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Useful
links to website resources on illustration, writing, and children's
books. Also check out my FAQ 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!
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
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-Publish
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.smartwriters.com
www.writers.net
www.forwriters.com
www.write4kids.com
www.writersdigest.com
Advice 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 Festival
Galleries
of original children's book art:
Storyopolis
Child
at Heart Gallery
Resources
for parents:
www.directorykids.com
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
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.
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