Welcome to day four of Nancy Sanders’ 6-day NWFCC February Author Showcase tour.
Q: With your experience writing over 80 books, do you offer tips or strategies for other children’s writers to experience success?
A: My book, Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career is chock-full of practical strategies and inside tips on how to experience success as a children’s writer. I share actual methods I’ve taken to experience success as well as strategies my writer friends take. To learn more about my book, children’s writers can visit its website at www.YesYouCanLearn.wordpress.com.
Q: What are other people saying about your book, Yes! You Can?
A: Here are just a couple of quotes people have told me about this book:
“I’m on Chapter 11 of your book. I love it! You have changed my whole approach to writing for children. By the end of Chapter 2, I started to try your methods. I landed a book contract that same week using your strategies! My whole critique group is buying your book now. I think you may be pioneering a new era. Thank you so much.”
-Jennifer
“Thanks to you & your book, Yes! You Can, I now have 2 national magazine articles scheduled for printing!”
-Betsy
“You know how you put those little boosters at the beginning and the end of each section…read on to see how to do it…and you can then reach for the stars…and ‘I’ll show you how’? It is amazing how much they really help me to keep going through the book, and to not give up.”
-Suz
Q: What words of advice would you like to share with wannabe children’s writers?
A: Always use three different strategies to meet three different goals. So many writers try to write one manuscript to meet all three different goals: get published, earn income, and experience personal fulfillment as a writer. I’ve found that this is a sure-fire recipe for frustration, fistfuls of rejection letters, and hardly any income. Instead, I recommend using a different strategy to meet each of those three goals.
From my experience, I encourage writers to write steadily for the no-pay/low-pay market to build up published credits. I recommend learning how to query widely and query well in order to start landing contracts to earn income while you write. And I always encourage writers to devote a small portion of each week to writing that manuscript they’re passionate about.
In other words, work on three different projects for three different goals. I’ve discovered this helps build up published credits, helps land contracts, and brings a treme
Interesting advice, Nancy. Do you suggest that authors also start with small press or epublishing to help get the credentials they need?
It's an honor having you on my blog, Nancy! Best wishes for your tour!
Thanks for the suggestion. I like the positive title of the book you mentioned. Makes me think that Yes, I Can!
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Hi Kim,I love writing for small presses, even after getting all these years and all these books published, so yes! I encourage writers to work with small traditional publishers. Here's just one reason: I've had book published by big publishers and they're out of print in several years 'cause the big publishers make more room for new titles. However, the small presses keep my books in print for years. I love this! I've not had much experience with e-publishing, but lots of traditional publishers are looking into this. One of my publishers sells an e-book of mine now so we'll see how the royalties go on that one. -Nancy
Mayra, it's a joy to be here today! Thanks for hosting me on your blog. Happy writing! -Nancy
Morgan, I'm really glad the title of my book encourages you. I truly believe that if I can get published like this, you can, too! -Nancy
Hi ladies. Excellent interview. I don't remember this book, Nancy. I'll definitely have to check it out. Love all your advice.
Keep up the great work.
Cheryl
Nancy, your book has such great tips. I enjoy re-reading it for reinforcement. Thanks for sharing your tips here.
Terri