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Gifted and talented

Talk to other parents about parenting a gifted child on this forum.

Any authors/publishers out there?!

13 replies

crazylazydaisy · 07/03/2007 15:35

My dd2 has written some poems and i dont know where to go to see if any publishers would take a look at them. I would appreciate any guidance on this. Thanks

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gobshite · 07/03/2007 15:43

Get a copy of the writers and artists yearbook from your library, as a good starting point. And while you're there have a look at the poetry magazines, and see if any of them seem to suit your DD's stuff

How old is she?

crazylazydaisy · 07/03/2007 15:57

Thanks for that, will do. She's 11.

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newgirl · 29/04/2007 20:01

in my experience book publishers wont take unsolicited manuscripts/stories/poems as they get so many. A magazine is def the best way to go at first. If she does get published in a mag, then approach agents rather than publishers direct

DominiConnor · 17/05/2007 09:25

Why not put them on the web ?

DominiConnor · 27/05/2007 08:01

I know some published poets, and getting into print makes them in the top 1%, but they don't make useful money for this. Thus publishing is part of the enjoyment of the activity, not a means of making a living no matter how good you are.
Thus there's dozens of places on the web to put work so that other might enjoy it, and maybe offer feedback.

fillyjonk · 27/05/2007 08:28

why does she want them published?

why not get her to join a writers group online or summat?

or enter them into a competition

UnquietDad · 28/05/2007 10:45

An average first poetry collection for adults is lucky to sell around 70 copies. You're better off getting them printed yourself and selling them to people you know!

crazylazydaisy · 01/06/2007 11:15

Thanks for the replies. I know it's not going to be a big seller but am trying to think of how to channel the talent she has. Will look for a comp as you suggested fillyjonk, and am searching on the web for where to put them DominiConnor, thanks for that.
It's a random idea but what do you reckon about having a mumsnet poem challenge for her? You all come up with individual themes and within say 10 mins she has to come up with a poem for you?
CLDs DD2 Poem Challenge! Nice comments please!!

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CrispyNoodles · 01/06/2007 11:17

Would be happy to come up with themes etc for her. Not sure that a time limit would be helpful though.

crazylazydaisy · 01/06/2007 11:29

She thrives on a time limit - suffice to say her best time at school is the maths exams. I have often wondered is she REALLY mine.....

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NKF · 01/06/2007 11:41

There's a magazine for young creative writers. They have competitions etc. It's published by a children's publishers, the name of which eludes me but a google search might find them.

Poet · 01/06/2007 12:45

Hi crazylazydaisy

I'm involved in the UK poetry scene, and I know a lot about getting published.

At your daughter's age, she needs, mainly, to work on her craft. She's unlikely to be ready for publication, especially if she writes rhyme-y verse, as tends to be the case with children her age, as that's often the only poetry they've read, and that's what they associate with poetry.

However, her best path towards publication, besides working hard and reading a lot, is contests for young people. But they have to be reputable contests. Beware of scams, of which there are many.

The Poetry Library in London has a great website which lists reputable competitions. They've a special section for children. Below are the children's competitions currently on the Poetry Library website:

this one is for poems of bereavement

and this one is for poems about anything

The Poetry Kit website also lists competitions for children. (And they've a little advice section for avoiding scams.)

If your child wins enough (reputable) competitions, her work will get noticed. The most important competition for children in the UK is the Jerwood one, sponsored by the Poetry Society. (Check out Poetry Society website for details). A young poet now published by Carcanether second book came out and she is 20! her first when she was 16!was noticed when she won the Jerwood Prize twice. But she's a genius.

The best thing you can do for her is encourage her. (Do they do much poetry in her school?) And maybe try some competitions too.

crazylazydaisy · 01/06/2007 13:25

Thanks NKF and Poet. Those are brilliant websites Poet - I was a little worried about how to sort the right kind of comps from the scams. Very helpful

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