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Links Page
Getting started in children’s books:
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, a good first stop for aspiring US based writers and illustrators. The British chapter’s site is www.britishscbwi.org/index.htm and the Canadian site is www.scbwicanada.org. Another Canadian site to visit is the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers. The French chapter of SCBWI has excellent events and workshops if you are ever in Paris!
Editor Harold Underdown’s excellent site is updated frequently and informative for writers and illustrators. It has extensive information on current trends in children’s publishing at www.underdown.org
Phyllis Pollema-Cahill answers common questions about getting started in children’s books at www.kidsbooklink.org/answerill.html
Another good Q&A site features editor Peggy Tibbetts at www.writing-world.com/caterpillar/index.shtml
These sites feature an advice page for those starting out:
Publishing Central and Writers-PublishMore tips and links are on Hawaiian illustrator Tammy Yee’s website
Australia based author/illustrator Colin Thompson’s site has lots of information about how he got started and how he works.
Illustrator Theresa Brandon’s Drawing Board site is a good site for beginners.
An excellent source of further links can be found at about.com and Eleanor’s Books.
One of my favourite sites is The Virtual Sharyn November. It not only has a nice set of links to publishers but also has a personal, conversational presence and a great sense of humour.
Other good sources of publisher information are at www.childrens-publishers.com and the UK based Wordpool and WriteWords.
Those specifically interested in children’s picture books will enjoy www.picture-book.com.
Other websites for writers include:
www.smartwriters.com
www.writers.net
www.forwriters.com
www.write4kids.com
www.writersdigest.comAdvice on becoming an illustrator:
The sites of Nate Williams, Keri Smith, Moira Munro and Lynne Chapman all give valuable advice for anyone who dreams of being an illustrator.
Children’s book trade fairs and festivals:
Bologna Book Fair
Edinburgh International Book FestivalGalleries of original children’s book art:
Storyopolis
Child at Heart Gallery
Resources for parents:
Bookstores:
In addition to large online sellers like Amazon, I recommend checking out IndieBound, a portal to independent booksellers in the USA. In Scotland, a great children’s bookshop is Blast-Off Books in Linlithgow. A UK mail order bookshop specializing in multicultural children’s books is Letterbox Library.
Professional organizations for illustrators worldwide:
A good collection of worldwide illustrators’ work is at Illustration Mundo. Another great resource portal for illustrators is Illosaurus.
Australia:
Illustrators AustraliaBelgium:
Flemish Illustrators AssociationCanada:
Association of Illustrators of Quebec
Island Illustrators Society
Canadian Association of Photographers & Illustrators in
Communications (CAPIC)Finland:
Illustrators in FinlandFrance:
French Society of IllustratorsHolland:
Association of Dutch DesignersIreland:
The Illustrators Guild of IrelandItaly:
Italian Society of IllustratorsMexico:
Mexican Society of IllustratorsNorway:
GrafillSpain:
Federation of Spanish Illustration SocietiesSweden:
Association of Swedish IllustratorsUSA:
Society of Illustrators
Graphic Artists Guild
Illustrators Partnership of AmericaUK:
The Association of IllustratorsWriters and Artists Retreats:
Places to recharge and be inspired in your work!
Anam Cara (Gaelic for “soul friend”) is located on the ruggedly beautiful Beara peninsula in southwest Ireland.
The Creative Retreat, on the Moray coast of northeast Scotland has several well-equipped houses with studios to rent.
The Arvon Foundation hosts weeklong writing workshops in four stunning locations around the UK.