Information for writers...
I'm often asked for advice about writing and, in particular, getting published.
Here are my tips...
They say you have to read a thousand picture books before you write one (there's some other number for middle grade and young adult - but I don't write those, so I know NOTHING about that).
I usually state this not to be off-putting but to point out the amount of research needed to get familiar with the genre. As a publisher I was often sent manuscripts which were lovely and charming but where the author obviously felt they were the first one to ever come up with the theme/idea... whereas the theme was a kind of sub-genre in itself.
Reading lots of books will also develop familiarity with formats and lengths (usually 32 pages)...
So to put this in a nutshell - read! read! read!
Read in your local bookshop and read in your local library (there will be a different selection of books).
I'm going to write more (and I have a short video here with Jericho on writing for babies and toddlers), but meantime, check out these links;
Here are my tips...
They say you have to read a thousand picture books before you write one (there's some other number for middle grade and young adult - but I don't write those, so I know NOTHING about that).
I usually state this not to be off-putting but to point out the amount of research needed to get familiar with the genre. As a publisher I was often sent manuscripts which were lovely and charming but where the author obviously felt they were the first one to ever come up with the theme/idea... whereas the theme was a kind of sub-genre in itself.
Reading lots of books will also develop familiarity with formats and lengths (usually 32 pages)...
So to put this in a nutshell - read! read! read!
Read in your local bookshop and read in your local library (there will be a different selection of books).
I'm going to write more (and I have a short video here with Jericho on writing for babies and toddlers), but meantime, check out these links;
SCWBI
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, SCWBI is a nonprofit organization. It is the only professional organization specifically for individuals who write, illustrate, and translate for children and young adults. Their mission is to support the creation and availability of quality children’s books in every region of the world.
Membership in SCBWI is open to anyone with an active interest in children’s literature, from picture books to young adult novels.
SCWBI welcomes aspiring and published writers, illustrators, and translators, as well as librarians, educators, artists, students, dramatists, musicians, filmmakers, and others. A passion for children’s literature is their number one criterion.
The parent organisation is in the US (click here), but there are regional chapters all over the world.
I'd particularly recommend joining one of their critique groups – or finding a local critique group to join.
It's a great opportunity to read and discuss your work with others and develop and finesse before submitting to agents or publishers.
Membership in SCBWI is open to anyone with an active interest in children’s literature, from picture books to young adult novels.
SCWBI welcomes aspiring and published writers, illustrators, and translators, as well as librarians, educators, artists, students, dramatists, musicians, filmmakers, and others. A passion for children’s literature is their number one criterion.
The parent organisation is in the US (click here), but there are regional chapters all over the world.
I'd particularly recommend joining one of their critique groups – or finding a local critique group to join.
It's a great opportunity to read and discuss your work with others and develop and finesse before submitting to agents or publishers.
The Jericho Prize
The Jericho Prize have created an amazing resource for unpublished and self-published writers.
The prize itself is awarded to Black-British writers, but the writers hub and video resources are available to all. They have LOTS of videos with authors giving advice as well as basic tips on their Writers' Resources page (which also has lists of Agents, Publishers, writing groups etc. Did I mention that they are AMAZING!
The prize itself is awarded to Black-British writers, but the writers hub and video resources are available to all. They have LOTS of videos with authors giving advice as well as basic tips on their Writers' Resources page (which also has lists of Agents, Publishers, writing groups etc. Did I mention that they are AMAZING!
Writers and Artists Yearbook
Writers' and Artists' Yearbook
As well as listing all the publishing companies and agents and their policies on submitting (this is a subscription service), the Writers and Artists yearbook (updated every year) has lots of FREE advice as well as events and courses. about everything from finding an agent to masterclasses on particular subjects - well worth checking out.
As well as listing all the publishing companies and agents and their policies on submitting (this is a subscription service), the Writers and Artists yearbook (updated every year) has lots of FREE advice as well as events and courses. about everything from finding an agent to masterclasses on particular subjects - well worth checking out.
The Purple Crayon
Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children's Books: The Purple Crayon
This is a fabulous site run by my good friend and colleague Harold Underdown - who has worked in Children's Publishing for many years. It has amazing links, articles and advice - including some chapters from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing (which he wrote - and you should buy or borrow). Once you explore you'll find more and more helpful material, so do go to the home page and policy page for advice on how to support the amazing resource (since it's created and maintained by an individual).
This is a fabulous site run by my good friend and colleague Harold Underdown - who has worked in Children's Publishing for many years. It has amazing links, articles and advice - including some chapters from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing (which he wrote - and you should buy or borrow). Once you explore you'll find more and more helpful material, so do go to the home page and policy page for advice on how to support the amazing resource (since it's created and maintained by an individual).
Submitting your book to a publisher or agent
If you've skimmed through the links above and think that all sounds a bit tedious and you'd rather just submit your manuscript, there's lots of advice on how to do that below – but if you're serious about getting published, you really have to do the work first.
Getting started (on Harold Underdown's fabulous site)
Formatting your manuscript - this is good (and has this very useful template link) and this is specific advice
Getting out of the slush pile (on Harold Underdown's fabulous site)
Rights of Submission: Cover Letters and Query Letters (on Harold Underdown's fabulous site)
How to approach Publishers and Literary Agents (Writers and Artists Yearbook)
Margot Finke's Musings (Harold Underdown) a fantastic collection of (older) informative pieces
Getting started (on Harold Underdown's fabulous site)
Formatting your manuscript - this is good (and has this very useful template link) and this is specific advice
Getting out of the slush pile (on Harold Underdown's fabulous site)
Rights of Submission: Cover Letters and Query Letters (on Harold Underdown's fabulous site)
How to approach Publishers and Literary Agents (Writers and Artists Yearbook)
Margot Finke's Musings (Harold Underdown) a fantastic collection of (older) informative pieces