The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, 3rd Edition

If you're not really a dummy, you can skip the first half of this book. If you're setting up a home office for writing, you probably already know that you need to have a phone (seriously, this is discussed). The second half, where the author discusses publishing houses, submitting manuscripts, marketing your book, etc., if much more useful. I definitely learned some things, like how publishers will hire their own illustrators for the picture book you wrote, so don't bother finding an illustrator and submitting the full package. The author also goes in-depth about things like "who you know", the need for agents, the ways the publishing industry is changing, how to target your submissions, whether or not to submit multiple submissions (don't), and much more. My main concern about the book is that it is 10 years out-of-date, so the part on the changes to the publishing industry could probably use an update, but much of the other info still seems to be relevant.

We can't say we weren't warned: this is the "idiot's guide" to children's publishing, after all. Much of the advice is so basic that only a simpleton would need it: "When a book is produced with a hard, stiff outer cover, it's a hardcover book. When the cover of a book is pliable, the book is softcover." Duh. "Break the manuscript into paragraphs. Start a new page only when you come to the end of another one. Don't try to type it out in book form." Double duh.One gets the suspicion that this book has been rehashed and haphazardly updated for many years, beginning in the pre-Internet era. Indeed, this is the third edition, published in 2008, but Chapter 30 on "do-it-yourself publicity" makes no mention of web-based publicity outlets. No Facebook, Twitter, blogs, social media, podcasts, giveaways, no mention whatsoever of the way books have been publicized for the last 15 years. Just the dubious advice to hold signings (useless unless you're famous) and send out press releases.Similarly, Chapter 17, "I Need an Agent!", after the usual simplistic discussion, directs us to books listing agents. These may still be valuable, but MOST agents these days insist on being queried only by email, and there are websites listing agents and writers' experiences with them. Harold warns us that agents don't like "being offered a manuscript that's dog-earned from making the rounds"; when, again, most agents today look only at digital submissions.When it comes to the self-publishing chapter, Harold dips a toe into the ocean of the web and mentions xlibris.com and iuniverse.com, then immediately says he does NOT endorse what they do. Further on he recommends lulu.com, about which we hear nothing but negative reports. No mention whatsoever of Amazon's free-to-upload POD outfit, CreateSpace, or free-to-upload Kindle ebooks, or Sony, or Apple, or Smashwords, or Amanda Hocking, or...For its simplistic, superficial overview of the publishing business, and its advice pertinent to a prior century, this one gets two stars.

Virtually Maria (Virtual Trilogy) Written in the form of short notes, this book contains all the information, wisdom, reading lists and even contacts that you might expect to harvest at a three-day seminar on publishing children's books, as a mere fraction of the price.It starts with the basic truth that children's books MUST appeal to adults (since adults buy them - not children) and then takes the reader through the 'world' of children's books and how to write, illustrate and publish them. I use the word 'world' because this book goes beyond the simple 'how to' manual in that it takes the reader inside the childrens' book industry and deals with agents, publishers and how to build a career as a successful childrens' book writer.There are other books that deal with the writing, layout and illustration of childrens' books in far more detail, but this is the first book that I've encountered in my thirty-plus years of writing that gives me a feel for the greater universe of book production that I need to navigate in order to achieve success.A highly recommended first manual for every children's book author.

I think of this book as a friend. It is so realistic and shows such knowledge of the business that I recommend it to anyone who writes for children.There are very few questions you would have that cannot be answered by this book, or will point you to a place to get the information. I have used Harold Underdown's website [...]and thought how generous a person he is, to share all that with writers.I once hired him to edit some of my writing and also found him to be frank, thorough, just about right in encouragement, and reasonable in price. I am in three critique groups of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and I recommend this book to all of them. Note, I do not know Harold personally. I am also a published author.[...]

There was a lot of very good general information. But, a lot has changed in specific references, for example publishers' names. And, there was virtually no information on e-publishing. Although there was a lot of very helpful information in the book for everyone, it appeared to be aimed at authors who want to write for a career. For the neophyte, it provides a good starting point.

No one who is serious about writing for children should miss having this book on their reference shelf.

This book is so full of useful information that it might take me all summer to review it all. I am a children's storybook writer and can use a great deal of the information this book provided. I can't believe I got it used in such good condition and at such a low cost. The information provided is worth way more than I paid for it. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to grab such a great deal. Linda C. Mason, author of the Spirit of Truth Storybooks from A - Z.

A good book which gives lots of information and advice. Could do with being updated in places especially in terms of self publishing. But all in all, a good book for both new and experienced writers

Great book with lots of ideas

A very comprehensive guide on how the publishing world works from someone in the Business. Lots of highly valuable advice, resources, and tips. A must read for anyone interested to publish a children's book one day. It's well structured, easy to read... Invaluable!

This is one of the best books on the market giving up to date and exact information you need to write and publish children's books.