Independent Publishing – Pros & Cons
Independent Publishing essentially has two definitions. In the commercial publishing world, independent publishers (also called “indies” or “small presses”) are small publishers that publish a limited number of books per year (usually less than 10). Their status may also be determined by an annual sales figure (i.e. less than $50 million, after returns and discounts). Small [...]
Mapping Your Plot
In my “Just Write for Kids” course, we spend quite a bit of time exploring different ways to develop plot. We look at basic three-act storytelling structure: Act 1 – Set-up/Intro to character(s) and problem Act 2 – Problem escalates to crisis or turning point Act 3 – Resolution/Character solves problem and/or learns something, grows [...]
Editing Yourself – Find and Replace
We’ve been talking about editing this month on the Children’s Book Hub. Even though I myself am a freelance children’s book editor as well as an author, I rely heavily on my collaborations with editors – at our publishing house, as well as on a freelance basis. My mother and I are fortunate to work [...]
Something Utterly Inspiring
My daughter attended her annual book fair at school this week. Among the books she wanted me to buy for her was Clarice Bean, That’s Me by Lauren Child. I was happy to do so, since Lauren Child is one of my heros. Best known for creating the hilarious Charlie and Lola in addition to the [...]
Publishers, Distributors, and Wholesalers, Oh My!
I am often asked by my students what the difference is between a publisher and a distributor, or between a distributor, a wholesaler and a fulfillment house. Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some significant differences between them. A publisher is the entity that contracts with an author to publish a manuscript, [...]
Saving the Hero
This month’s issue of “The Writer Magazine” features an interview with children’s author Kathi Appelt, who also teaches writing for children. Kathi says something in the interview that captured my attention and felt worthy of repeating here. When asked what common mistakes she sees in children’s writing, her answer (paraphrased) was this: “…Saving the hero. [...]
Other Ways to Get Published
We’re discussing getting published this month at the Children’s Book Hub, so I’ll be devoting a few posts here to that topic. Here’s a familiar Catch 22: Agents don’t seem interested until you’ve been published, and you can’t seem to get published without an agent. How to break the cycle? Expand your definition of ‘getting [...]
And in the End…
And so we come to the last of my series of posts based on Jane Yolen’s list of “10 Words Every Picture Book Author Must Know.” Resolution… a fitting word to end the series with! Thank you, Jane, for providing us with such thought-provoking bounty (and two months worth of fodder for blog posts!) Resolution [...]
Illustratability
Picture books tells their stories in two ways: 1) via text, and 2) via illustrations (hence the name “picture book.”) Occasionally a story will rely more heavily on art than text, or vice-versa – but more often than not, the balance is equal. Great illustrations do not simply mirror or reflect the story – they [...]
Words, words, words.
Polonius: What do you read, my lord? Hamlet: Words, words, words. – William Shakespeare, “Hamlet,” Act 2, Scene 2 And so we come to #5 in Jane Yolen’s wonderful list of “10 Words Every Picture Book Author Must Know,” which she shared at the SCBWI Winter Conference a few weeks ago: Words. Here are the [...]
