Writing Children's Books for Dummies (review)

In this recent offering from the popular For Dummies series, Buccieri and Economy (the former a children's author and publishing executive, the latter a veteran of the series) team up to offer step-by-step guidance on the process of writing, publishing, and marketing books for children and young adults. The in-depth text is divided into six major sections: the first offers background information on the world of children's literature (including a clear overview of the different formats and genres within), the second through fourth provide direction on the writing process itself, the fifth steers new authors through the intricate process of getting published and successfully marketing a book, and the sixth provides several (less useful) appendices of additional information. The book's second-person narration addresses the reader directly in a conversational, often humorous style; the authors are comfortable with both their audience and the intent of the book, and the casual, friendly tone elevates the approachability of the text. The introductory chapter notes that the book can be read either straight through or used as a reference source, and the extensive index and numerous bulleted lists provide easy access to answering common questions. Sidebars include interviews with authors, publishers, and marketing executives, who offer their candid advice to novice authors. Those thinking about writing a book but needing more assistance in the creative process will find the writing exercises and editing guidance laced throughout the middle chapters useful; those with a manuscript ready to go might skip directly to the later sections on how best to approach publishers. While there is no such thing as a magic formula in the publishing field, there's plenty of great advice strewn throughout the 300+ pages of this selection, and burgeoning authors—dummies or not—will want to have this resource close at hand.