6 Useful Tools for Kidlit Writers and Illustrators

Published by The Writing Cooperative, a Medium Publication, October 22, 20202

A children’s book conference inspires you. A monthly critique group enhances your craft. But with Internet access and a smartphone, kidlit writers and illustrators of board books, picture books, middle grade, and young adult can learn all year round on their own terms. 

A wide web of enrichment awaits!

Kidlit Podcasts:

Are you listening to podcasts when you exercise?

Tune in on the treadmill or when out for a walk. I adore Literaticast on Apple Podcasts, hosted by kidlit agent Jennifer Laughran of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Her guests are agents, editors, and creatives who generously share tips and resources. Each episode is a delightful cross between a coffee klatch and a children’s book seminar.

Noise Control:

Are you managing background noise?

A “white noise” app on my phone helps me focus at my desk, but my noise cancelling AirPods Pro (best gift ever!) let me adjust the level of background noise and multitask in motion. Imagine enjoying an audio book while vacuuming, leaf blowing or drying your hair. Cordless, noise-cancelling earbuds are effective, but they do require charging, and they vary in features and price.

Explore these popular options:

• Apple AirPods Pro
• Sony WF-1000XM3
• Libratone Track air+

How-to Audio Books:

Are you using audio books to enhance your skills?

Recorded books are not just for travel and passing the time. Keep up with kidlit titles and how-to books at home or on the go via your iOS or Android devices. Amazon Audible, a subscription model, offers a wide selection and a thirty-day trial. But apps like Overdrive, Libby, and Hoopla are likely available free through your local public library.

Enroll to borrow audio books about authorship like these with a click:

• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
• Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
• On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser
• Writing Fiction Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway
• It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond by Julia Cameron

Ongoing Lessons:

Are you taking art and writing classes online?

I eagerly tried Skillshare, a repository of thousands of instructional videos that’s a feast for anyone with a creative streak. Some classes are free, but the $99 yearly subscription is money well spent, considering a single onsite course may cost far more.

Watch a free project or launch a two–month trial to get started with offerings like these:

• 101 Guide to Picture Books with Nina Rycoft
• Character Illustration with Gabriel Picolo
• Writing Fiction with Lisa Ko
• Demystifying Poetry with Hanif Abdurraqib
• Sketchbook Illustration with Samantha Dion Baker

Mentor Texts & Videos:

Are you watching free read-aloud videos?

Need to examine a picture book but can’t get to the library? So many titles, old and new, are read aloud on author sites (like mine) and on YouTube, more now during COVID isolation. Bookmaking videos can also be viewed.

Search by title or topic, or click these links for a quick introduction:

• Storyline Online
• Storytime Bunnies
• Miss Becky and Bear’s Storytime
• Lynne Chapman’s Illustration Channel
• Kidlit TV: Explore the world of children’s literature

The Insider Database:

Are you researching the business like a pro?

Check out PublishersMarketplace.com, a colossal website chockfull of great information. Search industry news, book acquisitions, dealmakers by genre, and much more. This online bulletin board, catering to industry insiders, costs $25 a month. So, evaluate its effectiveness for your own career goals.

Children’s book conferences and critique groups are available as scheduled on videoconferencing platforms. But these handy digital tools can enrich your writing, art, and marketing skills where and when you choose.

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*Feature image from FreeVector.com