Resources for children's authors and illustrators
All the links you could ever need
We thought it would be helpful to compile a list of some of the resources that are available for writers and illustrators.
RESOURCES:
Writers & Artists Yearbook 2025
We recommend this to every aspiring author and illustrator. It provides a fantastic overview of everything you need to know about publishing. They have a specific edition for children’s books which gets updated every year.
SCBWI - The Global Community for Children’s Book Makers
Although we’ve never been members, we’ve only heard good things from people who have been.
Society of Authors - Trade Union for writers and illustrators
Emerging writers can join as associates.
This is worth knowing about and signing up to if you do have a book that’s being published in the UK.
The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society. It’s worth signing up and adding your work when it’s published in a book, collection of poetry or magazine.
The industry publishing magazine based in the UK.You can sign up for free briefing highlights or pay to read the full weekly magazine.
An international publishing magazine.
A magazine for women who write. They host regular submission slots and competitions including one for children’s fiction. They also publish a book listing all the smaller indie presses who accept unsolicited manuscripts.
A free database listing what is on agent’s wish lists. USA focused.
This has a huge database of agents and allows you to query and track responses too.
A free mentorship and outreach programme for underrepresented children’s book writers
PODCASTS:
The Island of Brilliant! by Frank Cottrel Boyce and Nadia Shireen - each month a different children’s author/illustrator is interviewed by this award winning pair.
Studiomate by Steven Lenton - illustrator Steven Lenton chats to fellow illustrators about their work and careers
Cover Meeting by Steve Leard - focuses on book cover design (not specific to children’s books)
The Good Ship Illustration Podcast - no nonsense advice for illustrators
OTHER PUBLISHING SUBSTACKS:
Write Mentor Newsletter - focused on children’s publishing and includes upcoming competitions and submission opportunities
Agent Antics with Cathie & Vicky - behind the scenes in a US literary agency.
Agents and Books by Kate McKean - written by a US literary agent and writer.
Fair Share by Authors Equity - helps explain the world of publishing.
Freelance Writing Jobs - posts once a week listing writing opportunities in the UK.
Receipt from the Bookshop by Katie Clapham - Katie is an author and indie bookshop owner. Her weekly posts are both funny and offer a fascinating insight into life in a bookshop.
Everything is Material by Jojo Moyes - more focused on adult publishing but still worth a read for her insights into writing.
Kesia Lupo - an agent and author.
BookBairn by Kim Duffy - children’s book reviews
The Primary Book Box - written by a teacher who is passionate about promoting books in the classroom
Jenna Satterthwaite - another agent and author.
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing - a spin off substack from the podcast of the same name
The Hyphen by Emma Gannon - a newsletter for curious readers from. a bestselling author
Unmapped Storylands by Elif Shafak - her thoughts on writing always make us think
The Debut Writers’ Academy Diaries - contains interesting insights from publishing professionals
CHILDREN‘S WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS ON SUBSTACK:
Katie Draws (and writes) by Katie Chappell
News from a Messy Desk by Charlotte Durance
Looking at picture books by Jon Klassen and Mac Barnet
Story Street by Jane Porter
Gather Filter Make by Ella Beech
Pen Powell Posts by Claire Powell
Pencil Pals by Helen Stephens
Authorly Honest by Simon Philip
The Tudor Times by Karl Tudor
The Art of Being Real by Rachael Dean
We hope you found this helpful, please do feel free to share with friends and if there is anything or anyone we’ve missed, drop us a message in the comments and let us know so we can add them!
Thanks,
Naomi and James x
Last updated December 2024
Lovely resource! I'm here too.
oooh thank you for sharing this great list!