The Giblin Guide to Writing Children's Books, Fourth Edition [Paperback]

James Cross Giblin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1889715263 | ISBN-13: 978-1889715261 | Publication Date: April 25, 2006 | Edition: fourth

While personally editing almost 500 published books, Jim Giblin helped develop many talented newcomers into frequently published authors, and he is still helping authors today as Contributing Editor at Clarion. Jim is especially sensitive to what aspiring writers want and need because he was once one himself.
The Giblin Guide is filled with Jim Giblin's expert guidance on all aspects of writing and selling children's books in today's marketplace. Instruction is leavened with Jim's rich repertoire of examples, anecdotes, and humor. It's all clearly organized into 13 chapters that cover the three children's book fields: nonfiction, fiction, and picture books.
Whatever your writing interest, from mysteries to biographies, from easy readers to how-to's, from multicultural novels to picture books, the Giblin Guide to Writing Children's Books brings you everything you need to jump-start your writing and move you assuredly toward publication.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . a terrific hands-on guide . . . [by] Giblin, who developed the publishing careers of many authors while Editor-in-Chief at Clarion Books. . . " --Stephanie Loer, The Boston Globe

"As an editor of children's books for more than 20 years and a noted nonfiction author himself, Giblin is in a unique position to discuss what it takes to get a children's book written and published . . . His comments are peppered with anecdotes from his own career and those of other authors he has worked with. These examples considerably enliven his material, which will encourage and educate readers hoping to embark on a writing career." --Ilene Cooper, A.L.A. Booklist

"A concise, helpful guide aimed at those who aspire to write for children and teenagers . . . Giblin's wise insights into contemporary children's literature from the perspective of an experienced editor provide compelling reading." --Kathleen T. Horning, head of the University of Wisconsin's Cooperative Children's Book Center

About the Author

Jim Giblin spent 30 years as a children's book editor and publisher, the last 22 as Editor-in-Chief and Publisher at Clarion Books. Under his direction, Clarion grew from 18 titles to over 400 books in print published by over 150 authors, and assumed a leadership position in the field.
He helped develop many new children's writers into winning authors, both as an editor and as a workshop leader at prestigious writers' conferences. Currently a contributing editor at Clarion, Jim left his Editor-in-Chief post in 1989 to devote more time to his own writing. Jim Giblin has authored 25 highly praised nonfiction children's books, many of which have received awards and honors. Fourteen of his titles have been named Notable Children's Books by the American Library Association.
In 1996, he received the Washington-Post Children's Book Guild Award for Nonfiction for his body of work. He continues to write children's books that attract enthusiastic readers and reviews, and win awards for such works as Secrets of the Sphinx (2004) Starred review from A.L.A. Booklist. The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler (2003) received the Robert F. Sibert Award of the American Library Association for the Most Distinguished Informational Children's Book of 2003, and The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin (2001) Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Institute Publications; fourth edition (April 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889715263
• ISBN-13: 978-1889715261
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, January 28, 2010

By 

Writing Mom (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Giblin Guide to Writing Children's Books, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

This book gives writers a comprehensive guide to writing both fiction and nonfiction. It covers everything from what the market looks like to research, types of fiction, submissions, and publication - and much more. I gleaned several tips from this book and highly recommend it to other authors.

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, April 5, 2011

By 

KaelebsMomma - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Giblin Guide to Writing Children's Books, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

Today I started and finished reading The Giblin Guide to Writing Children's Books. James Giblin offers guidance to new and experienced writers in this helpful book. He takes the time to explain the writing process in detail from the planning to putting pen on paper and finally, publishing and beyond.

I felt like this book was very informative and will prove to be useful to me as I begin my journey as a writer. I feel like this book offers important facts that I will refer back to many times in my future.

Mr. Giblin uses a matter of fact approach in his writing. He is forthcoming and honest, which I appreciate. He also clarifies everything so there is no question as to what his intentions were. His writing comes across clear and concise.

I believe this book would be enlightening and educational for anyone taking a writing course or struggling with writing. You don't have to be a beginning author to make use of the information contained on the pages within this book. However, if you are a beginning writer, I urge you to get a copy of this book to keep on hand. Read it and you'll find that there will be areas that you'll reference back to during your potential career.

I'm glad I sat down to read this book. I think that it will be a blessing in disguise for me and I thank Mr. Giblin for taking the time to allow us an in depth look inside his thoughts. It's certainly a priceless contribution if you take advantage of the advice.