Oohs and Aahs for 2.21.25
How to stand out in Barnes & Noble
As a book lover, I follow several Instagram accounts that keep me up to date on what picture books are coming out. (Some of my favorites include Book Bloom, Picturebook Playdate, and The KidlitMama.) These accounts are forces for good in the world, and they are often highlighting beautiful books that deserve an audience. They do an amazing job curating collections and reviewing books, so if you need something on a specific topic (like electricity or being biracial), you can feel confident about ordering it online. Unfortunately, while you might find these books in a library, you probably won’t find them at your local bookstore, even if they’re the kind of books I personally love to read and write.
If you want to get a feel for what books are selling in large quantities, you need to look at the Amazon bestseller lists, visit Barnes & Noble, and check out the Target book aisles. It’s not a perfect system, but looking at Bookscan numbers isn’t either, so last week I made a rare journey into the real world to browse the children’s section in Barnes & Noble. Looking at the books that are face out and stacked on tables helps me understand what’s selling. Here’s what I noticed in the picture book section:
Something like 80% of the picture books are by celebrities or BIG authors like Julia Donaldson or Mac Barnett.
That doesn’t leave much room for debut authors, new formats, or original voices. There is zero space for vague, poetic books about love or feeling small. So how do you, not just write a picture book, but write something that can be sold in Barnes & Noble?
Find a local connection. These aren’t the flashiest titles, but they do tend to keep them in stock.
Anchor your book to a theme that B&N is likely to build a display around. Holidays like Valentine’s Day and Black History Month can be good tie-ins. You can also try connecting your book to one of the STEAM elements, meaning science, technology, engineering, art, or math. (This applies to nonfiction and fiction titles.)
Give your book a social-emotional message. These books are popular with parents and teachers, even if editors and reviewers are wary of them.
Develop a memorable character like Escargot or Swatch. Take them on an adventure that connects to a theme that is relevant to kids.
If you’ve never created a character from scratch before, this mini masterclass will be helpful.
We’ll study modern classics and walk through the process step by step, so you can create your own beloved characters with confidence. This class will inspire you, whether you're totally new to writing fiction or just feel like this is a blind spot, and the techniques I share apply to everything from picture-book characters to characters in chapter books, middle grade, and YA. Every masterclass comes with a workbook and video that’s totally watchable during nap time.
PSST!
Paid subscribers get access to the Writing Relatable Characters masterclass, along with dozens of other classes and guides, and 4,000 Ideas: The Oliver Burkeman Book Club for Creatives.
This Week I’m…
Wondering if anyone has tried a shower orange??? 🍊
Wishing we could all meet up at the Care in America seminar (
is presenting, and it looks amazing!) 🫶Feeling grateful for
’s latest piece in Time, “A Lawsuit Threatens the Disability Protections I’ve Known My Whole Life” 👏Reading Your Brain on Art 🧠
Supporting
’s call for Substack to add a parenthood category as a way to acknowledge that our experiences as parents aren’t a natural fit for the current parenting category 🙌Loving Ingrid Fetell Lee’s take on finding flow 💛
Feeling very pleased I took a chance on this winter-friendly water table 💦
Keeping my eye on the new Stephen King x Maurice Sendak collab 😳
Nebula Notebook is a place to meet kindred spirits, get inspired, and learn how to find ease and joy in the creative process—even when life is bananas. 🍌🍌🍌
✏️ PS—The fastest way to grow as a writer is to book a manuscript critique or a creative coaching session with an expert. My clients get agents, sell books, and win awards. They also learn how to enjoy the creative process, so they can keep going when life gets hard. 👏
We really do need a parenthood category on Substack! Parenting is the doing, parenthood is so, so much bigger.
I wish you could come, too! We will have to organize something online soon.