Writing for children is fun and rewarding - if you can break into the fiercely competitive world of children's book publishing. With "The Everything Guide to Writing Children's Books, 2nd Edition" readers learn how to write and promote a children's book that will impress any publisher. Whether writers have a basic idea or manuscript ready to go, they'll need to build a successful career as a children's book author. This clear and concise guide helps readers: formulate an original idea, create an outline, and write the book; learn the basics of children's storytelling, from point of view to story pacing; find helpful writing workshops and conferences; design a winning book proposal, get an agent, and negotiate a contract; create a marketing a publicity plan; and, use professional and social networking sites to promote their book. Full of eye-opening insider information and invaluable writing advice, this book should be on every aspiring author's bookshelf. It features: advice on how to protect your work, and to gradually build up confidence; updated information on using the internet to promote yourself as a writer (blogs, websites, professional networking sites, social networking sites); information on M.F.A. programs, both traditional residency and brief-residency, with writing for children tracks; and, details of the YA phenomena, including Harry Potter and Twilight.

About the Author

Luke Wallin has taught writing for children and young adults for nearly 20 years. He is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and an instructor and mentor in Spalding University's M.F.A. in Creative Writing program. Eva Gordon is an M.F.A. candidate at Spalding University, where she works as an editor at The Louisville Review.