Good children's picture books publishers??

Question

I'm a teen who has just finished writing a 23-page children's picture book-which, by the way, I think is just awesome- and wants to publish it in the US/UK. But there are three major problems: one, I can't afford to hire an agent because my parents are against me with publishing my own book-they think it's stupid and pointless and a colossal waste of time-and they won't let me. two, I have not a cent to spend on anything connected to publishing-since I'm just a teen- and my parents will never lend me money so I could do what they think is so stupid and pointless. three, I don't live in the states or UK or any English-speaking country so I can't get things like the Writer's Marker, which apparently is a must-have for amateur writers .

The reason why I want to publish my book in the US/UK is because I don't think where I live is a very suitable place for publishing books. It's not much of a 'read books' country. But I want my books to be read by as many people as possible-not because I care so much for the money, but because it's sure to make me immensely happy. And I also want to show my parents that writing/illustrating/publishing books isn't so fruitless as they think it is.

So considering my situation, can you tell me where I can publish my picture book? Any reliable international publisher willing to take a teen's book? It would help me a lot.

Answer 1

You could subscribe to Writer's Market for $3.99 a month and have the information you need. Or you could make a website and share your book with the world.

Answer 2

There are number of outlets to publish your work.  Numerous magazines and publishers do accept submissions from kids ages 8-18, and the best place to find them is in a book called "A Teen's Guide to Getting Published: Publishing for Profit, Recognition And Academic Success " by Jessica Dunn.

You might check your local library to see if they have it.  You can also buy it online.  For more info, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1...

Good luck!

All the best,

Jon Bard

Managing Editor

Children's Book Insider

http://write4kids.com

Answer 3

First, you don't pay agents up front--not reputable ones, at any rate. They agree to represent you, and then they get paid once they've sold your manuscript to a publisher.

Second, no reputable publisher will buy your book until you turn 18--unless your parents are willing to sign the contracts. Once you turn 18, you can start querying agents and signing contracts on your own If your story is good enough to get published right now, it will still be good enough then. In the meantime, while you're waiting, write more stories and start looking for suitable agents.

You might not have access to the Writers' Market (check with the nearest library to see if they have it; you don't need to buy one), but you do have the Internet, and everything that's in WM is available online, somewhere or other. It will just take a little more looking to find it, that's all. One way to find likely agents is to look at kids' books that are at the same reading level  as yours and share other similarities (such as genre); find out who the authors' agents are. Most authors include that information somewhere on their websites, and if they don't, email them and ask.

And when you do finally turn 18 and can start querying agents, look for ones that take email queries and submissions and approach them first; you'll save yourself a fortune in time and postage and potential grief.

Being a teenager is ****, I know. But while you're waiting, you can still do a lot of writing and research, and you'll be even better prepared to take action by the time you turn 18.

Good luck!