Random comments on the children’s book industry from editors and agents attending the NJ-SCBWI mentoring workshop on February 22:
On THE ECONOMY:
“Things are getting tighter with budgets. As hard as it was to get published, it’s even harder now.”
“Bookstores are cutting down on their inventory. We can’t get as many books in, so we’re not buying as many books.”
“This is not just a correction of the marketplace, it’s a correction of the mind.”
“We’re going to be seeing far fewer advances for mediocre books.”
“But if you’re a new author, you don’t have a poor track record to hurt you.”
“We may see a return to house authors. Authors and publishers will enter a partnership. They’ll help nuture one another and careers will have a steady progression. If you find a house that loves you, they will love you long time!”
On MARKETING & PROMOTION:
“Learn how to market your books. Do school visits. Use social networking tools. Talk to other writers about your book. Talk to everyone about your book.”
“Get to know your publicist and marketing director. They are your friends. But don’t overwhelm them with 17 email messages a day. Let them know you’re their partner.”
“Realize that the books you see up front in the stores are paid for by the publishers through co-op marketing. If they have a talking slip? Paid for. If they’re on an end-cap? Paid for.”
“Become friends with your local librarian and your local bookstores. But always keep your publicist informed about what you’re doing. Don’t go over their head. Don’t go over your editor’s head, either. That’s bad business for everyone involved.”
“Don’t waste people’s time. Don’t send chocolate to all the Borders buyers in the country.”
“With school visits, you’re a celebrity to those kids. Get yourself out there. Build word-of-mouth.”
“Temper your expectations. If you wrote a teen non-fiction book, the big retailers aren’t going to carry it. That’s not their market.”
“Don’t follow today’s trends. Writing for the market in general is a terrible idea.”
“If you’re a picture book writer, don’t start writing a YA about vampires just because it’s popular.”
On EDITORS:
“Editors are always in the market for a well-written book. But I can’t define for you what that is. I know it when I see it.”
“Know what your editor likes. Know who you’re submitting to. I don’t like gross stories.”
“But I do! Send them to me!”
“We like authors who are agented because the work comes in polished.”
10 comments
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February 23, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Corey
Interesting. thanks for sharing!
February 23, 2009 at 3:03 pm
kathy Temean
Tara,
Who did the artwork for your banner? I love it. You a a great example of how to market yourself. I am going to show you off in my next marketing class.
Kathy
February 23, 2009 at 3:29 pm
tara
Hi Kathy! Thanks for visiting my blog. You do a superb job at organizing and hosting all the NJ-SCBWI events.
My banner was created by the amazing Val Webb. You can visit her website at http://www.valwebb.com. She is teaching a class on children’s book illustration in March…although she lives in Alabama, not New Jersey!
February 23, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Jill Corcoran
Thanks for the quotes, Tara. Ah, there is still hope for the well written book:)
So which editor liked gross and which didn’t?
February 24, 2009 at 11:40 am
sruble
Thanks for posting this Tara!
February 24, 2009 at 1:58 pm
caribookscoops
Love this post. Thanks for sharing. Btw I loved your interview with Cynthea Liu – I was away from my computer for about a day and half and I missed it. I am planning on checking her book out.
February 24, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Becky
I’m taking all of this as good news! I still have a reason to keep pushing forward (besides the gratification that the writing itself gives me, of course).
Thanks for posting these. Got a few chuckles from them too, and that’s always a good thing.
February 25, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Paula
Hi Tara! I’m bummed I didn’t find your blog sooner or meet you at the conference (I just kind of stumbled into here). As for me, I cringed when one of the editors said “don’t use profanity” on your personal blog . . . already broken that rule, ten times over. I guess if I’m lucky enough to get published someday, I can always go by “Susan Snodgrass” or whatever.
Thanks for the recap!
March 10, 2009 at 6:09 am
Barbara
I know who hates gross because I brought it up at the lunch table.
Nice mentorship. Especially the group critique, Tara! Tara rocks!
And the first pages are always illuminating. I’ve got a lot of work to do on mine apparently…oink..oink.
Barb
December 6, 2016 at 5:38 pm
Angelica
I’m writing a picture book for children but I don’t know how to draw. Can the agent still want to get my book publish?