LEARN THE RULES SCOUT OUT THE LANDSCAPE GET THE GUIDELINES DON'T GET HUNG UP ON GETTING PUBLISHED DON'T GET TAKEN ASK FOR HELP DO'S AND DON'TS OF GETTING STARTED AS A CHILDREN'S WRITER HOTTEST TRENDS IN CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHILDREN'S WRITING WHERE SHOULD I SEND MY MANUSCRIPT WHEN IT'S DONE? HOW DO I GET A COPYRIGHT?
1. OUR BEST ADVICE TO GET YOU STARTED
Because of the very high volume of manuscripts they receive, editors are almost certain to reject -- unread -- manuscripts that are improperly formatted, are not targeted for the appropriate age group, are not the correct page length and so on. The "rules" of publishing aren't particularly arcane, butthey're not obvious to the beginner either. If you plan on submitting your work, take the time to understand how the game is played.
There are a couple of ways to learn the basics. Our Career Starter course was
created expressly for that purpose. It's a step-by-step guide for the beginner.
Also, there are some good books on the subject -- Jean Karl's "How To Write
& Sell Children's Picture Books" is a classic, and deservedly so. You
can purchase the book directly from us by calling 800-807-1916).
There are two places that should become especially familiar to you -- your library and a large bookstore. Use the library to check out how the classics were created, and count on the bookstore to clue you in on what's current in children's publishing.
In either place, take the same approach. Try to find books that are in a similar genre, target a similar age group and take a similar approach to the story you're working on. At the library, break down the books you find and attempt to determine what's made them successful. What do these books have that, perhaps, your story doesn't? Take your ego out of this -- admitting that maybe your story isn't perfect is a needed step if you really want to make it. Delude yourself into thinking that everything you've done is beyond the need for tinkering and you'll be on your way to a nice collection of rejection slips.
At the bookstore, search for similar books and make a note of the publisher's
name and address. Many publishers prefer to create their lines around common
themes, topics and age groups. Discover those who fit your style and you've
just increased your odds dramatically!
When you've narrowed the search down to those publishers who seem best for your story, start sending off for writer's guidelines from those companies. (By the way, for the most current information about children's publishers. You really need a copy of Children's Writer's & Illustrators Market Directory. You can find it at bigger bookstores or orderit from us by calling 1-800-807-1916.)
Address your letter to the Editorial Department, and enclose a note requesting a copy of their current writer's guidelines. Include a self-addressed letter-sized envelope with 33 cents postage. You can also ask for a current catalog, which will list all the books the publisher currently offers. If you want this, make your return-envelope larger (at least 9" x 12") and affix more postage ($1.93 should cover it).
Follow the guidelines religiously. They're instructions that will tell you
exactly what the publisher is looking for and how they like to be contacted.
Ignore them at your peril!
* DON'T GET HUNG UP ON GETTING PUBLISHED
Repeat after us: "I Will Enjoy The Journey. I Will Enjoy The Journey. I Will Enjoy The Journey."
Frankly, the odds of getting rich writing children's books are fairly remote. If you don't love the art of writing, try another route to wealth and fame. Worry less about getting published, and more about simply enjoying the opportunity to learn something as beautiful as crafting a children's story, and two things will happen:
· You'll dwell on the satisfaction of improving as a writer, not on the frustration of getting rejected by publishers. You'll become a better writer and, ultimately, have a much greater chance of really getting published!
Enjoy the journey. Stop and smell the roses. Make up your own cliche. Just
don't fixate on submitting your work -- especially until you've at least partly
mastered the incredible craft of writing.
Hope is a wonderful thing, but it can also be the lever that con artists can push to separate you from your money. There are some bad guys out there, and they're preying on beginning writers. Usually, the swindle begins with a letter telling you that you're work is just wonderful, and that you're well on your way to Dr. Seuss hood. The final step, send us some money and we'll make it all happen for you.
We've heard about writers who have lost a good deal of money by trusting bogus agents and phony publishers. The bottom line -- be careful when you spend your money. Don't let flattery or the possibility of a publishing contract cloud your judgment. Don't spend money to publish your books (and this includes subsidy, co-op and self-publishing arrangements) until you've exhausted all traditional publishing avenues (and frankly, if 30 publishers have rejected your story, what makes you think spending ten grand to publish it yourself will be a wise investment? Start working on something else.) Check out everybody thoroughly. Ask for references and check them.
We've created a special report entitled How To Tell If A New Or Small Press Is Legitimate. If you’d like a copy, just send a self addressed stamped envelope with 33 cents postage to CBI, 901 Columbia Rd., Ft. Collins, CO 80440. It’s also available online at http://www.write4kids.com/legit.html. Follow the steps we've provided you and you'll be a much smarter consumer.
Also, you can check out agents and publishers with the Society of Children's
Book Writers & Illustrators by calling (310) 859-9887.
There are many places to turn for help when your getting started. Try our free online message board (http://www.write4kids.com/wwwboard). Hook up with other writers online and create a virtual writer's group, or join a "real world" writer's group in your community (check with your local children's librarian or post a sign in the library seeking other writers). Take some writer's classes, and attend a writing conference or two. Subscribe to Children's Book Insider. Read lots of "how-to" books about writing. E-mail us at mail@write4kids.com with a question and we'll try to help.
The more you ask, and the more you desire to learn, the easier your transition
into a successful children's writer will be!
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2. DO'S AND DON'TS OF GETTING STARTED AS A CHILDREN'S WRITER
DO:
· Learn the market. Spend lots of time in your local bookstore and library, reading through current bestsellers. Try to discover what they have in common, and how they differ from the books of your childhood.
· Perfect your craft. Before worrying about seeing your name in print, really learn how to write. Take courses, read "how-to" books, join a writing group, and so on. Master dialogue, characterization and plot. Write for the sake of writing, and enjoy the journey -- you'll have plenty of time to chase a publishing contract later.
· Focus your attention on "hot" areas in children's publishing. Publishers continue to look for multicultural stories, nonfiction for all ages, horror stories and easy readers.
· Request publisher guidelines and catalogs before submitting your work to a publisher. Study these to make sure your work is what the publisher is currently seeking.
· Learn to write a crisp, upbeat query letter that will grab the attention of a harried editor.
· Be persistent. Success as a writer rarely comes easily or quickly.
Don't get discouraged by rejection...just keep writing!
DON'T:
· Assume that today's kids' books are just like the ones you read as a child. Juvenile literature is more sophisticated, creative and far-ranging than ever before. Dick & Jane don't cut it anymore!
· Get bogged down in clichés. Editors are sick of cute talking animals, "ugly duckling" stories about shy wallflowers who save the day, and moralistic tales that shout "it's OK to be different!" Strive for originality.
· Treat kids like babies. Don't talk down to your readers. Use rich and interesting language that evokes strong visual images, not baby talk.
· Preach. Your job as a writer: to entertain. If your story has a message,
tell it through the plot and characters, not by a "moral" tacked on
to the end.
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3. HOTTEST TRENDS IN CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING
· Multicultural Literature: stories with ethnic characters, stories from other cultures.
· Nonfiction For All Ages: write about things that kids are learning at school.
· Easy Readers: short books for kids (6 to 8) who are starting to read on their own.
· Chapter Books: short novels broken into chapters for children ages 7 to 10.
· Historical Fiction: provides a great mix of education and entertainment.
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4. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHILDREN'S WRITING
* I HAVE A STORY I'VE WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN. DO I NEED TO FIND SOMEONE TO ILLUSTRATE IT BEFORE I CAN SEND IT TO A PUBLISHER?
No. In fact, in cases where the author of a picture book is not also an artist, the publisher prefers to find its own illustrator for the book. The reason for this: often a publisher will match up a new author with a more experienced illustrator who has some name-recognition among book stores and teachers. Also, publishers have a stable of illustrators they have cultivated, and are always looking for new manuscripts for these illustrators to work on.
Finally, publishers have a certain "look" they have developed for their individual lists, and the illustrator you choose for your manuscript may not have a style that fits with other books already published by that house.
If you do know an artist that you want to work with, you can submit illustrations
with your manuscript, but be prepared that the editor may like only the writing
or only the illustrations and won't want to buy the entire package.
* WHERE SHOULD I SEND MY MANUSCRIPT WHEN IT'S DONE?
Finding the right publisher for your work involves a bit of detective work. A story that's wrong for one house may be perfect for another. To conduct your search for ublishers, follow these steps:
Purchase Children's Writers & Illustrators Market (http://www.write4kids.com/cwim.html). It's a thorough listing of every important children's publisher, listing needs, personnel and more.
Subscribe to a publication that will keep you informed of changes, new imprints and changing publisher needs. At Children's Book Insider (http://www.write4kids.com/aboutcbi.html), we devote the first two pages of each issue to such market news.
Spend lots of time in your local bookstore, reading newer books. Look, in particular, for books that have a similar tone or theme as your manuscript. Note the name and address of the publishing company, and send for their catalog and writer's guidelines.
Join a writers' group. You'll be amazed at the dossier of information most experienced children's writers have compiled about publishing houses.
* THERE'S SO MUCH ABOUT WRITING AND SUBMITTING STORIES THAT I DON'T KNOW AND I'M QUITE INTIMIDATED. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY FOR A BEGINNER TO LEARN?
Buy Career Starter (http://www.write4kids.com/starter.html)
-- it will answer all your questions without costing a fortune! Join your local
chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (call 310-859-1010
for more info.) In Canada, join CANSCAIP (416-654-0903). Get online and ask
questions! On our message board (http://www.write4kids.com/wwwboard)
you'll find some very knowledgeable folks ready to help.
Thanks to the Internet, getting the information and forms you need to register for a copyright couldn't be easier. The US Copyright Office maintains a well-designed site that has all the instructions, background and forms you'll need.
Rather than reprint the entire site here, we'll present targeted links within the site that will lead directly to the information you need:
Step 1. Learn the Copyright Basics
http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/circs/circ1.html
Step 2. Read the Registration Procedures
http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/reg.html
Step 3. Download Form TX for published or unpublished non-dramatic literary
works
http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/forms/formtx.pdf
(go to http://www.copyright.gov/forms to see if this is the right form for your work)
The cost of a copyright: $30.
** For more on the ins & outs of getting a copyright, check out "How To Register Your Own Copyright" by Mark Warda (http://amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570712255/childrensbookinsA)
This report courtesy of Children’s Book Insider, the Newsletter for Children’s
Writers. To subscribe, or receive a free catalog, call 1-800-807-1916. A one
year subscription is only $29.95 (12 issues) and includes great free bonuses!
VISIT US ONLINE AT WRITE4KIDS.COM!