Consider this growing list of notable podcasts, books on craft, and newsletters and blogs.

The resources below address creating and disseminating children’s books and other literary works.

• PODCASTS
• BOOKS
• NEWSLETTERS & BLOGS

---

Podcasts

Take an inspiring magic carpet ride to hear about fascinating people, their creative process, and literary achievements. It’s a quick way to get guidance and fresh ideas. Visit these crowd pleasing podcasts on your cell phone whenever you choose.

All About Kidlit

• 3 Point Perspective (hosted by artists Will Terry, Lee White, and Jake Parker):
  Three pros with backgrounds in animation and kidlit discuss all aspects of developing art skills and growing a career in illustration.
• 88 Cups of Tea (hosted by author/producer Yin Chang): 
  Chang’s podcast takes on the challenges of a creative life, such as dealing with rejections, querying agents and editors, and finding joy in the writing process.
• Book Friends Forever (BFF) (hosted by editor Alvina Ling and author Grace Lin):
  Visit behind the scenes as this dynamic, literary duo discuss their friendship since childhood and making children’s books.
• The Children’s Book Podcast (hosted by librarian Matthew Winner):
  Enjoy engaging interviews with authors and illustrators about the origin of their children’s books and the impact on readers.
• First Draft (hosted by YA author Sarah Enni):
  Interviews with professionals at all stages of the publishing process aim to give new and experienced writers a better sense of the creative and emotional endurance required to succeed.
• Fuse 8 n’ Kate (hosted by Betsy Bird and Kate Ramsey):
  Each month, kidlit savvy sisters, Betsy and Kate, dish on a picture book classic and its value in the cannon of children’s literature.
• The Happy Writer (hosted by author Marissa Meyer):
  Meyer’s author interviews skew towards overcoming obstacles and bringing more joy to the writing process.
• Into the Words from the Highlights Foundation (hosted by Executive Director George Brown):
  Quick but informative interviews with kidlit authors and illustrators who share guidance and ideas for working on the craft of story.
• Julie’s Library (hosted by actor Julie Andrews and author Emma Walton Hamilton):
  Julie and her daughter Emma read their favorite children’s books, enlivening them with sound, music, and activities.
• Keeping a Notebook (hosted by YA author Nina LaCour):
  These mini episodes may be the inspiration you need to establish creative practices in your daily life and put your stories on the page.
• Kidlit These Days (hosted by librarian Matthew Winner and author Karina Yan Glaser):
  This new podcast from Book Riot connects the best of children’s literature with important current events.
• Literaticast (hosted by literary agent Jennifer Laughran):
  Get insider advice on the children’s publishing industry as Jennifer chats with authors, editors, art directors, other agents, and marketing professionals.
• Middle Grade Mavens (hosts Julie Anne Grasso and Pamela Ueckerman):
  Two Australian author mums talk about middle-grade books they love and share insider industry tips for those striving to write them.
• One More Page (hosted by writers for children Kate Simpson, Liz Ledden, and Nat Amoore):
  This Sydney-based podcast delivers interviews, book reviews, industry gossip, and a bit of silliness for kids and kids at heart. 
• Picturebooking (hosted by author Nick Patton):
  Patton loves picture books and the positive effect they have on children. Tune into his entertaining interviews with children’s book authors and illustrators.
• Picture Book Look (hosted by writers Kim Chaffee and Kirsti Call):
  Chaffee and Call explore some favorite picture books and chat with creators about their creative process.
• PW KidsCast (hosted by editor Emma Kantor):
  This children’s book editor of Publishers Weekly conducts smart, 20-minute interviews with kidlit authors who have recently published a book.
• Read-Aloud Revival (hosted by author Sarah Mackenzie):
  Through read-alouds, interviews, and tips, Sarah helps parents, homeschoolers, and teachers make meaningful connections with kids through books. 
• SCBWI Podcast (hosted by journalist Theo Baker): 
  Become a member of the Society of Children’s Writer’s and Illustrators to hear informative conversations with leaders in the children’s book field. 
• This Creative Life (hosted by YA author Sara Zarr):
  Candid author talks capture the “practical and psychological aspects of creativity, the creative process, and the strange landscape where art meets commerce.”
• Writing for Children (hosted by author Katie Davis):
  These episodes, mostly for aspiring children’s writers, focus on how to write children’s books and magazine articles, and how to get paid and published.
• The Yarn (hosted by librarian Travis Jonker and educator Colby Sharp):
  Each episode by this dynamic duo explores with an author or illustrator how a book for young readers was made.

Beyond Kidlit

• The Pen Pod from PEN America (hosted by producer Stephen Fee):
  Fee provides stimulating conversations on current, hot button topics related to free expression in the literary world. 
• The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience (hosted by author Kelton Reid):
  Reid’s weekly author interviews reveal methods to keep ideas flowing and your cursor moving.

Apple Podcasts links were embedded for most of the entries, but other apps are available for iOS devises.

Search Google Podcasts and other applications for Android phones.

See Best Podcast Listening Apps (for iOS & Android) for an assessment.

---

BOOKS

A sea of outstanding publications provide technical help, support for the writing life, and particulars on literary genres. This is a sampling of the many good books on craft that can keep you afloat on your journey.*

On Writing Technique

• Correct Writing by Eugenia Butler
• Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
• On Writing Well by William Zinsser
• Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark

On the Creative Life

• The Artists Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
• It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyondby Julia Cameron
• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
• Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg

On Creating Picture Books and Novels

• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books by Harold Underdown
• The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know to Create and Sell Your Work from the Editors of Writers Digest
• From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children’s Books by Kathleen T. Horning
• How to Write a Children’s Book and Get it Published by Barbara Seuling
• The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need by Jessica Brody
• Second Sight: And Editor Talks on Writing, Revising & Publishing Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein
• The Secrets of Story: Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers by Matt Bird
• Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel by Lisa Cron
• Writing Magic: Creating Books That Fly by Gail Carson Levine
• Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul

On Illustrating Books for Children

• Show Me a Story!: Why Picture Books Matter: Conversations with 21 of the World’s Most Celebrated Illustrators by Leonard S. Marcus
• Children’s Picture Books: The Art of Visual Storytelling by Martin Salisbury
• Illustrating Children’s Books by Martin Ursell
• Illustrating Children’s Books: Creating Pictures for Publication by Martin Salisbury
• Writing and Illustrating Children’s Books for Publication; Two Perspectives by Berthe Amoss and Eric Suben

Not Just for Kids

• The Drawing Lesson: A Graphic Novel That Teaches You How to Draw by Mark Crilley
• Draw Your Day for Kids by Samantha Dion Baker coming in fall 2021
• How to Write a Story, a picture book by Kate Messner and Mark Siegel
• Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s Handbook by Anne Maser and Ellen Potter, illustrated by Matt Phelan
• A Squiggly Story a picture book by Andrew Larsen and Mike Lowry

• What’s Your Story? A Young Person’s Guide to Writing Fiction by Marion Dane Bauer
• Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly by Gail Carson Levine

On Writing Emotion

• The Eight Characters of Comedy by Scott Sedita
• The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
• The New Comedy Bible by Judy Carter
• The Writers Guide to Character Traits by Linda Edelstein
• Writing for Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias

On Writing Scripts and Stories

• The 90-Day Screenplay by Alan Watt
• The Anatomy of Story; 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby
• Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder
• Save the Cat Goes to the Movies by Snyder
• Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field
• Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
• Your Screenplay Sucks by William M. Akers

On Creating Content

• The 30-Minute Writer: How to Write and Sell Short Pieces by Connie Emerson
• Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley
• Secrets of a Freelance Writer by Robert W. Bly
• Talk to Me: How to Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers and Interview Anyone Like a Pro by Dean Nelson

On Pitching and Promoting

• The Book: The Essential Guide to Publication for Children from the SCBWI for members
• Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market 2020: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published by editor Amy Jones
• Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds by Michael Hauge
• Writer’s Market 2020: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published by editor Robert Lee Brewer

*I embedded Bookshop.org links where possible to support indie bookstores. 

---

NEWSLETTERS & BLOGS

Subscribe to industry newsletters and blogs to learn more about writing and illustrating and stay abreast of key topics in publishing.

Most of these resources are free. A few require a paid membership.

• 12 x 12 Challenge is a blog, quest, forum, and seminar series founded by Julie Hedlund to foster picture book productivity and success.
• Adventures in YA Publishing is a blog by a group of authors about young adult fiction, advice on writing and publishing YA, and insider tidbits.
• A Fuse #8 Production by librarian and author Betsy Bird (for SLJ) features news, reviews, and videos about upcoming children’s books.
• All News No Schmooze is a blog by author Laurie Wallmark posting useful news and notes for busy children’s book writers.
• The Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) is hefty database of literary agents. Authors can search by genre to reach a list of applicable agents, their submission guidelines, and website links. But best practice is to perform additional field research. To be listed, an agent must meet the criteria stipulated in the AAR bylaws and code of ethics, but AAR is not obliged to regulate business practices.
• The Brown Bookshelf is a blog celebrating African-America books for young readers. Their flagship initiative in February, 28 Days Later, showcases the best in Picture Books, Middle Grade, and YA novels written and illustrated by Black creators.
• The Children’s Book Insider is a longstanding blog and newsletter by authors Laura Backes and Jon Bard helping people build careers in writing for children since 1990.
• Cynsations is a blog by author Cynthia Leitich Smith sharing publishing information, writer inspiration, and appreciation for booksellers, librarians, and teachers with an emphasis on books about Native American culture.
• Inkygirl is a blog by Debbie Ridpath Ohi about reading, writing, and illustrating kids’ books.
• I’m Here. I’m Queer. What the Hell Do I Read? is a blog by Lee Wind featuring books for LGBTQ teens and covering culture, social justice, and equality.
• KIDLIT is an informative blog by editor and former literary agent Mary Kole about writing children’s literature and how to get it published.
• KidLit Crossing is an author blog sharing tips, resources, and other support for anyone striving to stay creative in the literary world.
• Literary Rambles from Natalie Aguirre and Casey McCormick posts copious interviews with children’s authors, agents, and publishers.
• Kidlit TV’s Newsletter features articles and videos about children’s literature gathered and delivered to your mailbox.
• Melissa Stewart’s Celebrate Science blog presents a bounty of resources for science teachers and sound tips for nonfiction writers.
• Nathan Bransford’s Blog by an author and former literary agent who offers ongoing, detailed guidance on writing, editing, and publishing books.
• The Official Manuscript Wishlist and MS Wishlist are searchable blogs sharing what agent and editors would like to see submitted.
• Picture Book Den is a busy blog site managed by a group of children’s writers who are passionate about picture books. Lots of guest posts too!
• Publishers Marketplace is a comprehensive database for professionals in the book publishing industry (not just kidlit). Paid subscribers ($25 monthly) can search editors and agents by topic and type of publication.
• The Publishers Weekly Children’s Page is a great spot for beefy compilation articles regarding new children’s books, such as “Children’s Starred Reviews 2020” and “Spring 2021 Children’s Sneak Preview,” as well as important updates about the kidlit industry.
• The Purple Crayon is a veteran blog on crafting kidlit by editor-for-hire Harold Underdown. See his Who’s Moving Where? for staff changes in children’s publishing.
• Query Tracker, founded by Patrick McDonald, is a database of literary agents and user data . Subscribe for $25/year to avail all platform functions. Users can track their queries and extrapolate info regarding response time, acceptance rate, and genre focus.
• Rachelle Burk’s Resources for Children’s Writers is a collection of articles and lists with writing, networking, and publishing tips.
• The SCBWI Blog is the official blog of the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) attentively led by Lee Sind.
• The SCBWI Bulletin is a quarterly e-publication for members delivering comprehensive info about the field of children’s literature.
• The SCBWI Insight is a monthly e-newsletter for members exploring hot topics in children’s books, along with helpful hints, interviews, and contests.
• Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast is a children’s literature blog focused on picture books and illustrated work hosted by Julie (Jules) Danielson.
• Shelf Awareness Pro is a weekday e-newsletter for booksellers and librarians about selling and lending children’s books.
• Shelf Awareness for Readers is a newsletter each Tuesday and Friday helping readers discover children’s books and learn about industry experts.
• Studio Newsletter by illustrator Roxie Munro delivers quarterly publishing news; how-to videos, and links to info on writing, illustrating, and education.
• The Weekly 411 is a compilation of posts from the Facebook group, Kidlit 411. Authors Elaine Kiely Kearns and Sylvia Liu share tips about writing and submitting.
• The Weekly Digest from Jane Friedman is a collection of instructional posts about the business of writing, selling, and marketing books in the digital age.
• We Need Diverse Books is a blog by an organization formed to counter the lack of diverse books in children’s literature and promote the ideal that “embracing diversity will lead to acceptance, empathy, and ultimately equality”.
• Writers’ Rumpus is a handsome and user friendly blog and site managed by a kidlit critique group in Boston. See their monthly round up of growth “opportunities”.
• Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) is a lively blog by author Tara Lazar and home of the January, picture book writing challenge: Storystorm.

---