Probably the best overall resource I've stumbled on since I started writing has been Reedsy.  Reedsy.com is a marketplace for a variety of professional and other tools to help you on your writing journey.  I lucked out and found my Developmental Editor, Fiona, a partner who has helped me in my journey far beyond developmental editing.  

Aside from Reedsy - here is a list of my top 5 best writing resources so far...

1. MSWL.com
2. Publishers Marketplace
3. SCBWI
4. Querytracker.com
5. QTcritique.com

I rarely take advertisements for getting a book published seriously when I see them on Facebook.  HOWEVER, I am wholeheartedly endorsing the program called - "Get a Book Deal 101" AKA Path 2 Published. It's a 'Masterclass' taught by Kathy Ver Eecke.  Having been in the process for over two years, what Kathy teaches makes far more sense than any other approach shared with me.  Everyone needs to find the best overall resources for themselves, but having paid 3X as much for a similar 'coaching' when I first started my journey - I appreciate the approach and realness that Kathy brings to these sessions. They make a lot of sense to me and whether or not it helps me ultimately find the right fit in an agent - thinking differently using her advice has already helped me be a better writer. 

One year ago - I was sitting at this very desk with some sketches in front of me for a very loose idea of a kids book. I was originally thinking that it would be a book about a boy who didn't like bugs.  After all, the idea was sparked by my son's extreme dislike of bugs when he was younger. Words like stomp and squish and swat all had come to mind.  Then the idea morphed - just like a butterfly! What emerged after about an hour was 'Bug Bug Don't Bug Me!" 

I had been introduced by a good friend to Gary Millar of Millcom Publishing and the director of the Arabian Horse Literacy Project in AB, Canada.  A few weeks earlier Gary and I were talking about another book idea - a full length sci-fi novel I've been working on which I was thinking would be in the YA genre.  He asked whether I thought I could come up with a version of that book for kids?  I hadn't thought about writing for younger kids until he suggested it. I loved reading great kid's books like 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', or 'Dinosaur Roar' to my boys.  Next thing I knew...I had written and illustrated (via Canva) my first kids book.  I sent it to Gary to see if he could use the book in his literacy project. He circulated it with a group of parents who gave it a thumbs up as an Early Reader! 

I've since published another Children's both under my own independent banner, Knewdall, on Amazon. Kids books are certainly a bit quicker to knock out than a 80k-100k word novel! And I've learned a lot in the meantime. 

Don't get me wrong...I haven't given up on the novel(s)! Until I get those finished, I am having fun knocking out books for the littles out there!