Any writers here?

LeeH · 08-29-2005, 09:40 PM

Just wondering if there are any writers aboard. Blogging and OT forum doesn't count. Yeah, I know Jack O. is a writer, but anyone else?

I have a few ideas and have had positive feedback from friends (of course - they're friends, right?). Unfortunately, I put a lot of effort into writing a children's story and submitted it to numerous publishers and was rejected by all of them. As a result I have no motivation to work on my other ideas. Any success stories?

HardDrive · 08-29-2005, 10:14 PM

Take it around to the local childrens book shops. The fancy ones with the rows of Range Rovers outside. Ask the staff if they would read it and give you some brutal feedback. See if you can find who is in charge of the childrens book section at the local Barnes and Noble or Borders Books. Same drill.

Now if they all like it, why not look at self publishing? The costs have dropped dramatically because of computers and improvements in publishing technology. Try and sell them locally, and send them to every childrens book reviewer under the sun.

No writing here, but I have my own record label. Its a money loser, but I am glad I did it. Always a blast to come across some person in Germanys record collection, and they have yours....

Milu · 08-29-2005, 11:26 PM

When you're sure you've got the text right and you're not getting anywhere with mainstream publishers, it may be worth checking our some PoD (print on demand) publishers like this one as well.

http://www.lulu.com/

IROC · IROC's Garage

I wrote and submitted an article to Excellence magazine years ago just for the fun of it and they printed it. That makes me a professional writer (just kidding, obviously). At the same time frame a coworker's wife was trying to get into the "children's story" market with no success.

One thing I think would make a difference is to be unique. Especially in the children's book market. They are billions of people out there writing children's stories that actually insult the intelligence of children (I know, I have an 18-month old daughter). I would suggest trying to do something different (not that I know what that is) to set yourself apart from the mass of humanity that is cranking out inane children's books these days.

Mike

Rot 911 · 08-30-2005, 05:35 AM

"bigchill" on the tech board is a writer.

targa911S · 08-30-2005, 06:10 AM

My wife also has written a kids book. Also rejected by all the big pub houses. Rejected by Oprah, Ann Landers, etc. She too has given up. Self publishing as Milu says is really the best way to go. Then PROMOTE IT, yourself. I have a friend that has done that and sold like 4,000 books via the web and networking. Also contact your local publishers guild.

LeeH · 08-30-2005, 06:27 AM

Everything I read said the publishers prefer to find an illustrator after they have the text. So, I guess self publishing would require hiring an artist of finding one who believed in the story.

I've thought about resubmitting it to the larger houses going on the assumption that they have a room full of interns/readers and maybe someone else would appreciate it more.

We have a close friend who's a Border's manager and he was honestly (he said) enthusiastic about it's chances. In addition to friends and family I did join a writer's group briefly and the consensus there was it was ready to submit, also.

Rejected by Oprah? Does Oprah publish books?

livi · 08-30-2005, 06:51 AM

I have wrote a book on common diseases in childhood. Its written in normal language - not the usual medical gibberish. I got tired of parents seeing me for the fifth time with their asthmatic children - obviously not having understood how to use the medication and follow the ups and downs of the disease.

It has been accepted by one of the largest publishers in Sweden and is to be printed and on sale by next year.

Actually, I was lucky. I sent part of the material to 10 different publishers and 8 of them wanted it.

targa911S · 08-30-2005, 10:59 AM

yes publishers want to hook you up with illstrators. Oprah was a long shot. She is pretty benevalent, and my wife is disabled. One tip. big pub houses do not like you to have done multiple submissions. They like to know they are the only ones who have it so they can take 6 months to send that rejection letter. It's not like the record biz where you can submit a demo to all of them at once.

75Carrera · 75Carrera's Garage

Lee,

Here's yet "another" good reason for leaving the Valley of the Sun for a day.
Not only is it flaming hot down there and much nicer up here in Prescott but this Pelican would love to host you and your car for an afternoon.

And... guess what?.. I'm an artist illustrator! I have some experience with various publishing approaches.

A fun day trip, a Porsche contact and the realistic possibility of a connection to an illustrator! I've been involved with several childern's publications including the conceptual set up of the series "Value Tales." Couldn't hurt...

Here's my car... and a simple cartoon or two

stomachmonkey · 08-30-2005, 07:04 PM

Before you go with ANY publisher do your self a favor and do some research into royalties and how they are calculated.

Publishing is a business where a lot of money can be made, but not neccesarily by you.

How much you get and what the publisher keeps as "expenses" for putting out your book can be night and day.

At minimum you want a percentage of the MSRP.

Do the research.

I've got some Illustrators on hand that might do the work for a piece of the pie. Basically their sweat equity, you don't make money then neither will they.

It's good to establish a relationship with an illustrator that will be part of the "team".

If you get a hit you want to keep consistency of style.

PM me if you want.

Donny, nice work.

Scott

M.D. Holloway · 08-30-2005, 07:33 PM

Lee, I write many articles for our company and I actually have a monthly column in some trade mags. I get published several times a year in various mags and conferences. Up until this month I was the managing editor for our PCA region mag. I’m also trying to get a children’s book published. Self publishing may just be the best choice, seems like the pub houses never compensate you appropriately. Try contacting dd74 – he used to write for the LA Times (I think).

LeeH · 08-31-2005, 05:34 PM

Thanks for all the good advice. Donny, I'd like to make the trip up, but honestly can't say when it would fit into the schedule. Are you coming down for Phoenix Flight at the end of October?
http://www.phoenixflight.org/concours/index.htm

Victor · 08-31-2005, 06:25 PM

Not many writers here it seems but BY GOLLY IF YOU NEED SOME "COPY AND PASTERS" - you sure came to the right place!

on-ramp · 08-31-2005, 06:38 PM

I'm not a writer but I do help operate an on-line store full of writers. most books are signed and for some funny reason, people will just pay a premium for a signed copy. go figure

www.veryfinebooks.com

competentone · 09-01-2005, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LeeH
... I put a lot of effort into writing a children's story and submitted it to numerous publishers and was rejected by all of them. As a result I have no motivation to work on my other ideas.

Look into the rejections some extremely popular authors had received before they were finally published.

Keep submitting and re-submitting it (a different person might review it at a publisher when it's submitted at a different time).

It's a tough business to get into; just go into any bookstore and see how competitive it is!

If you've written something that people like, keep pushing.

Have you "tested" what you've written on family and friend's children? Do the kids like the story? If they do, it probably means you have some talent (writing does require more than effort; talent needs to be in the mix for success).

LeeH · 09-01-2005, 07:37 PM

I think I'll have to make a few changes and resubmit the story to a few publishers.

Yes, I've had a lot of friends read it and I was a shocked at the enthusiastic response. It was that enthusiasm that got me to join a critique group hoping to get unbiased opinions. The members of the group were more enthusiastic saying it was ready to be submitted. My daughter laughed out loud and had me read it over and over.

dd74 · 09-01-2005, 10:00 PM

The world can't get enough children's stories. What's yours about, Lee?

bryanthompson · bryanthompson's Garage

My boss is a writer for O'Reilly, and we are both working on the media insert dvd (movies & quizzes) for a McGraw Hill book.

My aunt writes children's stories... dunno about how successfully, though.

LeeH · 09-02-2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dd74
The world can't get enough children's stories. What's yours about, Lee?

From the submission cover letter:

The story is about a young boy who is upset at the thought of having to try the new food his mom made for dinner. He creatively avoids the food until his mom asks, “What if you’d never tried ice cream?” The child then reminisces about his positive eating experiences and ultimately encourages the reader to try new things. Does he try the new food or just wear it?