You Will Network with 30+ Editors
 
 


 

You are cordially invited to examine TWO current digital issues of Children’s Writer, the monthly 12-page+ newsletter with over 30 editors interviewed in each issue—all in full color.

 

These complimentary copies are yours to keep—with no obligation—just click here for Two Free Emailed Digital Issues.

 

Dear Writer,

 

I’m the editor of Children’s Writer, a monthly 12-page+ emailed digital 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’ve been doing it better than anyone else for over 20 years—and we’ve earned the respect of the professionals in children’s publishing.  As a result, we get to work with our industry’s leaders—editors, publishers, agents, and authors.  They provide the best and latest information for our readers through the pages of Children’s Writer.  We also draw heavily on the vast writing and publishing experience of our instructors at the Institute of Children’s Literature.

 

You’ll be on top of the trends

 

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.

 

Timely tips, expert pointers,
and informative articles
every month

 

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

 

The result is Children’s Writer—a lively full-color monthly newsletter developed expressly for you—to support your writing in two important ways:

 

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 the minute with fast breaking news 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.

What Subscribers Say

“Tremendous writing and
publishing resource”

Children’s Writer has been undeniably instrumental in my publishing success,” reports Lisa Aldrich, Oregon. “I cannot adequately express my appreciation for this tremendous writing and publishing resource. I think of your newsletter with gratitude each time I receive a royalty check.”

“Concise, on-target,
and relevant.”

“I wanted to let you know that in the midst of all the clutter that threatens to have the fire marshall condemn my desk, your newsletter is a welcome 'beep' as it lands in my computer,” says Mikal Keefer, Colorado. “Concise, on-target, and relevant. That’s how I’d describe Children’s Writer.”

“Bravo!”

“Before Children’s Writer I was overwhelmed with the task of researching publishers for my early reader manuscript,” says Kim Walker, Illinois, “then my trial issue of Children’s Writer arrived. Bravo! I got four queries and a submission out that day! Thank you.”

 

You’ve got to have all the facts the pros have (and a few more)

 

These are the operative facts: This complex, fast-changing market, embracing all of the categories from preschool to young adult, needs freelance submissions and is paying well. Yet, the competition among writers is hot. 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 editors and publishers are looking for?

 

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

 

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

  • Editors from Dutton/Dial, Little Brown, Plum Blossom Books and others, describe the prerequisite for a picture book today—a “successful” protagonist, one who has unique and interesting traits combined with qualities that young readers will see in themselves.  Depth and complexity are key.  A character flaw is important too.
  • Marilyn Edwards, Editor-in-Chief for Hopscotch for Girls, Boys’ Quest, and Fun for Kidz, explains how she likes the unusual such as stereotypical role reversals, for example boys baking, in 500-700 words, with great photo support, a catchy title, and “anything that will help the reader such as diagrams or sources for materials, books, and websites.” 
  • Highlights’ hugely respected Senior Editor Marileta Robinson tells us that “the easiest way to break in is with a craft, puzzle, or activity, but we also publish stories and articles by previously unpublished authors.”

Learn about trends that affect your writing

 

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 sure-fire ways to
generate article ideas

 

There’s more . . . regular how-to articles written by our outstanding editors and educators that give you—month after month—good tips, expert pointers, current market data, and insider information, such as:

The Benefits of a
Digital Newsletter

In the past, you may have seen the printed-on-paper, mailed-to-subscribers version of Children’s Writer.  We are replacing it with a digital version.  We send you an email every month that contains a link that you simply click on to go to our website that contains the entire newsletter. 
     Our digital newsletter is very easy to use.  You may download the newsletter to your computer or tablet and store it for future reference; you may print it out to carry it around, file it, cut it up, or show to someone.
     Our digital newsletter has several big advantages for you:

  • It is full color—more interesting and easier to read.

  • You will receive even more information, because we can expand the newsletter very easily when we do not have to adhere to page counts.

  • You will get the latest market information much more quickly because we will email to you the minute the newsletter has been through final editing.

  • You’re “green” because you’re saving paper and trees.

  • You get it all at a 25% savings because we do not have to print it and mail it, just $15 for a 12-month new subscription.

 

  • HCI Books, the publisher of Chicken Soup for the Soul, has launched a teen fiction line to join its established nonfiction line. It has guidelines available.
  • Jack and Jill wants profiles of regular kids doing unusual things, plus poetry, recipes, puzzles, games, and activities.   
  • Elise Howard is starting a new line of middle-grade and YA readers at Algonquin Books, a division of Workman Publishing.
  • Calliope from Cobblestone Publishing has a new theme list out with due dates for queries. 

Keeps you on top of the market every month

 

And there’s still more. Children’s Writer brings you regular features to keep you on top of the market every month:

  • Marketplace—at least 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 and on our website as well. And entry is FREE to Children’s Writer subscribers.
  • “Virtual Coffee Break,” “Profession,” and “Craft”—Several regular features where guest writers discuss key aspects of the business side and the writing side of being a professional author.

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

  • “Wanted lists” from book and magazine editors;
  • Interviews with authors who help shape the market;
  • Profiles of publishers that are setting the pace.

Polish your writing skills

 

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.

Get Two Free Issues!

 

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

 

We’d like to email to you our next two monthly issues—free, with no obligation.  Our email will provide a link to our website where you read and dowload the issue.  Our emailed digital newsletter will be safe and secure to open and read, download, print-out, whatever your druthers.  

 

If you like them, you may become a subscriber at a special rate (for new subscribers only) of $15 for a full subscription of 11 more issues (a total of 13) worth $32.50 at our electronic newsstand rate. You’ll save 50%.

 

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

 

 

Cordially,


Susan Tierney
Editor

 

 

Two Free Issues