How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published

by Barbara Seuling

An Alternate Selection of the Literary Guild Here is everything the aspiring children's author needs to know about the five essential steps to publication: researching the current marketplace, developing story ideas, strengthening writing skills and improving work habits, submitting proposals and manuscripts to agents and publishers, and becoming part of the writing community. What's more, this revised and expanded edition contains updated reading lists and organizational references, as well as the latest information on word processing and illustrating with computers. There's also a new chapter on writing plays for children, and innovative suggestions for handling difficult contemporary issues such as AIDS. From character sketches to bound books, author/editor Barbara Seuling shows how to get involved and work toward success in today's world of children's literature.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, Self Help, Business, Adult

214 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1984

Reviews

[Sonja McGiboney]

A good book that will take you from the idea of writing a book to publishing and marketing the book. Many of the examples are dated, but the advice is still solid. I particularly like her end-of-chapter suggestions for further research/interest/growth. In addition, she has checklists that help ensure you have written the best you can write within the genre. For Example for writing a children's book you must: ​1 A simple, clear plot is necessary. 2. Your main character must solve the plot problem. 3. Be visual, think of your story as a short film and keep things moving and interesting. 4. Read the best picture book writers. Study their style, language & content. and so on.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just read the third edition of this book and it is a very valuable resource. I highly recommend it.

[Lino Matteo · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Write a Children's Book: Financial Literacy

Part 14 of our ongoing series of Financial Literacy


This post started as a review of “How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published.” But then I got to thinking. You see the author, Barbara Seuling does a good job of guiding people on how to have published their books – in the past. The book was first published in 1984 and revised in 1991. That is a long time ago in publishing. But some of the tips and thoughts are worth the read. Very much so.

What does this have to do with Financial Literacy?

The author encourages would be writers to do some reading to research others that have written in the style that they are considering. Or even in styles that they are not considering. Reading, especially with a notepad nearby, is a great way to learn – but do take those notes.
The author encourages writers to write. Throw it out after you have written it – if you really don’t like it. Edit and revise – if you think it has merit. Read it out loud to test it with your ears. Open them ears – to listen with a critical, but positive ear.
Plan when you are going to write – on a daily basis, if at all possible – and stick to the plan. Plan it in writing. Plan it sincerely. Stick to the plan.
All good advice for a budding writer. All good advice for someone that wants to get a better and eventually, a good grasp of financial literacy as well.
To do all of the above means you need courage. Courage does not mean that you are not nervous or even a little afraid. Rather, “courage means pushing yourself into taking that first scary step toward where you want to go,” says the author. Life and Financial Literacy all need courage as well.
What got me thinking about Financial Literacy when reading this book was when the author explained the reasons to write and the financial implications of doing so. Remember, the book was revised over 30 years ago. The numbers might change but the principles will be the same. “There is no way to guess how much money you can make on a book,” she says. At least not without a lot of market research, and even then, it is more miss than hit.
She explains that if things go well, you might receive an advance of $2500 from a hardcover publisher for your first novel. If it has a price of $9.95, your royalty of 10% will give you almost $1 per book. If you sell 5000 copies, you will earn $5000 dollars. Deduct your advance of $2500, and you are left with $2500. In other words, don’t give up your day job.
Writing, like most art, is a work of passion. It takes time, luck, and timing to make it big. If that is your hope, you might need a different craft. But if you do it for the pleasure, that is great. If you are doing it for the business, you better learn how to leverage your time.
How? Well, there are many ways, but as the author writes, “an apprentice in any profession takes years to learn their craft. Don’t be impatient.” We might add, that learning financial literacy takes years to learn, and consistent, life-long learning to master. Don’t be impatient – read, study, try, and by all means learn from your experiences.


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[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would imagine that the publication process outlined in this book is outdated (personal computers were only just becoming popular when this book came out...and here we are decades later with books on our Smartphones.) Even so, Seuling's advice for the writing process, her reading recommendations, and her insight into the mind of an editor inspired me to take pages and pages of notes. I appreciate this book and think it still holds some value even today, but I do believe that her advice must be supplemented with modern information.

[Denise]

While the publication aspects of this book are quite outdated (which is to be expected), I still found value in some of the advice on writing. Some of the pointers match up with more recent books I have read, so it's nice to know some aspects of writing remain timeless.

I would recommend the book to aspiring writers, just keeping in mind that many of the guidelines for publishing in today's world have changed.

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have my first script accepted by a publisher and this book helped me figure out how to revise it best for the final copy. I read the third edition. There is a lot of valuable information here. It already could use an update, however, as manuscripts are now submitted digitally and editors respond via emails instead of snail mail.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the info is probably a bit outdated but it gave me a good glimpse in to the process from manuscript to publication. I think this would be helpful for all beginning writers at least to some degree, not just writers for children. Good intro book.

[Caitlin]

Although parts of the book were dated, it provided some great information. It made me recognize all of the work that goes into getting a book published -- while at the same time, inspiring me to write.

[Michelle Corder · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there are aspects of this book that are outdated, it was published over 30 years ago, it did offer some wonderful food for thought that actually made me get up and write down new ideas I had while reading. I would definitely recommend it.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever so slightly dated (1984) but I don't mind it- you won't get any information about social media! What you will see is that many issues in publishing today existed decades ago, and all you can do about it is write. The craft chapters are wonderful and timeless.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about the theme. Perfect to inform yourself about publishing for children and have a formed idea where to start.

[Amina Elidrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very useful book for beginners, i really liked all the techniques mentioned plus the appendixes it's an amazing book really for anyone who thinks about writing for kids

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book I checked out was older but had the information I was looking for and some ideas I had missed in other books about the topic.

[Nicola Tams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful but slightly out of date. Sent me on a wild panic attack which my writing group assured me was misinformed 🙄

[Morgan Batty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful. It had some great insights about writing books for children.

[Birsilah Bakar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Half of the book was decent advice but the inertia stopped after that.

[Kora Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 3rd edition and felt this book had very helpful tips.

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This slim and business-slick book was interesting. It had a bit of a write-by-numbers feel, like a glossy beach magazine, and it wasn't artistically inspiring like the how-to write books by --you know-- real writers. Oh, Seuling is published, and I hope someday to have a nice long list of credits like she has, but she ain't Jane Yolen. As polished as it was, it certainly spurred me on to actually sending a manuscript out (in the mail, folks!) My favorite bits were the odd outdated leftovers from the first edition that have somehow made it into the most recent printing: "make sure your typewriter has a fresh ribbon!"


Notes:
Children's book council
Horn book with articles about children's books
p41 "The important thing for the perpetual notetaker is to get something done, finished to the point where she has devoted attention and time to it and given it a fair chance."
p54 Query letter works well for non-fiction to shortcut the wait time. check out "Subject guide to children's books in prints for your non-fiction topic to see what else is out there.Write to publishers if they would be interested in your idea, "note other books in print on your subject and explain why your book could compete successfully with them." Sell the publisher on your subject rather than on yourself. Explain why you are qualified to write. Some publishers will find query letters for fiction and picture books useful, too. But "I usually recomment that for picture books, you simply send your completed manuscript--up to about five or six pages." (57)
106- "If you come up with a good idea and a fresh appraoch and show that you can handle it succesffully through your proposal and same material, your chaces of 'breaking in' could be significantly improved."
115 "If you write poetry in general, try to sell individual poems, crafted with the same care as the finest prose, to children's magazines. It is a starting place, to gain the much-needed credits you will need as you master the verse form."
117 write poetically, ala william steig or Jan Wahl.
136 create routing slip for manuscripts sent, responses etc. also, send manusciirpt with a self-addressed stamped postcard to acknowledge receipt.
139- "send along a couple of sketches ad one piece of finished art." also 146: send a typed manuscript, one finished art, same sketches, dummy.
multiple submissions-- poor form. But check in with Society of Children's Book Writers to break in.
147 "appropriate number of pages-- thirty-two or forty-eight."
p177 list of basic proofreader's marks

188 great list of books to add to goodreads, also 189 and 192.

[Erin Nudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, some parts of this book are outdated, but the majority of it is still extremely pertinent and helpful information.

Seuling goes into different types of children's books, what pictures work for better age groups, what age groups are into different types of topics over others, how to work with or without an illustrator, how to connect with other writers and writing groups, how things look on the publisher and editor's end, etc. etc.

Also, I really liked how she emphasized that children's books are not "watered down" adult books; kids aren't stupid, and they need much of the same aspects in place to make a good, interesting, captivating book, just like with adult books.

[Xander · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt that though there were some helpful tips in the book, it definitely talked down to the reader and was certainly far from encouraging. If she's writing books for children, I hope that those books are slightly more encouraging and uplifting. This book seems to be her way of discouraging others from writing so that she might do better herself. Just how I felt when I was reading it. I'll still use it for a reference, but I certainly think it is far from the be all end all reference guide to children's books.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really writing a book, but I have lots of ideas that I think are pretty original, but I am terrible at expressing my thoughts in words. I saw this at the library and thought I would give it a try. Mostly so far, it is all common sense and I am wondering what books this lady has ever written that has made her an expert.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's basic, so it's good for someone just thinking about writing, but it's also outdated...sometimes in a very obvious painful way.

For me, it wasn't the best book. I found more useful, relevant information through various children's writing websites.

[Ellen L. Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book for covering a range of topics about children's books. The book includes hints to carry a writer from idea to book submission and publication. I read it a while ago and still refer to it often, which is a good recommendation for a how-to book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is exactly what this book delivers. This, its latest edition, was written in 1991. I think some of the content gets a mulligan for that, but as a whole it was worthy of many a note taken by yours truly.

[Heidi Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so helpful and informative. Even though the copy I read was several years old, she still had so much up-to-date info technologically speaking. There are a lot of helpful resource lists as well.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a truly practical book with plenty of activities to get you thinking about the business end of publishing a book as well as the creative process. I had checked this book out from the library, but am considering purchasing it to complete the chapter suggestions at my own pace.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use as a reference book.

[Kelly Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the third edition for my birthday and devoured it in less than 24 hours. I'll definitely hang onto this one as a reference for many years to come...at least until there's an even newer edition!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here my hopes were, not quite sky-high for writing a children's book, because I thought it would be easier than a dragging adult book, but NOOOO!

[Margaret Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is invaluable, not only in publishing your children's books, but any book!