Labels

All About Kid Lit Publishing

© Toni Yuly

Resources on children's publishing: the industry, finances, behind the scenes, and craft books
Webinar

 

Jan. 22, 5:00 PM CST / 6:00 PM EST  Everything They NEVER Told You about Being a Kidlit Author (guest speaker: author Josh Funk, hosted by: Rosie J. Pova. Join us for an insightful workshop full of must-know tips and tricks for effectively and confidently navigating authorship after publication! You’re a published author. Congrats! You’ve worked so hard to get here. You’ve built a killer website and social media presence, set up a book launch, printed bookmarks and swag, and know all about visiting schools. But what about the stuff they don’t tell you? Josh Funk, a veteran newbie picture book author, has published 20 books over the last decade and he’s here to share the knowledge he’s learned along the way, such as:

  • Things that slip through the cracks at publishers that we authors and illustrators now need to handle.
  • How do you get to present at education conferences like ALA and NCTE?
  • What’s the deal with state book lists?
  • What about regional book festivals?
  • What's a "Press Kit"?
  • Best practices for connecting with bookstores
  • And several more tips and tricks…

This workshop is geared toward both published creators as well as people who plan to be published in the future.


Industry Info

The Truth about Publishing 

Everything You Wanted to Know About Book Sales  (But Were Afraid to Ask)

How to Make a Living as a Children's Book Author- Hannah Holt 

What About No Advance Publishing?

How I Stay Grounded: 7 Realities of Traditional Publishing



The Young Adult Market Report (overview of 2023 books)



MFA Programs


Economics of Publishing









Writing IP and Writing-for-Hire


Introduction to Writing IP and Book Packaging
Craft Books on Writing for Children
 

Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded: A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation to Publication, by Ann Whitford Paul (Writer's Digest Books, 2018) 

Writing Irresistable Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult andMiddle Grade Readers, by Mary Kole (Writer's Digest Books, 2012) 
Second Sight: An Editor Talks on Writing, Revising & Publishing Books for Children and Young Adults, by Cheryl B. Klein 

Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies, by Deborah Halverson.  -Although this book is for YA, the information can apply to all genres. Get it. 



Recommended Writing Craft Books
Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott (Anchor Books, 1995). 

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print, by Renni Browne & Dave King (Harper Collins 2004)  

On Writing, by Stephen King (Scribner Book Company, reissue 2020)

Story Engineering: Mastering The 6 Core Competencies of Successful Writing by Larry Brooks (Writers Digest Books 2011)

Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel by Lisa Cron (Clarkson Potter 2016)

Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody (Ten Speed Press 2018)


Books for the Visual Storyteller

Picture This:  How Pictures Work, by Molly Bang (Chronicle Books, 2000). 

 Writing With Pictures:  How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books, by Uri Shulevitz (Watso-Guptill 1997)

 Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels, by Scott McCloud (Harper, 2006).  

Directories of Agents, Publishers, More

The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children: Annual publication from SCBWI available to members with comprehensive listings of agents, publishers, magazines, and information on submissions and publishing.

Book Markets Guide for Children's Writers 2023: market book with info on print and digital publishers 

Free Downloads for Writers: from Writers Digest, includes:
  • How to Impress Literary Agents with Your 30-Second Pitch
  • Characterization: Exploring Character Development in Your Writing
  • Why a Writer Without a Deadline is Looking for Trouble
  • more

Labels: