Writers Resources

Links and resources to improve your craft and share your work
 

Resources for All Writers

Books & Market Guides
  • Wild Ink: How to Write Fiction for Young Adults by Victoria Hanley, Cottonwood Press
  • Writer’s Digest Books
    Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market (current year)
  • Institute for Children’s Literature
    Book Markets for Children’s Writers (current year) and Magazine Markets for Children’s Writers (current year)
Newsletters
Trade Publications
  • Publishers Weekly
    About books for all ages, children and adults. Articles, book reviews.
  • School Library Journal
    Articles and book reviews targeting public and school librarians working with children and young adults.
  • The Horn Book
    Articles, essays, and extensive book reviews of books for children and young adults.
  • Book  List Online
    Publications of the American Library Association; book reviews for librarians working with children and young adults.
Online Resources

There are hundreds of resources for writers on the Internet–this is only a small sampling!

Resources for Young Writers

Books
These books are a great place to get acquainted with the world of writing and publishing. Be careful of using a market guide that is more than a year old–the people and contact information may have changed or the magazine or publisher may be out of business. If you do use an older edition, make sure you call or write first to check the status of the publisher or magazine and whether they are still accepting submissions.

  • Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write by Victoria Hanley (Cottonwood Press, 2008)
  • The Young Writer’s Guide to Getting Published by Kathy Henderson Writer’s Digest Books; 6th edition (May 1, 2001)
  • Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market (current year) (Writer’s Digest Books) You’ll need an adult to assist if you are under 18.
Writing Resources

If you live in or around Denver, CO, check out the wonderful youth classes at Lighthouse Writers Workshop.

Online/Print Publications
  • Zuzu
    Showcases work previously published along with inviting new young people to contribute both stories and art.
  • Stone Soup
    Unique among children’s magazines — it’s the only magazine made up entirely of the creative work of children, ages 8 to 13.
  • Young Authors Guide
    List of publications for young authors
Online Resources
  • Young Writers Resources
    Lots of links to resources for kids and teens at Writing World.
  • Markets for kids and teens
    This site has articles, tips, and places for young people to submit their writing.
  • KidPub
    KidPub was created in 1995 as a safe, fun place for kids to improve their writing skills by sharing their stories, poems, reviews, and other creative writing with a worldwide audience.  KidPub is a membership site. ($12.95/year) Also, offers self-publication.
  • Kids on the Net
    Kids on the Net was one of the first websites on the internet to invite children to submit their writing.  Also has fun creative writing games and tips.
  • Rookie Magazine
    An independent online magazine that publishes writing, photography, and other forms of artwork by and for teenagers
Contests

Many schools, cities and states have contests for students. Check out contests in your local area!

5 Tips for a Good Conference Experience

Attending a writing conference? Check out my tips for making it a good one!

Resources for Picture Book Writers

Picture Book Proclamation

Writing pictrue books is a fun and sacred duty. Check out author Mac Barnett’s inspiring proclamation.

Picture Book Story vs Short Story

Writers new to picutre books–myself included way back when–often start out writing short stories. Here are a few things to think about as you begin to envision your picture book story.

Picture Books Tips on YouTube

Subscribe to my Picture Book YouTube channel to get notifications of new videos. My goal is bi-weekly, answering frequently and not-so-frequently-asked questions. Feel free to ask a question in the comments for me to answer in a future video!

Below are writers and sites that have awesome info and inspiration that I follow or visit regularly.

READING FOR RESEARCH

Fantastic site for learning how writers use picture books to inform their own work. Check out their Month Challenge held annually in March!

12 x 12 Challenge

This program challenges you to write 12 picture books in 12 months. Different paid levels give you access to different features and goodies.

Picture Book Builders Blog

Wonderful group of picture book authors who blog about topics and books–with giveaways!

Nuts & Bolts writing Guide

“Tools and tips for writing, publishing and selling your manuscript.”
eBook by author, Linda Ashman.

Storystorm

Formerly Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo), this is a wonderful way to challenge yourself to “create 30 story concepts in 30 days.”

Picture Book Writing Week

Created and hosted by author Paula Yoo, challenge yourself even more with 7 picture books in 7 days!

Rhyme Revolution

Author Angie Karcher hosts this site with great information and rhyming challenges.

Rhyme Weaver

Rhyme Weaver: For Writing Better Rhyme and Meter.  Wonderful resource for rhymers!

Making Picture Book Magic

Making Picture Book Magic is a 4 week course that will teach you how to write a picture book.

Resources for Novelists

Push Yourself a Mile High

I am honored and privileged to be a Young Adult Fiction faculty mentor for the Regis University Mile High MFA in Creative Writing. This video gives you a wonderful taste of what the program is like. One of my favorite aspects of the program is one that I believe is unique to this particular program–Writing in the World—What will you give through your writing and as a writer and human moving through the world? If you are interested in the program, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have!

NEW! You can now take a Writing Picture Books semester with me. I’m so excited!

 

Below are writers and sites that have awesome info and inspiration that I follow or visit regularly.

plot doctors

Authors Hilari Bell and Anna-Maria Crum are master plotters and can review your synopsis and help you shape your novel.

Wild ink Book

Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market by Victoria Hanley.

Middle Grade Authors

“[A] magical place for all things middle-grade.” A group blog of middle-grade authors celebrating books for middle-grade readers.

Kid Lit

Kidlit.com is an ongoing project for the passionate community of people who read and write children’s literature.

Rookie Magazine

Get to know your audience. An independent online magazine that publishes writing, photography, and other forms of artwork by and for teenagers

Adventures in YA Publishing

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