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 receive so many manuscripts filled with poorly written verse. Critique groups abound with wannabe writers who pour out stories in rhyme, yet are offended and confused when the member who teaches English points out their poem lacks rhythm, contains forced rhyme, and isn’t properly formatted. If you don’t know the rules for writing in verse, resist the temptation to write a manuscript in rhyme.

The three R’s of successful children’s books, however, are rhyme, rhythm, and repetition. If you’re still smitten by the “rhyming bug,” take the time to learn how to write in rhyme—and how to write well. Editors welcome submissions of well-written rhyming picture books if it fits into their specific product line—but your manuscript must feature poetry that sings.

Sign up for a class in writing poetry. Read books to learn the rules. Dissect current successful children’s books written in verse until you know which rules the authors followed and which ones they broke—and understand why. Don’t just read about writing rhyming picture book text. Write a children’s book in rhyme. Then another. And another. Examine your manuscripts with a fine-toothed comb. Don’t take your manuscript to your local critique group, however, if none of the members have had success publishing in rhyme, especially if they mostly write for older audiences. They’ll only succeed in butchering your manuscript if they don’t know the rules themselves. Try to find another author who has published at least one children’s manuscript in rhyme. Offer to trade manuscripts.

There is something truly magical about a children’s book that is written in rhyme. Yet how do you know if your story would do better written in non-rhyming text or in verse? Here are several key points to consider.
Will your book be part of a series? If so, you should follow the format already established. When I wrote one of my newest picture books, D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet, the publisher already produced a series of books with rhyming verse in large type at the center of the page and nonfiction expository text along the sides. I wrote my sample text to follow their format, submitted it as a proposal, and got a contract—even though that publisher’s website said it was not taking any submissions at that time.

If your manuscript will be a stand-alone project, try writing a section of your story in plain text. Now try writing the same section in rhyming verse. Which vehicle transports your message to your target audience the best?
Study the product line of the publisher you plan to target. Are they currently publishing rhyming text? If so, determine in which genre or format—beginning reader? Board book? Alphabet or counting book? Write your manuscript—whether in rhyme or non-rhyming text—so it fits in with the publisher’s unique style and product line.

Bio: Nancy I. Sanders is an instructor for the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and the author of over 75 books and has been published by such houses as Scholastic, Reader’s Digest, Tyndale, and Sleeping Bear Press. Visit her website at www.nancyisanders.com to find out more.

Learn the Tricks of the Trade for Children’s Writing!

As a beginning children’s writer, I needed to know the tricks of the trade of writing for children and write in a way that would make my manuscript more marketable. After participating in Suzanne Lieurance’s summer writing bootcamp in 2008, I figured the next best step was joining the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club since I l’ve always wanted to write for children. The weekly professional manuscript critiques and teleclasses provided tools of successful writing I needed to armor myself in the children’s publishing marketplace.

As a direct result of Suzanne’s guided coaching and expertise, I was able to submit my FIRST picture book manuscript and magazine stories, and non-fiction articles. Several of these articles and short stories have been accepted by Guardian Angel for Kids Online Ezine and Stories for Children. I’ve also submitted a professional resource book for teachers to Scholastic, which I coauthored during the Build Your Business Write Author Program in the summer of 2009. I have a few other children’s manuscripts that I am preparing right now for submission. Without Suzanne’s wonderful coaching skills, I don’t think I would have the confidence and knowledge to continue submitting on a regular basis.

I have a blogsite, The New Teacher Resource Center for teachers that includes articles on how to write for children as well as many teaching tips for general education and ESL classroom teachers which I started when I was in Suzanne Lieurance’s Build Your Business Write program. Now, the New Teacher Resource Center is a global platform providing online support to teachers worldwide. Every week, I receive countless emails from editors and teachers who have shared my resources and weekly ezine (http://www.newteachersignup.com) with their colleagues. I have also been interviewed by other teachers and organizations and have recently presented at several teaching conferences – all due to launching this blogsite. Applying the knowledge of how to create a weekly marketing plan has also boosted my freelance business. Today, I start training for a position on correlating academic standards to educational books and materials. I continue to submit articles, queries and freelance packets for work for hire assignments weekly. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without learning the secrets of success on how to prepare a weekly marketing plan which beginning children’s writers also need for their success.

The Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club is a great place for all writers to learn the tricks of the trade on how they can submit more marketable manuscripts. Writing is tough work and it’s comforting to know that we can cheer and support each other in our writing endeavors. Being an active member in the children’s writing coaching club has truly made a difference in the way I view my profession as a children’s writer and has opened more doors to writing and publishing than I ever thought imaginable. We provide support and encouragement. Suzanne is a wonderful facilitator. This creates a feeling of team spirit that is unlike any other I’ve seen on the web.