If you're new to the Update, you may not know that we publish a monthly subscription-only newsletter for aspiring and working children's book writers that's jam-packed with market leads, advice, inside info and much more. It's called Children's Book Insider, and we've been sharing it with subscribers across the globe since May, 1990!   (And remember, every subscriber to Children's Book Insider gets total access to the CBI Clubhouse website!)

Here's a look at some of what's in the current issue of Children's Book Insider, the Newsletter for Children's Writers:


Market Tips:

* Articles Linking Chemistry to Real Life Needed for High School Magazine
* Christian Magazine Seeks Submissions and Fiction Contest Entries
* Publisher Seeks Picture Books for English/Spanish Editions
* Upcoming Workshops and Conferences

In-depth Articles:

* Research Leads to Complex Characters in Historical Fiction

* The Ingredients of Strong Middle Grade Fiction

* The Changing Industry: How Authors Can Adapt

* Our Take on the Current Situation

If you enjoy the information offered in this e-mail update, wait 'til you see what we've got in store for you each month in the pages of CBI!  With our special Charter Membership offer, a subscription to CBI and full access to the CBI Clubhouse costs about the same each month as a latte!  

For more information and to order, go to http://write4kids.com/aboutcbi.html

"If you are "thinking" about subscribing, DON'T!!! Just do it. I waited for almost 2 years before I did, now I'm wondering why I waited so long" Frederick Claus

 

 

One of writing's enduring traditions is "the hero's journey",  a storytelling pattern that appears over and over in literature and films.  It's so ingrained into the western mindset that most authors are unaware their story follows this pattern until it's pointed out to them.

The hero's journey was most notably described by Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, in which he offered this shorthand description of the motif:  "A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder. Fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won. The hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man."

It's important to realize that "supernatural" doesn't necessarily mean a world of ghosts, spirits or aliens.  It can refer simply to a situation removed from the character's day-to-day existence.  Wandering into a new neighborhood, starting at a new school, joining a club, falling in love for the first time...these are all perfectly reasonable beginnings to a profound hero's journey.  With that understanding, it's easy to see how The Hero's Journey informs a huge swath of our literature.  And children's books are no exception.   

Knowing the ins and outs of the Hero's Journey can be of significant help to writers in developing plots that move readers.  Here are some excellent resources to set you off on a heroic journey of your own:

* Wikipedia Entry on The Hero's Journey  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monomyth

* The Hero's Journey: Summary of the Steps http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/smc/journey/ref/summary.html

* Writing the Hero's Journey http://everydaywonder.blogspot.com/2005/10/writing-heros-journey-towards-plot.html

 

 

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We've Got Solutions to Aid Your Resolutions!

• Need insider secrets and fresh markets for your manuscript? Check out Children's Book Insider, the Newsletter for Children's Writers at http://write4kids.com/aboutchi.html

• Just getting started and need a friendly, step-by-step guide to becoming a children's author? Check out Career Starter, The Beginner's Guide to Writing for Children at http://write4kids.com/starter.html

• Want to have an incredible amount of "How To" wisdom right at your fingertips? The Children's Writer's Big Book of How To has the solution to more than 100 of the trickiest issues faced by children's authors. From coming up with great ideas right through signing the contract, this amazing volume is packed with insight. http://write4kids.com/bigbook.html

• Have you written a story but don't know what to do next? I've Written a Story, What Do I Do Now? tells you what you need to know about submitting your manuscript to publishers efficiently and professionally. http://write4kids.com/nowwhat.html

• Tired of getting rejection letters? Improving The Odds reveals the manuscript-revision secrets of top authors that help push them over the top. http://write4kids.com/odds.html

And there's more. For a full listing, just go to http://write4kids.com/collect.html

 

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>> ITEM 8 - Feature Article: Why We're Optimistic.  And Why You Should Be, Too  By Jon Bard & Laura Backes,  Editors of  Children's Book Insider

These days, picking up a newspaper or turning on your TV is an exercise in courage. Lord only knows what terrible piece of financial news will arise next. And it’s not just some abstract issue that impacts “the big boys”. The current economic situation hits each of us, and makes each day its own unique challenge. Set against this backdrop, it’s no wonder that so many writers are pessimistic about the future of publishing, and by extension, their own future as writers. We get it. Really, we do.

But enough, already.

There are myriad reasons to believe that the sky is not, in fact falling, and that your chances of finding continuing success as a children’s writer remain undiminished. In fact, there’s good reason to believe that those tough enough to hang around and perfect their craft during these times will ultimately be in better shape than they could have possibly imagined.

This optimism is not based on hopes, or wishes or fantasy. We have real reasons to tell you not to waver and to have a positive outlook moving ahead.

Here they are:

Children’s Books are Still Selling Strongly. According to Publishers Weekly, children’s books “proved to be one of the most recession resistant segments of the book business” throughout the 2008 holiday season. Sales were strong across age groups. Many stores reported increased sales numbers over 2007. It may be lost amidst the gloom and doom on your business page, but children’s books are still selling well.

Children’s Books are Outselling Adult Books. As we write this, the top five overall best-sellers in America, according to USA Today, are children’s/YA books. The Last Straw, the latest installment of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, is number one. The Twilight series claims slots two through five. When children’s books sell, they really sell.

The YA Market is Growing. Twilight isn’t the only YA series selling. Young adult books are hot, and are finding readers far beyond the teen demographic. We’ve heard from a number of publishing sources that the chances of a first time YA author getting published are better now than ever before.

There’s a Reason Lit Agencies are Hiring Agents. Every day we get a press release or an email about another new literary agency, or an agency taking on new reps. If publishers weren’t buying, agents would be out of commissions, and out of a job. The truth: publishers plan their lists two, three or even four years out. The last thing a publisher wants is to be caught short when the economy picks up, and that’s why they’re still actively acquiring books. Agents know that. Now you do, too.

Publishers are Actively Seeking Fresh Voices. If there’s one thing that keeps owners of publishing companies awake at night, it’s not the recession. It’s that they’ll fall behind in reaching a new generation of children and teens, who are growing more and more resistant to “traditional” children’s books. That’s why publishers are so heavily invested in e-publishing, Internet tie-ins, social media and, yes, new authors who bring a more modern, cutting edge approach to their work. There’s never been a better time to take an unconventional tack and present publishers with new and unique manuscripts.

So that’s why we’re optimistic. And that’s why you should be, too.

But we’re doing more than just talking about it. There’s no coincidence that The CBI Clubhouse made its debut in the midst of all this economic turmoil. We decided, from day one, that the Clubhouse would serve as a positive force, providing equal parts inspiration and education to authors who see past the ups and downs of the stock market. There’s a reason we call ourselves the Fightin’ Bookworms. It’s because fighting is just what we’ll do, with a smile on our face and hope in our hearts.

We’re going to succeed. Together, we will overcome the obstacles that face us and find our way to our goals. Stay positive, and stay connected. It’s all gonna be OK.

Celebrate I Love To Write Day. Visit www.ilovetowriteday.org and learn how you can join the world's largest party for writers of all ages. Over 20,000 schools are part of the ILTWD network.

Free Copy of Working Writer Magazine!   Get your sample copy by e-mailing workingwriters@aol.com