I have written 5 rhyming picture books to submit (while waiting on NF Parenting responses) and am a new author. I believe niche is likely young child picture books and know nothing of the protocols and craft guidelines for this genre. For example in reading posts I do not know what MG stands for-though in context I know YA is young adult and MG is younger. Does one have to use specific language in books that are likely to be read to children by their parents initially until they begin reading on their own? How does publishing picture books differ from novels etc? Does the author have to promote picture books as much as the longer books? I aspire to create 100 delightful Dr. Suess like stories, though not all with rhyme and have a million ideas. I want to work smart and be educated in the craft so that my art will come to fruition. Will you educated me on basic skills in Child writing and abbreviations please? You all inspire and entertain. I'm ever so grateful.
Newbie Child Writer Questions
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Welcome Counselor!
First the bad news: many agents and editors shudder when they hear "Dr. Seuss-like," and rhyme is currently a tough sell.
That said, if you have quality material that you are willing to work to get into shape, there is certainly a market for it.
To find out what agents and editors are currently looking for, spending time on their homepages and blogs is a good place to start. For agents a good place to look is www.agentquery.com. From there you can get to the websites of several agencies, publishers marketplace pages, interviews etc. As for editors, I've often found information about them by googling authors who write similar material to mine.
AW is a great place to ask questions, as is www.verlakay.com/boards (which focuses exclusively on writing for children).
MG stands for middle grade (generally grades 4-6, not 7-8 as you might expect).
Good luck and welcome to AW!!
First the bad news: many agents and editors shudder when they hear "Dr. Seuss-like," and rhyme is currently a tough sell.
That said, if you have quality material that you are willing to work to get into shape, there is certainly a market for it.
To find out what agents and editors are currently looking for, spending time on their homepages and blogs is a good place to start. For agents a good place to look is www.agentquery.com. From there you can get to the websites of several agencies, publishers marketplace pages, interviews etc. As for editors, I've often found information about them by googling authors who write similar material to mine.
AW is a great place to ask questions, as is www.verlakay.com/boards (which focuses exclusively on writing for children).
MG stands for middle grade (generally grades 4-6, not 7-8 as you might expect).
Good luck and welcome to AW!!
Thanks for the help. I realize that rhyming is complicated in terms of cadence, flow and not losing the story in the rhyming words but I love it. I plan on working with any help I can get and also writing fairy tales and regular stories for small children until I am proficit in writing YA or MG or other. I adore it all-that's the problem-so much to learn and so much excitement. I appreciate the other forum and already registered. AW makes my dreams come true and you are an angel. BFN
Two other sources of information:
http://www.write4kids.com/
http://www.scbwi.org/
And the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, which is updated yearly. Your local library should have a copy.
http://www.write4kids.com/
http://www.scbwi.org/
And the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, which is updated yearly. Your local library should have a copy.
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If you want to write picture books, rhyming or non-rhyming, read as many as you can. Go to the library or bookstore and read stacks of picture books. It's the best way to capture the essence of what they are. Picture books are a hard genre - you have to convey character and story in a small space.
Also, find out if your local SCBWI has any critique/writing groups that meet in your area, and if they have any local conferences to learn the craft.
Also, find out if your local SCBWI has any critique/writing groups that meet in your area, and if they have any local conferences to learn the craft.