Very confused

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking. Are you wondering if you've written a short story or a children's chapter book?

While short stories for adults tend to be much longer, most children's magazines require short stories to be under 1,000 words. So, unless you have a story that would fit an adult market - and if your audience is children, it probably would not - it's much too long to be a short story.

I would suggest reading lots of children's chapter books to see if that's where your book fits on the shelf. Clementine. Judy Moody. Stink. Ivy and Bean. Etc.

Good luck and to AW.

If it's a chapter book (like the ones Smish listed), then you can try to find an agent who reps children's books. However, like with picture books, there aren't many agents who deal with them because their average profit margin is so low. Some publishers will take direct submissions from authors for picture or chapter books. You could take a look at Verla Kay's "blue boards" for some specialized assistance with children's publishing.

Has your book been edited? Make sure the word count you have is the final one.

Each agent will provide guidelines concerning what to send. Often they want a query and a small writing sample, maybe the first few pages. I've only queried middle grade books, but I think chapter books are handled the same way. You should focus on one book at a time, but be ready to discuss sequels if anyone expresses interest.

I don't think sending out to publishers and agents at the same time is a good idea. If you want to get an agent, try that first. If you don't succeed, you can think about submitting to publishers directly.

I'm not sure you're quite ready to be sending out the story, to be honest. Please understand, this is in no way a judgement on the quality of your writing. How could it be, without reading your story? But your post reveals that you're just now learning about the world of children's publishing, and you've probably got a lot more to learn before you're ready to submit.

Point number one: Length is a very secondary consideration. Chapter books are usually the length you're talking about--under 10K. BUT... chapter books must be written in a very specific way. One reason agents don't often rep them is because few people can do them well. Chapter books are for kids who are young and just becoming fluent/independent readers. Think short attention spans and immature vocabularies (but not necessarily limited). The plot needs to be crystal clear and to the point, nothing subtle, nothing too challenging.

Chances are, as an adult writer, you've probably used a voice that is too sophisticated for the CB audience. So Smish is right. You need to go read a bunch of chapter books and see if your story would work for the same audience.

Point number 2: There ain't no market for kids' short stories. Well, okay, there is a magazine market. Talk about hard to break into... The magazines have very, very, very specific criteria. There's no way you wrote a story that meets their needs. Not yet, anyway. You would have to study the market carefully and learn to follow their guidelines. Again--go buy a bunch and start reading.

But submitting a short story or collection of short stories for kids to an agent is only going to get you rejected.

So... Take a deep breath. Pat yourself on the back for finishing that first story. It's a great achievement, and lots of people talk about it without ever actually doing it. You're on the right track.

But. Don't expect this one to find a home. Give yourself permission to write about a dozen more, at least. Now that you've gotten over that first hurdle, the next one should be easier. And then easier.

Once you've finished more than one story--so you're not as emotionally attached to this first one--start showing it to other writers. Posting it in Share Your Work here is a good start. Until we see it for ourselves, we really can't tell you very much. Maybe you have a great idea for a chapter book. Or maybe you have the first 10K of a super novel. Or maybe you have a warm-up story that will never be published, but will teach you a lot about writing.

Let us read it (once you have your 50 posts) and we'll be able to help you a lot more.

Adding to the great advice above. Consider taking a class on writing for children or attending a conference and consider joining the SCBWI, a professional organization for writers and illustrators of work for children. Publishing is a business. These things will help you learn the business you are getting into and decide your next step.

MsJudy said:

Give yourself permission to write about a dozen more, at least. Now that you've gotten over that first hurdle, the next one should be easier. And then easier.

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My comment isn't really related to the OP's problem, but I just wanted to say that this little bit made me feel better. Writing the first draft of my first novel is like wrestling a bear in cocoa butter. I was starting to dread that, even if I do finish this one, every new start was going to feel just as overwhelming. It's good to hear that it gets easier after the first one.

Well, it certainly has for me. I can't speak for everyone, of course! But the more I write, and read, and read about writing, the faster I can tell if I'm veering off-track and need to start over. So spending 15 drafts just to figure out who my character is... I'm not doing so much of that anymore.

ok, just a quick cheeky question

what are chapter books? books for the 6-8 yr old mkt? between 4k-10k words?
like 'Cat in the Hat' or a bit older?


yeah, just looked at the NYT Chapter book bestseller list.

ages starting from 7 and up to 10 and up and one 14! and up.

so, that didnt help.

ok, sorry for the thread derail. seems picture books are 4-8 yrs and chapter books can really be anything from 7-14yrs, ie MIDDLE GRADE! ah well

In the US, "chapter book" refers to a book supposedly aimed at 7 - 10 year olds (and really read by 6 - 8 year olds, mostly)--kids who are just beginning to read longer books. Examples would be the Magic Treehouse series or Bailey School Kids or Ivy and Bean, to name a few.

The NYT does what it wants. On their lists, anything with chapters is a "chapter book", even if it's MG or YA. But that's not the way most agents and publishers and authors and bookstores use the term.

DTHunter123 said:

Thanks for all the info, it has been a great help. I think, for now, I should just keep doing what I am and not worry about getting published yet. Up to now writing has been the most fun I’ve had and reading it back to my kids to seeing them laugh.

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Isn't it a great feeling? And all too often, people jump into trying to get published, get frustrated and discouraged, and wind up losing that joyfulness. Which of course translates to no joyfulness in their writing, making it harder to get published, and... so on.

Job number one really is to write because you want to, and enjoy what you are doing. Then you can look at what else you want to do with you writing, how much you want to take on the stress and struggle of the publishing world. There are many ways to approach it, and not everyone has to follow the same path.