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Children’s books fall into one of three categories: picture books, middle grade, and young adult. To become published within the children’s writing arena, in any of these genres, you need to take the necessary steps to achieve success whether aiming at traditional publishing or self-publishing.
In regard to traditional publishing, there are four steps needed to become a traditionally published author; the first step is writing.
Actually writing, and all that it entails, is the basis of becoming a published author or writer, whether writing books, articles, becoming a ghostwriter, or copywriter. Within that first writing step, there are four subcategories.
Children’s Writing: Four Traditional Publishing Steps
1. Writing and Reading
The first step for a successful writing career is to write. But, in addition to writing, the new writer will need to learn the craft of writing, along with the particular tricks of writing for children. Children’s writing is more complicated than other forms of writing. The reason is because you’re dealing with children.
Rules, such as age-appropriate words, age-appropriate topics, age-appropriate comprehension, storylines and formatting are all features that need to be tackled when writing for children.
Within the first step rung, aside from reading books and magazines on the craft of writing, you will need to read, read, and read in the genre you want to write.
Pay special attention to recently published books and their publishers. What works in these books? What type of style is the author using? What topics/storylines are publisher’s publishing?
Dissect these books, and you might even write or type them word-for-word to get a feel for writing that works. This is a trick that writers new to copywriting use – you can trick your brain into knowing the right way to write for a particular genre or field. Well, not so much trick your brain as teach it by copying effective writing. Just remember, this is for the learning process only – you cannot use someone else’s work, that’s plagiarism.
2. Critiques
The next step, number two, is to become part of a critique group and have your work critiqued. Critiquing is a two-way street; you will critique the work of other member of the critique group and they will critique yours. But, there are advantages to critiquing other writers’ works – you begin to see errors quickly and notice what’s being done right. This all helps you hone your craft.
3. Revise and Edit
Step three on the writing rung is to revise your manuscript according to your own self-editing and critiques from others. It’s also recommended to put the story away for a couple of weeks and then revisit it. You’ll see a number of areas that may need revising that you hadn’t noticed before.
There are also some self-editing steps you can take to help the process; you can check out:
Ten Tips Checklist for Self-Editing (Part 1)
Ten Tips checklist for Self-Editing (Part 2)
Final stages of Self-Editing Part 1
Final Stages of Self-Editing Part 2
4. Take it to a Professional
It would also be advisable if you budget for a professional editing of your manuscript before you begin submissions. No matter how careful you and your critique partners are, a working editor will pick up things you missed.
Once you have a polished manuscript, the next three steps in a writing career are: submissions, a contract and sales, and a writing career.
It’s important to mention that these four steps should be taken whether you are going the traditional publishing route or you’re going to self-publish. Just because you may be by-passing the publisher’s gatekeepers, who protect the integrity and quality of the work they accept, your manuscript should be the best possible, a quality product.
Self-publishing is not an excuse to cut corners, rush a book, or create a substandard product. Remember that your book is a reflection of you and your writing ability.
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Related Articles:
Is Your Manuscript Ready for Submission?
Freelance Editors – Should You Hire One?
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Ghostwriting and Editing for Businesses and Marketers
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Until next time,
Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance Writer
http://KarenCioffi.com
http://DKVWriting4U.com
Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing
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It’s a long road, as most authors can probably tell you, from first starting your story to the day it’s actually available for sale. A road filled with writing, outlines, revisions, critiquing, self-editing, some doubts and frustration (maybe a lot of doubts and frustration), more revisions, critiquing, and editing, and so on.
On Friday, July 1st, I will begin my Walking Through Walls Virtual Book Tour. I’d like everyone to know though, that there will be some informational articles on writing and marketing along with an interview and book reviews, please follow along and leave comments to be entered in the contest/drawing.
