Here’s a collection of resources I’ve found useful as a writer. I hope you’ll find them helpful too. Explore and enjoy!
Resources
Writing Courses & Challenges
- The Highlights Foundation: Workshops and retreats for writers and illustrators of children’s books
- GrubStreet: A creative writing center offering classes and support for writers of all levels
- Curtis Brown Creative: Renowned writing courses led by literary agents and published authors
- Gotham Writers: Online and in-person writing classes for fiction, nonfiction, and more
- Storyteller Academy: Training and community for aspiring children’s book creators
- StoryStorm: Annual event inspiring writers to generate new story ideas every day for a month
- The 12 x 12 Challenge: A year-long picture book writing challenge to draft twelve manuscripts in twelve months
- The Lyrical Language Lab: Workshop focused on poetic and musical language for children’s writers
Craft Books
- Asher, Sandy – Writing It Right!
- Bell, James Scott – Plot & Structure
- Bell, James Scott – Write Your Novel from the Middle
- Brody, Jessica – Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
- Browne, Renni & King, Dave – Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
- Cameron, Julia – The Artist’s Way
- Catmull, Ed – Creativity, Inc.
- Corbett, David – The Art of Character
- DeSalvo, Louise – The Art of Slow Writing
- Dreyer, Benjamin – Dreyer’s English
- Evans, Harold – Do I Make Myself Clear?
- Field, Syd – Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting
- Gilbert, Elizabeth – Big Magic
- Hawker, Libbie – Take Off Your Pants!
- King, Stephen – On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
- Klein, Cheryl B. – The Magic Words
- Kleon, Austin – Steal Like an Artist
- Kleon, Austin – Show Your Work!
- Kleon, Austin – Keep Going
- Lamott, Anne – Bird by Bird
- Liberts, Lauris – Get Sh*t Done
- Lukeman, Noah – A Dash of Style
- McKee, Robert – Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting
- Messner, Kate – Real Revision
- Paul, Ann Whitford – Writing Picture Books
- Rosenfeld, Jordan E. – Make a Scene
- Smith, Keri – The Imaginary World Of…
- Snyder, Blake – Save the Cat!
- Strunk, William Jr. & White, E.B. – The Elements of Style
- Truby, John – The Anatomy of Story
- Zinsser, William – On Writing Well
Author & Kidlit Writing Advice
- Kate Messner: Author and educator sharing writing tips and resources
- Harold Underdown’s The Purple Crayon: Expert advice and resources for children’s book writers
- Pat Zietlow Miller Writing Advice: Tips and insights from the award-winning children’s author
- Debbie Ridpath Ohi: Free print-ready templates and guides for picture book creators
Story Structure & Writing Tools
- Dan Harmon’s Story Circle: Story structure tool for plotting engaging narratives
- Coverfly: Platform for screenwriters to showcase work, access competitions, and connect with industry professionals
Publishing, Agents & Submission Tools
- Agent Query: Database of literary agents for querying authors
- Query Tracker: Tool for managing and tracking literary agent queries
- Reedsy: Marketplace connecting authors with publishing professionals
- Edelweiss+ Platform to help find comp (comparison or competitor) titles
Professional Organizations
- AJL – Association of Jewish Libraries: Supports Jewish libraries and librarians worldwide
- Authors Guild of America: Advocacy and resources for professional writers
- JBC – Jewish Book Council: Promotes Jewish literature and authors
- SCBWI – Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators: International organization supporting children’s book creators
Conferences
- Jewish Book Council Conference: Annual gathering of authors, publishers, and community leaders promoting Jewish literature
- Association of Jewish Libraries Conference: Conference offering workshops, networking, and resources for librarians, educators, and writers interested in Jewish literature
Library
- NLI – National Library of Israel: Israel’s national library, preserving cultural and literary heritage
Storytelling & Oral History
- Storyline Online: Celebrities read children’s books aloud to inspire a love of reading
- StoryCorps – Record the Conversation: Platform for recording and sharing personal stories
Podcasts
- The Book of Life Podcast: Focuses on Jewish books, authors, and literary culture
- Helping Writers Become Authors: Advice and techniques for writers seeking to improve their craft
Lectures & Talks
- Beginnings: Setting a Story in Motion – Michael Arndt
- Endings: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great – Michael Arndt
- On Story – George Saunders
- How to Make Writing Less Terrible – Seth Worley
- Jim Carrey’s Commencement Address (2014)
- Lisa Kudrow Commencement Address (2010)
- Pixar in a Box – The Art of Storytelling
- Screenwriting Plot Structure Masterclass – Michael Hauge
- The Secret to Creativity – John Cleese
- Toy Story 3: Mistakes Made, Lessons Learned
- What I Learned from 100 Days of Rejection – Jia Jiang
- What Makes a Bestseller? – Jonny Geller (TEDxOxford)
- The Hilarious Art of Book Design – Chip Kidd
