Here are some helpful resources for writers and illustrators:

M.O. Yuksel's passion for writing stems from the fact that she's constantly learning new things and loves to share them with the world. As a lifelong learner and writer, she highly recommends the following wonderful resources to help further craft.

Websites:

• Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (highly recommend becoming a member and attending SCBWI conferences): https://www.scbwi.org/
• Highlights Foundation (The best place on earth for creatives! And they offer scholarships. Yay!): https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/
• Children's Book Academy (with the fabulous Dr. Mira Reisberg): http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/
• 12x12 Picture Book Challenge (challenge yourself to write a picture book a month within a supportive online community): http://12x12challenge.com/
• Sub It Club (everything you ever wanted to know about submissions): https://subitclub.com/
• Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children's Books: The Purple Crayon (the indomitable Harold Underdown's website) : http://www.underdown.org/
• We Need Diverse Books (Yes, we do! Here's a great organization with resources for diverse authors): diversebooks.org/resources/resources-for-writers/
• Kidlit411 (ideal for all of your kidlit needs): www.kidlit411.com/
  

Fellowships:

• Here's an exciting new initiative - Highlights Foundation Diversity Fellowship in Children's Literature: www.highlightsfoundation.org/diversity-fellowship/

Books:

• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
• Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
• On Writing by Stephen King
• Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
• Magic Words by Cheryl Klein
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
• Real Revision by Kate Messner
• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstorm by Leonard S. Marcus
• This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett

Podcasts:

Here's a long list of great podcasts to listen to on your long commutes, or while cooking, or mountain climbing?... Enjoy!

• The Yarn by Travis Jonker and Colby Sharp itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yarn/id1028877816?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
• All the Wonders www.allthewonders.com/category/podcasts/
• The Children's Book Podcast by Matthew C. Winner https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-childrens-book-podcast/id817756935?mt=2
• Literaticast by Jennifer Laughran itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/literaticast/id1261036909?mt=2
• The Porchlight by Bethany Hegedus itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-porchlight/id1136102338?mt=2
• Into the Words - A Kidlit Craft Podcast - Highlights Foundation www.highlightsfoundation.org/into-the-words-podcast/
• Fuse 8 n' Kate soundcloud.com/user-745466600
• 88 Cups of Tea 88cupsoftea.com/
• Writerly writerlypodcast.com/
• Writing for Children www.stitcher.com/podcast/brain-burps-about-books/writing-for-children
• The Manuscript Academy manuscriptacademy.com/podcasting
• Kidlit Women  podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlit-women-podcast/id1409426534
• How Do You Write www.stitcher.com/podcast/rachael-herron/how-do-you-write
• Kidlit These Days bookriot.com/listen/shows/kidlit-these-days/
• Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magic-lessons-with-elizabeth-gilbert/id1138081319
• PubCrawl podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pubcrawl-podcast/id1043927749
• Shipping & Handling podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shipping-handling/id953575150
• The Nerdy Bookcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nerdy-bookcast/id1152602297

More resources coming soon...