I am often asked for advice on how I managed to break into the difficult world of children’s publishing. First of all my story is not typical. I was fortunate to get my first book accepted very quickly. I have found children’s authors and illustrators to be the most sharing, generous group of people I have ever met. Do you know why? They do what they do for love!

Here are my pieces of advice for budding children’s authors.

1. Read. Read. Read. Know your genre. Know your audience!
2. Join SCBWI – The Society of Children’s Author’s and Illustrators (www.SCBWI.org). Their conferences and local chapter meeting provide a wealth of information and encouragement for both published and unpublished authors.
3. Befriend your local children’s librarian. These are the people who will be buying and reading your book. Their knowledge of the world of children’s literature is invaluable.
4. Think like a kid. If you’re writing for a three year old try to remember what it felt like to be three.
5. Write the book you wish you had but could never find. That’s what I always do.
6. Join a critique group - preferably in your genre.
7. For inspiration read books on writing. Click here for my list of favorites – many oldies but goodies.
8. Join a listserv of writers. The various regions of SCBWI have listservs of children’s authors that provide valuable discussions and information.
9. Get a cheerleading squad – friends who will support you through thick and thin – people who will be cheering you on until that first book arrives at your doorstep!
10. Stop reading this and START WRITING!

The inspiration for B is for Bulldozers

MY FAVORITE BOOKS ON WRITING

On Writing – Stephen King
On Writing Well – William Zinsser
Take Joy – By Jane Yolen
Bird By Bird – Anne Le Mott
If You Want to Write – Brenda Ueland
Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg
It’s a Bunny Eat Bunny World – Olga Litowinsky
Art & Fear – David Bayles & Ted Orlando
The Right to Write – Julia Cameron
Poem-Making – Myra Cohn Livingston
Ways of Telling – Leonard S. Marcus
Reading Magic – Mem Fox
Telling Time – Nancy Willard

All images Copyright © June Sobel, 2006, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.