What are some great tips for coming up with children's stories?

Answer 1

Before you get too heavily into the idea of kids books, let me tell you the current state of the children's book market.

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

I just finished ghostwriting two children's books for a very major sports figure - already sold to a very major NY publisher. The first is with artist now and due out in Spring. I am currently working on another one with others to follow. This information was given to me by a Senior Editor at the publisher I write for ...

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 aren't 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 anymore. Unless you fall into one of those categories above.

I am fortunate to have the backing of a very major sports star to get me in the door with kids books. I write adult novels, but believe me I have tried with kids books before and failed for exactly the reasons I list here. Ghostwriting has gotten me in through the back door, and now I will be able to sell some of the children's books that have my name on them. For now, someone else's name is on the cover. Someone whose name sells books - big time. Don't ask me how you can get a ghostwriting deal for a major sports star ... I really backed into this. It was a gift from Heaven really and it is a blast working with this person too!!! My mantle is now covered with sports memorabilia worth a fortune!! Presents.

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.

Always remember that before you send anything to anyone, check them out. Preditors and Editors, Absolute Write Water Cooler's Bewares and Background Checks, Writers Weekly.com and Writers Wall are all great sources and totally free - although if they help you, it is nice to contribute a donation. Someone has to pay for running the sites. If you do not see information on the publisher or agent in question, write to Dave K at Preditors and Editors, Victoria Strauss or James Macdonald at Absolute Write or Angela Hoy at Writers Weekly. They are happy to pass along any info they have to help you.

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 don't shop at websites for things like books. They have to hold them in their hand and nag Mom to buy it. The only way to achieve that is through a good traditional publisher. Good luck. Pax - C

Answer 2

Persiphone has pretty much got it covered!


I took a short Summer course in writing children's fiction ~ tutored by a published author.

This covered everything from picture books to teen fiction.

I was one of the people asked to take in a selection of books covering these age-groups, as I have such a large collection.

We first all had to come up with an idea for a small childs story. This was the MOST difficult part of the entire course. Every thing people thought of is already out there in one form or another.



Just to add to Persiphone's comments:

If you are thinking of picture books, and you were to find a publisher, remember this ~

the author is only paid about 20% - 30%.
70% - 80% goes to the illustrator, as they put the most effort into the book.

So it may be a good idea to illustrate your own, like Debi Gliori or Aileen Paterson.



It is posible to set up your own publishing company {NOT the same as 'Vanity' publishing} - I met a gentleman who did this for his trilogy of young adult novels.

It cost him about £8,000 to do so.

He then had to pursuede independant book shops to stock his books. I met him when he was in one local to him, trying to premote them.

Three years later, I saw them on the shelves at WHSmith!

It also worked for GP Taylor, who pursueded a shop to but them on the shelf next to books published by Faber. When the Faber rep next came in, he liked the look of them and they took up the contract.



The best 'tips' I can give you are these:

Read some books in the genre and age group you are thinking of writing for.
Look at what is popular ~ but try to be different!
Ask children what they would like to read stories about.


I know the 'Myth & Magic' genre has taken off since Harry Potter, but there is also a recent resurgence in Historical fiction, such as:

Tamora Pierce
Teresa Tomlinson
Maggie Prince
Philip Pullman - Sally Lockhart series

Most of these are aimed at girls, I'm not sure what's out there for boys at the moment.