Childrens books

[DreamsTurnToGoldDust]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help, maybe give me a few ideas. My DH has been making up stories for our young DS, he tells these stories so lovely and DS loves them. I would love for him to turn this series into books, how would I start etc.

Thanks

Get a couple written down and start sending out to children's publishers. Write a good cover letter outlining the plan for more stories/ single book or series whichever your dh intends to do. Walker books springs to mind. You can self publish these days too. Be prepared to hear nothing back or have lots of thanks but no thanks letters, yet keep trying! Do you know anyone in the book trade? A book seller perhaps in a store who could offer you further advice or invite dh to do a story time, could he do one at school if confident enough! This all helps to find out if your intended audience enjoys the stories as well as ds. There are also writers resource books you can buy from good bookstores which help with all if this. The writers yearbook I think it's called and I am sure there is a children's writers one too. How lovely of your dh to make up stories for him, my late dad did this for me and I loved his stories too

Thank you so much BigRedCheeks for replying and giving me some really good advice. I think he`s worried because although he tells such lovely stories, neither of us can draw at all and he thinks he needs to illustrate as well! I will pin him down to write a little (I can help with that ) and take it from there.

Its just such lovely characters that he talks about and I thought he should write it down, if for nothing else maybe DS would love to have those memories when he`s older.

He sounds lovely! He doesn't need to illustrate, publishers have a big list of illustrators so they can take their pick. Also in the Writer's yearbook look for agents, it's tricky to get one, but if they love your DH's work then they'll help him look for a publisher. Good luck!

Thank you Britchic Interesting about illustrators, I know nothing about this area, all very useful and gratefully recieved information.

Glad to help! So true regarding illustrators, most authors have someone else illustrate their work. Take Julia Donaldson for example, she can draw but often chooses other artists. I work in kids books, on maternity leave at the moment but am always popping in to work can't keep away! If you have any other questions I would be happy to find things out for you

Thank you, really appreciate you taking the time to answer me

I'd get him to take a course before sending off submissions to agents. I'm doing a really good children's writing course at CityLit (in London). There are online ones too, I have heard the Writers Workshop one is good.

There are also writers festivals like Winchester and York where you can show your manuscript to an agent and get feedback.