A Little Fiction Can Still Teach Big Facts

By Susan Holt

When people hear "Nonfiction Ninjas," they naturally assume we only write nonfiction. While many of us do, our love of facts often sneaks into our fiction as well.

As a former school librarian, I was always drawn to books that told a delightful story while quietly teaching readers something new. Those books invited children to laugh, imagine, and then say, "Really? I didn't know that!"

That's exactly what I hoped to do in my newest picture book, There Once Was a Cowgirl. Although it's a playful, fictional romp inspired by the Texas State Fair, I couldn't resist adding a little extra learning. The endpapers are filled with fun Texas State Fair facts, including:

• The number of people attending the Texas State Fair - more than 2 million!
• Corny Dog facts - Every year, Fletchers sell more than 500,000 corny dogs, along with about 1,500 gallons of mustard!
• In 1969, Wanda "Fernie" Winter brought the first funnel cakes to the Texas State Fair.

Those little nuggets of information transform a fictional story into informational fiction—a story children can enjoy again and again while discovering fascinating facts or planting seeds for a research project.

Many of my fellow Ninjas do this beautifully.

Lisa Amstutz's Our Christmas Tree Farm is a heartwarming family story with backmatter facts about everything from grafting a new tree from a twig to eco-friendly way to recycle a Christmas tree.

Nancy Churnin's We Thank Our Trees! (coming January 5) celebrates the many ways trees enrich our lives with backmatter about Tu B’Shevat and how you can connect with trees.

The back matter in Peggy Thomas's The Soil in Jackie's Garden includes information on the soil cycle and how to make a compost pile.

And Christine Liu Perkins's The Quest for a Tangram Dragon includes tangram shapes for readers to cut out, so they can play with their very own tangram puzzle!

Whether we're writing nonfiction, informational fiction, or fiction sprinkled with facts, our goal remains the same: to spark curiosity. Sometimes all it takes is one surprising fact tucked inside a story to inspire a child to keep asking questions—and that's where learning truly begins.

 

 

HISTORY BOOKS FOR MAEVE

By Peggy Thomas

Happy 4^th of July!

As I watch the fireflies light the sky (I hate noisy fireworks), I will be thinking about this wonderful community of nonfiction writers. You give me hope that kids like my 3 ½ -year-old granddaughter Maeve will always have true United States history stories that make them inspired, curious and questioning. I want Maeve to feel connected to the past and to appreciate how people from all walks of life have created the world she now inhabits.

Until this year, my only history books were biographies of dead white guys. But then I learned about journalist Alice A. Dunnigan. Writing Toward Justice is about how Alice became the first woman of color admitted to the White House, Capitol and Supreme Court press corps. She repeatedly questioned Truman and his policies for Black Americans, and she never backed down when Eisenhower shut her out of press conferences (two traits Maeve has already mastered).

Two more books are going on Maeve’s bookshelf. Both tell US history stories, and both are by my fellow Ninja Nancy Churnin. A Teddy Bear for Emily—And President Roosevelt, Too is about the creation of the first Teddy bear.  But it becomes much more because Nancy has told the story from the perspective of a young Jewish girl learning about her parent’s immigration to the United States.  Maeve may not understand how immigrants create US history, but she will definitely absorb the many acts of kindness and gratitude that connected Emily’s family with the president. 

The other book is Rainbow Allies. It is the true story of kids not much older than Maeve who right an injustice in their neighborhood.  Maeve will connect the pride flags in the story to the one hanging outside Nana and Papa’s house. She’ll question why anyone would want to frighten Cari and Lauri who will remind her of her aunts. And she will know that even kids have the power to make history.

So, on behalf of Maeve and kids all over the US, keep writing history books! 

There is plenty of material—250 years’ worth. And the beauty of history is that it is always growing! Find the stories that resonate with you. What do you want your kids and grandkids to know about?  Which stories will make them curious?  Question the status quo?  Or inspire them to action?  Then write!

Dead white guy history: 

Other US History Stories by Nancy Churnin: 

     

         

The Not-Just-Nonfiction-NINJAS

By Stephanie Bearce 

Another Nonfiction Fest has wrapped up, and once again, we are blown away.

For an entire month, generous writers shared their wisdom. We explored research rabbit holes, voice, structure, and how to turn facts into stories that breathe. It was a feast of curiosity and craft, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who made it extraordinary.

For seven years, the Nonfiction Ninjas have hosted this celebration of learning. We love nonfiction. We love true stories. We love primary sources, surprising historical details, and the thrill of discovering something real and remarkable.

But here’s what some people don’t always realize:

We are not just nonfiction ninjas.

When you spend years studying fascinating real people and remarkable events, eventually your brain starts asking… what if?

Peggy Thomas’s love of gardening and nature didn’t stay neatly inside the nonfiction box. It inspired The Soil in Jackie’s Garden — and yes, she even participated in the Soil Your Undies Challenge.

Linda Skeers reminds us that best friends are even better than sprinkles — and we all know sprinkles improve everything!

Lisa Amstutz brings warmth and tradition to life in Our Christmas Tree Farm.

Nancy Churnin celebrates heart and Halloween in Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern.

Susie K. Holt captures bold spirit in There Once Was a Cowgirl.

Christine Liu Perkins imagines mathematical shapes as characters in The Quest for a Tangram Dragon.

And then there’s me, lover of weird science and odd bits of history, writing about Raven Gallows, who lives in a funeral home and has a habit of uncovering mummies, lost diaries, and secret societies.

We, Ninjas, are full of surprises.

But here’s the thing.

We know good writing.

We’re seasoned publishing veterans who’ve revised more manuscripts than we can count. We’ve wrestled with tricky middles, reshaped story arcs, and strengthened characters until they felt real enough to walk off the page.

When a manuscript is almost there, we can see it. And we know how to help you carry it the rest of the way.

That’s why we’re inviting you to the 2nd Annual Total Ninja Experience: Revision Retreat & Children’s Writing Workshop
June 12–14, 2026
Hiawatha, Iowa

This workshop is designed for writers who already have a manuscript that needs critiquing, revision, editorial help, and guidance — fiction or nonfiction, picture book through YA and everything in between.

You’ll work directly on your manuscript with award-winning authors dedicated to helping writers elevate their craft. The faculty-to-critique group ratio is six to one or better, and participation is limited to maximize learning and keep the experience intimate and focused.

The weekend includes:

• Scheduled critique groups
• Brainstorming
• Impromptu discussions of craft
• Dedicated time to revise

Location:
Prairiewoods
120 East Boysen Road
Hiawatha, IA 52233-1277
(319) 395-6700
About 20 minutes from Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)

Programming and all meals are included in every option.

Retreat Options:

• Shared room/shared bath — $450
• Private room/shared bath — $650
• Stay off site (meals + programming included) — $375
• Solar-powered hermitage (no outlets, no charging), single occupancy — $400

Want to arrive early? Add Thursday (dinner Thursday plus Friday breakfast and lunch) for $100.

Check-in: 3:00 PM Friday
Check-out: 11:00 AM Sunday

Register early. Space is limited.

Because we may be called the Nonfiction Ninjas…

…but we are not limited to one section in a bookstore.

We live in nonfiction and novels. In gardening and ghosts. In Christmas tree farms and tangram dragons. In stories rooted in fact and stories born entirely from imagination.

We love true stories.

We love made-up stories.

Mostly, we love strong stories.

If you’re ready to strengthen yours, we’d love to see you in Iowa this June.

Join Us For a Ninja Retreat!

 

 THE TOTAL NINJA EXPERIENCE

REVISION RETREAT &

Children’s Writing Workshop

 May 9–11, 2025

 Hiawatha, IA

 

 

 

Let us help you take your writing to the next level with an intensive workshop. You will be working on manuscripts with award-winning authors who are dedicated to helping writers elevate their craft.

This workshop is designed for writers with manuscripts that need critiquing, revisions, editorial help, and guidance. Writers will work with the Ninjas throughout the workshop. The ratio of faculty to critique groups is six to one or better. 

 

The number of participants is limited to maximize learning and provide an intimate feel. Every moment of the weekend is filled with scheduled critique groups, brainstorming, impromptu discussions of craft, and time to revise.  

 

 

Meet the Ninjas

The Ninjas are a group of authors who first met at a retreat in Austin, TX. We became fast friends and
realized we have a passion for writing that we want to share with you. Together, we are the authors of over 300 books. We have also created NF FEST, a month-long online celebration for children's writers, and the NF Fest Facebook Group.  

 

 

FACULTY

Lisa Amstutz is a literary agent and the author of more than 150 children's books, including Mammal Mania, Plants Fight Back, Applesauce Day, Finding a Dove for Gramps, and Amazing Amphibians. She specializes in topics related to science and sustainability. Lisa's background includes a B.A. in Biology and an M.S. in Ecology/Environmental Science.

Stephanie Bearce is the award-winning author of 37 books for children including The Secret of Moonrise Manor, and Mary Anning and Paleontology for Kids. She frequently presents at writing and education conferences and co-hosts the Way-Word Writers Podcast with Storm Literary Agent Heather Cashman and author Nicki Jacobsmeyer. Stephanie is a certified life/author coach and a serious science and history nerd. You can learn more about her at www.stephaniebearce.com. 

Nancy Churnin is the author of more than 20 children's books, including Dear Mr. Dickens, The William Hoy Story and Manjhi Moves a Mountain, that inspire kids to make a positive difference and encourage kids to be heroes. Her books have won multiple awards and have earned numerous starred reviews. Visit Nancy at https://www.nancychurnin.com to find resources, teacher guides, and projects.

Susie Kralovansky loves writing things teachers can use in the classroom. Her first book, There Was a Tall Texan, was written for her first graders. Since then, she has written both fiction and nonfiction books. The Book That Jake Borrowed - El libro que Jake tomo prestado is Susie’s 19^th picture book, her fifth to illustrate, and an award winner for the 2021 International Latino Book Awards. Learn more at www.susankralovansky.com. 

Christine Liu-Perkins is the author of The Quest for a Tangram Dragon, an informational fiction picture book. Her middle-grade nonfiction book, At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui, earned starred reviews and appeared on multiple “best books of the year” lists. Her favorite part of writing is doing the research! Visit her website www.ChristineLiuPerkins.com   

Linda Skeers loves searching for amazing people and fascinating tidbits in history for her nonfiction projects and writing a line that makes her snort out loud for her fiction projects. Her most recent books are Even Better Than Sprinkles, Dinosaur Lady and Women Who Dared--with the sequel coming out in 2025. She's co-taught the Whispering Woods PB Writing Workshop for 20+ years and loves to mentor other writers on their publishing journey.

Peggy Thomas is the author of 30 award-winning books including The Soil in Jackie’s Garden, a Moonbeam medalist, and A Family of Trees: My First Book of Forests. She is also the co-author of Anatomy of Nonfiction, a writer’s guide to crafting children’s nonfiction. Learn more at  www.peggythomaswrites.com.

 

LOCATION:

Prairiewoods

120 East Boysen Road

Hiawatha, IA  52233-1277

(319) 395-6700

 

PRICING

 There are three registration options. Programming and all meals are included in every option.

 • Option 1 – A shared room for $350 per person. Come with your writing buddy or make a new best friend!

• Option 2 – A private room for $550 per person.

• Option 3 – Stay off site. Meals and programming only for $275.

* These hotels are in Cedar Rapids but within a 10–15-minute drive from Prairiewoods.

    ▪ Comfort Inn & Suites 

    ▪ Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham 

    ▪ Hampton Inn & Suites 

    ▪ Hilton Garden Inn

 

Check-in at 3:00 PM, Friday.

AIRPORT:  Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) about 20 minutes from Prairiewoods

 

 ___________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

***Register early.  Space is limited!***

 

 _________________________________________________________________________

Total Ninja Experience Revision Retreat

Children’s Writing Workshop

 

 

To register for The Total Ninja Experience Revision Retreat, May 9-11, 2025:

1.  * Complete the registration form below and mail it, along with a (nonrefundable) $75 deposit (Check, please, made out to Linda Skeers)

2.  * Please email Linda to receive her snail mail address: skeerswriter@gmail.com

Your registration form and deposit reserve your spot at the retreat. The remainder of your registration fee must be paid by April 4. Check or money order, please, also sent to Linda at the above address. If your balance has not been received by that date, your spot will be given to the next person on the waiting list.

3.   Your registration will be confirmed via e-mail upon receipt.

4.   An information packet will be emailed to registrants one month prior to the retreat.

 

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________

City ____________________________________  State ___________Zip____________ 

E-mail address _____________________________________Phone_____________________ 

 

______Option 1 – A shared room for $350 per person.

(If you're staying with a friend, put that person's name here____________________________)

 

______Option 2 - A private room for $550 per person.­­­­­­­­­­­

 

______Option 3 – Stay offsite. Meals and programming only for $275.

 

$ ___­­­­_____ TOTAL

 

Questions? Contact Linda at skeerswriter@gmail.com or Susie at susankralovansky@gmail.com. 

 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Ninjas

 

Congratulations 

to our Scholarship Winners! 

Gayleen Rabakukk 

and 

Laura Perdew

THIS IS THE PILE OF #@*% THAT TURNED INTO A BOOK

 by Peggy Thomas

Most people think that books come out of an author’s head fully formed, perfect.

But we know the truth.

The messy truth.  

Writing can be agonizing, frustrating, time-sucking marathons that can leave a writer dithering and insecure.  At least that’s my process.

Here is the photographic evidence of my efforts to turn #*%@ into my newest picture book titled THE SOIL IN JACKIE’S GARDEN.

The idea came to me while preparing a conference workshop I led for Michigan Agriculture in the Classroom. I wanted novice writers to know that they didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.  They could use a traditional form like an alphabet book or The House That Jack Built to create their own stories. And I should probably give them a quick example. (Now, one thing you have to know about me is that I love soil and I wish kids knew more about how great soil is.)  So, I said, “For example, you could do something like The Soil in Jackie’s Garden, and lead kids from the soil to seed to roots etc, back to the soil.” That was it.

Like all good ideas, this one stuck with me, and I started to play around with it.

But I really didn’t know the traditional version of The House that Jack Built, so I did a little research.  It’s a lot wordier that I expected. Meter seems more important than rhyme, but the meter changes halfway through.

I created word lists to help with rhyming, and to keep words, especially verbs, fresh.

Then I had a vision. For the artwork. What if the book opened vertically like Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens or Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor? The soil horizon line would start out high, then move down as the plants grew taller. I felt so strongly about it that I added that to the manuscript (something I normally do not do).

I’m a nonfiction writer so I had to add informational sidebars explaining all the cool stuff like how worm poop is called a casting, and leaves have little “mouths” they open and close to breathe.

 

My fellow Ninjas gave valuable feedback during critique sessions and helped fix problems with meter and rhyme. Other things changed, too.  Worm castings in the main text had to go, but stayed in the sidebar. Watermelon replaced  the "3 sisters" of corn, squash and beans, and I added some sound effects to make it more fun to read aloud. 

Finally it was ready to submit.  My agent sent it to Feeding Minds Press because I had worked with them before. They picked it up. Unlike most of my other projects this one sold quickly. (Don’t hate me. I can share later how another story of mine took 10 years to find a home.)

After several rounds of editing, the manuscript was given to the brilliant Neely Daggett to illustrate. Like all great illustrators, Neely added another level to the story. She gave Jackie a personality, friends, and helpers in a community garden. 

Okay, so there wasn’t a lot of angst and hair-pulling with this one, but I wanted to assure you that what may look like a mess in front of you today can turn into a beautiful book you will be proud of tomorrow.

Keep Writing!

 

WELCOME and WRITING FACT BY FACT

By Peggy Thomas

Welcome to NF FEST 2024! The Ninjas and I are super excited to celebrate the art and craft of writing nonfiction all this month with you. Every guest blogger has been incredibly generous sharing their stories and providing a wealth of information that will help you no matter where you are on your writing journey. We encourage you to show them some love by following their social media and reviewing their books on Amazon. 

We also want you to join the conversation! Tell us what you think in the comments section and on our NF Fest Facebook page. It helps us plan future posts. In fact, today’s post comes directly from a comment we had on our Facebook page. Someone (sorry, I can't remember who) mentioned that it would be helpful to see how facts from multiple sources can be pieced together to make a factual scene.

Before I write a sentence, scene or chapter, I ask myself, “What do I want this bit of text to do?” Introduce a topic, elicit an emotion, explain a complex concept…? It is important, especially in picture books, for every part of your story to have a purpose. For example, in THOMAS JEFFERSON GROWS A NATION I needed to reinforce Jefferson’s ideal of a nation of farmers, and transition the reader from Jefferson's early days in the White House to his purchase of the Louisiana territory. Here is what I came up with: 

            Through the geraniums growing on the windowsill, Thomas could watch cattle graze in the distant meadow. How many times did his imagination look even further west across an entire continent to picture “a rising nation, spread over a wide and fruitful land”? 

It is just two sentences cobbled together with facts from four primary sources:

Here is another example from HERO FOR THE HUNGRY: THE LIFE AND WORK OF NORMAN BORLAUG. I had never used a prologue before, but in this mid-grade biography I wanted a brief scene that 1. showed where much of the action would take place. 2. revealed Norm’s character. And 3. explained why the reader should care about his story. I chose to write the scene where Norm learns that he has won the Nobel Peace Prize. 

Rather than write the whole thing out, here is some of the information I used and why I used it:

The setting is a Mexican wheat field. But I included certain details to show that this isn’t a typical farm. The men are Romanian, Brazilian, Mexican and American. They are standing in a sea of thigh-high wheat (readers will later learn that prior to Norman’s work most wheat was very tall).

I show Norm standing in the middle of a small group of men, heads bent to hear every word their teacher says. He is sweat-stained and dirty under the hot Mexican sun. Hopefully, the reader gets a sense that Norm is important, a leader, but also not afraid to work hard. He leads by example.  

Then Norm's wife shows up. Alarm bells go off in Norm’s head… Has one of the children been in an accident? He’s a caring family man.

When his wife says he won the Nobel Peace Prize, Norm shakes his head. “That can’t be, Margaret. Someone’s pulling your leg.” He waves Margaret off, then turns back to his wheat-breeding students. Why on earth would anyone give him the Nobel Peace Prize?  I want the reader to get the sense that Norm is humble and more interested in the work than in accolades. Also, he won the Nobel Peace Prize!? Maybe I should keep reading to find out why.  

Each detail from the sweat stains to Norm's thoughts came from multiple sources: recorded interviews with Norm, old newspaper clippings, archival photographs, and first-person recollections of the event. But pieced together they reveal a factual scene that does the job.

Does every paragraph of your current project have a purpose? What do you want a particular passage to convey? Once you know that, gather your research notes and write your scenes fact by fact. 

About the Author:

A co-host of NF FEST, Peggy is the author of 28 award-winning nonfiction titles and co-author of ANATOMY OF NONFICTION: HOW TO WRITE TRUE STORIES FOR CHILDREN. Her newest books, THE SOIL IN JACKIE'S GARDEN (Feeding Minds Press)  and A FAMILY OF TREES (Phaidon Press) will be released in May. Peggy loves nature, gardening and helping new writers to grow. For information on critique services and mentorships, visit her website peggythomaswrites.com.

BUILDING YOUR MARKETING TOOLKIT

By Peggy Thomas                    

Once you have sold your manuscript, revised, and met editorial approval, you will inevitably get an author questionnaire from the marketing department. I dread filling these out because I usually don’t have the information at my fingertips. Instead, I’m doing google searches for bookstore contact info and slogging through my files to find the last time I was interviewed and by what press. So, I suggest building your marketing toolkit now, so you’ll have all the material in one handy place.

Start with:

1.      Your bio: I have a short one that is about 50 words, one that is around 100 words, and a fuller bio of about 300 words. Most people request the short one, but be prepared.

2.      A list of honors, awards, or prizes you have received: for writing, unless you are a champion pole vaulter and your book is a how-to.

3.      Academic affiliations: Universities or colleges you attended, degrees and dates. 

4.      A list of your books: Also keep a list of any magazines, newspapers, or journals you’ve written for.

5.      A list of blogs where your work has appeared.

6.      Your digital presence: Are you on Facebook, X, Instagram? List your account names, which hopefully are the same or similar to keep you “on brand.”

7.      A list of media contacts: You don’t have to know a specific person, but list the names and contact details for local newspapers; television news; regional magazines, etc.

Now comes the tricky part. Marketing departments want to know who you know. Who might be willing to endorse your book, or write a blurb? Which “influencers” could help spread the word through social media? This is where I struggle because I don’t like to bother people. But I know these folks are vital to a book’s success. So, make a list of your support team.

1.      Author friends. The Ninjas are always cross-promoting each other.

2.      Experts who helped with research.

3.      The subject’s family if you wrote a biography – Nancy Churnin says the families are some of her best book cheerleaders.

4.      Teachers and librarians who support your work.

Influencers are people on social media who have a large following. Look for parents, teachers, librarians, and anyone who may have a special connection to your subject matter. My new title is a board book about forests, so I am making a list of parent influencers who have a special interest in nature. Fueled with this information, the marketing department can reach out, provide a digital review copy in the hopes that the influencer likes it enough to post a review, recommend, or host a giveaway.

I am also compiling a list of organizations centered around trees and forests. According to Tessa Houstoun, marketing manager for Phaidon Press, she can then ask if they would like to host a giveaway or offer a discount code to their members.  

Last but not least, make a list of holidays related to your subject. Besides Arbor Day and Earth Day, there is also National Forest Day, National Love a Tree Day, Plant a Tree Day, International Day of Forests, and National Forest Product Week.

So, start making your lists, and when that author questionnaire comes, you’ll wow the marketing department with your PR prowess.

For more ideas on marketing check out Chelsea Tornetto’s blog post. 

Happy Marketing!

About the author:

Peggy Thomas is happiest with her feet in the soil and her head in the trees, and now after dozens of award-winning books she will finally have a book about soil and another about trees. THE SOIL IN JACKIE'S GARDEN (Feeding Minds Press) and A FAMILY OF TREES: MY FIRST BOOK ABOUT FORESTS (Phaidon Press) will be released in May 2024.