Writing and/or Illustrating Books for Children
There are many sources of information for those who are interested in writing and/or illustrating books for children and young adults. A few of these sources which include reference books, writing groups and professional organizations are outlined below:
Writing and/or Illustrating Books for Children
There are many sources of information for those who are interested in writing and/or illustrating books for children and young adults. A few of these sources which include reference books, writing groups and professional organizations are outlined below:
Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market
The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published
If you write or illustrate for young readers with the hope of getting published, this is the trusted resource you need. CWIM is the definitive publishing guide for anyone who seeks to write or illustrate for kids and young adults. Inside you'll find more than 500 listings for children's book markets (US, Canadian and international publishers; literary agents; magazines; conferences; and contests) including a point of contact, how to properly submit your work, and what categories each market accepts.
Writing with Pictures
How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books by Uri Shulevitz
Anyone wishing to create children's books will learn how to tell a story visually, build a storyboard to plot the flow
of a book, prepare pages for a printer, and go about finding a publisher. Step-by-step sketches provide insights into drawing characters and developing settings. The works of such renowned illustrators as Beatrix Potter, William Steig, and Maurice Sendak are used to demonstrate a visual approach to storytelling.
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI)
This international professional organization for writers and illustrators of children’s literature was formed in 1971. Visit their website at http://www.scbwi.org. SCBWI has several regional chapters including Central & Southern SCBWI and SCBWI Midsouth.
The first year of membership in the SCBWI is $95 USD. The annual renewal fee is $80 USD. Reduced rates are available for full-time students.
For a gift membership, fill out the form knowing that the email you enter will be where the confirmation is sent. You can also set up a gift membership by calling 323.782.1010 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Pacific Time.
Highlights Foundation
There may be workshops for children's writers
and illustrators in your area. The Highlights
Foundation offers workshops that have helped
authors and illustrators fine-tune their skills
for over 25 years. For more information about
this foundation, visit their website at
Writing for Theater and Film
CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE ABOUT writing in a way that translates to film and theater, which covers a great breakdown on understanding the importance of setting, writing for different kinds of stage productions, and industry formatting for screenplays.
(Thank you, Anna, for this recommendation).
Local Writing Groups
Check out the local writing groups in your area. Your public library system may be a good reference point for writing groups as many groups meet at libraries.
One-to-One with Will Hillenbrand
I, Will Hillenbrand, will conduct a free preliminary
evaluation of your project based on the submittal
policy below. If, in my opinion and for any reason,
a project does not seem viable for publication, you
will receive a written declination. Otherwise, I will
be in touch by e-mail to express the course of action
I can provide for the project and the proposed fee
structure.
My fees for most services are charged on an hourly
basis and start at $200/hour; they usually have a
$500 minimum fee. More complex projects are charged
on a flat-fee basis. All fees are tailored to the
scope and extent of an individual project.
