By Laura Backes
If you’re new to writing, sorting out all the different fiction genres, and figuring out where your writing fits, can be a daunting task. In this video, our Writer’s Coach Teresa Funke explains the various writing genres and how to choose which genre is right for you. For more terrific information from Teresa, including downloadable writing tools, click here.
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: Know Your Genre Before You Write
By Guest Author
by Michael J. Bowler
As a high school teacher for twenty-five years, I primarily taught kids of color. And yet, in the books and stories we read, almost all of the characters were Caucasian, and most with reasonably stable home lives. I decided as an author to write about the kids I knew best – kids of color, gay kids, marginalized kids, poor kids, kids with disabilities, gang members, and incarcerated kids – because I want all youth to see themselves represented in a positive light within the pages of teen literature.
To that end, I crafted a five-book series called The Children of the Knight Cycle that takes a fantasy concept – King Arthur resurrected in modern-day Los Angeles – and uses it to showcase a laundry list of crimes this society perpetrates against kids who don’t “fit the norm,” or won’t be shoehorned into the “one size fits all” mentality of public education, or don’t want to be a mini-me version of their parents. Virtually all the main characters in my series are teens of color, including Native Americans. Some of them are gay. But all are dynamic, memorable individuals that readers can relate to. Every day in America such kids are kicked to the curb. We don’t want them in our homes or classrooms or in our books. We’d rather they just disappear. In recent decades, we’ve decided we like putting them in prison. A staggering number of states incarcerate children younger than ten and charge them as adults for imitating the anti-social examples of adults, or for copying illicit behaviors popular media models every day.
I present these kids as real human beings with the same hopes, fears, needs, and wants as everyone else. My characters benefit from adults who choose to love them no matter what and who show them how to do what’s right, rather than what’s easy. The kids learn that every one of them can make a positive difference in this world, and that’s a message the students in my urban, working-class high school seldom got from the books I was forced to teach them. In those books, only “white” kids succeeded.
In my teen horror thriller, Spinner, I highlight the other forgotten kids I taught for many years – those with disabilities. These kids tend to be the most overlooked of all high schoolers because it is “assumed” by adults that they will never amount to much in life. Kids with physical or learning disabilities are no different from those without them – they can learn and achieve, but maybe not in the same cookie-cutter fashion teachers like to employ. I know what I’m talking about because I have a disability of my own – hearing loss. I’ve lived with a severe sensorineural hearing impairment my whole life, and did not even have access to hearing aids until I was in college.
I also didn’t know a single kid with hearing loss until after graduate school. I was one of a kind growing up, and that can be a very isolating feeling. However, my isolated childhood gave me true empathy for every youngster who is “different” in some way, and likely directed me to seek out such kids and work with them. After graduate school, I joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, wherein adults mentor kids with no father in the home. I was matched to a 14-year-old boy with hearing loss, and the experience was revelatory. Even as an adult, the relief, almost, that I felt to finally know someone who grew up like me was palpable. Imagine what it’s like for kids like me to see themselves in books they read, to understand that they aren’t alone or broken or crippled, to see hope for their lives because they see others like them achieving greatness. We all need to know that being different is not wrong. In fact, being apart from the norm is most often a net positive. My disability never defined me, and I want kids to see that theirs don’t define them, either.
We spend way too much time in this country focusing on what we perceive to be the weaknesses or differences in others. The teen characters in my books prove that our strengths always outweigh our weaknesses, and our diversity, i.e. our differentness, is to be celebrated, not hidden away. If more adults would focus on the natural talents and gifts of kids instead of always trying to make everyone “fit in,” then all children would have a real chance to soar. As a writer of teen lit, my goal is to empower every kid, not just the ones most Americans “look like.” Hopefully, other authors will do the same.
Visit Michael J. Bowler’s website here, check out his Facebook page, and follow him on Twitter @BradleyWallaceM.
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: Why I Write Teen Books with Diverse Characters
By Laura Backes
If you’re a self-published author, the idea of being writer, editor, publisher, art director and promoter for your book can be intimidating. But when it comes to marketing, don’t try to reinvent the wheel. If you don’t have a marketing staff, take a look at what the big publishers are doing, and put your own spin on the process.
Here’s one terrific example:
In order to create a buzz for the paperback edition of Dreams of Gods and Monsters, the final installment of Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone young adult fantasy trilogy, Little, Brown devised a way to give readers a window into the author’s writing process. The publisher is asking fans to tweet their favorite quote from the series, with the hashtag #UnlockLainiTaylor. Once 613 hashtags are reached (the same number as the page count of the book), the publisher will unlock a bonus chapter written by Taylor, which has never been released.
Using Genius (the company that started “Rap Genius“, which allows users to annotate rap lyrics), the unlocked chapter will have Taylor’s own annotations about her writing. By clicking on highlighted bits of text, fans gain insight as to how this early chapter inspired the series, and see comments on her process as she developed the story and characters.
Of course, this works best if you’ve got a fan base to start from. It’s a natural for series, but could work for a first book if you have an online following before the book comes out. For tips on the one best way to build a fan base, check out Jon Bard’s Easy Author Marketing video.
Another publicity trick (which works especially well for picture books and easy readers), is to show video of young fans enjoying your book. These videos can be embedded on your blog or website, Tweeted, or even posted on an Amazon review. (Note: Always get signed permission from the child’s parents before you post anything online, and remember that someone else has to post the review on Amazon. It can’t come from you.)
Take a look at this adorable two-year-old gleefully “reading” Not a Box by Antionette Portis in this Amazon review. I defy any grandparent to watch this and then resist immediately purchasing the book for their grandchild. It’s physically impossible!
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: Sneaky Marketing for Self-Published Authors
By Jon Bard
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: Free eReport – Overcome Your Fear of Author Marketing!
By Guest Author
by Suzanna E. Henshon
Over the past ten years, the business of publishing children’s books has changed. Large chain bookstores are consolidating or going out of business. Independent booksellers are catering to specific niches or adding non-book products to stay relevant. And kids are just as likely to read a book on an e-reader or smart phone as in print.
How will books change in the 21st century? Specifically, how will the market of children’s books change? And what do you need to know as you write your novel, short story, or poetry for children? While none of us can look into a crystal ball and see the future, we can prepare for changes and “guesstimate” the marketplace. There are steps you can take to prepare yourself for success in what is quickly shifting into an ebook and app world. Here are some tips for getting published in 2015 and beyond.
Write a good story. First and foremost, focus on writing a compelling narrative. Whether your book comes out as an ebook, an app, in hardcover, or something that combines several media forms, you need to maintain the reader’s interest. Getting young readers to “turn the page” requires creating suspense whether you are writing a story that will be published electronically or on paper. So learn how to tell a great story!
Write for the modern reader. Children today are more sophisticated than in the past. Even young children learn about diverse cultures in school, understand different family structures, and are introduced to complex learning concepts much sooner than their parents and grandparents. Most teens have a Facebook page, a Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram account, frequent YouTube, and get the latest news online. Even if a child or teen has lived a fairly sheltered, conflict-free life, he is aware that events exist outside of his experience. Don’t be afraid to give your stories some heft and substance.
Understand the new story forms. Most writers aren’t aware that books have evolved into graphic forms, that novels can be written in verse, as email or text messages, and even Post-It notes. Many middle grade and young adult novels have companion blogs or websites that extend the written story. Children also experience stories through movies and video games. You are writing for a child who is well-versed in diverse media. Write for the child who text messages in the morning, plays video games in the afternoon, and uses her e-reader at night. But don’t forget that these kids also experience the same childhood events that we did–playground friendships and rivalries, competing in sports, having a best friend, and discovering their identity through music, fashion and other passions.
Don’t overuse technology. Most kids these days have a cell phone and are comfortable on a computer. A contemporary story with characters older than age 10 who can’t type a text message won’t feel authentic. But unless the story revolves around technology, keep it as just one detail of your characters’ everyday lives.
Look into working with small publishers. Big publishers will continue to prosper, but it will be more difficult for new writers to break in. As a new writer, you may have more success reaching your readers through small presses or self-publishing. So be prepared to write, publish, and market your own work directly to an audience rather than waiting to be discovered.
Start to create an audience through a blog or website. Young readers are growing up in the internet world, so they will discover stories and writers through different sources. Facebook, blogs, and other social media are used to market books. Writers have online chats to publicize their books, rather than relying on the traditional book signing.
Kids will not only “consume” books, but they’ll determine what gets published, based on the websites that are popular with young people. Consumers are just as important as editors in steering the publishing marketplace. This applies even if you’re writing picture books. Focus on selling directly to the parents of your readers by writing quest posts for parenting blogs, or providing resources for parents and teachers on your website.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills. Writers now write, market, and publish their own books. Even if they work with traditional publishers, today’s writers bear the primary responsibility to “get the word out” on their books.
Develop your own brand or franchise. Rather than just looking for a good book or story, many editors and agents are seeking stories (and characters) that can be branded and turned into successful franchises like The Hunger Games. Even self-publishers are capitalizing on their brands by creating apps, ebooks and other spin-offs of their original stories.
Dr. Suzanna E. Henshon teaches full-time at Florida Gulf Coast University and is the author of several young adult and middle grade books, and two collections of writing exercises. Her newest book, Andy Lightfoot and the Time Warp, is available for the Kindle on Amazon.
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: The Author and the Future of Children’s Books
Best-selling author Alice Kuipers is back to answer another Ask Writer Alice question: “Which age group should I write for?”
Alice Kuipers is the author of four young adult novels and a picture book. Visit her website to get more tips for writers.
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: Which Age Group Should I Write For?
By Guest Author
by Tracy Bryan
I am a relatively new children’s author, but from where I stand, (way down here looking up) there seems to have been a lot of transition within children’s literature over the last few years.
This isn’t news to any seasoned veteran of the industry, but to a novice like me, it has been quite overwhelming joining this almost circus-like trade. I seem to witness a constant flux in the publication world every week due to major changes in traditional publishing, the rise of Amazon, the growth of e-books and the emergence of vanity publishers. You can’t hold me back though, now that I’ve had a taste of it, I’m here to stay and changes I intend to (hopefully) make.
Why more changes? Although there are many beautifully illustrated and well-written books in the current children’s book market, the majority of these books lack diversity in their characters and theme. Why do we need more diversity in these books? While people, families and the world become increasingly more diverse, so does the need for books that children can actually relate to.
I belong to several writing organizations- regional and national. I attend writing conferences, follow many social media groups and try to stay current with any news in the children’s publishing industry. As a contributing and informed member of the children’s literature industry, I believe we all have our hearts in the right place and we have good intentions. My Facebook groups alone have some incredibly passionate, insightful and genuinely remarkable authors, illustrators and children’s book industry people- there is definitely a “diversity movement” that continues to grow in this writing community. Yet…where are all the diverse books?
Regardless of how many trendy literacy campaigns that are being run and how many times we use this new “buzz word”- diversity is still quite a stigma in North America and many parts of the world. We have a long way to go in society as a whole, so it may be time to kick it up a notch and inspire more diversity in the books that we write.
I myself am a straight, white, middle class, female- not exactly your first pick as an appropriate mascot or ally for people of diversity! However, I am also open-minded, compassionate, non- judgmental, daring, spirited and willing to think outside the box! I aspire to write about what matters in this world- people. There really are so many wonderful children’s books out there that do inspire and entertain kids, some even have a great message–but there could be so many more books that offer much more honesty in terms of diversity with people.
Why are there so many picture books that explain people problems and issues through the use of cute animals? To not have a more direct approach of storytelling about these difficult topics is almost a little insulting to kids. These are the same kids that are living in families of diversity, going to schools of diversity and living everyday life diversely-why wouldn’t they want to read books that are more diverse?
It’s okay to demonstrate to them that all people have problems, issues and shortcomings. We all do! The important message to these kids should be how we accept and cope with these challenges within ourselves and in others –that’s what matters. If we can teach them to accept their differences and accept other people’s differences as well, there will be a lot less discrimination, labeling and shame in the world. Diversity will be the constant.
Is this too idealistic? Maybe, maybe not… Perhaps if we start publishing books for kids that guide them in real life and with real people, they may just grow up to be well adjusted, less stressed, non anxious or depressed and be able to conquer and embrace their limitations and appreciate the same in other people.
I write mostly about self-esteem building, mindfulness, emotions and generally I try to inform kids about ways to cope with their problems and how to find simple happiness in life. Ironically, my best selling books this year have been about how to understand anxiety. That’s scary! I wish that more kids could relate to the cute animals, but unfortunately, the current children need to be reassured and to read that it’s okay to be different, in fact it’s quite wonderful!
What the children’s literature market needs are books that address all the topics that currently effect kids – regardless of how uncomfortable they are to discuss. We need to demonstrate to kids how to recognize people for who they are, not what they are. Furthermore, kids need to be reminded that all people are similar, yet so totally, awesomely different from each other- so diverse. Now let’s stop talking and start writing- let’s inspire them!
Tracy Bryan is a self-published children’s book author. She writes whimsical picture books that teach and inspire children of all ages. Tracy specializes in writing about self-esteem, life skills, social issues and diversity. To preview any of her books please visit her at tracybryan.com. Tracy can also be found at TracyBryanAuthor on Facebook.
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: We Need More Diverse Books!
By Jon Bard
Are you ready to change your mind about marketing once and for all? Great — let’s do it!
Here’s the complete first unit of my new program Easy Author Marketing. It’s just the tip of the iceberg, but it’s filled with ideas that will inspire and motivate you to take your writing career to the next level.
Click Play and let’s begin this exciting journey.
For more information about the Easy Author Marketing system, click here
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: Sneak Preview: The Full First Unit of Easy Author Marketing!
By Jon Bard
I get it. You’re a writer, not a marketer. You’re not excited by the notion of “hawking your wares” or “pushing your book”. You think that, every time you ask someone for money, a little piece of your soul dissolves.
In today’s publishing environment, those who get the shakes at the thought of self-promotion have been given two choices when it comes to their fear of book marketing:
1. Get Over It
2. Become extinct.
May I offer a third choice?
Forget about book marketing, forget about promotion, forget about selling.
Instead, focus on advocating.
Here’s what I mean:
You’ve written (or you’re planning to write) a book, app or eBook that will bring something meaningful to the life of readers. Perhaps you have a message to share, important information to teach, an inspirational tale to tell or you just want to give your new friends a few giggles to brighten a day.
That’s a pretty important contribution, and it deserves to flourish.
So let me ask you this: How, exactly, will that reader ever be impacted by your work if no one tells her about it? How will her life be changed by your words if you keep everything to yourself?
It’s up to you to reach her. In fact, you’re doing her a great disservice by not reaching her!
How do you reach her? By marketing. No, scratch that — by advocating for your work.
By bringing people together with a goal not only to sell your book, but to improve their life experience. By going to where your prospective readers are hanging out (or, perhaps where their parents are hanging out) and becoming part of their world. (And then having them become part of your world.) By moving forward with a certainty that you have something important to share and you’re bound and determined to share it.
Let me be clear: if you have created something that will enhance another person’s life, you owe it to them to tell them about it!
If you’re truly a writer, the opportunity to advocate for yourself and your work should thrill you. Heck – it’s right in your wheelhouse. You’re a communicator, and this is about communication. You’re a wordsmith, and this is about putting words together on a blog, on Facebook and on Twitter. You love young people, and this is a further opportunity to connect with them and learn from them.
What’s so scary about that? In fact, if you’re like most writers, you’ll find that advocating for your work is rewarding, fun and full of surprises.
So, there it is — if you’re not cut out to be a marketer, then don’t become one. Instead, become an advocate.
And then go change the world!
Tomorrow, I’ll be back with an exclusive video sneak peek from my new course Easy Author Marketing. I think it will really open your eyes — so stay tuned!
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: Terrified by Marketing? Then Don’t. Do This Instead…
By Jon Bard
Well, well, well. Looks like my hypothesis was correct: writers really are freaked out about marketing.
And that’s fine. In fact, that’s great. Because it tells me that you understand how important it is, and that you’re desperate for some clarity. And that’s an excellent place to be!
Today, I want to introduce you to the most important aspect of successful marketing. And it’s something almost no writers pay attention to. (Perhaps that’s why most writers fail at marketing).
Here it is:
Now, by “value”, I don’t mean money. I mean things like:
* memorable experiences
* positive feelings
* connection
* usefulness
* reinforcement, and so on.
Think about the artists, musicians, authors and businesses you really enjoy. Does the value they provide you begin and end with the price you pay for their goods and services? Or is there something deeper, something bigger that your relationship with them provides you?
Here’s a classic example: Jimmy Buffet hasn’t had a hit record in more than 30 years. And yet, his concerts sell out large venues. He’s built an empire of restaurants, music venues and merchandise (including his own tequila brand) under the Margaritaville umbrella and he’s an icon to millions of fans.
How’d he do it? By giving massive value. And by building a Tribe to keep the connection growing.
When his Tribe (Parrotheads) gather, folks who may have had a rough week in the office get to put on Hawaiian shirts and silly hats and feel like they’re on a beach in the Caribbean. The feel connection with each other (for which they are eternally grateful to the man who set the Tribe up) and they feel connection to the artist.
Between shows, the value continues. Videos, Tweets, blog posts, books, emails — all reinforcing the common bond that draws his fans together.
Now consider how most authors market their books:
They start by releasing their book and then just flail around trying to get some attention. If you ask them “What value are you giving prospective readers?”, they might say “The value is in how good my book is!”
Well, that’s nice. But no one has read your book yet. And so, you’ve given absolutely zero value. No wonder you aren’t selling books!
Now, let’s look at a different scenario:
The same author develops a Tribe and showers them with value. Fun tips, great quotes, freebies, a platform for Tribe members to share their feelings and experiences, a place for likeminded folks to meet each other, and so on.
Then the author releases her book.
And what happens?
Her Tribe repays the value she’s provided them many times over. They are rooting for her. They are excited for her. They buy her book and go on a quest so that others will buy the book (and join the Tribe).
I’m going to be blunt here, so forgive me if this rubs you the wrong way, but….
No one cares about you and your book. At least they don’t right now.
You need to make them care. And you cannot do that if you spend all day posting your book’s Amazon link all over Twitter and Facebook and expecting people to buy it. And you can’t do that by setting up a blog and then posting one article a year to it.
The way to make them care is to give them value before you even talk about your book. If you can get someone to say “Boy, I’m really glad this person is in my life”, you have officially achieved a status 99% of writers never reach.
Look, if all I did was spam you with “SUBSCRIBE TO CBI!” messages all day, you wouldn’t be reading this right now. You’re here because I give you value. You’re here because (I hope) I add something to your writing life and you appreciate that. And when I do have a product I think you might like to know about, you receive the message with an open mind, knowing that you can trust me to always give you value — whether it’s something you pay for or not.
So right now, you need to ask yourself this very important question about your current marketing efforts:
Are you giving prospective readers any value, or are you just pushing
your book in their direction in hopes they’ll buy it?
If you’re doing the latter (and almost every writer is), you need to stay tuned for what’s coming next week.
I’ll be back on Monday with more thoughts about marketing. In the meantime, use the comments section to share your takeaways.
PS: Those of you who write for young children may be asking “how do I grow a Tribe of 6 year olds?” The answer: you don’t. You grow a Tribe of parents, teachers and librarians — the folks who are the purchasing decision makers when it comes to books for children and pre-teens.
PPS: A fair amount of the feedback on yesterday’s post was from authors asking if this or that technique works, and what they should be doing. I understand where you’re coming from, but I’m going to ask you to relax a bit. Here’s why: right now, I’m putting the finishing touches on a new course that will explain the simplest author marketing technique imaginable. And since it’s the same Tribe-building technique that Laura and I have used to grow Children’s Book Insider into a successful business (we just celebrated our 25th anniversary doing this!) I know it works. It’s not theory, just fact.
So stay tuned. Clarity is coming, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg, I promise.
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: The M Word Revisited – Marketing’s Most Important (and Overlooked) Element
By Jon Bard
PS: Please don’t fret about the hows and whys of this kind of simple author marketing, I’ve got all of that covered. I’ll have more that I can share with you next week about that…..
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: We Need to Talk About the M Word
By Guest Author
by Suzanna E. Henshon
Have you ever wished you wrote someone else’s book, particularly if it is a classic or a bestseller? There’s nothing wrong with writer envy, but instead of being jealous, why not let another’s work inspire you?
Many writers write closely to what is already out there, hence the epidemic of vampire books after the success of the Twilight series. But you can be inspired by something that worked without being too derivative. You can use a classic or modern classic as a springboard for your piece without writing too closely to it. A perfect example would be the Twilight series, which is a tribute to classic novels, or The Phantom Tollbooth, which was clearly inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Let’s not forget The Whipping Boy, which is a unique twist on The Prince and the Pauper. Sometimes a spinoff of a classic can become a classic in its own right!
When it comes to the actual craft of writing, take it a step further. Don’t just get inspired by the great books out there, copy them! Believe it or not, copying has been a wonderful tool to learn writing. Ben Franklin used to copy essays, learning the subtleties of fine language and how to structure his thoughts. Thomas Hardy also sat and copied passages from fine works before going on to create his own. Copying as an art has a long history, dating back to the monks who used to produce beautiful copies of Biblical texts.
Of course, copying another writer’s story and publishing it under your own name equals plagiarism. What I’m advocating is using copying as a learning tool, to understand the technical mastery behind the books you love. If you actually type or hand write another’s text, you’ll internalize the rhythm, the word choices and the pacing of published authors. Count the number of words on each page. See exactly how long it takes the author to introduce the main character, and how many more words go by before that character’s conflict is revealed. How many sentences, on average, does the author devote to each piece of dialogue before it’s interrupted with action? How many adjectives and adverbs appear in each chapter?
Then work to incorporate these new skills into your original stories. As you write (and write…and write…) you’ll gradually stop mimicking the authors you’re modeling and instead find your own voice. But now you’ll have a solid grounding in the craft from which you can experiment and stretch your creativity. And in that moment, you will touch magic.
Dr. Suzanna E. Henshon teaches full-time at Florida Gulf Coast University and is the author of several young adult and middle grade books, and two collections of writing exercises. Her newest book, Andy Lightfoot and the Time Warp, is available for the Kindle on Amazon.
This is a post from writeforkids.org. Read the original post: Find Your Voice by Copying
