Getting Published: Resources on the Web

Getting published is an often discussed topic, especially here in Lee & Low’s Editorial Section. But there’s a big wide web world outside of here! Vast resources exist in web country – finding what you want is of course THE adventure. We've chosen the following sites as useful places to gain knowledge about the industry (publishing) and writing (the craft). We've even added a few links for illustrators. Click here for a list of recommended books for writers.

Cookie Press
Cookie Press is a good resource for those interested in writing for children.

The Children's Book Council (CBC)
CBC offers an up-to-date listing of its member publishers and contact names, as well as a diverse range of resources for writers and illustrators.

Picture Book
The online resource for children's illustrators, publishers and book lovers.

Writing for Kids
This site is dedicated to writing children's books, with message boards and other helpful articles for published and aspiring writers. Recommended by Andrea Huelsenbeck.

Pat Mora
Pat Mora (author of CONFETTI, editor of LOVE TO MAMÁ) has created a cleanly designed Web site for herself. She has posted her books, appearance schedule and information on Día de los niños / Día de los libros (Day of the Children/Day of the Books).

Poets & Writers
A more adult-oriented site, but there are listings of calls for submissions for writers, a listserv for people to discuss writing issues, and other resources particularly for writers. They also have a news section where they keep people updated on the most recent happenings in publishing.

The Purple Crayon: A Children’s Book Editor’s Site
Chock full of the inside scoop on the children’s book world.

Pubishers Weekly (PW)
The electronic version of the print magazine. PW serves as a resource for following the publishing industry.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
One of the largest organizations dedicated to children’s book writers and illustrators. SCBWI produces bi-monthly national and regional newsletters which list awards, grants and articles pertaining to publishing. See the Bulletin for advice on how to promote your first book.

As we all know one of the best ways to catch an editor’s eye is to submit a grammatically correct manuscript. These should help:

The Elements of Style (online)
Believe it or not, this little manual which is required reading for every writing course is on-line. As far as convenience, I think the paper edition is more portable, but if you’re writing at your computer anyway and need to look something up you’re just a mouse click away.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary (online)
Now this might not be a necessity, as real live dictionaries are not out of most writer’s budgets. However, you should give it a try.

dictionary.com
Another on-line dictionary to add to your virtual bookshelf.

Websites specifically for illustrators:

The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature
The NCCIL provides recognition of the artistic achievements of illustrators and gallery exhibition of their works.

Picturing Books
A Web site about picture books.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Collects, presents, and celebrates the art of the picture book from around the world.

The Society of Illustrators
Mission: To promote and stimulate interest in the art of illustration, past, present and future, and to give impetus generally toward high ideals in the art by means of exhibitions, lectures, educational programs, social intercourse, and in such other ways as may seem advisable.

Another big deal in the industry is listservs. Some very provocative conversation can be found on-line. Here are a few places noted for their discussions:

American Indians in Children's Literature
The American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) features critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children's and young adult literature. 

Childlit
Links to Childlit, which is run out of Rutgers University, an open discussion among academics, teachers, librarians, publishing people, authors and others interested in children's books.

The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
This link to CCBC will take people to the listserv option, as well as getting general information about the Cooperative Children's Book Center. This listserve is moderated around particular themes.

Disability in Kidlit
The Disability in Kidlit website discusses the portrayal of disability in middle grade and young adult literature. 

Reading While White
This blog is written by White Librarians who confront racism in children's and young adult literature.