February 26, 2012 12:22 pm
If you want to publish a book for children, the first thing you must do is ask yourself why.
Is your motivation to publish a kid’s book one of the following?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, please read this post. I write this to save you a lot of time and frustration. Because it’s not an easy business. NOT. EASY. AT. ALL.
New writers often believe they can pen one story in an hour or two, never revise it, yet somehow land an agent and a publishing deal—-as if the simple act of writing begets publication.
Hitting one baseball does not mean the Yankees will draft you. Likewise, writing one story does not mean Random House will offer you a contract. Although, keep hitting that ball, make it go higher and farther…learn about fielding and sliding, too…and play seriously for years, and you just might make it.
Everyone believes the first thing they write will be golden and they’ll never receive a single rejection. We are all HOPEFUL. But, everyone is wrong. (Including me!) Trust me, this will NOT happen. It has NOT happened to ANYONE. (Except for Kevin Henkes.)
The motivation to write a children’s book should be:
Notice fame and fortune have nothing to do with it. That’s something a small percentage of authors achieve. (Yes, authors can have dozens of books in print yet they cannot support themselves through writing alone. Moreover, advance checks can take a long time to arrive, and royalties trail about about 6-9 months behind book sales.)
And even if you become a famous author, most people won’t recognize you by sight or name. It will never get you the window table at The Four Seasons on a busy Saturday night. You’re better off making a reservation as “Doctor Lazar”.
It takes most children’s writers years to land their first book deal. And selling one book does not guarantee future book sales. Selling each subsequent book can get MORE difficult, especially if one (or more) of your titles do not sell as well as the publisher expected.
I don’t mean to be discouraging. I want to be REALISTIC. Children’s literature is a BUSINESS. And this business is like any other—it takes hard work, commitment, talent and a little luck, too. If you’re writing a children’s book on a whim, you might end up being very disappointed when you realize how tough it really is.
In short, I’ve made more money and worked fewer hours in EVERY OTHER JOB I’VE EVER HAD.
BUT…
There’s no job I’VE LOVED MORE. (Besides being a mom, of course.)
Just because you’re writing for children doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, it is more difficult to become a published kidlit author than it is to become any other kind of author. (That’s because there’s a tremendous amount of competition. Everyone believes writing for kids is easy because they’re kids. Not so.)
So do it because you LOVE it. You LOVE it like you CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT. Because children don’t deserve anything less than YOUR VERY BEST WORK.
Steps you should take:
Excellent online resources for aspiring children’s authors:
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: KidLit, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Books, Publishing, Uncategorized, Writing for Children, Writing for Teens, YA Fiction
Tags: How to Publish
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very good post!
By jeannie brett on February 26, 2012 at 12:37 pm
“…because I can’t not write!”
Thanks Tara
Mona
By Mona Pease on February 26, 2012 at 12:39 pm
You/ve pretty much written the story of my life…I write for children because I love being around them, reading to them, creating with them, and hopefully one day being able to give them something to inspire them. What a great post, Tara, thanks for sharing!
By Donna Martin on February 26, 2012 at 12:57 pm
I write and play with pictures and colors because… i always have so I probally always will. 😉 But, this year I am really taking it more seriously because I have alot of time on my hands since I am not working outside the home and I have a wonderful husband who wants me to be happy. And if by chance I sell something, great, otherwise hopefully my children will save some of my stuff for the great great children to enjoy!
although having a check or two in my retiring years would sure help feed my crafty habits!!! 😉
By Louise Nottingham on February 26, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Excellent, Tara! Thank you!
By Marcela S. on February 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Thanks, Tara.
Still not discouraged. I guess that’s a good sign! “Mom” doesn’t pay well, either, and that’s the best job I’ve had so far., so I’m well aware that making $$ isn’t necessarily what makes you happy.
Good reminder of all the hard work heading down this road.
By Wendy Greenley on February 26, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Ha ha, you are so right! “Mom” does not pay well but it is the best job ever. Ooops. I should probably revise this post, then! LOL!
By Tara Lazar on February 26, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Great post, Tara!
By Kerry Aradhya on February 26, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Great article, Tara!
By elvamax1 on February 26, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Great article, Tara! This is so true!
By Lynn Alpert (@RedStepchild) on February 26, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Well said, Tara.
By bonnieadamson on February 26, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Brilliant post, Tara.
By Catherine Johnson on February 26, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Excellent post. I have a few ideas for children’s books floating around in my head, but am not sure about the execution, which is why I haven’t put pen to paper yet. I think there’s a market for the stories I’m thinking about, but it’s hard to get started and I know it’s going to be even harder to get my foot in the door.
By Brianna Soloski on February 26, 2012 at 2:10 pm
A splendid post, Tara. You describe both the wonder of writing and the reality of the process of writing and publishing.
By Ellen L. Ramsey on February 26, 2012 at 2:26 pm
What you’ve said is so true. I typed this very long comment, but decided to get off my bandwagon and deleted it. To sum it up briefly, people just don’t understand what it is like to write for children and then try to get it published.
By Janet on February 26, 2012 at 2:48 pm
76 years, 6 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 greats and I am just getting around to second drafts and endings for stories I’ve written through the years. I appreciate what you have written and will add this. The drive to write and draw is a gift in itself. Without it my life would never have felt complete or so wonderfully alive.
By Nea Wiseman on February 26, 2012 at 3:38 pm
So true, Nea. You are a wiseWOman!
By Tara Lazar on February 26, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Thanks for the reality check. People are probably assuming that since they’re writing for a child that it’d take less effort to write a children’s book as it would one for adults, but writing for any audience involves a lot of work and effort.
By Dienna on February 26, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Your first list made me LOL. I was once in a restroom at a writing seminar when I overheard two ladies speaking. The one said to the other, “Oh, I’ll just get an agent. Then I don’t have to worry about all that hard work of finding an editor.” It was so hard not to bust up laughing in my stall. I’ll **just** get an agent, indeed! Maybe submit one or two queries. Then all the hard work is over, right?
By Hannah Holt on February 26, 2012 at 4:08 pm
This is a gem, Tara. I’ll refer all beginning writers to your post.
By Michael Sussman on February 26, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Preach it Tara!
By cravevsworld on February 26, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Yes, Tara…the desire to inspire children is what keeps me going! Thanks for this…
By jarmvee on February 26, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Excellent piece Tara!
A2ZMommy and What’s In Between
By Tracy Bermeo on February 26, 2012 at 9:48 pm
thank you for the words of wisdom and experience!
By kmarie on February 26, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Well said! I didn’t know you could read minds. In it for the long haul because of all previous motivational reasons. I’m sure it will still be fun to see your name in print, although this is not the reason we write.
By Christie Wild on February 26, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Thank you, Tara, for a great post that encourages us to proceed, while at the same time, warns that it is a difficult journey. If you have to write for children, because it is in your emotional DNA, then at some point in your life, you will!
I’ve had a love affair with children’s picture bboks for over 60 years…and am now finally allowing the ideas, that have been percolating in my soul for many years, to bubble over onto the paper. I’ve never had so much fun in my life…but I’m not going to buy that million-dollar mansion just yet. 🙂 🙂
By viviankirkfield on February 27, 2012 at 12:01 am
Excellently said! 🙂
By Susanna Leonard Hill on February 27, 2012 at 7:03 am
This was wonderful & inspiring. Thanks :•)
By Penny Klostermann on February 27, 2012 at 9:51 am
Good post for those who think it’s easy to write for kids and don’t have their heart and soul into writing. You made some really good points.
By Patricia Tilton on February 27, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Amen to that! While it may be a frustrating business on one level, I think it’s also a good thing in the long run, acting as a filter to make sure only the best ever does reach kids’ bookshelves. And in the meantime, thanks for the reminder to cherish the process, not just the product.
By Leslie Gorin on February 28, 2012 at 12:44 pm
You can’t NOT write.
People often ask me how I can possibly write so much. I say the real question is how long it’d take for me to go nuts if I were forced not to write. Writing is my way to stillness and satisfaction, although it’s in different areas than that covered here. Loved this post!
By Deborah the Closet Monster on February 28, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Thanks for the reality check but also for the hope that if we have something to share with children that can inspire and encourage them to dream and to create or to help them learn with joy, it is worth it!
By Véronique on February 28, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Wow, lotta caps.
By Kate Mohler on February 28, 2012 at 11:31 pm
You’re very PERCEPTIVE. LOL!
By Tara Lazar on February 29, 2012 at 8:16 am
Well . . . that’s the best post ever!
sf
By Sarah Frances Hardy on February 29, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Thanks, Tara. These reminders are helpful.
By Lynn A. Davidson on March 2, 2012 at 10:43 pm
[…] How to Become a Children’s Author (on this site) […]
By Have a great children’s picture book idea? Avoid common pitfalls « Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) on October 9, 2012 at 11:08 pm
I just love this post. I was once asked to illustrate a children’s book for someone who said “writing is easy. I had it written in just half an hour”…It was to be a ‘local govt funded project’ and upon reading the text it was OBVIOUS it took her half an hour to write. I felt insulted by her lack of respect for hard work – she was even shocked when I said I wouldn’t be able to do the illustrations in two weeks. Needless to say I politely declined to be involved in this project! Great tips and direction for those of us who are not afraid to put in hard work…..thank you! Cheers Nicky Johnston
By myhappyhero on October 14, 2012 at 6:18 am
Wonderful and helpful post. I am such a beginner and am not educated in this field, but I have the heart, time and a huge brain bursting with wonderful stories to tell the world. I know that it will take some time, but my ideas and my love of kids and story telling will make it all worth while. Robert Munch was the king of story books in our home as my son was growing up. He is seventeen now and always will remember I love you Forever and how I read the book and sang the words to him every night. I would love to fill those shoes and have that effect on someone one day. Thankn you for your insight and wish me luck! 🙂
By Michelle Mahovlich on June 18, 2013 at 1:04 pm
Good luck, Michelle. It can be a long road, so just keep traveling along the path…you’ll get there eventually!
By Tara Lazar on June 20, 2013 at 9:22 am
i was raised on books. my kids are being raised on books. every night my kids and i congregate for ‘book party’. my now 7 year old son loves books so much that at the age of 4 he begged me to teach him to read. my 2 year old daughter loves books so much that when she found a ripped book at a doctor’s office she had the receptionist give her tape so she could fix it.they revere librarians. my newborn is just getting started and i’m so excited to introduce her to our favourite picture books. one day i will write books for my small people to love. so thank you for this post.
By kidbrain on September 9, 2013 at 1:36 am
Tara… you are so wise !
you have understood it all ! 🙂
By nicole snitselaar on October 27, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Hope everyone has this one one their desktop, by their computer, in their car…
By Linda on November 11, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Straight to the heart of things article…and painful. Gotta love this wonderful world of writing and illustrating for children.
By Stella Jane Stauffer on November 12, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Reblogged this on Nobody Doesn't Like Sarah Lea.
By sarahlearichards on June 9, 2015 at 2:50 am
Realistic and very helpful. Thanks for the sharing the best reasons for becoming a children’s writer. .
By Susan on June 19, 2017 at 5:28 pm
My name is Dee, I really want to write children’s books.I didn’t. realize. It was so hard.I have always liked writing. I love kids so much I have a big imagination.I am ready to give it a try not for the money I just want to give it my best shot.
By Gloria on January 30, 2018 at 12:54 am