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!
Aspiring Scotland-based writers can find lots of resources at the Scottish Book Trust, including information on mentorships, courses, funding and retreats.
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
This site features an advice page for those starting out:
Publishing Central
More 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.writers.net
www.writersdigest.com
Advice on becoming an illustrator:
The sites of Nate Williams and Moira Munro give valuable advice for anyone who dreams of being an illustrator.
Children’s book trade fairs and festivals:
Bologna Book Fair
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Galleries of original children’s book art:
Children’s Book Illustration
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. 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.
Australia:
Illustrators Australia
Belgium:
Flemish Illustrators Association
Canada:
Association of Illustrators of Quebec
Island Illustrators Society
Canadian Association of Photographers & Illustrators in
Communications (CAPIC)
Finland:
Illustrators in Finland
France:
French Society of Illustrators
Holland:
Association of Dutch Designers
Ireland:
The Illustrators Guild of Ireland
Italy:
Italian Society of Illustrators
Mexico:
Mexican Society of Illustrators
Norway:
Grafill
Spain:
Federation of Spanish Illustration Societies
Sweden:
Association of Swedish Illustrators
USA:
Society of Illustrators
Graphic Artists Guild
Illustrators Partnership of America
UK:
The Association of Illustrators
Writers 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.