I’ve been on Substack for 3 years now, but it’s only this year that I’m seeing lots more KidLit creators sign up, which is very exciting!
I’m creating this list of KidLit creators/supporters (anyone sharing info about the world of children’s books) I’m subscribed to so you can find them easily – please do comment or reach out if you’re a KidLit creator and would like to be added.
For those already on the list, please let me know if you’d like any details changed or updated or if you’d like to be removed from the list. I’ve done my best to add details from your bios/websites, but information might not be up to date, so do reach out.
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Added Apr 7, 2024:
– Susan Cabael (PB author, teacher, book reviewer)Added Mar 24, 2024:
– Alina Chau (PB author/illustrator)Added Jan 16, 2024:
– Christine Evans (PB, CB author) and Vicky Fang (PB, ER, CB author/illustrator) – Maggie Summers (PB illustrator)
Added Oct 20, 2023:
– Rachel Michelle Wilson (PB author/illustrator) – Laurie Elmquist (BB, PB, CB author) – Amy Makechnie (MG author) – Heidi Fiedler (PB, CB author)
– Adam Ming (PB illustrator) – Alexis Ennis (poetry, MG author, kidlit blogger) – Meaghan McIsaac (MG, YA author/illustrator) – Charlotte Barkla (PB, MG author) – Brittany Pomales (PB author) – Ashleigh Meikle (book reviewer, kidlit lover) – Romi Sharp (Australian kidlit publicity and marketing service) – Christine Evans (PB, CB author) – Eliza Wheeler (PB author/illustrator) – Julie Falatko (PB, CB author) – Gina Perry (PB author/illustrator) – Elayne Crain (poetry, PB, MG author) – Anne Belov (PB, MG, GN author/illustrator) – Janet Fox (PB author and book coach) – Cassy Polimeni (PB, CB, MG, YA author) – Holly Surplice (PB author/illustrator) – Debbie Ridpath Ohi (PB, CB, MG author/illustrator) – Jennifer Jamieson (PB, MG illustrator) – Jilanne Hoffman (BB, PB author) – Katie Chappell (writer/illustrator) – Katy Tanis (PB author/illustrator) – Damjana Loddelina (PB illustrator) – Nami Ralph (PB author/illustrator) – Melissa-Jane Fogarty Nguyen (PB author/illustrator) – Melanie Conklin (PB, MG author) – Helen Stephens (PB author/illustrator) – Claire Powell (PB, MG illustrator) – Adam Rex (PB author/illustrator) – Polly Noakes (PB author/illustrator) – Ruby Wright (PB illustrator) – Nanette Regan (BB, ER, PB author/illustrator) – Helen Hancocks (PB author/illustrator) – Angela Burke Kunkel (PB author) – Rebecca J. Gomez (PB author) – Jane Porter (PB author/illustrator) – Katie Clapham (MG, YA author) – Katrina Germein (PB author) – Emily Gale (PB, MG, YA author) – James Don Bluewolf (CB, MG, YA author) – Fiona Woodcock (PB author/illustrator) – Samantha Gassman (PB author) – Lauren Magaziner (MG author) – Allison Rushby (CB, MG, YA author), Allison Tait (MG author), Megan Daley (teacher-librarian)
BB = board book
ER = early reader
CB = chapter book
MG = middle grade
YA = young adult
I acknowledge the Darkinyung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work, and I pay my respects to the Elders past and present.
Thank you for compiling this list! I know there are more. Lauren Magaziner at You, Me, and a Cup of Tea is one. I'll let you know if I think of more.
Thanks SO MUCH for putting together this list, Melissa-Jane! I also have a list of traditionally published children's book illustrators I've found on Substack who qualify for your list, which I've updated since you saw it last: https://debbieohi.substack.com/p/traditionally-published-childrens
I'm worried about you being overwhelmed: Are you limiting your list in any way? e.g. If someone who is thinking about self-publishing their own picture book wants to add your list, will you add it? Or an artist who is thinking about getting into children's books but hasn't really started researching yet? Also a bit worried about the "supporter" category since there are MANY kidlit supporters out there.
Don't get me wrong: I LOVE the idea of this list and am in awe of your generosity. But I'm worried about you ending up having to give up on the idea of maintaining the list because you're getting too many requests. Or are encountering hostility from people whose feelings are hurt because you haven't had time to add them or are saying no to them being added, etc. (I speak from experience from manually maintaining other lists in the past)
In any case, THANK YOU! Am going to share now, and will add it to my list of kidlit illustrators with a link. :-)