Hi, writers! I am creating these pages in the second half of 2019. If a question is a link, then you can click on it to find my answer. If it has no link and no answer right after the question, then I haven’t answered it yet. I’ll get there!
Thank you to my Patrons for making this FAQ possible! (If you’d like to learn more about supporting my efforts to educate and inspire children’s writers with a couple of dollars per month, please see my Patreon Page.)
- How do I know if a story idea is good or not?
- Do I need an agent?
- How do I know who to submit my manuscript to?
- What about houses that say no unsolicited submissions?
- How do I write a query/cover letter?
- Can I self-publish my children’s book?
- What’s it like to write and publish children’s books?
- How do I find an illustrator? If you’re writing books for traditional publishers, you do not find your own illustrators. The editor and art director at the publisher are in charge of that, and you will have varying degrees of input depending on the publisher’s policies.
- What writing organization(s) should I join? I recommend SCBWI for all children’s writers. That’s the only global organization I’m aware of specifically for folks who want to write for children and young adults. You can also look at the Authors Guild if you need assistance with contract review and other professional services. There are many other local conferences and groups, but those are the big national/global ones. On a personal note, I’d love for you to join my free Writing for Children Facebook Group, and if you enjoy my resources and want more, to join my group of Patreon supporters for as little as $2/per month.
How do I format my picture book manuscript?