**********REVISED JAN. 2015**********

Writing books for children is both art and business. If you dream of becoming a children's author -- or even if you're well on your way -- this handbook can help you in writing sellable stories, getting them published, and promoting your books.

Topics include common myths about children’s writing, children’s book categories, elements of successful stories, manuscript format, submission strategies, contract negotiation, the publishing process, and career building. Also included are specialized subjects such as querying for multiple manuscripts, promoting a first book, and self publishing.

Read "The Business of Writing for Children" to learn the secrets you might spend years discovering for yourself.

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Aaron Shepard is the author of "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Baker's Dozen," and sixteen more picture books and early readers, along with several chapter books for middle grades, extensive resources for storytelling and reader's theater, and a graphic novel. His publishers have included Atheneum, Scribners, Clarion, Lothrop, Dial, and HarperCollins, as well as Cricket and Australia's School Magazine. Aaron's work has been honored by the American Library Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, the American Folklore Society, The New York Public Library, and the Bank Street College of Education. He has been a judge for the Golden Kite Awards of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

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"BRAVO! I thought it had pretty much all been said, but I was wrong. All the nuts and bolts are here as well as rules that bear repeating, PLUS insights not usually found in how-to books. Clearly and concisely written, this is an invaluable resource for both beginning and more accomplished writers." -- Susan Pearson, Editor-in-Chief, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books

"Aaron Shepard has written one of the most comprehensive guides available to anyone wishing to enter the competitive field of children's books. It's all here, from initial idea to successful sale, and then beyond to the essentials of contracts, promotion, and the ABCs of building a successful career. If you're starting out, start out here." -- Stephen Mooser, children's author

"Here's clearly-written, no-nonsense help for children's writers by a craftsman. Every fledgling author should own this book." -- Stephen Fraser, Executive Editor, Aladdin Paperbacks

"Aaron Shepard's The Business of Writing for Children is a wonderful resource. His experience-based insights into the art and business of children's writing will save beginning writers years of wasted effort -- and help published writers achieve long-term success." -- Kathleen Duey, children's author

"The Business of Writing for Children is a one-stop shopping center, a complete how-to-do-it guide for the writer who wants a jump-start on looking professional even though he/she may be turning out a first book. Editors will love you if you do it Shepard's way." -- Audrey Baird, Editor, Once Upon A Time

"I carry around a file folder of materials which I share with unpublished writers and illustrators. This book is so comprehensive, I plan to replace my file folder with it. Whether you are a novice or a professional, The Business of Writing for Children needs to be in your library. DON'T write a book without it!" -- Leslie Tryon, children's author/illustrator

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION: Dangerous Myths and Terrible Truths

PART 1 -- THE BASICS

Writing Your Story

(WriterSpeak #1: Book Categories)

Submitting Your Manuscript

(WriterSpeak #2: Book Publishers)

Negotiating Your Contract

The Publishing Process

(WriterSpeak #3: Booksellers)

Building Your Career

Self Publishing

PART 2 -- THE INSIDE STORY

Script Your Story!

Words That Make Pictures

Rhythm and the Readaloud

Researching the Folktale

In Praise of Post-its

The Picture Book Query

10 Ways to Promote a First Book

Promo Pages for the Children's Author

Info For Author Days

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SAMPLE

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Let me begin with a word of caution. If you're thinking of taking up children's writing as a lark or as an easy way to make money, my advice is: Forget it.

True, there are always those beginning writers who will whip out a children's story, sell it to a publisher on the first try, and wind up with a successful book. But for most of us, entering the profession takes years of practice, self-education, and not a little frustration. And there's more of that after we're published.

But if you're serious about writing for children, this book should significantly speed and simplify your professional development. Though not at all meant to be comprehensive, it lays out the basics, points you toward additional resources, and most importantly, provides tips and strategies not commonly found elsewhere. Along with that, it offers detailed looks at some of my own specialties and points out changes due to new technologies.

The material comes from several sources. Most of the Introduction and Part 1 is based on handouts created for my former classes and workshops on writing for children. Part 2 consists of articles first written for the "SCBWI Bulletin" and "Once Upon A Time." All materials were updated as needed for this book.

Reflecting my own expertise, the focus here is on writing picture book stories and selling them to traditional publishers. Much of the information, though, will apply to other areas of children's writing as well -- and having dabbled more recently in self publishing, I've added a bit on that too.

I hope this guide will help in your professional and/or personal growth. Good luck, and don't forget to have fun!

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BOOKS ON CHILDREN'S WRITING BY AARON SHEPARD

THE BUSINESS OF WRITING FOR CHILDREN. Writing books for children is both art and business. If you dream of becoming a children's author -- or even if you're well on your way -- this handbook can help you in writing sellable stories, getting them published, and promoting your books. Read "The Business of Writing for Children" to learn the secrets you might spend years discovering for yourself.

ADVENTURES IN WRITING FOR CHILDREN. Fifteen years after publishing "The Business of Writing for Children" -- Amazon.com's all-time bestseller among guides to children's writing -- Aaron returns with a new collection of articles on the art and business of creating literature for young people. Whether you're aiming at traditional publishers or choosing to self publish, let "Adventures in Writing for Children" help you pursue an adventure of your own.

PICTURES ON KINDLE: Self Publishing Your Kindle Book with Photos, Art, or Graphics, or Tips on Formatting Your Ebook's Images to Make Them Look Great. Almost everything you've read about formatting pictures for Kindle is wrong. Aaron brings his years of experience in book design, webmastering, and photography to bear on a single question: How do you make pictures look great on the Kindle?