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.

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.

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.

Here's clearly-written, no-nonsense help for children's writers by a craftsman. Every fledgling author should own this book.

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.

The Business of Writing for Children is a clear, concise guide to the often misunderstood field of children's books. No matter what your level of experience -- from beginner to veteran -- there is much to learn from Aaron Shepard's nuts-and-bolts approach to surviving the bunny-eat-bunny world of writing for children. Read it and learn!

Finally, a thorough, concise overview of the business end of writing for the children's market. This book is a wonderful gift to the budding authors of the world. Aaron has combined great talents for writing and storytelling with smart and informed business practices to create a great career. Now he shares what he has learned, to help others do the same.

For aspiring writers of picture book fiction and folktales, this is a great introduction to the complicated world of children's book publishing.

The Business of Writing for Children is a clear, concise, resourceful, often eye-opening guide that is filled with solid advice to help aspiring writers sell their manuscripts and to help published authors boost sales. I learned a good deal from this handy resource. I am sure anyone who is serious about the business of writing for children will profit from it.

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 designing a Web page.

Read The Business of Writing for Children to learn the secrets you might spend years discovering for yourself.

2006-06-18 Disappointed

After reading the other reviews for this book I couldn't wait to get hold of it and ordered it right away. But when I received it I was very disappointed with the contents. I was expecting a fantastic book filled with amazing information and unfortunately it isn't, in my opinion. For me, The Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook is by far a much better source containing the majority of information Mr Shepard has in his book, plus a hell of a lot more.

From my point of view Mr Shepard's book is written mainly for author's writing illustrated books,(I'm not) which I didn't pick up from the other reviews, and also promoting books that have been self published, a route I don't want to go down.

I find his advice of sending out manuscripts with a Post-it note stuck on the front instead of a covering letter mind-boggling!

This book has obviously been of help to others but unfortunately not to me.