An Oasis for Lonely Children's Writers

Writing is a lonely occupation. If you're surrounded by people who don't understand what it's like to to be a writer, it can be even lonelier. But there's help for the children's writer. That help is in the form of the website verlakay.com. When you visit this site, owned by the children's book author Verla Kay, you can find a support network of children's writers and illustrators and an abundance of information about writing for kids.

The Message Board section is like a virtual watering hole where writers from around the world converge to discuss topics of interest. Have you recently submitted a short story to the magazine Highlights? You can find out the typical response time by reading the postings of others who have submitted to that illustrious magazine as well! Are you interested in finding out about new markets for your work? Click on Market/Agent News. Members post information concerning various book publishing and magazine companies.

The Verla Kay Message Board offers so much for those who take the time to visit. Newbies in the children's writing field can gain valuable information from more experienced, published children's authors. Visitors can read about the craft of writing and support each other as they write their works in progress. If you're interested in entering writing contests, members post upcoming writing contests for the benefit of others.

Did you receive a rejection in the mail today? Pour out your sorrows in the That Stinks! forum where you can nurse your wounds and receive words of encouragement--not to mention lots of empathy! No matter what genre of children's writing you write, you can find valuable information in the Message Board. Find out the likes and dislikes of editors and agents. Exchange tips and ideas with children's book illustrators. Toot your own horn in the Good News! forum when you sell a poem or story. Once in a while, you may even stumble across work-for-hire jobs. Experienced writers can visit the Pro Talk forum to discuss issues concerning contracts, agents, school visits, promoting published work, setting up an author website, and more.

If you want to read basic tips from Verla Kay on how to start out as a children's writer or illustrator, be sure to visit the section called Artist & Writer Pages. Although not part of the Message Board, this section provides the novice children's writer the fundamental tools to begin learning how to write for children.

The Internet abounds with websites for children's writers, but in my opinion, Verla Kay's website is heads above the rest. Writer's Digest agrees with me! It named Verla Kay's website one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers in 2000 and 2005. So what are you waiting for? Log on to www.verlakay.com, and kiss your lonely writer days goodbye!