Product Description

Writing books for children is both art and business. If you dream of becoming a children's author -- or even if you're well on your way -- this handbook can help you in writing sellable stories, getting them published, and promoting your books.

Topics include common myths about children's writing, children's book categories, elements of successful stories, manuscript format, submission strategies, contract negotiation, the publishing process, career building, and children's writer resources. Also included are specialized subjects such as querying for multiple manuscripts, promoting a first book, and designing a Web page.

Read The Business of Writing for Children to learn the secrets you might spend years discovering for yourself.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21764 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 115 pages

Review
The Business of Writing for Children is a clear, concise, resourceful, often eye-opening guide that is filled with solid advice to help aspiring writers sell their manuscripts and to help published authors boost sales. I learned a good deal from this handy resource. I am sure anyone who is serious about the business of writing for children will profit from it. -- Robert D. San Souci, children's author

The Business of Writing for Children is a clear, concise guide to the often misunderstood field of children's books. No matter what your level of experience -- from beginner to veteran -- there is much to learn from Aaron Shepard's nuts-and-bolts approach to surviving the bunny-eat-bunny world of writing for children. Read it and learn! -- Larry Dane Brimner, children's author

The Business of Writing for Children is a one-stop shopping center, a complete how-to-do-it guide for the writer who wants a jump-start on looking professional even though he/she may be turning out a first book. Editors will love you if you do it Shepard's way. -- Audrey Baird, Editor, Once Upon A Time

A tool every writer needs. --Carol Farley, children's author

Aaron Shepard has written one of the most comprehensive guides available to anyone wishing to enter the competitive field of children's books. It's all here, from initial idea to successful sale, and then beyond to the essentials of contracts, promotion, and the ABCs of building a successful career. If you're starting out, start out here. -- Stephen Mooser, children's author

BRAVO! I thought it had pretty much all been said, but I was wrong. All the nuts and bolts are here as well as rules that bear repeating, PLUS insights not usually found in how-to books. Clearly and concisely written, this is an invaluable resource for both beginning and more accomplished writers. -- Susan Pearson, Editor-in-Chief, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books

Clear, concise, memorable and easily reference-able. Shepard has gotten the business down to an understandable science. --Lynne Remick, Author Showcase

Don't let the slimness of this book fool you. Shepard is direct and delivers nothing but meat and potatoes. --Bev Walton-Porter, Inkspot, May 25, 2000

Finally, a thorough, concise overview of the business end of writing for the children's market. This book is a wonderful gift to the budding authors of the world. Aaron has combined great talents for writing and storytelling with smart and informed business practices to create a great career. Now he shares what he has learned, to help others do the same. -- Kip Nead, co-owner, Seeds of Change Children's Bookstore

For aspiring writers of picture book fiction and folktales, this is a great introduction to the complicated world of children's book publishing. -- Harold Underdown, Senior Editor, Charlesbridge Publishing, and Webmaster, The Purple Crayon

Here's clearly-written, no-nonsense help for children's writers by a craftsman. Every fledgling author should own this book. -- Stephen Fraser, Executive Editor, Aladdin Paperbacks

The best practical guide for anyone wanting to get books for children published. --Julie Cummins, former Coordinator of Children's Services, The New York Public Library

Writers attempting to break into the children's book market will thank Aaron Shepard for graciously sharing his own hard-earned knowledge. I am adding this to my list of must-reads for newcomers to the field. -- Margaret Read MacDonald, author and librarian

Written by an experienced picture book author, this guide covers all the basics of writing for children in a realistic, practical manner. The fun -- as well as the work -- of writing, selling, and marketing books for young readers is evident in every step of Shepard's approach. -- Judith O'Malley, Editor, Book Links

Review
A wonderful resource. Will save beginning writers years of wasted effort -- and help published writers achieve long-term success.

There is a great deal of good information in these pages. A valuable resource!

Cheery tone, sound advice, and clear style . . . . The opening section is a must-read.

Shepard speaks with the authority of one who has seen nearly twenty books published.

Review
Looks like we all need a copy of Aaron's book.

Customer Reviews

Don't Write a Book Without It!
I too write and illustrate children's books and I am anxious to help anyone asking for information about how to get started as others helped me. I carry a file folder of photocopied materials around with me which I share with unpublished writers and illustrators. This book, The Business of Writing for Children, is so comprehensive I plan to replace my file folder with this book. As many an editor has said at many a conference, "today's aspiring authors often haven't done their homework," this book by Aaron Shepard will satisfy that need. And, published authors may sit up and take notice; waiting for your publisher to prepare promotional materials for you and your books can be frustrating, you may want to do it yourself; the how-to is in these pages. Whether you are a novice or professional, The Business of Writing for Children needs to be in your library - DON'T write a book without it!

Not step-by-step, but some great ideas
After reading other books on writing books for children, I thought I would see more coverage on the writing process. Not counting the appendix, there are only 94 pages in the paperback edition; this doesn't give a lot of space for the big picture.

The subtitle for the book is "An Award-Winning Author's Tips on How to Write, Sell, and Promote Your Children's Books." The key word here is tips, and it is these tips which make this a helpful book.

One of his tips, writing your story as a script for a children's play, strikes me as simple, yet rewarding. Many children's books require more dialogue than narrative, so making a script requires you to view your work from a new perspective. It is such a simple idea, but I had never thought of doing it.

One of his marketing tips is to use the script you wrote and market it with the book. Schools are more likely to use a book for class if there are more things to do with it. Creating study questions is another idea.

Although this was a quick-read, I would recommend reading this...

Recommended
Aaron's book is worth the price just for the wealth of inside information found in DANGEROUS MYTHS AND TERRIBLE TRUTHS. And that's just the introduction.

THE BUSINESS OF WRITING FOR CHILDREN is a semester-long crash course on writing books for young readers of all ages--in a mere 115 pages.

For the beginner who wants an in-depth overview of the field, or a pro who needs a shot in the arm to get back to work , this is an excellent choice. Good job, Aaron.