Our own MilliCal has written and illustrated her own ouevre, I Married A Frog!. She is definitely warped and depraved, which shows, I guess, that I am raised her right.
She’d like to try and get it published. Who am I to say “no”? I’m just another Bad Example, myself.
Is there anybody that does this? I used to be under the impression that some magazines actually published work by children themselves, but on checking places like Cricket it appears that this is not the case (Maybe somebody did, but they don’t any longer, at any rate)
So does anyone know of such a place? I’ve found an on-line place that will e-publish your child’s work, but it’s not the same thing.
Is there a Young Authors program at her school? They usually deal more with the home-published sort (a book bound with staples or those plastic comb things, or the like), but they might be able to point you in the right direction.
You might also try just going the same route as adult authors. Presumably MilliCal’s magnum opus would appeal primarily to children, so check out the publishers for the various children’s books you have around the house. Send them a manuscript, and see what they say. Make sure to mention in the cover letter how old the author is; it might get their attention. And remember, even successful authors have to deal with many rejections. Be patient.
I’d like to see if I can find a “real” publisher, if can.
Cal knows about the woes of trying to get published from personal experience. Long odds, but possible.
One of the beauties of the writing business is that it’s the ultimate meritocracy. When you send in a book proposal by mail (or email), the editor reviewing it doesn’t have to know your gender, age, race, religion, or whether you have funny-looking hair. All that matters is that the proposal and cover letter are professionally-done and the manuscript is well-written.
Join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). An associate membership gets you the same reference materials, and they have some great information about royalty rates, illustrators, advances, and so forth.
Stop by your favorite independent bookseller and browse through the children’s books. Make notes of who published books similar to I Married A Frog!. Talk to the owner–they’re often tapped into the market and can direct you to people who might help. While you’re there, pick up a copy of the 2006 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market (ISBN 1582974020), and start looking for publishers that you’d like to work with.
As you probably know, there’s a Writer’s Market edition soley for the children’s market. I’d suggest buying or getting a copy from the library, and treating Millical’s work as that of an adult. Get an agent, shop it around. As others have said, the fact that she’s just a wee lass is no hindrance, and may be an asset.
We have a couple of friends who’ve produced their own children’s books by working with a printer (not a publisher) and starting their own “presses.” One example: http://www.matzahballbooks.com/firstpage.htm
The author works pretty hard at getting her stuff out there. She gets them into “event” book sales and independent shops, like Storyopolis in LA. She also does a lot of readings at various places.
Vanity publishing is the way to go.
I’ve done a couple of books on local history that way.
You lose some money, but money is meant to spend.
NEVER go to a vanity publisher that advertises widely or promises anything at all in the way of promotion, etc. Those are all lies.
To find a reliable local vanity publisher, go to a smaller bookshop (or a larger library) and check out their sections on Local Interest.
You can see the quality first hand.
You will often find authors that will return your calls and give you tips.
Illustory has a kit (12.00 or so)- she could transfer her words and art onto their kit/paper and you could have it copied by them into a hardback book for about $20.00 (less for soft back). Maybe they could do it using what she has already done- I don’t know. They even offer an “about the author” page that she could complete and have her photograph placed on it. Many better toy stores carry the kits.
Her book would probably make a nice present for Grandma!
I truly think you should shop it out to a “real” publisher before you go the self-publishing or vanity route.
Though I still treasure those of my writings that we “published” using wallpaper remnants in the second grade, there’s no harm in shopping it out to the real deal. Best case scenario: Millical gets a little extra for her college fund. Worst case scenario: a few rejections, and you decide to self-publish just for fun.
Don’t uderestimate the novelty value of an 8 year-old author. People eat that shit up for real. Not to be cynical, but remember that little boy (Mattie Stepanek) who sold heaps and heaps of sappy poetry? Would anyone have been knocking his door down to publish six volumes if he wasn’t a child and on death’s door?
There’s no need to fake a mortal illness for Millical of course. If she is camera friendly (chatty, cute, smart remarks) I predict her book will be in stores by next Christmas and will sell like hotcakes after her appearance on Letterman.
Disclaimer: while I used to work in the Marketing Department for Borders Group, I do not in any way represent them. All opinions are mine alone, etc.
