Writing is such a solitary event that it can feel as if you're all alone. But you don't have to be. There are writer groups for a variety of genres. Organizations may have instructional events, guest speakers, workshops, retreats, conferences. They're a good place to learn AND to network with others who "get" what you're doing. For me the best thing I did for my writing was being involved with some groups, and along the way I've made great friends, too.

Here is a sampling of groups and organizations, with some focus on Kansas, since that's where I currently live. I strongly believe every children's writer should check out the first one!

Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - an international organization that offers conferences world-wide, publications, discussion boards, grants.
www.scbwi.org

Kansas Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - a local chapter, who has an annual conference, quarterly newsletters, quarterly events, an announcement list-serve, critique groups.
www.Kansas-SCBWI.org

Institute of Children's Literature - a school that offers correspondence courses with published authors as instructors, plus they have chats, web articles, a great newsletter called "The Children's Writer," and an e-newsletter.
www.institutechildrenslit.com

Christian Children's Writers List - an online group where you can meet others writing for the Christian children's market.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CCWL

Heartland Writers for Kids and Teens - a local Kansas City group with a renowned Wednesday critique group.
http://heartlandwriters.com

Heart of America Christian Writers Network - a local Christian group who offers monthly meetings and an annual conference.
http://home.earthlink.net/~hacwn/index.html

Kansas Author's Club - welcomes creative, technical, academic and journalistic writers.
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/orgs/kac/

The Kansas City Writers Group - a local group that meets in Shawnee, Kansas and offers workshops and critique groups.
http://www.kansascitywriters.com/kcwritersgroup.htm

Missouri Writer's Guild - a statewide group that offers annual conferences.
http://www.missouriwritersguild.org/

The Writer's Place - a local Kansas City group who offers workshops, speakers, and does art displays.
http://www.writersplace.org/

Association of Authors' Representatives - has information on questions to ask an agent, a member's list, and more.
http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page.do

The Author's Guild - a national organization open to published authors writing for adults and children.
http://www.authorsguild.org/

The Children's Book Council - a trade association for children's publishers. They create a lot of useful publications. Also, includes meet the author/illustrator pieces.
http://www.cbcbooks.org/