Writers’ Rumpus is 2 years old this week! Our first post, Let the Writers’ Rumpus Start!, went live on June 11, 2013. Since then, we’ve had:
205 Posts by 25 bloggers, both regulars and guests
19,000+ Visits from 54 different countries
2500+ Comments
1500+ followers (join us!)
Our most popular post this past year with 2000+ recorded views was You Can Judge a Book by Its Title, and Other Wisdom from the Submission Pile, a guest post by Rob Broder, Publisher of Ripple Grove Press.
Our most popular post of all time with 2400+ recorded views is still Why thirty-two pages?, Joyce Audy Zarin’s illustrated explanation about the length of picture books.
But enough statistics. We have a Blogiversary gift for you: 15 of our favorite writing blogs. These are who and what we read when we’re not posting here, the blogs we turn to again and again for knowledge, news, inspiration, and insight. Enjoy! And share your favorites in the comments.
For Picture Book Writers and Illustrators
12 x 12 Picture Books This yearly challenge to draft 12 picture books in 12 months, started by Julie Hedlund in 2012, includes access to two agents each month, and posts by featured authors.
Illustration Friday A weekly challenge to create an illustration that explores a theme. The challenge and its blog is not specifically for picture book illustrators, but it’s a great portfolio-builder and good practice in meeting a deadline.
Picture Book Builders What goes into building a great picture book? Join the discussion here. Book reviews, news, and posts by 8 regular bloggers and guests.
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast Julie Danielson, published author and writer for Kirkus Reviews, shares her love of picture books with a lot of great interviews and illustrations. Over 1300 posts.
Writing for Kids While Raising Them Picture book author Tara Lazar hosts the annual PiBoIdMo challenge each November, and also has great guests, giveaways, and a ton of great reference posts.
For Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers
The Hub Literary blog of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Reviews of new teen fiction, some reviews written by teens. Provides a rolling update of what’s being published in YA.
Kristen Lamb’s Blog Kristen’s main focus is advising writers on navigating social media and building a platform, but there are plenty of posts about craft, inspiration, hacks for getting yourself to write, and other writer-related topics. Not specific to MG or YA, but helpful for longer works.
Writeonsisters Writing craft, writer’s life, book reviews. “straight up with no bull.” Not specifically for MG and YA, but a wealth of valuable posts for those who write longer works in any genre.
For All Ages of Children’s Books and their Creators
KidLit 411 Something for every writer and illustrator from board books through young adult. Articles on craft, critique, marketing, querying; interviews with agents, authors, illustrators, and editors; resources and links–if it’s related to creating kidlit, you’ll find it here.
Let’s Get Busy Podcasts hosted by The Busy Librarian, Matthew Winner. Over 150 audio interviews with kidlit authors and illustrators, with more every week. “A ‘Must-Listen’ for any book creator or fan of kidlit.”
Nerdy Book Club Amazing appreciation of reading & kidlit, with daily posts and frequent reviews of books of all ages, from picture books through young adult. Shows what people love about kidlit from the reader’s perspective.
Watch. Read. Connect. Children’s librarian Mr. Schu serves up interviews of children’s authors and especially book trailers (like Josh Funk’s!). A great place to learn about different authors.
Blogs about Publishing, Querying, and Submitting
Miss Snark’s First Victim Query critiques, Secret (Literary) Agent contests, and all-around support for aspiring authors submitting their work.
Query Shark How to avoid common errors when writing query letters to agents and editors, and a chance to submit your own query for critique by the Query Shark.
Sub It Club Support group for all of us who are getting our work out there. Topics like critiquing, agents, contests, editors, revising, querying—all the hard work behind finding a home for your writing or illustration.
Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents Editor and author Chuck Sambuchino blogs about agents: pitching, querying, and new agents building their lists. He also hosts guests, including our own Kris Asselin and Paul Czajak.
Writing and Illustrating Kathy Temean brings news of note about writing and illustrating for children: new agents, contests, events, opportunities, interviews.
Did I say 15? Oops. Well more is more, right?
Keep the gift going! Share your favorite blogs about kidlit in the comments.
Most images from Pixabay. Flying books from Shutterstock.
Happy 2nd Birthday to Writer’s Rumpus!! I have grown as a children’s book writer since following this fabulous blog. Thank you, Marianne for posting these amazing 15 blog sites. Looking forward to visiting them!
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Thanks Lynn! Glad to be of service
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Thanks a million for organizing this blog, Marianne (along with two awesome crit groups). You are my hero!
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Aw shucks gee! Thanks, Joyce.
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It’s been an amazing two years! I’m honored to be a small part of Rumpus! Thanks for everything, Marianne!
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Thanks for joining us Carrie!
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Thank you for mentioning my blog and Happy Blogiversary!
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Thanks for the well wishes Tara! And for your terrific blog.
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This is a good list. I read a lot of these on a regular basis, but found a couple new ones. Thanks and happy blogiversary to you.
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Thanks Rosi! Glad you found some new ones.
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Thank you for the lovely blogiversary gift! 🙂
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Thanks for contributing to it, Amy!
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Thanks for the great list, Marianne! It’s hard to believe that Writer’s Rumpus has been around for 2 years already!
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Time flies, except when I have a post date coming up. Thanks for being a part of it all.
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Thanks for the excellent reading list!
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Thanks for contributing to it! Hope you find a few new ones.
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Congratulations on two wonderful years! Thank you for including Write On Sisters in your list. We are honored. I’m off to read your most popular post. Somehow I’ve missed that one. : )
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Thanks for stopping by, Robin, and thanks for the follow. I found writeonsisters during the April challenge when you linked to one of our posts, and I’m always finding more to read. How did I miss you before? Happy for your backlist.
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i just noticed. YOU HAVE A BRAIN FOR AN AVATAR. O.M.G.
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kidlit411 is another great blog/resource for writers. Thanks for this post and for starting up Writers Rumpus. So grateful to be a part of it!
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D’oh! How did we miss KidLit 411? I’ll sneak it onto the list first chance I get. Thanks Carol.
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