Writing for Children and Teensby Cynthea Liu

• Q: What elements make for a good hook, particularly at a story’s outset?
• revision 9-1-1: writing mechanics
• revision 9-1-1 for novels: setting and description
• revision 9-1-1 for novels: plot
• revision 9-1-1 for novels: characters
• revision 9-1-1: how to spot common problems and fix them
• anthropomorphic characters: a.k.a. talking animals
• how long does a children’s book have to be?

easy readers

• top do’s and don’ts: attending a children’s writer and illustrator conference

free-tiques

• revision 9-1-1: writing mechanics
• revision 9-1-1 for fiction picture books
• revision 9-1-1: how to spot common problems and fix them
• anthropomorphic characters: a.k.a. talking animals
• how to critique rhyming children’s poems
• how long does a children’s book have to be?
• to draw or not to draw…

guest articles

• how long does a children’s book have to be?

my story

• revision 9-1-1: writing mechanics
• revision 9-1-1 for novels: setting and description
• revision 9-1-1 for novels: plot
• revision 9-1-1 for fiction picture books
• revision 9-1-1 for novels: characters
• revision 9-1-1: how to spot common problems and fix them
• get a second opinion - critique partners, book doctors, editors, and more

middle grade and YA novels

• top do’s and don’ts: attending a children’s writer and illustrator conference
• Why should I target my submission to a specific editor at a publisher?
• status updates: when and how to do it
• monster list of childen’s book editor interviews, blogs, and more
• status queries: when and how to do it
• Oops! I did it again: mistakes in submissions
• analyze this! form rejections, personal rejections, revision requests and more
• exclusive submission or simultaneous submission?
• how to submit your work to children’s book editors or agents

picture books

• Q: How do I know if a literary agent is great?
• top do’s and don’ts: attending a children’s writer and illustrator conference
• how to interview a literary agent
• status updates: when and how to do it
• status queries: when and how to do it
• Oops! I did it again: mistakes in submissions
• analyze this! form rejections, personal rejections, revision requests and more
• exclusive submission or simultaneous submission?
• should I find a literary agent now?
• how to submit your work to children’s book editors or agents
• how to find a great children’s book agent

revision

• how long does a children’s book have to be?

submissions

• Q: What elements make for a good hook, particularly at a story’s outset?
• Q: I want to write for teens, but I’m much older than a teen…
• Q: If a publisher’s guidelines says to address all submissions to a general submissions editor…
• Q: How do I know if a literary agent is great?
• Q: I am writing a picture book manuscript. Should I include art specs for each page?
• Q: Should you copyright your manuscript before sending it out?

take a crash course

• top do’s and don’ts: attending a children’s writer and illustrator conference
• revision 9-1-1: writing mechanics
• anthropomorphic characters: a.k.a. talking animals
• how to format your children’s book manuscript
• should I self-publish my children’s book?
• get a second opinion - critique partners, book doctors, editors, and more
• how long does a children’s book have to be?
• to draw or not to draw…

writing basics

• On rejection…
• how to critique rhyming children’s poems