Intro to Kids Book Publishing

Intro to Kids Book PublishingIntro to Kids Book PublishingHow do I publish a childrens book? is one of the two questions most frequently asked of book publishing professionals. Publishing practices for childrens and young adult books generally operate very separately from adult publishing, even within the same publishing house. Books for kids are categorized by age range and are often illustrated. Due to these and other factors, there are unique considerations for those who want a career in the childrens publishing industry- whether as achildrens author, illustrator, editor, bookseller or librarian. Childrens Book Publishing Gatekeepers Childrens book publishing industry professionals are gatekeepers for incredibly important customers children and young adults. Kids publishing pros tend to stick with the childrens book specialty, and theres generally not much crossover between the kids and adult book pros. Childrens agents, editors, librarians, booksellers, etc. take their follow ing roles very seriously Helping to educate, stimulate and impassion young minds.Opening new and broader worlds of facts and ideas to kids. It is especially important when the kids are from under-served communities, where children without means often dont have access to a wider world than their neighborhood, except through their teachers and school libraries.Fostering a love of reading and books that will enhance childrens life-long literacy skills and serve them their entire lives. Its a proven fact that children who are exposed to books and reading early in their lives read and write better as adults, which makes them mora equipped for success in school, on the job market and in life in general. They expect a book to do all that? Absolutely. Writing a Childrens Book Perhaps because so many of us learned to love books as children, a lot of people aspire to write childrens books. It may seem to some wannabe kids book authors that writing childrens books is easier than writing a dult books, or that its easier to get a childrens book published. Not so, as there is a high bar for getting a childrens book published by an established publisher. Some aspiring childrens book writers may think, There are lots of crappy childrens books out there. I could write and/or illustrate a kids book at least as good as fill in the blank. If this has occurred to you, consider the quote from the amazing Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, co-writers of (among many other things) the screenplays for Shrek, Antz, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Crap-plus-one isnt really worth aspiring to. And its not much of a career strategy.That advice applies to pretty much any artistic career. Therefore, if youre a writer or illustrator who aspires to crack into the childrens literature market then youd do well to learn childrens publishing conventions. Notable Exceptions to Kids Book Rules Book publishers will pretty much acquire anything that involves an already-established animated childrens t elevision character and/or is written by a celebrity because publishers always look fondly on book projects that come with a built-in platform. This is because built-in platforms give the project automatic consumer recognition and increase the likelihood that the book will sell, after all, publishing is a business, So if you own the rights to the former, or can legitimately call yourself the latter, youre probably already in contract for that book. The Childrens Book Market If you aspire to work in some capacity with childrens books, youll need to learn as much as possible about whats already in the childrens book market and where you might fit in. You can departure with these recommendations from long-established childrens book agent, Elizabeth Harding.For those aspiring to the editorial side of kids books, interview a knowledgeable, local childrens bookseller. Theyll be familiar with the marketplace and what house publishes each type of book.Kids book writers and illustrators should consider joining The Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators, which provides a wealth of information, education, and advocacy for its members. Or approach the childrens librarian at your local library, tell him or her what aspect of childrens books youre looking into writing or illustrating and ask for recommended books in the same format and age range.