Freelance Writer/Children's Book Author

Tips for Aspiring Children's Book Authors

• Read children's books -- contemporary and classic.
  

• Join a children's writers organization such as the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators or the Juvenile Writers of Kansas City.
  

• Join a critique group.
  

• Study the market. Find out what kinds of stories publishers are buying. Find out what types of stories editors want.
  

• Send your work to the right editor. You don't want to send a picture book to an editor who handles only chapter books.
  

• Attend children's writing conferences. This gives you a chance to meet editors and agents face-to-face.
  

• Take your writing seriously. Treat it as a profession.
  

• Treat all editors and agents professionally. Don't bombard them with constant e-mails about your manuscript.
  

• Read all contracts carefully. Make sure you know what you're signing.
  

• Write every day.
  

• Write for yourself.
  

• Don't worry about rejection. Everyone gets rejected.
  

• Don't give up.
  

Web sites for Children's Book Authors

• The Society of Children's Book Writers and Editors
  

• Juvenile Writers of Kansas City
  

• The Highlight's Foundation
  

• Write4Kids
  

• The Missouri Writers' Guild
  

• The Purple Crayon
  

• The Institute of Children's Literature
  

• The Author's Guild
  

• The Children's Book Council
  

• The National Writing for Children Center