside.

Would I have preferred to hire a professional? Absolutely. But working independently often means picking your battles. I invested in the best editor I could afford, which meant learning to stretch myself in other areas of my work.

Lessons for Any Writer

Independent publishing has stretched me in ways I never expected. It has asked for patience, humility, and the willingness to learn skills I had never practiced before.

For any writer, regardless of publishing path, two lessons stand out:

• Trust others with your story. Beta readers, editors, and critique partners are essential to the writing process.
• Stay grounded in truth. Do not chase trends. Make sure the inside and outside of the book reflect the story you believe in.

Independent publishing may seem like a form of control, but in reality, it demands courage —the courage to let your work leave your hands and live in the world.

A glimpse at my work over the past thirteen years, from drafts to research notes to cover iterations.

These lessons are still unfolding for me, which is why they are worth sharing now. Publishing is not only about finishing a manuscript. It is about releasing it into the world in ways that require both trust and truth.
I look forward to sharing the next installment in this process.

I would love to hear from you, what part of your own publishing journey has taught you the most, and what you wish you had known sooner?

Back to School Fears VS Back to Writing Fears by Tina Cho

 

It’s the 12^th day of school, and I’m still seeing and hearing cries and tears. Most of you know, I teach kindergarten, and so I’ve dealt with sooooo many first day fears. However, in kindergarten, first day fears last wayyyyy longer than the first day. Geesh, it’s the 12^th day of school, and my team is still dealing with criers.

Here are some excuses and whines for their crying.

**I MISS MY MOMMY. I tell them I miss my mommy too.

I want to go home! I tell them I want to go home too.

I can’t do it! (the work) I tell them, yes, you can!

My tummy wants to go home! I say, Sometimes tummies hurt if you’re hungry or if you need to use the bathroom. Take a break.

I’m hungry. I say, eat a bigger breakfast! We’ll eat lunch soon.

He/she won’t play with me. I say, then play with someone else. There’s a playground full of kids.

Then there’s the silent ESL crying kid because he/she doesn’t really know what you’re saying. I use my limited Spanish or Google translator app. There’s always a way!

So why am I telling you all this? Because as adults or adult writers, we’re just big, giant kindergartners. It’s Fall. It’s time to get back to the keyboard and write. WAAAH! Do I hear you crying? Whining? Are you fearful? Procrastinating? Is a scary editor with a due date waiting for your manuscript? HA! Are you lost? Overwhelmed? Stressed? Back to my kindergartner scenario, here are some writing fears, and you may notice some similarities with our five-year-old friends!

Fear #1: I want my mommy because I’m scared of the blank page. I say, then write a list of things you want to say in your story/article or a list of things to write for the next day. OR leave off a little of today’s task for tomorrow to get your brain in gear. Then go call a family member and tell them what you accomplished or will accomplish.

Fear #2: I just want to be home all cozy. I can’t think of any ideas; therefore, I won’t write. I say, Ideas are all around. You just need to get into your past kindergarten self. Be curious like a kid. Hang out with children and see what they talk about. Scour your surroundings. What cool/interesting things are in your area to write about? Scroll Pinterest. Take a shower. Seriously. Ideas seep in when you least expect it.

Fear #3: I can’t do it. I just don’t know. I say, Yes you can! Get into the positive mindset that you CAN do it. Take little steps. Hang inspirational quotes in your writing space.

Fear #4: I’m hungry. I can’t focus. Have a good set of writing snacks and drinks available. You can use them to reward yourself too. Set a timer. Write 100 words. Give yourself a snack award J

Fear #5: I’m lonely. I have no writing friends. I say, There are lots of writers and authors out there. Find a group! Attend/join a critique group. Join a Facebook writers’ group. Find an in-person group. If there are none in your area, start one!

Fear #6: The publisher doesn’t want my story. I say, Then find another publisher. There are many publishers of books and children’s magazines that want stories! If you're a member of SCBWI, don't forget to check The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children on the SCBWI resources website.

Fear #7: I don’t speak the publishing language. I say, There’s a book or class or blog for that. You can learn how to write and in different genres! Just google “writing classes” and a host of sites pop up. Find one relevant to you.

Fear #8: I don't know how to market my book. Take small steps. Today, tell someone in person or online about your book or a story you're writing. Or just post a photo.  

Do you relate to any of those fears? Are you being a big whining, writing kindergartner? The children of the world need great stories to inspire them to become kind humans who care.

Your homework--#1 on your to do list: Write down a topic or idea you’re interested in pursuing. Grab an award snack or drink for later. Set a goal. Brainstorm/research/write. Award yourself. Repeat daily. From this kindergarten teacher--You can do it!

 

Tina Cho is the award-winning author of six picture books--RICE FROM HEAVEN: THE SECRET MISSION TO FEED NORTH KOREANS, KOREAN CELEBRATIONS, MY BREAKFAST WITH JESUS, THE OCEAN CALLS: A HAENYEO MERMAID STORY (4 starred reviews, JLG, Freeman Honor Award), GOD’S LITTLE ASTRONOMER, GOD’S LITTLE OCEANOGRAPHER, and the forthcoming THE PRINCESS AND THE GRAIN OF RICE (Feb. 2026) and GOD’S LITTLE ZOOLOGIST (2027). Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, THE OTHER SIDE OF TOMORROW received five starred reviews (Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, The Horn Book), an SCBWI Golden Kite Award, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, SLJ Best Graphic Novels List 2024, Kirkus Best Middle Grade 2024, & Booklist Editors’ Choice 2024 & the Freeman Book Honor Award/NCTAsia). She’s a kindergarten teacher by day and an author by night. You can visit her website at www.tinamcho.com  or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest. 

 

Brianne Farley Answers Questions About Worms, Sandwiches, and Art for STEM

 by Sue Heavenrich

The first time I read Worm Makes a Sandwich, I laughed out loud – because, seriously, how can a worm even make a sandwich? Author/illustrator, Brianne Farley points this out:

Worms don’t have hands!

They cannot make sandwiches!

And yet. Worm is SO earnest. He so much wants to make a sandwich. He just needs one thing…

And then he’s all ready… nope. He needs one more thing… or three.

Some of the things he needs (garbage, dirt) are not for your sandwich. But that tomato is. All worm needs is for you to slice that tomato. And maybe do just a couple more things.

Other than that, he’s got this covered. He is definitely making you a sandwich!

The second time I read Worm Makes a Sandwich, I slowed down. I didn’t want to get indigestion! 

Spending more time on the page allowed me to savor the words and enjoy the mouthfeel of reading them aloud. Spending more time on the page gave me the chance to dive into the illustrations. And that’s when I knew I just had to talk to Brianne! I caught up to her last month just before lunchtime. She and Hank (her dog) were hanging out in her creative space in her home. I am so grateful that Brianne was open to answering a few questions about sandwiches and making art.

Me: I love that Worm Makes a Sandwich is all about the process of composting! Do you have a science background?

Brianne (pronounced BREE-in): I thought about going into medical illustration and have a strong interest in biology. I even took ecology classes in college. I ended up with a degree in English and art, and then went on to get my MFA in illustration. But my science brain is curious. I like knowing how things work, and I like doing research. That’s a good thing, because every book takes me in a new research direction. And that’s because illustrations tell half the story, so I need to know all that stuff!

Me: I love that you are telling the story of composting through the point-of-view of an expert composter: a worm. What made you decide to write from the POV of the worm? And how did you land on their voice? 

photo by Michael Poehlman

Brianne: At one point in my life I lived in a small house with a small yard and a small garden. I had gotten a tumbler composter, but the winters were cold and the tumbler froze solid. I wondered how I could compost through frigid weather. I decided to try my hand at vermicomposting, so I ordered a worm bin and a thousand wiggly worms. It was fun and super-engaging. I found that I loved talking about my worms and also about composting.

When I decided to write about compost, I took videos of my compost so I could get a closer look at the critters helping to decompose my kitchen scraps. I also took photos of tomatoes growing in my garden, so I could capture the various stages over the season.

The process of composting provides the structure for my story, but I didn’t want it to be straight nonfiction. I got thinking about how I could make it narrative and landed on the concept of making a sandwich. Worms journey (from making compost to growing the tomato for the sandwich) is like any creative journey we have. We start with a Great Idea! And then we realize all the work that has to happen for that idea to take shape. And we face that moment when, like Worm, we ask: How can I even do this? 

Me: Yes, there is a great spread where Worm faces his “dark night of the soul.” He sees himself as a failure and says, “Maybe I can’t make a sandwich. Maybe I should try again when I’m bigger.”

Brianne: When I visit schools, I hear and see how early on in the process kids get frustrated in making art. They can see what the final product should look like, but it’s not coming out the way they envisioned it. Or it’s not happening fast enough. I try to let them know that frustration is a part of what we (artists) all go through – it’s part of the creative process.

Me:  One of the things I remember teaching my students in science class was how to glean information from various sources in their book: text, illustrations, captions, charts and graphs. So I love how you integrate science information in your illustrations. My favorite was the page with the list of foods that worm prefers: apple cores, mushy grapes… a great list on its own. But YOU add to that list by labeling additional items in the illustration: grass clippings, dry leaves, etc. You do this on a couple other spreads, too. 

Brianne: The gorgeous thing about picture books is that the text and illustrations combine to work as a whole. With this story, I started with way too much information and spent a lot of time cutting text. I wanted it to be easy and fun to read aloud. But I also love picture books with detailed illustrations you can come back to again and again, so I snuck a lot of that information back into the art for kids to discover on second and third readings. I had to keep telling myself that I didn’t have to write everything there is to know about compost – just enough to get readers interested. I also want kids to see where their food comes from.

Me: I love back matter in picture books! In yours, you explain what compost is, how to do it, and why people should compost.

Brianne: Yes, I really wanted to address some misconceptions about compost. The biggest misconception is that compost smells. It doesn’t! Another thing I wanted to make sure kids come away with is the understanding that we don’t have to send all that wonderful organic matter to the landfill. The bacteria in landfills create gases that contribute to global warming – we shouldn’t feed them. Also, if you make compost, you could grow a delicious tomato. Or you could give your compost to a neighbor who will share their yummy tomatoes with you.

Me: Thank you Brianne. This has been absolutely delightful, and all this talking about sandwiches has made me hungry! 

Brianne: Me, too. I’m having a bagel with cream cheese and cucumbers and shredded carrots on top.

Me: How funny! Mine is hummus with sliced cucumbers!

Note: No worms were harmed in the making of our sandwiches. You can find out more about Brianne and her wonderful books and art at her website, www.briannefarley.com

Everything I’ve Learned So Far About Independent Publishing by Todd Burleson

Coming Soon!

I should begin with a confession: I am no expert on independent publishing. I’m very much a beginner. My earlier publishing experience was with a major publisher, and that book was nonfiction. It wasn’t the book I most wanted to write—in fact, I would have loved for it to have been the story I’m working on now. But when a publisher approaches you and asks you to write a book, and you are a struggling teacher, you say yes. It turned out to be a tremendous experience. I earned a little income from it—not much—but what I gained was an inside look at the publishing process. It was an opportunity I’ll always be grateful for.

This time is different. When I chose to publish independently, the reasons went deeper. I wanted control. I didn’t want someone I would never meet deciding on my cover. I didn’t want someone else to have the final say over my story. And after working on this book for more than thirteen years, I wanted it to move into the world at a pace that felt right to me.

“Independent publishing feels like managing a project as much as writing a book.”

What I didn’t fully anticipate was how much independent publishing feels like managing a project as much as writing a book. I knew it would be hard work—anything worth doing usually is—but I wasn’t prepared for the cost.

I learned quickly that in publishing, you get what you pay for. Early on, I decided my priority was to work with a professional editor. Through Reedsy, a platform that connects writers with editors, designers, and illustrators, I found someone with national recognition and a strong track record. She was expensive, but I knew this was where I wanted to invest.

To help cover the cost, I launched a Kickstarter campaign. Asking for help does not come easily to me. But Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing platform—if you don’t meet your goal, you don’t receive a dime. That reality pushed me to research every aspect of how to run a successful campaign. I studied other authors’ projects, learned how to structure levels and rewards, and spent hours figuring out shipping, pricing, and what kinds of extras would make sense. At times it felt overwhelming, like nonsense piled on top of the actual work of writing a book.

There were moments I doubted myself, moments I wondered if anyone would care enough to pledge. It was stressful to put my vision out in public and risk failure. But slowly, support came in.

“In the end, more than $4,000 was pledged by people who believed in the story. That support feels like success already, even before a single reader has turned a page.”

Now I am anxiously waiting for the return of my developmental edit—the kind that digs into the big picture, the characters, and the heart of the story. I feel nervous, excited, and overwhelmed all at once. And part of me wonders how I will balance this next stage with my life as a school librarian heading into a new year. Independent publishing doesn’t happen in isolation—it presses into every part of your time and energy.

If another writer asked me what I’ve learned so far, I would say this: independent publishing is not for the faint of heart. Writers want to write, but this path asks for much more—fundraising, websites, community-building, marketing, design, layout, typesetting, printing, platforms, and even decisions about audiobooks. The list feels endless. But none of it is wasted.

Reedsy has hundreds of free resources. They are also an incredible place where you can be connected with some of the leading editors, designers, and artists to help make your book come to fruition.

My best advice is to find a community. For me, Reedsy has been a lifeline. I stumbled onto it by accident—a friend who isn’t even a writer mentioned it to me. That makes me think there may be many other writers out there who simply don’t know it exists.

Reedsy isn’t just a place to connect with professional editors, designers, and illustrators. They also offer a wide array of free resources for writers, self-publishers, and independent authors. A few highlights I’ve found especially helpful:

• Reedsy Studio Book Editor – a free online tool where you can write, organize, format, and export your manuscript for print or ebook platforms. It even lets you collaborate with others in real time.

• Free Learning Courses – over fifty 10-day email courses on everything from plotting a novel to marketing, distribution, editing, and design. These bite-sized lessons are practical and easy to fit into daily life.

• Articles, Guides, and Webinars – their blog is constantly updated with industry trends and advice, and there’s also a library of webinars with expert talks on publishing and craft.

• Weekly Writing Prompts & Contests – if you’re looking for accountability or a spark of inspiration, they provide prompts and even cash-prize contests with the chance of publication.

• Community Support – forums, newsletters, and ways to connect with other writers who are also figuring out the indie path.

All of this is free once you create an account. It’s one of those rare places online where the depth and quality of resources genuinely surprised me.

“Independent publishing has democratized the industry. It’s simply another way to get your story into the hands of readers.”

I also believe the old stigma around independent publishing has faded. Many indie authors have found great success, some even moving into traditional publishing. More importantly, independent publishing has democratized the industry. It’s simply another way to get your story into the hands of readers. And isn’t that what all of us are really after?

My main characters: Jamie and Ken.

This book is written for readers ages ten to fourteen, but I hope it speaks to anyone. With only three more years left to work with students in that age group, I want them to have this story in their hands. It’s not just a story I believe in, it’s an invitation to see our nation’s history and reflect on it in light of today.

That’s why I chose this path. And while I am still learning, I can already say: it has been worth it.

And this is only the beginning. As I move through the next stages—final edits, layout, printing, and beyond—I’ll continue to share what I learn. I hope that by documenting the process, I can encourage and equip other writers who may be considering the same path.

If you would like to take a look behind the scenes of my book, I've built a comprehensive website that will delight anyone who is interested in history, storytelling, photography, and aviation. I still love exploring it! HERE is the link.

---

If you’ve walked the independent publishing path yourself, what’s one lesson you wish you had known at the beginning?

"Back to Cool (School)" Picture Books & Ideas to Create a Positive Classroom Climate - by Kathy Halsey

  

Back to school? How about back to cool? Let’s make the re-entry to school fun and memorable with new books and interactive activities. These ideas promote thoughtful ways to create a positive, inclusive, and engaging environment for all. I hope you find some intersectionality between your books and their usefulness in back to school units, or you get ideas for new projects that fit the back to school theme!

 Books for Everybody to Pair & Share

As a former teacher and librarian, I remember scrolling over student lists, making diacritical marks in order to pronounce everyone's name correctly and noting who had nicknames or wanted to be called something different. Students of all ages  know the feeling  of people stumbling over their names.

Book:  The Power of Your Name

Author, Jyoti Gopal knows this feeling herself, and has a wonderful lyrical picture book hot off the presses August 26, that helps start a great conversation about names and how aspirational they can be. (Illustrator Olivia Sua's cut paper illustrations create vibrant worlds.)

 Classroom Activities/Ideas

Share Jyoti’s words from her interview with John Schu  Have you ever wondered where your name came from? Maybe you asked your grown-ups or maybe you took your name for granted and didn’t even think about it. In The Power of Your Name, we learn that names have stories, that each name is a feast of sounds, a gift, filled with promise, that it holds your family's heritage, hopes and dreams. Through the ABCs, this book celebrates the beauty of names and the fact that every name—including yours—is special. Whether your name is long, short, easy to pronounce, or often misheard like mine frequently is, this book will make you think about the story your name tells.

• Students can create a poster with markers or in Canva sharing what their name means along with the correct pronunciation. Students can then swap their posters with someone else . 

• Together each pair introduces the other to the rest of the class. Finally, add the posters to the classroom bulletin board where all can see them and practice pronunciation.

Book: A Season for Fishin’: A Fish Fry Tradition

Author Pamela Courtney has cooked up a book that centers family, learning a new skill, and contributing to the family tradition - cane fishing - as she catches her first bream. The prize? Her feeling of pride being part of her community and her own red fish fry apron. I’ve shared her debut book on the GROG before, but in this context the back matter with pronunciations from varied parishes in Louisiana fits the topic of identity and the importance of pronunciation. As Pam’s tante Lula says, “Folks been crisscrossin’, speakin’, and livin’ like the otherin’ for forever”. The spice of the vernacular of Louisiana is fascinating and fun to say aloud. (Illustrator Toni D. Chambers serves up delicious views of Ol Cane River country.)

Classroom Activities/Ideas

 After reading this engaging, lyrical book about the culture of Natchitoches, Louisiana, give students the option to choose one of the following options:

• Share a family tradition orally, in writing or as a “how-to” demonstration (if it’s a recipe or game).    

• Create a short slide show that shares unique family background and traditions,  or share a travelogue of family members who live in or outside the US including pronunciation for terms specific to the region. 

PreK -Second Grade

Books pairs are fun to share and these two winners have great activities built into them. For K-2 students, matching and grouping are core skills for classification, a key scientific process. These action-packed picture books highlight skills in observation and comparing and contrasting characteristics, core skills for both math and science. Both books include themes of classroom climate, SEL, and diversity. 

Book: We Match

Author: Chris Barton knows intuitively that kids notice when things match. Think about school spirit days when kids delight in matching outfits. Take that idea to the dog park where Button, a gray terrier, announces the commentary as dogs play ball and chase squirrels. Button observes that some like wet food, others prefer kibble; some wear sweaters; others destroy them. Button discovers more subtle ways the dogs match that also encourages readers to find for connections with their classmates. (Illustrator Sharon Glick creates the most "fetching" dogs.)

Book: Batter Up for the First Day of School

Author Bethany Hegudus, a bonafide baseball fan, creates a tried-and-true back to school picture book that hooks readers with baseball lingo, punny fun, and shares the schedule of a typical school day for young students The Twins, Hank and Erin, begin the day with some nerves, but excitement builds, and at the end of the day, the twins announce that, “Today was a home run!”(Illustrator Nomar Perez creates ballpark joy with his images.)

Classroom Activities/Ideas

Lucky for us, Bethany and Chris have hit a home run with their ready-made activities  students will enjoy.

Look at these adorable “We Match” playing cards from illustrator Nomar Perez! Students can create their own cards and compare their connections with other students.

Here’s an example of Chris and Sharon’s match session.

Bethany has a baseball card activity as a way the new classroom team can announce and share this year’s roster. Celebrate your MVPs here. 

Check out Bethany's MVP and his vital stats as an example to model! 

Readers, what books, book matches and activities do you recommend for a great back-to-cool? Let us know in the comments!

Heather Preusser "Beats Out" Revisions -- a Guest Post

Welcome back from your summer adventures!                                     

Today, GROG is thrilled to host guest blogger Heather Preusser for a second post about using Blake Snyder's Beat Sheet as a tool to enhance the drama of her writing -- this time for her chapter book series, Hedgehog Whodunit. Take it away, Heather!

😎

Using Blake Snyder’s “Beat Sheet” as a Revision Tool

by Heather Preusser

Writers often beat themselves up when a manuscript isn’t working (at least I know I do), but have you ever “beat out” a manuscript when you’re stuck?

Back in 2017, I wrote a GROG guest blog post where I applied Blake Synder’s “Beat Sheet” from SAVE THE CAT to one of my favorite picture books, SNAPPSY THE ALLIGATOR (DID NOT ASK TO BE IN THIS BOOK), by Julie Falatko and Tim Miller. I wanted to see if I could take a screenwriting tool, the “BS2,” and apply it to picture-book writing. Turns out I could! 

Now I’m back to explain how I used the “BS2” while revising the first book in my chapter book series HEDGEHOG WHODUNIT, which came out in October 2024 from Andrews McMeel Kids. 

I often create multiple iterations of the “BS2” as I progress through the writing process. Sometimes I use it as a brainstorming tool when I’m stuck drafting, and sometimes I use it as a reverse outline when I’m working through revisions. For the purposes of this post, I’ll focus on the latter and how, after receiving The Editorial Letter, I went back to my last version of the “BS2” to try and figure out how I was going to hammer out a solution (not that any hammers were involved). 

1. Opening Image: In this before-the-adventure-begins snapshot, we read about Hitch hanging around his Hedgehog Hut. He is just about to take his mid-evening nap. This represents the struggle and tone of the story: Hitch is a reluctant sleuth; all he wants to do is be left alone to snooze.

2. Set-Up: This expands on the “before” snapshot. It introduces the reader to Hitch, the hardboiled hedgehog detective who claims to run the joint—the City Zoo—as well as his sidekick Vinnie, a rat and his informer.

Hitch always naps while Vinnie always snacks or rattles on about food. Hitch is observant and quick-witted but slow-moving; he keeps Vinnie on the straight and narrow. Vinnie, on the other hand, moves quickly; he has a predilection for puns, and he helps Hitch get things done. Their personalities complement one another, and they work together to solve crimes. 

3. Theme Stated: Snyder describes the theme as what the story is about; it’s the message or truth. Here’s my truth: I didn’t set out to write a chapter book with a message. In fact, I wasn’t sure I could identify the message even after the book was acquired! I set out to create a rollicking romp of a read. And that’s the thing about chapter books. They’re meant to engage emergent readers, to compel them to turn the page again and again and again. Not once did the acquiring editor ask me about the story’s takeaway, which I found refreshing, especially since I was coming from writing picture books where takeaways are often paramount. So I didn’t worry about theme. This doesn’t mean readers can’t extract a theme (one takeaway could be that there’s a time to follow the rules, and a time not to follow the rules); it just wasn’t central.   

4. Catalyst: This is the moment when the main character’s life changes. Vinnie informs Hitch someone has altered the sign in the panda pen from “Please don’t feed the panda” to “Please free the panda.” Not only is the giant bear missing, but it’s also creating chaos around the zoo. 

5. Debate: This is a brief moment of doubt when the main character—and thus the reader—questions whether or not Hitch will take on the case. 

6. Break into Two: At the end of Chapter One, Hitch agrees to help find the perpetrator and locate the missing bamboo-loving bear. He makes a choice to leave act one, the “thesis” world where he’s in charge, and step into act two, the upside-down world where Vinnie becomes his de facto zoo tour guide. After getting a whiff of fish, Vinnie follows the scent to the penguins’ pen, and Hitch follows Vinnie.

7. B Story: Although it’s not a traditional love story, Vinnie’s love of food is the B Story. Ultimately, his fondness for food leads Hitch to the last clue that allows them to crack the case.  

8. Fun and Games: We see the penguins chillin’, enjoying the vast amounts of sardines, as well as the hippos, who have a predilection for selfies, and the lions, who appear to be just lying around. After visiting the suspects, Hitch and Vinnie arrange a stakeout. From their high vantage point, Hitch spots two lemurs carrying a bucket of red paint. They’ve caught the culprits red-handed, but the lemurs make a clean sneak!

9. Midpoint: Hitch leaves his post and follows Vinnie through the Woodland Garden and around the Snack Shack, where they encounter a slippery situation—literally. Vinnie and Hitch both slip in pigeon poop. This is a false defeat, a “down” beat. 

10. Bad Guys Close In: It would appear things can’t get any worse than falling in pigeon poop, but then Bad Guys Close In in the form of a squadron of pooping pigeons. The pigeons chase the detective duo, and one even poops on Hitch’s head! Exhausted, Hitch rests on the ground in false defeat. He thinks he sees stars, but—thanks to his lazy ways—it turns out he’s uncovered another clue: fresh, red paint drops, which lead them around the Snack Shack and into Lemur Lounge. 

11. All Is Lost: Initially, Hitch and Vinnie came across the missing giant panda at a disco party at Lemur Lounge, but—with no foolproof evidence—they simply let the panda go. After reading The Editorial Letter, I realized this beat was too easy, too convenient. There was no confrontation, so of course I needed to expand and adjust the scene. It’s the crux of the story, the moment when the main character realizes they’ve lost everything they’ve gained (all those clues that had Hitch thinking he was close to solving the case and taking a nap!), or everything they’ve gained now has no meaning. So I moved things around in act two and inserted more tension. I added a panda in a lemur costume at an A Capel-LEMURS concert as well as a game of hide and seek. This had me laughing out loud while I wrote it at my local coffee shop, and I chuckled again when I saw Gal Weizman’s hilarious illustrations of a ridiculously adorable giant panda trying to hide behind a bush (almost), under a table (kind of), and behind a flamingo (sort of). Since the panda is so bad at hiding, this beat is a false victory, an “up” beat that contrasts with the midpoint.  

12. Dark Night of the Soul: During this beat, the main character hits rock bottom and wallows in hopelessness. Initially, Hitch did wallow. In anything. After some rejiggering, I made him wallow in stink—literally—after engaging in a stink fight with the lemurs. Then someone in the zoo turns the lights down low, puts on a slow song, and it seems like Hitch will rock himself right to sleep. But Vinnie misconstrues Hitch’s dozing for dancing, which results in the prime suspects pointing and laughing at the detective’s dancing skills (or lack thereof).

13. Break into Three: In chapter seven, it turns out Hitch and Vinnie have their culprits right where they want them. The lemurs are red-handed. Literally. They’re hands are covered in red paint! The lemurs plead not guilty, but when Vinnie and the troop leader trade secret family recipes, Hitch starts to put all the clues together. After all, this is the world of synthesis. He notices the index card for “Grandma Gansu’s Famous Soup Dumplings” and realizes the only secret to this secret recipe is it’s not the lemurs’. Hitch suspects they’re in cahoots with the footloose and fancy-free panda. 

14. Finale: Hitch reads the culprits their rights and brings them to the big house. Vinnie tells a half-truth, explaining how he and Hitch saw the lemurs in the act. Hitch also points out the lemur has been avoiding eye contact during the entire investigation, further proof she’s guilty. When Vinnie attempts to write this on his notepad, the lemur fixes his spelling mistake and lets it slip that she is, in fact, guilty. 

15. Final Image: Hitch hangs around his Hedgehog Hut again with his feet up when Vinnie barges through the door out of breath, announcing the wooden cheetah on the zoo’s carousel has disappeared. This image echoes the opening image and hints at the animal antics in book two. 

So the next time you feel like beating yourself up about a manuscript you can’t seem to get right, try channeling your inner Blake Snyder and “beating it out” instead. Perhaps it will help you re-envision your writing and ultimately hit the nail on the head (not that any nails are involved). 

More about Heather Preusser

Growing up in Maine, Heather Preusser read all the Nancy Drew mysteries. Every. Single. One. Now she writes her own mysteries featuring a hardboiled hedgehog detective and his tireless rodent sidekick solving animal antics at City Zoo. 

HEDGEHOG WHODUNIT, the first book in her chapter book series, released in October 2024 from Andrews McMeel. The second book, THE CAROUSEL CAPER, came out in July 2025, and the third book, THE PROTECTIVE ORDER OF PEANUTS (P.O.O.P.) will be available in 2026. She is also the author of the picture book A SYMPHONY OF COWBELLS (Sleeping Bear Press, 2017). When she’s not writing or teaching, Heather plays with her five-year-old, a budding boxitect. She and her family live in Colorado. To learn more, please visit her website (www.heatherpreusser.com) and Instagram.

Big thanks to Heather! GROGgers, if you try the Beat Sheets approach to your work, let us know how it goes in the comments. And a big welcome back as a new school year begins.