Writing a Children’s Book

Are you interested in writing a children’s book that you one day hope will be published?  If you are and if you have yet to start writing, there are a number of important points that you want to take into consideration first.  These important points, a few of which are outlined below, may help to improve your chances of getting your next children’s book published.

It is important to remember that the genre of children’s books covers a wide range of books.  When many individuals think of children’s books, picture books for toddlers and early reading books for preschoolers often come to mind.  Yes, these two groups are major parts of the children’s genre, but there is so much more.  Typically speaking, publishers categorize children’s books by picture books, early readers, transition books, chapter books, and young adult books.  Decide what type of children’s book you would like to write. This will prevent you from falling in between two different categories.

Next, it is important to know what children’s book publishers want.  Not knowing what publishers want or expect from authors is a common mistake made.  After a close examination, you will find that it often varies depending on the publisher.  Many publishers state which categories of children’s books they publish, such as picture books or young adult books.  This is important information to know as you will not see success by sending a young adult book manuscript to a publisher that is only looking for picture books.

In keeping with what children’s book publishers want, it is also important to know what they are searching for in terms of themes.  For example, a specific children’s book publisher may be seeking stories that are educational in nature or those that focus on a specific religion.  Many well-known publishers are trying to stay away from talking animals for the most part.  It doesn’t mean that you can’t take this approach, but you need to be careful and realistic when you do.  The Writer’s Market book for the children’s genre outlines this information wherever possible.  The same information may also be found online.

Another note that many children’s book publishers make to hopeful authors to not outright preach or focus too much on morals in a children’s book.  Of course, parents want to purchase children’s books that their kids can learn from, but you don’t want to be too pushy.  If you must outright state a theme or good deed, such as being nice to other kids, show it through action and dialog in the book, but don’t outright state so until the end.  

Should you wish to write chapter books or books for young adults, you will want to open your book with an amazing beginning.  Many professional writers and publishers recommend opening with action and adventure, as opposed to first just introducing the characters.  This is because most publishers know that some children are hard to please with books.  The attention of all readers and publishers needs to be captured right away.

The above mentioned tips are just a few of the many that can help to increase your chances of getting a children’s book published.  Any writer who hopes to be published needs to know the importance of research.  Your chances of seeing your book published increase when you know what is popular with the market today, as well as what publishers want.
