For Writers

Hello Writers!

Here are a few answers to the most frequently asked questions I receive about getting published:

Q: Do I need an agent?

A: A few years ago I would have said no, but it’s getting tougher and tougher for beginners to get their manuscripts published. There are a few publishers that still accept unagented manuscripts, but it’s not any easier to get published this way.  Smaller houses are usually more open to unsolicited manuscripts. And if you happen to meet an editor at a conference you can usually send a manuscript to her afterwards even if you are unagented, so go to as many conferences and retreats as you can.

Q: How do I get an agent?

A: The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators has lots of information on its website dedicated to agents. Join SCBWI right now please. I can’t recommend this organization highly enough!

Q: Do I need to have my manuscript illustrated before I send it out?

A: Nope! It’s best to send your manuscript to publishers without any illustrations at all. If an editor likes your manuscript, she will find an illustrator for you. Control freaks need not apply for the position of children’s book author. Give it up or get out .

Q: Yikes! I’ve already asked my dentist / neighbor / cousin-in-law to illustrate my story. Is it okay to send it in that way?

A: If you insist on this, please be sure that you tell the editor in your cover letter that the art and the text should be considered separately. But honestly, editors know lots of illustrators. Lots. You probably just know one, that dentist / neighbor / cousin-in-law who has illustrated your manuscript, and chances are, this person is also a beginner. Why not see who your editor suggests? You might be pleasantly surprised.

Q: So, you don’t choose your illustrator at all?

A: Nope. Please note that none of my illustrators have done what I envisioned. They all did something better than I envisioned.

Q: How do I go about sending my manuscript to a publisher?

A: Buy CHILDREN’S WRITER’S & ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET at your local independent bookstore. It’s updated yearly, so you’ll need to purchase a new one every December. It’s worth it, though. It lists all the publishers in the entire universe and gives you the necessary information for sending in your manuscript. It also has all sorts of helpful articles, including ones on how to format your manuscript. Please read those articles carefully before you submit your manuscript. I see too many oddly formatted manuscripts that leave me shaking my head in wonder.

Q: Can you critique my manuscript?

A: I’m not critiquing manuscripts right now. Your best bet is to join a critique group. Or you can go to Esther Hershenhorn’s website and read about her critiquing services. I highly recommend her!

Some advice for new writers:

  1. READ CHILDREN’S BOOKS. This is essential, and yet so many people skip this important step.
  2. Go to as many conferences as you can and meet lots of writers and editors.  Read up on the editors and writers before you go.
  3. Attend classes. That’s the best way I can think of to meet other writers. It’s also a great way to find a critique group.
  4. Play with different genres. Try non-fiction, early chapter books and easy readers. Turn your picture book manuscripts into easy readers and your young chapter book manuscripts into poems. What have you got to lose?
  5. READ CHILDREN’S BOOKS. Current children’s books.
  6. Type up your favorite picture book to see how it looks without illustrations. You’ll learn a lot by doing this.
  7. Try writing 400 words a day. Your stories will get better, but like anything else, you have to practice, and by doing just 400 words a day you’ll improve immensely within a year.
  8. Get together with other writers as often as you can. I wish I could move all my writer friends into my basement so they’d always be around, but this might annoy them. The next best thing is having dinner with them on a regular basis.
  9. READ CHILDREN’S BOOKS. Got it?

Now go get some writing done! Yay you!