Writing and Publishing Books for Children in the 1990s: The Inside Story from the Editor's Desk [Paperback]

Olga Litowinsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0802773753 | ISBN-13: 978-0802773753

This anecdotal how-to book is a necessity for any would-be children's book writer and is a valuable addition to the shelves of already-published writers. Litowinsky covers the entire book publishing process, from story ideas and submitting manuscripts through contracts to production and sales. Illustrated.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Litowinsky, executive editor at S & S Books for Young Readers and a children's book author ( The High Voyage ), writes from vast experience as she offers anecdotes and pointers in this guide for would-be children's authors. A wealth of information runs the gamut here from how to streamline prose and properly submit a manuscript (including a discussion of the pros and cons of multiple manuscript submission) to book promotion and censorship. The "Secrets of the Slush Pile" chapter highlights some of the more outrageous--and often hilarious--material sent to editors, and gently warns readers against such pitfalls. Solid advice on contract negotiations and finding an agent makes the legal and business aspects of the children's book world seem less daunting. Litowinsky's keen insights into the publishing industry, coupled with revelations of her own missteps along the path to a book deal, distinguish this as an approachable, inspirational choice for those hoping to embark on a writing career. A list of related organizations and suggested reading is included.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

As good as a semester's tutorial with a wise, amusing, and experienced editor, Litowinsky's book offers solid, sensible information succinctly yet conversationally conveyed. It touches on every aspect of the subject, from content, construction, and audience to style, submission, editing, and more. Further chapters cover legal, marketing, and other professional matters. The advice is detailed and practical, but the author's concern is with quality and not just profit. Specific citations or concrete examples illustrate every point: good writing is not only advised but practiced here. An eclectic and interesting reading list is included. Fiction and nonfiction writers, reviewers, and anyone interested in the children's book world today will find this a fascinating, brief, "inside" introduction. Epstein's book covers much of the same ground, on a more introductory level, as Litowinsky's. An opening chapter on the history of the genre (especially in the United States) and a final one on publishing specifics bracket six brief chapters on the mechanics of good writing. Although less comprehensive and detailed than Litowinsky's book, this treatment does include numerous and appropriate examples to illustrate its points, and (unannotated) lists of professional literature and organizations and children's magazines. Suggested writing exercises to develop skills in each of the technical areas described are an original touch. If Litowinsky's book offers a semester's tutorial, Epstein's is a fine beginner's workshop in the field.
- Patricia Dooley, Univ. of Washington Lib. Sch., Seattle
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company (January 19, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802773753
• ISBN-13: 978-0802773753
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,505,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, although a little out of date., May 15, 2000

By 

S. Ackerman "Living Proud" (Twin Cites) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing and Publishing Books for Children in the 1990s: The Inside Story from the Editor's Desk (Paperback)

I found this book very helpful as I started writing for children. I could write the stories but didn't know what to do after that. She writes from an editor's point of view and that is good information to have. She tells you the dos and don'ts of trying to get published. I only wish she would write a book about how to get it done in year 2000 and beyond.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview, but dated in parts, July 11, 2004

By 

Anyechka (Rensselaer, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing and Publishing Books for Children in the 1990s: The Inside Story from the Editor's Desk (Paperback)

This is a really good general overview of writing and publishing for children, complete with a brief history of the childrens,' JA, and YA publishing history, how censors operate and how to combat them, what to do after you've been published, and how to write a picture book. I think, though, that the advice Ms. Litowinsky gave on sending an unsolicited manuscript was out of date even when this book was written. That is one way to gt published, particularly if you follow her advice of getting to know the editor to whom you're sending it, but chances are you'll get nowhere if you don't have an agent (which she doesn't endorse that heartily), and even if you do do all of your homework in getting to know who's who in the publishing house, books similar to yours which that editor in particular worked on, even saying that you heard the editor speaking at a conference you attended or that a well-known friend of yours recommended him or her, your manuscript will still probably sit unnnoticed in the slush pile because no matter what it's still an unsolicited manuscript. Nowadays the best way to go is to get an agent first, or if you want to do it the old-fashioned way, sent a query letter and synopsis first, with sample chapters if the publishing house requires it. You'll get a reply faster, and you won't have spent unneeded postage money on a gamble that, if it does pay off, probably won't pay off for quite a long time.

I write historical fiction, and Ms. Litowinsky focuses by and large on writing books set in contemporary settings. She adds that most children aren't interested in reading books about history outside of school, and only recommends writing in this genre if it really really interests you. She also says that a book about something pivotal often only sells well or gets published if it's an anniversary year, like 1995 having been the fiftieth anniversary of the end of WWII, and only if it's interesting and written well will it still be read after that year. If you're really interested in those events, why not write about them regardless of whether their anniversary is coming up or not? She also recommends naming your characters after your friends' children, or to look in birth announcements to find them. I know that many of my fellow writers are very interested in names by virtue of being writers...why would you want your character to have an ordinary name like Tyler or Ashley when you can have an unforgettable character with a more unusual and memorable moniker like Ammiel or Eulalia?

Still, this is only a general overview, and there are a lot of good books and magazines referenced in the back pages. It's not meant to be the end-all and be-all of childrens' writing and publishing; a good writer goes with his or her heart, even if that means writing in a genre that isn't as popular among young people as something like fiction set in contemporary times.