Agents: Do You Need One?
March 3, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under for children's writers
by Nancy I. Sanders
Question:
Do I really need an agent?
Answer:
Everyone complains that it’s impossible to get a children’s book published these days because every publisher requires agented submissions. This simply is not true. Even the big houses send acquisitions editors to conferences where they will pick up your manuscript if they find merit in it. There are also numerous smaller houses who take unagented submissions. In fact, some publishers prefer not to work with an agent. These publishers are usually known as “smaller” publishers because they produce fewer titles each year, have a smaller editorial staff, and publish a lower print run. They may not be able to pay fees that cover an agent’s expense.
It’s actually good experience to go through the process of landing a contract at least once by yourself to know what an agent is supposed to do. It also puts you one step ahead of the rest. At one point, agent Rachelle Gardner posted on her blog at cba-ramblings.blogspot.com that she had over 200 submissions she was considering, most of which were by unpublished authors. It’s to your advantage to earn publishing credits before you contact an agent. How? Search your market guide. Look for publishers who say 50% or more of their product list is with first time authors. These publishers probably won’t be the huge megacorporations every writer dreams of signing a contract with. Many publishers who work with a high percentage of first-time authors are smaller or focus to fill a specific niche in the publishing world. None-the-less, these publishers usually offer standard contracts. And the nice surprise is that they’re often eager to hear from you.
Once you experience some publishing success and know how signing a contract works, you can certainly try to acquire an agent. There are numerous benefits to having one such as representation, constructive feedback, and legal advice. Meet with various agents—look for conferences that offer private appointments—or get to know them better by reading their blogs. As you’re sending out simultaneous submissions to publishers for your manuscript, include several agents in your mailing list as well. An agent won’t just want someone who can write, however. Agents are on the lookout for writers who also have a platform. They know that it’s one thing to get a book published. It’s another thing to get it to sell. While you’re looking for an agent, also start building up your platform. Teach writer’s workshops, build a blog, and schedule book signings for the books you’ve already had published. Make an agent want you as much as you want an agent.
As you’re searching for an agent, what exactly do you want from your writing at this point in your life? Do you want representation at the top houses but want to manage your own career? Look for an agent who will represent your book, not your career. If you want someone who will give advice on how to shape a more successful career, look for an agent who offers to spend time helping you develop long-term goals. Also take an honest look at your strengths and weaknesses. Are you interested in writing for the educational market and have numerous ideas for titles in this genre? You probably don’t need an agent to follow your dreams. Have you experienced solid success in the work-for-hire nonfiction market and love the fast, frenzied pace and tight structure of nonstop assignments? An agent in the loop might slow down your pace—and your income. However, if you feel you have the skills to write picture books with pizzazz or sweep-‘em-off-their-feet YA novels, then acquiring an agent will probably be to your advantage to land lucrative contracts with top publishing houses on a continuous basis.
Bio: Nancy I. Sanders is an instructor for the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and the author of over 75 books including A Kid’s Guide to African American History (Chicago Review Press). Visit her website at to find out more.
Become a Published Children’s Author!
February 25, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under for children's writers
Overwhelmed with all the information out there for writing for children?
Not sure how to weed out the essentials?
Look no further!
Visit the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club (CWCC) today and learn how to set your weekly marketing plan in place (you may refer to this as your “To Do List”). Coupled with weekly tele-classes and monthly assignments you will soon see your writing career moving in a positive direction.
The guidance and support at the CWCC has been instrumental in the success of my writing career. My first story book, due to be released Spring/Summer 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing, is a direct result of an assignment through the CWCC. And my most recent news, by attending one of the tele-classes I received direct information about a work-for-hire opportunity, I took the plunge, submitted my information, and was hired within 14-days!
Writing can be a lonely business, but with the expert coaching from Suzanne Lieurance and camaraderie of the CWCC members you will no longer feel adrift in a sea of jumbled words.”
Donna M. McDine
Member, Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club
Children’s Author
Why I’m a Member of the CWCC
February 24, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under for children's writers
Read Why Terri Forehand Enjoys Membership in the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club!
from Terri Forehand
I can’t really say enough about The Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and Suzanne Lieurance’s mentoring. I gained so much knowledge from her bootcamp and then I have continued to stay in the club for the constant support and encouragement it offers. I have obtained paid writing assignments from publishers like Mometrix Media and Kaplan as a direct result of the information and skills that I have learned from being a club member. I continue to get repeat assignments from these publishers on an ongoing basis including writing health exam questions for National Certifications in Nursing. It is so rewarding to get paid for what I love to do, write.
The Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club also teaches the skills needed for creating a blog, writing a marketing plan on a weekly basis, and learning critique and editing skills. Sharing my marketing plan with the club members makes me accountable for my writing career and encourages me to work harder and write more. I can’t thank Suzanne enough and the others for the positive feedback I get and for being honest when I need to seriously revise some of my work. The weekly critiques help get my writing focused and makes the material more polished for submission to appropriate publishers.
Because of being a club member, I now have two manuscripts for children ready for submission. I am working on a third story for children and have started to introduce my main character on my blogs. These blogs would not be possible if I had not gained this information from bootcamp and being a club member. I have a blog for new writers at http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com and a blog for parents and children who are dealing with serious health issues including terminal illness at http://heartfeltwords4kids.blogspot.com. I even have two websites I am working on and a mailing list of followers, all a result of what I have learned at The Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club.
Anyone who wants to write for children would benefit from becoming a club member. We learn, we write, we support each other, and most of all we have fun doing what we love thanks to being an active club member. I encourage all of your readers to join us as soon as possible to gain everything the club has to offer. It has been a huge impact on my writing career and has opened so many exciting doors to publishing.
How to Create Puzzles, Quizzes, and Other Short Fillers for Children’s Magazines
February 22, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under for children's writers
Pat McCarthy is the author of over a dozen books for children. Over the years, she’s also created puzzles, quizzes, and short fillers for a variety of newsletter and magazines for children.
Download the audio of this 55-minute recorded teleclass where Pat covers:
# Types of Puzzles and How to Create Them
# Other Short Items and Tips for Creating Them
# Finding Markets for Your Short Items
# What to Include in Your Cover Letters with Your Short Items
To get the audio for just $5.97, click here now!
How Can You Learn to Write for Children?
February 22, 2010 by Adrian
Filed under for children's writers
by Karen Cioffi
I write for young children and I also write marketing and health articles. Writing in multiple genres, I can tell you that writing for children can be much more challenging. When writing for children, there are guidelines to keep in mind to help your story avoid the editor’s trash pile.
Writing for children involves specific rules and appropriate story lines geared to each specific age group. Each age group even has its own vocabulary: Is the word “smuggle” appropriate for a 2nd grader? There is just so much that goes into writing for children and the question becomes how do you learn all the rules, tricks and answers. Well, there are a number of ways to learn and hone your children’s writing skills, but the most efficient and expedient is to find an experienced coach.
I’ve only been writing seriously for publication for about two years. And, I admit I had it all wrong at the beginning. While I am still learning, I’ve come quite a ways. I’ve come so far that I recently got a contract for one of my children’s books with 4RV Publishing.
So, how did I learn the children’s writing ropes enough to land a contract?
The answer’s simple, through the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club (CWCC). I joined Suzanne Lieurance’s club when I first became serious about writing for children. I can say without hesitation and with all honesty, Suzanne helped me get that contract. Her guidance, tips, knowledge, advice, lessons, teleclasses, and weekly critiques of my work all helped me to hone my craft.
What’s amazing about the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club – CWCC – is that membership is only $27 per month. It is probably the best outright bargain online. That’s less than a dollar a day!
And, I praise the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club (CWCC), only for what it’s helped me accomplish, but for what each and every member in the club has accomplished. I can’t be certain, but I think every club member has become published through either books or articles. That’s an amazing track record!
Suzanne Lieurance knows her business and has an innate ability to impart her knowledge to others. She’s a great coach, instructor, and motivator.
To add to this, along with Suzanne’s excellent coaching skills, the members of this group are all amazingly giving and helpful—this all makes for a dependable and proven path leading to publication.
But, if this isn’t enough, the CWCC also guides you through creating and maintaining visibility and marketing your work. We had one teleclass on creating a video so we could all learn to make book trailers for our published books!
So, if you’re serious about writing for children, don’t procrastinate, jump on board. It’s an investment in your future!
Join the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club today.
