Essential Blogs and Newsletters for Kidlit Writers and Illustrators:
By: Teri Daniels
Tags: Blog, Newsletter, Childrens Books, Writing Tips, Publishing

Essential Blogs and Newsletters for Kidlit Writers and Illustrators:

Source: Mary Pahlke at Pixabay

Writing and illustrating is a quiet job pretty much done at home, far from the buzz of the publishing houses and those who acquire books. But to keep in touch with hot topics (and enhance my craft), I follow blogs and newsletters about creating and publishing children’s literature.

Decide which digital publications suit you best

Most of these resources are free. A few require membership. All are immensely supportive.

This blog is by author and librarian Betsy Bird, perched beneath the School Library Journal (SLJ) umbrella, but opinions are her own. Betsy posts book reviews, thematic reading lists, video trailers, and interviews pertaining to recent and upcoming children’s books. It’s good to get a librarian’s take on new publications.

This blog celebrates books for teens and young readers by African-America authors and illustrators. The flagship initiative of the blog spans Black History month. Each February, 28 Days Later showcases the best in picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels and non-fiction from Black creators.

Since, 1990, this renowned monthly newsletter, published by husband and wife editorial team Laura Backes and Jon Bard, is on a mission — to assist creative people build careers in writing for children. Aspiring writers will especially enjoy their tips, lessons, and timely marking info.

A blog by author Cynthia Leitich Smith (on hiatus till 2–11–21) presents thoughtful conversations, writer inspiration, and publishing information. She often tilts her focus toward multicultural books, including those concerning Native American culture.

This ambitious blog by editor-for-hire (and former literary agent) Mary Kole is geared toward committed kidlit writers. Kole dispenses solid advice for securing an agent and getting work published, but my favorite blogposts provide mini writing lessons. I always learn something new.

A caring blog for writers and illustrators sharing tips, resources, and emotional support with anyone striving to stay connected and creative in the children’s literary world. We may work alone, but it doesn’t need to feel that way.

The longstanding blog by Natalie Aguirre and Casey McCormick is best known for its “Agent Spotlights”—twice monthly profiles of children’s literary agents, which include the work they represent, their backgrounds, quoted client feedback, and manuscript response times.

These separate searchable sites document the types of teen and children’s book submissions individual agents and editors do and don’t want to see. Learn about the genres sought along with the often niche needs and specific tastes of kidlit decision makers.

This gargantuan database caters to pros in the book publishing business, and a $25 monthly subscription enables full access. I subscribe for the insider news and use it as a research tool. Search publishers, editors, and agents by topic, genre, and type of publication. Explore dealmaker statistics and acquisition histories. For an added fee, maintain a webpage hosted on the platform.

This veteran website about crafting and publishing kidlit by author and editor-for-hire Harold Underdown is well known and respected. Harold’s popular Who’s Moving Where? page tracks staff changes and other news at children’s publishing houses.

The official blog of the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), led by Lee Wind, keeps its 22,000 global members up to speed on events, conferences, contests, awards and other news in the world of children’s and young adult literature.

A consistently satisfying quarterly e-publication for and by members of the SCBWI delivers informative articles on topics of keen interest to the creators, publishers, and promoters of children’s articles and books. Often worth a second read.

Shelf Awareness Pro is a weekday e-newsletter for booksellers, publishers, literary agents, and librarians about marketing and lending children’s books. Shelf Awareness for Readers, a semi-weekly review publication, helps readers discover new children’s books and learn about industry experts.

Peruse this quarterly publishing by Roxie Munro, a masterful illustrator and picture book creator. Roxie engages her broad audience comprised of young readers, budding artists, parents, librarians, and teachers via activities, how-to videos, and links to writing and art education. Illustrators, take notes!

This colorful, weekly posting is an inviting compilation of linked articles and other resources shared at Kidlit 411 by authors Elaine Kiely Kearns and Sylvia Liu. Get tips about writing and illustrating kidlit, submitting projects, critique groups, contests to enter, and more. This busy duo also administers a popular Facebook group, by the same name, for children’s writers and illustrators.

I look forward to this excellent weekly collection of instructional blogposts about the business of writing and selling books for all ages in the digital age. Author and presenter Jane Freidman is a wealth of information. Guest posts are topnotch as well. Don’t miss out! Also consider The Hot Sheet, issued biweekly as a paid subscription. Topics include book market analysis, trends and changes in the publishing industry, and income advice for career authors traditionally and independently published.

The WeNeedDiverseBooks.org (WNDB) blog counters the lack of diversity in children’s books by promoting literature that reflects all or our young people with the goal of greater acceptance, empathy, and equality. WNDB defines diversity as a person of color, Native American, LGBTQIA, a person with a disability, and/or a member of a marginalized religious or cultural group in America. Broaden your mind and knowledge through Q&As, topical guest posts, featured books, and their newsy press releases.

This engaging blog by picture book author Tara Lazar is like a bazaar of writing and illustrating advice with book reviews, products, toys, recipes, and giveaways. It’s also the home of #StoryStorm, the January writing challenge that helps participants unblock and stockpile picture book plots.