Advice & Resources for Writers
I’m often asked advice on how to get published. It’s extremely hard to get published, but not impossible. This is what I recommend—
Read…read…read other children's books
Especially ones released in the last few years. And notice who publishes them. I'm a firm believer that other children’s books are the best teachers of all. Too, they show you what your competition is, and there's plenty of it! “Study” the books. Ask—
What makes this book so good?
Why do I think this book got published?
Does the book have fresh writing? Great rhythm? Wonderful plot?
Is the 1st sentence a “grabber”?
Does it have a unique main character?
Does it have a satisfying ending?
etc.
Then try to incorporate some of the best elements of the books into your own writing.
How do you know what’s recently been released?
Visit bookstores. Also, in February and July, Publishers Weekly lists all the new children’s books (by publisher) coming out for the following season. In February, look for the Spring Announcements. In July, look for the Fall Announcements.
Write!
As with anything, “practice makes perfect.”
Make a dummy (if you're writing a picture book)
Most picture books are 32 pages long. Cut your story apart and make a “dummy” of your story to see if it fits a picture book format. The 32 pages include the end pages, title, and copyright pages, so your story should fill up about 28-29 pages. This is just to help you. Don’t send the dummy to editors unless you're a professional illustrator and have done sketches for your story.
Join SCBWI
www.scbwi.org (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) This is an international organization devoted to helping children's writers and illustrators. It provides valuable writing, illustrating, and marketing information; helps you get in contact with other writers and illustrators; and keeps you informed of upcoming events, conferences, and contests. Also join your local chapter of SCBWI. (Look at the national site to find info regarding your local or regional chapter.)
Buy and study Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market
(comes out annually) This is a market guide that lists book and magazine publishers, their addresses, and needs. It also includes helpful articles on such things as how to prepare a manuscript and how illustrators should submit their work to editors. Contests, conferences, and an extensive list of helpful books and websites are included.
Read how-to books on writing children's books
Writing Children's Books for Dummies by Lisa Rojany Buccieri and Peter Economy
You Can Write Children's Books by Tracey E. Dils
The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl B. Klein
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers by Mary Kole
The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb
Writing for Young Children by Claudia Lewis (old and out-of-print, but a great book)
Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul (I highly recommend)
How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published by Barbara Seuling
Writing with Pictures by Uri Shulevitz (mostly for illustrators)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books by Harold D. Underdown and Lynne Rominger
Join a critique group
A great way to find one is through joining your regional chapter of SCBWI. I think it’s best to be in a group with people who write in the same genre you do, such as picture books or YA (young adult).
Good web sites to check out:
Cynthia Leitich Smith's Writing Books for Children and Teenagers
Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children's Books: The Purple Crayon (A great resource on this site is called "Who's Moving Where?" – gives up-to-date news on editor changes at publishing houses.)
Literary Rambles (includes an extensive list of "Agent Spotlight" interviews)