It’s All About Community! Facebook Groups to Join

Being a writer is lonely.   It’s hard talking about writing with people that aren’t writers. They just don’t get it.  For the longest time, I never knew people in “real life” that were writers until I started my MFA program. Unfortunately, it was a low residency program, which meant I had to travel twice a year to be around other writers. Once the program ended I started feeling lonely again.

Then I signed up for one of Mira’s fantastic courses at the Children’s Book Academy and I slowly started discovering “Groups” on facebook.

What Facebook “Groups” Can Do For You As A Writer:

*Allow you to make new writer friends and interact daily
*Learn about the craft of writing
*Discover new writer blogs and websites
*Learn about the writing industry and marketing
*Learn about publishers and agents
*Discover and participate in contests and conferences
*Participate in monthly writer challenges and online courses.


GROUPS

Here are some groups that I have found particularly helpful.  Anyone can join most of these groups. Just be sure to read the "rules" each group before posting.  (Most of them do not allow self promoting.)  

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Picture Book Writers/Illustrators

Once upon a time, I sorted all my picture book friends into a group on FB to make life easier.Most were my friends from writing classes and a critique group. 
Whenever, I would get interesting articles on picture book writing or illustrating, I would zap it to them. That is how this group got started. 
But then...
creative people from all over would ask to be in this group. I said, why not? So I added them on. 
Please add anything related to children book writing or illustrations. 
It's just a place to share, share, share! Please tell us about your glories in writing or illustrating such as book launches, art openings, wonderful art events, etc. If not, tell us about your rejections. They are harsh but we learn from each other. 
Announcements are wonderful. Please brag. 
No politics here. Please share photos. We love them!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/167318063310294/

KIDLIT 411

A Facebook group of children's writers and illustrators run by the founders of the websitewww.Kidlit411.com. Share your information and kid lit news, find critique partners, and join a fun community.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1444222312460054/

Agent/Editor Discussion

This board is for picture book authors. We discuss agents/editors, sending manuscripts, cover letters and queries. We support the successes and celebrate the rejections (that means we are one step closer to a yes). For those asking to join: If you are a writer, it would be helpful if your Facebook timeline or profile (if available to public) indicated that you are a writer. Writers only please.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/299530846844884/

Doodle Day

This is a doodling challenge for artists, writers, teachers, parents, children of all ages, friends, and friends of friends. I post a drawing prompt each day on my blog but you DON'T HAVE TO USE IT - it is for those who stare at a blank page and have a panic attack or those who just want to try something new. A doodle can take 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes or even up to an hour but seriously, if you are spending an hour or more - it is not a doodle, it is a masterpiece and you are overthinking it or trying too hard. Put your pencil to the paper and see where your arm goes - this is a stress free doodle zone. Enjoy!

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

KidLit TV

Welcome to KidLit TV's FB group where you can share your book trailers, news videos, interview videos, and how-to advice on everything from creating awesome picture books to making animated presentations. 
Post videos or links to videos. Feel free to ask for advice and critiques - this is your video group in the KidLit world. 
NOTE: We're still new, so don't be shy to be the first to post!

The KidLit TV website and YouTube channel will be launching this fall!

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

Poetry Bootcamp

Poetry Bootcamp is about getting those words down on a page and stretching your imagination. Let's get everyone writing poetry.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/248838151936193/

RhyPiBoMo

Rhyming Picture Book Month Participants

https://www.facebook.com/groups/173920209485707/

WOW Nonficpic

Non-Fiction Picture Book Writers
The Non-Fiction Genre includes: Biographies, Reference, How-To's and Memoirs. It also includes Faction (Facts told in a fictitious way) and Historical Fiction (Fictitious story about real people, events and places).

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

Debut PB Study Group

This board is for picture book writers who want to study debut picture book texts from PB authors (v. author-illustrators). We will discuss telling v. showing, story structure, sentence structure, page turns, rules broken, word count, and more.

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

Writing Chapter Books for Beginner Readers

This group is for those who write chapter books for beginner and reluctant readers, or are in the process of writing them. It is a place to discuss books you have read, plots, publishers, and to find critique partners.

This group is for those who write chapter books for beginner and reluctant readers, or are in the process of writing them. It is a place to discuss books you have read, plots, publishers, and to find critique partners.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/268325186678063/

Sub It Club

Sub It Club is a support group for writers and illustrators who are submitting (or thinking about submitting) their work. Writers of any genre are welcome to join us! We do check all requests before approving members so if you are hard to find online send us a quick message at subitclub(at)gmail(dot)com to help expedite the process and please check your message folder (including your others folder). We will send you a message either before or after approval. You can find out more about Sub It Club at subitclub.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/486894588029505/

Chapter Book Challenge

A place for participants in the Chapter Book Challenge to gather, share ideas and support one another.

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

Fightin Bookworms

Private group for paid subscribers of Children's Book Insider, the Newsletter for Children's Book Writers. If you're not currently a CBI subscriber, please visithttp://cbiclubhouse.com/clubhouse/join to become a member. Then you may request access to this group.

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

Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator Market

Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market (CWIM)
"Connecting Authors, Illustrators, Teachers &Students" 

CWIM is a diverse group of dedicated, timely, and enthusiastic artists from across the United States and four countries abroad. Our focus is on children’s picture book and children’s educational publishing.

"Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market" is a group for aspiring writers and illustrators searching for information about publishers and how to contact them.

“Our mission is to continue to find innovative new ways to promote children’s books and connect the people who create them.”

Here's a place where you can post your AWESOME Illustrations, discuss your Art Techniques, show off your artistic talent and writing skills, and check out the stuff other TALENTED people do. 

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

Children’s Book Creatives

Children's Book Creatives is a fun group dedicated to helping folks become excellent writers, illustrators, revisionists, and successfully published children's book creatives. There are lots of extraordinary people here and I hope that you will join us. Just request or ask a friend to add you : ) Led by the Picture Book Whisperer herself, Dr. Mira Reisberg, and with contributions from Picture Book Academy faculty and members - we aim to support, have fun, and succeed!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/184441188368169/

Sub Six

Welcome to the “Sub Six” picture book submission support group.
The Sub Six focus is supporting each other as we work toward our submission goals. Last year, we set out to submit a manuscript every other month, with the result being six submitted manuscripts for each member by the end of the year. However, many of the members went way beyond six manuscripts already. So, we just support each other. We ask questions, share news, share concerns, ask for help, and so on. 
I post a tally sheet doc each month in the file section, which you can find under the strip of member's profile images on our Facebook page. If you click on file, you will find a bunch of docs. To add to a doc, click on edit, enter your info, and click save. Many members add their submissions to the tally sheet as they go along, others add their submissions at the end of the month. For many of us, having that accountability of documenting our progress is helpful in keeping us motivated. Seeing what the other members are accomplishing is also encouraging. You will also find a doc in the files with members' blog and web addresses. Feel free to add to it. We have a doc where members can post query letters or cover letters that they might want other members to critique. Around the second week of each month, I tally up the group’s subs from the previous month and post our progress on our Facebook page. I try to offer a monthly prize. The winner is chosen via a drawing from all the names on that month's tally sheet. Please contact me if you have questions. Sub Six is a closed Facebook group, so you must ask to join. - Alayne Kay Christian

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

PiBoIdMo

***THIS IS THE CURRENT 2013 GROUP. Facebook doesn't allow group name changes once you exceed 250 members.***

A discussion group for kidlit writers participating in PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month), held every November at taralazar.com. 

More info: http://taralazar.com/piboidmo
To register for 2013:http://taralazar.com/2013/10/24/piboidmo-2013-registration/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/265963663444660/

Word by Word Book Club

Thank you for joining us! This group was set up to study Ann Whitford Paul's book Writing Picture Books. Blanche Baxter and I talked about how much easier it is to push through these wonderful resources as a group and here we are. I hope that when we finish WPB people will want to continue with other books. Happy writing and learning!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/536519409761124/


Platform Building for Children’s Authors

This is a site for those who write for children to learn from one another, share resources and assist one another in building and expanding their platforms. The site is set up to allow members to invite and approve new members. Feel free to share as you see fit. I look forward to working with you.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/586598641416295/

ReviMo

Got picture book drafts piled up collecting dust? Have critiques you haven't even read? Need a jump start to revise?
You're in the RIGHT PLACE!

We'll have monthly Petite ReviMos to inspire you to pull out that poopy first (second, third, fifteenth) draft and REVISE IT! Some days the revisions will flow, other days you will struggle, but you'll be in good company all the while! 

Annual ReviMo with prizes, in January. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1422553434641402/

Start the Year off Write Challenge

This group is for kidlit writers, illustrators and authors. During the month of January, 21 established authors will provide writing exercises for challenge followers to complete. To see the exercises, go tohttp://www.shannonabercrombie.com/my-blog/ or sign up on the blog to receive an email daily. 

Please feel free to share any kidlit related news on this site. However, posting chapters or copies of your work is better fit elsewhere.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1403795779858685/

Children’s Authors and Illustrators on Facebook

A group for authors and illustrators of children's books, from picture books to YA, in all genres, plus aspiring writers and all readers who love children's literature. Authors and illustrators, tell us about your published work, what you're working on right now, any cool stuff you've seen or heard about in the field of children's books, post your book covers or illustrations and more. And don't forget to spread the word about this group to all your contacts in the writing community. For aspiring writers, connect with published authors or other writers like yourself and for readers of all ages, check out what your favourite authors are up to, discover new ones and join in discussions. Spread the word about Children's Authors and Illustrators on Facebook and thanks for stopping by.

Please only post book covers or artwork from books in the photos section. Pictures from events or other promotional photographs will be removed. Please just post links to where they can be found elsewhere online.

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

Children’s Book Writers USA

Children books are important for everyone. All of us grew up on them. Who can not forget classics like Where the Wild Things Are. Many people play an important role in putting these wonderful books together. There are Writers, illustrators, Editors, Publishers, Readers and so many other people that make books possible. This group is open to everyone who has interest in Children books and it will help everyone network and meet new people. We are an international group, so do not let our name scare you. Please join us . We are family friendly so children are also encouraged to join. Join the SCBWI summer and winter conferences twice a year. Also check out your local branch. Enjoy your stay. http://SCBWI.org/

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

NaPiBoWriWee

National Picture Book Writers Week

http://paulayoo.com/napi/?p=768

https://www.facebook.com/groups/109169309167365/

Marketing for Authors

Written the book? Now what? Now it's the hard part, now you have to market it....
This group is for fellow authors to swap marketing ideas with other authors and ask questions.

All posts are vetted for suitability.

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

If you know of any other great groups to join, please post the Facebook link below!

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, as well as The Chapter Book Alchemist  http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/the-chapter-book-alchemist.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.