So you want to write children’s books. Maybe you even have written books. Loads of them! And now you’re curious about what it takes to get published.
Boo, in editorial mode
Well, first of all, there is absolutely no one-size-fits-all path to publishing. Quite the contrary. I know writers too young to vote who have signed book deals early in their career. I’ve known many many more who have written for five or more years, getting closer and closer, and yet still haven’t sold their first book. And of course, now there are all kinds of self-publishing options that have changed the field even more.
If you are a kid, there are lots of options for getting your words out in the world! You don't have to write a whole novel (anywhere from 50,000-90,000 words!) and race around to publishers, all of which can feel pretty overwhelming. In fact, my advice to you is to go slowly, check out some of the links below that publish kids' writing, and wait until you're a little older to write a book. Unlike underwear modeling or Olympic gymnastics, writing is not something that is only possible when you're young! So here are some places where kids can submit stories, poems, and artwork...check them out! But remember, whether you are writing a short story, a whole novel, or a school paper, the basic steps are the same: Brainstorm, Write, Revise, Revise Again, One More Time, Clean it Up, Celebrate!
As I said above, there are lots of paths to publication these days. But for traditional publication by one of the big publishing houses, it takes time, talent, and luck in some combination. It also takes some industry know-how. For a terrific overview of the basics of getting published, with a ton of great resources, check out this link.
Again, I stress that it’s different for everyone, but here are the basic steps it takes to get published.
1) write a book
2) let it sit for a while
3) revise — not just correct typos, but really fix the bones of the book*
4) find excellent critique partners and let them tear it apart*
5) revise again and send back to the excellent critique partners
6) and again
7) research literary agents who represent authors with similar work*
8) draft a short query letter that pitches your book and makes agents curious*
9) repeat step 4 through 6 with the query letter
10) start sending out that query letter
11) pay attention to feedback
12) start writing your next book
*these steps are all critical and there are wonderful online resources to help figure them out. Websites listed below are awesome places to find critique partners, post your query and get feedback, learn about different agents, and so on. DO NOT GO IT ALONE...there is a ton of great information out there, as well as all kinds of support.
Me, trying to write with Amos "helping"
Below is a small list of resources that I found helpful as I went through the process. Buckle up, godspeed, and enjoy the ride!
Former editor at Scholastic shares thoughts on editing and writing. Also links to her book on writing, which is a great resource for writers looking for an editor’s perspective, and some great additional resources.
Bestselling YA author Robin LaFever also has amazing writing posts on her blog and instagram. I really like her thoughts on character and the writing process.
For online discussion boards, in-person and virtual events, and community and resources:
This website is invaluable for all new writers. It can be overwhelming, as it has all kinds of information on every possible genre, from poetry and chapbooks to young adult and picture books. It is very worthwhile to poke around, as there are great threads on literary agents, querying, finding critique partners, and more. There are also places to share your work and get feedback.
Highlights Foundation offers virtual and in-person retreats for authors and illustrators at every stage of their careers, from just beginning to well established. They offer scholarships, and have a rotating cast of incredible faculty.
We Need Diverse Books is an incredible organization that offers mentorship opportunities, grants, and other resources for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ creators. They have a wealth of information on their website and include fantastic information for all writers about writing with awareness and sensitivity.
NOTE: SCBWI has come under fire in recent years for its poor response to problems within its community. I, along with many other authors, signed a letter pushing for change within the organization. I do not think they have met this challenge well. That being said, there are a lot of resources there, specifically for people who want to write and illustrate books for kids, so I will keep it on this list.
Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators: One of the best resources for people who want to break into the field. Has lists of local critique groups listed by state. They have regional groups across the country and around the world, and the regional conferences can be an excellent way to meet fellow writers as well as editors and agents. They also have the "Blue Boards" for their members...a large discussion board where you can find threads on almost any kid lit-related topic imaginable.
A free daily newsletter on publishing: “Shelf-Awareness” is for the general reader…and there is also Shelf Awareness ‘Pro” for news about the industry.
Industry magazine Publisher’s Weekly puts out an online children’s book newsletter, which is free and has great information on what’s happening in the trade.
A young writer named Olivia alerted me to this site, which has a round-up of different writing and editing software products and programs. I haven't used them all but it's a great resource to check out. Thanks Olivia!
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this software! It is built specifically for writers, and has a wealth of tools, but it's easy to get bogged down in the technical elements. That being said, if you are writing a novel that involves dual narration or jumping back and forth in time or multiple threads, this software offers some incredible resources for organizing and managing your work.
My books have all been traditionally published, which means I have worked with my literary agent to sell my books to a publisher, who takes my words and turns them into a book. I have no real information or insights on self-publishing, but an author I know and trust shared this site with me, and it is a trove of useful, trustworthy information if you are interested in self-publishing.
P.S. For kids and grown-ups...writing is hard. Getting published is hard. It can be easy to get discouraged! So here... a cat on a surfboard!
