Blogs to Follow

Kidlit411 continues to be listed in Best of Lists:

GREAT blogs for children's writing & illustrating.

All the Wonders - a home for readers to discover new books; a variety show, entertainment channel, and modern library in one place

A Fuse 8 Production - the blog of well-known librarian blogger Betsy Bird

Art of the Picture Book - exploring design and illustration of picture books

The Author Chronicles: weekly roundup of kid lit links on craft, business, and good reads

The Plot Whisperer- Martha Alderson

Be Your Own Mentor resources on revising, industry, craft

Picture Book University- Pam Calvert A fantastic blog that takes you through the elements of picture book creation.

Celebrate Science - resources for teaching science and writing nonfiction

Alayne Kay Christian Author of Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa (and life coach) Alayne Kay Christian has a great blog about all things picture books. Check it out!

Cynsations - graphic novelist and YA author Cynthia Leitich Smith's site full of writer resources, reviews, interviews, and more

Lori Degman Habitual Rhymer Lori specializes in rhyme and her blog can help you with your rhyming PB.

Diana Toledo - Illustration & Education - a bilingual English-Spanish blog that provides great great writing & illustrating resources, including a roundup of links

Our Stories, Ourselves - Editor & consultant Emma D. Dryden's blog about all things kid lit.

Dear Editor A place for writers—published or not—to ask an editor questions about the craft of writing and/or the publishing industry… and get direct answers and actionable suggestions.

Emu's Debuts: From Deal to Debut Clients of Erin Murphy's Literary Agency blog about their submission experiences

Sue Frye A great site if you're just starting out and are trying to figure out, "where do I go from here?"

GROG Blog - a group blog of children's nonfiction writers sharing resources and information

Deborah Halverson- Deborah has been working with authors—bestsellers, veterans, debut, and aspiring—for over fifteen years. Look no further than Deborah Halverson and her amazing website. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

Carter Higgins- DESIGN OF THE PICTURE BOOK. A must for every author- follow and reblog!

Susanna Leonard Hill A blog dedicated to picture book writing with a Perfect Picture Book Friday feature. Do not miss!

Julie Hedlund- Website offering information and articles about writing children's books and on creating children's apps. Check her out and take Julie's yearly 12x12 challenge! Everyone in my crit group participates in this challenge, it is not to be missed!

Kidlitosphere Central - massive listings of kid lit blogs, author & illustrator pages, and more

Mary Kole - Former agent Mary Kole has an awesome website full of information.

Renee LaTulippe - No Water River - Just named as a "kidlit blog to visit before you die" in SCBWI's THE BOOK!

Tara Lazar is a children’s book author, mother, foodie and boogeyman assassin (currently booked at 3am nightly). Lots of information and funny snippets about being an author and creator of the great January PiBoIdMo Challenge (Picture Book Idea Month)!

Literary Rambles Natalie Aguirre and Casey McCormick's AWESOME award winning blog. They regularly spotlight agents and have over 100 agent interviews for you to check out (broken down by genre).

Joanna Marple- Miss Marple's Musings Joanna interviews illustrators, provides tidbits for writers and a blog line up that includes Perfect Picture Book Fridays.

Yvonne Mes Author/Illustrator Yvonne Mes's blog is full of illustrating and writing nuggets

Kate Messner - Award winning author blogs about writing and craft.

Meg Miller Author/Illustrator Founder of ReviMo (Revise Month) Meg blogs about the craft of writing and illustrating and life.

Middle Grade Mafia- Like the name implies (again) a great blog for all things middle grade.

Hazel Mitchell Award Winning author/illustrator is funny, quirky AND British. What's not to love? Lots of great information.

PictureBookers - all about the art and illustration of picture books & children's books, interviews, craft tips, more

My Word Playground - Author Lynne Marie's blog provides tips, reviews, and articles

Debbie Ohi- INKYGIRL - A great site for children's/YA Book authors and illustrators

Picture Book Builders: a collaborative website with amazing authors & illustrators dissecting what makes picture books work

Picture Book Den A great resource for everything picture books from professional children's authors based in the UK and Ireland.

Picture Book Publishers 101 - A site that provides in depth coverage on children's publishers

#PicturesMeanBusiness - highlights the benefits of crediting illustrators for their work

Rate Your Story- Comprehensive website and the opportunity to receive feedback if you submit to RATE YOUR STORY.

ReFoReMo with Carrie Charley Brown- Writer Carrie Charlie Brown shares her expertise on the importance of mentor texts. Also features a yearly challenge. (Registration opens in February)

Teresa Robeson Author/Illustrator. Teresa is a brainiac of all things quirky and scientific. She is a picture book author with a huge heart.

SCBWI- Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators- the international professional organization for writers and illustrators of children's literature since 1971.

Nancy Sanders- blogzone blog posts about chapter books and more.

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast: Jules Danielson's literary salon where writers and artists converge to talk about children’s books. She features interviews, reviews, and other information with an illustration focus.

Cynthia Leitich Smith - best-selling author the Tantalize series, the Feral series and other critically acclaimed fiction for young readers. Graphic novelist. Fond of cats, comics & cocoa. Awesome blog.

Sub It Club - a blog dedicated to the art and science of submissions; great information and resources

Teaching Authors - 6 children's authors who teach writing

This Picture Book Life - Danielle Davis's blog, all about picture books

Today's Little Ditty - all about children's poetry, with writing tips, interviews, and monthly challenges

Tuesday Tours with Andrea Skyberg - tours of artists and illustrators, providing inspiration and tips

Harold Underdown- Children's book editor's website, The Purple Crayon, includes articles covering writing, illustrating, marketing, and editing. An incredible collection of resources. Highly recommend.

Writers Rumpus - a blog by children's illustrators and writers writing for all ages; blog posts on Tuesdays and Fridays

Writing and Illustrating Kathy Temean’s blog provides daily posts on children’s writing and illustrating, including news of agents looking for work, contest and submission opportunities, writer and illustrator interviews, and much more.

Write, Edit, Repeat - freelance editor and writer Lara Willard shares writing tips, editor interviews, and more

Jane Yolen Award winning author Jane Yolen -Do NOT miss her random thought page on writing! Awesome!

Paula Yoo Her website is so packed full of information, you'll feel like you're in a kid lit candy store.

Karlin Gray- Debut Author interviews.

Don't Have Time to Read? Check out these kid lit podcasts or channels:

Brain Burps, by Katie Davis, all about the the craft and business of publishing, creating a market, and more. (Episode 191 is an interview with Kidlit411)

Kidlit Drink Night a monthly conversation for adults about kid lit

Let's Get Busy, by Matthew Winner of the Busy Librarian- interviews with authors, illustrators, and others in the kid lit industry; sharing the love of kid lit to the world

Story Concierge with Stephanie Bourbon - Youtube channel of writing tips from creative coach and writer

Alexa Donne - Youtube channel with a plethora of writing and publishing tips from YA author

Kid Lit These Days - Book Riot's podcast