Just Write For Kids

I have terrific news! But first – let me ask you a question: *Have you ever dreamed of writing a children’s book? *Do you have an idea for a story but don’t know where to start? *Have you written a book, but don’t know what the next step should be? *Would you like to join the multi-million dollar children’s book industry, but have no idea how? Perhaps you know me as the author of many best-selling children’s books written in partnership with my mother, Julie Andrews. I’m also a writing teacher, Director of the Southampton Children’s Literature Conference, and a freelance editor - as well as being ...

Poetry Can Change the World – Or At Least, How We View the World

Julie Andrews Collection of Poems, Songs & Lullabies My mother and I have always believed that poems, songs, and lullabies have the power to transform into family treasures. Poetry, in particular, is the perfect shared family experience - as a "read-aloud" it can be one of the best ways to introduce young people to the joys of reading. Great poems make children want to read - they give us a vision of beauty and joy in the world, and an awareness of the richness and power of language. We are therefore very excited about our most recent collaboration, a ...

FREE Jumpstart Guide

This guide was written by Emma Walton Hamilton, bestselling author of numerous books including "Raising Bookworms: Get Your Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment". Emma is passionate about helping parents raise children who love to read and her strategies have been proven to work over and over again. Here's what you'll discover inside the FREE Jumpstart Reading Guide... 1. WHY is it so important that we raise our kids to be readers? 2. Emma’s 25 Reasons To Read Checklist 3. 5 Key Strategies to Get Your Kids Reading 4. Tips and Resources for Reading with Babies, Toddlers, & Elementary Aged Kids 5. Tips and ...

Raising Bookworms

“How can I get my child to turn off the Gameboy (TV, computer etc.) and pick up a book?!” This is the question that Emma Walton Hamilton, the best-selling children’s book author, educator, and Editorial Director of the Julie Andrews Collection publishing imprint, hears the most often. Whether on a book tour with her mother and co-author, the legendary actress Julie Andrews, at speaking engagements in schools, libraries and other public arenas, or in casual conversation, this question surfaces again and again, with increasing urgency, from parents, grandparents, educators, librarians and caregivers across the country. In fact, eighty-two percent of parents wish ...

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The 6 Common Mistakes Made by Aspiring Children’s Book Authors

In my freelance editing practice, I read as many as 100 children’s book manuscripts a year – sometimes more. Over and over again, I see aspiring authors making the same basic mistakes. This was one of the main reasons...

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Just Write For Kids

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Marketing Mondays #9: Re-Purposing

Question: How can you turn one book into multiple sources of income, and continue to promote the original book at the same time? Answer: Re-purpose it! Re-purposing means converting the content from your book(s) into as many...

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Marketing Mondays #8: Agents and Publishers

Two of the most frequently asked questions I hear from aspiring authors are: “Do I really need an agent?” and “How do I get one?” The answer to the first question is: Ideally, yes. Agents handle everything...

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Marketing Mondays #7: Cover and Query Letters

Whether you are submitting to an agent or a publisher, you must include a cover letter and an up-to-date bio with your manuscript. Keep in mind the following: - Be brief and respectful of the agent or editor’s time and expertise....

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Marketing Mondays, #6: Submissions 101

So, you’ve written a children’s book and you’re ready to submit it to an agent and/or a publisher. The following are the industry standards for manuscript submission, regardless of whether the manuscript...

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