I'm beginning the task of putting ideas to paper for a children's book, and want to send the results to publishers. How is it best to present this? Just words? With ideas of how characters look? With the exact words to appear on every page? with an idea of target age group and what the book is trying to achieve? etc. etc. etc.

can anyone give me some much needed sage advice?

Thank you

Ed

Hi, Ed and welcome to WriteWords.

You are welcome to join the Childrens Group forum where members who are in the process of submitting their own picture books can answer your questions.

http://www.writewords.org.uk/groups/66.asp


- NaomiM

<Added>

This is a recent thread on the subject:

http://www.writewords.org.uk/groups/66_323875.asp

Thanks for the help Naomi, but i can't actually access any of your advice without paying to be a member - is there anything I can see on my month free trial? - I'd like to know how helpful this site is before stumping up!

Hi Ed and welcome

I think you should be able to join one group as part of your trial membership unless the rules have changed. Naomi will be more knowledgeable about this but I joined the Children's Writers group on a trial basis initially. There are a few of us writing picture books currently and those who have submitted in the past to help with your question. Have you completed a story or are you at the ideas stage?

Yes, Liz is correct. As a trial member you can join one group and upload one piece of work. If you go to the Childrens Group you'll see a link that says 'click here to join this group', then just follow the steps and you'll have access to the threads in the topic section of the group.


- NaomiM

Thanks fot the help. I have submitted an applicatio to join the group for a week - I'll see how it goes.

I am at the ides stage at the moment, but have been thinking about doing this for a while so feel it would not take too much time to turn one of the better ones into a complete story - I just need to know how to present it on paper.

When you're a member of the Children's group there's another thread from last month that you might find useful as well. I'll work out how to post that to you in the meantime! It's a very friendly group and site and very helpful, I've had no regrets about parting with my cash!

Thanks Liz - I'm sure you're right, I've had good support already

Hi Seddone
The best way to present non-illustrated work is to send the first few chapters and a one page synopsis. There's actually a dedicated Writers and Artist's Yearbook for children's writing now, which is brilliant. It tells you exactly how each agent prefers to receive your submission and is well worth the money. Good luck and hope you enjoy WW!