HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S BOOK IN 30 DAYS OR LESS!: Stop Procrastinating and Start Writing Today [Paperback]

Caterina Christakos (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 16, 2002

The first time I attempted to write a children's book, it took me three months and several years of promising myself that I would do it "one day." In that time, I managed to wash the dog, rearrange my closet, get my apartment so clean that they should have done a commercial about it and procrastinate in ways that gave the word a new name. When I actually sat down to write the book, it took me two days. That is the longest it has ever taken me to actually write a children's book, since then. In reality, unless you are writing an epic, it will not take you more than that period of time to write yours either, after you read this book. Why then the title How to Write a Children's Book in 30 Days or Less ? So that you will have the time to wash the dog, clean the closets and get Mr. Clean to personally come in and interview you. If fear or the excuse that there is never enough time has kept you from fulfilling your dream, sit back, relax and prepare to be amazed. Your first book is just thirty days away.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Caterina Christakos is the author of several children's books and how to books. She is also a freelance travel writer for Agora Publishing. Caterina has her B.A. in Psychology and English Literature, and graduate study in Marraige and Family Counseling.

Product Details

• Paperback: 110 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (December 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595262600
• ISBN-13: 978-0595262601
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,232,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not at all what I expected!, February 2, 2005

By 

E.Notebook - See all my reviews

This review is from: HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S BOOK IN 30 DAYS OR LESS!: Stop Procrastinating and Start Writing Today (Paperback)

Obviously this author has taken seminars on "How to Write Catchy Titles That Will Get People to Buy Your Book." (In Two Hours or Less.)

I was very excited to get this book, it had many good reviews on Amazon and I was looking for what the title suggested, a 30 day plan for writing a book. What a joke.

This is a very small book that is very "short" on information and advice. It took me about 30-45 minutes to read. (There are 95 pages with huge margins and triple spaces between each small paragraph.)

It is written at about a fifth-grade level, and might have some use in that type of classroom setting. There is nothing new here for the adult who has any education whatsoever, especially any college English classes. I just kept saying "duh" as I read each page.

Her credits at that back of the book say she has written two children's books, and I guess two "How-to" books, including this one. That's some kind of expert advice.

And incidentally, the 30-day plan isn't mentioned until page 63 as part of a BONUS SECTION! It includes such useful tips as, "grab your coffee and snacks," "do the laundry," and "go to the park." Gee, why didn't I think of that?

This book is for you if you have absolutely no education, no imagination and the idea of getting a snack for yourself before you sit down to write gives you an "Ah ha" moment.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the money, July 25, 2005

By 

Teresa A. Spyra (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S BOOK IN 30 DAYS OR LESS!: Stop Procrastinating and Start Writing Today (Paperback)

I was expecting a book that would address the issues of children's book writing that many beginning authors face including working through plot glitches and character development on the small scale( particularly picture books). This book gave the bare bones basics about book writing. I felt very cheated. There was more information about putting together a poster board with you future wishes than writing technique. It just goes to show that anyone can write a book in thrity days-- it just doesn't have to be well written or informative.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars How did this waste of space get into Amazon?, November 25, 2005

By 

v. Carrousel "wanabee writer" (Geneva, Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S BOOK IN 30 DAYS OR LESS!: Stop Procrastinating and Start Writing Today (Paperback)

I received this as a gift from a friend who is encouraging me to write a kiddies book I have had up my sleeve for ages but never have the time to put pen on paper.... What I should have done is taken 2 hours to write a 'How to write a children's book in 30 day's or less' book and wait for any desperate soul to buy it and laugh my way to the bank. I am truely sorry my friend wasted good money (hard earned cash) on this. The best I can do to compensate is to write this review and let others know that this is a self published waste of time and your money. Everything that was valuable was in the title and that you got for free... so STOP procrastinating and start writing and dont buy this book.