Resources for Writing Chapter Books! (Plus a free webinar and contest!!!)

Usually my blog posts are related to picture books. But I'm excited today to talk about chapter books. As an elementary teacher, I know that good read alouds in the classroom with fantastic picture books can totally hook a  nonreader. And I also know that the right "chapter book" can bridge the gap of either a young first grader or second grader advancing out of easy readers, or it can hook those fourth and fifth grade reluctant readers and start their love of reading. 

This information is great to know as a teacher and parent, but also as a writer. 

Writing picture books would have to be my first love, but chapter books are a very close second. So much so that when I was in my MFA program, I did my graduating lecture on chapter books.   

And next week, I plan to share with you my entire lecture plus six handouts that include: Chapter Book Basics, Chapter Book Analysis (where I take apart 3 chapter books and analyze the structure), a list of recommended chapter books to read, Chapter Book Template Outline, A list of problems that characters can deal with in early chapter books, and finally a list of publishers that accept chapter book submissions.  

But for this week...I've compiled a huge list of resources to get you started on writing chapter books.

One you won't want to miss listed at the end is a FREE WEBINAR about Writing Chapter Books and an amazing Chapter Book Course!  (Also, did I mention there is a contest where you can win registration to this amazing Chapter Book Course?  YEP! You heard me right. So scroll on down and check it out!!!!

Blog Posts About Chapter Books

Kathy Temean defines chapter books

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/writing-chapter-books/

Mary Kole discusses chapter books

http://kidlit.com/2010/10/22/early-reader-chapter-book-market/

Rebecca Talley discusses chapter books

http://rebeccatalley.com/blog1/writing-for-kids-chapter-books.html

Author Lynne Jonell discusses her path to writing chapter books.

http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/magazine/just-launched/tag/jennifer-arena/

Ideas for Writing Chapter Books for Kids

http://www.creativejuicesbooks.com/ideas-for-writing-a-book.html


Children’s Writer Tina Cho discusses writing Beginning Readers and Chapter Books

http://tinamcho.wordpress.com/tag/how-to-write-beginning-readers-and-chapter-books/

Chapter Book Formula

http://jeanoram.com/blog/2011/03/01/chapter-book-formula/

Chapter Book Blue Print

http://writersrumpus.com/tag/writing-chapter-books/

6 Things I Learned About Writing Chapter Books

http://operationawesome6.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/guest-post-kurtis-scaletta-on.html?m=1

Chapter Book Chat (Blog dedicated just to chapter books)

http://chapterbookchat.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/difference-between-chapter-books-middle-grade-redux/

Writing a Series

http://writersrumpus.com/2013/11/12/so-you-want-to-write-a-series-guest-post-by-anna-staniszewski/

Creating a Chapter Book Series

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/creating-a-chapter-book-series/

Scholastic Discusses: The World of Kids’ Chapter Books

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/book-selection-tips/world-kids-chapter-books


Online Tools

Renaissance Learning: Use this site to look up word count of chapter books.

http://www.renaissance.com/store/quiz_home.asp?c=1

Craft Book Resources

Yes! You Can Learn to Write Beginning Readers and Chapter Books

http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Write-Beginning-Readers-Chapter/dp/1478168226

The Writers Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb

http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Crafting-Stories-Children-library/dp/1582970521/ref=pd_sim_b_23?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JVEMV31ZBCPXNKCE1NN

Children’s Writer’s Word Book  (This isn’t about chapter books, but it’s a great word resource to use.)

http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Writers-Word-Alijandra-Mogilner/dp/1582974136/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JVEMV31ZBCPXNKCE1NN

Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Irresistible-Kidlit-Ultimate-Crafting/dp/1599635763/ref=pd_sim_b_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JVEMV31ZBCPXNKCE1NN

Challenges/Groups to Join

SCBWI Blueboards (for members of SCBWI) There is a specific forum just for chapter books and mg.

http://www.scbwi.org/boards


Chapter Book Challenge

http://chapterbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/chapterbookchallenge

https://www.facebook.com/groups/chapterbookchallenge/


Chapter Books to Read

http://delightfulchildrensbooks.com/2013/06/05/early-chapter-book-series/

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/chapter-book-series

http://www.iusd.org/ea/GradeLevelPages/documents/ChapterBookList.pdf

http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2013/05/k-thru-2nd-grade-chapter-book-series.html

http://www.amazon.com/b?node=2579000011

http://www.kidsbookseries.com/lists/series.php

Courses to Take

The Chapter Book Alchemist presented by The Children's Book Academy. Instructors are the amazing Dr. Mira Reisburg and children's book author, Hillary Homzie. (Author of one of my favorite books: The Hot List.)  And...I'm so excited that I get to assist with this course. Yay!!!

http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/the-chapter-book-alchemist.html

Contests!
Dr. Mira Reisburg in holding a contest with some amazing prizes!!!! (One prize being a free ride to her Chapter Book Course.)  
http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/miras-virtual-birthday-party-contest.html


Free Webinar: Why Editors Want Chapter Books and How to Write Them

Children's book author, Hillary Homzie and Children's Book Instructor and Agent Dr. Mira Reisburg are holding a free webinar on Friday March 21st at 6PM Pacific Daylight Time on “Why Editors Want Chapter Books and How to Write Them.” If you’ve ever been on a CBA webinar, you’ll know that they are lots of fun.Mira will be explaining what exactly a chapter book is, why editors are looking for them, and about their great potential for illustrators. Hillary will be sharing awesome writing techniques, why Hollywood is interested, and then if time allows we’ll be commenting on any ideas for standalone or series books that you post on our page here http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/why-editors-want-chapter-books-and-how-to-write-them-webinar.html 

   
So if you’d like to register for our super fun webinar (which we hope that you do) – here’s the link https://wj168.infusionsoft.com/app/page/event-register



You won't want to miss this!!!!

Mandy Yates is currently an elementary reading specialist and children's book writer. She has an MFA in creative writing from Spalding University and has been published multiple times in Highlights Magazine. 

She is also assisting Mira in teaching The Craft and Business of Writing Children's Books. http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/writing-childrens-picture-books.html

Find some of her teacher resources over at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mandy-Yates.

And you can follow her on Pinterest, Twitter,and Facebook.