“A great reference book! I feel like I just came back from a lunch date with a very talkative literary agent.”
—Julie Turgeon, Newport, NH

Dear Fellow Writer,

      Both new and established writers keep sending in unsolicited praise that our annual Writer’s Guide provides them with invaluable aids to publication that they don’t find anywhere else.

      To power your writing to increased sales in today’s marketplace, Writer’s Guide to 2010 packs hundreds and hundreds of shrewd insider tips, market-tested strategies, and pointed insights from more than 250 leading editors, publishers, and authors in the children’s field.

      It all adds up to 424 pages of writers’ gold—that essential information you need to profit from the new players, new priorities, and important shifts in magazine and book publishing. For example—

Comings & goings:
new publishers, defunct publishers

      Some exciting new book opportunities emerged in the past year: Capstone and Sports Illustrated Kids teamed up to start a new line of sports chapter books, both fiction and nonfiction; Harlequin launched a brand new imprint, Harlequin Teen; Sterling made a deal with the American Museum of Natural History for 20+ science books; Hammond Publishing created a new line of picture books; Lerner Publishing launched a new nonfiction brand called Lightning Bolt Books; Madras Books was launched to publish short fiction; Phoenix Books established a new children’s division; and many more.

      Despite the economic pressures, there have been new title launches in the children’s magazine world. They tend to be tightly targeted, such as GirlMogul, Bicycle Times, Children’s Health, Susie, Xplor, and Indie Game. We also lost some well-known magazines during the year, such as Children’s Playmate, MAD Kids, AIM Magazine, Brio, Cousteau Kids, and Breakaway.

Working with (and in spite of) the economy

      The current economy may be posing a challenge to your freelance writing, but there are ways to survive and even thrive. Writer’s Guide to 2010 gives you the lowdown on online job sites for writers—including payment and reputation—and strategies for finding new income opportunities. Also, learn creative, contemporary ways to launch your own marketing platform and stay competitive.

      Publishing industry professionals—from editors to marketers—are also branching out, offering new and unique services that can benefit you. Find out how some of the industry’s most innovative players are changing the way they work with authors and how you can take advantage of their services.

Popular categories in 2010

      Science fiction goes mainstream in 2010. Still a strong and vigorous market, sci-fi offers numerous outlets for writers, including magazines such as Asimov’s Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, as well as book publishers DAW Books, Tor Books/Tor Teen, Tachyon, and Nightshade.

      Literary magazine sales continue to flourish in litmags such as Stone Soup, Babybug and Ladybug, Sparrow Tree Square, and Creative Connections. Literary editors are currently in search of independent-minded writers of all genres and experience levels.

      Historical fiction and nonfiction editors are looking for passionate writers who “love to find the truth.” Editors at Calliope, Dig, Highlights for Children, and Calkins Creek Books divulge the most challenging aspects of history writing and how you can overcome them.

      Fiction and nonfiction for girls is practically an all-encompassing term—one that holds plenty of potential for writers. In fact, there are many more books published for girls than boys. Tanglewood Press publisher Peggy Tierney, literary agent Steven Chudney, and others discuss the reasons behind this trend and how you can embrace it as a writer.

The right topic with a great hook—
the essence of titles and leads

      Once you have the right topic, stand out from the crowd with titles and hooks that are designed to grab attention. Writers and editors at Writing-World.com, Redleaf Press, Junior Shooters, Diversion Press, and Absey & Company tell how to craft evocative, funny, and unusual titles-and how to reel in your reader with a sharp, tempting lead.

      More and more authors are crossing the line-between children’s books and adult books. Agents Laura Langlie of the Laura Langlie Agency and Susan Cohen of Writers House represent writers for both markets, and discuss the differences and similarities in the marketing and selling of each. Crossover authors Carol Gorman, Deborah Noyes Wayshak, Laurel Snyder, and others share insights on the skill sets that helped them succeed in both markets.

Books that get it right . . .

      Creating memorable protagonists is always a challenge, but even more challenging is creating engaging child characters in adult novels and vice versa. Authors who have done this successfully define the essence of a universally appealing character, and our list of “Books that Get It Right” captures 20+ exemplary books for your review.

In addition, you’ll read about:

• The many options for breathing life back into your out-of-print title, including print on demand, e-book formats, self-publishing, and specialty publishers such as Belgrave House and Delphi Books.

• The latest on how to protect your rights as an author against digital piracy, new publishing formats, and book behemoths such as Amazon and Google, and what writers’ advocacy groups are doing about it.

• Writers and agents from Bradford Literary Agency, BookEnds, and International Creative Management share insights on the critiquing process—when and how writers should follow an agent’s revision suggestions.

Grow as a writer this year

• Examples of memorable imagery, and ways to cultivate your own more powerful writing style.
• Brainstorming strategies used by bestselling thriller author Tess Gerritsen to devise plot twists and turns.
• Tips for interviewing like a pro, including simple interview techniques that lead to more authentic, colorful writing.
• Rules for using larger-than-life, glamorous settings: don’t rely on them, but use them to ratchet up tension and shape compelling characters.

Even more, you’ll get:

• Writing exercises and prompts relating to family matters that can be used to spin original plots or retrieve forgotten memories.
• Current and past perspectives on literary journalism, including distinctive features and the best contemporary markets.
• Strategies for mining your own life experiences to write a compelling personal essay.

      Editors tell it to us like it really is because of the strong bonds of trust and mutual respect we have forged with them over the years. Readers agree that the results are very useful:

Successful authors swear by it!

“I’d be lost without this book as a reference. It would be like paddling a canoe without the oars. It’s well done and informative—a must have.”

—Sr. Mary Laerence Hiti, Columbia, PA

“Writer’s Guide is full of great ideas, pointers, and information. You really know how to keep writing fun! Thank you.”
—Traci Conrad, McKee, KY

“Timely, encouraging, and full of surprises! Thanks for
encouraging writers in their craft and for offering
such thought-provoking articles and suggestions.”

—Glynis Belec, Drayton, ON, Canada

“What a book! It serves a full menu of guidelines and information that no writer should be without. I feel like writing again!”

—Aubin Marie, Muenster, SK, Canada

“I find the Writer’s Guide extremely helpful in keeping me updated in these economically difficult times . . . It helped me to successfully publish my first book (at age 84!) . . . with National Geographic.”

—Doris Gayzagian, Chelmsford, MA

“Thank you for the opportunity to read and use this wonderful book. It contains a wealth of information and inspiration. I highly recommend Writer’s Guide.”
—Jennifer Watts, Clayton, GA

“Fabulous book—it keeps me informed and up-to-date.
It gets my writing juices flowing.”

—Candy Teske, Douglas, GA

      Don’t take the word of our enthusiastic readers. Don’t take our word. Find out yourself—at no obligation—what Writer’s Guide to 2010 can do for your writing career in the coming year.

FREE EXAMINATION GUARANTEE

      Use the Guide for 30 days. If you don’t find the Guide as valuable as we think you will during your free examination period, simply return the book to us and we’ll refund the full purchase price you paid.

      No questions asked. No hassles. Guaranteed.

      If you’d like to receive Writer’s Guide to 2010 for a 30-day, no-risk examination, simply complete the order form today.

      Just click on Order Now.

Susan M. Tierney
Editor in Chief