The Reading Haven discussion

Hello, my name is Art and I am an author. I would like to share with you my story. When I was nine years old, I didn’t get a chance to read books but I was have a cartoon TV series that based on novels such as little women and the secret garden and the Alice in Wonderland and from my childhood, I decided to be an author and to write a story, specially children stories because we’re living in a time that children enjoy YouTube more than cartoons, so I started writing children Book and when I decided to publish it, the publishers said you have to find an agent so I started looking for the agent, all of them rejected my book and when I ask them why they rejected even they loved my book, they said to me the children book is not a stronger niche and it’s gonna be hard for you to find an agent unless if you do romance fantasy first or you are already famous on social media and publisher company want guarantee not a person who dreamed to be the next J. K. Rowling. I felt sad of what they said because This is the truth. When I sign in Goodreads, all readers focus in one genre which is romance fantasy. The bookshop is full of magic and each genre tells story I know your love romance fantasy but this will hurt an author who want to focus in different genre like me I hope from the readers community to give a chance and explore other stories. The book is not about dragons or enemy to lovers is about a story worth to read.

Note: The reason why I posted this topic is because after when I saw an author, her name Christy Anna Jones. She talked about how she struggle to find an agent and how her book rejected because it does not have a romance.
https://youtu.be/_--ze6ovAZI?si=jcdDc...

Hi Art,

Thank you so much for sharing your story , it truly moved me. Your honesty and passion for children’s literature shine through every word. It’s inspiring to see someone who still believes in the power of stories that shape hearts and imaginations, especially at a time when trends often overshadow meaning.

You’re absolutely right, many readers and publishers focus heavily on romance or fantasy right now, but that doesn’t mean your work is any less important. Children’s books are where lifelong readers are born; they plant the seeds of imagination and empathy in young minds. The world needs more authors like you who care about that impact.

Please don’t lose hope. There are still publishers out there who truly value children’s stories, it might take time to find the right one, but it’s worth every effort. And once you do, remember that visibility is just as powerful as publication. Marketing your book, sharing it on platforms like Goodreads, connecting with parents, educators, and children’s communities, can help it reach the hearts it was written for.

Keep believing in yourself, keep writing with purpose, and trust that your story will find its way to the readers who need it most.

Hi Art,
Your post raises such an important point the publishing world sometimes forgets how vital children’s stories are. They’re not “less than” other genres; they’re the foundation of lifelong reading. Please keep going. The right publisher for your voice exists, and once your book is released, don’t hesitate to promote it proudly.

Hey Art,
Well i believe that your book has the energy, The Silent Flower! i love the title, wishing you to bring it to the world for children.