More tips offered for writers
Your best resource for much of what you need to know about becoming a published children's book author can be found in a current copy of either "Writer's Market" (which contains information for children's and adult's book and magazine publishers) or "Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market" (focusing exclusively on children's publishers).
Both are published annually by Writer's Digest Books with updated contact names and new listings. Whichever book you choose, read it slowly and carefully.
Research potential markets for what you've written; you'll find preliminary information on hundreds of publishers within these pages.
Narrow down your list of possible publishers then go to the library and bookstore and read several of their most recent titles. If your style seems to fit with what the company is publishing you can feel more confident in submitting your work to them.
Pay attention to the details provided in the book concerning how to submit your manuscript (double spacing, margins, etc.) and conform to manuscript guidelines. Sloppy submissions won't get noticed.
Next time we'll finish up with a final and important suggestion. Meanwhile, make it your mission to educate yourself about excellent children's books, such as those listed below.
The following book is available at many public libraries."<B>Noisy Nora"</B> written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells, Dial Books, 32 pages; read aloud: age 1 to 3; read yourself: age 7.Poor Nora! It seems she is always waiting for her parents to be finished doing something with her baby brother or her older sister. Meanwhile, no one is paying any attention to her. Fed up with the plight of the middle child, Nora takes matters into her own hands.Precisely what you'd expect from the internationally acclaimed author/illustrator Rosemary Wells, "Noisy Nora" is hilarious and certain to delight very young readers.
<B>Library:</B> Mars Public Library, 107 Grand Ave., Mars<B>Library Director:</B> Heather Love<B>Children's Librarian:</B> Joyce Pappert<B>Choices this week: </B>"I Was So Mad" by Mercer Mayer; "Tell Me a Scary Story" by Carl Reiner; "You Wouldn't Want to Be an American Pioneer!" by Jacqueline Morley
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Dodsworth in New York"</B> written and illustrated by Tim Egan, Houghton Mifflin, 2007, 48 pages, $15 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.Dodsworth decided to go on a big adventure, but before he left, he went to his favorite breakfast place for pancakes. Unfortunately, the owner's crazy duck was there, tossing pancakes through the air. Once Dodsworth finally had a sit-down breakfast, he hopped on his motorbike, then boarded the train for New York City, only to find the nutty duck inside his suitcase. Now what was he going to do?Readers are certain to love this selection that boasts loads of funny illustrations and a hilarious story of Dodsworth and a zany duck in New York and beyond.<B>"Baby Bear's Big Dreams"</B> by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Harcourt, 2007, 36 pages, $16 hardcover; read aloud: age 2 to 3 and older; read yourself: age 7.Baby Bear has all sorts of plans for when he grows up, and Baby Bear thinks that will be very soon. He plans to have all his friends move in so they can play all day and stay up late. Later, he'll live in a toy shop, then a tree house. Some day, Bear will go exploring the woods, climb trees, and camp outside.When Baby Bear is all grown up he will come home, because home is where his family is, where they will listen to his stories, and where his mama and papa will tuck him in his bed and kiss him goodnight.A delightful tale of a young child's desire to be "big," "Baby Bear's Big Dreams" hits that chord beautifully.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.
