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Hollzy · 02-12-2011, 14:29

Hey I really want to start writing children's literature and I have an opportunity to submit some to a small publication if I can produce something by the deadline. I know I can do this, I'm just having trouble getting started and I'd really appreciate some advice.

**EileenG** · 02-12-2011, 18:43

What age group are you writing for? Have you been given any guidelines about length or content?

What is your deadline?

allaboutclicks · 05-12-2011, 18:08

Hi Hollzy - what sort of stuff do you normally write?

Arfan · 07-12-2011, 12:29

1. Write a book and get published normally.
2. Go into bookstores and move all the copies to the childrens' section
3. ???
4. Profit!

I learned everything I know about life from a stray copy of The 120 days of Sodom in young adult literature.

PS. Sorry I can't be of any real help.

**EileenG** · 07-12-2011, 17:39

It would really help if you could tell us what sort of children's literature you want to write. I know a fair bit about teen and YA SF and fantasy, for instance. Is that your target market?

Toasterspark · 07-12-2011, 18:03

I'm following this thread with interest too! Do get back to us Hollzy.

bigsmokewriting · 09-12-2011, 09:30

Children's literature is a really broad field - there's a big difference between writing, say, picture books and young adult fiction. Pick out which age group you want to write for, first of all, and then take a look at some books for that age (bookshops should be able to help with these) and see what they're doing. The more you read, the better able you'll be to shape the ideas you have into a form suitable for that particular age group.

Hollzy · 14-04-2012, 15:51

Hmmm I ended up not having time to do it and forgetting about this thread :/ Sorry guys! My dedication to boards has been slipping for a while now! I had been thinking 8-10 I guess.

mikerawlins · 24-04-2012, 04:30

Interesting idea. I suppose when writing for children, you also need to put yourself in the age bracket you are targeting. What they are interested for? What kind of writing that they would prefer to read.

**EileenG** · 24-04-2012, 12:24

Don't underestimate children. Most of the bad stuff I read is because the author has no idea about modern children. My ten year old reads Harry Potter and watched Doctor Who and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

mikerawlins · 25-04-2012, 01:17

So you're saying that what children watch affects their attitude as well as perception about things? Make sense....

02-12-2011, 14:29	#1
Hollzy Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 315 Adverts \| Friends	How to write children's literature? Hey I really want to start writing children's literature and I have an opportunity to submit some to a small publication if I can produce something by the deadline. I know I can do this, I'm just having trouble getting started and I'd really appreciate some advice.

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02-12-2011, 18:43	#2
EileenG Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,531 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Nutrition & Diet	What age group are you writing for? Have you been given any guidelines about length or content? What is your deadline?

05-12-2011, 18:08	#3
allaboutclicks Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dublin Posts: 42 Adverts \| Friends	Hi Hollzy - what sort of stuff do you normally write?

07-12-2011, 12:29	#4
Arfan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 154 Adverts \| Friends	1. Write a book and get published normally. 2. Go into bookstores and move all the copies to the childrens' section 3. ??? 4. Profit! I learned everything I know about life from a stray copy of The 120 days of Sodom in young adult literature. PS. Sorry I can't be of any real help.

07-12-2011, 17:39	#5
EileenG Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,531 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Nutrition & Diet	It would really help if you could tell us what sort of children's literature you want to write. I know a fair bit about teen and YA SF and fantasy, for instance. Is that your target market?

07-12-2011, 18:03	#6
Toasterspark Closed Account Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 268 Adverts \| Friends	I'm following this thread with interest too! Do get back to us Hollzy.

09-12-2011, 09:30	#7
bigsmokewriting Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: 7 Lower Hatch St, Dublin 2, Ireland. Posts: 154 Adverts \| Friends	Children's literature is a really broad field - there's a big difference between writing, say, picture books and young adult fiction. Pick out which age group you want to write for, first of all, and then take a look at some books for that age (bookshops should be able to help with these) and see what they're doing. The more you read, the better able you'll be to shape the ideas you have into a form suitable for that particular age group.

14-04-2012, 15:51	#8
Hollzy Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 315 Adverts \| Friends	Hmmm I ended up not having time to do it and forgetting about this thread :/ Sorry guys! My dedication to boards has been slipping for a while now! I had been thinking 8-10 I guess.

24-04-2012, 04:30	#9
mikerawlins Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 10 Adverts \| Friends	Interesting idea. I suppose when writing for children, you also need to put yourself in the age bracket you are targeting. What they are interested for? What kind of writing that they would prefer to read.

24-04-2012, 12:24	#10
EileenG Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,531 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Nutrition & Diet	Don't underestimate children. Most of the bad stuff I read is because the author has no idea about modern children. My ten year old reads Harry Potter and watched Doctor Who and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

25-04-2012, 01:17	#11
mikerawlins Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 10 Adverts \| Friends	So you're saying that what children watch affects their attitude as well as perception about things? Make sense....