Writing for Children

by Nancy I. Sanders Many children’s authors work on a manuscript that they love to write. Then they try to get it published and hope to earn income from it. This all adds up to years of few published credits, not enough income to help pay the bills, and piles of rejections. At a time when the economy is growing steadily worse, we writers can’t... [Read more of this review]

by Suzanne Lieurance If you’ve recently signed up for a writing workshop or writing class, in the hopes of becoming a better writer, then follow these simple steps to make the most of that experience: 1) Read! Read! Read! Before the very first class or workshop, survey ALL the class materials so you will get an idea of what to expect. Most good... [Read more of this review]

by Suzanne Lieurance If you’re a freelance writer looking for work, many times you’ll see job ads that ask for a cover letter, resume, and writing samples or clips. You have no trouble writing a cover letter, and you have a resume on hand. But when it comes to writing samples or clips, you’re stumped. What does the editor really want... [Read more of this review]

by Nancy I. Sanders The important goal for a writer is to actually sit down to write new material at a regular pace. If you don’t take your commitment to write seriously, you won’t get serious results. If you don’t treat your writing as a career, you are, in essence, supporting a hobby. A writing career is a job. Treat it as such. If you want... [Read more of this review]

by Nancy I. Sanders If you’ve attended a writing conference, you’ve probably heard the mantra of many children’s book editors: “No submissions in rhyme!” Yet if you visit the book table, you might be surprised to find their newest release—a rhyming picture book. What’s going on? Editors say, “Never submit rhyming text” because they... [Read more of this review]

by Suzanne Lieurance It always amazes me when I meet people who want to write for children, yet they haven’t read a single children’s book since they were children or since their own kids (now ages 35 and 42) were little. Don’t they get it? Publishers change, publications change, and even children change with the times! If you want... [Read more of this review]

by Suzanne Lieurance Okay. So I’m not David Letterman. But I doubt if he’d know much about the top 10 mistakes made by new children’s writers anyway. I, on the other hand, read from 10 to 20 manuscripts for children every week (I’m not bragging – I’m just an instructor with the Institute of Children’s Literature).... [Read more of this review]

by Suzanne Lieurance It’s no secret that one of the best ways to break into the children’s magazine markets is with nonfiction. So follow these 6 tips to have the best chance of acceptance with your short articles for children: 1. Study the markets – Each children’s magazine is different, with a different style, voice, and variety of subject... [Read more of this review]

If you’re a stay-at-home mom with small children, writing for kids can be the perfect part-time job for you. Here’s why: 1) You’re in contact with kids 24/7, so you know what kids think about and how they talk. This can be very helpful when trying to develop story lines that kids would enjoy reading. It will also help you write dialogue... [Read more of this review]