Resources for KidLit Writers
Places to get started:
An invaluable free resource for KidLit creators, run by Elaine Kiely Kearns & Sylvia Liu. Their website offers a multitude of resources covering just about anything you can think of related to KidLit, with weekly updates. They also moderate a Facebook group where you can become part of a supportive community of KidLit creators who share tips and resources.
An excellent free resource with informative blog posts, including interviews with authors, illustrators, agents and editors, tips for querying and submitting, and links to lots of great KidLit resources. They maintain very comprehensive lists of monthly and year-round KidLit classes, events, and contests, with one for picture books and one for MG/YA.
Harold Underdown's The Purple Crayon
Another indispensable free resource for all things KidLit, created by children's book editor Harold Underdown. There is a ton of helpful information here. If you've got a question about writing and publishing children's books, Harold probably has an answer.
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Author and illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi is a wonderful and generous resource to the kidlit community . Check out her website for lots of great templates for kidlit creators as well as tips and links to other resources.
Writing communities:
12x12 Picture Book Challenge​
An inclusive and supportive learning community of picture book authors and illustrators at all experience levels. You’ll get accountability, encouragement, and resources to support you in achieving your goal of writing one new picture book draft each month.
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NF Fest is a month-long crash course in writing nonfiction for children. Learn the craft from 20+ authors and illustrators through daily posts that will get you researching and writing in small steps. And it's all free!
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A month-long story brainstorming event with the goal of challenging writers to create 30 story ideas in 31 days.
https://taralazar.com/storystorm/
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