It’s a tough market these days in an even tougher economy. Plus, there are options now available to writers, and opinions abound about which publishing path we as children’s writers should pursue on our personal publishing journey. Which direction will you take?
I have a pet elephant. It all started out with a dream. I’ve always wanted a pet elephant. I dreamed about the days I could take my grandkids for a ride! I looked forward to taking the neighborhood kids for a ramble down the street on its back. I imagined summer days with water squirting, … More Elephants and Writing for Kids
Whether you’ve been in the publishing industry for years or are just starting out as a newbie, you’ve probably already realized that titles are important. Choosing a great book title catches an editor’s eye. A book title with pizzazz grabs the attention of social media. Choosing a book’s winning title can make the difference in … More TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING A TITLE
Are you hurrying and scurrying to get your last-minute shopping done? Is your writing set aside in the hustle and bustle of the season? Are you still looking for presents for your spouse…kids…grandkids…parents…friends…and writer friends, too? This year, don’t forget to wrap some holiday cheer for yourself as a writer, too! Even if these won’t … More Tips for 5 Best Gifts to Give Yourself as a Writer
More and more traditional publishers as well as agents request a market analysis as part of your proposal to write a book or when you’re submitting a manuscript that’s already written. So with Thanksgiving coming around this time of year, put on your chef’s hat and join in the fun! Assemble these tasty ingredients as … More Hot Tips on Writing a Market Analysis for Your Book Proposal
There’s no way around it. Writing a children’s novel takes time. I know writer friends and writing challenges that boast they can whip out a picture book in one day. Not so with a children’s novel. The setting of the story. The plot. The characters. The shortest time frame most people can claim for writing … More Amazing Hack for Writing the Setting of a Story
It’s to your advantage to become a contributing writer to a high-profile children’s magazine. Why get a magazine job? It provides steady work and a fairly reliable stream of income. Your resume will sparkle with numerous big-time credits. Plus, magazines reach tens of thousands of kids each issue, or even more for the really big … More How Do I Get a Magazine Job?
Can anyone be a published author? The short answer: YES!!!! I’m a published author and I started out knowing nothing about this career. Zip. Nada.
Good news! A couple years ago I was offered a new book contract. More news—I was required to find and acquire the photographs. Bad news? I used to think so. But with over 100 published books under my belt for publishers big and small, I had faced this challenge before. At first it felt confusing. … More How Do I Find Free Images for My Manuscript? by Nancy I. Sanders
As children’s writers, we all know the importance of choosing the right word to use. Shakespeare has a famous quote “What’s in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” That philosophy might work in Romeo and Juliet’s situation but not for ours. In a nonfiction book … More THE WORDS WE CHOOSE TO USE