Books, Awards, Industry and Writer’s Sites for the Children’s Book Writer
I’ve compiled a list of reference books, sites, and links to articles for you to peruse at your leisure. As I come across things I think will be useful for you, I will add it to this page. Most of the writing books are interactive because I believe the only way you can get better is through practice, and I only recommend books I’ve used in workshops. They range from helping you with character and plot to looking at the revision process to beginning with an idea. There are also good reads here that talk about children’s books and their history.
There are also links to publishing articles that give insight into some of the most common questions on topics like multiple submissions and finding the right agent. You will also find reputable sites where you can connect with other writers.
In addition, I have also included links for awards, magazines and industry websites.
And if you are just beginning The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books could be a great start. Or, if you are thinking of trying your hand at writing for adults, there’s a link here to get you started with that too!
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Writing Books to Help You with the Craft of Writing
(Amazon links are included here to provide you with more information. However, any of the books listed can also be found and/or purchased at Barnes and Noble, Borders and other bookstores, and for some — Writer’s Digest Books.)
Writing Fiction Step by Stepby Josip Novakovich
The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman
Revision: A Creative Approach to Writing and Rewriting Fiction by David Michael Kaplan
Building Better Plots by Robert Kernen
The Writer’s Idea Workshop: How to Make Your Good Ideas Great by Jack Heffron
Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood
Idea Catcher: An Inspiring Journal for Writers from Story Press
Writing Dialogue by Tom Chiarella
The Observation Deck: A Tool Kit for Writers by Naomi Epel
Publishing Children’s Books
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books by Harold D. Underdown
Analyzing at Children’s Books
Choosing Books for Children – A Commonsense Guide by Betsy Hearne
From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children’s Books by Kathleen T. Horning
Additional Recommendations and Book Reviews
Children and Reading
Read Well, Think Well: Build Your Child’s Reading, Comprehension and Critical Thinking Skills by Hal W. Lanse, Ph.D.
Links to Relevant Articles
Loads of great articles and blog entries for publishing children’s books
Links to Trusted Articles about Self-Publishing –
Have a question about resubmitting the same manuscript? Start here.
There’s Too Much on the Internet! How Do You Navigate It All? Start here
Multiple or Simultaneous Submissions? Start here.
Finding the Right Agent for Your Story – Start here.
What Happens on the Inside? Children’s Publishing
Websites for Writers
Write4Kids, Great for Beginners
VerlaKay , for Children’s Writers and Illustrators
Kid’s Book Revisions, Online Tutorial for Children’s Writers
Marcela Landres — Looking to Transition from Children’s Publishing to Adult’s — Start Here
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Taxes for Writers
Hardge Connections, LLC – She can help you keep more of what you make!
Writer’s Magazine
Keeping Up with the Industry
Here you can subscribe to Publisher’s Lunch for a weekly dose of what’s happening in Children’s Publishing
International Reading Association (IRA)
Children’s Book Awards and Book Lists
Notable Children’s Books from the American Library Service to Children -
The Theodore Seuss Geisel Award
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Young Adult Library Services Association)
Links to Other Kinds of Awards
