September 2001
Do You Know of a Good Masters Program in Children's Literature?
After a great deal of soul searching I've decided that I want to pursue graduate study in Children's Literature. Do you know of any good Masters/PhD programs to recommend? Those near New York City are especially useful for me.
Congratulations on your decision, Jason!
The number of post-graduate programs in Children's Literature nationwide, let alone in the Northeast, are few and far between. The Children's Literature Association publishes a list of study programs at their web site. At Gradschools.com you'll find a list of schools offering masters programs in children's literature, and other closely related fields, such as "Writing for Children."
There are three schools in the East. Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, offers a Master of Arts in Children's Literature. Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offers a Master of Arts in Children's and Adolescent Writing. If you're interested in spending several weeks away from New York, Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, offers a unique summer master's program in children's literature.
Children's literature is a noble educational goal. I hope you will find it a rewarding choice as well. Best of luck to you!
Do You Have Any Great Advice on Writing a Cover Letter?
I have a picture book that is close to being ready to send out. Do you have any great advice on writing a cover letter? I'm a public relations consultant, so I have some byline and credits and lost of writing experience. Do I mention that or will it make me sound green?I recommend two articles chock full of great advice. Moira Allen's article "Cover Letters: When, Why, and How to Use Them" deals with when to send a cover letter, how to format your cover letter, and ten things you should never mention in a query letter.
In "Secrets to a Great Book Query Letter" by Sheryl Fullerton and Naomi Lucks, you'll find a list of six query letter basics, such as "Craft a strong closing paragraph. Offer to send your proposal, manuscript, clippings, copy of a previous book or whatever else is relevant and impressive."
As you can see from this advice, it's a good idea to mention your writing credits and experience. For my own submission process, I've made up a separate sheet of writing credits and editorial experience which I always enclose along with the cover letter for queries and manuscripts. Rather than making you sound green, providing an editor with an overview of your writing experience makes you look professional, which is the key to getting your picture book noticed.
How Do I Cancel My Book Contracts?
Several months ago I received five contracts from a publisher. As an unpublished writer I was happy that my stories would soon be in print. However, now something has changed with that publisher. I inquired about my five contracts and received an e-mail back that publisher has only three contracts with me and that they wanted to kill one picture book, and change one story from being part of an anthology into a picture book. When I wrote back I mentioned the two other titles under contract and ask if there would be a new contract for the story they want to make into a PB, but I didn't get a reply. I have information from other writers who have had dealings with this publisher that now makes me doubt this publisher's credentials. Is there a way to get out of all five contracts?First of all, look over all five contracts carefully. In this case, I imagine they are quite similar. Look for a "Termination of Contract" clause. Usually publishers will include a clause saying they can back out for any reason between signing and print release, and as a courtesy give the author the right to terminate the contract before the galley phase. If there is no termination clause, that doesn't necessarily mean you can't terminate. An attorney once told me, it's not what's in the contract so much as what's not in the contract.
Also you didn't mention whether you received an advance, therefore I assume you didn't. Without an advance or a termination clause, you can send a certified letter to the publisher. In your letter, name each book by its title and state that with this letter you wish to terminate the contract for each book, name each contract at it is, Publishing Agreement, Publishing Agreement for Toddler Anthology, etc. Create a separate paragraph for each book which essentially restates your wish to terminate the Publishing Agreement for that title, and that all rights revert back to you.
The Authors Guild publishes Contract Advice at their web site. Under Publication, they advise that you "Make sure you are entitled to terminate the contract, regain rights all in the work, and keep the advance if publisher fails to publish by its deadline." Wendy Butler's Publishing site at About.com is a good resource for publishing contract FAQs and advice. Here at Writing World you'll find access to information about contracts on our Links page.
Two comprehensive books on the subject are Every Writer's Guide to Copyright Publishing Law by Ellen M. Kozak, and The Writer's Legal Guide by Tad Crawford and Tony Lyons.
** NOTE: Peggy is pleased to report that, based on her advice, Ms. Malsch was able to cancel all five contracts via certified letter.
For more information:
- Children's and Young Adult Literature Study Programs (Children's Literature Association)
- http://ebbs.english.vt.edu/chla/studyprograms.html
- Gradschools.com: Children's Literature
- http://www.gradschools.com/listings/all/Childrensliterature.html
- Simmons College: Master of Arts in Children's Literature
- http://www.simmons.edu/graduate/childrens_literature/
- Chatham College: Master of Arts in Children's and Adolescent Writing
- http://www.chatham.edu/academic/Ce/macaw/macaw.htm
- Cover Letters: When, Why, and How to Use Them
- http://www.writing-world.com/basics/cover.shtml
- Publishing Contracts at About.com
- http://publishing.about.com/cs/contracts/
- Writing World Links on Contracts
- http://www.writing-world.com/links/business.shtml
Every Writer's Guide to Copyright Publishing Law by Ellen M. Kozak
The Writer's Legal Guide by Tad Crawford and Tony Lyons
Peggy Tibbetts has been a professional writer, editor, and full member of the Society for Children's Book Writers & Illustrators for the past 26 years. She offers courses in children's writing and has edited several successful children's manuscripts. She is the author of the children's novel The Road to Weird, as well as the adult novel Rumors of War. Peggy also moderates the The Write List discussion list at Yahoo.
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