Rating: 
Summary: Insightful Ideas
Review: I found this book to be well organized and filled with useable and practical ideas and information. The specific content was extremely helpful to me as an author. I also plan to use this with my middle school students to assist them with their own creative writing. The chapter entitled "How Do I Grab and Keep a Reader's Interest?" is an excellent starting point for all budding writers. Even though I have had two of my own books published, I learned a great deal of new information, especially about self-publishing, from reading this book. I think this book would be a wonderful read for anyone, young or old, who might be considering venturing into the world of writing. Nice Job!
Rating:
Summary: They don't get any better
Review: As a published author of four children's books, I always use this comprehensive book while giving workshops for writers: from novices to more advanced writers. This book is well organized and is packed with information that all writers can use. It's simply the best book in its category.
Rating:
Summary: Jam-packed with valuable information.
Review: As a published children's book author, I highly recommend this book to writers--on all levels. I wish it were available when I first started writing. But even now, after being published, I find it jam-packed with valuable information.
Rating: 
Summary: VERY Basic
Review: Be aware that when the author uses 'basic' in the title she really means it. It is informative enough to bring the truly clueless out of the depths of darkness but those who seek to actually write children's book-- especially fiction-- would do better to look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: VERY Basic
Review: Be aware that when the author uses 'basic' in the title she really means it. It is informative enough to bring the truly clueless out of the depths of darkness but those who seek to actually write children's book-- especially fiction-- would do better to look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: A great help!
Review: I really have a problem with reviewers like the last one who said this book didn't give enough information about getting an ISBN. (He said ISNB number but the N stands for number. He should have only said ISBN. I wonder if he has figured out how to get a set of them.) Anyway this book gives the snail mail address and the website for getting them. There are some books which print the actual forms but they cost a lot more than this little guide. Then if the forms are revised, you are stuck with the old ones. Why not go to the website, use the snail mail address, or call toll free number?The book has so many other helpful things. Its section about fiction is one that I check to be sure I haven't left out anything important in terms of plot, etc. It has helped me get published. The book has many print and online resources for writing, selling, promoting, and self-publishing. It also has information to help you decide if self-publishing is right for you. I loved the message board for children's writers which I found by way of this book. Before missing out on this little gem, you might like to read all of the reviews. This book has helped a lot of people!
Rating:
Summary: Full of notes
Review: I've made lots of notes on this little guide (that is, I write on the pages to help me refer back to special parts). It has tips for writing and submitting stories as well as advice about writing. It mentions possible markets that didn't occur to me. There are many resources in the appendix about other books in specialized areas, snail mail addresses and websites for getting ISBN's, copyright, finding printers, etc. I refer to this book often even though I've bought other longer books. It is a handy basic guide that I keep by my side. Oh, there are resources for poetry writers also.
Rating:
Summary: Meaty essentials
Review: It's awfully hard to find any information--at all--about self-publishing children's books. This meaty little guide has essential points that makes a challenging venture go much more smoothly. From the writing considerations to the business aspects, this book has lots of bang for the buck.
Rating: 
Summary: An okay read
Review: The 5 star rating and excellent price caught my attention. This was the first book I purchased on the subject of writing children's books. It's nice and thin, for easy portability, but lacks the punch I've seen in several other titles. There is some good information inside, however. I especially like the way the author points out a child's viewpoint and offers clear explanations for adults. While good instruction on writing a story and getting it publishes is here, I yearned for a little more completeness. It felt as though this was a primer on the subject instead of a true encyclopedia. I found the organization of the material to be chaotic as well. You can't beat the price, however, and if you're looking to dip your toes in the water, this is a good place to start.
Rating:
Summary: great guidance
Review: There are so many books about writing that I had no idea where to start. Some are very expensive. I appreciated so much finding this little guide. It is packed with resources and with steps involved in good writing for children. I bought a general book about writing but it didn't have much about writing for children. I also went to a writer's workshop where I was the only one interested in writing for children. The workshop members and the other book didn't seem to understand what is different about writing for children. Betsy Lee shows important difference which make for good children's stories. I've bought other books about writing for children which weren't what I really needed. This book helped me find the printed and online resources I needed and helped me polish my skills. It is so well organized with a question and answer format. It also has an index. The author teaches writing in continuing ed at a college. This was like sitting down in class with a good teacher.
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