INTRODUCTION
Everything I know about writing for children, I learned in kindergarten A fun, lyrical primer for children's authors.
ByDonna Gephart
Respect the Little People Roald Dahl tackled scary themes in his children's books with the right balance of humor and empathy.
By Jack Clemens
Leveling With Us Judy Blume's novels deal explicitly with the fears and changes of adolescents—and her readers love her for it.
By Jack Clemens
Write What You Do Don't write about things that merely interest you. Go one step further and draw on your job for inspiration. Here's how.
By Connie Goldsmith
The Mouths of Babes Want to get yourself into a child's frame of mind? Read these delightful recent child musings for the kid in all of us.
Compiled by Maria Witte
TECHNIQUE
Pick Your Process Find out what works for you when preparing to write your middle-grade or teen novel.
By Uma Krishnaswami
Tickle Their Funny Bones Follow these techniques for weaving the various types of humor into your children's stories.
By Kathryn Lay
Secrets to a Successful Children's Book Learn how to create characters, build suspense and develop the plot in your children's story.
By Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff
Self-improvement Help your children's story hero earn his status by overcoming obstacles within himself—not by getting help from other characters.
By Gloria Kempton
Holiday Fare Dig a little deeper to find article subjects that children's publications will love.
By Kelly Milner Halls
Write Younger Turn what you know as a nonfiction writer into books and articles for children.
By Liza N. Burby
INSPIRATION
Once Upon a Time … Magazine editor Audrey Baird expounds on her magazine Once Upon a Time and the importance of good children's writers.
By Noelle Sterne
One for Success Young-adult author Clive Woodall provides insight into his writing habits while working on his debut book, One for Sorrow, Two for Joy.
By Shannon Celarek
Kid Stuff Writing a bestselling, Oprah-endorsed novel doesn't necessarily prepare you for the world of children's literature, as Jacquelyn Mitchard discovered.
By Lisa J. Lickel
Finding One Voice Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson turn an unlikely pairing into a prequel to a children's classic.
By Brian A. Klems
OPPORTUNITIES
Read the Children's Market Like a Book Learn how to target the publisher that works best for you.
By Liza N. Burby
Pitch Perfect It takes more than a snazzy manuscript to get your work published. Get your pitch noticed by the people who matter most—publishers.
By Sue Bradford Edwards
Target: Children's Writers Where's the best place to start submitting your work? These 21 listings can help you along your way.
Compiled by Maria Witte
The Ultimate Resource Guide A listing of books, publications and online resources for children's writers.
By the editors of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market
Advice From the Pros Five published children's authors offer up tips for seeing your writing aspirations through to the book-bound stage.
By Liza N. Burby
