Writing Resources
My Favorite Resources for Picture Book Writers
(I'll update this post when I find more juicy resources!)
4/3/2025
PICTURE BOOKS...
- Read, read, read. Read more! Anyone will tell you--reading new picture books is some of the best research you can do.
COMMUNITY...
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SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators)
- $100/yr
- Join this international community and access regional events, critique groups (specifically for children’s writers and illustrators), webinars, the “SCBWI Essential Guide” PDF updated biannually with lots of helpful advice and info, chats, conferences, etc.
- https://www.scbwi.org/
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Julie Hedlund's 12x12 Challenge
- Free newsletter with tons of helpful writing/industry info & tips & sometimes free webinars by signing up here: https://juliehedlund.teachable.com/
- Free access to blog posts include author and agent features, "How I Got My Agent," and more.
- Join the 12x12 challenge for a fee. TOTALLY worth it!! One of my favorite things!
- Challenge: write 12 pbs in 12 mos.
- Community, webinars, manuscript critiques, facebook group access...
- https://www.12x12challenge.com/
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Storystorm
- Part blog, part challenge, part community
- Author Tara Lazar's annual challenge to think up 31 picture book ideas in the 31 days of January
- Check out the INCREDIBLE author posts from past years to get your juices flowing, and sign up next year!
- https://taralazar.com/storystorm/
PB PODCASTS...
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Writing for Children
- Put out by ICL, the Institute for Children’s Literature (I took a class because the pod helped me so much when I was first starting out)
- How to improve your craft and things you should know about writing for kids
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SCBWI Podcasts
- Interviews with industry professionals and lots of helpful nuggets for kidlit authors
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Picture Book Summit Podcast
- Insight into craft of writing, illustrating, and publishing PBs
- Presentations from industry professionals from the PB Summit Conferences.
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The Children’s Book Podcast
- Interviews with picture book authors and illustrators- lots of great insights and one of my favs.
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Picture Booking
- Interviews with picture book authors and illustrators
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All The Wonders This Week
- What’s new in kidlit
OTHER WRITING PODS...
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Way-Word Writers Podcast
- Hosted by a literary agent and authors and writing coaches
- Little bit of everything to support and enrich your writing journey
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The Manuscript Academy
- Convos with agents, editors, and writers to help you on your journey
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The Happy Writer
- Mostly Middle/YA
- Some great episodes on publishing, queries, etc.
- Interviews with authors
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Literary Lens Podcast
- Advice on and insight into the publishing industry
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The Resilient Writers Radio Show
- About craft
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Edit Your Darlings
- Interviews authors about their experiences being edited
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The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
- Agents critique queries and opening pages of novels
- Industry and craft advice
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The Mythcreant Podcast
- Editors chat about craft
BOOKS...
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Writing Children’s Books for Dummies
- Great overview of the process from idea to agent to deal
- Industry info
- Tips on writing for kids
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Children’s Writer’s Word Book
- Quick reference dictionary/thesaurus
- Grade-leveled word lists
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The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within- Stephen Fry
- Witty and humorous breakdown of poetic forms
- Exercises at end of each chapter
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Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print
- Extremely readable, clearly explained editing advice
- Exercises at end of each chapter
-
Essentials of English, by Hopper, Gale, Foote, and Griffith
- Great for reference and a straight read-through
- Good read to have under your belt and on your shelf.
- Zen in the Art of Writing- Ray Bradbury
FINDING AGENTS...
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Always do extensive research on your agent before querying. Such as...
- if they're from a reputable agency
- if they're new (pro or con)
- what they are looking for and what they are not
- what they’ve published
- if you think they’ll be a good fit
- if they’re open to queries
- if they're open to PB authors only vs. illustrators only vs. author/illustrators only
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Publishers Marketplace
- $25/mo
- Legitimate agents on here
- Can look up any author you ♥ and find their agent
- Can look up agents and find their book deals, including most recent
- Agent pages include wish lists and querying info (though still look them up on MWL and their agency pages to cross reference)
- Their Agent Matcher tool is pretty cool:
- Tips for searching and using the website:
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Manuscript Wishlist
- Many agents keep updated wish list/bio pages here
- https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/
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Query Tracker
- Free Newsletter with agent updates, sometimes a good way to find agents repping PB authors
- Can subscribe to keep track of favorite agents
- (Agents often use QT for form query submissions instead of email)
- https://querytracker.net/
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Association of American Literary Agents
- You can search agents by name or category, but you just get a list. It’s a lot to weed through, but it’s there.
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Agent Query
- Lots of ads on here, don’t use it as much, but it’s a way to find agents
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Bluesky (Social)
- Becoming a good social media platform for the kidlit scene
- Follow agencies/agents/authors, etc
- Keep an eye out for their next picture book pitch party #skypitch
- Join the KidLit Mega Feed, Kidlit Community, #kidlitchat
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X
- Unfortunately, updated info can be found on agents X accounts
- A good place to get to know an agent better and get on their radar
SUPER HELPFUL BLOGS, SITES, & WEB TOOLS
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Kidlit411
- Free newsletter
- From blogs, to contests, to critique groups, to classes, to inspiration, to craft, to industry happenings… Just scroll through the beautifully illustrated options on their homepage
- https://www.kidlit411.com/
- Mem Fox (kidlit author) Writing Advice
- Josh Funk (kidlit author) Guide to Writing PBs
- Kid Rhyming Dictionary
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Rhyme Weaver
- Great site for learning about what makes rhyming and rhythm work
- https://rhymeweaver.com/
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Duplicate Word Finder
- Because we all get a little carried away sometimes
- https://codepen.io/finnhvman/full/oPwXRa
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Grade Level Calculator
- See if you’re on track for your intended audience (especially for easy readers and very young kids)
- https://www.renaissance.com/resources/atos-analyzer/atos-analyzer-tool/