How to Write a Children’s Fantasy Book: Characters, Worldbuilding, and Publishing (With Meredith Davis)

This episode explains how to write a children’s fantasy book, focusing on character development, age-appropriate storytelling, and worldbuilding, with insights from award-winning author Meredith Davis. You’ll learn how to create engaging stories for younger readers, structure children’s narratives effectively, and navigate the process of querying agents and submitting to publishers. Ideal for writers who want to break into children’s fantasy and create stories that resonate with young audiences.

How do you write a children’s fantasy book that truly captures a young reader’s imagination—and stands out in a competitive market?

In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning author Meredith Davis, a leading voice in children’s literature and founder of the Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. With an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Meredith brings deep expertise in both the craft and industry side of children’s publishing.

We explore how to write compelling children’s fantasy, using her novel The Minor Miracle as a case study, and break down what makes stories resonate with younger readers.

This episode covers:

• What defines a strong children’s fantasy story
• How to create engaging, age-appropriate characters
• Building magical worlds that spark imagination
• Structuring stories for younger audiences
• Common mistakes to avoid in children’s writing
• How to query agents and submit to publishers
• Insights into the children’s publishing industry

We also discuss how writing for children differs from writing for adults, and what authors need to understand to connect with younger readers while still delivering meaningful, memorable stories.

If you want to write children’s fantasy that captivates, engages, and gets noticed by publishers, this episode offers practical guidance you can apply straight away.

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Meredith Davis - https://meredithldavis.com/books/

Buy The Minor Miracle - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721051/the-minor-miracle-by-meredith-davis-illustrated-by-billy-yong/

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