So, You Want To Write a Children's Book

I am often asked what someone needs to do to become an author of children's books.

"Should I attend conferences?" "Should I learn about the publishing industry?" "Should I read lots of children's books?" "Should I just start writing?" YES to all of these!

It's always good to know what you're getting into before you take the plunge. To be successful at writing, like any other serious career, it requires preparation, good teachers and much, much practice. Having said that, there is no recipe or magic formula that leads aspiring writers to publication, but I'm going to mention a few of the investments that seem to pay off for almost everyone.

First, know your product. Your favorite children's book may be The Velveteen Rabbit or Where The Wild Things Are. Both are classics and books that children will enjoy for many years. However, neither of these books was published in the past five years. Just as a doctor needs to keep current on the latest nutritional, therapeutic and surgical discoveries, a writer needs to know what kinds of books are selling in TODAY'S market.

READ! That's so important that I'm going to say it again. READ! Go to your local independent bookstore or public library and pull many of the NEW books off the shelf. Read these. Make lists. Which books are similar in subject matter or concept or theme to those you would like to write? Who publishes those books? How long (pages and words) are the books that entertain you? Take note. What kinds of illustrative art seem to be popular right now? List a few of your favorite styles and artists. What kinds of problems or challenges do the characters face? Do all books end happily ever after? Read first pages of hundreds of books. How many of these first pages engage you, the reader, from the get-go? How many intrigue you so much you can't wait to turn the page? What special formats or novelties are used today? Read to enjoy. Read to learn. Read like a writer.

WRITE! There's just no substitute for sitting down and getting to it. Don't get frustrated when your story, poem or nonfiction piece isn't perfect right away. NO ONE'S writing is perfect right away, or for that matter, perfect ever. Writing is all about taking risks and experimenting. Writing is about rewriting - revision. In fact, that's the most fun part of all. Jane Yolen has popularized the quote, "Butt in chair!" That's her response when people ask her what's the one most important thing to do to achieve success as a writer. And, she's absolutely correct. You have to take time, make time and WRITE.

STUDY! You can study about writing, publishing, the industry in a variety of ways. Some people, like myself, like to read books to familiarize themselves with how all of this works. Do I need an agent? Read writing magazines, books or online resources and you'll find out if an agent is a good next step for you. If I write picture books, do I need to line up my illustrator before submitting? Again, study one or all of the above resources and you'll learn that answer, too. In fact, you can become pretty knowledgeable about submissions, agents, editors, protocol, courtesies, awards, contracts, author/editor relationships, the craft of writing, the different genres of children's books, and promotion just by studying a little bit each day. If you're truly serious about writing and publishing books for children, you need to understand every aspect of the business.

ATTEND and LISTEN! What conference, workshop or presentation is best suited for you? Only you can determine that. You know your personality. You know what information you're hoping to learn. You know how important it is to network. So, where to start? Serious writers of children's books begin by joining The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) (www.scbwi.org) What a phenomenal organization. Explore the website and see how an affiliation with this group can help you hone your skills and network with the best.

Conferences for writers abound. Each one has its own culture and personality. I know that I'm biased, but for the money and time, I highly recommend The Writers Workshop at Chautauqua sponsored by The Highlights Foundation. It's six days that you'll never forget. (note: Before attending, it would be wise to write for 2-3 years so you can take away the most from the experience)

Go online and search for Writing Conferences for Authors of Children's Books and see what's offered in your part of the country or world. SCBWI offers two outstanding conferences each year. The larger conference is in August in Los Angeles and a mid-winter is offered in New York City. Both are packed with editors, agents and accomplished writers who are eager to share insights. And each state or region of the US (and many other countries) offer SCBWI conferences, workshops or informational panels throughout the year. Check the website to see what is offered near you in the upcoming months.

Some colleges offer writing courses. Some private individuals offer writing workshops. Each of these tend to have a specific focus. Again, go online and search in your area to see who might be offering instruction that will help you.

Writers' blogs are teeming with interviews, helpful advice, even tutorials to get you writing and keep you going. Writing can be a lonely art, but with today's online networking, no one has to be an island.

CRITIQUE. Once you are writing away, it's important to have an objective and informed audience provide you with honest feedback. Again, SCBWI can help you locate critique groups in your state or region if they are available. Most critique groups meet on a regular schedule - once a month, every other week, or more often. An SCBWI critique group is there to support one another and to offer advice to take a piece as close to publication as possible. In other words, a serious critique group offers suggestions, as well as celebrations. In fact, celebration plays a key role in encouraging and sustaining a writer. We all need to know what we're doing that works, in addition to the things that need tweaking. However, if you just want someone to read your work and say, "It's wonderful. You're the next Hans Christian Anderson!" then read to your family or your best friends. If you want someone who will push you to write your best, find a good critique group.

OK, that's the down and dirty - the essentials to get you started. But no person, or conference, can keep you going. Only you can do that. If you want to write, write. If you would like to be published one day, don't give up. You must persevere and believe in yourself and what you have to say.

Is the market tight? You bet. Does that mean you can't get published? Of course not. Every day editors find new talent. In fact, they're always on the lookout for someone who can bring a fresh POV or voice to the industry. But no one can discover you, if you give up. Read. Write. Study. Attend and Listen. Ask for a critique. Do these over and over and over again. That's the life of a writer. Welcome.

Here are some books, websites, blogs and other resources that I have found to be helpful. This is by no means a complete list, but perhaps you'll find something here that holds your hand for a few steps of your journey. Best wishes.

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
How To Be Your Own Literary Agent by Richard Curtis
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
The Art of Writing for Children by Connie C. Epstein
The Art of Fiction by John Gardner
Write Away: One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life by Elizabeth George
The Giblin Guide to Writing Children's Books by James Cross Giblin
Writing Begins with the Breath by Laraine Herring
Steering the Craft by Ursula K. LeGuin
From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children's Books by Kathleen T. Horning
On Writing for Children & Other People by Julius Lester
Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine
It's a Bunny-Eat-Bunny World by Olga Litowinsky
How to Write a Children's Book and Get it Published (Third Edition) by Barbara Seuling
If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland
The Company of Writers by Hilma Wolitzer
Take Joy by Jane Yolen

http://www.underdown.org/ The Purple Crayon
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/ National Novel Writing Month
http://www.lib.usm.edu/~degrum/ deGrummond Children's Literature Collection
http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/pages/current/chautauqua_top.html Writers Workshop at Chautauqua
http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/ Cynsations
http://www.cbcbooks.org/ The Children's Book Council
http://www.asuen.com/ Anastasia Suen