Helpful Editing Resources for Children’s Book Authors
Published in KidLit News by the SCBWI-LI on 7-2-2021 You’ve written a book for children, bounced it off your critique group, and revised it umpteen times, but the work isn’t yet where it needs to be. Let's call this manuscript a lemon with potential. Is it time to ripen the fruit by broadening your editing support? Fine options exist, including guidebooks, web applications, and live editors for hire. 1. Hit the Books: Guidebooks are excellent tutors. Since rewrites are vital to the revision process, many how-to books blend craft guidance with editing advice. Others focus closely on the mechanics of language.
Spring Your Writing and Illustrating Forward
Published by The Writing Cooperative on 3-31-2021 When pale green stems poke through the dirt, spring is just around the bend. And this season of renewal is the ideal time to refresh a passion for creating. These five invigorating resources for kidlit creators can rev you up and spring you forward. The Children’s Bookshelf Newsletter The Children’s Bookshelf from Publishers Weekly is a free, digital newsletter reporting semi-weekly on upcoming children’s books; industry, library, and bookstore news; interviews with book creators, agents, and editors; kidlit conferences and book fairs; and children’s book markets around the world. Peruse a few articles from recent issues: “Spring 2021 Children’s
Essential Kidlit Blogs and Newsletters for Writers and Illustrators
Published by The Writing Cooperative, on Medium, 12-26-2020 Writing and illustrating is a quiet job pretty much done at home, far from the buzz of the publishing houses and those who acquire children's books. But to keep in touch with hot topics (and enhance my craft), I follow kidlit blogs and newsletters. Most of these resources are free. A few require membership. All are immensely supportive. Decide which digital publications best suit you: A Fuse #8 Production This blog is by author and librarian Betsy Bird, perched beneath the School Library Journal (SLJ) umbrella, but opinions are her own. Betsy posts book reviews,
12 Empowering Podcasts for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Published by The Writing Cooperative on 12-19-2020 Writers and illustrators! We are home but not alone! To hear fascinating people discuss their creative process, obstacles they face, and their hard-won literary achievements, connect to podcasts on your cellphone or computer and float away. These twelve podcasts, geared towards kidlit creators and aficionados, supply book reviews, interviews, and endless motivation to read and write on. The Children’s Book Podcast (Hosted by acclaimed librarian Matthew Winner)Enjoy engaging interviews with authors and illustrators about the origin of their children’s books and the impact on readers. Kidlit These Days (Hosted by Matthew Winner and author Karina Yan Glaser)This new
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,