![]() ![]() I've found that most editors are happy tohave me suggest ideas, even when the overall concept has alreadybeen established. An editor may e-mail or callto discuss strategies, especially if the piece is to be part ofan anthology or series. Often a publisher andauthor will collaborate on an idea. Writing nonfiction, especially for educational publishers, can bea bit different from writing fiction. A savvynonfiction writer will adjust his or her style and presentationto appeal to a variety of publishers, while writing at a numberof different grade levels.Ĥ) You Can Establish Positive Relationships with Editors. Such books are published by both trade and educational publishers,who each have their own unique style and viewpoint. Manymiddle school and high school publishers now include topics oncurrent social issues as well as "self-help" for kids.Biographies are a staple, of course, and books featuring "popculture" (dirt biking, skate boarding) are hot, along withmulticultural books showcasing ethnic diversity. Supplemental materials for curriculum and educationalpublishers include such things as BIG Books, workbooks, anthologypassages and hi-lo (high interest, low vocabulary) books. Fresh ideas forconcept books (shapes, colors, numbers, alphabet, etc.) are alwaysin demand as new parents search for ways to stimulate their pre-schoolers. ![]() Today, publishers are aware that even theyoungest children want to learn more about the world around them.Early reader and emergent reader books now feature nonfictiontopics as often as they do fiction stories. There are many new markets, and market categories, for nonfictionchildren's writers. I also included a funnystory about a sleepwalking butler who set a table for 14 people- on the bed of his master as he lay sleeping!ģ) The Markets for Nonfiction Are Growing. When writing Sleeping and Dreaming for Childrens Press,I included information on how kids could remember their dreamsand use their dreams to solve problems. I also look for an unusual angle or a bit of mystery orintrigue. ![]() Not only arethe possibilities for topics unlimited, I almost always get tochoose what I want to write about. The topics mentioned above are just a few that I've covered inover 20 years of writing nonfiction for children. Not a bad way to extend one's education.Ģ) The Options Are Endless. I've also learned how to make betterchoices, how to support a friend who's sick, and how to set andaccomplish my goals - all while writing articles and books forwhich I was paid. I've learned why we sleep anddream, why storms produce thunder and lightning, how we got thefirst circus and the first carrousel horses, how birds buildnests, and much, much more. But Iwould suggest that if you can adjust your creative flow toinclude researching and writing interesting nonfiction piecesthat children will enjoy, you might just see your name in printmore often - and your bank account filled with a few more bucks.Here are some practical reasons why you might want to considernonfiction:ġ) It's Fun! Perhaps the best thing about writing nonfiction is all the neatstuff you get to learn about. I'd never suggest that a children's fiction writer turn tononfiction simply because there's more market potential. On the other hand, publishers of children's nonfiction are oftendesperate for good manuscripts from talented writers. Finding a home for that cute bunnystory may be almost as difficult as, well, finding a real talkinganimal. There'ssomething about cute bunny stories, rhyming text and talkinganimals that many children's writers find irresistible. Most children's writers, it seems, are writing fiction. Negotiating ContractsSetting Fees/Getting Paid HELPFUL LINKS | EDITOR'S CORNER (Ramblings on the Writing Life) HOME | ABOUT US | CONTACT US | SITE MAP | MASTER ARTICLE INDEX | ADVERTISE WITH US! Five Reasons to Write Nonfiction for Children ![]()
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