#GrowYourWritingChallenge 2026
Can you believe it? The Grow Your Writing Challenge is entering its 4th year! Our mission has remained steadfast — a gentle, self-paced FREE challenge that meets you wherever you are in your writing journey.
You can earn badges in any order, at your own pace, and revisit them as often as you like.
What can you expect from the Grow Your Writing Challenge in 2026?
- EARN BADGES AT YOUR OWN PACE – with resources to inspire you listed below.
- MONTHLY CHECK-INS ON INSTAGRAM – Each month I will post a reel to invite reflection, celebrate wins (big and small) and encourage connection among participants. Use the #growyourwritingchallenge and/or tag C_Alemshah to share updates, progress, or milestones with other writers.
- BADGE OF THE MONTH CAROUSEL – Once a month, I will feature a badge on instagram, explain what it celebrates and share ideas about how to explore it as part of your personal writing journey.
- CREATOR INTERVIEW SERIES – Each month I will spotlight kidlit creators as they share their craft, routines, paths to publication, and more!
I wish you a productive year as you grow your writing and find joy in the journey!
Shine On!
GRAB YOUR 2026 PARTICIPANT BADGE HERE!!!
GROW YOUR WRITING RESOURCES AND BADGES GUIDE
Choose to focus on one or several badges each month! Check out the links below to get started! Please feel free to contact me if you find an amazing free resource you’d like to share with other aspiring creators in the writing community!
NOURISH BADGE (Formerly the Writing Videos/Webinars Badge)
Free or low-cost learning resources that nourish your writing soul.
KidLiterati with Author, Katelyn Aronson
Picture book University with Author, Pam Calvert
At Home Author YouTube Channel
Introduction to Peek & Critique for Kidlit Writers with Renée LaTulippe | Lyrical Language Lab
12×12 Picture Book Challenge YouTube Channel
Bookends Literary Agency Youtube Channel
PB Jamz hosted by Author, Tonnye Fletcher
PLAYFUL PRACTICE BADGE (Formerly the Writing Contests Badge)
Low-pressure contests that stretch the writing muscles and spark creativity.
Winning optional — growth is guaranteed!
Susanna Leonard Hill’s Valentiny, Halloweensie, and Holiday Writing Contests
Vivian’s Kirkkfield’s 50 Precious Words
PBParty Annual Contest hosted by Mindy Alyse Weiss
KidLitVibes with the Frenzies!
#KidLitChuckleChallenge hosted by Julie Hauswirth, April Berry, and Kris DeCaro
PERCOLATING WITH PODCASTS BADGE
Spark creativity with podcasts anytime — while walking, resting, driving, or living life.
You, Me, & the Writing Journey Podcast | Danielle Render Turm
Nonfiction KidLit Craft Conversations
WRITING RESEARCH BADGE
Free or low costs resources for research and information that supports your writing and helps your stories grow!
Children’s Magazine Writing Tips by Carrie Finison — How to write for magazines
Writing Nonfiction for Kid & Teens 7 ARTICLES THAT SHOW YOU HOW brought to your by Highlights Foundation — How to write nonfiction.
Kidlit Haha Week hosted by Brittany Pomales — How to write funny stories.
Writing Picture book biographies hosted by Kate Messner, blog post by guest author, Jess Keating. — How to write picture book biographies.
Picture Book dummy construction with Tara Lazar — How to create a picture book dummy.
NEW WRITING BADGE
Did you show up and add words to the page?
Any new writing counts for this badge — journal entries, poems, picture books, chapters, blog posts, and more! Celebrate small and big wins, it all matters. You fill in the blank and celebrate.
Writing tips, tools and resources from Writers’ Rumpus
Picture Book First Lines series with Sara Kruger
Creative Writing Conscious Style Guide – Author Karen Yin’s writing resource for mindful and inclusive depictions of marginalized groups.
Creating Picture Books: A resource by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Find out more about kid lit magazine writing and submission opportunities from Carrie Karnes-Fannin
Writing, Revision, and Submission tips with Author and Translator, Gabriella Aldeman
#HaikuSaturday hosted on X/Twitter by Susan Andrews
REVISION RETREAT BADGE
Writing magic often lives in revision. This badge invites you to return to your work — drafts, notes, or even single lines — with curiosity and care. Puzzle things out gently and notice how revisiting your words helps your writing grow.
6 Tips for Revising Picture Books
Revision 911 for Fiction: Picture Books
Favorite Picture Book Revision Tips
5 Tips to Self-Edit a Children’s Book with Author, Chelsea Tornetto
CULTIVATE CONNECTIONS BADGE
This badge honors connection in all its forms. Joining a critique group, engaging with the kidlit community, attending events, or participating in conversations all count. Explore freely and notice where you feel most at home.
PB Workshop Discord – An online community for picture book creators hosted by Nathan Christopher.
Mighty Kid Lit – An online kid lit community hosted by Michelle Ziemke
Storytime Sprint – Hosted by Ryann Jones and Andy Chitty. Online events where authors read their debut books. Afterward, if you review their book you are entered in a giveaway!
10 Ways to Find a Critique Group by Carrie Finison
Find connection with critique partners inspired by Author and Songwriter, Tara Trudel
#KidLitChat – hosted by Greg Pincus and Bonnie Adamson on BlueSky. Tuesdays at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific.
Recurring Community events on Bluesky curated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
MENTOR TEXT BADGE
With mentor texts, you can let reading quietly guide your writing.
This badge celebrates time spent reading with intention. Choose titles similar to what you aspire to write and put on your reading hat. Notice what resonates, what delights you, and how stories are built. Visit the library, reread favorites, or explore new titles. This is a wonderful badge to lean into during seasons when new writing feels hard or when you need a restorative break.
Reading Mentor texts for inspiration with Laura Smetana
Why Kid Lit Writer’s should read children’s books.
BRAINSTORM BLITZ BADGE
Sometimes growth begins with a good brainstorm. Whether it’s scribbling on a napkin, taking down a voice memo in the car, creating a mind map, or digging our heels into research. This badge celebrates idea-making in all its forms.
Tara Lazar’s Storystorm – Storystorm in January is a great way to start brainstorming ideas to use throughout the year. Guest Bloggers throughout the month provide guidance for creators to access and come back to for inspiration all year long.
Rachelle’s Resources for Writers – a treasure trove of resources for KidLit Creators. A perfect place to start if you’re feeling stuck, or have a specific questions such as “How do I find a critique group?” or “How do I get started with book marketing?”
PAID LEARNING PATHS AND SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES IN KIDLIT
These paid opportunities and submission calls are not part of the Grow Your Writing Challenge. They are shared as a starting point for writers who want to explore what’s available beyond this space.
Pro-Tip: Some paid opportunities will have FREE preview opportunities of which, I’ve listed those I’m aware of!
Storyteller Academy – Occasionally offers free weeks to preview content
SCBWI – yearly membership. Provides free digital resources and webinars for members.
PB Retreat by Ebony Lynn Mudd
12×12 Picture Book Challenge with host Julie Hedlund
Rosie J. Pova’s Workshops, Mentorships and Resources for KidLit Authors – Follow @RosiePOV on X/Twitter to sign up for FREE workshop/webinar opportunities throughout the year.
Classes for Picture Book Writers with Valerie Bolling – You can contact Valerie for more information.
KidLitHive by Justin Colon
Highlights Foundation Upcoming Workshops
Sub it Club – Join the club to learn more about the querying process and get your work out in the world.
100 Publishers accepting children’s books – No Agent Needed by from Bitsey Kemper
Little Thoughts Press – A print lit magazine that publishes words and illustrations by adults and Childrens. Open submission periods occur several times throughout the year.
The Toy Press – A print journal that features stories, art & poems for children under 10.
The Dirigible Balloon – An Online Kidlit Poetry Bank. Submissions currently closed but open periodically. A great space for reading inspiration!