Everything aspiring authors need to write, publish, and sell a
children's book
Everyone 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 But is it actually possible for an unpublished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.
Autorentext
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.
Zusammenfassung
Everything aspiring authors need to write, publish, and sell a children's book
Everyone loves a children's bookand many dream about writing one. But is it actually possible for an unpublished writerarmed with a good story idea and a love of kidsto write, sell, publish, and promote a book?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 knowfrom 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.
Inhalt
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Conventions Used in This Book 2
What You're Not to Read 2
Foolish Assumptions 2
How This Book Is Organized 3
Part I: The ABCs of Writing for Children 3
Part II: Immersing Yourself in the Writing Process 3
Part III: Creating a Spellbinding Story 3
Part IV: Making Your Story Sparkle 3
Part V: Getting Published and Promoting Your Book 4
Part VI: The Part of Tens 4
Icons Used in This Book 4
Where to Go from Here 4
Part I: The ABCs of Writing for Children 5
Chapter 1: Exploring the Basics of Writing Children's Books 7
Knowing Your Format and Audience 8
Getting into a Good Writing Zone 8
Transforming Yourself into a Storyteller 9
Polishing Your Gem and Getting It Ready to Send 9
Selling Your Story 10
Promoting Your Book 11
Chapter 2: Delving into Children's Book Formats and Genres 13
Understanding Children's Book Categories and Formats 13
Baby and Toddler Friendly: Books with Pictures 16
Board books 16
Picture books 18
Other books with pictures 21
Working through Books with Lots of Words 27
Early readers 27
First chapter books 29
Middle-grade books 30
Young adult books 32
Exploring the Genres 36
Science fiction 37
Fantasy 37
Horror and ghost stories 39
Action/adventure 39
True stories 39
Historical fiction 40
Biography 41
Learning/educational 42
Religion and diversity 43
Gender-oriented series books 43
Licensed character series books and books into brands 45
Chapter 3: Understanding the Children's Book Market 49
Getting Insight into Book Buyers 52
For chain and big-box bookstores 52
For independent bookstores 53
Recognizing What Reviewers Offer 56
Discovering What Librarians Add to the Mix 56
Taking a Look at Teachers 60
Considering Parents' Perspectives 62
Thinking Like a Kid 63
Going after what kids like regardless of Mom and Dad 63
Knowing what kids don't like 64
Part II: Immersing Yourself in the Writing Process 65
Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Workspace 67
Finding Time to Write 67
Figuring out when you're most productive 67
Sticking to a writing schedule 68
Evaluating whether you're a one-shot wonder or a committed writer 69
Optimizing Your Writing Environment 69
Locating your special writing spot 69
Getting organized 70
Preventing and dealing with interruptions 71
Chapter 5: Starting with a Great Idea 73
Once Upon a Time: Coming Up with an Idea 73
Relying on specific ideas rather than big ones 74
Tapping into your own experiences 75
Drawing from other children's experiences 77
Pulling ideas from the world around you 78
Stumped? Break through with Brainstorming 78
Going it all by yourself 79
Giving free association a whirl 80
Taking up free-form or structured journaling 80
Buddying up to the buddy system 82
Asking the advice of a writing teacher or classmates 83
Seeking help from your audience 84
Heading back to school 86
Fighting Writer's Block 86
Chapter 6: Researching Your Audience and Subject 89
Hanging Out with Kids 90
Go back to school 90
Become a storyteller 92
Borrow a friend's child for a day 94
Dipping into Popular Culture 96
Watching kids' TV shows and movies 96
Playing kid-focused digital games 97
Reading parenting and family m...