Writing for Children and Teens

WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE is Cynthea’s answer to finding out everything a writer needs to know about writing for children and teens in a simple, step-by-step guide. Within each step, writers will find clear and specific information covering topics such as the children’s book market, manuscript format, revision tips, finding the right agent or publisher, submission etiquette, and common faux pas to avoid. Bonus materials include templates for all of one’s submission needs as well as examples of real-life editorial letters sent to authors from editors today.

From an editor…

“Thank you so much for reiterating the things we’ve all been trying to tell writers all along …”

From an author…

“I’m a published author who has sweat her way through one synopsis after the other. I wish I had seen this years ago.”

From writers just like you….

“Since I am JUST starting out, I mean literally just starting…[Friend's name] suggested your book. About a week ago I wrote what I thought was a decent rough draft for a picture book idea that I am VERY passionate about. Anyway your book arrived today on my doorstep and I couldn’t wait to read your suggestions about writing. I was blown away!! I went back to my rough draft right away. Oh my gosh! I heard echoing, too much dialogue, I could go on and on, but I’ll save SOME face!! I sat down with a pencil and paper and outlined the story. Big help. The biggest AH HA for me was when you said the main character needed to solve her own problem, not the mommy. In my rough draft the mommy was solving the problem!! Not anymore, my main character flew off the page at me when I empowered HER to solve her own problem. Amazing. Amazing how inexperienced I am!!! Thanks for this book.”

“This whole thing about queries is really good. I learned much in a short time; you delivered what I needed. And so, Cynthea, I love you…”

“I’ve thought about picture books as needing a rhythm, but you spelled it out in a way that had never completely gelled in my mind before.”

“Your description of what a synopsis entails is one of the clearest I’ve seen. You make it seem doable. THAT I like.”

“The conversational style of your articles make them easy to understand and a joy to read. You are a goldmine for writers old and new!”

“Thanks for the very interesting tips…the 1/5-3/5-1/5th rule makes perfect sense, just never thought of it that way. You’ve made the basics for a picture book into a nice little package…exactly what I need!”

“This [article] saved my life. I am not kidding. I was in utter despair yesterday, thinking I could not possibly boil my…manuscript down to a single page synopsis, and finding none of the advice I’d read on the subject to be at all encouraging and helpful. Then I found this article and you made it so clear, so simple, and so delightfully bunny — I mean, funny — that all my anxiety flew out the window and before I knew it, I had sat down and hammered out a five-paragraph, exactly one page synopsis that captures all the important details of the main plot but doesn’t waste time on digressions. You enabled me to see the “backbone” of my story more clearly than ever before, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am…Thank you so very, very much.”

“This exactly what I’ve been looking for. I need to write a synopsis and was needing some direction. Your example really helped me to understand the need of the intro, then building, then resolving the story. Excellent.”