Writing Children's Stories
(Free Info)

These are questions many people have. In the classes which I teach about writing and selling stories for children, here are some answers which I share with students.

If you aren't an artist, you don't need to be concerned about art work. Teaming up with a friend can create problems. The publisher might accept the art work and not the writing or accept the writing and not the art work. Publishers prefer to team an experienced illustrator with a new author, and they like to team an experienced author with a new illustrator. Name recognition of the illustrator or author can increase sales. If you feel there is something in the story which is best told by illustration, you can note that in parentheses in the text. However, be careful that you are merely conveying part of the story and not telling the illustrator how to illustrate.

If you are an artist and writer, submit the text in manuscript form. Send a dummy and a couple of color samples. Use color copies rather than original art work. If you are willing to have editors consider the art and writing separately, let the editors know this in your cover letter. If you'd be interested in illustrating other people's stories let the editors know.

Publishers expect you to promote your book. One way is to write articles such as these which I've written for a feature at Amazon.com titled, "So you'd like to...."
Please vote if you would like to encourage others to read the articles. You might like to copy the URL and send it to friends.

I wrote A Basic Guide to Writing, Selling, and Promoting Children's Books: Plus Information about Self-publishing as a text for writing classes I taught. It was based on the needs and questions of students. This short book gives an overview and a variety of resources while allowing time to critique manuscripts in class.

Timeless tips about writing are in this book although it was published in 2000. Now it is available as an ebook for $1.95 from PayPal. It is available at Amazon only as a used paperback book.
See Excerpts and Reviews

     As with any job, be sure you have the best tools with which to get the job done. A recent dictionary is necessary. New words come into use and definitions change. Other valuable resources are a thesaurus, a book of grammar, and a dictionary of usage. A rhyming dictionary will save lots of time when you want to rhyme. You need a good quality typewriter, a word processor, or computer with a printer which is not dot matrix. Hand written stories are not read.

     Another frequently given bit of advice is: "Write. Write. Write." However, we need to be sure to progress. This advice is often changed to: "Write. Polish. Write." After studying some of the techniques of writing, begin writing by getting your story down on paper using minimal correcting as you go. You might want to record it and write it from the recording. Then go back and check spelling, grammar, clarity, plot, pace, timing, strength of characters, etc. Many writers suggest putting the story aside for a few days or weeks. After your initial enthusiasm has waned, read it again for a more objective look at the story.

Share your story. When you write for children, you have three audiences: today's children, adults, and the child you used to be. Make the connection with all three audiences. Valuable feedback can come from parents, teachers, librarians, other writers, your own children, and other people's children.

Some of my most valuable experiences have been reading my stories in school. I suggest that you ask the teacher to remain in the room. You want the reactions of the teacher and the children. I suggest that you know your story well enough that you can have almost constant eye contact with your audience including the teacher. I follow lines of text with my finger so I can find my place quickly when I have to glance at the words. Notice reactions as the story unfolds. Read the whole story without stopping or read a complete chapter non-stop for a longer work.

When asking for feedback, avoid words such as good and bad. Avoid asking if they liked the story. Especially when you speak with children, talk about the need to work on stories to make them better. Here are some possible questions.

1. What did you like best about the story?
2. Are there some things that it would be OK to leave out?
3. What are some things you would like to see added to the story?

Feedback is important but remember to keep your own style or voice. Develop a feeling for when to stop revising and when to send it out into the world.

     Other helpful steps include taking a writing course, subscribing to a writer's magazine, joining a writer's organization such as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, or joining a critique group of others who write for children. Some of my favorite links about writing, selling, and promoting children's stories are on my Links page.