Want to be a Children’s Author? Find Out What’s Stopping You

 

 Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer

 There are many people, men, woman, professionals, and those in business who actually dream of being the author of a children’s book.

Usually, it’s to inspire a child or bring memories or stories they told their children to life. Or, it can be a business person who wants a children’s book as part of their product line.

From my experience, the majority of these people want to be author of a picture book.

I’ve had hundreds and hundreds of queries about starting a project that fell through.

Why does this happen?

Why do the majority of people who want to be children’s author never follow through on their dream?

While I don’t know for sure, I do think there are a few basic reasons.

1. The cost.

Yep. If you are hiring a children’s ghostwriter, it will cost money.

This is a huge concern for most, and understandably.

What really surprised me during 2020 (COVID time) was the number of people who did use my services. It was my busiest year ever. It had to be that people had time on their hands and wanted to be kept busy.

Then there are the writing services on sites like Fiverr. These types of services, and many others, have writers who don’t know English very well or aren’t professionals.

Yes, it will be cheaper than a professional writer, but keep in mind that you get what you pay for. If you don’t care about the quality of the book you’ll be author of, it’s an option.

Below is an example from a Fiverr project a client came to me to fix. This was for a picture book:

“His feet were heavy with reluctance as he dragged them unwillingly one in front of the other. He looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror and couldn’t help but notice his sad expression. His piercing dark blue eyes, once full of joy and excitement, now looked weary and defeated.”

In another section there were three “really” within four sentences.

The entire story’s formatting was horrible, such as the lack of new paragraphs for new speakers. There were grammatical errors and multiple points of view.  

So, again, you get what you pay for.

I can’t imagine someone wanting to have their name as author of a story like that.

Another cost factor with children’s books is illustrations.

If you’re self-publishing, you’ll need to hire an illustrator for a picture book.

You’ll also need illustrations for chapter books and simple middle grade books.

I listened to a YouTube video with editor and former literary agent Mary Kole. (Check out her YouTube channel, Good Story Company.) She said if you want a high-quality professional illustrator for a picture book, you’re looking at $10,000 to $20,000. And, if you want an acclaimed illustrator, it’s much more than that. (1)

Obviously, most people can’t afford that. So, it’s understandable why some people drop the idea.

But don’t let that stop you dead in your tracks. I work with good illustrators who charge far, far, far less.

2. Motivation wanes due to life.

One perfect example is a client from 2019.

I wrote a young adult (YA) story for an attorney. It was almost done and he was gun-ho. He even wanted seven picture books written after the YA was finished.

He paid in full and we were working to finish it.

Then he slowed down. Family. Vacation. Work.

Then COVID-19 hit.

I contacted him and he said he’d get back into it, but he didn’t.

I tried contacting him again as he paid for a completed manuscript and there are still about five or so chapters to go, but no word.

So, as we all know, life happens. This can put a monkey wrench in any project.

3. It seems too complicated.

There is a lot involved in having a book ghostwritten and illustrated.

And, it’s a lot of work if you’re writing the story yourself.

After that, it’s the business of getting the book formatted, the interior design, and uploading for publication and distribution.

It can seem daunting.

But it doesn’t have to be.

There are a number of services that will help you put your book together and get it published. I’ve even added this service to my site to make it easier for my clients.

There is plenty of help out there.

So, what to do?

If your dream is to have your name as author of a children’s book, take the first step.

Find out what’s involved and what the cost will be. This will give you a solid foundation on what you need to do and what you’ll need for a budget.

It may be that your imagination is getting carried away.

I'd be happy to discuss your children's writing project.  

If you prefer writing the story yourself, I offer coaching services that includes guidance on how to self-published.

Don’t let your dream go unfulfilled.

Get started today!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author and children’s ghostwriter, editor, and coach with clients worldwide. If you need help with your children’s story, please visit: Karen Cioffi Writing for Children.
 
In addition, she offers self-publishing help for children’s authors. To learn more, you can visit WRITERS ON THE MOVE PRESS.

Karen also offers HOW TO WRITE FOR CHILDREN, a self-guided ecourse and mentoring program.

Contact Karen to learn more!

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A feature in the right column of this blog lets you subscribe to #SharingwithWriters so you don’t miss any of Karen’s posts on writing for children. 

 

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MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Fall Writing Prompts for November 2023 Free Instant Download PDF

Fall Writing Prompts for November 2023 Free Instant Download PDF

Click on this link for your free instant download of writing prompts

Trees provide endless opportunities for drawing and writing. With leaves falling and branches beginning to bare, our imaginations take us to thoughts of harvest and large gatherings with the foods autumn provides. Time to get out winter clothing if you live in a four-season area. Time to dust off the recipe books for the upcoming holiday meals and desserts. Each prompt has a text prompt page, and also a picture-only prompt page. We always include a coloring page for children who may be in attendance. 

November is full of gray - skies, branches, old withering leaves, and gardens prepared for next year.

Leaves underfoot? Who can resist "crunching" them! Leaf piles are irresistible to children, and sometimes adults. Walks are enjoyable when there are things to discover like colorful leaves, acorns, pine needles, and pinecones. It is probably going to be a mast year for acorns. I heard a discussion on NPR about the high numbers of acorns this fall. 

Baking in the fall is fun with new apples, pumpkins, and other things that may be available. Can you imagine the aroma? Such fun to eat, as well. 

Light snows that do not stay on the ground are lovely as it probably isn't too cold as yet. Can you catch a snowflake on your tongue?

Big family gatherings may be enjoyable, or not, depending on what a family is going through at this time. It will be my first Thanksgiving meal for a LO in memory care, and I am not really happy about the situation but hopefully, it won't be too sad. 

 As usual, there is a coloring page for the children included in the PDF.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

See a list of prompts we have previously posted at this link.

Thank you for reading, Carolyn

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Dawn Colclasure Allows Me to Give Away My Pick for Best Free Download of the Year

I am so excited to offer subscribers and visitors to this blog Dawn Colclasure's new FREE book as a Christmas thank you as well as just an #AuthorsHelpingAuthors gesture for #writersblock or just maybe #craftdisplasia--if there is such a thing. Ahem.  I want to help authors avoid one of my biggest booboo--that is I didn't find the "perfect first line" for my novel until it was out of print!

 Here is is more about her freebie. I vote it the season's best free download. But don't forget Dawn's
great newsletter, now more than a year old.  Information on subscribing to it below. Just keep scrolling!

Do Not Fear the Blank Page! Let a First Line for a Story Get You Writing

By Dawn Colclasure

One way in which writers can find time to write is if they get up early in the morning to have some uninterrupted time. But what happens if everybody else in the house gets up early, too? Things get busy, there’s the rush for people to get out the door, and kids need to be transported to school. The writer hoping to grab some time to write just so they can get the words in their head onto paper may have trouble finding that time.

This is where writing down that first line comes into play. By writing down that first line I plan to use for what I want to write, I can come back to it later, when I have more time, to pick up where I left off. 

But having that first line to get started with serves another purpose as well: It eliminates the dread of facing a blank page. 

The most seasoned writers can sometimes have a hard time putting all of those thoughts in their heads into words. They know what they want to write and do have the time to write it, but facing that blank page with all of that space to fill up with words can be off-putting. It can incite a sense of dread that the words you choose to fill that blank space with must be perfect. There is the expectation that everything written on that blank page will be the final draft which everyone will read.

Even as we know this is not true, these implied feelings can keep the writer from even putting that first line onto the blank page.

But if you already have a first line written, there’s nothing to fear. The writing has begun, and it’s up to you to finish it.

That’s where my new ebook, 30 First Lines for Fiction Writers, comes in. 

By having a first line of a story or a chapter for a novel written, the writer can approach the task of writing feeling better prepared to write a story. There is no blank page they must deal with and no sense of dread on how to start their story. That first line is already written. All the writer has to do is use their imagination to write the rest.

Of course, no first lines are written in stone. The writer has the freedom to take that first line and revise it according to their own ideas, style and needs. A first line is only a suggestion or an idea. The writer can take that first line and change the point-of-view, change the dialogue, add greater detail or rewrite it according to their trope of choice.

Whatever the writer chooses to do with that first line is up to them. The point of this ebook is to provide a first line to get the writer’s creativity going and spark some ideas. The first line of a story is written; now the writer can take it from there to create the story they want to write.


Here is the blurb:

Writers of fiction often struggle with how or where to start their stories. The idea for a story isn't enough to start writing a story; a lot of times, the writer needs to figure out that first line. Just as a first line of a story can pull a reader in, it can also spark a writer’s creativity to help them get started on writing a story.

This book contains 30 first lines which can be used to help you start writing a story. It may not be the same first line used in the final draft, but a writer hoping to get that first draft written can start with any first line they so choose. 

Select a first line from any of these options and get busy writing your story! Get your free copy of this ebook here:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/r5om5ilasi 

More About the Author

 Dawn Colclasure is a writer living in Oregon. She is a freelance writer, book reviewer, and columnist. She is the author and co-author of over four dozen books, among them her horror novel, Shadow of Samhain. Her forthcoming titles from PsychoToxin Press include the YA horror story collection, The Worst Thing You Ever Did, and the psychological horror novella, All the Beautiful Things. She also has a magical realism novel, I’ll Be Ghosting You, scheduled for a November 2023 release by Gypsy Shadow Publishing. Her work has appeared in magazines, websites and anthologies. She writes a regular column for ReaderViews.com's "First Chapter Plus", also a downloadable freebie.  Her websites are https://dawnsbooks.com/ and https://www.dmcwriter.com/. She’s on Twitter @dawnwilson325 and @dawncolclasure.

Some of Dawn's books for writers include: 

BURNING THE MIDNIGHT OIL: How We Survive as Writing Parents 

https://booklocker.com/books/1743.html 
The Big Book of Writing Challenges

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2MC4CFP/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1XBV6LO8EIDOK&keywords=Writing+Challenges&qid=1653786330&s=digital-text&sprefix=writing+challenges%2Cdigital-text%2C125&sr=1-3 
Free Stuff For Writers 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BC6H8PDQ 
Write for Your Life!: The Health Benefits of Writing 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZLVZ4G9 
The Newbie Author's Guide to Getting Your Book Published 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9R8H3C7 

Dawn is also a book reviewer. She reviews books for her blog, Dawn Reviews Books, https://dawnreviewsbooks.blogspot.com/, as well as for Reader Views. 

As a freelance writer, her work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, websites and anthologies. She is also a self-publisher. 

She publishes the free newsletter for writers, the SPARREW Newsletter, each month. The SPARREW Newsletter is a free monthly newsletter for self-publishers, authors, readers, reviewers, editors and writers! Stay updated with the latest industry news, read interviews with some of today's most prolific industry leaders, and receive a free ebook with every issue. Subscribe here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/oQMfjTl/spring 
Her author site is at: https://dawnsbooks.com/ 
Check out the site for her latest release and to download free ebooks! 
You can check out Dawn's work as a freelance writer and read the latest issue of the SPARREW Newsletter at this link: https://www.dmcwriter.com/  
Dawn tweets as @dawncolclasure and @dawnwilson325. She is also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawn10325/

The SPARREW Newsletter is a free monthly newsletter for self-publishers, authors, readers, reviewers, editors and writers! Subscribe here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/oQMfjTl/spring

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/1615996001  offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically" (https://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews), and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. 

 Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). 

In addition to this blog,Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Carolyn Celebrates #2 Birthday of the 3rd Edition of Her The Frugal Editor

To My SharingwithWriters Blog Subscribers and Visitors:

As this year of 2023 draws to a close, I am celebrating the first year anniversary of the release of the third edition of The Frugal Editor, the winningest book in my #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers, and I don’t want to let the year pass without reaching out to even more readers of a book so plainly a huge helpmate for authors to matter where they are in their careers. My publisher says there is approximately 50% new material in this edition. It will have something new in it for anyone with a new book in the works.

My publisher (Modern History Press) also says, “We really overachieved on this book. There's nothing within a mile of it in terms of scope and depth.” One of the reasons for such praise is the inclusion of information on front matter that is as likely to assure a great first impression for a book as a great cover and one that books on editing or publishing rarely cover. So today’s blog post (see below) is what you need to know regardless of the publishing process you have chosen for your book.

The new Frugal Editor also covers the magical properties of back matter including increased readership and book sales,  but that part is way too long for a blog post. Find the frugal e-copy of the book at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/!)

An Excerpt from the Third Edition of The Frugal Editor

What Authors Need to Know to 

Avoid Vital Front Matter Booboos

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning
 HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers

Because I am a book marketer and an English Lit major, I love front matter where I often find unexpected information, but when I am reading for entertainment, I hardly notice it. Readers tend to pay little attention to front matter unless we have a reason to do so but industry gatekeepers are pickier. That includes the professional reviewers both authors and publishers want to impress.

Front matter mistakes or intentional deviation from the norm are not as readily forgiven as those in back matter. The easy way to make sure yours is in the realm of industry standards is to request Gorham Printing’s beautifully organized, free Guidebook: Adventures in Publishing, Explore Book Printing. Though I include a long list of both front- and back matter elements later in this chapter, Gorham gives you a basic (safe!) order for frontmatter fundamentals for paper books:

1.     Title Page

2.     Copyright Page (lefthand page)

3.     Dedication

4.     Contents (begins on the righthand page)

5.     List of Figures or Tables. In my book, “The Frugal Editor’s Extras” list in the front matter is a cousin to these lists in an effort to make finding information easier for readers much like table or figure lists do. Use it as an example of a way to deviate with your own idea for “extras”in your book.

6.     Foreword 

7.     Preface

8.     Acknowledgements

9.     Introduction

Note: Gorham’s list doesn’t mention a prologue. I like them when they come just before the first chapter in books of fiction, meaning nothing—absolutely nothing but a chapter title—should intervene!

Gorham’s book is a great tutorial that includes their printing costs for books from hardcover to spiral books (often used for the likes of cookbooks). You’ll find a couple more front matter considerations below.

No matter how you plan to publish, you may think of a good reason to deviate from what appears to be acceptable among publishers. If your research inspires an idea for front or back matter that might benefit readers or help to sell more books, you might negotiate with a traditional publisher to accommodate your idea rather than stick to their company-wide style guidelines. I remember a fine publisher had included a short paragraph highlighting their use of a font style that was especially appropriate for the topic of that specific book on one of its front matter pages. 

If you are self-publishing, know what rules you are breaking. Ask yourself if doing so would be welcomed by your readers and if it might attract the ire of a publishing industry professional. Ask yourself if the pluses outweigh the negatives or if you would feel comfortable saving your creative idea for a time when you are so experienced and established that your idea is likely to be accepted and emulated regardless of how brazen it is.

Of course, you can always choose a few books from your library or browse newly released books from publishers you admire at your favorite bookstore, too. Be sure to look at some of the best known books in the same genre as yours. This little exercise might convince you that your title can accommodate a little daring-do!

Here are some other less frequently used front matter components I promised you including the use of two title pages. What, you never noticed a second title page? They can be handy for keeping a nice, open layout with all the sections that should be on the left page where they belong. They are called the title page and the half-title page. Old-timers call title pages other than the first bastard title pages. In those pre politically-correct days, they were abbreviated versions of the title page that could be torn out before the book was bound. One defense for the keeping the practice is that authors can sign and personalize one page and the book still has one left untouched. Another is that an additional title page can separate the book’s text from long and complex frontmatter. The setup of a book’s frontmatter might be part of your publisher’s style guidelines and be nonnegotiable. If the frontmatter is quite long, there may even be a third title page just before the body of the book begins.

Note: An excellent example of a book that departs from frontmatter standards in ways that benefit both book and reader is Behind the Bears Ears: Exploring the Cultural and Natural Histories of a Sacred Landscape by R. E. Burillo (Torrey House Press, 2020). It includes a map of Bears Ears National Monument (US), an anthropologic timeline, and probably breaks some norms for the length of its introduction. This 407-page book also uses back matter effectively.

 

     Warning: Don’t neglect your acknowledgements page. There are ways it can be used effectively for both pre-promotion and general marketing. It is spelled Acknowledgements. With a d, please. Even very good editors can overlook a misspelling of this word, at least in part because they don’t bother to peruse front and back matter. “Foreword” is often misspelled, too. Don’t leave the e out! Your spellchecker may not catch it!

 MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Howard-Johnson started what she considers her “real writing” career when most are thinking of retiring. She brings her experience as publicist, journalist, marketer, editor, retailer, and the author of those books published almost every way possible including traditionally, to the advice she gives in her HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers and the many classes she taught for nearly a decade as instructor for UCLA Extension’s world-renown Writers’ Program. She blogs at https://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com and https://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com.

“Careers that are not fed die as readily as any living
 organism given no sustenance.”