Writers often imagine that securing an agent is like winning a golden ticket — one magical "yes" that changes everything overnight. In reality, finding the right literary agent is usually a slower and more thoughtful process built on research, persistence, professionalism, and compatibility. The first step...
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Every few years, someone predicts the death of books. First television was going to replace reading. Then came e-books, followed by streaming media,...
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One of the most emotionally difficult parts of getting a book published is querying. Writers spend years crafting manuscripts, polishing query letters,...
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One of the greatest challenges in writing for children and teens is addressing difficult subjects responsibly. Writers today are increasingly exploring themes...
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There is a persistent misconception that writing for children is somehow “easier” than writing for adults. After all, children’s books are shorter....
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Every year at both the Southampton Children's Literature Conference and at Picture Book Summit, whenever aspiring writers have a chance to ask...
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If you ask agents and editors what they’re looking for, you may hear many different answers: A strong hook. A fresh concept....
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Writers entering the children’s publishing world are often surprised to discover that most major publishers do not accept "unsolicited" - meaning "un-agented"...
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One of the most common questions I hear from my students, editing clients, and other aspiring children’s book writers is: How do...
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