Would you like to learn how to write a book, a children's book, on a writers' holiday?

Writers at Writers' Summer School, Swanwick. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Problem
A friend of mine wants advice on writing a children's book for ages 5-7.

Answer
If you have children or grandchildren in your readers' age group, you have a captive audience for telling you the scenes of stories they already like. Check their bookshelves and favourite bedtime stories.

You can get feedback from them.

Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, amateur, professional? What is it you want to do? Get advice on writing a book, selling a book? Get advice on legal contracts? Get somebody to write a book or collaborate? Interview a successful author? What will you do for them? 

Possibilities:

WRITING CIRCLES

A local writers' circle. Harrow Writers Circle (for feedback on your own work). Indra and I are both members, have been for more than 20 years. Membership about £35 a year. Get feedback. Work for a 5-year-old probably short enough to read half or all during a meeting, or submit to other members for feedback by email in exchange for reading their work.

No group nearby? Start a group on Meetup. Even if only one other person turned up, you might find a friend of collaborator.

Facebook and other writers’ forums. Again, find one or start one.

LInked-In

Link to other authors.

Contracts

Society of Authors (sends out contract samples for free - probably available online)

Famous

Famous award-winning professional Michael Rosen - turns up at events in Pinner, where he went to school, such as festivals where he can sell books or promote himself as an author

Author of books (professional, Ward Lock, Cassell) but children’s books only self-published through Lulu.com - me.

Summer Courses

Courses in writing for children are part of the huge mixture of courses at:

 Swanwick Writers Summer School 

swanwickwritersschool.uk  11-17 August 2018

Competition for a free place - pay £5 entry fee and submit work to length on their theme:

https://www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk/win-a-place.html#.WplcbyOcbR0

Swanwick has a book room where you can sell your books. Swanwick takes a commision.

TOP TIP
If you are going on a writing course, write something in advance and take it with you. You might have a chance to read it aloud to a group. This applies particularly to poetry and songs at an open mic occasion.

Angela Lansbury with her book The Tailor and the Spy, at Writers' Summer School, Swanwick, England, UK

Author

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.