Where would I start if I wanted to publish a children's book?

[kdibattista]

First I will say that I am not an author by occupation and never aspired to be. This is a one and done type of thing. I had a lightening bolt hit me with an idea for a children's book a few months back. I have run the idea by several people have only gotten . I have also talked to a few people in the field of the "target audience" and they think it would be a great book. I really am considering approaching someone about getting it published but I have NO idea how to even begin. I'm assuming I want to get the story copywrighted first? How do I do that? Do I contact publishers?

See... I'm completely lost .

ETA: I know this is a long shot but I will really kick myself if I don't try. I would also consider self publishing it and donating them to the organizations who would benefit.

 

[phorsenuf]

I'm not sure. I know my DH's neices husband (follow that?) is in the process of trying to get a kids book published too. I'll send him an email and see what info he can pass along.
Too bad esmereldax wasn't still around, she was in the publishing business and could have probably given you some ideas.

ETA; I just remembered they are actually en route driving up here so I won't be able to talk with him until Sunday. I'll still pick his brain just in case he has anything else to offer up in addition to what you may have already found out.

 

[Cindyluwho]

A couple of questions:
Do you already have it completely written? or is it just a "story" at this point?
Do you have the illustrations done? They don't need to be done at this point, but it sure helps if you have ideas in mind.
Once you have it completely written or even a very solid outline, you can have it copywritten. I think it's with the Writer's Guild of America? I know that's where we sent our screenplay, but I don't remember where we did the copywriting of the book. After it's copywritten, it's a good idea to attend a writer's conference and meet with some of the children's book publishers. I know of one in particular so if your book is ready to go you can PM me and I can give you her contact info.

 

[kdibattista]

Wow... thank you both so much... I really appreciate the responese!!!

It's just a "story concept" right now. I have what I want it to be and the illustrations are in my head. I just need to put the words to paper. Easier said then done right .

Cindyluwho - I will keep you updated with my progress.

ETA: I do have my title set... that's not changing!!!

 

[pittypat]

Go to the library and look for a book called "Writer's Market". If they don't have a current edition, then park yourself at the the bookstore and look at it there. It is full of information about publishing "how-to" information.

 

[Imzadi]

First things first. Simply write the book. When you get to the next step, you will find out how. People overwhelm themselves with getting it published, will it be published, will it even sell, do they want to write it if it won't sell, when they haven't even written it.

Stop telling people & simply start writing.

 

[Cindy B]

I just had an entire semester on just this topic: Writing Children's Stories.

Since I am elem. ed/writing arts/special ed. major, this was a perfect course for me.

We learned about authors, author study and the part you are most interested in: Pitch letters, synopsis, and the writing process.

Of course, you should have an agent. If you don't, we learned the process of a pitch letter and actualy had to write 6 of them! My pitches had to be relevant, give details, and had synopsis of the book /or samples.

It was a fantastic class and I learned a lot!

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Exactly what Imzadi said!!

Regarding illustrations. Publishers do not want writers sending illustrations with book proposals. There are books out there that tell you how to write a book proposal too.

 

[kdibattista]

You guys are awesome!!!!! Thanks so much

 

[salal]

My sister wrote and illustrated -she is a watercolor artist-a children's book. Sent it to several publishers, even tiny ones that specialize in kids books. Nothing. It is a very hard thing to break into.

 

[Cindy B]

Exactly what Imzadi said!!

Regarding illustrations. Publishers do not want writers sending illustrations with book proposals. There are books out there that tell you how to write a book proposal too.

Yes, that is one thing that my professor stressed over and over again--the story should be good enought that illustrations are not needed. The prof used to say "If you need illustrations, the book isn't good enough"

As for the book proposals, that was a key thing in my course.

 

[Troll Alert]

Somewhere along the way, you will tell someone who will have a less than lukewarm response. . . Their sister, friend, cousin-in-law had a similar idea and tried it. It didn't work because... You will take that person's disinterest & pessimism and abort your own creative baby.

You mean like the poster below?

My sister wrote and illustrated -she is a watercolor artist-a children's book. Sent it to several publishers, even tiny ones that specialize in kids books. Nothing. It is a very hard thing to break into.

OP, depending on your own self esteem, enthusiasm of this idea, you will either listen to all the people here who have encouraged you, like Cindyluwho, who actually published a book and had proudly put it in her signature at one time, Imzadi, who laughed with you over TomKat escapades, or the many family members here who sent you good tidings at the announcent of your pregnancy. Or depending on your insecurity issues, you may take on the belief of Mr. 11 Posts, who said "It is a very hard thing to break into."

Either way, which ever you believe, you will be right.

 

[twinklebug]

Great advice from lots of folk here!

If I may add, nothing polishes your writing skills by writing every day (and nope, the DIS doesn't count!)

By all means write out your story or just the outline, characters and first few chapters if that's the way you want to go about it -- after that put it aside, lock it up even, and write, write, write!

Be patient. The best thing you can do for yourself, and your story is to put it aside for a year or more and keep writing. Your skills will increase and when you go back and rework your story it will be well worth the effort.

Perfect example, if you've read Christopher Paolini's Eragon series books:
CP is a very talented young writer. There is no doubt in my mind that some day, if he keeps writing, he will be among the best. My heart aches, however, for his books and all the time he put into them only to push them into being published before they and he were ready. I can only hope he goes back in 10/20 years and reworks them into what they really could be.

 

[java]

The agent seems to be the key- I have 3 friends that wrote books- The only one that is making it to market is the one that got an agent. The other 2- wallowing in No thank you land. and honestly one of them is a great book. So just from what I have seen - agent seems to be what you need to break into the industry.
But I also know there a ton of great online sites that offer encouragement
http://www.underdown.org/topsites.htm
is just one place to check out. Happy writing.

 

[grlpwrd]

According to Julia Cameron who wrote The Artist's Way process, you start by WRITING the book. At so many seminars, so many people go up to her & ask her how to get published and they don't even have the book written.

First things first. Simply write the book. When you get to the next step, you will find out how. People overwhelm themselves with getting it published, will it be published, will it even sell, do they want to write it if it won't sell, when they haven't even written it.

You can't have it published until you write it. You don't even know if it's worth publishing until you've written it and then read it over. Also, stop TELLING people about the book. It dissipates the energy & the NEED to write it. Once you've told it to enough people, the need to write it down is gone.

Also, all creative artists have learned this: Stop telling people because it's now in the incubation, embryonic stage. There is a reason an embryo is in an enclosed womb for 9 months. Somewhere along the way, you will tell someone who will have a less than lukewarm response, or will tell you flat out that the idea is a piece of Sh**. Their sister, friend, cousin-in-law had a similar idea and tried it. It didn't work because... You will take that person's disinterest & pessimism and abort your own creative baby.

Every creative artist has a story of at least one aborted idea because of this. They never have the heart or inspiration to go back & breathe CPR back into it. A few years later, someone else comes out with that same brilliant idea & gets all the accolades for it.

The Creative Spirit of the Universe visits a person but ONCE with a certain breath of inspiration, on a certain idea. And it gives that person a certain amount of time to act upon it. If that person doesn't, and it is a worthy idea that should be out there, Spirit takes the idea back & gives it to someone else who WILL get it out there.

That's why patents & copyrights are made. To give the rights to the first person who hopefully gets the idea into fruition.

Stop telling people & simply start writing.

You are very wise.

I just sent an inquiry to a publisher in Hawaii about my book and he emailed me back within 36 hours. I don't have an agent. I have started with one book which I expect to make it a series. You really do have to write it first.

I just write and write and strengthen my stories. I do not talk about them much. I have noticed that I write when my kids are all asleep because I am on my own time. I have also written more productively when I am on vacation where there is a beach nearby, but that's just me. lol

You might want to join a local writer's group, too.

GL!

 

[Feralpeg]

I just finished reading "Writing Children's Books for Dummies". It was really good and very informative. I read it because it has a lot of tips that I thought could be used to help young writers. It goes into great detail on how to get published.