Are you interested in writing for children?
There are so many areas to choose from.
Here are some simple categories: |
Trade Market Options |
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Educational Market Options |
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Magazine Market Options |
- Board Books
- Picture Books
- Nonfiction Picture Books
- Easy Readers
- Chapter Books
- Middle Grade Novels
- Young Adult Novels
- Nonfiction Books
- Poetry Books
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- Leveled Readers
(fiction and nonfiction)
- Articles
- Poems
- Teachers’ Editions
- Worksheets
- Online materials
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- Poetry
- Short Stories
- Nonfiction Articles
- Word Puzzles
- Recipes
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I’m a network representative for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI),
and I know that beginning the journey of writing and submitting can be overwhelming.
Here is some info I hope you find helpful. |
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| Picture Books 101 |
Most people who want to write for children start with a desire to write picture books.
Here are some of the most common facts about writing picture books that most people don’t know. |
- Most authors don’t choose their illustrators.
- Most authors never meet their illustrators.
- Publishing houses prefer that you don’t send in illustrations with your story unless you’re trained in illustration.
- Most picture books are less than 900 words.
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One way to get most of your questions answered is by reading books about writing for children.
Here are some of the best. |
The Bibles of Children’s Writing |
Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, edited by Alice Pope.
This is the ultimate book to purchase. It comes out every year and includes articles by and interviews with authors. It also contains an updated guide with publishing houses’ information: names of editors, what books they publish, whether they accept submissions, and contact information. |
Children’s Writer’s Word Book by Alijandra Mogilner.
This is a book of lists; written like a thesaurus, it tells the grade level for a plethora of words. |
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books by Harold D. Underdown and Lynne Rominger.
A very thorough guide to be sure you know all the do’s and don’ts for the world of children’s publishing. |
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Books on Writing for Children |
You Can Write Children’s Books by Tracey E. Dils.
A quick read with the basics of writing for children, including how to write a cover or query letter. |
Creating Characters Kids Will Love by Elaine Marie Alphin.
Includes exercises for strengthening your characters. |
The Children’s Writer’s Reference by Berthe Amoss & Eric Suben.
Will get you thinking of many aspects of your book, such as the characters, settings, and word selections. |
What’s Your Story? A Young Person’s Guide to Writing Fiction by Marion Dane Bauer.
Although this book was written for children, it contains a lot of helpful advice and is a quick read. It is written by an author with a Newbery Honor book. |
First-Time Authors, published by the Institute of Children’s Literature.
Features 64 articles written for magazines by first-time authors, along with the editor’s comments on why the publishing house bought the piece. |
Writing Books for Kids and Teens by Marion Crook.
Another great book if you’re just starting out in children’s literature. |
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Books on Writing for Adults or Children |
The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman.
Most editors don’t read beyond the first five pages before deciding whether to read on. This helps make yours stronger. |
On Writing by Stephen King.
Bestseller Stephen King reflects on his journey as a writer. I recommend getting this book on tape/CD—King reads it himself. |
Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write by Elizabeth Lyon.
Great for breaking into nonfiction—I used it to help me write my book proposal for my book on OCD. |
Escaping into the Open by Elizabeth Berg.
Written by the bestselling author Elizabeth Berg. Super writing exercises to warm up your mind. |
How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen, AAR.
Great for writing a nonfiction proposal. |
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.
Short, edible lessons. |
The Writer’s Idea Book by Jack Heffron.
Another book with great writing exercises. |
The Plot Thickens by Noah Lukeman.
Tips for strengthening your plot. |
Blockbuster Plots by Martha Alderson, M.A.
Helps in plotting your story. |
Bird by Bird by Anne Lemott.
A helpful book on the various elements of writing, written with an inspirational tone. |
Self-editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King.
You’d be surprised at how much editing writing entails. This will help to catch more than just punctuation and grammar. |
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Reference Books |
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms.
More than a thesaurus, it gives the definition for the synonyms. |
Flip Dictionary by Barbara Ann Kipfer, Ph.D.
Organized more by the definition, it helps you find that word that’s on the tip of your tongue. |
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My Favorite Examples of Good Children’s Literature |
In order to write well, you need to read great literature. Here are some books that I think are tops: |
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Picture Books |
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
Everything I Know About Monsters by Tom Lichtenheld
Mole and Baby Bird by Marjorie Newman
Eppossumondas by Coleen Salley |
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Novels |
Rules by Cynthia Lord
The Meanest Doll in the World by Ann M. Martin
How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor
Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series by Louise Rennison
Lily’s Ghosts by Laura Ruby
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli |
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Non Fiction |
Field Trips : Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking by Jim Arnosky
Fizz, Bubble, & Flash by Anita Brandolini, Ph.D.
You Can Write a Story! by Lisa Bullard
Decades of the 20th Century books by Stephen Feinstein
I Love Guinea Pigs by Dick King-Smith
The Great Serum Race by Debbie M. Miller
Albino Animals by Kelly Milner Halls
The Looks Book by Rebecca Odes, Esther Drill, and Heather McDonald
My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen
Muse magazine |
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Poetry |
Come to My Party and Other Shape Poems by Heidi B. Roemer
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein |
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Young Writers |
You’re never too young to love to write.
Here are some companies that accept writing by kids: |
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Magazines |
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Anthologies |
Creative With Words (up to 19 years old) |
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Books |
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