children's book publishers...

[utopian99]

Hi
I'm not sure if this is the right thread, but looking for some help for a friend.. She's a retired primary school teacher who has always been brilliant at making up stories but has recently started writing in earnest. She's now written a set of short stories for small children about a dog called Baggage, and a book for I suppose slightly older children about a 'house sprite' called Mossy. Obviously I'm biased as I know her personally, but I think they're great, sort of in the same spirit as Five Children and It and all those stories, but modern and not so quaint.

ANYWAY - does anyone have any ideas as to getting published? I know these things take forever, and she has been sending the manuscript out, but it crossed my mind that with the wealth of users on MN someone might have a better idea than me, as I'm nothing to do with the book world and am currently pregnant with our first DC, so really have little idea about current children's publishers etc.,

Hope no one minds the rather random post, but if you have any ideas, do let me know!!

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

Try here

[Bossybritches22]

I have a friend who runs her own childrens publishing firm, I'll pm you the details when I get online tom as on phone.

[utopian99]

pombear thanks, will pass it on!

bossy thanks, that would be an amazing if you're happy to do that! would you want me to ask her to say where she got the contact from when getting in contact, or to remain anonymous?

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

And if she wants some readers, tell her we're always willing to test read something new My littles are 10, 7 and 5. (And I want to read the house sprite ones )

[Bossybritches22]

I emailed her just asking if she'd speak to a friend of a friend, she's away for a long w/e but I'll catch up with her after if your friend can wait?!

Not promising anything but it's worth an ask,sounds fab.

[utopian99]

pom seeing her this weekend, so will ask if I can pass you a copy!

bossy I'm sure she can wait, sounds like a great connection if your friend is happy. Will cross everything... Thanks!

[DisorderlyNights]

Tell her to Google writers advice services, for a critique. Writers workshop offer them, as do some other companies and independents. You have to pay a few hundred pounds, but if she can afford it will get a lot of support with improving her stories, plus - if they think them good enough- introductions to agents.

[madamehooch]

If she hasn't already done so, I would advise her to invest in a copy of the 'Children's Writers and Artists Year Book.' It gives details of all the publishing companies, the types of books they look for and also whether or not they accept manuscripts direct or through an agent.

[utopian99]

pom she has said she'd be happy to send you the first three chapters for an opinion? I think she's cautious about sending the whole book until she finds a publisher... Do you want them anyway?

[utopian99]

bossy just wondering if you'd heard anything from your friend yet?

also, pom do you want to pm me if you did want the first three chapters?

[Bossybritches22]

utopian just bumping to say have PM'd you with details of how to contact my chum now she is FINALLY back in the country for a while.

Let us know how she gets on !

[charlesvald]

Yep the 'Children's Writers and Artists Year Book' is the bible or of course there is the self publishing route.