edited by Jon Bard

1.      New Video: How to Find the Right Publisher for Your Manuscript

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 2.  Looking for an Easy, Step-by-Step Children's Writing Course?   

We've Got It!

OK, so The CBI Clubhouse has tons of articles, podcasts, videos, author interviews, ebooks and, of course, the latest issue of Children's Book Insider, The Newsletter for Children's Writers.   And we charge an absurdly small amount for it.

So, naturally, my first instinct?  "Let's add something else of a really high value and not charge anything extra for it!"

Man, I'm a really bad capitalist. :)

But that's OK -- good karma has carried us through 20 years of working with lovely folks who want to write children's books, so I'm all for generating more of it.

So here's the deal:

The thousands of folks who proudly call themselves Fightin' Bookworms are in the midst of something very special - a step-by-step children's writing adventure we call The CBI Challenge. 

Every month, in addition to everything else they get as members of Children's Book Insider, Fightin' Bookworms experience a new module of articles, videos, writing exercises and more all designed to take them, step-by-step, from square one to a completed manuscript, submitted to publishers.

They work through each module, and then discuss their discoveries on our message forum. And, since we keep all the modules online, new folks can join right in, working at their own pace through the steps.

Here's what we've done so far:

MODULE 1: Finding Your Passion as a Children’s Writer
MODULE 2: Developing Your Story Idea
MODULE 3: Making Time to Write
MODULE 4: Laying the Foundation for Your Main Character & Plot
MODULE 5: Building Your Protagonist
MODULE 6: Creating Your Antagonist
MODULE 7:  Ignite Your Plot with a Catalyst

We're getting Module 8 together right now (it's a really cool one!).  And we'll continue creating new modules every month until we've covered all the bases.  (And, so we're clear -- we keep all the previous modules online, so you can access them any time. You can start at the first module and work your way forward at your own convenience.)

So, if paying about the price of one latte every month for the Children's Book Insider newsletter and all the goodies on the CBI Clubhouse wasn't good enough for you, now you have the clincher:  a super-fun and super-powerful step-by-step writing course that won't cost you a penny extra.

Join The CBI Clubhouse now (for about the cost of a latte each month) and you'll get:

• a fresh issue of Children's Book Insider, The Newsletter for Children's Writers
• audio interviews with top authors
• video tutorials about every aspect of writing and submitting children's books to publishers
• a slew of exclusive articles
• free ebooks
• message boards and chatrooms
  

• The CBI Challenge -- our exclusive step-by-step children's writing course!

...and much, much more!

 
If you're at all serious about writing children's books and getting them published, you really need to hop on board with the Fightin' Bookworms of The CBI Clubhouse.  All the education and inspiration you need to make it is waiting for you for just pennies a day.  Plus, we have lots of fun while we're at it.

Here's the link to the Clubhouse!

http://cbiclubhouse.com

See you 'round the Clubhouse, future Fightin' Bookworm!

3. Contests & Opportunities

• St. Martin’s Press “New Adult” Submission Opportunity  (Note: This has a November 20th deadline!) 

St. Martin's Press is "actively looking for great, new, cutting edge fiction with protagonists who are slightly older than YA (young adult) and can appeal to an adult audience".  The protagonist should be 18 or older, but 20s are preferred. 

Details here:  http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/st-martins-new-adult-contest/

• Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition

Serendipity Literary Agency, in collaboration with Sourcebooks and Gotham Writers' Workshop, is hosting its first Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition for a chance to win a one-on-one consultation with one of New York's leading YA literary agents.

Details: http://www.writingclasses.com/ContestPages/YAPitch.php

4.  What's the Future of Children's Books?

It's no secret that newspapers and magazines are struggling to compete in this digital age.  And compact disks, DVDs and other "hard" media are  quickly becoming "old fashioned".  The rise of ebooks such as Kindle are making an impact in the adult publishing world.

But what about children's books?  Are we heading toward a digital tomorrow, or will kids still be reading paper books well into the future?

To find out what writers and readers think, I created a poll that asks this:

30 years from now, will children's books primarily be electronic or remain mostly on paper?

So far, the results have been very interesting. But I want to hear what the Updaters have to say about this question.  So, take a second and head over to http://twtpoll.com/kvd4if and register your opinion.

I'll report the results in the next issue of the Update.

5.    A Treasure Trove of Wonderful Writing Advice

I'm a great admirer of the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg.  Beyond his obvious talent, he was a font of energy, inspiration and decency.  He was, above all, a collector and dispenser of wisdom.

That's why I was so excited to come across his list of "Mind Writing Slogans."  Ginsberg collected these brief snippets throughout his life, compiled them and gave them to students.  His estate gave the go-ahead to one of these students to share them with the world, and so she did, in a piece called "The Best Writing Tips Ever"

There's so much beautiful stuff here -- not just for writing, but for living.

Enjoy!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/16/the-best-writing-tips-eve_n_351480.html

6. What's in November's Children's Book Insider?

If you're new to the Update, you may not know that we publish a monthly subscription-only newsletter for aspiring and working children's book writers that's jam-packed with market leads, advice, inside info and much more.

It's called Children's Book Insider, and we've been sharing it with subscribers across the globe since May, 1990! (And remember, every subscriber to Children's Book Insider gets total access to the incredible CBI Clubhouse website AND The CBI Challenge step-by-step children's writing course!)

Here's a look at what's in the current issue of Children's Book Insider, the Newsletter for Children's Writers:



Market Tips:

*  Publisher Seeks Picture Books, Chapter Books with Jewish Themes
*  Christian Publisher Seeks Devotions, Activities and Fiction for Kids
*  Major Awards for New Writers & Illustrators Seeks Entries
*  Highlights for Children Magazine's Current Needs - A Big List!


In-depth Articles:

* 5 Painless Steps to Easy Research
* Refresh Your Words, Convert Your Clichés
* How to Start Blogging, Tweeting and Facebooking
* Behind the Scenes of Writing Easy Readers
* The CBI Challenge, Part 7:  Ignite Your Plot with a Catalyst

If you enjoy the information offered in this e-mail update, wait 'til you see what we've got in store for you each month in the pages of CBI! 

A subscription to CBI and full access to the CBI Clubhouse and CBI Challenge costs about the same each month as a latte! 

 
For more information and to order, go to http://cbiclubhouse.com/non-members

"If you are "thinking" about subscribing, DON'T!!! Just do it. I waited for almost 2 years before I did, now I'm wondering why I waited so long"  Frederick Claus 

"I won a subscription to CBI at a conference few years ago. I've been renewing ever since -- 450 magazine and 4 book credits later! Thanks for the best information published. I rely on your newsletter!" Lorri Cardwell-Casey

"I knew if I was going to keep getting published I'd need some help so I did some research and discovered your newsletter. It seemed made to order so I ordered it! Five books and over thirty-five articles later, I'm still subscribing and finding Children's Book Insider as useful and inspiring as ever. " Lynne Stover

"If you're not sure whether joining CBI is the right move, consider this: I got a book contract from a lead on the first page of my very first issue of CBI! How's that for results?"  Marci Mathers

http://cbiclubhouse.com/non-members

7.    How to Create a Compelling Book Title 

by Laura Backes, Publisher of Children's Book Insider

Picture book titles, like the stories themselves, must be active, concrete, and sound interesting when read out loud. A little surprise doesn't hurt: Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Williams, and When the Chickens Went on Strike: A Rosh Hashanah Tale by Erica Silverman all promise stories of animals acting in very un-animallike ways. Titles can give a clue to the plot and tone of the book but should draw the reader in without giving away the ending (Hannah Mae O'Hannigan's Wild West Show by Lisa Campbell Ernst; Sumi's First Day of School Ever by Soyung Pak). And don't be afraid to go for a grabber like Walter, the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle. You may not like the story, but I dare you to walk by the book in a store without wanting to read a few pages.

Chapter books and middle grade novels must appeal to kids more than their parents, so don't use the character's name as the title unless it's very unusual (Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe; Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli) . Titles that are funny (The Stinky Sneakers Contest by Julie Anne Peters), irreverent (Your Mother was a Neanderthal by Jon Scieszka), or relevant to readers' lives (Gossip Times Three by Amy Goldman Koss) will give the author immediate credibility. This audience wants to read books about kids just like them, only more so (bigger problems, better clothes, more exciting social lives). T itles that telegraph adolescent angst (Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge; Rosy Coles' Worst Ever, Best Yet Tour of New York City by Sheila Greenwald) forge a connection with readers.

Titles of young adult books are typically spare, sophisticated, and dramatic. The title may represent an idea from the book rather than the plot, as in Chris Crutcher's Whale Talk. Coupled with the cover illustration, the title is intended to intrigue the reader by presenting the overall tone of the story. Francine Prose's After, illustrated by the word spray-painted on a bleak, gray brick school wall; Walter Dean Myers' The Beast, with the title printed in large orange and yellow letters running bottom to top that almost swallow the black background; and Caroline B. Cooney's Burning Up title imposed over an illustration of marshmallows being roasted on a beach bonfire, the flames a little too red, the marshmallows a little too burnt, all tell young adults that these are not their younger siblings' books.

From Our Sponsors:

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Writing for Dollars! the ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. Get our ebook, 83 Ways to Make Money Writing when you subscribe. Email to subscribe@writingfordollars.com -*- www.WritingForDollars.com

Celebrate I Love To Write Day. Visit www.ilovetowriteday.org and learn how you can join the world's largest party for writers of all ages. Over 20,000 schools are part of the ILTWD network.

Free Copy of Working Writer Magazine! Get your sample copy by e-mailing workingwriters@aol.com 

Copyright 2009, Children's Book Insider, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole, or in part, without the express written consent of the author. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. This information is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or any other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the service of a competent professional should be sought. Therefore, the Author and Publisher expressly disclaim any liability for the use of any information contained herein, and this publication is provided with this understanding and none other.

Additionally, Children's Book Insider, LLC is not responsible for the availability of external sites, offers or resources mentioned in advertising or in editorial content, and does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, special offers or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. Children's Book Insider, LLC shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on such external sites, offers or resources.

We make every effort to verify the legitimacy of the publishers and magazines we include in our market listings. However, we assume no responsibility for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with readers' associations with such publishers. For information about investigating publishers before conducting business with them, see our special report "How to Tell If A New or Small Press is Legitimate" at http://write4kids.com/legit.html

November 18, 2009

Children's Writing
 Update

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We've Got Solutions to Aid Your Resolutions!

Need insider secrets and fresh markets for your manuscript? Check out Children's Book Insider, the Newsletter for Children's Writers + The CBI Clubhouse at http://cbiclubhouse.com/non-members

Just getting started and need a friendly, step-by-step guide to becoming a children's author? Check out Career Starter, The Beginner's Guide to Writing for Children at http://write4kids.com/starter.html

Want to have an incredible amount of "How To" wisdom right at your fingertips? 
The Children's Writer's Big Book of How To has the solution to more than 100 of the trickiest issues faced by children's authors. From coming up with great ideas right through signing the contract, this amazing volume is packed with insight. http://write4kids.com/bigbook.html

Have you written a story but don't know what to do next? I've Written a Story, What Do I Do Now? tells you what you need to know about submitting your manuscript to publishers efficiently and professionally. http://write4kids.com/nowwhat.html

Tired of getting rejection letters? Improving The Odds reveals the manuscript-revision secrets of top authors that help push them over the top. http://write4kids.com/odds.html

And there's more. For a full listing, just go to http://write4kids.com/collect.html