My Top 10 Ways to Research Kidlit Editors and Agents ~ by Patricia Toht

Come, gather at my knee, youngster...

I started writing for children way back in the 20th century. (GASP!) While many aspects of writing children have changed over the years, one goal that has remained constant is to find the editor (or agent) who will love my manuscript. 

Here are the Top 10 ways that I've used to research editors and agents:

1. CWIM

In 1995, the year I committed to writing for children, my "bible" for researching editors and agents was the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market. This book contains listings that are updated annually - names, addresses, and pertinent information about each entity - as well as helpful articles. It is currently in its 32nd printing, so it must be doing something right!

2. Agency Websites

Agency websites are a great way to find a list of their agents and a description of what types of books they represent. You may find a list of clients, too, where you might spot artists that you feel an affinity to. Sometimes individual agents post their wish lists. Above all, this is a definitive place to find specific submissions information for the agency.

3. Edelweiss+

You can get a feel for publishing houses and imprints by looking over their current and upcoming titles, but long gone are the days of requesting printed catalogs. These days, with publishing houses merging and morphing, I find the easiest way to peek at a catalog is through Edelweiss+. I search for an imprint and find their latest list.

4. Other websites/blogs

There are so many great kidlit websites! My top picks for submissions information are:

The Purple Crayon. Harold Underdown's website has so much to offer! In particular, the "Who's Moving Where?" section provides me with the latest information on editor changes at publishing houses.

Kathy Temean's Writing and Illustrating blog has terrific, in-depth interviews with agents each month, as well as editor and art director interviews. 

KidLit411, by Sylvia Liu and Elaine Kiely Kearns, describes itself as "a one stop info shop for children's writers and illustrators," and that's the truth. Scroll down their Topics list to check out Agent Spotlight, Editor Spotlight, and Submissions.

5. Social Media

On Twitter, I find handy hashtags to harvest information on editors and agents. Do a search for these hashtags: #askanagent, #askaneditor, and #MSWL (manuscript wish list), to name a few. Follow your favorite publishers and professionals to keep up-to-date with them. 

6. Conferences and workshops

Attending conferences and workshops may involve a cost, but they come with the possibility of great rewards. Often you can get an editorial critique of your work, which lets you to get tips from the top. And faculty members usually open their submissions window for a few months for attendees - so important for unagented manuscripts!

7. SCBWI

SCBWI is the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. If you are serious about writing for kids, membership in this organization is one of the most important steps you can take.

Among its resources, SCBWI has compiled The Book: Essential Guide to Publishing for Children. It details how to prepare and submit your work. The Market Survey section gives a current snapshot of the market (although change is continual). I like the section "Edited by..." with information that can help pair your book with a receptive editor. 

8. Querytracker

Querytracker is a database of agents and editors, and a channel used by many of them to recieve submissions. The standard membership is free; a premium membership has more to offer, but comes with a cost. (I've browsed the database for information, but I haven't used it for submissions.)

9. Author Acknowledgments

For novelists, you may discover agent and editor names for your favorite authors by checking out the acknowledgments in the back of their books. 

10. The PW Children's Bookshelf newsletter

This is my favorite way of tracking agent and editor preferences! Near the bottom of this twice-weekly newsletter is a list of current book deals. Each announcement includes the name of the author (and illustrator, if it's a picture book deal), the editor who bought the book, the book title, a brief description of the book, and the name of the agent(s) securing the deal. It takes some work, but I maintain a spreadsheet of this information that I can search when I have a new manuscript ready. Using Control + F brings up a search box where I can enter key words to find deals that have similarities to my work. (E.g. I search "rhyme" to discover editors that may be open to rhyming picture books.) Sign up for the Children's Bookshelf newsletter here.

These sources are my Top 10, but you'll undoubtedly find many more. If you have a favorite, please share it in the Comments below.

Happy writing, everyone! Good luck with those submissions!

All About Elaine Kiely Kearns

by Suzy Leopold 

Kids love dinosaurs. Kid lit writers love Elaine. 

Today the GROG Blog features Elaine Kiely Kearns and her debut picture book: 

NOAH NOASAURUS 

by Elaine Kiely Kearns

Illustrated by Colin Jack

No need for introductions. We'll skip over the formalities. 

Everyone knows Elaine as the founder of KIDLIT411. Together Elaine and Sylvia Liu form an outstanding team providing a one-stop place for writers and illustrators.

Join me for some online chit-chat as we learn more about Elaine as a writer and debut author.

Just look at that cute smile!
"I write. What's your superpower?"

Q1: Everyone wants to know about your debut book. Tell us about NOAH NOasurus? Did I spell the title correctly?

A1: It's just NOAH NOASAURUS or Noah Noasaurus because a noasaurus is a real dinosaur! (Weird, right??!!)

Well, I learned a new dinosaur name, Elaine! Click here for more facts and information about this interesting dinosaur and remains found in Argentina.

Q2: Tell us about the writing process and your journey for this picture book.

Q2: My writing process usually begins with an idea for a title. I like to think about an idea for awhile before I began writing. This is going to sound odd but I do some of my best thinking while I am vacuuming. I don't know if it's the drone of the vacuum cleaner or the task itself but it works. After thinking about the story and getting a rough arc in my brain, I will sit down and write a sloppy first draft.

Q3: Did you and illustrator Colin Jack communicate with each other about the illustrations?

A3: Nope! Not a single time. I am absolutely thrilled with how the book turned out and his art and his vision for NOAH NOASAURUS was perfect.

Q4: Tell us about your book launch.

A4: My book launch was held this past Saturday, April 13th and we held it at Scattered Books in Chappaqua, New York. The day was perfect and it was absolutely everything I imagined my launch to be. It was a bit reminiscent of the old, "This is Your Life!" show as the day went on. All of my best friends were there, friends from high school that I hadn't seen forever came to see me, childhood friends and neighbors that I hadn't seen in a long time, former students, teachers that I worked with, my family, their friends, and I even got to sign a picture book for Chelsea Clinton's children, Charlotte, Aidan, and her expectant new little one. It was a perfect day! I am still on Cloud 9!

Q5: What kind of swag are you preparing/sharing for NOAH NOASAURUS? 

A5: I bought the usual swag--bookmarks, stickers but by far the biggest hit was temporary tattoos that I had made of Noah. The kids love them!

Q6: Share your author history. Did you always want to be a writer or did that accomplishment come later while being an educator and a mom?

Q6: I had always thought about writing but life was busy working as an elementary school teacher. It wasn't until I had my girls and was home with them that I decided to seriously pursue the idea. I joined SCBWI right away and then joined Julie Hedlund's 12 X 12 (where I also met my critique group members). Once I got into the industry, I loved everything about it! Kid lit people are the best people!

Q7: How long did you write until you became published?

A7: This story happened pretty quickly. It took less than a year from the first draft to sold. However, it had a ton of drafts and rewrites in that short time. The ending and the opening line took me the longest. I rewrite them countless times but I do love my opening line.

"Noah Noasaurus woke up feeling very . . ." 

Probably because I can relate to it. 

That is too funny, Elaine! Everyone seems to have "NO" Days!

Q8: Tell us about your special place where you like to write. 

A8: I write at the kitchen table or on my couch.

This spot looks familiar.

Looks comfy and inviting.

I do have an office but it is being redecorated right now! If I am stuck on a draft I like to go to Starbucks.

Q9: Do you write every day? Most days?

A9: I'm always writing and right now I am on various stages of different manuscripts. (And  maybe something that I cannot discuss yet because--this is publishing!)

Q10: What's the best piece of advice you've received as a writer? What is your advice for writers "under construction"?

A10: From Aree Chung, "Make the dummy." Even though you may not be an illustrator make the dummy.

Q11: What are you currently reading?

A11: Write now I am reading lots and lots of picture book that have a series and lots of Early Readers.

Q12: Share some accomplishments that make you proud.

A12: My girls are my best achievement. I know every mom thinks their kids are the best but I have been blessed with the most perfect kids. I love them so much!

Q13: Do you have a favorite treat?

A13: I love pizza. Any kind of pizza except meatball. I know pizza isn't normally considered a treat but it can be if you try hard enough!

And finally,

Q14: Where can readers find out more about you?

A14:
Web site: KidLit411
Instagram: elainekielykearns411
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elaine_kearns11

Thank you, Elaine! I picked these flowers for you and Noah, too! 

Everyone loves Noah!

Spring Lilacs for Elaine & Noah!

Happy Easter, GROG Followers!

Podcasts for Children's Book Creators ~ by Patricia Toht

In Stephen King's book, ON WRITING, he gives this piece of advice -- 

I agree with this whole-heartedly! But I also find it really helpful to listen to authors and illustrators talk about their work. Something about the interview format allows remarkable insights and wonderful bits of inspiration to pop up among information and advice. And it's just cool to put voices to names!

Lucky for kidlit creators, there are many terrific podcasts about writing for children. 

Perhaps my favorite is ALL THE WONDERS, co-founded by Matthew Winner and Blake Hamilton. The 400th episode will air on November 3. What an accomplishment! Matthew has a way of bringing out memorable moments in his interviews. These recently included Dan Santat explaining his dedication of AFTER THE FALL, Debbie Ridpath Ohi talking about lightning striking, and Marcie Colleen giving a mini-lesson on writing chapter books. Matthew recently selected his Top Ten Picture Book Episodes, which will be accompanying me on my drive to work for the next week or so.

THE YARN is a School Library Journal audio blog by Travis Jonker, an elementary school librarian and Colby Sharp, an elementary school teacher. The episodes run the gamut of children's book creators. Next up in my queue is a recording of a panel of picture book creators from the ALA conference in Chicago this past summer.

THE PORCHLIGHT is a relative newcomer to the scene. It is produced by the Writing Barn, a writers' retreat in Austin, Texas, that hosts workshops and other events. Take a video tour of their space and you'll wish you can move in forever. As of this posting, sixteen episodes cover interviews from a variety of writers and illustrators. One of my fellow debut picture book creators, Jason Gallagher, entertains with the story behind WHOBERT WHOVER in Episode 13.

This past summer, when I knew I would be spending quite a bit of time on the road, I asked the members of KidLit411 for their suggestions of great podcasts. Of course, fellow authors and illustrators came to the rescue with some brilliant suggestions!

Marcie Flinchum Atkins suggested BOOK CLUB FOR KIDS, and it has totally won my heart. Kids take the lead with author interviews, and celebrity guests chime in with readings. They have an impressive list of episodes. Delightful! Dan Gemeinhart (really tall man and wonderful writer) is featured on Episode 33.

Mike Sundy suggested STORIES UNBOUND, a podcast series by Shawna JC Tenney at the Oakley Academy of Visual Storytelling. Many of the episodes feature industry professionals like editors, art directors, agents, book promoters and more. Mike himself is featured in Episode 16, where he talks about indie vs. traditional publishing.

Michelle Cusolito pulled me in by my Anglophile heartstrings with her suggestion of DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE RADIO, with over 40 episodes that discuss a wide variety of children's books. I love keeping in touch with what is going on in kids' books in the UK, and the website lists the books being discussed so I can hunt them down through my local library (hello, interlibrary loan!). I loved Episode 38, "Books to help in troubling times," with its encouragement of empathy.

Fellow kidlit friends had so many suggestions! Here is a list of other podcasts they suggested:

WHY I WRITE 
INDIE KIDLIT PODCAST 
BOOKS BETWEEN
MAGIC LESSONS
LULU AND BEAN
CANDLEWICK PRESS PRESENTS, a month of podcasts from the publisher. For YA, CAST OF WONDERS.
For illustrators, THE ART OF SHOW. 
For inspiration, 88 CUPS OF TEA. 

Addictive! HARRY POTTER AND THE SACRED TEXT

For adult ears only, KIDLIT DRINK NIGHT and RACHEL AND SAM READ A STORY. (Hysterical!)

Thank you to everyone who made suggestions. In addition to those listed above, the following folks helped with this list: Katey Howes, Penny Parker Klostermann, Hagit Oron, Sara Gentry, Gaia Cornwall, Rachel Menard, Jennifer Stoner, and Emma Bland Smith. (Please forgive me if I missed your name. Give yourself a shout out in the comments below!)

Happy Listening!

What Does a Card Say? Make Your Author Card Memorable

 By Janie Reinart

What does a card say? Here are four ideas for making your author/business card memorable. After all, the point of a card is to have people remember you and contact you with ease!

#455427555 / gettyimages.com

1. Make your card unique.  
Some of my picks from this article, 30 Unconventional Business Cards, include:

A pop-up picture.

 A toy.

Interactive Augmented Reality (hold card up to webcam).

2. Look at the card shape. 
This is my all time favorite business card from a writer. A bookmark business card (front and back) from our very own GROGer, Sherri Jones Rivers.

 A folded card.

 A square or round card.

3. Look at the size. 
This is a mini card from my accomplished friend, author, and blogger, Colleen Kessler. Look at Colleen's tag line-
                 Come explore, create, & learn with us

4. Contact info.
Your Name
Title(s) Writer/ Any specialties (blogger, ghostwriter, writing coach, editor etc.)
Website
Social media info- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest
Email
Your Photo
Tag line/slogan
Phone number

My adult children recommended using a Google voice mail phone number as a safety precaution. This is the card my publisher created for me several years ago. I am working on a new business card.

Our own Marcie Flinchum Atkins, a fellow GROGer, (check out her new book) uses a QR Code (Quick Response) for a free eBook.

Sylvia Liu,author and illustrator, at KIDLIT411 recommended these printers in this post.  Other printers to check out recommended by our GROGers include Vistaprints, Moo
and 123print.


Share your cards with us. Post the front and back of your cards in the comment line. What do you look for on a business card?