Helpful Links

• Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)   Indispensable resource for the beginning writer. I sold my first two books in response to calls for manuscripts posted in their newsletter.
  
• Publisher's Weekly Children's Bookshelf   A great way to learn about the industry. The link is to the archives, but you can subscribe for free by email.
  
• Verla Kay's Website for Children's Writers and Illustrators   Tons of tips and info, including transcripts of discussions with well-known authors and editors.
  
• Children's Writers and Illustrators Chatboard   Draws a nice mix of beginners and more experienced writers. I hang out most often in the Pro Talk section, so give me a wave if you come by!
  
• The Purple Crayon   All about the world of children's publishing, courtesy of editor Harold Underdown.
• Aaron Shepard's Kidwriting Page   Ditto, this time from an author's perspective.
• Picturing Books: A Website About Picture Books  Info on all aspects of picture books, including a quick primer on getting published.
• Children's Literature Comprehensive Database   Pretty darn comprehensive.
• A Fuse #8 Production   Terrific blog from a children's librarian at New York's legendary Donnell Library. Lots of great children's book reviews.
  
• Smart Writers Journal   Free e-newsletter and home of the Write it Now! competition. (Last year's grand prize winner was the lovely Anne Marie Pace.)
  
• Children's Book Insider   Newsletter for beginning writers.
  
• Anastasia Suen's online writing workshops   Haven't taken one myself, but hear good things about them. She also offers topics useful to published writers, such as school visits and promotion.
• Institute of Children's Literature   More online courses.
  
• Robin Friedman's Interviews with Editors   Just what it sounds like!
• Ellen Jackson's Secrets of Success   Interviews with writers. (I was interviewed June 2006.) Ellen also has a blog and a For Writers section on her website.
• Cynthia Leitich Smith's Children's & Young Adult Literature Resources   Author interviews, recommended reading, and an extensive section "Especially for Writers."
  
• Read Roger   Entertaining blog by the editor-in-chief of The Horn Book.
• Miss Snark, the Literary Agent   Very popular anonymous blog. Focuses on adult books, not children's, but  amusing and informative.
• New! Editorial Anonymous   Don't miss this one! Miss Snark for children's writers.
  
• The Editorial Department   Professional editing service that offers a free critique of the first five pages of your manuscript. (Click on Free Critique Program.)
• Writer's Digest Magazine   Website gives market info and daily writing prompts.
• Preditors & Editors   Where to go if you're not sure whether a publisher or agent is legit. (Hint: Are they asking you for money?)
• Funds for Writers   Contests, grants, etc.

Books

Writing and publishing: children's books

• Joan Aiken, The Way to Write for Children (St. Martin's Griffin, 1998)
• Elaine Marie Alphin, Creating Characters Kids Will Love (F & W Publications, 2000)
• Marcia Thornton Jones, Story Sparkers: A Creativity Guide for Children's Writers (Writer's Digest Books, 2000)
• Nancy Lamb, The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children (Writer's Digest Books, 2001)
• Olga Litowinsky, It's a Bunny-Eat-Bunny World: A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Today's Competitive Children's Book Market (Walker, 2001)
• Barbara Seuling, How to Write a Children's Book and Get it Published (Wiley, 1992)
• Aaron Shepard, The Business of Writing for Children (Shepard Publications, 2000)
• Harold Underdown, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books (Alpha, 2004)
• Lee Wyndham, Writing for Children and Teenagers (Writer's Digest Books, 1989)
  

Writing and publishing: general

• Judith Appelbaum, How to Get Happily Published, 5th edition (HarperPerennial, 1998)
• Dorothea Brande, Becoming a Writer (Jeremy P. Tarcher, 1981; first published 1934)
• Renni Browne and Dave King, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, 2nd edition (HarperPerennial, 2004)
• James N. Frey, How to Write a Damn Good Novel (St. Martin's Press, 1987)
  
• John Gardner, The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers (Vintage, 1991)
• Oakley Hall, The Art and Craft of Novel Writing (Writer's Digest Books, 1989)
  
• Nancy Kress, Dynamic Characters (Writer's Digest Books, 2004) and Beginnings, Middles and Ends (Writer's Digest Books, 1999)
  
• Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (Anchor Books, 1994)
• Donald Maass, Writing the Breakout Novel (Writer's Digest Books, 2002)
  
• Sol Stein, Stein on Writing (St. Martin's Griffin, 2000) and How to Grow a Novel (St. Martin's Griffin, 2002)
• William Zinsser, On Writing Well, 30th anniversary edition (HarperCollins, 2006)

Market Guides (be sure to get the current edition)

• Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market (Writer's Digest Books)
• Writer's and Illustrator's Guide to Children's Book Publishers and Agents (Three Rivers Press)
• Writer's Market (Writer's Digest Books)

---

Q: Why don't you link the book titles to an online bookseller's affiliate program?
A: Would you trust my recommendations if I was getting a percentage on every book sold? If you want to buy a new or used book online, try abebooks.com. Or you can use the Book Sense bookstore locator to find your nearest independent bookseller. My favorite source for books is the local public library!

Meet some friends of mine and their books:

Janeen Adil
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Vijaya Bodach
Liz Braswell
(and don't miss Liz's blog)
Jean Heilprin Diehl
Moira Donohue
Katy Duffield
Jennifer Elvgren
Debby Garfinkle
Alison Hart
Ellen Jackson
Marcia Thornton Jones
Barbara Kanninen
Gail Karwoski
Kathy L. May
Kim Norman
Rebecca Kraft Rector
Tammi Sauer
Susan Rosson Spain
Julie Swanson