Synopses & Reviews
Learn to:
- Write great stories with memorable characters
- Pen a catchy query letter that sings
- Find an agent and use social media
Your guide to writing, publishing, and promoting a children's book
Written with straightforward advice and a plethora of up-to-date recommendations, including the scoop on writing e-books, Writing Children's Books For Dummies provides step-by-step information on everything aspiring children's book authors need to know. Topics include researching the current marketplace, developing great stories and characters, writing captivating plots with drama, intriguing editors and agents, submitting queries and manuscripts, and making the most of social media marketing.
- Children's books 101 take an in-depth look at the many different formats of children's books (including e-books), as well as who actually buys children's books and why
- Enter the writing zone get a jump on the writing process, discover how to set up your workspace, develop great story ideas, and build upon your great ideas with research
- The plot thickens create a spellbinding story with a workable plot, characters to care about and root for, real dialogue, and a setting to transport your reader to the world you've created
- Put on your editor's cap revise and edit your manuscript, decide whether to illustrate your story on your own, and discover where to look for helpful feedback on your work
- Get the word out consider the pros and cons of working with literary agents versus contacting publishers yourself; get the scoop on book deals, contracts, and self-publishing; and conquer the publishing world with social media marketing
Open the book and find:
- Explanations of children's book formats and genres
- Details on plot, character, and drama
- Trusted tips on writing believable dialogue
- Info on writing creative nonfiction children's books
- What you need to know about agents, publishers, self-publishing, and e-books
- The scoop on the illustration process
- How you can promote and publicize your book
Synopsis
Writing Children’s Books For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is an invaluable resource for beginning and accomplished writers. Clearly and concisely written with straightforward advice and a plethora of specific up-to-date recommendations, the author team provides step-by-step information on everything authors need to know—from researching the current marketplace to developing story ideas, strengthening writing skills, dealing with editors, and submitting proposals and manuscripts to agents and publishers. Readers can discover how to put together a strong and impressive proposal, choose the best publishing house for their material, get the results from attending publishing conferences, and even search for, and hire, the perfect agent.
Synopsis
Everything aspiring authors need to write, publish, and sell a children's bookEveryone loves a children's book—and many dream about writing one. But is it actually possible for an unpublished writer—armed with a good story idea and a love of kids—to write, sell, publish, and promote a book? Yes, it is!
Clearly and concisely written with straightforward advice and a plethora of specific up-to-date recommendations, Writing Children's Books For Dummies provides step-by-step information on everything aspiring children's book authors need to know—from researching the current marketplace to developing story ideas, strengthening writing skills, dealing with editors, and submitting proposals and manuscripts to agents and publishers.
- Updated and improved writing exercises
- All new content on social media and establishing an online presence as an author
- Fresh, updated content on publishing via hard copy and all the e- platforms
From setting down that first word on paper to doing a successful publicity tour, Writing Children's Books For Dummies gives you the confidence and the insiders' know-how to write and sell the story you've always wanted to write.
About the Author
Lisa Rojany Buccieri has written and ghostwritten more than 100 children's and grown-up's books, both fiction and nonfiction, including board books, picture books, and young adult series. Peter Economy is a bestselling author, coauthor, and ghostwriter of more than 55 books, including several For Dummies titles.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: The ABCs of Writing for Children 5
Chapter 1: Exploring the Basics of Writing Children’s Books 7
Chapter 2: Delving into Children’s Book Formats and Genres 13
Chapter 3: Understanding the Children’s Book Market 49
Part II: Immersing Yourself in the Writing Process 65
Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Workspace 67
Chapter 5: Starting with a Great Idea 73
Chapter 6: Researching Your Audience and Subject 89
Part III: Creating a Spellbinding Story 107
Chapter 7: Creating Compelling Characters 109
Chapter 8: The Plot Thickens: Confl ict, Climax, and Resolution 131
Chapter 9: Can We Talk? Writing Dialogue 143
Chapter 10: Setting the Scene 157
Chapter 11: Finding Your Voice: Point of View and Tone 169
Chapter 12: Writing Creative Nonfi ction Books 189
Part IV: Making Your Story Sparkle 205
Chapter 13: Editing and Formatting Your Way to a Happy Ending 207
Chapter 14: Creating Pictures from Your Words: The World of Illustrations 233
Chapter 15: Finding Feedback and Encouragement 249
Part V: Getting Published and Promoting Your Book 265
Chapter 16: Getting an Agent to Represent You 267
Chapter 17: Finding the Perfect Publisher and Signing a Contract 283
Chapter 18: So You Want to Self-Publish? 299
Chapter 19: Donning Your Publicity Cap 313
Chapter 20: Getting Savvy with Social Media 327
Part VI: The Part of Tens 341
Chapter 21: More Than Ten Great Sources for Storylines 343
Chapter 22: Ten Recognitions Children’s Authors Dream of Receiving 351
Index 353