Since becoming a published author, I have had so many friends, neighbors, and cousins approach me with more or less the same question, “I’ve had an idea for a book for the longest time! How do I get it published?”
And while some people worry I won’t want to share trade secrets or give tips that will make them competition or something, that’s just not the case. In the words of an entrepreneur friend of mine, “There’s room in this business for everyone who’s willing to do it right!” While he was talking about hospice, it applies to many fields, including writing. If you’re planning to write good books for kids, then you’re not competition… you are part of my team, and I’m happy to help you get started.
This series is broken up into a few parts, making this big dream of publishing a little more manageable, and dealing with the things that people don’t know they don’t know when they start thinking about writing for kids. It’s a starting point. A 10,000 foot overview. I’m calling it Writing Children’s Books 101, because there really is so much you could get into behind each of these topics (I spent 6 years learning about this industry before my first book came out, and believe me, there is a lot to learn!)
One more thing that’s important to understand right upfront: writing a book takes time. Even simple picture books take years to produce. A neighbor once told me that she was encouraging her daughter who didn’t know what to do after high school to write a book so she would have something that makes money while she figures her life out. I laughed. Out loud. If writing was a quick money scheme, more people would do it. The reality is that very few writers make enough to live on writing alone, and even then, there are years before money starts coming in at all. JK Rowling was on state benefits while she wrote Harry Potter, and got rejected for two years before a publisher picked it up.
Be realistic with yourself about what you hope to get out of your writing journey. Most books aren’t best sellers, so don’t set something you can’t control up as your goal. I write for the love of writing, the joy of creating, and for the readers. That’s a place I find success.
Next up, Part 1–Routes to Getting Published
Writing Children’s Books 101:
Writing Children’s Books 101: YOU ARE HERE! An introduction to the series, and writing for children.
Routes to Getting Published: Part 1–Traditional vs. self-publishing. Do you need an agent? What about an illustrator? Making the right choices for your goals and your book.
Writing a Book for Children: Part 2–How to go about actually writing the book, revising it, and getting it polished.
Submitting a Children’s Book: Part 3–Making sure your manuscript is ready. Set up your document. Polish your story. Write query letters. Track your queries.
Kimberly Horch 