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Resources for Writers

Melissa is frequently asked about how she got involved in the children’s book writing world.

 

On this page, you'll find some KidLit groups, challenges, classes, blogs, and mentorship opportunities to consider as you move along in your writing journey. There are many more resources available – these are some that she has turned to regularly. 

 

Melissa's main advice to new writers is always: read, write, revise, and repeat. Keep going! Writing for children and getting published is a long process – stick with it! There are children out in the world who are waiting for your stories.

RESOURCE CATEGORIES

Paid Groups,

Classes + Resources

Free KidLit Resources

KidLit Writing Challenges + Contests

A Few Favorite Writing Blogs

Mentorship Opportunities

Categories
Paid resources

PAID GROUPS, CLASSES + RESOURCES

Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

Highly recommended for all children’s book writers. Check out The Book, an excellent resource for researching all things KidLit including agents, editors, and publishers. SCBWI also runs conferences and webinars, and is divided by geographical region.

Inked Voices

Founded by Brooke McIntyre, this excellent resource offers courses, workshops, writing and critique groups, a community for writers, and more.

Making Picture Book Magic

Run by Susanna Leonard Hill, this class is perfect for beginners and experienced writers alike.

Children's Book Academy

Founded by Dr. Mira Reisberg, this group offers classes and webinars, with a wonderful writing community on Facebook and a weekly blog.

The Writing Barn

The Writing Barn offers excellent in-person and online writing classes and workshops.

Children's Book Academy

Founded by Dr. Mira Reisberg, this group offers classes and webinars, with a wonderful writing community on Facebook and a weekly blog.

Rate Your Story

features authors who review and rate submitted manuscripts; the newsletter offers KidLit information.

Picture Book Summit

held every October, this one-day online conference offers learning, community, and submission opportunities.

12x12 Picture Book Writing Challenge

Created by Julie Hedlund, this challenge offers webinars, author interviews, a robust Facebook community group, motivation, and more.

12x12 Picture Book Writing Challenge

Created by Julie Hedlund, this challenge offers webinars, author interviews, a robust Facebook community group, motivation, and more.

Children’s Book Insider

database of KidLit resources, including a newsletter featuring information about the industry.

Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

Highly recommended for all children’s book writers. Check out The Book, an excellent resource for researching all things KidLit including agents, editors, and publishers. SCBWI also runs conferences and webinars, and is divided by geographical region.

Inked Voices

Founded by Brooke McIntyre, this excellent resource offers courses, workshops, writing and critique groups, a community for writers, and more.

FREE KIDLIT RESOURCES

KIDLIT411

A comprehensive resource for everything to do with children’s literature.

Manuscript Wishlist

Helpful in researching agents and editors.

SubItClub

A Facebook group geared to writers submitting to agents and publishers.

Hand Hobbies: A Resource Guide to Writing Basics

Thanks to student writer Amelia for suggesting this article!

Debut Picture Book Study Group

Once monthly studies of debut picture books including sessions with the authors/illustrators.

KIDLIT WRITING CHALLENGES + CONTESTS

ReFoReMo (Reading for Research Month)

Held every March, this challenge encourages reading picture book mentor texts.

#50PreciousWords Writing Contest

Founded by Vivian Kirkfield.

Chapter Book Challenge

Held every March, and geared toward writers hoping to complete a chapter book draft in a month.

Twitter Pitch Contests

Check Twitter for various pitch contests including #PBPitch, #DVPit, #FaithPitch, and #PitMad.

StoryStorm

Run by author Tara Lazar, this challenge encourages participants to brainstorm 30 book ideas in 31 days.

NFFest (Non-Fiction Fest)

A new challenge starting in February 2020 geared to non-fiction writers.

Several Holiday Contests

From author Susanna Leonard Hill.

National Picture Book Writing Week

Created by Paula Yee, this challenges encourages participants to write seven picture books in seven days.

A FEW FAVORITE WRITING BLOGS

Children's Book Academy

A collection of writing resources.

Renee LaTulippe

Blog and “Peek and Critique” lessons about rhyming and lyrical language.

Song of Sixpens

Blog from six writers.

Matthew Winner

The Children’s Book Podcast.

Writers Rumpus

Highlighting authors and illustrators.

Jane Yolen

Just a wonderful blog!

Melissa Stoller

Featuring author interviews and posts about writing craft and inspiration.

Cynsastions

Blog by Cynthia Leitich Smith.

KidLit411

Filled with resources for writers.

Writing and Illustrating by Kathy Temean

Features interviews, contests, and submission opportunities.

Lee and Low Blog

A blog on race, diversity, education, and children’s books.

Vivian Kirkfield

Blog including Picture Perfect Book Friday interviews.

The Wonder of Words

Blog from six writers featuring interviews and a pitch writing contest.

Josh Funk

Resources for writers.

Susanna Leonard Hill

Blog and seasonal contests.

Tara Lazar

Writing resources.

MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Pitch Wars

A mentorship opportunity for middle grade and young adult authors.

We Need Diverse Books

This organization provides mentorships, scholarship opportunities, internships, retreats and more.

PBChat

A picture book mentorship opportunity.

Writing with the Stars

From BeckyTara Books, a mentorship program for pre-published picture book writers.

free resources
writing challenges
writing blogs
mentorship opps
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