Children's Manuscript Critique - Services for Writing Childrens Books - Lessons to Become a Childrens Book Writer

•SCBWI
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, formed in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles based writers for children, is the only international organization to offer a variety of services to people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children’s literature. The SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. There are currently more than 19,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regions, making it the largest children's writing organization in the world.
The benefits of membership in SCBWI are many. The SCBWI sponsors two annual International Conferences on Writing and Illustrating for Children as well as dozens of regional conferences and events throughout the world. It also publishes
a bi-monthly newsletter, awards, grants for works in progress, and provides many informational publications on the
art and business of writing and selling written, illustrated, and electronic material. The SCBWI also presents the
annual Golden Kite Award for the best fiction and non-fiction books.

•Children's Book Central
This is a wonderful site which describes itself as "A PLACE TO START: for the writers, readers, collectors, illustrators, librarians, teachers, parents, publishers, printers, storytellers and kids." It is a diverse and highly useful directory of children's book-related sites on the Internet with information that will interest anyone who has a fondness for children's literature.

•Bookwire - The Book Industry Resource
With over 8,500 links in, and ranked in the top 100,000 most visited websites listed in Alexa; BookWire is the most comprehensive online portal into the book industry. Our mission is to provide librarians, publishers, booksellers, authors, and general book enthusiasts with the resources they need. Our users benefit from access to various tools
and services.

•Booktrust
Founded in 1926, Booktrust (then named the National Book League) is based in Book House, Wandsworth, South London. As an independent educational charity working to bring books and people together, Booktrust provides information via our two websites, premium rate information helpline, administers book prizes and projects, and produces publications and resource materials. The Children's Literature Resource Centre holds the vast majority of children's books published in the UK. These books are housed at Book House for up to a period of two years. The Literature Resource Centre also contains a more general collection of books and guides about children's books (including biographical information on their writers and illustrators), information on the history of children's literature, as well as a selection of magazines and journals on
children's literature. This material forms part of our permanent collection and is widely used by students, teachers,
researchers and the general public. www.booktrusted.com is a website dedicated to children's books and
resources for professionals working with young readers. Visit the site for annotated book lists, information
about organisations concerned with children's books, publishers, children's books news and much more

•The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP)
The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP) is a group of professionals in the field of children's culture with members from all parts of Canada. For over twenty years, CANSCAIP has been instrumental in the support and promotion of children's literature through newsletters, workshops, meetings and other information programs for authors, parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and others. CANSCAIP also has some 900 friends – teachers, librarians, parents and others – who are also interested in aspects of children's books, illustrations and performances.

•The Bookseller
Bookseller Publications provides the leading information resources for the UK and international book industry.
   The Bookseller Magazine has been the essential business information publication for the book industry for more than 140 years. It is the weekly source of incisive, objective industry news and analysis, reaching all major booksellers and publishers in the UK and in 86 countries worldwide. From author to reader, anyone involved in the creation, manufacture and supply of books in print, audio or electronic formats will read The Bookseller.
   The Bookseller.com website was launched in 1997. It is at the virtual heart of the book business. The site provides daily news and comment combined with a unique mix of special features, author interviews, career advice, recruitment opportunities, interactive forums, bestseller charts and searchable archives. In addition, Premium members can elect to receive a daily news e-mail: TheBookseller.com Bulletin.
   TheBookseller.com has more than 10,000 registered members, and the website receives more than 30,000 visits a month. The daily e-mail Bulletin enables theBookseller.com regularly to break the latest stories from around
the world, as well as to maintain a daily dialogue within the book publishing and retailing
community.

•Publisher's Weekly
Publishers Weekly, the 131-year-old international news magazine of the $23 billion book industry, reaches every major publisher worldwide. It's the leading publication serving all segments involved in the creation, production, marketing and sale of the written word in book, audio, video and electronic formats.

•Write4Kids
Write4Kids.com is packed with free information, exclusive Special Reports, messaging, free eBooks, breaking news, the latest children's bestsellers, links to other important sites and much more. They also publish an excellent newsletter, the Children's Book Insider.