How To Write a Childrens Book & Get 3RD Edition

Your one-stop guide to writing and selling books for children

Get the tools you need to:

• Develop story ideas that work
• Strengthen your writing skills
• Improve your work habits
• Write for different age groups
• Look at your work critically
• Submit proposals and manuscripts
• Find the right publisher for your work
• Understand and negotiate contracts
• Work with agents and editors
• Join the writing community

Do you dream of becoming the next J. K. Rowling? Are you excited about writing for children but have no idea how to begin or where to send your material? Now, respected children's writer Barbara Seuling gives you the essential steps to getting published in the competitive, exciting world of children's literature.

From finding story ideas and creating character sketches to plotting, writing dialogue, editing, and revising your work, you'll learn how to complete a manuscript and prepare it for submission. Whether you want to write picture or chapter books, fiction or nonfiction, poetry or plays, Seuling helps you master the different genres and capture a child's interest and imagination, from the early years to young adult. Her fully revised guide also covers the major developments in book publishing, including vital information about using the Internet to research the market and contact publishers. Seuling even discusses recent successes such as the Harry Potter series, as well as the growth of Amazon.com.

Complete with updated lists of writing organizations, marketing information, and recommended reading, this is the only guide you need to start writing, get published, and touch the lives of children.

Seuling, the author and illustrator of more than 60 children's books, describes how to research children's literature, develop an idea and write a proposal, and investigate the many avenues of print and Internet publication. She includes chapters on writing picture books, fiction and non-fiction, poetry, and plays, as well as tips for developing good writing habits, finding a publisher, and working with editors. She lists many great children's books and resources for finding more.
Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

BARBARA SEULING is the author and illustrator of more than sixty books for children, including the popular chapter book Oh No, It's Robert and its sequels, as well as picture books including Winter Lullaby, illustrated by Greg Newbold, and Whose House?, illustrated by Kay Chorao. She worked for nine years as a children's book editor for major publishing houses. Seuling is also the director of The Manuscript Workshop in Vermont.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

PART ONE: A Closer Look at Children’s Books.

1. You, the Children’s Book Writer . . . Maybe

Defining Your Goals.

2. What Is a Children’s Book?

The Variety of Books Published Today.

3. How to Become an Expert

Getting to Know Children’s Books.

4. Lessons from the Past

A Short History of Children’s Books.

PART TWO: Developing Your Ideas.

5. Where Did You Get That Idea?

How to Find Ideas and Work with Them.

6. Sabotage Made Easy

Procrastination and What to Do about It.

7. Learning Your Craft

How to Become a Better Writer.

PART THREE: Writing Your Book

What You Need to Know and Do.

8. Writing Picture Books.

9. Writing Easy-to-Read Books.

10. Writing Early Chapter Books.

11. Writing Fiction.

12. Writing Nonfiction.

13. Writing in Verse.

14. Writing Plays.

PART FOUR: Selling Your Book.

15. Who Cares?

Queries and Proposals.

16. Submitting Your Manuscript

Presenting Yourself to a Publisher.

17. For the Writer Who Is Also an Illustrator

What the Illustrator Needs to Know.

18. Changing Markets

Finding the Right Publisher for Your Work.

PART FIVE: A Publisher in Your Future.

19. Out of the Slush Pile and into the Fire

What Publishers Do.

20. Your Editor—Friend or Dragon?

Working with an Editor.

21. Joining the Writing Community

Taking an Active Role.

APPENDIXES.

I. Book Lists.

II. Reviews.

III. Children’s Literature—History and Criticism.

IV. References.

V. Marketing Information.

VI. Books on the Craft.

VII. Services, Studies, and Support.

VIII. Even More Titles by Genre.

Index.