4 First Steps to Writing a Marketable Children's Book

 Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Ghostwriter, Editor, and Coach

 Writing books is a business. The same goes for writing magazine articles, copywriting, and so on. 

Any time you write with the thought of selling what you’re writing, it becomes a business.

It’s not that the marketing end of your writing should put a damper on your muse, but there are a few key marketing components that you need to keep in mind when writing.

1. The very first component is your audience.

It’s been said over and over that you need to have a target market – a target audience for your book.

Well, if you're not sure, imagine you wrote a story about your Alaskan adventure.

Who do you think would be interested in it? Who do you think would buy your book?

Now imagine you wrote a children’s fantasy chapter book. 

Same questions.

But the answers will be different.

In an article at Live, Write, Thrive, the author takes this a step further. She advises you to analyze your ‘perfect’ reader. Find out what he likes. Does he have any pets? Does she like sports or music? What about her family and school? What about friends? The deeper you go, the better.

With the answers to these questions, you can craft a story tailored toward that reader. Or you can include tidbits that a particular reader can relate to in a story you are already writing.

Maybe your reader is a junior lifeguard and cross-country runner. And he has an eighty-pound, former bronco-jumping Bernedoodle.

With this knowledge, you can craft a story that incorporates elements relative to the readers’ age group without detracting from the story’s creative process.

2. Have a great theme.

First, what is theme?

One explanation of theme is from MasterClass: “In simpler stories, the theme may be a moral or message: ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ In more complex stories, the central theme is typically a more open-ended exploration of some fundamental aspect of society or humanity.”

The theme should be subtly woven into your story.

But there are occasions when you don’t know what the theme of your story is until it’s complete. 

Six of the most common themes are:

-Good vs. evil
-Love
-Redemption
-Courage 
-Coming of age
-Revenge

As a children’s ghostwriter, the themes I see most often from clients are:

-Be who you are
-Acceptance
-Being a good friend and making friends
-Kindness
-Bullying
-Environment

For a children’s writer or someone who wants to write their own children’s book, the themes tend to focus on raising awareness in children. The themes usually focus on teaching and guiding children.

Your theme should be like a ghost, invisible. But like the wind, you can feel it. You know it’s there.

3. Be different.

It’s challenging to come up with a unique story. Everything that can go on in life has been written about. 

So, how do you keep your story fresh?

One good way to do this is to study recently published books in your genre. Make the bulk of them traditionally published, since they had to get past the gatekeepers.

There are two reasons for researching traditionally published books:

A. As mentioned, the storyline and writing will be good…good enough to make it past the gatekeepers.

B. Publishing houses know what’s being received well and what’s not. They’re doing a lot of research that you can take advantage of.

After you research your contenders, buckle down and write a better story, one that has a different spin. This may take a great deal of effort, but it will make your story stand out; it will make your story unique.

Try to avoid the popular stuff. Think about historical fiction. 

If you go this route, just keep in mind you need an audience that will be interested in it.

You might even get ideas from folktales. Not the ‘overly done’ ones, but older, ancient tales. 

Whatever you write, make it your own.

4. Write a good story.

You can take all the steps necessary to create a marketable children’s book, but if the story isn’t properly written, if you don’t have a good story, those steps will be for naught.

A quick breakdown of the elements needed to write a good story:

-Theme (we discussed this already)
-Plot
-Story structure
-Characters
-Setting
-Style and tone
 
If you have any other tips on writing a marketable children’s book, please put them in the comments.

Sources:
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2014/06/09/3-ways-to-plan-a-marketable-novel/ 
https://www.novel-writing-help.com/what-is-theme.html
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-complete-guide-to-narrative-theme-in-literature-definition-examples-and-writing-how-to
https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/2015/05/10/make-a-good-story-worthy-of-the-gatekeeper/  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

 

Karen Cioffi is a children’s author, ghostwriter, editor, and self-publishing consultant. If you’d like to learn more about writing for children or need help with your story, visit Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi. 

You can check out Karen’s books HERE.

And connect with Karen on SOCIAL MEDIA. 
 

 

 

 

 

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.

HOW TO SHARE A GREAT MARKETING TIP THAT'S WORKED FOR YOU.

GREAT MARKETING TIPS FROM THE TRENCHES

Do your have one successful marketing tip to share with your fellow authors, publicists and book marketers? Just send it to me at carolynhjohnson@icloud.com with the words "My fave marketing tip" in the subject line, using the format below. We will publish your tip and give a special award to the one which receives the greatest number of views that month.  

This is an opportunity to get more eyeballs focused on you, whether you are an author, publisher, editor or publicists. 

We all know that even the best of books won’t go far without some good marketing behind them, so how about sending me your FAVE marketing tip, using the form below. My associate, Lois W. Stern and I will select one marketing tip each month as the WINNER OF THE MONTH, based on the number of views it gets, and post it on this blog and TheNewBookReview blog too. And that’s a big deal ‘cause it gives you one more opportunity to highlight your accomplishments as an Author, Editor, Publisher or Marketing guru.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FAVE MARKETING TIP:

To make the submission process easier, first copy and paste the template below to help you gather all your data. Then I will post it for FREE at: https://SharingwithWriters.com/

 TEMPLATE for SUBMITTING a FAVE MARKETING TIP

YOUR NAME: 

YOUR CREDENTIALS:: How you want to be known  

(Author, Publicist, Editor , Marketing guru . . .)

TITLE(S) OF BOOK(S) YOU SUCCESSFULLY MARKETED:

MARKETING TIP  ITSELF, of course!

IMAGES: Please include JPEG IMAGES of your choice, (ie Your logo, Your photo, Anything that helps define you and the book you marketed). Kindly send each with an identifying caption,

ABOUT YOU, THE MARKETING GURU: With Optional Biography/credit line. 

(Don’t be shy. This is your opportunity to let readers know of all your wonderful accomplishments.)

YOUR  FAVE LINKS: 

YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________

Do you want this email to be included with your marketing tip?

 ___ Yes ___ NO

LAST CHECK: NITTY GRITTY BUT IMPORTANT PUBLISHING STUFF

YOUR SUBMISSION WILL INCLUDE:

Your name as submitter of this marketing tip.

Title of book you are marketing.

Actual marketing tip.

Permission to print your marketing tip 

Photos of your choice in JPEG format.

Caption to identify each submitted photo.

Note #1: If you would like to quote a testimonial or blurb of twenty-five words or under at the end of your marketing tip, please feel free to do so. 

If you need help editing blurbs, read Carolyn’s “The Frugal Editor” using the Index to find appropriate entries. 

Note #2: Watch for our new feature--a marketmatic free contest to select a winning marketing tip from among all those submitted each season--a veritable zodiac of winners!  

Yay! A way for us to extend one more lucky participants  exposure a bit farther, and give them a chance to tout another win! 

And, I think I have talked Lois into making an award-emblem for winners to use in their own campaigns... forever afterward.

Note #3: Did you have trouble choosing which marketing tip to submit? Not to fret, you can make a regular habit of sending them. But only one per month, and ONLY one in each submission email. 

We accept more than a single marketing tip from any given participant, spaced at 30 days or more apart. Please send each tip separately to carolynhjohnson@icloud.com with the words “Best Marketing Tip”” in the subject line. 

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.

What Children's Authors Shouldn't Do: 3 Tips

 

 

 Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer, Editor, Coach

 It seems there are still new children’s authors or wannabe authors who don’t take the time to learn how to write for children… at least to learn the basics.

Here are three mistakes to avoid when writing for children:

THE PICTURE BOOK CLIFFHANGER

A recent client wanted a picture book rewritten with the ending missing, so there was a bit of ghosting involved. The intended age group was four to eight.

I rewrote the story and added a ‘satisfying’ ending with a takeaway only to learn the client wanted it to be a cliffhanger and didn’t want a takeaway.

Well, kind of a cliffhanger. The client wanted the ending missing.

No loose ends tied up. No satisfying ending. No full character arc. No full story arc.

This client scenario was a first for me.

Not wanting a takeaway is one thing, but not wanting a satisfying ending for a young children’s book doesn’t make sense.

The story was to leave the reader to guess what the author had in mind for the ending or create their own. 

The author’s intent was to create a series of cliffhangers motivating the reader to get the next picture book.

I tried my best to help the client understand that a young children’s book needs all the elements of a ‘good’ story, especially when seeking a traditional publishing contract.

This is not to say if you’re writing a children’s book series, you can’t have a teaser at the end that hints to the next adventure. But the story at hand must have a satisfying ending before the brief teaser.

THE PERFECT STORY WORLD

I don’t get too many of these types of authors, but it came up in another recent project.

This scenario is when the author doesn’t want any significant conflict in the story. No real stakes involved.

-No swarm of bees to block a path the protagonist must get through.
-No ferocious fire-breathing dragon blocking the entrance to a cave the protagonist must get into.
-No dangling from a cliff before being rescued.

The author also doesn’t want the characters, even the villain, to have any bad traits.

-No evil Professor Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis).
-No evil Joker or the Penguin (Batman’s nemesis).
-No evil Lex Luthor (Superman’s nemesis).

This type of story is sugar-coated.

Instead of a roller coaster that goes up and down, where the rider has to hold on tight, this type of story is the stationary horse on the carousel, no holding on needed, no real movement involved.

You always want your story to be the one the reader is motivated to hold onto, motivated to turn the pages. You want your story to go up and down and around.

HITTING THE READER OVER THE HEAD

Most of my clients have a specific goal for their story. They want to send a message to a child. They know exactly what they want the takeaway to be. 

A number of stories have the bullying theme, but interestingly, that’s eased off. Now I get more requests for inclusion, standing up for yourself, and being kind themes.

Some new authors think they have to hit the reader over the head with their message. They blatantly want to tell the reader how the main character grew because he was kind, stood up for himself, or included someone different in her group.

This is not a good idea. The story should convey the message subtly. 

I hope these three tips on what to avoid will help you on your children’s writing journey.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s writer, coach, and self-publishing consultant with clients worldwide. For more tips on writing for children or if you need help with your children’s story, please visit Karen Cioffi Writing for Children. While there, you can check out Karen’s books. 

And don’t forget to CONNECT.  

----- 

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.

This First of a #SharingwithWriters Series of Newsletter Recommendations

Dear Writers including Visitors and Subscribers:

 

In preparation for the release of the next book in my series of books for writers, I am going to begin a series of recommendations for others’ newsletters. I’m doing it because I have always sensed the power of newsletter even from times long before I started my own “just for writers” letter after I wrote my first book for publication. As I got busier, I dropped it and began to write columns for other writers newsletters. That put me in a unique position to see what works, what doesn’t, and to meet several writers who spearhead their own newsletters as well as many editors for the newsletters that come from organized groups (like my first recommendation below!)  I have known and worked with this group (recommendation below!) for at least two decades and asked its editor to write up a little into to it.  Disclosure: I have also been writing  “Vocabulary Habit” for it for at least two decades. Keep reading for how newsletters can benefit you--whether it’s your own or one you subscribe to. And watch for the eventual re-release of mine after I finish the book that is taking me an extraordinarily long time to write!

Here is the contribution from ISWG’s newsletter editor, Juneta Keyes:

"Writing can be lonely, but you are not by yourself.

"The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (ISWG) is a welcoming community where writers share their struggles, celebrate their victories, offer encouragement, and connect with others who understand the struggle and the joy of the writing life.

Members post on their blogs on the first Wednesday of every month, then visit and support fellow writers. Members can also submit book releases, writing news, and special moments for possible shout-outs in our monthly newsletter.

Whether you’re just beginning or have been writing for years, there’s a place for you here.

Come join us. Your experiences might be exactly what another writer needs to hear.  You can subscribe on this page:

MORE ABOUT TODAYS NEWSLETTER EDITOR CONTRIBUTOR

Juneta Key

Support Juneta Ko-Fi Give A Gift

Early Access Midlife Ghostwalker details here.
 website/ social media links
Author Services (suspended until better)

“You hand out hope like it is candy in your pocket." 
~The movie The Postman Kevin Costner.

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), 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.

PS: Thank you to Lois W. Stern, trusted blog associate from my #TheNewBookReview blog, for suggesting this series. Reminder, please feel free to send me one of your newsletters or favorite newsletters with “Newsletter Recommendation” in the subject line.  Address it it HoJoNews   @  AOL . com.  Eliminating the spaces. (-:   Include permission for me to quote from it, please.