If I had an idea for a Children's book? Could I SELL the idea to an author who can write?

Answer 1

No decent author needs more ideas. Every schmo thinks he has great story ideas. The hard part is writing it.

Answer 2

It is possible, and children's book authors have a lot more integrity than these people give them credit. In the children's book field, it's a very nurturing and supportive environment.

However, you would be hard pressed insofar as children's book authors don't get paid much, so you would be splitting a small amount of money OR, if you're asking for them to buy your idea outright, you will probably have a hard time finding someone willing to pay money outright as opposed to collaborate.

And to whomever said that writing a children's book is not that hard, think again. This is a common misconception. As Mem Fox said, "writing a children's book is like trying to write 'War and Peace' in haiku". You have to be equally (if not more) dynamic with characters/language/plot as in a novel, and yet have do it in less than 850 words.

However, you might have the best success if you try it yourself. If it doesn't come out, approach friends or writers you find about a collaboration and joint contract, should the story ever get anywhere.

Ways to help you get started:

I recommend signing up for writing classes at local colleges- ESPECIALLY classes specifically geared toward writing for children as writing for the young'uns is a very different beast to writing for adults.

Join SCBWI- it's enormously helpful and has many resources that would be helpful for you (networking, workshops, prompts, etc)

Buy books on the subject such as The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Children's Books.

Answer 3

It may seem hard to write a book but I am here to tell you that it is not hard. The hard part is after the book is published. Marketing must be handled by the author as publishers do not have the time and resources to do so. You do not need an agent to get published in today's environment. I am a published author and I did not have an agent.

My book is titled Integrity: Do You Have It? 2nd edition. Having an idea for a children's book is great. The problem with other authors taking your idea and putting it on paper is they it may not result in what you had envisioned.

There are many avenues to getting published today but you must be careful in who you choose to published any of your writing. I am happy with my current publisher and intend to stay with them in the future.

I have no experience with children's books but I would be willing to help you get started in your writing. I learned much about the publishing industry in getting my book published.

I have a web site with many resources for other authors/writers that would be of benefit to you and any author who has an idea and the urge to write. My web site is www.myquaitywriting.com. I also have a free download on my publishing journey which offers some information and ideas in getting published and marketing opportunities.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Absolutely! There's no law against that. However, most writers have too many of their own ideas to want to write about someone else's and even so, good luck getting anyone to sign a contract saying they won't use your idea for a book and settling on a fair price before they've actually heard the idea. Not quite sure how that would work. If you already have a relationship with the writer, that's one way it might work though.

Best to you!

Answer 5

legally, yes. But I doubt you really could. I've heard a few successful authors talk about people who offer to sell them ideas for books, and both said they weren't interested - they had far more ideas for potential books than they had the time to write already.

Answer 6

Children's books are notoriously hard to sell. Forget getting it published, first you have to find an agent willing to represent you, and that is a harder challenge than actually writing/illustrating the book.
However, if you have an interesting idea and an agent, get in touch with me, and maybe we can work something out. :)

Answer 7

Technically, i don't think you could. He/She would probably just screw you over and take the idea as their own. Children's books aren't really that hard to right, try writing it yourself, copyright it, and then show it to a real aouthor for review. Then he/she can't take your idea.