By Penny Nolan
I am a newly published author of two picture books for ages 4-8. Jess and the Monstrous Mess is published by Lawley Publishing and will hit the market April 2025 and Maverick’s Ride, also by Lawley, and will be out August 2026. I have to admit, I’m still learning. There’s plenty I don’t know yet.
I want to give you a shortcut. Over the next twelve blogs, I will pass on to you what I have learned on my journey to getting my books published. It’s what I wish I had known. As a published author, it is what I am asked over and over. People seem frustrated.
I find the step-by-step approach best. So here you go.
1. The first thing you need to do is sign up online for a membership at SCBWI.org. That stands for The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. They are a nationwide organization that has tons of information and support. They also have writer’s conferences, webinars, podcasts, and get-togethers. It’s a one-stop shop.
2. Next, join a critique group in your genre. Comments from friends and family are nice but not as helpful as a critique group. Reading to the neighborhood kids isn’t much better because kids love to be entertained, so they will probably just be happy to have anything read to them. Besides, agents really don’t want to hear, “My children love it.” Everybody says that. It means nothing. A good critique group will give you honest, non-biased, knowledgeable feedback.
You can ask SCBWI to help you find or start a critique group. A critique group usually has about 5 writers in the same genre as you. You read each other’s work and give feedback. The feedback should be supportive, not competitive. They can give advice and creative suggestions. Hearing other people’s comments can let you know what works and what doesn’t. It can be tough to hear but is often just what you need to hear.
3. Join 12x12challenge.com. This is an organization that encourages picture book writers. You are challenged to write a new picture book, draft, or revision every month, for 12 months. There are helpful conferences, webinars, lots of resources, and critiques from authors. Sign-up is only in January so don’t procrastinate.
4. Depending on your budget, go to conferences, attend webinars, read blogs and articles, listen to podcasts, and read lots and lots of books in your genre. What helped me most was joining a writer’s workshop. Check reviews first to make sure the person leading is supportive and professional. The Writer’s Grotto lists some good ones. Highlights Foundation, The Writing Barn, and Jane Friedman have some too. I highly recommend signing up for Jane Friedman’s newsletter. She includes great articles and hosts amazing webinars. Many workshops are online.
5. Read books about writing, to better your craft. My favorite is Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole and The Magic Word-Writing Great Books For Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein are also very good.
6. And finally, don’t give up. It can be frustrating but keep going. Learn as you go. Improve your writing. I think most people give up. The ones that don’t are the ones that succeed.
Next month’s Blog will be about how to write a children’s picture book. Stay tuned!
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