January 2005

Is It A Good Idea For Children's Writers To Review Books?

I am a volunteer at my son's school library. The librarian knows I'm an aspiring children's writer and she has asked me to do book reviews for the school newsletter. I was wondering, do you think it's a good idea for children's writers to also review children's books? Or would this be a conflict of interest?

In order to be a good children's book writer, it's important to read a lot of children's books. What better way to get those books read than to become a reviewer? So yes, I think it's a great idea to review children's books. Many children's book authors also review books. I review young adult novels for Readers Room, which puts me in contact with children's book authors and publishers. This helps keep me up-to-date with what's new in young adult literature, and also gives me a chance to network with other authors.

Because your son's school newsletter has a limited audience, consider posting your book reviews at Amazon. You can also create a web site and publish your book reviews there to gain more exposure. Once you complete a review, look up the author's web site and the publisher's web site. Email a copy of your book review to the author, and also to the publisher's publicity or marketing department. This will help you generate publicity about your reviews and it will get you on the publishers' mailing list for new book announcements.

Have the school librarian help you choose recently released titles. Once you have written two or three reviews, go to the Children's Book Reviewers page at Writing World. Send an email to the editors that review the type of books you review, and inquire whether they might be looking for new reviewers. When your reviews are published regularly on the Internet, publishers will send you books to review, which you can in turn donate to your school library.

How Do I Find Children's Audio Books?

I am looking for audio books for children. Do you know how I would go about finding them? Thank you for your help

Many children's books now come in audio format, either audio cassette or CD. Ask your local librarian and bookseller about the children's audio books they have available on the shelves, or whether they can order them for you. If you have specific children's book titles in mind, go to Amazon and search for the book. Once the book listing comes up you will find a list of other editions available, including audio formats. Talking Book World is a chain of bookstores where you can rent or buy audio books. If you go to their web site you can search for a store location near you.

Where Can I Find A Children's Writers Group?

I recently wrote a picture book but submitting to publishers is a new experience for me. I am looking for a group of children's writers who exchange advice about contacting publishers. Maybe even information on what publishers are looking for. Do you know where can find a group like this?

Sandy Cook, creator of the Colossal Directory of Children's Publishers, recently started a new email discussion group for children's writers called Children's Publishers. The discussion focuses on manuscript submissions and information about children's book publishers. You can sign up by going to Children's Publishers at Yahoo Groups and clicking on the "Join this Group" button. Or you can sign up at the Colossal Directory web site.

Consider joining the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). If you are already a member, I recommend that you contact your Regional Advisor and ask if there is an email discussion list for your region. Be sure to ask if there's a real live writers' group that meets locally in-the-flesh. You can find a list of Regional Advisors, plus email addresses at the SCBWI web site. Tapping into your regional SCBWI is a great way to keep in touch with local children's writers, and you will have the chance to meet with each other once or twice a year at the regional conferences. At the web site you will also find discussion boards where you can meet and network with other children's writers.

For more information:

Readers Room Book Reviews

http://www.readersroom.com/reviews.html

Children's Book Reviewers

http://www.writing-world.com/children/reviewers.shtml

Talking Book World

http://www.talkingbooks.com

Colossal Directory of Children's Publishers

http://www.childrens-publishers.com

Children's Publishers Yahoo group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChildrensPublishers/

SCBWI

http://www.scbwi.org

Writing and Critique Groups

http://www.writing-world.com/links/critique.shtml

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