Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, 3rd Edition

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like all Idiot's Guides, this book is designed for beginners in the field. However, after hearing the author speak at a conference, I decided that I might have things to learn from the book. I was right. Even though I've been writing for a while and have a contract for my first book, I found that several sections clarified some industry basics for me. It helped me sort out the relationship between companies, divisions, and imprints and was good for making sense of my contract. I also appreciated the section on working with my editor. This is an excellent primer for anyone getting started in children's writing, and has useful information for those who have gotten a little into the field as well.

I've used this book and recommended this book to people interested in the children's publishing industry since it first came out. Its an excellent overview. I think the two star reviewer who said that the book was for "complete idiots," was being a little harsh. I've been working on writing and selling my own books for close to eleven years now and I still run into people who don't know the difference between the genres. Even as someone that might be called an "intermediate/advanced" writer, I still use it as a reference.

Our SCBWI library has all three editions of this book and I always recommend it to anyone who contacts me for information about writing and publishing for children, at no matter what stage of the game they reside. I know of no other thorough, up-to-date publication on the children's book business. We always sell out of them at our conferences.

The author relied not only on his own knowledge, research and experience, he contacted writers in all phases of the business and got their input as well. Either the answers are there for both aspiring and experienced writers, or the resources for further research are revealed. He continues to update information via his website and welcomes suggestions and input. What more can you ask from one book? I highly recommend it.

Virtually Maria (Virtual Trilogy)

Written in the form of short notes, this book contains all the information, wisdom, reading lists and even contacts that you might expect to harvest at a three-day seminar on publishing children's books, as a mere fraction of the price.

It starts with the basic truth that children's books MUST appeal to adults (since adults buy them - not children) and then takes the reader through the 'world' of children's books and how to write, illustrate and publish them. I use the word 'world' because this book goes beyond the simple 'how to' manual in that it takes the reader inside the childrens' book industry and deals with agents, publishers and how to build a career as a successful childrens' book writer.

There are other books that deal with the writing, layout and illustration of childrens' books in far more detail, but this is the first book that I've encountered in my thirty-plus years of writing that gives me a feel for the greater universe of book production that I need to navigate in order to achieve success.

A highly recommended first manual for every children's book author.

I have taught a class called Writing Picture Books for Children at UCLA Extension for over a decade, and I require every one of my students to read this book for my class.

It not only presents a broad overview of the field, but also gives specific examples. The book is packed with terrific boxed extras like "Vocabulary Lists", which explain terms from the children's publishing industry; "Class Rules", which detail warnings and cautions; "Can You Keep a Secret?", which include tips and resources to help a children's writer or illustrator present him or herself as a pro; and my favorite, "Playground Stories", which are anecdotes from and profiles of children's authors and publishers which give an eye-opening inside view of the children's publishing world.

This book should be on the shelf of everyone in the field of children's publishing. No, not on the shelf--on the desk, and open.

This book has been a God send as I try to submit my first Children's book for publishing. It has kept me from making many mistakes that would've branded me as not knowing what I was doing! Now I feel more confident to make an educated submission! Thanks for the good information.

I am a published author and own many books about how to get children's books published, this one is the one I use most. I refer to it often, I like the layout and it is easy to read and understand. If you are just starting out in the world of writing for children I strongly recommend this book, I learned a lot more from this book than any other I have read.

I'm about halfway through this book and thrilled with the amount of information in it. I had already taken a writing course so I was already familiar with some of the information but this book goes into much more detail than my course did. It provides lots of information and resources. I would recommend it for anyone trying to write for children. There are also a few chapters for those who wish to illustrate for children. Great book.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, 3rd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to) is a great resource for beginning children's book authors. I found information verifiable from my own Internet searches from the very first chapter. The book is readable, concise, and informative without being condescending. A thumbs-up for this book!

This book helped me sell my first picture book and break into writing for magazines. I doubt I could have done it without this book and recommend it to all my writing friends.