Hot Writing Tips

FACTS AND FICTION ABOUT THE JUVENILE BOOK MARKET

The juvenile book market is ever-changing and includes many different catagories of books. The basic types of books are picture books, board books, early reader, chapter, middle-grade, and young adult novels.

PICTURE BOOKS are usually 32 page illustrated books for very young children. The words need to be very visual with many picture opportunites. These books may be short, but they are powerful and often convey deep meanings.
BOARD BOOKS come in all shapes, to fit into the hand of a small child. Some will have NO words, and just show colorful pictures. Pop-up books and books shaped like cars with wheels are board books. These are more concept books; such as an ABC book or book on shapes and sizes.
EARLY READER BOOKS are the books that children will read first. Simple, active words tell fun stories with lively characters. Books range from about 30-60 pages.
CHAPTER BOOKS are usually 50 - 75 pages long and are split up into 8-10 very short chapters. Lively dialogue and settlings like the classroom are common. Kids like to read about everyday situations.
MIDDLE-GRADE NOVELS are longer -- approximately 100 to 150 pages long. They can be mysteries, fantasies, adventures, historicals -- the market is wide open and ripe with publishing opportunities.
YOUNG ADULT NOVELS is complex because publishers and bookstores differ on exactly who this audience is. The book length is usually 200-250 pages. The characters should be complex, as well as the plots. The tone can vary from a light humorous story to a deep, dark tale of horror. Mature language and situations are often explored.

Juvenile writing is exciting and challenging. There are a wide choice of publishing opportunities. I like to think ever MORE opportunities than in the adult-book market. But at the same time, there are just as many obstacles and challenges.

TOP TEN CONFUSING FACTS AND MISCONCEPTIONS THAT DRIVE WRITERS CRAZY!:

Number 10. You need an agent to sell a book. Maybe. I'm still trying to figure out if this is a fact or a misconception. I've sold ten books without an agent, but it was my AGENT who sold my ghost story to Avon books as a 3-book trilogy. And earlier that year, when I submitted to Avon on my own, without an AGENT, I was rejected.
So I think it can be VERY GOOD to have a VERY GOOD agent -- but juvenile publishers still largely accepted unsolicited manuscripts, so you can sell like wild-fire while you're choosing a VERY GOOD agent.

Number #9. You can't get an agent without having already sold a book. In my case, even after a half-dozen sales, agents kept rejecting my work. My current agent still refuses to market some of my favorite manuscripts. She only wants to handle juvenile novels with series potential -- and only the ones she feels strongly about.

Number #8. Editors want to see FRESH ideas. How many writers have heard that request? But you're never quite sure what "fresh" means. Everything you write probably seems original and fresh to you -- but will it appeal to an editor? Unfortunately, "fresh" is totally a judgement call on a specific editor and there's no way it can be predicted.

Number #7. Editors seldom publish FRESH ideas, but they're afraid to try anything new and risky. So the editor loves your book and says it's the freshest story she's seen in years. But she turns it down anyway. It's too risky, she says. For a first sale, editors are reluctant to try anything that isn't a sure, commerical sale. They are looking for something that fits in with their list, but offers a "fresh" angle.

Number #6. The sixth thing that drives writers crazy is the "T" word: Trends. By the time a new trend comes along, the market already flooded with books dealing with this trend. It's TOO LATE for you to writeabout it. A few years ago a hot trend was dragons, then angels, now aliens. One hint for juvenile authors, though, is that trends seem to strike the adult market first. If you notice a popular trend in adult books, pay attention, it could be the next hot juvenile trend.

Number #5. If your children, grandchildren or Mom loves your writing, editors will love it too. An editor MAY love the story, but unless it fills a need in their line, they won't buy it. Go ahead and read your stories to you family, but look to your writer friends or critique services for professional critiques

Number #4. Write what you know. Choose subjects that you either know well or can learn about through research. Don't limit yourself to just things you already know ... research, imagine, and write about the things important to you and close to your heart.

Number #3. Write what you want to write -- ignore the market. Many successful juvenile authors claim this is the best way to go. They just write their stories and sell them. But keep in mind that selling a book is the same as selling any product -- there has to be a demand for it.

Number #2. Write what publishers want -- target the market This is a good way for any author to sell that first book. If you are a quick study and can produce quickly, writing for the market can lead to multiple sales. But it doesn't work for everyone. Ask yourself what's more important to you --selling the books you really want to write or making ANY sale.
And the Number One CONFUSING FACT OR MISCONCEPTION that drives writers CRAZY is .......

Number #1. ANYONE can write a cute little childrens book! This misconception is why juvenile publishers' slush piles are so big. It's a specific skill to write for kids. There are less words, which means each word is very important. Compare picture books to composing a song or a poem. You need rhythm and an economy of words ... which makes these short books a tall project. I personally prefer middle-grade or young adult books because I have more room to create scenes, characters, and dialogue. But that's MY choice -- you have to decide for yourself. GOOD LUCK WRITING!
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