Welcome to the KidLit Collective!

The KidLit Collective is a specialty chapter for those who provide professional services for the children’s writing industry. “KidLit” is an umbrella term, used to describe content created for reading audiences aged 0–18.

We welcome EFA members at all stages of their careers—whether you’ve been providing services to KidLit authors and publishers for years or are just starting out, whether you work in-house or freelance—we invite you to share and learn with us.

The KidLit Collective strives to:

• build a safe and inclusive place to share resources, foster community, and grow professionally;
• increase member awareness of the KidLit market and trends, including conventions within each age category;
• assist KidLit professionals in expanding their knowledge of the industry;
• provide a forum for questions and discussions among industry professionals; and
• offer networking opportunities.

Who are KidLit Collective members?

Our chapter members hail from a variety of professions within the KidLit industry. We are editors, copyeditors, proofreaders, designers, sensitivity readers, and more. Although we’re not a writing group, we welcome writers who also provide professional services within the KidLit industry. 

Get involved with the KidLit Collective!

Please join our mailing list to stay informed. The KidLit Collective holds meetings (virtually) each month—alternating between Coffee Chats and Book Club Meetings. We take a break in the summer to simply connect and have fun. We’d love for you to join us! Gatherings are open to all EFA members. Those interested in joining the EFA can attend an event to see what we’re all about.

Have questions? Email us: chap_kidlit@the-efa.org

KidLit Collective Coffee Chats

We host a Coffee Chat every other month on Tuesdays, at 1pm Eastern. Take a break from your busy schedule and connect with others working in the KidLit market.

Our February discussion topic is The intersection of text and illustrations in KidLit. Join us to chat about interesting illustrations you’ve seen in picture books, graphic novels, and more. Register for the next Coffee Chat here.

KidLit Collective Book Club Discussions

We host a Book Club Discussion every other month on Tuesdays at 7pm Eastern. Throughout the year, we rotate through KidLit books for every level: picture books, chapter books, middle grade books, YA, and graphic novels. Have a book you think we should read? Please nominate it for consideration:

Nominate a Picture Book for discussion.

Nominate a Chapter Book for discussion.

Nominate a Middle Grade Book for discussion.

Nominate a YA Book for discussion.

Nominate a Graphic Novel for discussion.

For our March discussion, we’ll be reading a graphic novel—The Bodyguard Unit: Edith Garrud, Women’s Suffrage, and Jujitsu, by Clément Xavier and illustrated by Lisa Lugrin. We hope you can join us! Register for the next Book Club Discussion here.

Upcoming Events

February 11, 1pm ET: Coffee Chat—Topic: The intersection of text and illustrations in KidLit—Register for the February Coffee Chat here.

Mid-February: Join us for a Special Author Talk! Stay tuned for details.

March 11, 7pm ET: Book Club—Book Selection (graphic novel): The Bodyguard Unit: Edith Garrud, Women’s Suffrage, and Jujitsu, by Clément Xavier, illustrated by Lisa Lugrin—Register here for the March Book Club Discussion

April 8, 1pm ET: Coffee Chat—Topic TBA—Register here for the April Coffee Chat

May 13, 7pm ET: Book Club—Book Selection: Chapter Book (Title TBA)—Register here for the May Book Club Discussion

June, July, & August: Summer Socials—Date and time TBA

Does Our Chapter Sound Right for You?

Join our mailing list or email chap_kidlit@the-efa.org with questions.