How to publish

This sub-forum isn't so much about how to publish or whether or not it is possible to publish without an agent as it is about fact-checking specific agents and publishers.

The long and short of it is that it is possible to publish without an agent but you are probably better off shooting for an agent first and a publisher second. You'll find it much easier going with an agent, but you need to find the right one.

Try asking your questions on the children's writer's forum:

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11

I'm not sure if there is a better forum for 'how to publish' questions. I know this one is more for vetting publishers, though I am sure some others around here might be willing to give basic advice.

First off, good for you for writing a book. So many people say they want to write a book, but never do.

Now, it's time to start educating yourself. Read everything you can about the children's market. There are a lot of good resources in the On-line toolkit thread.

Sadly, there is no way we can answer your question. If your story is well-written, clever, original, easy and fun to read, there are many publishers who might be interested. In general, though, a fable with non-human characters is going to be a challenge to place. You'll want to make sure you've read a few hundred good, recent PBs to get a sense of what publishers are looking for these days.

Yep, seconding the suggestion to read a ton of books that are similar to yours! Without doing that it's very hard to know if you're getting it right for the savvy 21st century kid reader.

You probably want to drop by the SCBWI website and look around. A lot of good information there.

Any children's publisher will publish a fable where the characters are flowers if it's a good book, they have an open slot in their schedule, they aren't already publishing a similar book, and a dozen other things. Of which only if it's a good book is under your control.

Remember two truths:

1) Money flows toward the author, and
2) A useful agent has sold books that you've heard of.

Try to google some questions, like 'how to get an agent', maybe buy the Writer's and Artist's Yearbook - it's got lots of good info in Good luck!

Oh, honey, slow down and take a deep breath. Getting published commercially is a long, hard journey. You haven't even started researching it, if you don't know how to find an agent.

There are a lot of resources out there to help you. Take the time to find them and study them. I suggest you start here, in the Children's Writers and Illustrator's On-line Tool-Kit: Tool-kit

That thread will give you links to all sorts of information. Read it all.

Unless...you really are in a hurry. If you just want to see the book in print, and you're willing to do all the work yourself, you can always self-publish. I've heard good things about Lulu. Their art quality is very good, for the price.

Don't try to publish. Learn to write. Too many beginners put the cart before the horse. This is a craft -- learn it. Every successful author with whom we've dealt understood that this is a journey and, if you can't learn to love the journey without focusing on the destination, you'll never get there.

Good luck on your new journey!

write4kids said:

Don't try to publish. Learn to write. Too many beginners put the cart before the horse. This is a craft -- learn it. Every successful author with whom we've dealt understood that this is a journey and, if you can't learn to love the journey without focusing on the destination, you'll never get there.

Click to expand...

Well, yes, that is a rather important thing to keep in mind.