Children lit

[amstrong76]

I have been told by several publishers that there are no markets for children's books. Or they would say children's books are not saleable anymore.
Can anyone elibrate on their comments, is this true or are they just being blunt about what they don't want to publish?
I love writing for children and my husband would love to see my book in print. Do I just keep researching the market for the right publisher?

Thank you for your thoughts.
Angelia

[DrRita]

Children's Lit is still very big. There are tonsof books coming out every year. But, it has to be a fresh, new idea and something the publishers think will sell. Children's books are expensive to print because of the illustrations. Publisher's don't want to take a chance on an expensive project if it isn't going to sell. It's tough these days to compete with all the media out there vying for children's attention--television, video games, toys, and so on. A children's book has to be unique.

Now that I've thoroughtly discouraged you, there is still hope. You just have to be bold, aggressive and willing to slog through all the rejections until you get that publisher who is willing to take a chance. Or publish it yourself, which can be a much more expensive project for a picture book than for a regular adult fiction or non-fiction.

There is a special Writer's Market for Children's Literature you might want to check out. It can be found at: http://www.writersdigest.com/store/booksearch.asp?category=Market+Books or maybe your library has one.

I would suggest trying to write a few stories for Children's Magazines. Publishing in any mags gives you some credibility as a children's writer. Here are a few:

http://www.cricketmag.com/home.asp
http://www.clubhousemagazine.com/
http://www.gp4k.com/
http://www.highlights.com/
http://www.upperroom.org/pockets/
http://www.weeonesmag.com/

A couple of these are secular but that shouldn't matter as reaching children is the goal. Even if you don't want to write for mags, reading them is essential so you can keep up on what's new and what kids are into. It is essential for any writer to study the market and know what publishers are looking for. Trends change and so do the interests of children.

There are lots of websites geared for children's writers, I don't have any suggestions but you could google Children's Writers and probably find ones that interest you.

Having said that, I'm sure you will do well, Angelia. Perservance and honing your craft will get you a publisher's ear. You just have to keep going.

[amstrong76]

Great! Thank you for your response.
Several of the publishers told me that have great writing skills which is encouraging. I will go to the websites and throughly do a research on the market.
I thought about self-publishing, I have a sister who is an artist and thought about teaming up with her. I thought as well too, working with different mags and getting my name 'out there'. ;)
Thank you again.
Angelia

[DrRita]

Great! Thank you for your response.
Several of the publishers told me that have great writing skills which is encouraging. I will go to the websites and throughly do a research on the market.


Then it just sounds like you need that original, killer idea. Something that can work as a series perhaps. Find a character kids can relate to and make that character irrestable and then put that character in dangerous compromising situations. You'll have a winner!!thumbsup!

[screenwriter]

amstrong76,

I'm glad you asked this question and DrRita's answer was helpful. I’m going to look at all of those websites. I also have a children's story that I wrote and would like to publish. I sent it to publishers and no one was interested but then I sent it to a writing contest and it won first place out of thousands of entries. I got money for it. So, maybe you could try finding legitimate writing contests as well. Then you could put that down on your resume.

It’s too bad that self-publishing picture books is so expensive. Children’s fiction novels, on the other hand, is less expensive since it doesn’t require artwork. It’s an option, I think.

[Jean Ann]

This comment by publishers would be so WRONG that it is almost funny. Barnes & Noble is one of the largest booksellers in the country. The children's department is the best selling department in the company. Children's books account for the majority of sales in the stores. This is not simply due to Harry Potter. This is accross the board in age groups.

Keep writing. Keep asking. The publishers need to get out into the market more often.

[Jean Ann]

BTW, there are holes in the children's market that need to be filled. Do your homework. Visit the sites Dr. Rita mentioned but also go to a book store, a very large book store and ask the person in charge of the children's department what the trends are, what people are wanting and what the customers want that does not exist. You have to stay ahead of the trend. Do your homework.

[amstrong76]

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I'll keep researching and when I'm in the bigger city I'll go to the largest bookstore and ask, thank you again!

Angelia

[PattyP]

I'm intersted in writing children's books too, and found your discussions very helpful.

Thanks,
Patty

[Jofpbj]

I am currently working on a line of children's books. Whether or not they get published remains to be seen, but they're sure fun to write, and one day, I'm sure my kids will love them published or unpublished (not that I HAVE any kids, but hey- one can dream ;)).