Mind your P's
Polish
Critique Circle - purely a critique site for your work, the quality here is fairly good. You can post stories, queries, chapters, etc and get some great feedback. For the lowdown on how to get started, see the information page.
Kidlit 411 Manuscript Swap - Writing Kidlit, and looking for a critique partner? Need a fresh pair of eyes? Check this out!
Grammar Girl - a fabulous resource for any little grammar question you may have. Grey or Gray? Lay or Laid? Apostrophe at the end of a name that ends with S or....?! She's got you covered!
Guide to Writing Picture Books by Josh Funk - 12 lessons about writing and editing a picture book!
Creating Children's Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi - templates to help you think visually, advice, process insights, editorial tips and more! Geared to picture book writers.
Recommended books:
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder - tremendous help for plotting and pacing
Second Sight by Cheryl Klein - brilliant revision tips and advice
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White - everything grammar
Kidlit 411 Manuscript Swap - Writing Kidlit, and looking for a critique partner? Need a fresh pair of eyes? Check this out!
Grammar Girl - a fabulous resource for any little grammar question you may have. Grey or Gray? Lay or Laid? Apostrophe at the end of a name that ends with S or....?! She's got you covered!
Guide to Writing Picture Books by Josh Funk - 12 lessons about writing and editing a picture book!
Creating Children's Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi - templates to help you think visually, advice, process insights, editorial tips and more! Geared to picture book writers.
Recommended books:
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder - tremendous help for plotting and pacing
Second Sight by Cheryl Klein - brilliant revision tips and advice
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White - everything grammar
Participate
Absolute Write - an interactive forum of thousands of writers of all genres from all over the world, where you can chat, post queries/pages for critique, and ask agents and editors questions.
Romance Divas - an interactive forum dedicated solely to the genre of romance, where you can post pages/queries for critiques, ask questions, chat, rant, and gush with fellow romance lovers.
SCBWI - The best organization to be a part of if you're a children's author or illustrator. Puts out monthly newsletters and a magazine chalk-full of advise, has conferences, and critique and chapters in YOUR area you can meet with once a week. It is, as they say, a network for the exchange of knowledge for writers in the children's field.
RWA - Similar to the above, this is the best organization to join for writers of romance. Also includes newsletters, conferences, chapters and contests (judged by editors and agents); a networking and learning must for the romance writer.
More specific genre networks: Historical Writers' Association, Mystery Writers of America, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Ask the Agent - Senior Agent Jennifer Laughran from Andrea Brown Literary Agency answers all your questions! Includes full archive of previous questions and answers in her straightforward, real and approachable style
Dear Editor - DearEditor.com is the place for writers—published or not—to ask questions about the craft of writing and/or the publishing industry… and get direct answers and actionable suggestions.
12x12 - can you write a picture book a month for one year? Join the challenge, grow your craft!
Similarly, jump-force-start your creative energies through NaNoWriMo (novelists) or Inktober (illustrators)
Online conferences to get you networking in the comfort of your bunny slippers: WriteOnCon & Picture Book Summit
Promote Diversity Ten steps to promote diversity in children's literature
Find Your Writing Community
Romance Divas - an interactive forum dedicated solely to the genre of romance, where you can post pages/queries for critiques, ask questions, chat, rant, and gush with fellow romance lovers.
SCBWI - The best organization to be a part of if you're a children's author or illustrator. Puts out monthly newsletters and a magazine chalk-full of advise, has conferences, and critique and chapters in YOUR area you can meet with once a week. It is, as they say, a network for the exchange of knowledge for writers in the children's field.
RWA - Similar to the above, this is the best organization to join for writers of romance. Also includes newsletters, conferences, chapters and contests (judged by editors and agents); a networking and learning must for the romance writer.
More specific genre networks: Historical Writers' Association, Mystery Writers of America, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Ask the Agent - Senior Agent Jennifer Laughran from Andrea Brown Literary Agency answers all your questions! Includes full archive of previous questions and answers in her straightforward, real and approachable style
Dear Editor - DearEditor.com is the place for writers—published or not—to ask questions about the craft of writing and/or the publishing industry… and get direct answers and actionable suggestions.
12x12 - can you write a picture book a month for one year? Join the challenge, grow your craft!
Similarly, jump-force-start your creative energies through NaNoWriMo (novelists) or Inktober (illustrators)
Online conferences to get you networking in the comfort of your bunny slippers: WriteOnCon & Picture Book Summit
Promote Diversity Ten steps to promote diversity in children's literature
Find Your Writing Community
Persevere
You're Not Alone
#ShareYourRejections
@LitRejections - "Helping Creatives Persevere Through Rejection"
DON'T YOU DARE Give Up
Inspiration
Write or Die podcast: a podcast on what it really takes to be an author
Anonymous Author: A diverse array of authors share their advice for those just entering the publishing industry
Sometimes, you just need a laugh... Hilarious sketch from the TV show That Mitchell and Webb Look
#ShareYourRejections
@LitRejections - "Helping Creatives Persevere Through Rejection"
DON'T YOU DARE Give Up
Inspiration
Write or Die podcast: a podcast on what it really takes to be an author
Anonymous Author: A diverse array of authors share their advice for those just entering the publishing industry
Sometimes, you just need a laugh... Hilarious sketch from the TV show That Mitchell and Webb Look
Publish
Querytracker.net - a great site to help you build your submission list, and check stats for agents you want to submit to! Just be sure to LOOK AT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES before you send as these listings tend to be a little outdated.
Manuscript Wish List - wish lists that answer "what do you want to see in your slush pile?" updated directly by agents and editors, indexed with comprehensive search
38 Query Letter Tips from Literary Agents
The Write Life's 100 Best Websites for Writers
Manuscript Wish List - wish lists that answer "what do you want to see in your slush pile?" updated directly by agents and editors, indexed with comprehensive search
38 Query Letter Tips from Literary Agents
The Write Life's 100 Best Websites for Writers
Ponder
M Is For Movement: Social Justice And Activism In Children's Lit - "OUR MISSION is to empower kids and the adults who love them to care about others, stand in solidarity, and take action for equity and justice. We do this by publishing articles, interviews, and reviews about children’s books that put social justice values into practice."
We Need Diverse Books - "We Need Diverse Books™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry. Our aim is to help produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people."
OurStory: A Story For Every Child. A Reflection Of Every Community - A very cool website with a quick quiz that will help direct you to discover diverse books you'll love!
American Indians In Children's Literature By Debbie Reese - "AICL provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society."
People Of Color In Publishing - "A grassroots organization created by book publishing professionals dedicated to supporting, empowering, and uplifting racially and ethnically marginalized members throughout the industry, we seek to create a safe and inclusive space celebrating and promoting diversity."
Reading While White: Working For Racial Diversity & Inclusion In Books For Children & Teens - "We are White librarians organizing to confront racism in the field of children’s and young adult literature."
Disability in Kidlit - "Disability in Kidlit is dedicated to discussing the portrayal of disability in middle grade and young adult literature. We publish articles, reviews, interviews, and discussions examining this topic from various angles—and always from the disabled perspective."
Book Riot - thoughtful blog posts and wonderful book recommendations galore: "Book Riot is dedicated to the idea that writing about books and reading should be just as diverse as books and readers are."
Recommended articles for additional PERSPECTIVE:
Sensitivity Readers: What The Job Is Really Like By Dhonielle Clayton
The stats of children's and romance books by and about POC and First/Native Nations
The stats of diversity in publishing
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard to Talk to White People about Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo
I Just Don't Identify With the Character by Kate Sullivan
Picture Book Math (And Why You Should Write Something New) by Kate Messner
12 Fundamentals Of Writing "The Other" (And The Self)
We Need Diverse Books - "We Need Diverse Books™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry. Our aim is to help produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people."
OurStory: A Story For Every Child. A Reflection Of Every Community - A very cool website with a quick quiz that will help direct you to discover diverse books you'll love!
American Indians In Children's Literature By Debbie Reese - "AICL provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society."
People Of Color In Publishing - "A grassroots organization created by book publishing professionals dedicated to supporting, empowering, and uplifting racially and ethnically marginalized members throughout the industry, we seek to create a safe and inclusive space celebrating and promoting diversity."
Reading While White: Working For Racial Diversity & Inclusion In Books For Children & Teens - "We are White librarians organizing to confront racism in the field of children’s and young adult literature."
Disability in Kidlit - "Disability in Kidlit is dedicated to discussing the portrayal of disability in middle grade and young adult literature. We publish articles, reviews, interviews, and discussions examining this topic from various angles—and always from the disabled perspective."
Book Riot - thoughtful blog posts and wonderful book recommendations galore: "Book Riot is dedicated to the idea that writing about books and reading should be just as diverse as books and readers are."
Recommended articles for additional PERSPECTIVE:
Sensitivity Readers: What The Job Is Really Like By Dhonielle Clayton
The stats of children's and romance books by and about POC and First/Native Nations
The stats of diversity in publishing
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard to Talk to White People about Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo
I Just Don't Identify With the Character by Kate Sullivan
Picture Book Math (And Why You Should Write Something New) by Kate Messner
12 Fundamentals Of Writing "The Other" (And The Self)
Protect
Writer Beware - from the website: "Shining a bright light into the dark corners of the shadow-world of literary scams, schemes, and pitfalls." Blogs about things to be aware of as a writer!
Columbus Lawyers - not everything here (services for example) is free, BUT there are a lot of wonderful free resources I've linked to about self publishing, taxes, and copyright - the legal bits of publishing!
Author's Guild - From the website: Members of the Authors Guild receive free book contract reviews from experienced legal staff, discounted health insurance rates in some states, low-cost website services including website-building, e-mail, and domain name registration, access to our free Back in Print service, our quarterly print Bulletin, and invitations to panels and programs throughout the year.
Columbus Lawyers - not everything here (services for example) is free, BUT there are a lot of wonderful free resources I've linked to about self publishing, taxes, and copyright - the legal bits of publishing!
Author's Guild - From the website: Members of the Authors Guild receive free book contract reviews from experienced legal staff, discounted health insurance rates in some states, low-cost website services including website-building, e-mail, and domain name registration, access to our free Back in Print service, our quarterly print Bulletin, and invitations to panels and programs throughout the year.