Suggested Books for Children's Writers
Whether your writing children's picture books or young adult novels, the following books can help you break into the publishing market and hone your writing skills:
2007 Children's Writers & Illustrators Market
Provides information on all of the major book publishers, several small
presses, magazine markets, agents, what editors are looking for, writing tips,
how to submit manuscripts, and much more.
How
to Write and Sell Children's Picture Books by Jean E. Karl
Teaches the key
elements that all children's writers should know in order to create picture
books that will appeal to children. It also provides information on marketing
your book.
Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet
Burroway
Written by a professor of English Literature and Writing, this book
provides very clear and comprehensive insights on how to create excellent narrative
fiction. If you only read one book on how to improve your writing skills,
this would be the one I suggest.
Characters and Viewpoint
by Orson Scott Card
After Janet Burroway's Writing Fiction, I recommend this
one next. Card provides invaluable perspectives on how to develop and use your
characters to make your stories come alive.
The
Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus
This book provides a great guide on how to
add a humorous or light side to your stories. Even if you're writing serious
stories, this book can provide you insights on how to successfully create needed
tension and conflict in your stories.
Building Believable
Characters by Marc McCutcheon
From listings of physical attributes to
character actions and the way they dress, this is a good reference or resource
book for helping you define the unique characteristics of your individual
characters.
From Aaron to Zoe : 15,000 Great Baby Names
by Daniel Avram Richman
A good source for coming up with character names.
Daniel Avram Richman also has an excellent web site (www.nameyourbaby.info)
that contains a 15,000 name database that allows you to search for names on up
to nine different criteria, including language, popularity, meanings, and more.
Writer's Digest Books also puts out an excellent series of books to help writers improve their writing skills, which include the following:
Plot by Ansen Dibell
Conflict, Action & Suspense by William Noble
Beginnings, Middles & Ends by Nancy Kress
Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham
