Am I a real author? Suzanne Lipshaw can officially say YES to this question! After publishing her debut picture book, I CAMPAIGNED FOR ICE CREAM, Suzanne Lipshaw can call herself an author.
But that wasn’t always the case! Read her full interview with me to learn more about her publishing journey to finally hold her published book.
…Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting with Children’s Book authors and other kinds of authors from all over at the DSM Book Festival. I listened to all sorts of stories and publishing tips from authors to help other aspiring writers.
There were so many different breakout sessions and author talks, that one could come inundated with notes on various topics. However, I sifted through all my information to bring you their top tips and things that were mentioned multiple times.
…Every writer receives multiple rejections for their stories before they’re ever sold into books. But what if you’re pitching your book so much and you’re STILL not receiving any positive feedback? You may need to rewrite your manuscript.
This is the boat I have found myself in this week. Last fall, I sent out my story to roughly 30 agents and have since received 12 rejections. In the grand scheme of rejections, that is a low number. However, I realize that something isn’t working.
…Do you have a story that you want to publish? I’ve combined everything you need to know in order to publish a children’s book with a traditional publisher.
Writing a book is fun, but actually getting it published, is where the magic happens. Now, parents can buy the book and children get to READ it! It’s what all of us authors dream of, right? But how do we exactly publish a children’s book?
…If you research children’s publishers, there’s an endless list of options! How do you choose the publishing house that’s going to work the best for you and your story?
I interviewed authors who have published with both a small press and the big five publishing houses to find out which is best. They laid out the pros & cons of both options from their publishing experience. Here’s everything I learned about choosing a publisher that’s best home for your book.
…Congratulations! You have an offer to publish your book. But what’s the publishing process look like now?
At every conference I’ve ever attended, there’s always a breakout session from an editor to explain the publishing process at their house. To save you the few hundred dollars by attending the conference, I have an easy breakdown for you.
…As a writer, you’re going to experience rejection. Anyone who tells you otherwise is LYING to you. The sooner we accept the truth about being rejected, the sooner we can move forward in our writing.
In the last few weeks, I’ve been collecting rejection letters. I sent out over 30 queries in October and about 1/3 of those agents have come back with a no. I also submitted to 2 contests that I lost, and heard a no from my picture book query to a publisher.
If you look at the surface, it seems like a world of no for me lately.
…At my writer’s group, we have had a few new members come to have someone look at their manuscripts before they submit them. And the biggest question is how to format your children’s manuscript?
I remember my first time writing a picture book and sending it out, my formatting was all off. It’s one of the five major mistakes I made and I WISH someone was there to tell me what to do–then I wouldn’t have embarrassed myself. 🙈
…It was four years ago and I had officially decided to publish a children’s book. My heart fluttered with excitement as I printed my manuscript and cover letter. I didn’t know, at that moment, I was making some major publishing mistakes that were NOT going to get my book published.
I sent that manuscript out with rainbows of hope and definite confidence that I’d have publishers fighting over the rights to buy my manuscript.
…It’s been six weeks since I quit my job to become a published writer, and I’m finally taking the
After my first submission, I learned that there are some necessary steps to follow before you should hit send. And most will be the reason why your manuscript does or doesn’t sell.
Let me share those secrets with you.
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