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My 12 year old daughter wants to start writing books and wants them published. She has one written already. Do you think people will take her seriously?

2007-09-28 15:31:16 · 11 answers · asked by i know what im talking about :P 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting Parenting

11 answers

Hi,
If your daughter really wants this to happen for her. Go her! However she shouldnt go around telling people her book will be published because you have to wait and see. If you think her books are good then send them in to a company and if they say no send it into a different one. You should tell your daughter that being an author is hard and she wont get what she wants right away. Good luck

2007-09-28 15:40:50 · answer #1 · answered by Lulu 2 · 0 0

Cassy,

This is fabulous! Wow. So many people want to write books, and so few people (adults, even!) manage to finish. This is a huge achievement. Give your wonderful daughter all the support you can.

Realistically ... the path to publication is long & the odds are against it, even for adult authors. Go ahead and read up on how to pursue publication (in Writer's Market and other books & annuals), but Iyour best move might be to encourage your girl to focus on goals other than publication. In particular, keep your eyes open for local writing contests. Our local Barnes & Noble recently sponsored a fantasy-themed contest for young writers, with some nifty prizes. Your library might be open to the idea of starting a young writers' group, where she could find some writing pals.

Having said that, "New Moon" is a national magazine that mostly accepts stories written by girls. Hopscotch & Boys Quest are bimonthly magazines that accept short stories & have a themed approach (see their websites for details).

Can you support her by helping her set up a great "office space," letting her buy nice journals if she likes to write that way, give her $ for buying binders or folders for a filing system for her works-in-progress, etc.?

She might also enjoy reading about Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. This young writer really beat the odds: she published her first novel at 14, and it was quite popular.

2007-09-28 23:04:19 · answer #2 · answered by silvercanoe 5 · 1 0

It isn't a matter of whether they take her seriously. They don't even have to know that she is 12. Don't discourage her, but do you know how many people write stories vs. how many are published? Many famous authors, too, will tell you that it took the submission of several manuscripts before one caught a publishers eye. There are rules for writing stories too. For instance, if you are writing a story about a native american tribe, everything in the story must be plausible, even if it's fiction. Say you have something about them hunting bear in the story......well if they wouldn't hunt bear, you'll get your manuscript back with that critism. Seriously! I know because my mother tried to get published for years.

My advice is to get her into a local writers' group. They're usually at libraries. She'll get constructive critism and be able to give it to others as well. She will learn the "rules". It will really help her hone her craft hearing other's non-biased comments.

2007-09-28 22:55:50 · answer #3 · answered by mel1026 3 · 0 0

At 12 most publishers probably wouldn't consider her work, even if it is really good stuff, but there are plenty of magazines that might. Look at your local bookstore for age appropriate magazines for her stories and in the front there is contact information for submissions. Also look for on line contests. after she has been published in periodicals, book publishers will be more likely to take her seriously.

2007-09-28 23:21:43 · answer #4 · answered by Teacher & Mom 2 · 0 0

Only extremely lucky kid writers are taken seriously. There was a writeup in the Sunday papers about a young girl whose cartoon books were being taken seriously by other cartoonists. But when you read the article it turns out that her father is the publisher and those fans were really kiss-ups trying to stay on his good side.

I know someone who self-published a book and sold it through her web site. After a year Amazon picked it up, reprinted it, and is now distributing her second one also. That is pricey but possible.

Otherwise she just has to keep plugging. But it is going to be tough.

2007-09-28 22:43:31 · answer #5 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0 0

yes, i think that the will take her seriously, but ask yourself,
1.) Is the book good?
2.) Is she mature enough.

Remember that this is a big commitment to make and that once you start her fans may want more. It could take away from her school life. Find a publisher that accepts children's stories and when you meet with him/her make sure you daughter is dressed apropliatly. (long skirt and a polo). Good luck on her book and I hope that they do. Remember, she just needs to be serious and act professional. GOOD LUCK!!! : ) : ) : )

2007-09-28 22:40:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Well, is the book good? If so then yes they will, many writers started very young... (I'd list them but I cant, I just know my sister talks bout how young lots of them were when their first novel was published)
If she isnt the greatest writer, you should enrole her in writing classes so she can improve and then in the future publish books...

2007-09-29 06:27:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Why not, just warn her it's not always easy and as you submit her stories or books to publishers that there will be rejections but to persevere never give up. I Think it's just great that she wants to do this encourage her all you can. A great learning experience for you both.

2007-09-28 23:39:27 · answer #8 · answered by MaY 5 · 0 0

Sorry to say most likely not considering she is a minor and it depends if the publisher is reliable enough to even read it .
You can try but I don;t see much of it just a phase in her life lol

2007-09-28 22:41:50 · answer #9 · answered by SorrySara 2 · 0 0

If you think the book is good, not just because she is your daughter, but because it is really good, give it a shot!

2007-09-28 22:35:46 · answer #10 · answered by Bryson's Mommy 2 · 0 0

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