Katie Bartlett, Author

There are some great resources for writers.  The following websites and associations are my favorites:

• www.scbwi.com – Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators.  An absolute must for any children’s author.
• http://www.bloomabilities.blogspot.com/ – Alvina Ling, Editorial Director of Little Brown & Co’s, personal blog.  Great information on the editing process and how to improve your novel.
• http://chavelaque.blogspot.com/ or http://cherylklein.com/ – Cheryl Klein, editor at Arthur Levin’s, personal blog and website.  Another great resource for publishing and editing your novel.
• http://www.verlakay.com/ or http://www.verlakay.com/boards/index.php – Verla Kay’s website and message board.   A great resource and online community for writers.
• http://www.cobblestonepub.com/index.html – Cornerstone Publishing is always looking for submissions for their many children’s magazines.
• http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/ – Kathy Temean, coordinator of the NJ-SCBWI, provides a wealth of information to published and aspiring authors with a special focus on events happening in tri-state area.
• http://lauriewallmark.blogspot.com/ – Laurie Walmark, co-coordinator of the NJ-SCBWI, also provides a wealth of information for published and aspiring authors.
• http://blog.nathanbransford.com/ – Nathan Bransford, former agent turned author, has great tips for the aspiring novelist.
• http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/ – Advice for the writer and reader which goes far beyond the plot.
• www.womenwhowrite.org – Women Who Write, a great association for New Jersey based writers.
• www.absolutewrite.com – Lots of helpful information on writing, agents, editors, etc.
• www.underdown.org – Information about Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children’s Books:  The Purple Crayon
• www.writingclasses.com – Gotham Writer’s Workshop.  They hold classes both in NYC and ONLINE.  This is key – you don’t need to be here to take advantage of what they have to offer.
• www.mediabistro.com – Media Bistro is an online resource for media professionals.  They offer writing courses for all types of mediums across the country and online.  What’s great about their offerings is that it includes items other than “just” writing.  For example, they include writing a proposal, starting a website, blogging, editing, getting over writer’s block, etc.  As you know, writing the book is not the only step to getting published.  These other offerings can fill in.
• http://murphywriting.com.  Peter Murphy holds a series of writing seminars and retreats here in the New Jersey area and “across the pond”.  I am told by several writers who attended one of his retreats, he changed their lives.

The following are some great books on writing:

• On Writing, A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
• The Creative Habit: Learn It & Use It For Life by Twyla Tharp
• Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition (a must have)
• Second Sight:  An Editor’s Talks on Writing, Revising, and Publishing Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein
• How to Write a Children’s Book and Get It Published by Barbara Seuling
• The Writer’s Guide for Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb
• Bird by Bird:  Some Instruction on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
• How To Write & Sell Your First Novel by Oscar Collier with Frances Spatz Leighton
• The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler