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Making your Manuscript Stand Out

© Arden Davidson

Okay, so you've written the best children's book the world has never seen. Now what? Well, if you want your children's book to be seen , first you have to get it noticed. Publishers are innundated with bad manuscripts...often so much so that they make a lot of "snap decisions" before they've truly given a new manuscript a chance. That's why it is vital you present your materials in an innovative and interesting manner.

Of course the first thing most publishers are going to look at is the title of your book - so make sure it's a "grabber". You need a title that intrigues . . . one that promises exciting things to come....and one that will grab both children AND editors!

A strong, fresh idea or theme is also essential in getting a publisher's attention. And if your idea isn't all that original, try giving an old idea a new twist. You can liven up your story in a variety of ways through the use of rhythmic sentences, expressive words, sparkling dialogue and vivid sensory details.

Vivid, believable, memorable characters with whom kid readers can identify is also a "make or break" factor. Make sure you know your characters' personalities and motivations as well as you know your own. And don't forget, kid readers need action...your characters should be "doers", not just observers.

As far as the plot of your story, make sure it has a constant, taut, "what's-going-to-happen-next?" feeling. You can do this by keeping your time lines as short as possible, and by constantly increasing the importance of the main character's problems and goals.

The ending of the story is almost as important as the beginning because that is the final impression your book will leave on the reader. If you introduced a problem at the beginning of the story, it must be solved by the end of the story. And keep in mind, most kids like it when kid characters solve their own problem, rather than being "rescued" by some well-meaning parent or teacher. The biggest mistake writers make when writing for children is talking down to their readers and trying to teach or preach a lesson. Writing in a child-like manner rather than a childish manner will give your work an emotional impact that kids can and will respond to.

Stories that contains all of these elements are the types of manuscripts that editors, and children, most often buy. So if you're trying to get an original children's book published follow the guidelines mentioned above, read as many children's books as you can to get a sound overview of this genre, and never forget, your persistence is bound to pay off eventually.