Your questions answered: writing for children

One of the most difficult fields ito break into is children's literature. So many writers have marvellous stories, but publishers can only take on a limited number. How to ensure your story gets a fair reading? Check our answers here, or write if your question isn't listed yet.

questions about picture books

can I illustrate my own book?

some guidelines for children's books

How do I publish children's books?

I have a question regarding picture books. I have heard that it is the publisher who finds the illustrator. Is it ever possible to present the manuscript with the illustrations at the same time? I'm planning to write a picture book with a colleague who will illustrate it.
 

Some publishers do prefer to engage their own illustrators, after consultation with the author. It is probably best to do things the way the publishers like until you are well enough established as a writer to make demands.

Check the publisher's web site before submitting to see what each prefers, and do things the way they want. This shows that you have done your homework and are being professional in your approach.

I was curious to know what you should do about illustrations for a picture book. If you have written the words already, must you illustrate it as well, before sending it to an agent or publisher? Also, how many words should an average picture book for children 8-10 years old be? Is it also alright to include a brief reference to (for example) drugs in a picture book?
 

There is no need to include illustrations with a picture book. Many publishers prefer to supply their own artists. There is no word limit for a book either, but some publishers do have page limits, usually in multiples of eight or sixteen, dictated by printing methods. As to drug references: if done well, they should be acceptable.

I'm interested in publishing children's story books. How would I go about doing this. I live in Melbourne, Australia.

The place to start is to join a writing group where you will get advice on writing and see what other people are doing too. Or take a writing course, which will sharpen up all your skills and make you more aware of what sort of stories publishers are wanting. Then you write and rewrite and rewrite, until your work is perfect in originality, clarity, and style.

Then you check The Australian Writer's Marketplace and look for magazines that publish children's stories, and for book publishers who do. If you can't find anyone who wants them, offer them to a local primary school and see what the kids have to say about them. That at least gives you the chance to say you have developed a keen readership for your works, next time you send them off somewhere.

But take a course or join a group. That is the most important step.

I have read a few pointers on submitting manuscripts to publishers, but have not been able to find any guidelines regarding picture books. I am aware that you are not required, in most cases, to provide illustrations. As far as selling the book to the publisher with the covering letter - apart from a brief synopsis of the book, what else can be said about a picture book? Do agents also promote authors of picture books? How do you get publishers to pay attention to picture book manuscripts?
Also I have a very solid idea for a children's book, but do not know which age group it would be best aimed at, and what the ideal word length would be. How do I find answers to such questions? Can I send the idea to a publisher and ask them?

The best thing to do with a picture book is to send the entire story to the publisher, as it will not be very long. If the publisher is interested, he or she will discuss possible illustrators with you so that both of you will have some say in the matter.

As to your children's book: I think you really have to decide who you are writing for before you begin. Generally, children's novels run between 20 thousand and 50 thousand words, although there are so many exceptions to this rule that it really isn't a rule at all. Why not write it and see how long it is? Don't bother asking a publisher; the chances of getting a reply are nil to zero.