Create the next very hungry caterpillar, big red dog, or cat in the hat with a hand from this trusted guide In Writing Children’s Books For Dummies, you’ll learn what to write between “Once upon a time . . .” and “The End” as you dive into chapters about getting started writing, how to build great characters, and how to design a dramatic plot. On top of the technical writing advice, you’ll discover how talented illustrators work and how to find an agent. The newest edition of this popular For Dummies title even shows you how to choose a publisher—or self-publish—and how to use social media and other marketing and PR to get the word out about your new masterpiece. In the book, you’ll learn about: The fundamentals of writing for children, including common book formats and genres, and the structure of the children’s book market Creating a spellbinding story with scene description, engaging dialogue, and a child-friendly tone Polishing your story to a radiant shine with careful editing and rewriting Making the choice between a traditional publisher, a hybrid publisher, or self-publishing Using the most-effective marketing and publicity techniques to get your book noticed Perfect for anyone who’s ever dreamed of creating the next Ferdinand the Bull or Grinch, Writing Children’s Books For Dummies is an essential, easy-to-read guide for budding children’s authors everywhere.

How and Why to Read and Create Children's Digital Books outlines effective ways of using digital books in early years and primary classrooms, and specifies the educational potential of using digital books and apps in physical spaces and virtual communities. With a particular focus on apps and personalised reading, Natalia Kucirkova combines theory and practice to argue that personalised reading is only truly personalised when it is created or co-created by reading communities. Divided into two parts, Part I suggests criteria to evaluate the educational quality of digital books and practical strategies for their use in the classroom. Specific attention is paid to the ways in which digital books can support individual children’s strengths and difficulties, digital literacies, language and communication skills. Part II explores digital books created by children, their caregivers, teachers and librarians, and Kucirkova also offers insights into how smart toys, tangibles and augmented/virtual reality tools can enrich children’s reading for pleasure. How and Why to Read and Create Children's Digital Books is of interest to an international readership ranging from trainee or established teachers to MA level students and researchers, as well as designers, librarians and publishers. All are inspired to approach children’s reading on and with screens with an agentic perspective of creating and sharing. Praise for How and Why to Read and Create Children's Digital Books 'This is an exciting and innovative book – not least because it is freely available to read online but because its origins are in primary practice. The author is an accomplished storyteller, and whether you know, as yet, little about the value of digital literacy in the storymaking process, or you are an accomplished digital player, this book is full of evidence-informed ideas, explanations and inspiration.' Liz Chamberlain, Open University 'At a time when children's reading is increasingly on-screen, many teachers, parents and carers are seeking practical, straightforward guidance on how to support children's engagement with digital books. This volume, written by the leading expert on personalised e-books, is packed with app reviews, suggestions and insights from recent international research, all underpinned by careful analysis of digital book features and recognition of reading as a social and cultural practice. Providing accessible guidance on finding, choosing, sharing and creating digital books, it will be welcomed by those excited by the possibilities of enthusing children about reading in the digital age.' Cathy Burnett, Professor of Literacy and Education, Sheffield Hallam University

A practical guide to self-publishing and marketing children's books including how to set up face-to-face events and promote your children's book online.

“This is a very thorough, detailed resource that is a must-have for anyone considering self-publishing a book” ~Jane Are you interested in self-publishing a book, but fear it is beyond your capabilities? When confronted with the confusing, multifaceted world of publishing, many authors make the assumption they aren’t capable of self-publishing, but nothing could be further from the truth! How to Self-Publish a Book: For the Technology Challenged Author is perfect for authors who have finished creating a story, but are intimidated by the next steps. This book’s step-by-step, friendly format will make it easy for you to shake off the anxiety of the unknown and find your way safely and quickly to the fun and profits of self-publishing. Many books on publishing focus only on Amazon. This book helps you understand the full range of choices available to all authors. It helps authors understand how to make their book available to as many readers as possible. Author & Technical Trainer Barb Drozdowich, has worked with non-technical authors for years and understands how to break complex topics down using non-technical language. She has traditionally published and self-published of 27 books and understands all of its forms. Barb cuts through all the technobabble to teach you what you need to know to successfully publish your book in a down-to-earth and practical way. Some of the skills you will learn from this book include: How to find an editor & cover designer What an ISBN is and where to get one for the country you live in How to structure and format your book Where you can sell your book, how to set up all the retailer accounts, and how to get paid What to look for in a service provider & where to find freelancers to help This book has a huge appendix filled with articles for further reading, lists of helpful videos, lists of distributors, a multi page glossary and much more. Don’t let your struggles with technology hold you back from self-publishing. Let Barb help you to learn the language and move forward into the publishing world with confidence. Pick up a copy and start publishing today.

An indispensable, easy-to-read resource from international bestselling children's author Karen Inglis. “A masterclass all wrapped up in a book.” Have you written a children’s story that you can’t find a home for? Do you need help with your early self-publishing journey, or with more advanced children's book publishing and marketing strategies? Are you traditionally published but curious about other options? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you're in the right place. How to Self-publish and Market a Children's Book (Second Edition) provides practical, in-depth guidance and key strategies for self-publishing in print, eBooks and audiobooks, and for selling more children's books face to face and online. After reading this book, you will understand: - How you can self-publish your children’s story at little or no cost - Why print matters for children’s self-publishing, but why eBooks are also critical for marketing - Why it’s important to work with professional children’s editors, illustrators and cover designers, and where to find them - How to set up successful school visits and other events — and how to plan and run virtual events - Best practice and expectations for getting into bookshops - Which tools and platforms can help with your book marketing, including key strategies for Amazon ads and other advertising - How to get reviews - How to create and market children’s audiobooks - When and how to approach translation and foreign rights - Options for upfront printing and who this is suitable for - Where to find other self-publishers for ongoing support and advice Self-published international bestselling children’s author Karen Inglis has sold over half a million children's books in print, over 20,000 eBooks and over 8,000 audiobooks. Her popular middle grade time travel adventure The Secret Lake is now in translation in nine languages and its long-awaited sequel (2022) has received glowing reviews and very strong early sales. Karen's picture book The Christmas Tree Wish was shortlisted for the 2020 UK Selfies Award for best self-published children's book. Her most recent picture book The Tell-Me Tree has received praise from teachers and parents alike for helping children talk about their feelings, and is being used in UK classrooms. As well as writing for children, Karen has over 30 years' experience as a professional copywriter and writing training consultant. Her ability to organise and explain topics in plain English won her praise and over 100 5-star reviews for the first edition of this book. This expanded and updated edition for 2021, which now includes virtual events, audiobooks, foreign editions, and detailed advertising strategies – as well as more tools and platforms to help with your book marketing – will not disappoint. One reviewer described the first edition as ‘"A masterclass wrapped up in a book’". We think that pretty well sums up the second edition too! With everything together in one place, and a comprehensive table of contents to help you quickly find what you need, How to Self-publish and Market a Children’s Book (Second Edition) provides a powerful ready-reference that you can come back to again and again. 'How to Market a Children's Book' - standalone edition if you understand self-publishing If you are a seasoned children's book self-publisher and are looking only for marketing support, search for 'How to Market a Children's Book' by Karen P Inglis. This separate edition, also released in May 2021, incorporates the marketing content of the combined book. It assumes you fully understand the various self-publishing options and distribution processes for print, eBooks and audiobooks.

This book explains everything you need to know to self-publish a professional-quality children's picture book--even if you are not a graphic designer. From finding an illustrator, to choosing fonts and colors, to design and layout, this step-by-step guide holds your hand all along the way.

If you ever wanted to get your book published but don't know how to begin, this is the book for you. Don't want to have a garage full of books to sell? Don't want to spend money upfront to see your publishing dream become reality? Then, read this book and find out how to easily publish for free through print on-demand providers. Read and learn how to realize your publishing dreams today!This is the second edition of this popular book. Here the author describes how to publish your paperback using the new Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Format. In the Fall of 2018, Amazon discontinued it's CreateSpace print-on-demand platform and funneled users to it's KDP site where account holders can now produce both paperback and e-books.The author walks you through how to set up a KDP account and each step required on that platform to publish your book. This new edition also gives valuable marketing advice, laying out steps to take to get your book noticed on Amazon and selling quickly. Read this valuable book today!