Organizations

SCBWI - The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is THE professional organization for writers and illustrators who want to create books for kids and teens. In addition to two national conferences every year, you can make connections and become more involved in your regional chapter.

WFWA - The Women’s Fiction Writers Association is a community for all who are writing women’s fiction. (Men are welcome in the organization if they write women’s fiction.) They have a private Facebook community and offer educational content throughout the year.

12x12 Challenge - The 12x12 Challenge is the best online resource I know for picture book writers and/or illustrators, new and professional alike. The one-year membership includes webinars and an active online community.

Podcasts

I am a self-proclaimed podcast junkie, and there are so many wonderful shows that offer interviews, insight, and instruction - all for free! My favorite writing podcasts include Writing Excuses, #amwriting, Happier in Hollywood, Coaching KidLit, Master Fiction Writing, and Author Your Dream. I also enjoyed Mom Writes and How Writers Write while they were active, so you might listen to their sizeable backlists.

You can also check out these podcasts that aren’t explicitly about writing, but are still inspiring for writers: Happier with Gretchen Rubin and All It Takes is a Goal with Jon Acuff.

Books

Writing Craft:

Blueprint for a Book by Jennie Nash

Blueprint for a Nonfiction Book by Jennie Nash

The Structure of a Story by Ross Hartmann

Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin

The Magic Words by Cheryl B. Klein

Writing Irresistible KidLit by Mary Kole

Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

Inspiration for the Writing Life:

Creativity, Inc by Ed Catmull

Embrace Your Weird by Felicia Day

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Finish by Jon Acuff

Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

Dear Writer, You Need to Quit by Becca Syme

Still Writing by Dani Shapiro