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Writing Creative Fiction for Children | |||||||||||||||||||
| Preparing Manuscripts for Submission | |||||||||||||||||||
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MANUSCRIPTS Manuscripts are no longer accepted in handwriting, but must be typed. They should be typed on A4 paper(letter size for USA), double line spaced, and printed on one side only. Leave decent margins (of at least 2 1/2 cm) all around. Do not justify the right-hand margin, though. Fancy type styles should not be used, just use the ordinary type(times new roman, for example). The font size is also important, I use size 12. All this makes the typescript far easier to read and allows space for corrections/comments. Each page should be numbered (do not start at1, again, for every new chapter) and add a header, at the top of each page, with your name and story title. Most Editiors seem to prefer handling each page separately so do not fasten together with paperclips etc. If anything it could be stapled with just one staple in the top left-hand corner. I err on the side of caution and do not fasten the sheets together at all. | ||||||||||||||||||
| What To Send | |||||||||||||||||||
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PICTURE BOOKS As these are short send the whole text, if possible send a dummy book showing where text and illustrations fall. You do not need to do the illustrations. Most publishers have their own bank of well known illustrators, they prefer to use. If sending illustrations, only send copies. SHORT STORIES Same again send the whole text. LONGER STORIES/NOVELS It is usually best to send just a few chapters and a synopsis. The cover letter should ask if the editor would like to see the rest of the manuscript. WHAT'S A SYNOPSIS This is not just a taster, like you see on the back cover of a book. It should be a step by step break down of what happens in each chapter from start to finish. Don't leave the editor guessing. He/she wants to see where the story goes, is it sustained to the end? Is the twist/ending too easily guessed? You should aim for it to be about one A4 page long. For a picture book, it should only be a couple of sentences. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Front Cover/Cover Letter/Return Postage | |||||||||||||||||||
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FRONT COVER Always create a front cover for your story, on A4 paper(letter size for USA). Type the title half way down the page (centred) in large type (eg-14 or 16). Underneath the title, type your name (or pen name), again centred. And underneath that put the word count. In the bottom left-hand corner, type your real name (if using pen name), your address, phone and email. COVER LETTER Always include a cover letter with your submission. This should not be lengthy, infact the shorter the better. It should brief and to the point and professional looking. If you can, try to find out, by phoning the publisher, what the editor's name is. This is better than Sir or Madam. If you have any experience/qualifications that are relevent or you already have something published, then it would help to briefly mention this. Make sure there are no spelling or bad grammer mistakes, in the letter. This will immediately put the editor off. If your letter's bad, what's the story going to be like? Never say that your family/friends/children love your story. The editor could not care less. He needs to enjoy it and see its potential. He does not know these people, so can't trust their judgement. These people know you and like you and of course will usually like what you do. the story may indeed be brilliant but may not suit the publisher's list. RETURN POSTAGE Very important! Always include an SAE, of adequate size and postage, for the return of your manuscript. If you would like to be notified of the receival of your manuscript then also enclose a stamped and addressed postcard. Back To Home Page | ||||||||||||||||||
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