Priscilla Y. Huff has written children's nonfiction for Highlights Magazine, Pennsylvania Magazine, and the Indoor and Outdoor Cooperative Game Book for Scholastic Professional Books.
Becoming a children’s writer is not a step-down from serious writing. Even before J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series’ phenomenal success, many children’s authors have written moving, complex, and/or simple and beautiful books for children (including teens and young adults). Think of those books that had an impact on your own growing years and how they stimulated your imagination or invited you into a world where you could relate to the hero or heroine; or showed and informed you of the real, non-fiction wonders of this world and beyond. Those writers were as excellent or even better than many authors of mainstream books for adults. If you have always wanted to write stories and books for children, here are four excellent resources that can get you started in your professional children’s writing career:
1) Children’s Writer & Illustrator’s Market - published by Writer’s Digest Books - http://tinyurl.com/lbtlj8 -. This annual directory lists agents and artists’ representatives; U. S. and international publishers; publications; contests, awards, and grants; helpful resources and more. Find a current copy in the writing section of most chain bookstores or the reference sections of public and college libraries.
2) Children’s Writer - http://www.childrenswriter.com/ - 95 Long Ridge Rd., West Redding, CT 06896-1124; An excellent monthly print newsletter with articles, publishers looking for writers, and more. Yearly subscription.
3) Children’s Book Insider - www.write4kids.com/ - Monthly online newsletter for beginning, intermediate, and experienced children’s writers. Yearly subscription.
4) Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators - www.scbwi.org/ - THE most important professional organization for a children’s writer and/or illustrator to join. Its 22,000 worldwide members consist of writers, illustrators, and others working in film, television and multimedia. Membership includes participation in regional chapters; conferences; newsletter. Yearly membership dues.
Review-read copies of these publications or talk to subscribers/members to see if one or all of these resources are best for your writing endeavors. They will provide you with all of the information and markets you need to get started today as a children’s author, no matter what your present age or educational background.
Priscilla is so right. If you want to write and be published read as much as you can about children's writing and once you truly believe in yourself and your writing follow the dream. Don't be put off by rejection, use it as a positive learning tool. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteMaureen Hume www.thepizzagang.com
Priscilla is so right. If you want to write and be published read as much as you can about children's writing and once you truly believe in yourself and your writing follow the dream. Don't be put off by rejection, use it as a positive learning tool. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteMaureen Hume www.thepizzagang.com