How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published

by Barbara Seuling

Overview

A fully revised and updated guide to success in the children's book market. Here, from a successful writer and editor of children's books, is the ultimate guide for aspiring authors who dream of publishing for children. Using her own experience as well as studies of recent successes like the Harry Potter series, Seuling outlines five steps to success: researching the marketplace, developing story ideas, strengthening writing skills and work habits, submitting proposals and manuscripts, and joining the writing community. With tips on how to use today's tools like e-mail and the Internet for contacting publishers and researching work, she offers a sensible approach that puts publication within reach of hopeful writers everywhere. Barbara Seuling (New York, NY) has written and illustrated more than fifty children's books, including the popular Freaky Facts series. She is the founder and director of the Manuscript Workshop in Vermont.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471676195
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	11/28/2004
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.44(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Barbara Seuling, theAuthor and illustrator of more than twenty books for children, including a book of magic tricks and the popular "Freaky Facts" series, worked for nine years for major publishing houses as a children's book editor. She lives in New York City and Landonderry, Vermont.

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Table of Contents

1	You, the children's book writer ... maybe	5
2	What is a children's book?	12
3	How to become an expert	22
4	Lessons from the past	30
5	Where did you get that idea?	39
6	Sabotage made easy	47
7	Learning your craft	57
8	Writing picture books	65
9	Writing easy-to-read books	78
10	Writing early chapter books	83
11	Writing fiction	86
12	Writing nonfiction	104
13	Writing in verse	113
14	Writing plays	118
15	Who cares?	129
16	Submitting your manuscript	141
17	For the writer who is also an illustrator	155
18	Changing markets	165
19	Out of the slush pile and into the fire	179
20	Your editor - friend or dragon?	190
21	Joining the writing community	194
App. I	Book lists	201
App. II	Reviews	202
App. III	Children's literature - history and criticism	203
App. IV	References	204
App. V	Marketing information	205
App. VI	Books on the craft	206
App. VII	Services, studies, and support	209
App. VIII	Even more titles by genre	212

Editorial Reviews

This popular how-to-book by Barbara Seuling is in its third edition. It is a readable, instructional book for new and more seasoned writers who wish to review the basics of writing for children. Seuling's book is divided into five parts with appendixes at the end. Part one takes a close look at children's books by explaining what a children's book is and how to become an expert. Part two describes how to develop ideas and become a better writer. Part three deals with writing the book, whether it is a picture book, easy-to-read, early chapter book, fiction or nonfiction. Part four concentrates on selling your book. Part five takes a look at the publishing world and how to work with an editor. There is a good mix of material in this book for writers at different levels. There are examples of query letters, illustrations on how to make a picture book dummy, checklists for writing fiction or nonfiction, and lots of other good tips. Back book material includes sources for book lists, references, marketing information, writing books, web sites, and organizations. Seuling's book is a good one to have on your bookshelf. 2005, John Wiley and Sons Inc, Ages 14 up.
—Della A. Yannuzzi

Children's Literature