Writing YA/MG--Online Resources

Since so many of my students are writing for this market, and since I know so little about it, I asked the most excellent Doug Solter* for resources and he came through like a bandit:

Websites: 

 Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Under the tab research library there's a just getting started link which has a FAQ and some past issues of the SCBWI newsletter that gives them an idea about writing for children. There are many regional chapters (Tons of them in Texas) that host many events that are open to the public, good place to ask authors questions about writing YA/MG.

Verla Kay's childrens writers boards are chock full of information geared toward YA and MG writing specifically. Good place to lurk or ask questions and get good answers.

 Voice of Youth Advocates Magazine. This magazine focuses on public and school librarians, great resource to find out what kids are reading and the kinds of books that librarians are recommending to teens. The online version of their magazine is FREE.

 This website lists new YA book geared blogs. Good research to finding what some teens are reading and their opinions on a lot of books.

 Twitter chats...many agents, published authors, and editors participate in these chats. Good place to lurk:

     use hashtag: #kidlitchat (Every Tuesday night at 8pm CST)

     use hashtag: #yalitchat (Every Wednesday night at 8pm CST)

By the way--you should follow Doug's blog. He has lots of good info about YA lit and writing!