Best Ways to Break In?

NemoBook · Aug 29, 2007

My cousin just had her first baby and wants to start writing for children. She got a volunteer gig at a local library, reading stories to kids (as a way to get familiar with their particular manner of speech, plus as a way to see what else is being written these days and what kids respond to).

She's taken a class and written a short manuscript. I know this is really broad, but does anyone have any advice on the best ways to break into children's writing? Any good websites or other resources I could direct her to?

Toothpaste · Aug 29, 2007

Yes quite broad question lol! But I will say that this is an excellent site www.write4kids.com Lots of good articles. Also have a look around this part of the forum, have a read, a lot of the questions associated with writing for kids have been answered here.

But really, just tell your cousin to write. And read. And by read I mean children's books, not necessarily books on how to write.

Shady Lane · Aug 29, 2007

Wish on a lot of stars. And keep writing.

TnTexas · Aug 29, 2007

I would also suggest she visit Verla Kay's website and Harold Underdown's website. They both have good information about writing and publishing for children.

JLCwrites · Aug 30, 2007

Many writers have mentioned this path to take.

1) write write write
2) try to get something into a magazine.
3) after a couple of stories in a magazine find an agent. (Who is more likely to accept you as a writer if you are already published in a magazine.)
4) Submit.
5) Agent hooks you up with publisher
6) Publisher LOVES book(s) gives you $500,000 up front and a sweet contract.
7) you take a vacation in the Bahamas and run into Daniel Craig at the beach and he sweeps you off your feet with his major muscles.

Ahem... oops, sorry, I got a little "carried away." Anyway, the first four steps are a good way to go. What ever happens from there is determined by how many stars you wish on. (See Shady's comment)
Wish her luck from us!
TL

myscribe · Aug 30, 2007

Turkey Lurkey said:
Many writers have mentioned this path to take.

6) Publisher LOVES book(s) gives you $500,000 up front and a sweet contract.
7) you take a vacation in the Bahamas and run into Daniel Craig at the beach and he sweeps you off your feet with his major muscles.

Ahem... oops, sorry, I got a little "carried away." Anyway, the first four steps are a good way to go. What ever happens from there is determined by how many stars you wish on. (See Shady's comment)
Wish her luck from us!
TL

This is a path that I definitely would like to follow! I'm heading to the beach and wishing on more stars (in addition to the 4,526,302 already wished on)... :2angel:

Toothpaste · Aug 30, 2007

Though of course you don't have to follow it. I myself have never had any published articles or short stories, and know of other authors who haven't as well. To me the key is to read and write. And be persistent. And have faith in yourself.

"Never Give Up! Never Surrender!"

MsJudy · Aug 30, 2007

She could join Society of Children's Bookwriters and Illustrators (my next $75 are earmarked for it), and attend conferences and workshops. I highly recommend the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop, run by Andrea Brown and the Henry Miller Library. Not that it got me discovered yet, but I sure learned a lot. And at least one attendee, Jeff Stone, did get discovered at it and did get a half-million dollar contract. I don't think he was looking for Daniel Craig to sweep him off his feet though....

JLCwrites · Aug 30, 2007

Well, he doesn't know what he is missing!

Jack_Roberts · Aug 30, 2007

Turkey Lurkey said:
Many writers have mentioned this path to take.

1) write write write
2) try to get something into a magazine.
3) after a couple of stories in a magazine find an agent. (Who is more likely to accept you as a writer if you are already published in a magazine.)
4) Submit.
5) Agent hooks you up with publisher
6) Publisher LOVES book(s) gives you $500,000 up front and a sweet contract.
7) you take a vacation in the Bahamas and run into Daniel Craig at the beach and he sweeps you off your feet with his major muscles.

Ahem... oops, sorry, I got a little "carried away." Anyway, the first four steps are a good way to go. What ever happens from there is determined by how many stars you wish on. (See Shady's comment)
Wish her luck from us!
TL

LOL!

I think I'll continue with #4 (as well as editing) and maybe consider #2.

I'm a happily married man, so if I'm blessed and lucky enough to get 5 and 6, I'll just be happy to sign books and make kids smile.

Hillary · Sep 1, 2007

1 - Buy (and worship) Childrens Writers & Illustrators Market.
2 - Join SCBWI
3 - Write, write, write... Throw everything away... Write write write... Switch the gender of all your characters just to see if it's more interesting... Write, write, write... Throw it all away again... Write, write, write... Cry... Write, write, write... Be ridiculously good at what you do... Write, write, write.
4 - Write s'more.

NemoBook · Sep 6, 2007

JudScotKev said:
She could join Society of Children's Bookwriters and Illustrators (my next $75 are earmarked for it), and attend conferences and workshops. I highly recommend the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop, run by Andrea Brown and the Henry Miller Library. Not that it got me discovered yet, but I sure learned a lot. And at least one attendee, Jeff Stone, did get discovered at it and did get a half-million dollar contract. I don't think he was looking for Daniel Craig to sweep him off his feet though....

Wow. I had no idea that children's writing could be so potentially lucrative. Half-million is nothing to sneeze at. Thanks for these tips, I'll forward them on to my cousin.

cyberwraith · Sep 6, 2007

JudScotKev said:
She could join Society of Children's Bookwriters and Illustrators (my next $75 are earmarked for it), and attend conferences and workshops. I highly recommend the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop, run by Andrea Brown and the Henry Miller Library. Not that it got me discovered yet, but I sure learned a lot. And at least one attendee, Jeff Stone, did get discovered at it and did get a half-million dollar contract. I don't think he was looking for Daniel Craig to sweep him off his feet though....

I have a question about HOW to attend a conference and what to do once you are there.

There is an SCBWI conference coming to my town at the end of the month but I've just found out about it. So, I've missed the manuscript submission deadline (I pleaded but to no avail). What's left is attending workshops. However, I'm told it is a GOOD thing to do because I'll be able to talk with editors (all the faculty come from big publishing houses, impressive list, etc).

The problem is I don't know how to do this. Do I walk up to a workshop presenter and say "please can you read my book?" Do they expect this or will I be greeted with icy stares? I have a 173 pg ms 5 years in the making which I think is pretty darn good. Do I take a few copies of it to pass around? Won't the whole world be doing the same thing?

Someone who has been there, done that, please advise!

Hillary · Sep 6, 2007

Eeep! No! You don't ask them to read your book. They're lecturing, instructing, giving exercises, info, etc. My mother just did a few workshops at the national SCBWI conference and told me it's an absolute no-no to try to just hand over your manuscript to the writer/editor giving the workshop. More info to come from her... I have to call her back in a bit so we can discuss plans for dinner. Yum. Dinner!

cyberwraith · Sep 6, 2007

Thanks Hillary! I eagerly await your Mom's recommendations and hope that dinner plans include your favorite dish.

MsJudy · Sep 6, 2007

It also depends on the conference or workshop. The Big Sur one is very hands-on. You take small sections of your work and go through them in small critique groups (one professional and 4 participants). At meals, you do get to sit around with others and talk about your work, though they do ask that you not follow them into the bathroom.... But most conferences are not as interactive. I've heard of ones where you can sign up for 3-minute pitch-your-work sessions, but I think I'd wet my pants before I could get a word out. Most have lectures and panel discussions, and it's a big no-no to hand people your writing. But if you have a nice conversation with someone, then you get to remind them of that in your query letter when you send it to them.

Nahotep · Sep 7, 2007

I attended the big SCBWI conference in LA in August, and it was great! I totally recommend the SCBWI conferences, if you can afford them. I learned a ton, made writer friends, and got good comments on my manuscript (I submitted it in time for a critique.)

I took a very cool workshop on series books from Bonnie Bader and am now feverishly working on an idea that she seemed to really like. When it's done, if it's done and great in a reasonable amount of time, I can query Bonnie (and other editors/agents who attended the conference) and tell them in my query that I attended their lectures and workshops at this conference. That should put me and other attendees at the top of their "to read" pile.

So I think THAT's the big benefit of attending a conference (that and the stuff you learn) - the fact that the faculty agree that attendees' work will go at the top of their list to consider. Doesn't guarantee you anything other than that, so be sure you submit fantastic work.

wyntermoon · Sep 7, 2007

Turkey Lurkey said:
Many writers have mentioned this path to take.

1) write write write
2) try to get something into a magazine.
3) after a couple of stories in a magazine find an agent. (Who is more likely to accept you as a writer if you are already published in a magazine.)
4) Submit.
5) Agent hooks you up with publisher
6) Publisher LOVES book(s) gives you $500,000 up front and a sweet contract.
7) you take a vacation in the Bahamas and run into Daniel Craig at the beach and he sweeps you off your feet with his major muscles.

Ahem... oops, sorry, I got a little "carried away." Anyway, the first four steps are a good way to go. What ever happens from there is determined by how many stars you wish on. (See Shady's comment)
Wish her luck from us!
TL

Can't I just skip steps 1-6 and go straight for Bond? :e2brows:

JLCwrites · Sep 7, 2007

Absolutely!

Best Ways to Break In?

NemoBook

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

TnTexas

JLCwrites

myscribe

Who's the ninja now?!?

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

MsJudy

JLCwrites

Jack_Roberts

Scribe of my muse, Annabelle

Hillary

Neural Trailblazer

NemoBook

cyberwraith

Mumbling darkly

Hillary

Neural Trailblazer

cyberwraith

Mumbling darkly

MsJudy

Nahotep

wyntermoon

JLCwrites