-
-
Insider tip
How to Get an Agent: "Follow your instinct – more often than not it will be right." » Read more on securing the services of a good agent by Philippa Milnes-Smith-
You'll find us not just here, but also on Facebook.
Your questions about writing for children
Filed under: Getting Published, Literary Agents
There have been a number of specific questions relating to my post about finding a literary agent, so I thought I’d do a bit of a round-up here.
Rachel Limon asks how to get across to an agent what age-range she is writing for. It’s important to know who you are aiming your book at. When writing for children, the two key questions are:
- What age child would have the book read to them? (This only applies to younger age groups.)
- What age child would read the book themselves?
State clearly in your covering letter what age/s your book is aimed at.
In terms of finding a specific children’s agent, can I refer you to the excellent Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook – the new edition is just out. If you are aiming your work at children, it really is worth getting this specific reference guide, as so many agents simply don’t take on writing or illustrations for children.
gbarnes182 asks if an 850-word story is worth sending in to an agent. That sounds a good length for a picture book, and as the author envisages it with brightly coloured illustrations – they could explain this in their covering letter, or even get together with an illustrator – perhaps finding one on this site – to give the publisher an idea of what they are aiming for.
mark sanders asks if his US agent will sell his book to UK publishers. This will be covered in his contract with them. An agent will either have a direct link to submitting work in the UK, or will ask his US publisher to take on the task of selling those rights.
Good luck with writing for children!
Best wishes,
Cressida
(editorial consultant)
Related posts
Comments
2 Comments on Your questions about writing for children
-
Ashley on
Sep 28, 2009 at 05:19am
-
beverley on
Oct 26, 2009 at 15:31pm
Thanks for the advice, it can seem quite daunting trying to get published. I have had so many people wanting to find an easy way, without having to do the hard yards.
I am just in the process of finding a publisher/agent for my two completed manuscipts on childrens fiction. I have contacted around fifteen agents/publishers and had no response yet. I have also gone down the self publisher road but decided I need professional childrens agent/ publisher who has international connection with book stores and good media strategy especially for my first adventure book. I feel that I have a good adventure series waiting to be read but people need to know its out there and publishers and agents are my connections! searching for the right agent/publisher will probably be long process but I am willing to keep on going.
Buy the 2011 Yearbook
The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is available at a discount from our online bookshop. Get all the information, contacts and advice you could need.-
Win, Win, Win! We are giving away 5 copies of Qatari Voices, a collection of essays which will inspire new writers. For details of how to enter this giveaway go to 'The Accidental Writer' >
On camera: Jon McGregor
"Being longlisted for the Booker Prize changed everything - it was the launchpad for my writing career." Click to view our video with novelist Jon McGregor »
On camera: Justin Cartwright
"Just write... If you're any good you may not know it, but certainly someone else will." Click to view our video with novelist Justin Cartwright »
On camera: Julie Myerson
The novelist and journalist Julie Myerson on how she got that all-important first publishing deal. Click here to view our video exclusive »