A Children's Book...

Yes, I have written many books and published 21 of them. (SusanStriker.com) Begin by writing an outline and the first chapter. Publishers get a zillion of these and don't take unsolicited manuscripts seriously, so if you can get an introduction, or write a letter asking for permission to submit it, you have a better chance. Be SURE to include a self addressed, stamped envelope! Also a well written bio. My first book started out as a graduate school project that the professor told me I should try to have published. A relative who had published a book showed it to his editor, and it was published! By contrast, I have been trying to get my 22nd book published and not one publisher wants it. For that, I am considering going to a "vanity" publisher; that is I will self publish it. I understand it costs about $1,200.00. Lot's of people have great ideas for books, but they never write them. Go ahead and write it....that is the first step. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions.

C. - here's some info that a writer friend of mine gave me. I'm working on a book too. Good luck with yours!

This is a great link for the Children’s Book Council. It lists the publishers and whether or not they are accepting manuscripts. Also lists if the manuscripts need to be submitted by an agent.

http://www.cbcbooks.org/about/cbc_members_list.html

This is a site for information about contests, calls for submissions: http://www.smartwriters.com/

The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators is a good link with lots of information.

http://www.scbwi.org/

You'll also want to pick up The Children’s Writers’ & Illustrator’s Market. It has articles from editors, authors and agents, and it has HUNDREDS of publishers, magazines, and presses that you might want to try submitting to. These books come out every year. It really is the best way to find a lot of information in one place.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582975043/ref=pd_cp_b_1...

Best of Luck!

No presonal experience but check out this site:

http://www.cbcbooks.org/index.html

I published a book/journal on my own back in 2002 or so. I used www.instantpublisher.com. They worked well for me. Wouldn't hurt to check them out. Good luck!

Hello,

First of all.....how exciting that you have an idea for a story. There are a lot of options today with the Internet....but they can be pricey. I have recently published a Children's Book through and online publisher. I'm actually waiting to get the book. I should have it in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to see the final product. There are many Print on Demand publishers out there and I can give you the information if you're interested. I did a lot of research before I moved ahead. You can try the traditional route....write your story, get it edited and then send it to a traditional publisher. I've heard and read that it is so hard to get through to the publishers without an agent....but it is possible if your idea is a fresh, new, unique idea. My 3 1/2 year old daughter inspired me to write my book and I based the character after her....so I wanted total creative control of the book that's why I decided to go with the Print On Demand company.....I found a freelance illustrator, some POD publishers now offer illustration packages.....they didn't have enough illustration options when I started my project....but that's changed in the past year. The only disadvantage I found so far is that it cost the author a lot of money to buy the books because they use digital printing as opposed to offset printing. With digital....you're only obligated to buy a small amount of books 10, 20 etc. With offset printing.....your minimum is usually 1,000....which means that you'd be spending anywhere between $5,000-$7,000 just to buy the books and then you would have to store them somewhere and hope to sell them. The online POD publishers will place your book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com and will send information to many different wholesalers.....but the rest of the marketing is up to you.....where the traditional publishers will usually pay you an upfront fee and do some of the marketing for you. It really depends on what you want to do. I didn't want anyone changing my book or doint the illustrations without my input....that was very important to me. If you're interested in finding our more about my experience....please contact me and I will be happy to talk to you about it. Good luck.

T. M.

Hi C.! My name is J. and I am a working mom (unfortunatly) of a beautiful, precious little angel. She is 6 months old and is the joy of my life! Anyway, I just received this in the mail the other day and thought to myself that I would like to do this and maybe write a childrens book one day. That is why I saved it. It is a form to take an aptitiude test to see if you will qualify to write childrens books. Here is what they are advertising for (1) free test; (2) a 32 page introduction to both our course, Writing for Children and Teenagers, and 80 of our instructors; and (3) a booklet "How and Where to Sell Your Writing.
I'm sure that they will want money at some point, because nothing comes for free in this world, but this is what the offer is and if it will help get you off of the ground with the idea you have, then I have done my part! Here is the address:
Institute of Children's Literature
93 Long Ridge Road
West Redding, CT 06896-1100

Hope it helps. Keep in touch I'd be interested in seeing if you really write a book! How exciting....good luck!

Go to the public library and ask for resourcews for writers. Do a google search. Research research research!

I don't have advice. I just wanted to thank you for the question as I wanted to know this info too!!!

Thanks and good luck with your book!

Good Luck!! I have a question about some more books for my 8 and half months old to read to her at night.
barb g.