Writing Resources
Here is a list of valuable links, resources, services & events. This is an ever-evolving list, so feel free to visit often to see what's new!
A little sumthin-sumthin for everyone!
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Adult Books
Contact Me for Purchase
New Links:
Rhyme Crimes!
https://www.athomeauthor.com/post/rhyme-writing-mistakes
Royalty Calculator
https://when-do-i-earn-out.web.app/
100 Publishers Accepting!
https://bitsykemper.com/publishers/
The List to End All Lists!
http://www.resourcesforchildrenswriters.com/?fbclid=IwAR2pn5pPX_pgpxQcSDZkgyM5__tdv27ra77eFbbNA2Oi9Md252lmYjMQ5rI
QUERYING
Writing Successful Queries
Writer's Digest Query Tips
Sub It Club
Query Letters
Agent Calls
https://twitter.com/just_marve/status/1653687887609622528?s=46&t=wwSJbm9uvliZHjSOxf1-Xg
https://annzhao.com/blog/questions-to-ask-an-agent-on-the-call
https://aspiringauthor.com/literary-agents/questions-literary-agent-call/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1rekOv9NI8
Querying
http://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/find-agentseditors/editors/
Query letters
http://www.kidlit411.com/2014/01/query-letters.html?fbclid=IwAR0lbxREUL5Gf_HjjiN7xozEYDXSvDrY8qwR-kCBknDBFSI3cPzOlohmz8s&m=1
https://queryshark.blogspot.com/?m=1
Agent List ( A good place to start)
NON-FICTION & SUCH
Back Matter Matters
https://www.annettewhipple.com/2022/01/writers-questions-about-back-matter.html?m=1
NF Comps & How to Find Them
https://www.nffest.com/2023/02/comp-titles-where-to-find-them-and-how.html?m=1
Finding Comps
What Exactly is Informational Fiction?
WRITING TIPS
Writing with Inventive Language
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zBy-yvf71xU&feature=youtu.be
Theme vs Main Idea
(with helpful videos)
https://childrenslibrarylady.com/teaching-theme-main-idea/
Writing Books with Heart - Revision Tips
https://www.wordsandpics.org/2021/07/picture-book-focus-revision-tip-explore.html?m=1
What is a Quiet Picture Book?
Great first lines. Collection each month
https://www.sarakruger.com/first-lines/june-2022
15 Picture Books that Show vs Tell
https://kathymacmillan.com/2020/04/30/15-picture-books-that-demonstrate-show-dont-tell/amp/
Show Don’t Tell
https://www.wordsandpics.org/2018/08/picture-book-focus-dont-skip-scenes.html?m=1
15 PB that Show vs Tell
https://kathymacmillan.com/2020/04/30/15-picture-books-that-demonstrate-show-dont-tell/amp/
Writing Action
https://www.wordsandpics.org/2018/06/picture-book-focus-dont-skip-scenes.html?m=1
Pacing
https://www.wordsandpics.org/2018/07/picture-book-focus-dont-skip-scenes.html?m=1
Show Don’t Tell
https://www.wordsandpics.org/2018/08/picture-book-focus-dont-skip-scenes.html?m=1
Quick PB Writing Tips
https://twitter.com/vickyweberbooks/status/1574911042961948680?s=21
Writing for Your Audience
Interview with Frances Gilbert - Editor/Author
Hooks & Fresh Angles
Genres Explained
http://evalangston.com/2021/08/16/kidlit-genres/
Writing Action
https://www.wordsandpics.org/2018/06/picture-book-focus-dont-skip-scenes.html?m=1
Pacing
https://www.wordsandpics.org/2018/07/picture-book-focus-dont-skip-scenes.html?m=1
MISCELLANEOUS
Lists of Best PB’s
https://twitter.com/stephen_briseno/status/1569460179657162752?s=21
Best Picture Books
Subscribe to Susanna Hill’s email list
This is a great list. Scroll to the bottom & people add books to the excel sheet.
https://susannahill.com/2022/09/16/perfect-picture-book-friday-i-cannot-draw-a-horse/
Cookie Books
https://bookroo.com/explore/books/topics/cookies
Fun Idea Generator
https://mycuprunsover.ca/writing-prompt-generator-kids/
Book Printers
https://brookevitale.com/blog/childrens-book-printing-and-offset-printing
Keeping Track of Comps
https://twitter.com/laduskevich/status/1569746583415037952?s=21
Great first lines. Collection each month
https://www.sarakruger.com/first-lines/june-2022
CRITIQUES & PITCHES
Lessons From the Critique Pile
https://www.annalazowskibooks.com/blog/lessons-from-the-critique-pile
Pitch examples
Pitches #2
https://nakisanooraee.com/pitch-examples-pb2/
Writing a Pitch
https://thewingedpen.com/2016/06/03/write-a-killer-kidlit-pitch/
19 Publishers Accepting Manuscripts
https://writingtipsoasis.com/childrens-picture-book-publishers-accepting-unsolicited-manuscripts/
RHYME
Writing Rhyming Non-Fiction Books
https://www.nffest.com/2023/02/writing-rhyming-nonfiction-picture-book.html?m=1
Attempting Rhyme? Start Here
https://www.reneelatulippe.com/lyrical-language-lab/
Rhyming Resources
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Rhyme Zone that helps you find rhyming words http://www.rhymezone.com/
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The Meter Maids http://themetermaids.blogspot.com/ Unfortunately, these two now multi-published authors are no longer updating this but there's tons of great stuff here in previous posts.
Here are other resources with definitions:
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http://literarydevices.net/meter/ for meter.
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Their overall site is an excellent resource https://literarydevices.net/ for those with enough time to delve into that rabbit hole of fascinating learning.
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Specific recommendations to read
a lot of Shel Silverstein & Valerie Worth
And also this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Poem-Making-Ways-Begin-Writing-Poetry/dp/0060240199
Books on the Craft
On Writing - Stephen King
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books by Harold D. Underdown
Organizations
SCBWI
SCBWI Long Island chapter
LICWI - Long Island Children’s Writers & Illustrators
Accounts that Host Events
Brian Gehrlein
Manuscript 411 & MS swap
12x12 Julie hedlund
PBChat
KidlitTV
Kidlitchat
Kidlit411
Useful Hashtags
kidlit kidlitart picturebooks writingcommunity
Twitter pitch contests
Use the hastags below to read through prior twitter events. Awesome opportunity to learn which pitches work.
Kidlitpitch
FlipIt
PBPitch
DVPit
LatinxPitch
KidlitGN
Podcasts
Picture Book Summit Podcast
https://picturebooksummit.com/podcast-generating-ideas-with-katie-davis/
All three episodes:
Developing, Generating & Assessing Ideas
https://picturebooksummit.com/podcast-developing-ideas-with-emma-walton-hamilton/
Kidlit411 Manuscript Swap
Facebook Group
Kidlit411 website
A bazillion resources &
Editorial Services