Useful Links for Children's Writers

Writing 
UK Children's Books  
A directory with links to authors, illustrators, publishers and others connected with the world of children's books.

Writers News

Writing for Animation

The Federation of Children's Book Groups
Organises an excellent conference every year

Scottish Book Trust
Includes information on the Fidler Award for an unpublished children's novel

Welsh Book Council
Includes information on the Tir Na N-Og awards

Book Trust
Packed with useful information on children's books and writing for children.

National Association of Writers in Education
Includes a directory of writers willing to give talks in schools

The Society of Authors
The professional association for authors with a special section for children's writers.

Authors Licensing and Collecting Society
Collects photocopying and other fees on your behalf

Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (British Isles)

Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (Scotland)

Scattered Authors Society

The Bookseller
Includes links to publishers' sites and a guide to who owns whom.

The Children's Writing Resource Center
US site for children's writers

Jacqui Bennett Writers Bureau
Offers a critique service which you can try for free before you commit yourself further. 

The Northern Children's Book Festival
Background information about this event including a selection of interesting author interviews

Writer's Services.com
Not specifically aimed at children's writers but packed with information including factsheets by Michael Legatt, contact information for agents and technical tips for computerphobes.

The Arvon Foundation
Run residential writing courses including some on writing for children.

Sales Rank Express
A great time saver for any author who wants to check their amazon rankings.

 

Research
Britishlibrary.net
A delightfully unclutterd interface to masses of useful links is an excellent starting point for research. You can also use it as your ISP if you wish.

Google UK  
Currently my favourite search engine. Using this version gives you the option of searching UK sites only which can speed up research enormously.

For Writers Only
Lots of excellent research links put together with writers in mind

Journalism UK
Another good research links page which is particularly useful for up-to-date UK based information

National Curriculum
The whole curriculum available on-line so you can easily look at the subject and level which interests you. 

Behind the Name   
A good place to look if you are stumped for a name for a character. If you don't find what you need here, there are links to other useful name sites.

Names for Löwchens
Actually created to help people choose names for pets, it's also a brilliant resource for writers.

History Research Online  
A huge collection of links to historical information. 

Street Map
This useful site can provide a street map of anywhere in the country. If you enter a postcode, you'll see a map showing exactly where the building is located - ideal for finding your way to meetings and interviews.