Scott Wolf -- Kidlit author
@scottwolfwriter.bsky.social
Writer of #picturebooks and #MG for kids. Seeking representation. Member of #SCBWI and Storyteller Academy. 2023 Kids' Choice Kidlit Writing Contest Finalist. Proud father/supporter of a nonbinary child and a child with cerebral palsy.
Reposted by Scott Wolf -- Kidlit author
An instructive thread. I had tried (sometimes terribly unsuccessfully) to make pitching comps and selling comps be the same thing.
For querying writers: I did a critiques today for an SCBWI conf & got questions about what kind of books you can cite as comps, & I think it’s worth distinguishing between *pitching* comps and *selling* comps. A brief 🧵:
November 24, 2025 at 6:24 AM
An instructive thread. I had tried (sometimes terribly unsuccessfully) to make pitching comps and selling comps be the same thing.
"What do I do about writer's block? I lower my standards and carry on."
-William Stafford
-William Stafford
November 11, 2025 at 6:10 PM
"What do I do about writer's block? I lower my standards and carry on."
-William Stafford
-William Stafford
Human creatives will be fighting this battle across all industries as book publishers, film production companies, etc. look to save 💰💰💰
WOULD YOU WATCH A FILM WITH AN AI ACTOR? WHAT TILLY NORWOOD TELLS US ABOUT ART -- AND LABOUR RIGHTS
picks.my/en_v2/s/deta...
WOULD YOU WATCH A FILM WITH AN AI ACTOR? WHAT TILLY NORWOOD TELLS US ABOUT ART -- AND LABOUR RIGHTS
picks.my/en_v2/s/deta...
Todaystory
Check out today's story.
picks.my
October 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Human creatives will be fighting this battle across all industries as book publishers, film production companies, etc. look to save 💰💰💰
WOULD YOU WATCH A FILM WITH AN AI ACTOR? WHAT TILLY NORWOOD TELLS US ABOUT ART -- AND LABOUR RIGHTS
picks.my/en_v2/s/deta...
WOULD YOU WATCH A FILM WITH AN AI ACTOR? WHAT TILLY NORWOOD TELLS US ABOUT ART -- AND LABOUR RIGHTS
picks.my/en_v2/s/deta...
💯
October 18, 2025 at 5:31 PM
💯
My life is maybe a little like this...
October 3, 2025 at 5:59 AM
My life is maybe a little like this...
What a life and legacy. So glad you were here with us.
Conservationist Jane Goodall, whose work revolutionized the study of primates, has died | CNN
Jane Goodall, whose lifelong work as a primatologist helped broaden the world’s understanding of animal behavior and emotions, has died, her institute said Wednesday. She was 91.
www.cnn.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:18 AM
What a life and legacy. So glad you were here with us.
On the rare occasion when I have a morning to lie in bed for a bit (sans alarm), I find that is some of my most productive time for thinking creatively about stories.
When/Where do you get your flow going?
When/Where do you get your flow going?
September 19, 2025 at 6:21 PM
On the rare occasion when I have a morning to lie in bed for a bit (sans alarm), I find that is some of my most productive time for thinking creatively about stories.
When/Where do you get your flow going?
When/Where do you get your flow going?
We'll see how this and other class action efforts play out across AI and publishing landscapes, but pretty earthshaking.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Authors celebrate “historic” settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action
Advocates fear such settlements will “financially ruin” the AI industry.
arstechnica.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:57 PM
We'll see how this and other class action efforts play out across AI and publishing landscapes, but pretty earthshaking.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Insane. This is simply banning truth from our history.
Recently, my book THEY CALLED US ENEMY was banned – again – in Tennessee. Book bans are out of control. Huge parts of American history are being restricted. To join me in standing up for the freedom to read, go to pen.org/action. @penamerica.bsky.social @topshelfcomix.bsky.social @idwpublishing.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Insane. This is simply banning truth from our history.
This about covers it. 😆
June 21, 2025 at 10:12 PM
This about covers it. 😆
I appreciate the advocacy for "unsanitized" picture books. Wouldn't it be great to write FOR children and their interests, not so much for the adult buying the book?
But as @taralazar.bsky.social says in the blog comments, it seems only the most well known authors could sell such work. Am I wrong?
But as @taralazar.bsky.social says in the blog comments, it seems only the most well known authors could sell such work. Am I wrong?
Let the Kids Get Weird: The Adult Problem With Children’s Books
Picture books must hitch a ride on the parent if a child is to get a look-in so the children’s publicity machine is tilted fully at the adults. The frontlist is built around celebrities children ha…
lithub.com
May 25, 2025 at 8:19 PM
I appreciate the advocacy for "unsanitized" picture books. Wouldn't it be great to write FOR children and their interests, not so much for the adult buying the book?
But as @taralazar.bsky.social says in the blog comments, it seems only the most well known authors could sell such work. Am I wrong?
But as @taralazar.bsky.social says in the blog comments, it seems only the most well known authors could sell such work. Am I wrong?
You go, Lisa!
May 1, 2025 at 3:30 PM
You go, Lisa!
Thrilled to be participating in the first #PBandKidJudges contest, hosted by @authorkelliebeggs.bsky.social . Students in 3rd and 4th grade will be judging picture books written by adult authors. So much fun! Thanks to Kellie and her students! (And the artwork is top notch. 👍)
April 22, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Thrilled to be participating in the first #PBandKidJudges contest, hosted by @authorkelliebeggs.bsky.social . Students in 3rd and 4th grade will be judging picture books written by adult authors. So much fun! Thanks to Kellie and her students! (And the artwork is top notch. 👍)
I need to hear words like this sometimes. Enjoy the process, and don't worry about what you can't control.
April 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I need to hear words like this sometimes. Enjoy the process, and don't worry about what you can't control.
The last sentence in particular is gold.
When I was 25 I was sad I had not written The Great American Novel. At 55, I realize there's no Great American Novel, there are merely the stories I'm the best person to tell. Don't worry about how others see greatness. Work on being the best version of who you are and what you can do in the world.
people over 30 quote this with some life advice for the rest of us?
April 16, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The last sentence in particular is gold.
Reposted by Scott Wolf -- Kidlit author
The drum I will beat forever is that picture books don’t need lessons, because all picture books are already lessons—in storytelling, language, art and design, etc.
March 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The drum I will beat forever is that picture books don’t need lessons, because all picture books are already lessons—in storytelling, language, art and design, etc.
I'm glad to hear voices like this out there because sometimes I feel pressure to create something of weighty significance or at least less frivolity. But really, who doesn't love frivolity? I even love the word.
Thinking about humorous picture books that are sometimes dismissed a bit. There are some that offer a message, but some that exist just to make a child (and their adult) laugh, which is equally important. Because print motivation (a love of books) is an important early literacy skill!
March 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I'm glad to hear voices like this out there because sometimes I feel pressure to create something of weighty significance or at least less frivolity. But really, who doesn't love frivolity? I even love the word.
Storystorm always starts my year off right. Sending @taralazar.bsky.social and all the contributors much gratitude and appreciation. 🙏
February 9, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Storystorm always starts my year off right. Sending @taralazar.bsky.social and all the contributors much gratitude and appreciation. 🙏
I had so much fun coming up with titles with the ideas from this blog--75 total. Thanks, Lisa and @taralazar.bsky.social .
taralazar.com/2025/01/25/s...
taralazar.com/2025/01/25/s...
Storystorm 2025 Day 25: Lisa Frenkel Riddiough Proves You Are The Idea
by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough Greetings, StoryStormers!! I must confess right off the bat that I am not one who struggles to find ideas. I have gazillions! Sometimes I have so many ideas that I become…
taralazar.com
February 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I had so much fun coming up with titles with the ideas from this blog--75 total. Thanks, Lisa and @taralazar.bsky.social .
taralazar.com/2025/01/25/s...
taralazar.com/2025/01/25/s...
Creating all the fun new ideas is my favorite part of the writing process (at least for now). It's where work and play merge the most for me.
January 1, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Creating all the fun new ideas is my favorite part of the writing process (at least for now). It's where work and play merge the most for me.
And it's such a joy to do. ❤️
Why Is It Important to Read to Your Child? - Child Mind Institute
Parents hear it all the time: it’s important to read to your kids. But why exactly is that? And does it matter how — or when, or what — you read to them?
childmind.org
December 16, 2024 at 5:46 PM
And it's such a joy to do. ❤️
Reposted by Scott Wolf -- Kidlit author
How do you avoid getting resentful when someone doesn't say they are sorry? I can let it go several times, but when it's a pattern... 😔
December 5, 2024 at 4:45 PM
How do you avoid getting resentful when someone doesn't say they are sorry? I can let it go several times, but when it's a pattern... 😔