Parent Resources

Family-Friendly Fiction Writers

Welcome Parents, all Homeschoolers,
and those wishing to foster a love for reading and writing in their children!

As Family-Friendly Fiction Writers, we have a passion to put quality fiction in the hands of young readers, tweens, and teens –  ages 8-18. In addition, we conduct workshops for homeschoolers, public and private school students, and library groups on the craft of writing. Contact us at FFFWriters@gmail.com for a list of our current workshops or go to https://tinyurl.com/3ajtfx55. You can also find us on Facebook at https://tinyurl.com/43txs98e.

We know that meeting and  reading books by real authors stimulates students’ interest in reading and writing. That’s why we provide workshops for local groups and youth groups (currently the northern TX area), and attend homeschool conventions to give students a chance to meet us and learn about our books. The authors in this group include:

  1. Kelli McKinney
    Contemporary MG Fiction, Jeff Pennant’s Field Guide to Raising Happy Parents 
  2. Andrea Rand
    Children’s Fantasy (MG/YA) with a Patriotic Twist – The Chronicles of Kibblestan Series
  3. Sandra Fernandez Rhoads
    YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi – The Colliding Line Series
  4. Lori Z. Scott 
    MG/YA Contemporary Fiction Sports Series for Athletes
  5. Marie Sontag
    Historical MG and YA Fiction – The Ancient Elements Series, the Whitcomb Discoveries Series, and the Rising Hope Series
  6. Summer Rachel Short
    Middle Grade Fiction – The Mutant Mushroom Takeover, Attack of the Killer Komodos, The Legend of Greyhallow
  7. Carolyn Leiloglou
    Middle Grade Fiction – Coming soon from WaterBrook (Part of Penguin Random House), The Restorationists trilogy. Beneath a Swirling Sky coming fall 2023. Stay tuned!

    Tips to Encourage Reading and Writing

    FUEL YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE SUCCESS: When Steven Spielberg was sixteen, his parents rented a movie theater so he could show a feature-length movie he had filmed. Spielberg sold tickets and in one night made back the $500 it cost him to film it. A childhood hobby may not lead to a future occupation, but parental encouragement provides children with the confidence to pursue dreams that will fuel their future success.

If your child shows an interest in writing, here are some places they can explore:

  1. Young Inklings – http://www.younginklings.org/
  2. Resources for Young Writers – https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/07/20/resources-for-young-writers/
  3. Forty Websites for Young Writers – https://study.com/articles/40_of_the_Best_Websites_for_Young_Writers.html
  4. Tips for Young Writers by Author Rick Riordan – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81iwOVdWfIY&feature=youtu.be
  5. Authors Teaching Young Writers – http://www.teachingauthors.com/p/for-young-writers.html
  6. Writing Contests for Kids – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AcfAiHNm7WoG7iDdaHfbx9z2uh3fC43_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110087003029010021107&rtpof=true&sd=true

READ AS A FAMILY: Another important activity for children is to have parents and caregivers read to and with them. Here are tips explaining why it’s important to read aloud with your kids, and how to make it count:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/02/16/why-its-important-to-read-aloud-with-your-kids-and-how-to-make-it-count/?utm_term=.7b53263a5edb

Suggested Reading:
Top 2019 Middle-Grade books selected by School Library Journal:
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=best-middle-grade-2019-slj-best-books

Books and tips for reluctant middle school readers
https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/learning-at-home/encouraging-reading-writing/great-books-for-reluctant-readers-in-middle-school

    What Others are Saying
  • Read below to see what others have said about visiting and hearing Marie speak.

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