How to Break Into Childrens Books Writing and Publishing
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
Writing a childrens books for young readers to enjoy at such a formative time is a dream for many writers. Childrens books publishing is an industry with vast potential to make a difference in the world. Aspiring authors can make their dreams of becoming published come true by understanding the process of writing and publishing childrens books. To get started, let’s take an insider look at how a writer can break into this amazing industry.
Finding Your Childrens Books Niche
The first step in breaking into children’s book publishing is finding your niche. Knowing what kind of books you want to write—for which children’s book age groups, and with which guidelines—will help you not only target your manuscript but submit it more strategically when it comes time to try and publish. You should have a clear idea of the style, tone, and age category of your story so that you can target specific literary agents and publishers who handle those types of books.
Childrens books publishing is very segmented by age and genre, so you’ll need to figure out whether your storytelling is appropriate for audiences of picture books, middle grade, young adult, or something else. If you’re writing a fantasy novel for middle grade readers, you would contact different publishers than if you were writing a picture book for preschoolers.
Of course, then the fun begins. Once you’ve settled on a childrens books niche that calls to you, you’ll want to read as many childrens books in that category as possible, including bestsellers and award winners. You’ll want to hone your writing craft, including learning to write, figuring out how to self-edit, and getting critique, whether from writing groups or a professional editor. Consider joining the SCBWI. Only after that should you be thinking about next steps.
Researching Childrens Books Publishers
Once you have identified your niche, it’s time to research which literary agents and publishers are best suited for your work. Start by searching online for major childrens books publishers in your chosen category or age range. This will give you an overview of who might be interested in seeing your submission. You could also look into smaller independent presses, especially if your childrens books focus is more niche or regional.
Additionally, attending a writer’s conference (whether virtual or in-person) can help connect you with industry professionals who may be able to offer advice or help get your foot in the door.
Submitting Your Childrens Books for Publication
Once you’re ready with a great manuscript, targeted niche, and robust research, you’re ready to submit your work. Most literary agencies have submission guidelines on their websites that detail what type of manuscripts they accept and how writers should submit them. Major publishers generally have a strict policy against accepting unagented submissions, so a literary agent will have to get involved (which can be another barrier to entry, as they are selective).
Smaller presses may accept unagented projects. Before submitting anything though, make sure to thoroughly read all guidelines and follow them precisely—it shows that you are serious about your childrens books. From there, you will learn the fate of your project and learn a lot about the book submission process along the way.
Breaking into childrens books can seem daunting but, rest assured, there are ways to increase your chances of success. Start by finding out what kind of books appeal most to you as a writer, then researching which literary agencies and publishers handle similar material.
As much as writers want immediate success, it often takes a lot of writing, revision, research, and patience before you can look at a shelf of childrens books and see your own work represented. Perseverance is one of the most important writer’s tools out there, so don’t give up.
For those eagle-eyed readers who are wondering what kind of editor would have an article about “childrens books” on her website, I applaud you for noticing. Normally, the possessive would be spelled “children's books.” Please note that I picked this incorrectly spelled keyword on purpose, as part of my SEO (search engine optimizaton) strategy. If you got to this page by searching for “childrens books,” do note the correct spelling.
Click here to purchase Writing Irresistible Kidlit, my book on fiction craft for MG and YA novels, out from Writer's Digest Books. This will show you my writing craft philosophy and give you lots of valuable advice, including tips for the novel revision process and self-editing. There are over 35 example novels cited and discussed throughout. It’s a valuable resource for any writer’s toolkit.
Click here to purchase Successful Query Letters, my book on query letters, including over forty examples with comprehensive notes on each one. There’s a ton of submission advice, best practices, and insider information in these pages, and you’ll really enjoy seeing what other writers are doing in the slush.