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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, 3rd Edition Paperback – May 6, 2008

by Harold D. Underdown (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 126 ratings
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“Honest and precise… everything about writing for children there is to know.”
—Jane Yolen, author

Here is the comprehensive guide to writing, publishing, and selling for the ever-expanding and always exciting children’s market—now in a new and updated third edition.

• Includes new chapters on self-publishing and on "how to choose a how-to", plus revision and updates throughout
• Offers practical advice on getting started--and on dealing with out-of-print books
• Covers picture books, chapter books, nonfiction, middle-grade and young novels, and common formats and genres
• Reveals what happens inside a children's publishing company, and provides guidance in working with an editor
• Sample cover and query letters, manuscript format, glossary, and recommended resources in an extensive appendix
• Plus information on agents, contracts, copyright, marketing, and more
Previous page
  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Alpha
  4. Publication date
    May 6, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    7.38 x 0.82 x 9.13 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1592577504
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1592577507
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

As this revised edition states, “Children’s publishing is a big business, with many kinds of publishers, many kinds of books, and right ways and wrong ways to do even such a simple thing as write a cover letter.” Children’s book editor Underdown covers all the bases of breaking into the industry, from tips on maximizing the creative process to manuscript-submission pointers to ideas for promoting a published book. Background on the history and current state of children’s publishing includes information on new trends and new imprints launched up to 2007. Featured throughout are real-life anecdotes from published authors and illustrators and recommended Web resources. Back matter includes a glossary, bibliography, sample cover letters, and an index. Whether a “complete idiot” or an experienced writer or illustrator, children’s-publishing hopefuls will find this a comprehensive, balanced resource. --Laura Tillotson

Review

“If you want to see your work published, this is the one book you absolutely must have. Why? Because Harold tells the truth about publishing for kids and teens; the good news, the hard news, and the information that will give your story a fighting chance. This book unveils all the secrets. I personally recommend it to hundreds of writers every year.”
--Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak, Fever 1793, and Twisted

“Having worked as both editor and author, Harold Underdown is a knowledgeable and sympathetic guide to the often bewildering world of writing and publishing books for young people. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books is encouraging without pandering, realistic but not pessimistic, thorough and generous. I wish this book had been around when I first started out!”
--Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist

“What a thorough and useful book! A guided tour of children’s book and magazine publishing that never skips a step. For seasoned writers and illustrators it is valuable. For beginners, it is essential. I learned plenty!”
--Gail Carson Levine, Newbery Honor winner

“My life would have been much easier if The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books had been available when I was getting started! It covers the whole territory--though I particularly like the sections on revision and ‘the publishing maze.’ Consider it your cheat-sheet to the world of children’s publishing.”
--Cynthia Leitich Smith, fiction author and owner of Cynsations

“With each new edition, this amazing resource gets better and better. Just when you think Harold has said all that can be said to help writers understand the complex world of children’s publishing, he offers something new. An eye-opening tool for new writers, and a vital support to any writing career, this book always perches near the top of my reference pile so I can snatch it quickly to find the answers I need. If you truly want to understand this business, this book’s for you.”
--Jan Fields, author and owner of Kid Magazine Writers

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Alpha; 3rd edition (May 6, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1592577504
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1592577507
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.38 x 0.82 x 9.13 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 126 ratings

About the author

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Harold D. Underdown

Harold D. Underdown

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Harold Underdown is an independent editor; he does critiques, helps to develop manuscripts, and provides other editorial and consulting services for individuals and publishers.

Harold enjoys teaching, and in that role wrote The Complete Idiot's Guide to Children's Book Publishing, now in its third edition. He founded and runs "The Purple Crayon," a respected web site with information for writers and illustrators about the children's publishing world at http://www.underdown.org/. He speaks and gives workshop through the Highlights Foundation, SCBWI's national and regional conferences, and Kid’s Book Revisions (offering online and on-site tutorials and workshops in partnership with Eileen Robinson).

As an in-house editor, he worked at Macmillan, Orchard, and Charlesbridge, and has experience in trade and educational publishing. Among the books he has edited are Evelyn Coleman and Daniel Minter's The Footwarmer and the Crow, Yumi Heo's One Afternoon, Larry Pringle's and Bob Marstall's An Extraordinary Life, Lisa Rowe Fraustino's Ash, Grace Lin's The Ugly Vegetables, and Sneed Collard's and Michael Rothman's The Forest in the Clouds.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
126 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John Joyce
5.0 out of 5 stars Packed full of useful ideas
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2009
Verified Purchase
Virtually Maria (Virtual Trilogy)

Written in the form of short notes, this book contains all the information, wisdom, reading lists and even contacts that you might expect to harvest at a three-day seminar on publishing children's books, as a mere fraction of the price.

It starts with the basic truth that children's books MUST appeal to adults (since adults buy them - not children) and then takes the reader through the 'world' of children's books and how to write, illustrate and publish them. I use the word 'world' because this book goes beyond the simple 'how to' manual in that it takes the reader inside the childrens' book industry and deals with agents, publishers and how to build a career as a successful childrens' book writer.

There are other books that deal with the writing, layout and illustration of childrens' books in far more detail, but this is the first book that I've encountered in my thirty-plus years of writing that gives me a feel for the greater universe of book production that I need to navigate in order to achieve success.

A highly recommended first manual for every children's book author.
16 people found this helpful
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John B
4.0 out of 5 stars Book was originally published 1n 2008.
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
There was a lot of very good general information. But, a lot has changed in specific references, for example publishers' names. And, there was virtually no information on e-publishing. Although there was a lot of very helpful information in the book for everyone, it appeared to be aimed at authors who want to write for a career. For the neophyte, it provides a good starting point.
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Person
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
I think of this book as a friend. It is so realistic and shows such knowledge of the business that I recommend it to anyone who writes for children.There are very few questions you would have that cannot be answered by this book, or will point you to a place to get the information. I have used Harold Underdown's website [...]and thought how generous a person he is, to share all that with writers.I once hired him to edit some of my writing and also found him to be frank, thorough, just about right in encouragement, and reasonable in price. I am in three critique groups of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and I recommend this book to all of them. Note, I do not know Harold personally. I am also a published author.

[...]
3 people found this helpful
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dance lady
5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful resource
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2010
Verified Purchase
I'm about halfway through this book and thrilled with the amount of information in it. I had already taken a writing course so I was already familiar with some of the information but this book goes into much more detail than my course did. It provides lots of information and resources. I would recommend it for anyone trying to write for children. There are also a few chapters for those who wish to illustrate for children. Great book.
5 people found this helpful
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Holly Friesen
3.0 out of 5 stars OK help for writing children's books.
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
It is ok. I think the information was fairly good, just not laid out or orgainized in a smooth, interesting and helpful manner. Sorry. And it doesn't include much on self publishing. But could be helpful to the right person. Just wasn't me.
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Patricia Hopkins
5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Idiot's Guide - Perfect for me!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful book, filled with useful information, tips and resources. Perfect for anyone just starting out in writing for children, but also a great resource for anyone who is already begun their journey in the world of KidLit. I purchased this book because I love the resources and information Harold Underdown provides on his website, and was pleased with the contents of the book.
2 people found this helpful
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Sinjin
4.0 out of 5 stars Good for submitting manuscripts and marketing but getting out-of-date
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
If you're not really a dummy, you can skip the first half of this book. If you're setting up a home office for writing, you probably already know that you need to have a phone (seriously, this is discussed). The second half, where the author discusses publishing houses, submitting manuscripts, marketing your book, etc., if much more useful. I definitely learned some things, like how publishers will hire their own illustrators for the picture book you wrote, so don't bother finding an illustrator and submitting the full package. The author also goes in-depth about things like "who you know", the need for agents, the ways the publishing industry is changing, how to target your submissions, whether or not to submit multiple submissions (don't), and much more. My main concern about the book is that it is 10 years out-of-date, so the part on the changes to the publishing industry could probably use an update, but much of the other info still seems to be relevant.
5 people found this helpful
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Carolyn S. Carreiro
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for truly helpful advice on how to get a book published
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2009
Verified Purchase
I am a published author and own many books about how to get children's books published, this one is the one I use most. I refer to it often, I like the layout and it is easy to read and understand. If you are just starting out in the world of writing for children I strongly recommend this book, I learned a lot more from this book than any other I have read.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Danadino
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
Reviewed in Germany on August 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
A very comprehensive guide on how the publishing world works from someone in the Business. Lots of highly valuable advice, resources, and tips. A must read for anyone interested to publish a children's book one day. It's well structured, easy to read... Invaluable!
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Bow Fox
4.0 out of 5 stars very informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2015
Verified Purchase
A good book which gives lots of information and advice. Could do with being updated in places especially in terms of self publishing. But all in all, a good book for both new and experienced writers
2 people found this helpful
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Names don't matter ;-)
4.0 out of 5 stars Not an up to date bersion but very useful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
Great book with lots of ideas
One person found this helpful
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