Questions tagged [children]
This tag should be used for questions about writing intended for readers 0-7 years old. For readers between 12 and 18 years old use [young-adult]. For readers ages 8-12 use [middle-grade]. For questions about characters, use [child-characters]. For questions about children or teens who are writers, use [young-author].
64 questions
52
votes
10
answers
9k
views
My kid's first story
So, my 11-year son has just written his first literature work yesterday: A short fantasy story about werewolves in a forest chased by a group of courageous men. Half-full of mistakes of all kinds, ...
- 621
29
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Where can I find resources for bedtime story plots?
For past ten months, my wife and I have been telling bedtime stories of our own making to our older daughter (who recently turned 4). We do it on alternate evenings. The stories have a nearly-constant ...
- 371
23
votes
6
answers
8k
views
Can someone publish a story that happened to you?
Can someone take a story that happened to you, without your knowledge, and publish it? Using your name and specifics, and take the copyright for it?
A person, whose mother lived in our small town, ...
- 231
16
votes
11
answers
6k
views
What is the effect on the young reader when there is no "Happy Ending" in a story for children?
It is a common practice for a story for children to have a happy ending. Would it be considered inappropriate and disappointing for the young reader if his hero/heroine will suffer a horrible tragedy ...
- 1,422
15
votes
6
answers
992
views
Is it better to avoid names with a difficult pronunciation in Middle Grade fiction?
Many languages are written using Latin letters, but often these seemingly familiar letters aren't pronounced in the way that we are used to.
For example, an English speaker might read the name ...
user29032
14
votes
4
answers
6k
views
A children's book that takes 25 minutes to read out loud - is it too long?
I've written a 3rd grade level (8-9 years old) children's book that takes about 25 minutes to read out loud. I read it to a 3rd grade class, with a few posters for illustrations, and it actually ...
- 281
10
votes
5
answers
195
views
Making science for toddlers easy to remember
I have been intending to create a book for toddlers with basic scientific notions in it. Most books for this target readership that I have seen present whatever content in the form of a story, quite ...
- 10.6k
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What's a normal word count for a children's novel or collection?
How many words are normal for a children's novel?
Say 5th - 8th grade, if that's the best way to measure it.
- 1,353
10
votes
1
answer
473
views
How to convey a concept without illustrations when submitting?
Everything I have read or been told, and every guideline I have seen regarding submitting a picture book manuscript to a publisher has indicated that illustrations should not be included in the ...
- 203
9
votes
1
answer
4k
views
First-time meeting with publisher & editors (What to expect)
My fiancée is a first-time children's book author. What should she expect from her first meeting with the publisher and editors? Any advice?
They've already seen some samples of her unpublished ...
- 191
8
votes
5
answers
8k
views
Sending manuscript to multiple publishers
As an addendum to this question, I have written a children's picturebook, and as I understand it, the process of sending off a manuscript and getting it reviewed is expected to take 3-6 months (I am ...
- 317
8
votes
2
answers
924
views
What are some clear differences in theme/story between children's, middle grade, and young adult fantasy?
At the moment I'm trying to write a fantasy novel, and I think it's leaning more towards middle grade rather than children's or young adult fantasy, but I'd like to know if there are any particular ...
- 985
8
votes
1
answer
487
views
Illustrations for a children's book to be republished
I illustrated a book 20 years ago. No royalties: one-time use. Did not sign a contract for copyright. It is considered an orphan. Now the author wants a new publisher to print the same illustrations. ...
- 81
8
votes
3
answers
679
views
How to tell or retell basic character and setting information in a series?
I am writing a short children's novel and I want to expand this into a series made of several short novels. I intend to write the whole series at once so that the internal universe is consistent and ...
- 393
7
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Using footnotes in fiction: children's book which can be enjoyed by adults
I would like to write a children's story which is appealing to both children and adults. However, the world in which the story takes place requires the use of higher vocabulary and slang (it is a real ...
- 719
6
votes
2
answers
391
views
Publishing a Children's Picture book -- Question about an App and a Printed version
I've written and had illustrated a children's picture book.
I'm thinking of making this into an App for download from the Apple Apps store.
I'm also considering looking for a publisher to publish a ...
- 233
5
votes
6
answers
1k
views
How can I write a tragedy for children?
In direction of one of the most famous stories of Hans Christian Andersen "The Little Match Girl", I want to write a tragedy for children; a story dealing with children who are suffering and who may ...
user6242
5
votes
3
answers
168
views
(Self-)publishing a book using copyrighted material - adaptation for younger readers
I have written and drawn a children's book. It's an adaptation of the Hobbit condensed into 32 pages aimed at 4-8 year olds (can be read to and read by children). I had the book printed for private ...
- 153
5
votes
3
answers
177
views
YA Literature - Violence
I'm working on a trilogy of YA novels that revolve around a group of teenagers (aged 15, though in the made-up world, 16 is adulthood) who set off to rescue someone who has been kidnapped.
When they ...
- 53
5
votes
1
answer
758
views
Mixing prose with character dialogue rhymes - childrens book
I've written my first children's picture book manuscript and it uses a mix of prose for the narration and rhyme for the character's dialogue. It feels to me like it gives more colour and life to the ...
- 153
5
votes
1
answer
378
views
Copyrighting illustrations I paid to have created
I wrote my first children's book. I hired an illustrator and paid for them to illustrate my book so I can self-publish and create the book for my son. I drew out each of the 8 spreads how I wanted ...
- 51
5
votes
3
answers
324
views
Books for children: complexity
I am wondering how complex the story can be so that small children can understand it (younger than eight). Are there any rules of thumb of how many characters can be introduced before the child looses ...
- 289
5
votes
2
answers
306
views
What do I need to know about publishing a book which I have illustrated, not written?
I recently went to the market to buy books for my 2 year old kid and found many expensive books printed on expensive paper had poor drawings.
I realized that I can draw far better. I have decided ...
- 186
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Standard split between author and illustrator of children's book
I know that every case can be different, but it seems like there should be a standard split between the author and the illustrator of a children's book. Does anyone know?
- 570
4
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Is it acceptable practice to use contractions in a fictional first person narrative for children?
I am writing a children's story in first person, present tense. Aside from the quotes from characters, all of the text is meant to represent the narrator's own thoughts, and either describes what they ...
- 393
4
votes
2
answers
129
views
Why is the construct "'hello' says Pete" most common?
I am asking this from the point of a reader not a writer and just wondering why, so sorry if this is a bad place.
I read loads of books to my kids and the construct always seems to go:
"What a day,...
- 141
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to objectively judge the storytelling in a writing contest?
I am designing a fiction writing contest for 13 and 14-year old EFL students. The students have very limited experience writing English and writing fiction.
I am developing the scoring sheet, on ...
- 393
4
votes
2
answers
215
views
How to find an agent for a children's picture book?
I have written (and self-edited) a book, and need to figure out how to expose it to the "right" agents. I'm a little overwhelmed (and I'm sure I'm not the first), but I do think it is a unique story ...
- 143
4
votes
3
answers
266
views
I am looking for statistics on the percentage children's books versus other genres in self-publishing
I have tried doing searches for this and can't seem to track down the exact numbers. The sources will list the top selling genres but that doesn't include children's books.
- 161
4
votes
1
answer
275
views
How to Self-Publish a Picture Book with No Gutter?
I've self-published a few things with print-on-demand services (notably Lulu). Now, my partner has written and illustrated a children's picture book, and she's run into a notable stumbling block: each ...
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How do I write a relevant CV for submitting a manuscript to a literary agent?
I am submitting a children's book to a potential agent whose submission process asks me to send this:
a covering letter in the body of the email, and a synopsis of the proposed book with the first ...
- 143
4
votes
2
answers
341
views
Add copyright notice before submitting manuscript?
I have written and illustrated a rhyming picturebook (for approx 0-7 year olds) and have it in PDF format which I prepared in InDesign. When I am sending the manuscript off, do I need to worry about ...
- 317
4
votes
1
answer
107
views
Where can I find people to collaborate with to edit/sell my work?
I'm not sure this is possible. I am looking for someone who can edit and sell. I have a series of books I can't get them off the ground. I am editing and selling challenged. I would be open to ...
4
votes
1
answer
85
views
What are some good methods for framing the theme of a writing contest?
I am designing a writing contest for 13 and 14-year old EFL students. The students have very limited experience with creative writing and I will not have any time to give them practice on ...
- 393
4
votes
1
answer
496
views
Written and illustrated children's book: what now?
I have written and illustrated a children's book and am looking for advice about where to go with it now. My thoughts are: approach independent bookstores, contact an illustrator's agent, approach ...
- 317
3
votes
1
answer
306
views
Is there a practical time limit on a children's book meant to be read out loud? [duplicate]
I am posting a new question because the previous one was answered as "Is the child able to read a book this long?" I really wanted to know "Is an adult willing to read this long?"
From cursory ...
- 281
3
votes
1
answer
420
views
Need to own copyright on illustrations if planning a series?
I am writing a children's book for the first time. I anticipate this becoming a series. I have an illustrator to do the artwork. If I anticipate a series do I have to own a copyright on the ...
- 31
3
votes
7
answers
11k
views
How many pages long should a chapter book be?
I have recently started writing a chapter book, which is "a story book intended for intermediate readers generally between 7-10 years old". The book is only 29 pages long and I am nearing the end.
...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
103
views
Copywriting question, error by publisher
I had a friend "publisher" help with organizing and publishing my children's book through a self publishing company. We have no written contract. He was to help me for gratis as he learned the process ...
3
votes
2
answers
540
views
When you submit a manuscript for a picture book, where do the pictures go?
I am currently making a picture book, but it has pictures and I don't know where in the manuscript they should go.
- 33
3
votes
2
answers
337
views
Multiple Books in a Single Query
I recently decided to make a long delayed return to a genre where I had early publishing success, upper-level picture books. Given that I now have school-aged children, I have a number of stories ...
- 56.5k
3
votes
2
answers
248
views
Self-publishing / marketing children's book
I have wanted for some time now to write and illustrate a children's book. How realistic is it to self publish? I have no business background in this at all, and would expect to make a loss initially. ...
- 317
3
votes
1
answer
394
views
Suggestions for revising style and cadence within a children's book
When I submitted a manuscript for a children's book to a publisher, they expressed an interest but wanted me to improve the style and cadence:
The syntax and cadence would possibly work well in an ...
- 31
3
votes
2
answers
593
views
Simultaneous querying to publishers and agents
I am a first-time author, and a few months ago I completed a picture book manuscript. After completing the manuscript, I had it professionally edited. I also completed a query letter, which was ...
- 31
2
votes
3
answers
206
views
Length of Children's Books
I have just completed my first manuscript for a children's book. It is a long traditional bedtime story to be read over several days or weeks even! I don't really understand why I must limit the ...
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
184
views
How to write a book for a given reading level?
I have a son in kindergarten who is interested in reading. He also loves the stores that I tell him each night. These are usually just made up on the spot and are pretty silly.
If I wanted to write ...
- 123
2
votes
3
answers
313
views
Recreating public domain children's stories and using the original illustration?
Personally, I love old children's books. The artwork is phenomenal. Recently I saw more than one person selling Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. I do not intend to take public domain stories from one ...
- 53
2
votes
1
answer
146
views
What are the copyright laws on writing books about living artists?
I was wondering if I wanted to write, illustrate, and publish children's books that is about an artist and their life (their journey as a child to an adult but in a simple whimsical childlike story), ...
- 21
2
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Sending a children's book manuscript to an agent or publisher with illustrations
I've written a children's story and had it illustrated. It's a picture book.
I've heard that publishers prefer to receive manuscript only — not illustrated, unless the author is the illustrator.
I ...
- 233
1
vote
2
answers
196
views
How To Make Something Straight-foward and Dark Into A Kid's Picture Book?
Let me explain.
My book is about a little boy directed by a "wolf" to burn his farm's sheep. Consequently, it burns on the grass and his house, making him kill or seriously injure most of ...
- 19