Children's Writer Newsletter

Susan Tierney, Editor

You are cordially invited to examine the current issue of
Children’s Writer, the monthly newsletter devoted exclusively
to the writing and publishing of children’s literature.

This complimentary issue is yours to keep—
with no obligation—just click Free Issue.

Dear Writer,

I’m the editor of Children’s Writer, a monthly newsletter that’s dedicated to keeping you up to date on children’s writing, putting you on top of the market for children’s books, stories, and articles—and keeping you there.

We draw heavily on the vast writing and publishing experience of our instructors at the Institute of Children’s Literature . . . and other top-notch writers and editors.

These contributors provide us with features, interviews, how-to articles, and insights gleaned from years of success and continuing involvement in the dynamic children’s market.

Our editors and research specialists maintain an ongoing dialogue with outside editors and publishers—and they keep a close watch over the entire field of children’s publishing.

And because we conscientiously verify and update our information base every month, we’re in the unique position of being able to provide you with a continuous flow of current market information vital to your success.

Every issue of Children’s Writer brings you pointers from the experts and current
market tips on writing for children.

First,

Children’s Writer gives you timely tips, expert pointers, and informative articles on writing style, technique, and content—in every major category of children’s literature.

Second,

Children’s Writer keeps you up to date on the markets you want to sell to . . . what today’s editors want at the publications that matter most to you . . . and current developments in publishing that are shaping your future success right now! That’s because Children’s Writer spots the trends, gives you the data, and arms you with answers you simply must have to write to your full potential—and to get your writing published.

These are the operative facts: This complex, fast-changing market, embracing all of the categories from preschool to young adult, is profitable and paying well.

Yet, the competition is hot and it’s getting hotter. You’ve got to have all the facts the pros have (and maybe a few more) if you want to see yourself in print—and now you can!

Whether you’re writing for yourself or creating a best-seller, Children’s Writer covers the entire spectrum. It gives you up-to-the-minute information you can’t beg, borrow, or buy anywhere else—and brings it to you 12 times a year.

More than that, Children’s Writer deals with the current questions and problems you’re most likely to encounter—and it covers the major markets that buy freelance writing. (We don’t waste your time on those that don’t.)

How do we know what’s selling?—and who’s buying?

Easy. We tap the daily stream of information we generate to keep our students on top of every freelance market—and pass along helpful tips and expert pointers from editors, publishers, our instructors, and other writers. For example:

—

Highlights for Children let us publish their wanted list. Included are boy-appeal fiction stories to 500 words, adventurous travel pieces to 750 words, articles on world cultures, sports articles—and more, with details.

—

G.P. Putnam’s Sons is looking for character-driven middle-grade novels with strong voices, according to Susan Kochan, Assistant Editorial Director.

—

Girls’ Life wants “fresh takes on friendship, relationships, anything that concerns the typical teenage girl,” according to Mandy Forr, Associate Editor. Best places to break in are their regular departments or with quizzes.

But that’s not even the half of it! Children’s Writer is as much devoted to writing techniques as it is to marketing smarts. It tips you off about new trends that affect your writing (and marketing)—gives you pointers on style, choosing titles, and creating dialogue—and offers insights on characterization, descriptive techniques, and even writers’ block. For example . . .

—

How do you handle kidspeak? Do you go with the flow? Or do you translate slang into universal expressions? We offer guidelines you can trust.

—

Animals are an important element in children’s writing. Editors from Highlights, the Cricket Group, Charlesbridge, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, and Viking Books review the best in current practices, which call for realistic portrayals, not talking animals.

—

What’s the bottom line on writers’ groups? Should you join one if your writing is going well, or wait until you hit a snag? Children’s Writer answers all the questions and even tells you how to start a group.

—	Eight surefire ways to generate article ideas.
—	Editors from Tricycle Press, Chronicle Children’s Group, Twilight Times Books, Spider, Pockets, and Highlights for Children explain how much they need good humorous stories, and what they look for.
—	How to write saleable personal experience pieces.
—	Editors from Atheneum, Little Simon, Chronicle Books, and Little, Brown discuss how the current baby boomlet pushed the preschool market, and now picture books.

—

Marketplace—three full pages to provide even more news about what editors are looking for right now! PLUS . . . tips, updates, new faces, new specs, start-ups, shutdowns, mergers, and acquisitions.

—

Contest Announcements—Including Children’s Writer’s own contests with cash prizes of up to $500 for the grand-prize winner plus publication in Children’s Writer.

—

Commentary—Award-winning author Patricia Curtis Pfitsch delves into important and controversial developments in the children’s field in this regular feature.

—

Profession and Craft—Two regular columns where guest writers discuss key aspects of the business side and the writing side of being a professional writer.

Of course, as you might expect from the Institute, there’s even more:

• Book editors discuss their wants and needs;

• Interviews with authors who help shape the market;

• Profiles of magazines that are setting the pace.

Then to top off every issue of Children’s Writer, you get instructional, informational, and inspirational articles to help you polish your writing skills. Included are topics such as:

• How to work more writing into your schedule;

• Lead paragraphs that really lead today’s reader;

• Self-motivation techniques to keep the words flowing;

• How to overcome writers’ block;

• What to do when you have no clips (previously published work) to submit;

• How to make a good picture book dummy . . . and a lot more.

Children’s Writer is your newsletter. It was developed—and is written and edited—for you.

We’d like to send you a sample—free, with no obligation.

If you like it, you may subscribe at a special rate (for new subscribers only) of $19 for a full subscription of 12 more issues (a total of 13) worth $26. You save $7.

Of course, if you’re ever disappointed, you can—and you should—cancel and receive a full refund on all unmailed issues.