Getting started as a writer of children’s picture books can be overwhelming. It’s a complex and dynamic market, yet most new authors start out assuming that the rules that applied to the treasured books of their childhood still apply today. Some elements may indeed be timeless, but knowing the latest lay of the land is critical to move from an aspiring to an agented to a published author. Here are a few resources and communities that I have found to be particularly useful in my own journey.
The Society of Children‘s Book Writers and Illustrators is an international professional organization designed to help writers and illustrators on their publishing journey. It has both international and regional organizations, meaning you can reach out to a local chapter to meet like-minded writers in your own area. Individual chapters and the main organization run regular lectures and conferences, many of which are geared for flexible schedules, organized on the weekend and often with virtual attendance options. Of particular relevance is “the Book” which summarizes the state of the industry, publishing houses, and agents for a given year. SCBWI is a must for all aspiring authors as they break into the children’s book industry.
The 12×12 Challenge is a community specifically for children’s picture book authors, providing two annual membership options. All members benefit from an informative forum and associated facebook group where users can post questions, find new resources, and get feedback on work in progress manuscripts. They also run monthly webinars on topics relevant to improving picture book writing craft. A premium membership also affords additional benefits in polishing agent queries and gives the chance to query one agent per month “above the slush pile”.
Kidlit411 is a comprehensive website where many resources have been compiled for all kidlit authors, including for picture books. This website can point you in the direction of writing communities and advice on everything from ideation, writing, revision, agenting and publishing. It is well worth taking a look.
The Author’s Guild is a professional organization of writers of all genres, dedicated to advocating for the rights of all authors and to establishing a community of events, resources and advice. One particular benefit of the Author’s Guild is the availability of legal review of agent and publisher contracts.
Publisher’s Marketplace is an excellent overview of “deals” – books sold, by which agents to which editors in which genres. Looking to know what projects an agent or editor has led, or even who represents a favorite author? This website will have it. An excellent resource for querying. Though expensive, you only need to sign up for a month or so to do your initial research.
This is another resource for identifying what agents or editors are looking for, and therefore who might be interested in your work. Once identifying someone you think might be a good fit, be sure to check back with their own website to ensure that you are using the latest, most up-to-date information!
Picture Book authors must be prolific – and you can’t write a lot without a lot of good ideas! Tara Lazar’s Story Storm is an excellent way to start out each year with a host of ideas for your writing journey.
Critique Groups
Finding good critique partners is essential to your writing journey! Through SCBWI, the Author’s Guild, 12×12 or other communities, identifying critique partners who are willing to tell you what does and more importantly doesn’t work about your stories will help you hone your craft all the faster.
Ann Whitford Paul‘s Writing Picture Books
This book is a definitive guide to the genre and an excellent resource for everything from ideating, honing plot, language and pacing, as well as revisions and publishing. Highly recommended!
The Purple Crayon & Harold Underdown
Harold Underdown has a lot of good tips and references on Children’s Picture books on his blog (link above) or in his guide to the children’s publishing industry.