Every industry has its own terminology and lingo, and children's book publishing is no different. Before you can give children's book publishers the sort of manuscripts and illustrations they desire, you must understand children book publishers key terms. Learning about children's book publishing terminology will also help you find the right publisher for your manuscript or illustrations. And even if you want to self-publish a children's book, you'll benefit from knowing industry terms.

There are three main areas of lingo you should understand when publishing children's stories. Take some time to study each before you begin contacting publishers or perusing a children's book market guide. Then:

1. Learn terms related to children book publishers genres.

2. Understand traditional children's book publishers lingo regarding illustrations.

3. Comprehend general terms used by publishers of children's books.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover which genres children book publishers seek

Children's book publishing has many specific terms regarding genres. Understanding them is key to finding the right publisher--and to writing a manuscript that's saleable. For example, did you know that board books are a type of picture book, and chapter books may be broken down into smaller categories, including 'transition books?'

I recommend: For good advice on the various types of genres children's book publishers are seeking, check out Moira Allen's Writing-World.com. Children's Book Insider also has great information on understanding children's book genres.

Learn about lingo for children book publishers illustrations

Whether you wish to work as a children book illustrator or you're an author wanting to understand your art director better, it's a good idea to brush up on illustrating terms. For instance, do you know what a 'proof' is or how a 'full bleed illustration' works?

I recommend: Mike Motz offers a short glossary of basic children's book illustration terms. The Purple Crayon has many excellent resources for children's book authors and illustrators, including a glossary with many terms related to illustration.

Read traditional children's book publishers glossaries

There are hundreds of general terms used in publishing, and when you write or illustrate children stories, publishers will frequently use them. Do you know what an 'acquisitions editor' is and how an 'advance' affects you? These and many other terms are vital to know.

I recommend: BellaOnline provides a glossary of terms related to children's book publishing. RightReading.com hosts an excellent general publishing glossary with terms used in the children's book publishing industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you publish a kids book, never be afraid to let a publisher, editor or art director know you don't understand their terminology. Everyone starts out as a novice, and no reasonable professional will hold honest questions against you.

Children’s book publishers look for certain qualities and characteristics in a manuscript. Each house wants titles that reflect their overall philosophy in the children’s book publishing industry.

Because of the highly competitive nature of the industry, some authors choose to self publish a children’s book. This comes with its own unique set of challenges since everything from marketing to sales falls on the shoulders of the author.

Children’s stories publishers are very selective. That’s what makes the industry difficult to break into. Writers often think they’ll break into the writing industry with a children’s book because they’re easy to write. In truth, children’s books are difficult to write due to the highly defined areas of audience, vocabulary and age appropriateness. Look for children’s book publishers who:

1. Publish the kind of writing you do.

2. Accept unsolicited manuscripts from new authors.

3. Have a good reputation among children’s book publishers.

4. Return manuscripts in a timely manner.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research publishers of children's books to find a good match for your manuscript

Not all children's stories publishers take every genre of children's literature. Some houses specialize in Young Adult and Mid-Grade novels, while others do trade paperbacks or educational publishing only. The picture book industry varies from year to year, so check to see if the houses you're looking at currently take them.

I recommend: The Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market for a complete list of all publishers in the children’s writing industry. Updated annually, this resource is one of the best in the industry. Children's Writer is a monthly newsletter offering the latest information in the children's publishing world.

Send out unsolicited manuscripts only to those publishers of children's books that accept them

It's bad enough to get a rejection, but having your manuscript returned unopened is even worse. Most houses specifically indicate on their websites whether they take unsolicited manuscripts. Look under the contact us section for more information.

I recommend: Use The Penguin Group website to learn how to search for publishing house requirements. Also visit the
Houghton Mifflin Website under frequently asked questions and click on submissions for a sample of their guidelines.

Read works from children book publishers before submitting manuscripts to them

Vanity publishers often take advantage of new authors by encouraging them to self publish children's books. Although there is some potential for success, most self-publishers charge lots of money without any guarantees.

I recommend: Subscribe to Publisher's Weekly and Children’s Publisher’s Weekly for the updates on what each house is currently buying.

For children's book publishing help, join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is the most widely respected organization in children's literature. Both published and unpublished authors can join.

I recommend: Visit the SCBWI homepage to join and connect to your regional chapter.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Attend writer's conferences through SCBWI or other writing organizations to get exposure to the industry and meet agents and representatives from publishing houses.
• •  Three months used to be the industry standard response time from a publisher. Look for the publisher's response time frame listed on its website or in Children's Writers Market. If it's over 6 months, look for another place to publish a children's book.

Whether you are new to professional writing or have never written for children's book publishers before, it's vital to take the time to understand this niche business before attempting to find a publisher. If you're new to the world of publishing children's stories, you have a lot to learn! Although many people consider children's books simple, they are actually more difficult to write and publish than adult books are. And if you've been published in other genres, you'll find many of the rules for submission and writing are different from what you're used to.

When seeking children book publishers basics, there are three important areas you must consider. Study each separately, taking your time so you have a full grasp of the business. Only then proceed to the next step, which ultimately will lead you to successfully working in children's book publishing. Consider these three basic areas:

1. How do I properly prepare my manuscript for publishers of children's books?

2. Where do I find traditional children's book publishers?

3. How do I submit my manuscript to publishers of children's books?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Prepare your manuscript for children's book publishing

You've written a children's book and read it to some kids who seem to love it...so it's time to find a publisher, right? Wrong. Publishers are inundated with submissions, so it's vital to make your book stands out. Perhaps the most important way you can do this is to polish, polish, polish your manuscript. Join a critique group, hire an editor and read every book you can find on writing children's books.

I recommend: The Purple Crayon is an excellent site for anyone interesting in writing children's books; be sure to read "Getting Out of the Slush" for tips on capturing a publisher's eye. You'll also find articles on formatting your manuscript, genres of children's books and much, much more. Can't find a local critique group to help polish your book? Critique Circle may be a better choice, anyway; join this online group and other writers will offer helpful reviews on what you write.

Discover publishers of children's books

Unless you plan to self-publish a children's book, you'll need to do a bit of research on publishers. It's a simple process, even if it does take time. First, check out a good market guide; then study the publisher's website to examine what sort of books they publish and gain tips for submission. Also, look in bookstores for children's books similar to yours; who publishes them?

I recommend: Start by reading Publishing Central's guide to getting your children's book published, then head on over to F + W Publications to purchase your copy of the "Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market," considered the essential guide for selling your children's book.

Submit your manuscript to traditional children's book publishers

Every publisher has slightly different guidelines, so always read those thoroughly (either on the publisher's website or from your market guide). Address your cover letter to a specific editor. Include a SASE (self addressed, stamped envelope). Don't bind your manuscript in any way, and do not include illustrations with your book.

I recommend: Moira Allen's Writing-World.com offers good advice on submitting children's book manuscripts, including tips on illustrations, writing cover letters and more. The Children's Book Insider also offers a number of articles on submitting children's book manuscripts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you're writing children stories, publishers want you to know there are some basic 'don'ts.' These include never including illustrations (unless you're a trained illustrator), using colorful or fancy paper and envelopes, using express or registered mail, including a resume and binding your manuscript in any way.

Children book publishers news and trends is exciting because it means that more children will be encourage to start reading. Publishers seek manuscripts and books that will fascinate little children and the parents who read to them every night. Dedicated editors and their staffs receive thousands of manuscripts every month, and they read through the slush piles hoping to find a gem.

Although many large children’s book publishers find their current list of titles through agents and previously published authors. Children’s book publishing has also found authors among the talented and famous in other fields. Actresses, baseball players, late night comedians and many others write books that attract attention to a celebrity's story.

1. Children stories publishers search for picture books that are usually for children under the age of eight.

2. Although children’s fiction book publishers provide entertainment for youngsters, other children's book publishers have lists that include nonfiction, biography and educational titles for the market.

3. Many authors self-publish a children’s book because they have not found a publisher or they do not want to share the profits with a publisher.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Enroll in societies devoted to children's books

In general, writers who are passionate about writing for children are also passionate about encouraging others to do the same. The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators with active regional groups as well as national conventions in Los Angeles and New York and the Authors Guild publish news about the trends in writing for children.

I recommend: The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI)is lead by writers and illustrators who know how to publish a kids book. The Authors Guild has special coverage for publishing children stories and pertinent information for writers in general.

Read publications with news about the trends in publishing children's stories

Publishers Weekly provides the latest reviews, sales numbers and information on future releases. Editors include news from the world of children's books in each issue and they devote two special editions to children's books. Several other publications provide current information on the latest sales and acquisitions.

I recommend: Publishers Weekly is the ultimate source of news and information on trends in the world of books. An experienced editor publishes Write 4 Kids with tips on submitting and buying children's books.

Attend workshops or conferences about children book publishers news and trends

Successful writers, careful editors and dynamic publishers speak at informative conferences around the country. They will explain what editors are buying and the submission process for aspiring writers. Maui, San Diego and New York host conferences that keep all of the players in the world of children's books informed and up to date.

I recommend: The Foundation for Children's Books has information from publishers, editors and bestselling authors. The annual San Diego State University Writers Conference features workshops and lectures for people from the publishing industry devoted to publishing literature, including publishers of childrens books. An experienced editor and a prolific writer run The Children's Authors Bootcamp.