Writing Picture Books

If you’re interested in becoming a children’s book author, here are some places to begin your research:

SCBWI is the perfect place to start with local chapter meetings, guidance, critique groups, classes, conferences, and many learning opportunities, including a manual upon membership

There’s a reason you will hear this advice many times: read

Get your hands and eyes on as many newish (three years or newer) books in your genre…you not only see what is selling, you will begin to understand what *you* think makes a great book, study these mentor texts, and, when your manuscript is polished as much as possible you’ll have plenty of comps to choose from for your query letter (if you decide on traditional publishing)

Many author friends find each other on social media, previously Twitter was the largest writing community and now it’s shifted to Instagram where you can connected with other authors and grow a little stronger and tougher together through pitch events and contests

QueryTracker – by far the best $25/year I spent while querying

Sure, you can keep your own spreadsheet, but the amount of time it saves researching who to send to, entering your submissions, seeing agent response time, agent request rate, and detailed insight from the reports once you have a “full” out is next level worth it

Author pages with great advice: Josh Funk  Pat Zietlow Miller Debbie Ridpath Ohi Tara Lazar Judy Blume

Additional places you can find webinars and an online community for further engagement: 12×12 

Support other authors along the way by sharing events and contests, requesting their books from the library, purchasing titles, leaving reviews, reposting, recommending to others—every little bit of positive energy makes a difference