Writing for Children and Teens: A Crash Course (How to Write, Revise, and Publish a Kid's or Teen Book with Children's Book Publishers) (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: bonus materials, rejection ladder, talking animal books, Elements of Style, Hit Enter, Alice Pope (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Nowhere will you find a more comprehensive, current, and detailed writing course designed specifically for writing children's and teen books, written by an author who is in the field today. WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE is a ten-step course that relays all the nitty-gritty details of the business, beginning with how to evaluate your book idea all the way to pitching your book to editors and agents.

Within each step, you'll find clear and specific information covering topics such as the children's book market, manuscript format, revision tips, finding the right agent or publisher, submission etiquette, and common faux pas to avoid. This book will even tell you what kind of paper you should use and exactly how you should write your letters to editors and agents.

Bonus materials include templates for all of your submission needs as well as examples of real-life editorial letters sent to authors from editors today. You will get a complete inside peek to the children's fiction writing market for those who want to write picture books, easy readers, chapter books, and middle grade or teen novels.

About the Author

Cynthea Liu left a career as a technology consultant to become a full-fledged children's book writer, proving that anyone, no matter how inexperienced, can write for children if one has the drive and the patience to learn. She obtained a literary agent within her first year as a writer and sold two novels soon after at auction to the Penguin Group. Her third book sold to Penguin on proposal. Cynthea currently lives in Chicago with her husband, her baby girl, and her rabbit Snoop.

Product Details

• Paperback: 125 pages
• Publisher: Pivotal Publishing; 1st edition (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605301140
• ISBN-13: 978-1605301143
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #99,752 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for aspiring children's book authors!, February 21, 2008

By	Tammi Sauer (Edmond, OK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this book! As a children's book author myself, I recommend it all the time to aspiring authors. It covers everything a writer needs to know about getting a children's book published--I only wish I had it when I was starting out! Cynthea's fresh, conversational style makes her book not only jam-packed with great information but a joy to read. Plus, I think her tips on revision are spot on. And getting an inside peek at real rejection and editorial letters? Priceless. This book is a must-have for every children's book writer.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is What You Need To Write Well And Get Published, September 8, 2008

By	Stephanie G. (Plattsburgh, NY) - See all my reviews

The number of books lining the shelves on writing for children is mind boggling. This is THE ONE you should pick up. Cynthea teaches the ins and outs of writing strong books for children with humor and excellent examples. Though this kind of expression may usually be reserved for novels, it is appropriate to say that this book is a page turner. Once you start you can't stop reading it. And when you've finished it's a great reference. As an added bonus: it didn't break the bank to buy it. I highly recommend Cynthea Liu's book. If you're reading this you're already serious about wanting to write for children -- so what are you waiting for? Go order it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what you are looking for!, June 17, 2008

By	Orla Collins (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Reading this book is like having a knowledgeable older sister sitting beside you explaining exactly how to put your idea on the page and then get it printed. Liu really wants people to write good stories and have them published. The mystique of the publishing house is dispelled as she explains, step by step, exactly how a manuscript should look. For anyone even thinking of writing a book, this is the first one you should read. However, the best part is that the book is actually funny.How refreshing to be given great advice in such a humourous and engaging fashion.