Great Article from an Editor

Tags

Children's books, SCBWI, Writing

https://elizabeth-law.squarespace.com/blog/2014/7/15/finishing-the-hat-ten-things-that-make-an-editor-stop-reading-your-manuscript

This all seems like common sense, but I can tell you that it isn’t. I have been in a lot of critique groups where new writers are making all these mistakes and more. Children’s books are a lot harder than mainstream adult fiction because you are writing for children.

I notice that a lot of writers I meet are doing it because they think it will sell and or someone told them some story about them from high school was funny and why don’t they write a book around it. I have been working on the craft of children’s book writing for 14 years now. I have taken so many classes I could have a masters in children’s literature, honestly and I am still learning. 

Last year I wrote about 14 picture books for the mobile app FarFaria, I left that job last summer because I got very busy with illustration and didn’t have time to devote to the stories I was writing, but it was a great experience. I recently finished an early chapter book and have just started submitting it around.

As many of you know I am published in adult (not “adult” like “adult” films, but not kids) with two chick-lit romantic comedy novels and I contributed to a graphic romantic comedy series as well. When I started thinking about writing full time, I dove into kids’ books because I love them. I LOVE the middle grade and chapter books the most. I switched to chick lit because everyone was doing it and I thought that I could get published fast-BIG MISTAKE-I did get published, but my books aren’t best sellers. I like them, I still think that they are funny, but my heart is in kids’ books.

I have a middle grade series that I am re-working from a YA down to a MG book. The feedback I have gotten is that it’s MG and not YA and to revise the whole thing. I belong to the SCBWI and am very active in groups out here. I also have been fortunate to take workshops to get feedback. If you are interested in kids’ books I would join them right away.

Meanwhile, read the article above and feel free to comment below on your favorite kids’ books-any level, or send me a message. Have a super day!!

E-Course on Story, Writing, Queries, Pitches, Etc??

Hey everyone. as some of you may remember in 2012 I developed a course that I called, “Who Said That?” it was specific to dialogue. I didn’t go beyond the one time because I had some personal family things happen-my father died that summer- and I needed to focus on other things instead.

That said. I am developing some new e-courses and PDFS.

So I am wondering:

WHICH WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEND?

1) Story course-building it, plot, timing, etc.
2) Character course-dialogue and things like that.
3) The dreaded pitch/query?

Would you sign up for a monthly subscription covering these things with examples from current films, tv shows, books, etc?

and

Would you like a PDF as well?

Thanks so much for your reply. If you want to just email me that would be great too, or join the conversation here.

Have a super day!

Stephanie
stephanie@stepholivieri.com