Quizzes & Puzzles4 mins ago
writing a book....
5 Answers
i have an idea for a childs short story book.. who would i send it/show it to, as i would love to get it published and have no clue where to begin. any suggestions welcome.
Answers
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The two most difficult things (excluding specialist non-fiction) to get published are:
(i) short stories ; and
(ii) books for children.
So you're not not going to find it easy. You need to do two things (in the first instance) to give yourself any chance of getting your work into print. Firstly, get hold of a copy of the Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook. It's packed with information and advice which will help you:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Childrens-Writers-Arti sts-Yearbook-2009/dp/140810377X/ref=sr_1_2?ie= UTF8&s=books&qid=1232751719&sr=1-2
As the Yearbook will show, you can either submit your work directly to publishers or send it to potential agents. Actually the word 'either', in that sentence is incorrect. There's nothing to prevent you from following paths. (That's exactly what J K Rowling did when trying to get her first book published).
The Yearbook will help you to decide which publishers and agents might be interested in your book. (There's no point in sending a story for 7-year-olds to a publisher who only publishes non-fiction for teenagers). However, my second piece of advice is possibly just as important: Spend a great deal of time in bookshops, trying to identify which publishers are likely to be interested in what you've got to offer. (Again, there's no point in contacting firms who only publish well-established series, rather than single works).
Do plenty of 'homework' first. Then you won't waste time contacting agents who don't accept new authors or publishers who only want complete series of books.
Chris
PS: Also, don't get hooked on answering questions on sites like this or, like me right now, you'll end up spending time on here when you shoul
(i) short stories ; and
(ii) books for children.
So you're not not going to find it easy. You need to do two things (in the first instance) to give yourself any chance of getting your work into print. Firstly, get hold of a copy of the Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook. It's packed with information and advice which will help you:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Childrens-Writers-Arti sts-Yearbook-2009/dp/140810377X/ref=sr_1_2?ie= UTF8&s=books&qid=1232751719&sr=1-2
As the Yearbook will show, you can either submit your work directly to publishers or send it to potential agents. Actually the word 'either', in that sentence is incorrect. There's nothing to prevent you from following paths. (That's exactly what J K Rowling did when trying to get her first book published).
The Yearbook will help you to decide which publishers and agents might be interested in your book. (There's no point in sending a story for 7-year-olds to a publisher who only publishes non-fiction for teenagers). However, my second piece of advice is possibly just as important: Spend a great deal of time in bookshops, trying to identify which publishers are likely to be interested in what you've got to offer. (Again, there's no point in contacting firms who only publish well-established series, rather than single works).
Do plenty of 'homework' first. Then you won't waste time contacting agents who don't accept new authors or publishers who only want complete series of books.
Chris
PS: Also, don't get hooked on answering questions on sites like this or, like me right now, you'll end up spending time on here when you shoul
Buenchico gives good advice.
Another bit I would give is ... get it written, rewritten and edited first, before you even think of approaching a publisher/agent. It's highly unlikely that any publisher will entertain a first timer on the strength of something incomplete. Unless, that is, you're already famous for something and are a marketable commodity.
I chatted recently with children's author, Pippa Goodheart. She is an established, prolific and well-known author whose books have been chosen for national projects before now. However, she still has to work hard to get publishers to accept her new stuff. Sometimes she isn't successful at all. That's how it goes, I'm afraid. It's got to be as hard as getting hit singles.
Another bit I would give is ... get it written, rewritten and edited first, before you even think of approaching a publisher/agent. It's highly unlikely that any publisher will entertain a first timer on the strength of something incomplete. Unless, that is, you're already famous for something and are a marketable commodity.
I chatted recently with children's author, Pippa Goodheart. She is an established, prolific and well-known author whose books have been chosen for national projects before now. However, she still has to work hard to get publishers to accept her new stuff. Sometimes she isn't successful at all. That's how it goes, I'm afraid. It's got to be as hard as getting hit singles.
You don't have to. You would submit your idea and text to a suitable publisher or agent, explaining where various illustrations would fit. If they decide to publish, they will find an artist/illustrator for your story.
Just occasionally, talented writers who are also talented artists do emerge. If you were one of these (although you say you're not), then you would need to explain this to a prospective publisher/agent and maybe send a small sample of the art work.
Just occasionally, talented writers who are also talented artists do emerge. If you were one of these (although you say you're not), then you would need to explain this to a prospective publisher/agent and maybe send a small sample of the art work.
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