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Contact the Author
People often ask for advice about becoming
a writer.
Although I’m still learning new things about writing, submitting, and
the publishering business every day -here are a few ideas I hope are helpful.
I can’t begin to tell you all the benefits of getting to know other writers!
Many people in the three critique groups I joined have become good friends- Lorijo
Metz, Mary Dunn,
Tina Schwartz, Maureen
Lang, Julie Dearyan, Joanna
Bradford, Daniel
Darling, Julie, Hal, Laurie, Dawn, Sherri, Barb, Anne, Susan,
and Ilyse, have given me great support - especially during the
early years when I received many rejection letters. They also helped
me focus my stories, give my characters character, tighten long and
rambling sentences, create a catchy title, find just the right verb,
craft a clever cover letter . . . but most of all
they encouraged me not to give up.
Writers are generous and helpful people. Find some you can connect with!
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
(SCBWI) is a wonderful national organization that provides an unbelievable
amount of resources and training for writers of all levels. There are local
SCBWI chapters nationwide. (see link below)
Writer’s conferences are a wonderful way to sharpen your writing
and meet other writers and editors. Whether it’s a brief Saturday
seminar or an intensive week-long conference, take the time to learn
more about your craft and learn from others in the writing business.
When I decided to give writing a try, the first thing I did was
sign up for a “Writing for Children” class at a local
college. It was a great place to learn the basics. Over time my
instructor invited me into her critique group. Mary soon became
a great friend and mentor. Since then I’ve attended other writing classes, seminars, and retreats.
Check around for classes in your area.
It seems obvious, but it needs to be said – if you want to
write books for children then you need to sit down and write! Writers
must carve time out of their busy schedules to write. You don’t
need to spend hours every day writing, but you do need to come up
with some type of a writing schedule that works for you and stick
with it!
A good writer is also well read. You should read and study well-written
books in the genre in which you want to write. Keep current with
what’s new on the market. Learn from the classics. Just keep
reading!
Here are some websites that are full of useful information about writing for children.
The Authors
Guild
The Children’s
Book Council
The Purple
Crayon
SmartWriters.com
Society
of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
Below you’ll find some writing contests and magazines that publish stories written by children.
Cricket
magazine's monthly writing contest for children 9 and up
Writer’s
Digest monthly writing contest for ages 13 and under
The
Writer’s Conference writing contests for kids
in all grades
Stone
Soup magazine for ages 13 and under
New
Moon magazine for girls ages 8-14
Potluck
Children’s Literary Magazine publishes stories, poems, and
artwork by kids
Cyberkids
online magazine publishes stories, games, poems, jokes and puzzles
that are appropriate for kids ages 7-12
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