Chelsea’s World of Books Literary Blog

Welcome to Chelsea’s World of Books Literary Blog. I’m your host, kidlit writer, blogger, and former librarian, Chelsea DiCicco. And here is a picture of me with my bat house. Does this picture have anything to do with WRITING? Maybe not. But it tells you a lot about me, and it makes me happy.

If you’re looking to grow in your writing career and find free resources and tips, then you’ve come to the right place!

You can easily navigate the blog by using the ‘categories’ drop-down menu below, or you can search for something specific using the search bar.

Things you’ll find on the blog:

• Writing Updates
• Book Recommendations
• Free resources for educators, parents, and librarians
• And my personal favorite: the monthly Feature Interview series, featuring industry professionals at all stages of publishing, behind-the-scenes, complete with monthly giveaway pools and prizes!

If you are a publishing professional (editor/agent/author/illustrator) interested in being a guest on the Feature Interview series, you can apply at the link below during the application window! If there is no link below, that means the application window is currently closed. For updates on when the window will be open, be sure to follow me on social media and/or subscribe to my newsletter.

APPLICATIONS FOR FEATURE INTERVIEW SERIES IN 2027 ARE NOW CLOSED. FINALIST GUEST LIST WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOWARD THE END OF 2026 IN MY NEWSLETTER & ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SUBSCRIBE to the blog and/or newsletter to keep up with important writing news and announcements!

Looking for something specific? Use the search bar!

Search

• COMMON WRITING MISTAKES TO AVOID AND TIPS ON PUBLISHING CHILDREN’S BOOKS: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH KATHRYN STARKE, CONDUCTED BY KIDLIT AUTHOR AND LITERARY BLOGGER, CHELSEA DICICCO - In today’s Feature Interview, I’m talking with international literacy consultant, reading specialist, author, and the founder and CEO of Creative Minds Publications, Kathryn Starke. In this conversation, Kathryn will shed some light on common writing mistakes and offer tips on publishing children’s books. Kathryn, it’s a joy to welcome you to the blog today! Could … Continue reading COMMON WRITING MISTAKES TO AVOID AND TIPS ON PUBLISHING CHILDREN’S BOOKS: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH KATHRYN STARKE, CONDUCTED BY KIDLIT AUTHOR AND LITERARY BLOGGER, CHELSEA DICICCO →
• USING BOOKS AND MUSIC TO TEACH AND BUILD CONNECTION: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH TONNYE FLETCHER - In this interview, I'm talking kidlit author and host of PBJamz Tonnye Fletcher. Tonnye and I will be exploring music and writing! Tonnye also uses her background in music and education to shed light on creative ways that she teaches new things by pairing them with things her students already know and are interested in.
• SECRETS TO WRITING SUCCESS AND SELLING YOUR BOOKS: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH ROBIN CURRIE - In today’s Feature Interview, I’m talking with children’s librarian and kidlit author Robin Currie. Robin has published more than 45 picture books, selling more than 1.7 million copies, and today she’ll be sharing her secret to writing success with us!
• HAPPY COVER REVEAL DAY! - Today I'm sharing the OFFICIAL COVER REVEALS of my FIRST FOUR BOOKS in the early reader Construction Crew Series, coming out with Capstone, Picture Window in 2027!
• 2027 FEATURE INTERVIEW APPLICATIONS! - I am pleased to share that applications for the 2027 Feature Interview series are now OFFICIALLY OPEN.
• NEURODIVERGENT VOICES IN KIDLIT AND WHY THEY MATTER: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH ALICIA MEYERS - Today, I’m talking with my dear friend and critique partner, Alicia Meyers! Alicia is a neurodivergent Children’s Book Author and elementary school teacher with over 16+ years of experience in education. She’s the author of The A-to-Z Teaching Toolkit for Early Childhood and Elementary Educators. During our conversation, we’ll be discussing neurodivergent voices in kidlit and her newest debut, TIC-ERRIFIC ME, a picture book celebrating the ins and outs of Tourette’s syndrome, which just released this month!
• PROVIDING APPROACHABLE BOOKS FOR RELUCTANT READERS: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH JOHANNA PEYTON - In today’s Feature Interview, I’m talking with fellow neurodivergent kidlit author Johanna Peyton. We’ll be talking about perspective as a neurodivergent reader/writer, and the importance of providing approachable books for reluctant readers that meet them where they are.
• WRITING FUNNY BOOKS AND KEEPING A SCRAPPY MINDSET: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH ELAYNE CRAIN - In this Feature Interview, I'm talking with funny picture-book and middle-grade writer, Elayne Crain. We discuss ways to keep a scrappy mindset, mentors, and writing humor that kids (and parents) love!
• BALANCING CULTURE WITH A WIDE READING AUDIENCE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY: FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH SOPE MARTINS, CONDUCTED BY KIDLIT AUTHOR AND LITERARY BLOGGER, CHELSEA DICICCO - Today I’m joined by the ever-so-talented, children’s book author, broadcaster, founder of The Kidlit Foundation, and my dear friend and critique partner, Sope Martins! During our conversation, we’ll discuss the agenting journey, finding your writing community, and balancing culture with a wide reading audience.
• How to Stay Tenacious in a Slow-Moving Industry Fraught with Rejection - Enjoy a video presentation on ways to stay positive and keep moving forward in kidlit, despite the slow-moving nature of the industry and the many rejections that litter its path. Find out what necessities to put in your publishing emergency preparedness kit, and how it will help you stay on track.

I’m an Amazon Associate, which means some of the linked products on my website are sponsored items. When you purchase items through these links, you help support me and this blog!