How to Successfully
Write and Publish
Children’s Books

Including the Secrets and Short-Cuts
the Pros Use to Get Their Books Published!

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Dear Reader,

Have you ever thought to yourself: “I’d like to write a book for children. I bet I could write a good one!” I know many, many people have had that same thought.

Obviously, writing a successful book can be very profitable (as I’ll show you in a moment).

But beyond that, I think there’s an appeal to writing a book for children that is close to the heart.

A good children’s book will touch the very lives of children. You can entertain and amuse children, and make them laugh. You can teach important lessons about love, education, motivation, and success in life.

You can get recognition and satisfaction.

And, there’s an indescribable thrill to seeing your name in print!

Plus, there are the lifestyle bonuses to being a writer – make money doing something you love…being able to live where you like…don’t punch a clock or have a boss breathing down your neck…in other words, live “the writer’s life”…on your own terms, where you want, and how you want.

Maybe you’d write a picture book, with a few lines per page, that captures some idea or teaches some simple but important principle. Maybe a young adult book with a hero or heroine. Or maybe a complex tale of magic and sorcery, good and evil.

Whatever your book might be, I’m here to tell you that you can do it!

The World of Children’s Books
Is Exciting – and Wide-Open…

My name is Katie Yeakle, and I’ve helped thousands of people achieve their dream of living “the writer’s life.” As Executive Director of the American Writers & Artists Inc., we’ve shown people how to succeed in copywriting, travel writing, romance writing, and more.

Still, people are always asking me, “Katie, I’ve always wanted to write a book for children. I’ve had this idea in my head for years. But I don’t know where to start. Should I write up my concept and try to get a contract with a publisher? Or should I go ahead and get the whole thing down and try to shop it around? Should I have an agent, or can I do it on my own? How much do they pay for a children’s book?”

Well, we already have some of the best programs on copywriting, travel writing, and romance writing there are. So I decided it was time to put together the best program there could ever be for someone who has dreamed of writing a children’s book.

What could be better than seeing a smile on a child’s face – laughter from something you wrote?

Or seeing that thoughtful expression as a child realizes the meaning behind a simple story…

Or that big smile on your face when you find out your first book will be published!

And the good news is that the world of children’s books is bigger and better than ever before. Which means, if you’ve ever thought of doing it, now is the time!

Wouldn’t you like to be the next writer to do something like this…

See Spot Run…

“See Spot run” was from the Dick and Jane series of children’s books. There was never a book in the series titled “See Spot Run,” but the line was used in several early stories and is so well-known, it is often searched for on the Internet.

Miss Zerna Sharp was known as the “Mother of Dick and Jane.” As a reading consultant and elementary school teacher, Zerna believed that children would enjoy learning to read and learn much easier if they identified with children shown in illustrations throughout books.

Zerna contacted Dr. William S. Gray with her ideas, and Doctor Gray hired her to develop a family of characters to mold into his scientific process approach to reading instruction. In 1924, Zerna joined Scott, Foresman & Company, the publishers of the Dick and Jane series.

For about 30 years Ms. Sharp was a Scott, Foresman & Company textbook editor. The Dick and Jane book series, the most popular reading language of all time, was taught from 1930 through the 1970s in elementary schools throughout the world. The stories are endlessly interesting to children, because they are life-like and understandable. They are still used in homes today, teaching children to read and understand.

A $50 Bet Creates a Timeless Bestseller

In 1960, a man named Bennett Cerf bet Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) $50 that he couldn’t write an entire book using only fifty words. Geisel  did, and the result was Green Eggs and Ham. (Rumor is that Cerf never paid the $50 – but Geisel probably didn’t care – he had another bestseller!)

However, that’s not the beginning of the Dr. Seuss story…

In 1936, Geisel was on a ship, on the way to a vacation in Europe. The story is that the rhythm of the engines inspired a nonsense poem that became the storyline for the book And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. Unfortunately, the book was rejected by the first 27 publishers he showed it to. But in 1937, a friend published the book for him, and it had modest success.

In 1954, Life magazine published a report about illiteracy among school children. One of the things it said was that children were having trouble learning to read because their books were boring. Geisel’s publisher asked him to write a book with 250 words that the publisher thought were the best words that a first grader could absorb. Geisel used 225 of them and wrote The Cat in the Hat, which went on to instant success.

Geisel died in 1991. By that time his books had sold more than 200 million copies in 15 languages. (He also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing, which won him an Oscar).

Since his death another 22 million books of his have sold. Nearly 30 of his stories have been adapted for TV or video. Two have been made into major motion pictures. There has even been a Broadway musical based on his books.

In all, his work earned two Emmy’s, two Oscars, a Pulitzer Prize, a Peabody Award, and three Caldecott medals. Geisel also received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award in 1980. But most important of all, children all over the world know and love the wacky characters of Dr. Seuss.

98 Sentences That Will Probably Be Read Forever

Most of us remember the story of The Little Engine That Could. It opened with “Chug, chug, chug. Puff, puff, puff. Ding-dong, ding-dong. The little train rumbled over the tracks...”

Published over 70 years ago, that little book about a train carrying toys for all the good boys and girls has been one of the most popular children’s books of all time, with many millions of copies sold. It is one of the greatest stories ever told for teaching children motivation and the power of positive thinking.

In the story, a little train carrying toys to all of the good boys and girls comes to a towering, seemingly impassable mountain. They see a Shiny New Engine, but the toys can’t convince it to help them over the mountain. They see a Big Strong Engine, but again, cannot get it to help them. All they hear is, “I can not. I can not.”

Finally, it is up to the Little Blue Engine to pull them over the top. And as it struggles to pull the train over the mountain, the engine’s rallying mantra: “I think I can – I think I can” becomes a phrase that echoes through children’s lives and into adulthood.

And just imagine – the whole book has only 98 sentences, with a grand total of 1,188 words!

But then, the children’s book you have in your head may not be a simple picture book. It may be a long, complicated tale of wizards and magic, and even far away worlds. A magic tale that creates a real-life story like this …

Divorced Mother Living on Public Assistance
Has an Idea an a Train…
Writes At a Café Table During Daughter’s Naps…
Sells 270 Million Books…
and Becomes a Billionaire…

You have to understand, some of the biggest events in publishing (and yes, in children’s books also) aren’t grand ideas carefully crafted by already-successful writers.

It might begin with just a kernel of an idea, and a would-be writer. Like the day in 1990 a divorced mother, who was living on public assistance, had an idea while riding on a train. For several years she pecked away at the story, during quiet moments while her young daughter napped. She didn’t even think she’d get published!

“I just wrote the sort of thing I liked reading when I was younger (and still enjoy now)!  I didn’t expect lots of people to like them.  In fact, I never really thought much past getting them published.”

The writer, of course, is J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books. And that idea that popped into her head on the train, that was scratched out little by little… and that she never even thought would go anywhere…turned into the Harry Potter empire…

• On July 8, 2000, the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire became a major celebration, with bookstore events occurring at midnight nationwide. The book sold an unprecedented three million copies in the first 48 hours of release and at the time was “the fastest-selling book in history.”
• The fifth title, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, also broke records with its first print run of 6.8 million copies, and a second print run of an additional 1.7 million copies – a figure unprecedented for any book. Upon its release, it was again the fastest-selling book of all time, and sold five million copies in the first 24 hours.
• The latest Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, sixth in the series, will have an unprecedented first U.S. printing of almost 11 million copies.
• Today there are 270 million of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books in print. In the U.S. alone there are over 80 million Harry Potter books in print, and each title has been on The New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

I think you get the picture. Ms. Rowling keeps out-doing herself! All five previous Harry Potter books have been No. 1 bestsellers in the United States, Britain and around the world. The Potter books have been translated into more than 60 languages, and have been made into three movies (total worldwide take: about $2.6 billion), with a fourth on the way this holiday season.

And in 2004, Rowling became a billionaire – all from the Harry Potter books.

Not to mention all the awards Ms. Rowling won. But remember, it all came from very modest and unexpected places. Several publishers even turned down the first finished manuscript before one took interest!

“I am an extraordinarily lucky person, doing what I love best in the world. I’m sure that I will always be a writer. It was wonderful enough just to be published. The greatest reward is the enthusiasm of the readers.”

The point is that your idea could be the next “See Spot Run,” or the next Little Engine That Could… or the next Harry Potter. You won’t know unless you sit down and get it out.

Which brings us back to you. If you’ve ever for one second considered writing a children’s book, you should absolutely do it. Do it for the children, do it for love, do it for money, do it for the joy of being published.

Just do it.

And if you don’t know where to start or how to go about it, that’s where we come in…

Introducing a Brand-New Program --
How to Successfully Write and Publish Children’s Books

Our new program is called How to Successfully Write and Publish Children’s Books, and I can tell you it’s the very best and most complete program for writing children’s books there is.

Now it’s your turn. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing and publishing a children’s book, you can do it – and have someone literally hold your hand and walk you through the process…

For one thing, we’ve assembled an impressive Board of Directors, and tapped all their resources:

Laura Backes: Laura has edited the Children’s Book Insider since 1990, and co-hosts (with her husband, Jon Bard) “The Children’s Writing Supersite” (www.write4kids.com). She’s worked as a freelance editor and as a literary agent for children’s books. Ms. Backes speaks regularly at library and writer’s conferences, teaches children's book writing workshops around the country, and is the author of Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate to Read.

M. LaVora Perry was the first African-American staff card writer at American Greetings (AG), one of the world’s largest social expression corporations. She received AG Creative Excellence awards for her children’s and conventional writing, and for her innovation as the lead editorial conceptor for AG’s “In Rhythm” card line. Ms. Perry’s children’s books are included in the collections of public and school libraries throughout the United States, and are used by students in Africa and Asia. Her profile appears in the Marquis library and journalist references Who’s Who in America® and Who’s Who of American Women. Ms. Perry is the founder of Forest Hill Publishing, LLC, and she conducts workshops and presentations on writing, publishing and promoting books.

Kelly Milner Halls is a full-time freelance writer and reviewer. She specializes in children’s nonfiction, young adult literature and writing about writing. She has eleven books in print and three more under contract.  Ms. Halls has also written for the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Denver Post.  Ms. Halls’ freelance career has been profiled in both Writers’ Market and Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market, and her bylined reports regularly appear in both publications. Ms. Hall was a contributor to the most recent edition of the Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators (2003) and the revised 2005 edition of The Continuum Encyclopedia of Young Adult Literature.

Kieran Doherty has been a professional writer for nearly 40 years. He has maintained a successful copywriting career, while authoring hundreds of articles for magazines and newspapers. Mr. Doherty also has 15 children’s titles to his credit, including William Bradford: Rock of Plymouth and William Penn: Quaker Colonist. He is currently working on an adult book for St. Martin's Press - the Sea Venture Saga - scheduled for release in 2007.

We’ve distilled their knowledge down into a very complete and comprehensive program, a program designed for anyone who’s ever dreamed of writing a children’s book. Or even anyone who just wants to change careers and do something different – something totally independent that let’s you live the remarkably free and rewarding “writers life.”

And it doesn’t matter if you’re a young firebrand… full of ideas and ready to set the world on fire… or if you’re in the middle of your career, looking for something extra in your life (and in your income)… semi-retired and thinking about a “retirement career”… or you’re already retired, and just want to do something you’ve always dreamed of doing…

This program is for you…

This Is Your Invitation to Join the Huge – and Growing –
World of Children’s Books…

According to the United States Census Bureau, bookstore sales in the U.S. reached $14.82 billion in 2000. (Yes, that’s billion!) By 2004, bookstore sales had risen to $16.22 billion. With the estimated U.S. population at something over 290 million, that works out to more than $50 for every man, woman and child in the country!

In spite of TV and the Internet, Americans still buy books. And children’s books are a big part of that spending. The Association of American Publishers figures show net sales of all children’s books up by more than 100% since 1992, with net sales of paperbound children’s books increasing by more than 425%!

But those are just general figures to let you know that the field is wide open. In How to Successfully Write and Publish Children’s Books, we’ll start by teaching you everything you need to know about the business end of writing children’s books:

• How the industry is set up, who the major players are, and where the money is…
• How many children’s books are selling every year (sales this year are breaking records – in May alone, children’s and young adult hardcover books posted an incredible 21.2 percent gain – and a 34.8 percent growth figure for the year)...
• Where the trends are heading (fiction or non-fiction, age of readers, ethnic stories or science fiction, and so on), and what’s hottest…
• And we’ll help you figure out where to aim your book – whether for the big publishers (big payoffs), or the small publishers (big opportunities)…

Once you have a grasp of how the business works, and where you want to start with your book, it’s time to get to work.

Now, to start your book, you need to figure out exactly who your audience is. Don’t worry, we’ll help you decide exactly which group you’re writing to…

• Maybe you want take advantage of the latest trend (right now it’s called “Early Formation,” and it goes from – believe it or not – pre-birth to 15 months)…
• Or maybe your vision is a simple “Board Book” for the 1 to 3 year range… teaching the most basic ideas to children…
• Could it be a “Picture Book”? These are generally for the 2 to 7 year range, although there are picture books for all ages…
• Maybe you want to speak to the “Early Readers.” These are children in the 5 to 7 year range, who are just really getting going on their reading…
• Maybe your story is a little more sophisticated. Perhaps a “Chapter Book” for the middle grades (8 to 12 years of age)…
• Or would you like to write for “Young Adults”? These are children 12 years of age and up, who are ready for more complex stories… mysteries and tales of teenagers discovering the world…
• Plus, we’ll help you decide one very important question before you begin – are you going to write fiction or nonfiction? …

Now that you’ve identified your target audience and the category of your book, it’s time to figure out what you want to write about.

Don’t worry – we’re going to take you by the hand and walk you through the process of identifying the ideal story…

• We’ll start by analyzing what’s selling best at this point in time …
• Plus, what’s the hottest trend in your category…
• Maybe you want to “write what you know” (draw on experiences from your own life to develop your story)…
• Maybe you want to draw on “family inspiration” – stories similar to what’s happened to your family, or a family you know…
• We’ll help you decide which format to use…
• How to make sure your material is age-appropriate…
• How long your book should be…
• Maybe you want to work in “niche writing” (for example, multi-cultural books are very popular now)…
• And if you need some ideas to get you going… no problem – we’ll give you 101 story ideas to start out with! Just pick one that gets your imagination going, and you’re on your way…

OK – you’ve got all the basics figured out – who you’re writing to, what format you’re using, what you’re drawing on, and what the basic idea is for your book.

At this point, you’re ready to start forming your story. Now it’s time to develop your ideas, start an outline, and get your first words down on paper…

• We’ll show you simple tricks that will help you get words down on your first sheet of paper (or a blank computer screen)…
• We’ll show you how to know what words to use. Remember – Green Eggs and Ham used only 50 words! We’ll help you learn what words are best, and how to use them…
• We’ll show you how to build your outline…
• And we’ll show you how to develop your plot (it’s a breeze with AWAI’s secret “Plot Prompter")…

Now you’ve got the outline for your story. Your outline is basically the “skeleton” for your book.

But to bring it to life, we need to put some “flesh on the bones” – fill out your outline and start weaving your tale…

• We’ll show you how to do critical research for your story…
• How to develop your setting…
• How to define key conflicts for the characters in your story…
• And how to build your characters…

By now, you’ve got your book almost half written! It’s simple when you take it step-by-step.

Now, let’s start pulling it together and head down the home stretch…

• We’ll show you how to create dialogue that brings your characters to life…
• How to build the “defining moment” of your book…
• And how to build your “final resolution”…

Wow! You’re almost done!

But we still need a few key items to complete your book…

• For one thing (in case you’re not an artist, too!) we’ll show you what to do about pictures…
• If you are a bit of an artist, we’ll help you figure out how to do the illustrations for your book…
• If you’re not an artist, we’ll tell you how to go about finding either artists to collaborate with, or where to go for illustrations that won’t put a huge dent in your piggy bank…
• Plus, finishing your manuscript is a breeze with AWAI’s secret proofing method!

Congratulations! You have a book!

But now what do you do?

Here’s where a lot of writers get stuck. They may have had the drive and inspiration to write a whole book, and then they don’t know where to take it!

No worries – we’re still here to guide you…

• We’ll show you what to do to “wrap up” your book…
• We’ll teach you a critical success secret – one that takes some authors years to figure out -- how to understand and use submission guidelines…
• We’ll show you how to know which publishers handle your type of book…
• Confused about agents? No worries, we’ll show you the pros and cons of using an agent…
• And, if you decide to use an agent, we’ll show you how to find an agent who’s right for you…
• We’ll show you how to know if publishers will accept submissions without an agent…
• And – very important – we’ll show you how to write queries and book proposals…

OK – now you’ve done everything…you think. You wrote your book, you wrapped it up, and you figured out how to submit it to publishers.

Good news! Someone wants to buy your book!

Uh oh – you just realized that opens up another whole world of questions – what do you do now? What about edits to your manuscript, contracts, royalties and copyrights?

Don’t worry – we’re still with you!

• We’ll teach you all about typical contract terms – what they mean and why they may be good or bad for you…
• This is critical – we’ll show you how to work with an editor! The secrets of handling editors may be the key to your success or failure…
• We’ll show you how to do book promotions…
• And what you can expect your publisher to do…

Well, it would seem like you’re there. But remember, you’ve really just opened the door on this new career.

Once you’re in the world of children’s books, it’s never really over…

• There are writer’s groups to join, for local support…
• And writer’s organizations you can join, for global support…
• And – what could turn out to be the most important thing of all, the powerful AWAI support system…

Let me explain…

A Network Like No Other

As jam-packed with writing secrets as the program is, it’s just one aspect of your learning experience. The American Writers & Artists Inc. will not only show you how to write your first children’s book, but help you publish it as well.

For instance, when you sign up for How to Successfully Write and Publish Children’s Books, you’ll be given a password to access AWAI’s Members-Only Website — where you can get all the latest information on the program.

There’s also the AWAI “Forum,” where members meet and talk about their books, build friendships, and form copy critiquing circles and buddy programs. It’s a great place for like-minded people to meet and share ideas, and to get feedback in an efficient and timely manner.

Plus, you’ll be invited to members-only annual seminars, where you will learn from top experts in the field. This four-day event sells out every year — but AWAI members get first priority, along with a substantial discount.

Plus, on the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section of our website, you’ll find answers to virtually every question every one of our members has ever thought of about the program, writing, and getting your book published.  And, if you post a new question in the forum section, you’re likely to get tons of feedback from other members, and our staff will even address it for everyone if it’s a good question.

It’s all meant to do two things for you: 1) ready you so that you can take your project from start to finish... and 2) help you launch your ongoing career writing books for children.

Here’s the Best Part –
You Can Go As Fast Or As Slow As You Like

Now I know this might sound like a lot to you. And it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed by it all.

But please understand that there’s a logical sequence to everything you do in the How to Successfully Write and Publish Children’s Books program – and that it can all be done entirely at your own pace.

Some people move very, very fast. Some members start and finish a project in a couple of months. Others prefer to move more slowly — they don’t want to rush it. The beauty of it is that it’s totally up to you!

Without a doubt – this is the most complete step-by-step program you’ll find for turning your desire into a finished book… and getting it published!

It’s put together by people who know the industry from the inside out. People who know what it’s like to have a dream – and then turn it into a reality!

But you don’t have to take my word for it. Let me make a suggestion.

Get Started Today!

Here’s what I’ll do.

Sign up today by clicking here now or calling us at 866-879-2924, and I’ll enroll you in the program and send you everything you need to get started.

Then, take a month to see if you like it. Dig in and see how we’re guiding you step-by-step.

If you don’t think How to Successfully Write and Publish Children’s Books is everything I’ve made it out to be, just send it back.

You don’t even have to send back your bonuses. You can keep them – it’s my way of saying “Thanks” for giving us a try.

I’ll immediately refund your money. No questions asked.

Fair enough? You’re not out a penny, and you’ve got your bonuses to keep.

Is It Time to Change Your Life?

This is, after all, an opportunity to learn a new and invaluable skill you’ll have for life. It’s especially great for a “retirement” career!

Do it for love – the love of children… of teaching them and amusing them…

Do it for recognition – after all, who doesn’t like a little fame… seeing your name on books at your local bookstore… or finding your name online…

And yes, you can even do it for the money!

But most importantly, you should do it for yourself. It’s an opportunity to change your life... and enjoy a level of freedom and independence very few people get to have these days. What’s that worth to you?

What Is This Program Really Worth?

If the information you’ll learn in the How to Successfully Write and Publish Children’s Books were available at any school, it would cost you thousands of dollars to attend. (I don’t know of any course that teaches you all this – from getting down your first words to publishing your book! Not to mention all the support you need to launch your career.)

But you won’t pay thousands. The cost of How to Successfully Write and Publish Children’s Books is just $290, but if you sign up today we’ll take $44 off the total. So for only $246 you’ll get everything you need to become a published and successful children’s book writer.

It includes the core program, which will take you on a step-by-step journey through the entire process of creating your first book – from writing an outline to publishing your book. But that’s not all…

It includes over $200 worth of FREE GIFTS:

• FREE Gift #1: A Secret Technique for Getting Your First Piece Published! A $24.95 VALUE!
• FREE Gift #2: How to Quickly Become a Published Author: The Secret of Children’s Magazines -- a $59.95 VALUE!
• FREE Gift #3: The Secret of Capturing Children’s Attention -- a $24.95 VALUE!
• FREE Gift #4: AN INTERVIEW WITH LAURA BACKES -- a $29.95 VALUE!
• FREE Gift #5: SUCCESSFUL Self-Publishing: From Children’s Author to Independent Publisher by M. LaVora Perry – a $49.95 VALUE!
• FREE Gift #6:  101 Story Ideas for Children’s Books -- a $24.95 VALUE!

Plus, if you’re stuck and have a question about the program, you can simply post your question in the Members-Only Forum and get TONS of feedback from both beginners and successful writers – and it’s totally FREE!  Remember – we want you to succeed!

...And There’s No Risk to You

Remember, you have 30 days to look it all over. Read the first sections. Read your FREE reports. Listen to your interview with Laura Backes. Start working on the program if you like.

If it’s not everything you imagined — or if you happen to decide the program just isn’t for you — return the unmarked materials within those 30 days and we’ll send your $246 back... no questions asked.

The Best 290 246 Bucks You’ll Ever Spend...

I can’t stress the value of this program enough. So if you’ve always dreamed of writing a children’s book… and just couldn’t figure out how to start… or if you’re ready for a part-time career or even a “retirement career”… and you’d like a chance to live “the writer’s life”… then get How to Successfully Write and Publish Children’s Books today.

Remember, there’s no risk – and if you stick with it, that little idea you start with could turn into the next Harry Potter.

Sincerely,

Katie Yeakle
Executive Director,
American Writers & Artists Inc.

P.S. Look – it’s this simple. You can step in the door and see what it’s all about. If you’re not interested, you have 30 days to get every penny back. If you are interested, hang on — this could be the biggest adventure of your life. What have you got to lose? Nothing.

Try it out. You can always back out and you won’t be out a penny. Can’t make it any simpler than that, can I?

P.P.S. If you have any doubt about who we are and the service we provide – look no further than the impeccable record we have with the Better Business Bureau. You can obtain a report on American Writers & Artists Institute 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting http://www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org. Or you can call them directly at 561-842-1918.

American Writers & Artists Inc.