Child Writes by Emma Mactaggart is a must-read for any aspiring author, child or adult alike. It's a step-by-step guide for how to plan, write and illustrate your own picture book. The various chapters allow you to skip to the topics you need easily and it has a great list of contacts for further information at the end.
Please click here for my author interview with Emma.
Synopsis:
How long have you held the dream of creating a children’s picture book? Whether you intend to give the gift of words and images to your loved ones, write the next children’s bestseller, or help others bring their ideas to life… Child Writes is the book for you! Emma Mactaggart, picture book author, publisher and founder of the unique Child Writes program, shares her proven methodology for creating picture books.
Child Writes provides comprehensive, commonsense and creative inspiration for anyone who has ever wanted to make a picture book. From the very beginning of creating an idea, to writing it, to publishing and marketing it, every step of the way is clearly explained. The reward you experience when you hold your published children’s picture book in your hands cannot be easily surpassed. Don’t dream about it any longer.
Please click here for my author interview with Emma.
Synopsis:
How long have you held the dream of creating a children’s picture book? Whether you intend to give the gift of words and images to your loved ones, write the next children’s bestseller, or help others bring their ideas to life… Child Writes is the book for you! Emma Mactaggart, picture book author, publisher and founder of the unique Child Writes program, shares her proven methodology for creating picture books.
Child Writes provides comprehensive, commonsense and creative inspiration for anyone who has ever wanted to make a picture book. From the very beginning of creating an idea, to writing it, to publishing and marketing it, every step of the way is clearly explained. The reward you experience when you hold your published children’s picture book in your hands cannot be easily surpassed. Don’t dream about it any longer.
My review:
This book is a wonderful resource for authors of all ages, genres and stages in their careers. Writing and publishing books is a steep learning curve for anyone and I wish I'd found this book a few years ago when I was starting out.
I like the way Emma has used a conversational tone and humor in places to keep a child's interest. An example is in the 'head-high ratio' section: "Right, I can hear you now declaring I have gone completely bonkers ... bear with me!" LOL
There are some great ideas that were new to me such as doodle drawings to wake up your creativity. I'll have to try that one.
The sections on Vanity and Subsidy Publishing where you have to pay to get your book published serve as a good warning to new writers. I have heard of several novice writers who were so excited to have been taken on by a publisher, just to discovered that they have a bill of hundreds or thousands of dollars before they can even see a copy of their book.
I really enjoyed reading this informative book. I was given a free ebook copy to review, but after a few pages I realise that I NEED a copy and am heading over to Writers' Web to get one straight away. My son has expressed an interest in co-writing my next book, so we'll be devouring Child Writes piece by piece before we start.
Happy writing everyone.
Child Writes by Emma Mactaggart is available at Writers' Web.
See it here: http://writersweb.com.au/shop/child-writes-creating-a-childrens-picture-book-is-childs-play/
This book is a wonderful resource for authors of all ages, genres and stages in their careers. Writing and publishing books is a steep learning curve for anyone and I wish I'd found this book a few years ago when I was starting out.
I like the way Emma has used a conversational tone and humor in places to keep a child's interest. An example is in the 'head-high ratio' section: "Right, I can hear you now declaring I have gone completely bonkers ... bear with me!" LOL
There are some great ideas that were new to me such as doodle drawings to wake up your creativity. I'll have to try that one.
The sections on Vanity and Subsidy Publishing where you have to pay to get your book published serve as a good warning to new writers. I have heard of several novice writers who were so excited to have been taken on by a publisher, just to discovered that they have a bill of hundreds or thousands of dollars before they can even see a copy of their book.
I really enjoyed reading this informative book. I was given a free ebook copy to review, but after a few pages I realise that I NEED a copy and am heading over to Writers' Web to get one straight away. My son has expressed an interest in co-writing my next book, so we'll be devouring Child Writes piece by piece before we start.
Happy writing everyone.
Child Writes by Emma Mactaggart is available at Writers' Web.
See it here: http://writersweb.com.au/shop/child-writes-creating-a-childrens-picture-book-is-childs-play/
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