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

3/10/2014

14 Comments

 
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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
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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!!!!
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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. 
14 Comments
Charlotte Dixon
3/10/2014 07:46:44 am

Wow! Thank you, Mandy, for posting these great resources with more to come. I can't wait for Mira's webinar to learn more about writing chapter books.

Reply
uk.bestessays link
10/27/2016 03:47:14 am

Writing encourages to become more expressive with our feelings. For majority of our time, we inform our friends and loved ones of upcoming journals and published works to stimulate our intellect. I have viewed your blog entries and your best attempt at working on past and present ideas. Keep it up. I must have stumbled on a blank page but I have seen of your ideas. Thank you for your advice and sharing your experiences. Good tip on writing pay too!

Reply
sue heavenrich link
3/10/2014 08:26:20 am

this is an amazing lot of resources! Thanks, Mandy!

Reply
nicole Popel
3/10/2014 10:46:01 am

Wow, wow, wow! A big THANK YOU for all of this info, Mandy!

Reply
Cecilia Clark link
3/10/2014 04:15:55 pm

What a fantastic list of links and I look forward to next week. I really want my chapter book to shine and I am sure it will with your help. :)

Reply
Becky Fyfe link
3/11/2014 02:45:28 am

This is a great list of resources for chapter book writing! I'm really happy to see the Chapter Book Challenge (ChaBooCha) listed here too! :)

(You can also reach the Chapter Book Challenge using either of these, more memorable, web addresses: www.chapterbookchallenge.com and www.chaboocha.com)

Reply
Sally link
3/17/2014 03:53:59 am

Thanks Mandy for sharing these resources.

Reply
sue link
3/17/2014 09:07:14 am

Wow, this sounds totally awesome! Thank you so much for putting this all together!

Reply
Laura link
3/19/2014 03:00:07 am

Wow! Very informative. Thank you for all the resources and well of information.

Reply
erer
1/12/2017 08:28:39 pm

Reply
Marianne Knowles link
5/26/2014 01:20:29 am

Thanks for the links to Writers' Rumpus, Mandy and Mira. I noticed you have a link to the AR Quiz store. Here's a link to a how-to post for using it: http://writersrumpus.com/2013/11/05/how-to-research-kidlit-at-the-ar-quiz-store/

Reply
sue frye link
7/23/2014 12:00:46 pm

Thanks so much for putting this awesome page together. I can't wait to get started.

Reply
Mary McClellan
1/9/2015 12:36:37 pm

And now it's January, 2015... This is such a great post. I've just spent HOURS reading info on the links you provided. And...I'll be back for more. What a great resource!

Reply
Cate Hogan link
3/6/2016 10:33:08 pm


Thank you for this great article! Setting up the story with intrigue and empathy is so important, something a lot of writers forget when they get swept up in the excitement of putting pen to paper. Here is an article I wrote called "Introducing a Character, Not a Bore" that I thought you might enjoy: http://catehogan.com/introducing_your_character/

Reply



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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Mastering Great Graphic Novels >
      • 2023 Mastering Graphic Novels Registration
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • MN Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship