If you are part of the children’s literature (KidLit) community, the name is likely a staple in your bookmarks. As an award-winning author of books like Punxsutawney Phyllis and Can't Sleep Without Sheep , she has built a massive online platform dedicated to helping aspiring writers Susanna Leonard Hill .

Her long-running blog series provides practical advice on everything from illustrator notes to navigating publishing contracts .

She describes her own writing process as a "runaway horse"—an uncontrollable, wild ride that is scary but always fun. 2. The Master of Atmosphere: Susanna Clarke