Ever wanted to write or illustrate a children's book and have no idea where to begin or where to seek publication? This handbook for new and aspiring children's authors and illustrators is the ultimate guide to the whole process of writing your book and getting it to the publisher.

Written in clear and expert prose by Peter Carver, one of North America's leading children's book editors, this book will show you how to begin, how to develop the story, how to speak to your audience, and how to refine the work for publication. Peter does not beat around the bush: Writing a children's book is hard but rewarding work that requires the kinds of skill and dedication you can develop from the wisdom and guidance found in these pages. It includes:

• How to get started
• Writing for your audience
• Producing the manuscript
• Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama
• How illustrators get hired
• Illustrating picture books and nonfiction
• Planning your portfolio
• Knowing fiction and nonfiction, trade or education markets
• Should you get an agent?
• Submitting for publication
• Self publication
• Contracts
• Copyright
• How a publishing house works
• Lists of writers' resources and associations
• And much more.