Joining writing groups will speed up your arrival at the "published author" gate. More importantly, along the way you will make wonderful friends who share your passion for writing for children.

Professional Organizations in Alphabetical Order:

American Christian Fiction Writers
This organization is comprised of fiction writers publishing in the CBA (Christian Booksellers Association). They are not primarily children's writers but they are open to children's writers and do have a children's writers forum (though it really is a sloooowww forum--not many talkative people there, I mean).

The cost of membership is fifty dollars for the first year and forty dollars for every year after that. If you're working on a Christian YA novel it might be advantageous to join this group so you can enter your manuscript in their annual Genesis contest. Otherwise you can probably get more bang for your buck elsewhere.

Children's Literature Association
For seventy-five dollars (for a US individual) you can join this organization. I'm sorry I can't tell you much about it. I've never joined and I've never been to one of their conferences.

The Christian Writer's Guild
This organization, while not specifically for children's writers, offers classes, conferences, and forums that can help writers improve their craft and break in to the Christian marketplace.

I was a member for a year, but I didn't take any of the classes or go to any conferences. I didn't find what they offered on their website to be worth what I paid in membership and they didn't offer local support. I have known novelists and short story writers who have signed up for their two-year courses and dropped out because they didn't want to complete the nonfiction part of the course before being allowed to move on to the fiction part, as they were required to do.

The Institute of Children's Literature
The Institute offers a writing course geared especially toward children's writers. I am not sure how much the classes cost presently, but I can say that I've known several people who have taken the course and really liked it. They've all gone on to publish articles after completing the course.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
If you're serious about writing and publishing for children, joining SCBWI may be the best investment you can make in your career.

For seventy dollars a year you gain access to their extensive website full of articles, forums, and friendly helpers. You get a quarterly magazine filled with craft tips, market news, and legal topics. And you are attached to a local chapter where you will find critique groups and local conferences. I was a member in Alaska and am still in the organization in Georgia. I've found the value I've gotten from SCBWI is easily worth the price of membership.

I have heard freelance writers complain that the organization is slanted toward book writers (which makes sense since the name says they are for book writers and illustrators) but I think even a person writing short stories and articles for magazines would gain much in the way of fellowship and education by getting involved with SCBWI. I can't say enough good things about this organization.