Writing for Children

Writing for Children

Visit Elaine Marie Alphin's web site for writing tips from the author of Creating Characters Kids Will Love. (Scroll down and click on Tips for Writers.)

Association of Authors' Representatives is an organization for literary agents. The site includes a section for writers called "Frequently Asked Author Questions" and a database of agents.

Book in a Week runs a week-long session once a month to complete a first draft or a target writing goal. Not specific to children's writing, but contains some interesting resources.

The Children's Book Council has a section on Frequently Asked Questions from Aspiring Authors and Illustrators.

The annual Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market usually includes some good articles about getting started (along with tons of market information.)

Fiction Factor has a number of articles, such as "Excuses, Excuses... How to Guarantee Failure as a Writer." Also check out "The Reason Editors Reject Manuscripts."

The Institute of Children's Literature web site has a section called "Writer's Support Room -- Getting Started" with numerous articles and interviews.

Verla Kay's web site includes information for getting started. She also runs live chat sessions. Her site explains, "Live Chat gives writers and illustrators of children's literature a place to 'talk' to each other in 'real time.' It's a support group that meets every night of the week for an hour or two. Writers and illustrators are invited to drop in any evening."

Children's author Cynthea Liu's site includes a "Crash Course" for writers. Covers the basics, with good links for further exploration. Also includes articles that cover "Revision 9-1-1."

Children's author Cynthia Leitich Smith has a web site that features information on "Writing for Children and Young Adults." She includes an extensive list of links and book recommendations.

The SCBWI has an article, "10 FAQs about Children's Book Publishing," by Robin Michal Koontz. Click on the SCBWI Publications section, then click on the article.

Harold Underdown features "Getting Started: The Basics of Children's Writing and Illustrating" at his site, The Purple Crayon. Also check "What a Publisher Does" for an overview of the publisher's various duties.

Write4Kids publishes the Children's Book Insider newsletter, which they promote through this site. There is lots of free content, though, such as a section called "The Basics."

Children's author Jane Yolen offers some inspirational thoughts about writing at her web site.

Writing Lists

CCBC-Net: Children's librarians, editors, teachers, writers, etc. discuss children's books. To subscribe, visit their web site or send an email to listserv@ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu and put the following in the subject line: Sub ccbc-net your firstname lastname.

Children's Nonfiction (NF for Kids): For children's nonfiction only. To subscribe, send a message to NFforKids-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Children's Writers (CW): A prolific list for children's writers. To subscribe, send a message to childrens-writers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or go the group's home page.

Momwriters (all types of writing): For writers who have mothering in common. To subscribe, send a message to momwriters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit their web site.

Online Critique Groups

To find online critique groups, you can check writing lists such as "CW" and "NF for Kids" mentioned above. DO NOT post your work to a list, but ask if anyone is looking for members or would like to start a group. Also check the Children's Book Writers Cafe. They have a "cafe critique" section that lists online crit groups and openings. Critique Circle is also an option, although it is not restricted to children's writing.

Other Writing Sites of Interest

Fiona Bayrock has written and assembled links to numerous articles about writing nonfiction for children, On Writing Nonfiction for Kids.

On her web site, Margot Finke offers a monthly Musings column about writing for children. Her Wahoo section includes the successes of others -- be sure to submit yours. She also features many writing tips for children's writers, and offers personal guidance through her manuscript critique service.

Robin Friedman: Friedman is the author of How I Survived My Summer Vacation… And Lived to Write the Story and the picture book, The Silent Witness. Her web site includes a "For Writers" section, as well as numerous interviews with editors.

InkyGirl: Daily Diversions for Writers. While it's worth a visit for the comic alone, there are also a variety of freelance job listings.

Once Written is not children-specific, but offers writing prompts (and marketing/promotion articles online). Sample prompt: "Build Character -- Write a scene where a character you're working on has a meeting with the world-record holder for the most Barbie dolls."

Publishing Trends: This web site features articles about book publishing. Archives of past articles are also available.

Random Name Generator comes up with random names based on gender and an "obscurity factor" to indicate how common you want the character's name to be.

Writer Beware: Provided by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, this web site contains valuable information for writers of all genres about avoiding common writing scams.

WritingFix contains interactive writing prompts to spark creativity.

Free Email Newsletters

The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) Contracts Watch: Free monthly newsletter includes specific publisher's contract information.

Funds for Writers, FFW Small Markets, and The Writing Kid are all available for free through C. Hope Clark's Funds for Writers web site.

PW Daily: Free email newsletter from Publisher's Weekly. There is also a free weekly "Children's Bookshelf" newsletter for PW children publishing news.

Publisher's Lunch: Free email version of a newsletter with publishing news and deal information. Some overlap with PW information, but presented in a more irreverent style.

Blogs

Alice's CWIM Blog: From Alice Pope, the editor of the annual Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market Guide.

Jacket Flap: Lists 300 children's publishing blogs. Includes category (editor, agent, librarian, etc.) to help you choose.

Literary Agent X: Seems like honest, frank opinions from an agent willing to give insight to writers. Sample entries: "Why Does an Agent Pass?" (May 2007), "On Being a Dedicated Writer...." (May 2007), "Good and Bad Agents" (April 2007).

"Miss Snark" Q&A from an anonymous NYC literary agent with attitude, "in which Miss Snark vents her wrath on the hapless world of writers and crushes them to sand beneath her T.Rexual heels of stiletto snark." She "retired" from updating her blog in May of 2007, but the archives remain online.

Planet Esme – A Book-a-Day: Book reviews from author Esme Raji Codell on her favorite new children's books.

Shelftalker: "In which a children's bookseller pontificates on all things literary, artistic and mercantile." Includes info about author talks and marketing ideas from an independent bookseller's perspective.

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