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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to give up?

49 replies

Iloveanimals · 26/05/2017 20:11

I am aware I've got another thread going at the moment as well, but please be gentle.
I'm distraught.
My children's book has been rejected 86 times.
I feel like I'm rubbish and will never make it as a writer. Is it not meant to be? Should I give up? Please be kind. I feel so overwhelmed.
Xx

OP posts:
TheMisterMac · 26/05/2017 22:10

I thought just that, if only he had written it :)

NellieFiveBellies · 26/05/2017 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wellysocksbox · 27/05/2017 07:48

Stick your book on Amazon as a free download on Kindle. If the book is a success than that will give you leverage for your next book.

.if you are aiming at the 4-6 market then you need to make sure it's an easy reader with key words suitable for the KS1 curriculum and that it has lots of lovely illustrations. Have you worked with a good artist?

SendintheArdwolves · 27/05/2017 08:04

Until recently I worked in kids' publishing. I haven't read your work, but I would say that generally:

  1. the market for children's books is madly competitive. Lots of celebs "write" for children, there are some great well-known authors currently producing a book a year, many large publishing houses have teams of writers turning out the next book in an established series, and existing toy and TV brands always use tie-in books to drive sales. Coupled with that, lots of people (and I'm not saying you are one of them, just that it's easy to get drowned out) think that writing a children's book is easy. So they spaff out some half-thought through nonsense and think "wow that's really magical". Kids publishers are SWAMPED with manuscripts and most of them are AWFUL.
  2. If you are a first-time author, you need to be able to offer an amazing manuscript AND something else. Do you have a social media presence, are you active in groups/events/communities connected to children's books, writing, the interests of you target age group, etc? Do you know other authors, attend events, go on courses? Although a great book is a great book, at the moment publishers are also looking for authors who come with a ready-made following and have proved that they're able to be active in promoting the book and driving sales.
  3. Do you have a USP? What specifically about you makes what you have to say in your book interesting? Is it set in a little-known country where you lived for many years? Are you a child psychologist/primary school teacher/zoo keeper, etc, and does this give you special insight into whatever it is you have written about?
  4. If you have submitted to over 80 publishers, and they have all said no, then write something else. It's not really worth 'tweaking and resubmitting' unless that some places have specifically said they would like you to do this.
  5. Did you really get the same feedback from everywhere that they didn't want it because it had talking animals? That seems strange - nothing else was said?
  6. Does the book require illustrations, and is this something you can provide? If you want the publishing house to find you an illustrator that is a MAJOR job and they will think very carefully before trying to pair you with one of their illustrators. Off the top of my head, all of the big kids authors I worked with who wrote for younger age groups were also illustrators. It was very rare to find someone who just did the words - pictures are so integral to the storytelling at that age.

If you want, you can PM me your manuscript and cover letter, and I will take a look and give you feedback. But I warn you, I have seen hundreds and hundreds of kids books and I will be very honest!

NoSquirrels · 27/05/2017 08:10

Last thing: "talking animal" (younger age group) "adventure" (generally older)

Talking animal adventure to me says 9-12, Watership Down, Brian Jacques Duncton Wood, Varjak Paw, Mrs Frisby & Rats of Nimh.
In all these books, the "adventure" is in many ways more important than their animal nature. Their being animals informs the story, but is not the main/sole thrust.

So do think about your age ranging and structure.

5-8 animal "adventures" quite often involve human protagonists too (Holly Webb, RSPCA or WWF books for young readers) and are very gentle uncomplicated stories grounded in familiar settings for children.

trixiebelden77 · 27/05/2017 08:18

Have you sent your manuscripts to a professional who can provide editorial guidance? Where I live (not the UK) there is a writers' centre that offers residential stays with the opportunity to have an editor go over your work and make suggestions.

GinIsIn · 27/05/2017 08:23

Another who used to work in publishing here. It's a slightly unusual age range you've mentioned a book that appeals to a 4 year old is unlikely to appeal to an 8 year old. Have you done your market research? Looked at the appeal of comparable titles?

ImperialBlether · 27/05/2017 12:33

I agree there's a problem with the age range. My children learned to read at 4 but were reading Harry Potter when they were 8 and had gone through all the Enid Blyton books they could find.

Can you think of a book that might sit next it on the shelf? I always think it's a good idea to do that.

Talith · 27/05/2017 13:16

Look into publishing it as an ebook. Traditional publishing isn't the be all and end all.

Even if you get a novel picked up you might only get a few grand out of it assuming it sells a few hundred copies. Most novels don't sell that many.

At least with ebooks you can get it out and make it available to be read and even make a few quid.

ImperialBlether · 27/05/2017 13:17

But she can't really publish a book for children that age as an e-book, as she'd need professional illustrations. Also does anyone read to their child from an e-book?

VanillaSugar · 27/05/2017 15:02

Can you give us a taster paragraph so that we can get a feel for your writing style OP?

Talith · 27/05/2017 15:28

My children read dozens of ebooks. I read them ebooks. Illustration may be a factor if it's not a chapter book. If it is a chapter book you can get away with an attractive cover.

ImperialBlether · 27/05/2017 17:10

If it's a book about talking animals for 4 year olds, I'd expect illustrations.

Original poster
Iloveanimals · 27/05/2017 21:41

Sorry about the late reply. As yet I haven't been able to find an illustrator as I wouldn't be able to pay them unless it was published. I am thinking of having a break for a while and maybe trying something else...maybe a different story...
I've also joined a writing group. I just feel like a failure. But maybe it's just not my time yet? Either that or its not meant to be.

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 27/05/2017 23:22

Why not think, "What if I was offered a two-book deal? What would I write for that second book?"

Then turn it on its head. Write that second book now and hope to publish this book as the second book in the deal. If they don't want it, they'll tell you exactly why.

schmalex · 28/05/2017 06:29

The 5-7 age group is very competitive and generally revolves around series. It is typical to submit a first book plus a couple more series ideas.

Make sure you have done your research. What's your word count? Do you have a clear series format?
There are plenty of animal adventures in this age group so perhaps it just isn't fresh enough. It's very difficult to do something that fits the requirements and is different enough.

Have you read recently published books for this age like Captain Pug, Shifty McGifty, Knitbone Pepper, Erica's Elephant? Is your book genuinely as good or better than these?

Also, you really need to get onto the next book while submitting the first. Nobody makes money from just one book and any agent/ publisher would want to know that you are capable of more. But try something different. Maybe they've got all the animal adventures they need to fill their lists at the moment.

I would also say it's unusual to be successful with your first book attempt. Most authors have a few books rejected before being successful. Have you joined SCBWI? They run lots of industry master classes, critique groups and a fab conference all dedicated to children's writing ( and illustrating).

joanopie · 28/05/2017 11:55

I am a writer and teach creative writing and run a writing group. Is there a creative writing group near you that you could join? One of the advantages of this is that you are with people who can give your honest feedback, suggest minor changes that will make all the difference to your book. The other thing to remember, that is absolutely priceless and there is no substitution for, is that you will be with a group of like-minded people who have the same interest as you. This could be a good move.

joanopie · 28/05/2017 11:57

Also, someone I know locally in the north east self published on Amazon and on her third book, which had very good sales - they offered her a 3 book deal - so self publishing is a viable option these days. Self publishing has moved on somewhat in the last 5 years.

ImperialBlether · 28/05/2017 11:58

Who offered a three book deal? If you self-publish you put up whatever you like - there are no deals.

schmalex · 28/05/2017 15:06

I don't think self-publishing works so well for this age group though. As imperialblether has already said, you would need to pay an illustrator for a start.

joanopie · 28/05/2017 15:28

Amazon are also publishers and the publishing division of Amazon offered her a 3 book deal

joanopie · 28/05/2017 15:29

I am not suggesting she self publishes - just that some things have moved on somewhat in the last 10 years. Self publishing is not right for everyone or all books but the 3 book deal mentioned above is real

ImperialBlether · 29/05/2017 13:03

Just been reading up on Amazon publishing - I didn't realise they had got into that, though it was inevitable, I suppose. Marketing when you're self publishing is very difficult, but if you've got the weight of Amazon behind you, that job's done. A three book deal is great - gives a lot of security.

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