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Topic: Writing a book...

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TraceyD

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Just wondered if anyone has ever given consideration to writing a children's book. I'm thinking of writing a book (or even a series of books!) about Pinto, my Romanian rescue dog but I've no idea how you go about it. I've written a poem called Pinto's Journey which woukd be the basis for the book. I've had some positive feedback from friends and am now starting to wonder how hard it is to get published. I need to think about illustrators too.

So basically has anyone done it, how hard is it? Should I persevere with my idea or is it just not worth the effort? Also what sort of cost is involved?

Thank you!

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Bramston

29/9/2021 at 2:54pm
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Sit down and write it, at least the first chapter and see how it goes.
The traditional route is to start mailing the printed manuscript to publishers and to start collecting rejection slips.
The alternative is to self publish on Amazon Kindle for free and see if anyone downloads it.
If it sells they'll find you a publisher.
If you need artwork find a keen amateur artist and pay them for their time.

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TraceyD

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Quote: Originally posted by Bramston on 29/9/2021
Sit down and write it, at least the first chapter and see how it goes.
The traditional route is to start mailing the printed manuscript to publishers and to start collecting rejection slips.
The alternative is to self publish on Amazon Kindle for free and see if anyone downloads it.
If it sells they'll find you a publisher.
If you need artwork find a keen amateur artist and pay them for their time.

Thank you

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Fiona W

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You could self publish & ask friends to be subscribers - they pay a reduced amount for the book before you publish, it helps defray costs.
I’ve no idea how old you are, Tracey (don’t say!) but the parents of young children communicate differently from old fogeys like me or the grandparents. So you might want to think about who you’re hoping will buy it, if you decide to promote it yourself. You could check the primary school curriculum & your book might tie with it, opening up another market.
But do try! As Mark Twain said (I paraphrase) - you regret more what you don’t do, than what you do. So give it a go, expect dozens of rejections first but hopefully you’ll be published in the end & even go on to do other books. If Meghan Markle can do it, so can you.

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DaneR

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Do it for enjoyment if you want to do it, but don’t expect to make any money. My friend has written loads of children’s books and has been published. They’re bloody good too. Sadly celebs like to write books and often just with a ghost writer that take the bulk of the sales and publicity funding. He gave up with the children’s books and started writing adult novels instead. Still will never be rich unless a tv company finds them but it supplements his pension a bit.
There’s a lot of authors out there giving books away

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Hedgehugger

01/10/2021 at 9:48pm
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Maybe chat to teachers of the age range you're targetting, if you know any, when you have a first draft ready and ask for their opinions? They will know what is needed to make it tick the right educational boxes and be appealing to the chosen age range. Good luck!

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MikeJames

03/10/2021 at 4:32pm
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I wrote and published my first book last year. A journalistic investigation into a $2m dollar fraud. As advised, find an interesting topic/format that means you will finish it and not get bored or frustrated halfway through.

I touted my finished book around a few publishers but none were interested at the time so I went ahead and self published it in Paperback, Hardback and eBook formats, doing the layouts and print contracts myself. I had some printed in the USA and the rest in the UK.

Shortly after that I did sign a deal with a Publisher who changed their mind and they are currently prepping it for Amazon etc.

I have since started my first novel and have another book ready for launch in the near future.

It's a very enjoyable experience but currently not a living.

Fiona W

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Quote: Originally posted by MikeJames on 03/10/2021

It's a very enjoyable experience but currently not a living.

I have a friend who is an artist with her work for sale online & in exhibitions. She says the same; she has to have a paid job “in order to eat”.

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MikeJames

04/10/2021 at 7:16pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 04/10/2021

I have a friend who is an artist with her work for sale online & in exhibitions. She says the same; she has to have a paid job “in order to eat”.

Sounds familiar. :)

TraceyD

via mobile 08/10/2021 at 7:47pm
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Thanks for all the advice. It's not something I plan to make a living from its just an idea, I'd written the poem and thought with nice illustrations could make a good children's book. I'm a primary school teaching assistant of some 23 years so have worked with many teachers and thousands of children so I like to think I'm pretty much in tune with that side of it, curriculum, etc but this would be a read for pleasure and to hopefully raise awareness.

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MikeJames

09/10/2021 at 11:06am
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My book wasn't illustrated but I did have the cover art done by an artist. I just found somebody who's work I liked and had them do it.

Obviously this wasn't free but was not expensive either. The more famous the artist the higher the price I guess.

brian82

23/10/2021 at 10:42am
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post the first chapter on the forum and we will evaluate it

TraceyD

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There wouldn't be a first chapter as such, it would be a children's short story book, written in verse

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