THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE to PUBLISHING for CHILDREN 2018 WELCOME TO THE BOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PUBLISHING FOR CHILDREN. This book is the crown gem of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators publications. It contains virtually all the information you will need about writing and illustrating for the children’s book market. It will help you chart your creative work from inception all the way through the process of publishing and marketing. THE BOOK includes the latest market reports, articles on social media, discussions of emerging publishing options, and up-to-the-minute directories of everything from agents to book reviewers to relevant blog sites. Time-sensitive material contained in THE BOOK is updated regularly on our website, scbwi.org. The SCBWI staff takes great pride in presenting you with this invaluable tool that will optimize your career, whether you are already well published or a newcomer to the field. Use it as your primary reference and workbook. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any remaining questions. We wish you great success in the children’s book field and hope that THE BOOK will guide you along your creative path. With all best wishes, Lin Oliver | Executive Director Stephen Mooser | President EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Kim Turrisi ASSISTANT EDITOR: Sarah Diamond ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Baker INTERIOR DESIGN: Meagan Bennett FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SCBWI LIKE US ON FACEBOOK WWW.SCBWI.ORG 2018, SCBWI THE BOOK: ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PUBLISHING FOR CHILDREN. © 2018 SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS. Published by Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, 4727 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 301, Los Angeles, California 90048. Printed and bound in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechancial means including information storage and retrieval systems without written permission from the publisher. This publication is intended for the personal use of SCBWI members only. It may not be used, sold or lent for any purpose, commercial or otherwise. CONTENTS PREPARING & SUBMITTING Book Reviewers Directory ............................... 179 YOUR WORK International School Directory ........................ 193 Writing & Illustration Courses Directory ............ 195 Benefits of SCBWI Membership......................... 5 From Idea to Execution .................................. 203 From Keyboard to Printed Page......................... 9 Essential Reference Books on Writing & The Query Letter ........................................... 13 Illustrating for Children & Teens ...................... 225 The Synopsis ................................................ 15 Grants, Fellowships, Residencies, and Retreats... 231 SCBWI Illustrators Guide ................................ 17 Jumpstart Your Creative Career........................ 23 Putting Together a Prize-Winning Portfolio........ 25 PUBLICIZING YOUR Creating Picture Book Dummies....................... 27 PUBLISHED WORK De-mystifying Digital Dummies........................ 29 1,000+ Ways to Promote Yourself and You’re Hired to Illustrate Your First Your Books ................................................... 237 Childrens Book: What Comes NEXT? .................. 31 Grassroots Book Publicity ............................... 241 From the Editor’s Desk ................................... 33 Keeping Your Book Alive ................................ 243 Starting a Critique Group ................................ 37 Resources for Published The Give & Take of Critique ............................. 39 Authors & Illustrators .................................... 247 Mentoring Matters......................................... 43 Principles for Using Social Media Effectively ...... 251 Self-Publishing: Best Practices ........................ 45 7 Steps To Blogging Success ........................... 255 The Wild West of Self-Publishing ..................... 49 International Bloggers ................................... 259 Hiring an Illustrator for Your RIP for the Press Release?? Not So Fast! ........... 261 Self-Published Book....................................... 51 Fifty-two Kidlit Blogs to Visit What the Heck is an Informational Book? ......... 53 Before You Die .............................................. 263 Nonfiction for Children: Growing and Changing.. 55 All About Book Trailers .................................. 267 Crafting Your Book Marketing Plan ................... 271 MARKET SURVEYS PAL Speaking Opportunities ............................ 273 2018 SCBWI Market Survey Publishers of Books for Young Readers ............................ 59 SCHOOL VISITS International Market Survey ............................ 91 Doing School Visits in the United States ........... 277 Edited By..................................................... 93 Guide to Intenational School Visits .................. 281 Small Press Market Survey .............................. 105 Sample Lecture Contract ................................. 283 Magazine Market Guide .................................. 115 Public Speaking Primer .................................. 285 Religious Press Market Survey ......................... 129 Educational Press Market Survey ...................... 135 LEGAL QUESTIONS Copyright Facts for Writers ............................. 289 DIRECTORIES & RESOURCES SCBWI Sample Children’s Book Contracts ........... 293 Agents Directory ........................................... 145 Archiving Your Work ...................................... 309 Agented By .. ............................................... 161 Freelance Editors Directory ............................. 167 MY WORK A-Z Guide to Publishing in the Digital World ...... 173 My Projects .................................................. 312 Book Producers Directory ............................... 175 Submission Record ........................................ 316 BENEFITS OF SCBWI MEMBERSHIP by Lee Wind he Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is here to help you with your craft, aid you in the business of having a successful career T in children’s literature, keep you inspired, give you opportunities to advance on your journey as a writer and/or illustrator, and embrace you in the community of people just like you—those of us who love creating works for children and teens! CRAFT Keynotes That Rock Your World! Feedback & Accountability! » It happens at every International Conference. That moment » Your local chapter can help you find writer and/or illustrator peers so (sometimes more than one!) that resonates so powerfully, it inspires you can join (or form) a critique group. you for the journey ahead. » Voice, Plot, Character, Setting, Book Dummies, and More! » Local and international events offer sessions on the nuts and bolts of OPPORTUNITY writing and illustrating for children and teens. Speakers Bureau! Learn From Experts! » We help you find out what you need to know to do school visits and » DVD Master Classes, exclusive podcast interviews, and conference help schools find you. intensives take you further towards mastering your craft. Get Discovered! » With over twenty different categories of annual Awards and Grants, BUSINESS plus critiques, contests and illustrator showcases at local and Sell Your Books! international events, membership is loaded with merit-based chances » Our new online bookstore links readers to where you want them to for your work to be noticed. buy your books. Be Mentored! Agents, Editors & Art Directors! » Mentoring programs and professional critiques are all about helping » Meet and get your work in front of industry decision-makers and you get your writing and/or illustrating, and your career, to the next gatekeepers at local and international events. level. Book Launch Parties! » Celebrate your book being published across all social media with a COMMUNITY Book Launch Party on our website. Your Tribe! » With over eighty regions around the world—wherever you go, SCBWI INSPIRATION is there, too. Author & Illustrator Stars! Your Tribe Online! » Newbery, Caldecott and National Book Award Winners, New York » Newly merged with Verla Kay’s famous Blueboards, our discussion Times Bestsellers, lifetime achievement honorees . Faculty at our boards can keep you connected and talking about kid lit around the conferences are astonishingly accomplished. clock and around the world! Profiles, Ideas, Craft Book Reviews, Art Tips & More! Volunteer Opportunities! » All SCBWI Bulletin articles and features are searchable online and at » With over 23,000 members, SCBWI runs on volunteer power. Pitching your fingertips. in is a great way to give back, make new friends, and feel like you belong to our tribe. Because you do. SCBWI PREPARING & SUBMITTING YOUR WORK 2018 publicationsPUBLICATIONS guide: GUIDE: the THE book BOOK | www.scbwi.org | www.scbwi.org FROM KEYBOARD TO PRINTED PAGE edited by Kim Turrisi o you’ve written a book or an article for young readers? Whether you’re submitting to agents or have decided to submit directly to editors on your S own, here are the basics on formatting your writing and the process of sending it out. QUERY FIRST writers’ periodicals, and, most importantly, examination of books A query letter is always recommended before submitting a full themselves should indicate to you which publishing houses would manuscript. This letter is an introduction of you and your story for be most receptive to your work. the editor. If your manuscript is of interest, the