How do I find the right publisher for a children's story I've written ??

Question

I've never done this before but I've written a children's story which I think is unique. ( I know, I know, every aspiring author thinks that) anyway, how can I narrow down my search to the publishers that would be the most likely to show interest?
Breifly, the story is about a single mother who takes up surfing. It has it's roots in a real life individual I know and I've adapted her story to a children's-style storytelling. (at least I think I have).

Answer 1

Hi:

I'm a published author of 3 novels (Whale Song out in April 2007).

To find the right publisher, first you need to narrow your market and your target audience. Is this a children's book? A picture book? Look at the vocabulary used. What ages? I suspect that since the Mom is a single mom/surfer, the language may possibly fall into the young adult catgory, which could be for 12+.

You need to know your target audience, before you can select the publishers to send to. Then, using the internet, conduct a search on publishers for your target. Or you can buy the current Writer's Market. There is a section on juvenile and teens/YA.

Before you send a query, make sure you know how to write one. There is more to getting a publisher interested than sending a manuscript. Most writers will never get to that stage. Also, make sure your book has seen at least 2 pair of discerning eyes; that is, make sure you have it edited by 2 people who know what they're doing.

There are no shortcuts in this business, and it is a business. Make sure you know the craft well--do you know about POVs, tags, beats, tenses, pacing? If not, learn before you submit anything.

Too many people have a "great idea", yet know nothing about writing and can't write. I'm not saying this to be discouraging. The opposite, in fact. You can always learn if you have the talent, but it does take time.

Once you have a well edited manuscript, properly formatted, and a superb query letter written and edited, you are ready to start sending out.

Then you submit to every publisher that accepts mulitple submissions and solicited material. If you do not know what unsolicited material or multiple submissions means, you have more to learn before you are ready. :)

You have two choices: submit to traditional publishers or POD/self-publishers. I suggest the first as always best. Keep the latter as a backup after you have collected numerous rejection letters. Be prepared for those. I looked at each letter as a ladder rung--one step closer to my goal. And after I receive one, I yel "NEXT!" And send out another query.

It is a long, grueling process, but depending on whether you're a talented writer and are dedicated to the craft and your goal, you will succeed...if you want it bad enough!

Make sure your story is ready for that publisher. You have one chance to make an impression. One. Don't blow it by being in a hurry. Have your work critiqued by other authors. Take courses, read books on writing, especially query letters and synopsis writing.

How do you find the "right publisher"? If you do this right, they will find you! By that I mean that when you do all of the above and send out a well edited manuscript to the publishers looking for your kind of book, they will find you. Or you will decide to self-publish. :)

Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, Divine Intervention and The River
http://www.kunati.com/catalog_Whale_song
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Answer 2

In most bookstore you can purchase the 2006 Writer's Market book, it has all the listings of publishers and the styles they're looking for. Good luck. I wish you the best.

Answer 3

optimistic you could in case you pick for to, yet make it somebody you're optimistic is going to do a good job. some writers have what's referred to as Beta Readers too - people who in simple terms examine the story and voice critiques approximately it. I worked at a printing business employer for 8 years as an asst production supervisor - I did lots of proofreading and that i nonetheless omit errors in my manuscripts. additionally there's a difference between proofreading and enhancing. A proofreader will examine spelling - this is approximately it. An editor will maximum concepts-blowing grammar and make strategies for variations. one factor editors factor out consistently is once you utilize an analogous word repeatedly. they'll make strategies for different words to combine it up and not sound repetetive. yet for a splash ones' e book, a proofreader ought to be adequate. examine during the Resolved Questions right here for a wealth of advice approximately publishing. Publishing toddlers' books is an extremely difficult street. Pax - C.

Answer 4

I use Writers & Artists Yearbook, it is full of addreses of UK / US literary agents, as well as a few international literary agencies,

you can also see their listings at,
http://www.writersservices.com/agent/chilrens_literary_agents.htm

This link will show you some of the children's literary agents in the UK. For US literary agents in general, try this link below,

http://www.writersservices.com/agent/us/agent_us.htm

Also, you could browse for writers with the same type of story as yours and try to find out who their agents are (through any search engine)

Good luck!

Answer 5

Good question