Publisher Research

I've spent several days and tons of hours poring over the 2009 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market. (Incidentally, do they ever need a good editor!) The articles by authors and publishers have given invaluable advice on today's market. They've also given me encouragement to keep submitting even after rejection. It's amazing how many times some of these people were rejected before finding a publisher. I've been marking the publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts and noting who is interested in what kinds of books. A number of publishers are looking for books about children with handicaps--which I just happen to have.

Another interesting section of the book is about various writing conferences and support groups. Many of the authors cite those two outlets are primary influences and helps in their getting published. I'm looking into some conferences here in the Southeast this fall.

Now on to the 2010 guide!