My best advice:  Read as many new books as you can in the age range you write for. You can’t rely on books you loved as a kid to show you how to write for today’s market. Study books that came out in the last three years. Browse the new sections at the public library or hang around a bookstore for a few hours. Ask librarians and booksellers what’s popular. Study those books.

This is all part of the job of an author. To be a good writer, you need to be a reader.

Retreats/Workshops/Classes

The Highlights Foundation runs a fantastic retreat center. They also offer a wide variety of in-person and virtual workshops for writers at all stages. They start with diversity in mind in all of their workshop development. They also offer workshops and retreats designed specifically for groups that have been historically underrepresented in publishing.

12x12 Picture Book Challenge. I’ve been a member for years. I love the community that Julie Hedlund has built there. Members challenge themselves to write 12 picture book drafts a year, attend monthly webinars, submit to 12x12 Agents, and join discussions in the private forum. NOTE: You must register in Jan-Feb of each year, then it closes until the next year.

Websites:

Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children's Books: The Purple Crayon. Learn about all things publishing.

We Need Diverse Books. Everyone should pay attention to WNDB, but they also have resources specifically for diverse authors.

Black Creators HQ. BlackCreatorsHQ is a community of authors and illustrators with one core mission: to share their talents and create stories that increase Black representation across all genres of literature.

Kidlit411. Loaded with resources about publishing books for children through young adults. If you’re on Facebook, you can also join the 411 Facebook group to participate in discussions.

Information About Finding/Working with an Agent

My agency, BookEnds, has a YouTube channel with nearly a hundred videos on topics such as “How to Write a Query Letter,” “How to Submit Picture Books,” and “How to Research Literary Agents.” If you’re seeking an agent, start your research there. If you want to know more about BookEnds, visit their website.

Organizations

For more than a decade, I encouraged new writers to join an organization called The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). For now, I am NOT making that recommendation.

More than 950 people signed an open letter to the organization demanding changes in how it is run. In addition, four long-term members of the Board of Advisors resigned and six members of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion subcommittee also resigned.

Until SCBWI makes significant progress toward implementing changes that will benefit ALL members (but especially BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creators) I cannot, in good conscience, recommend that people join.

Read the open letter and see the signatures here.

Read Melissa Stewart’s Letter of Resignation from the Board of Advisors here.

Some of my Favorite Books on writing:

Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul. The best book about writing picture books.

The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein. My favorite resource for people who want to write MG or YA novels.

Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses. Guidance for breaking out of the method of workshopping created by and for white male writers and inviting diverse storytelling approaches into literary spaces.

The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom by Felicia Rose Chavez. The title says it all.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg. A classic that is loved by many.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. Lamott’s snarky tone isn’t for everyone but I reread this roughly every other year.  

On Writing by Stephen King. Not a fan of King? Don’t let that stop you from reading this excellent book.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. Inspiration for creatives.

The Art of Slow Writing: Reflections on Time, Craft, and Creativity. I facilitated a book discussion for this book in Picture Book 12x12 (See above) and the book was universally loved by those who read it.

Writing Toward Home: Tales and Lessons to Find Your Way by Georgia Heard. While not a book specifically for KidLit writers, many of the essays and exercises will help you tap your childhood memories.

Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life by Dani Shapiro. Another book I re-read frequently, especially when I need a little boost, creatively.

Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon. Don’t be fooled by its brevity. There are some real gems in here. It’s also easy to drop in and read just a few pages when you need a boost. (Also look for Kleon’s other books: Steal Like and Artist and Show Your Work).

Real Revision: Author Strategies to Share with Student Writers by Kate Messner. While technically meant for teachers, writers will find useful tips in here.

Some of my favorite podcasts about Writing/KidLit/creativity:

Literaticast by agent Jennifer Laughran. This is especially good for learning about the business side of Writing.

The Children's Book Podcast by Matthew C. Winner

Gather, A Kidlit Craft Podcast from the Highlights Foundation.

Kidlit Women. No new episodes are being published, but the original 100 are still available.

Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. No new episodes here, either, but these existing ones are good for those who need a kick in the creative pants offered in a nurturing way.

The Yarn by Travis Jonker and Colby Sharp