How do I go about getting a children's book I'm writing published?

Answer 1

You have chosen the most difficult thing in the publishing business - getting a children's book published.

Let me describe for you the current nature of the children's book market.

40% of children's books published today are by celebs like Madonna, Jamie Lee Curtis etc.

40% are written by existing, established children's authors like Eric Carle.

15-20% are reprints of children's classics like Curious George.

That leaves at best 5% for new authors.

And that percentage is being cut into by adult authors like Carl Hiaasen and Mary Higgins Clark entering the childrens' market recently.

To that, add the fact that most of the large publishing companies are backlogged with children's books they have under contract but havent gotten out yet.

As a result, most A list publishers arent even reading childrens' books right now, which means agents arent either. Agents only read what they can sell.

There is very little room to break into the children's market. Only books that are extremely exceptional and have huge appeal stand a chance. Forget any holiday related books - the selling season is too short to make money.

Take a walk through any major childrens' book department and you will confirm what I am telling you. Getting a childrens' book done is almost impossible - and getting an advance for it is virtually out of the question.

That is the nature of the beast. You might get a copy of Writers Market and search for some small publishers who are reading childrens' books, but searching through the agents section, you will see that almost NO agents are reading childrens' books. Try for some small publishers that read without going through an agent. Expect a lot of rejection. Develop a really thick skin and learn to advocate for yourself.

As for self publishing it - it will get you nowhere. Self published books dont make it to bookstores. Childrens' books are impulse buys. What is out on the tables for kids to see is what sells. Kids dont shop at websites for things like books. They have to hold them in their hand and nag Mom to buy it. Pax - C

Answer 2

First you have to write it, and edit it to the best of your ability. No reputable publisher or agent will look at unfinished work from an unproven author. It is HARD work writing a book, so unless you are very famous you need to sit down and write. Publishing comes later.

There are two types of publishing, traditional and self-publishing. If you choose to go with self-pubbing, I would recommend http://www.lulu.com as a great site. They don't pretend to be anything they are not, and have excellent service. All the decisions will be in your hands. However, going with a company like this is a difficult road and it is not considered a publishing credential if you look to go traditional down the road. Almost no one sells copies of their self-published books to anyone besides family, and the quality is often terrible. Here is some other information about the downside of self-publishers (also known as vanity presses):
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/vanitypublishers.html

As far as novels go, different publishers specialize in different things, and fiction is a broad world. You have to try and sell your material to companies that produce similar works (ie, don't try and sell a fantasy novel to a romance publisher). So do your homework. Take a look at the most recent "Writer's Market"... or even better, try the "Guide to Literary Agents".

I absolutely suggest getting an agent instead of approaching publishers directly. I'm assuming you are not a contract attorney, so you will need someone to look over any offers and to guide you through the publishing world.

No publisher or agent should charge you any money up front! That is the sign of a scam! They make money by selling your book. Agents work on a commission (generally 15% of the amount of money the publishers pay you).

Make sure that you follow their exact submission specifications. You can't send them your book, but you should be sending them a query letter (Nicholas Sparks has a good example on his website). Don't copyright your book first, it looks amatuer and would cause them trouble down the line when you do the revisions they ask for.

New writers will never have all the publicity taken care of. Publishers will do some, but you will have to have a web presence and do book signings, among other things. No one is going to push your book if you don't push it yourself!

Here are some websites that can help. Read them thoroughly and research, research, research! Pay special attention to Miss Snark, because her archives can answer any question you ever have about publishing:
http://www.nicholassparks.com/WritersCorner/Index.html
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/
http://www.agentquery.com
http://www.misssnark.blogspot.com

And be warned of the people on this list:
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/twentyworst.html

Good luck!

Answer 3

First I would like to say that you should not be discouraged about getting your book published. Today there is a wealth of opportunities for any new author to get published. Speaking from personal experience I never used an agent or went with a traditional publisher to get my current book published.

Choosing a publisher to can be a time consuming task as you must be careful about who you choose. There are some that will take your money and do not deliver what they promise. I currently have a free download on my web site www.myqualitywriting.com on my publishing journey. In it I offer some guidelines on choosing a publisher and reviewing the details of their publishing contract. It also offers some suggestions for marketing opportunities in addition to my site.

Getting a book published is only half the process. You are responsible to a large extent to market your book and create an interest in it. Even with traditional publishers their resources are limited. The author is primarily responsible for the success of their book (s) regardless of the type of publisher you choose.

I have chosen the self-publishing route and I feel personally that this method offers me control over the contents unlike with some other publishers. My book is different and unique in the approach I have taken with my subject (integrity). You must promote the differences your book adds to the community of children's books currently on the market. I do not know the content of your book but you can succeed if you devote time to marketing it. Some marketing incentives do cost some money but there are a ton of free opportunities to market your book and it does not cost you anything but time. You are only limited by the desire and time you commit to making your book a success.

I would also check out some writers forums such as www.writersweekly.com. The forum is free to join and you can ask other authors for input on your questions you have about getting published. There is a wealth of experience and information through the writers who participate on this forum. I have asked questions and received valuable information. Even if I do not ask questions others have asked questions that I had not thought of and I learn from them.

I wish you luck.

Answer 4

hello, i went online and put in publishers.com and it led me to a massive amount of publishers. some good, some bad...but most followed the same patterns,either the company charges hundreds if not thousands of dollars to work on your book, or there are the other kind who charge nothing. those publishers charge nothing because they keep 80% of YOUR royalties. i have done my homework on this matter and have been writing for 3 years now, working on childrens books. any other questions feel free to ask.

Answer 5

Depends whether you want to pay for the publishing. If you log onto Blurb.com you'll get an idea. Good Luck!

Answer 6

...still, you should try some of the smaller, boutique publishers.

If you have truely exceptional idea, you will find a market for it.