Fifteen years after publishing "The Business of Writing for Children" -- the all-time online bestseller among guides to children's writing -- award-winning author Aaron Shepard returns with a new collection of articles on the art and business of creating literature for young people. Topics include managing time in stories, structuring a chapter book, retelling folktales and legends, obtaining permissions, databases and business forms for children's writers, performance tips for author readings, online interaction with young readers, reviving a book with print on demand, converting from picture book to ebook, and more. Whether you're aiming at traditional publishers or choosing to self publish, let "Adventures in Writing for Children" help you pursue an adventure of your own. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the author of "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Baker's Dozen," and sixteen more picture books and early readers, along with several chapter books for middle grades, extensive resources for storytelling and reader's theater, and a graphic novel. His publishers have included Atheneum, Scribners, Clarion, Lothrop, Dial, and HarperCollins, as well as Cricket and Australia's School Magazine. Aaron's work has been honored by the American Library Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, the American Folklore Society, The New York Public Library, and the Bank Street College of Education. He has been a judge for the Golden Kite Awards of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "Simply stated, anyone aspiring to write a book -- any kind of book -- for a child should read Aaron Shepard's 'Adventures in Writing for Children.' This little volume fully lives up to its hype. An invaluable addition to personal and community library collections and reading lists." -- Small Press Bookwatch, March 2015 ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS Real Time Break It Down, Build It Up The Art of Retelling Building a Legend The Perils of Permissions Databases for the Children's Writer Business Forms for the Children's Writer The Magic of Reading to Children Tinker, Tailor, Writer, Storyteller Works in Progress Saving "The Sea King's Daughter" From Picture Book to Ebook This Is Not a Test What's Good for Business . . . Real Books Kidwriting Quotes ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE My earlier book on children's writing, "The Business of Writing for Children," was drawn mainly from two sources: handouts from the classes and workshops I used to give, and my articles for "Once Upon A Time" and the "SCBWI Bulletin" (earlier called the "SCBW Bulletin") -- the newsletter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. In selecting the articles to include in that book, I tried to keep a balance among its main subject areas -- writing, publishing, marketing -- and to avoid domination by my personal specialties. I also chose to omit my more controversial articles, to make the book more generally accessible. Naturally, these criteria left out a number of articles I considered valuable. I'm pleased to offer at least some of them now, in this second collection. I've also included later articles, with some brand new ones -- some of which I've meant to write for years. (There's nothing like publishing a book to help you tie up loose ends.) And as an added treat, I've thrown in the children's writer quotations featured on my Web site.

Writing books for children is both art and business. If you dream of becoming a children's author -- or even if you're well on your way -- this handbook can help you in writing sellable stories, getting them published, and promoting your books. Topics include common myths about children's writing, children's book categories, elements of successful stories, manuscript format, submission strategies, contract negotiation, the publishing process, career building, and children's writer resources. Also included are specialized subjects such as querying for multiple manuscripts, promoting a first book, and self publishing. Read "The Business of Writing for Children" to learn the secrets you might spend years discovering for yourself. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the author of "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Baker's Dozen," and sixteen more picture books and early readers, along with several chapter books for middle grades, extensive resources for storytelling and reader's theater, and a graphic novel. His publishers have included Atheneum, Scribners, Clarion, Lothrop, Dial, and HarperCollins, as well as Cricket and Australia's School Magazine. Aaron's work has been honored by the American Library Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, the American Folklore Society, The New York Public Library, and the Bank Street College of Education. He has been a judge for the Golden Kite Awards of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "BRAVO! I thought it had pretty much all been said, but I was wrong. All the nuts and bolts are here as well as rules that bear repeating, PLUS insights not usually found in how-to books. Clearly and concisely written, this is an invaluable resource for both beginning and more accomplished writers." -- Susan Pearson, Editor-in-Chief, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books "Aaron Shepard has written one of the most comprehensive guides available to anyone wishing to enter the competitive field of children's books. It's all here, from initial idea to successful sale, and then beyond to the essentials of contracts, promotion, and the ABCs of building a successful career. If you're starting out, start out here." -- Stephen Mooser, children's author "Here's clearly-written, no-nonsense help for children's writers by a craftsman. Every fledgling author should own this book." -- Stephen Fraser, Executive Editor, Aladdin Paperbacks "Aaron Shepard's The Business of Writing for Children is a wonderful resource. His experience-based insights into the art and business of children's writing will save beginning writers years of wasted effort -- and help published writers achieve long-term success." -- Kathleen Duey, children's author "The Business of Writing for Children is a one-stop shopping center, a complete how-to-do-it guide for the writer who wants a jump-start on looking professional even though he/she may be turning out a first book. Editors will love you if you do it Shepard's way." -- Audrey Baird, Editor, Once Upon A Time "A clear, concise, straight-ahead starting place for a new writer or a newly-published writer. Shepard knows his stuff!" -- Jane Yolen, children's author and editor

Brilliant Activities for Persuasive Writing provides activities to help pupils focus on persuasive language. Activities range from writing advertisements and job descriptions to looking at two-sided written arguments and debates.The book is divided into four sections, one for each year of Key Stage 2. Lesson plans are accompanied by photocopiable texts and worksheets. Most of the activities allow for differentiation by outcome and so may be used with he whole class. Extension activities are given to challenge the more able and follow-on activities enable teachers to extend the work further. All the activities are compatible with the National Literacy Strategy.

Help students master important handwriting skills. Activities allow students to practice letter formations as they develop skills in writing sentences and paragraphs, creative writing, and everyday writing.

"I don't know what to write about!" is the common response when kids are asked to indulge in creative writing. This lively collection of unique writing activities will quiet that complaint forever! The 101 fun and functional creative writing activities in this book were designed to stimulate the interest and creativity of children. The author's philosophy, "if it's fun, kids will do it," is obvious in such whimsical ideas as having students write 10 ways to complete the sentence: "If I were a ___, I would ___" or challenging them to write home remedies for the common cold, a headache, sibling rivalry, homework overload, etc. These writing activities encourage kids to write about what they know best - themselves - and turn writing practice into a time of self-expression. Students will find pleasure in the writing process using these ideas.

"Over 80 activities covering all the key learning areas are included. This book contains motivating themes and exposes students to a diverse range of genres, enabling them to actively experience all forms of writing styles. View sample pages

This reproducible activities kit emphasises academic reading, writing and discussion skills. The target audience for these materials is adult or young-adult students in high school, college, or college/university entrance courses. It has been devised to give students the chance to think, talk and write about real life topics. The book is structured in three units, each individual unit has four jigsaw parts, which are used first for reading and discussion and then, when they are thoroughly familiar to students, as examples for analysis and imitation in the process of improving writing skills. The book concentrates on realistic writing, not just exercises. There are drills and practice on specific language points, but only in preparation for much freer writing activities. The main thing is for students to develop their own arguments about subjects that matter. Includes an extensive Teacher's Notes on how to exploit the materials.