I did a talk recently for Irish Pen on writing for children – and I thought I’d pass on some of the notes from the event.

The most useful things I can tell you writer to writer:

1/ Read children’s books – especially in the age group/area you are interested in writing for – library/bookshop recommendations, award winners etc.
There are a lot of good guides out there to help you pick fab books – esp the ultimate book guide/teen book guide

It will also help you be aware of what modern children like reading – and what works in a book. And also – it’s fun – some of the best books out there are children’s books. I read very few adult books these days. If a young reader does not like the first few pages of a book, they won’t read on. So books for young people have to catch the imagination from the very first lines, making them darn good reads.

It will also make you aware of the different age groups – picture books, early readers (age 4/5 to 7/8 depending on the child), confident readers age 9+, readers 11+, YA/Teen readers. You must know what age you are writing for – every publisher will expect you to know – if you don’t know, how are they supposed to know? Be very clear about what age group you are writing for. This is often the first mistake people make when writing for children. No book is for 5 to 16 year olds – think about it. OK, maybe Harry Potter, I’ll give you that one. But unless you are JK Rowling you give yourself more chance of getting published if you do the leg work – starting with reading in the age group you would like to write for.

More to come (12 points in total in fact) . . .

SarahXXX

D Day, Teens and Books

D Day, teens and books. OK, what is Sarah on about I hear you ask. Well, this morning I’d like to be writing but I have twenty minutes before I have to take Amy (6) to the dentist so it will have to wait. I find it very hard to climb in and out of my writing in short bursts – it interrupts the flow and for me it’s best to wait until I have a decent chunk of time – at least 40 minutes. So I’m scribbling this down instead.

Yesterday the teenager brought home his school project – D Day – with his grade, A-.

Now I’m delighted with this as:
a/ in the end he spent hours on it – OK, he only admitted he had to do the project a few days before it was supposed to be handed in. And at first it was a hard slog. More on this in a mo.
b/ he’s not the best at spelling or writing. He has a spelling exemption for exams but we don’t make a big deal of this. He knows he has to work just as hard as every other student in his year. Harder in fact.
c/ after a false start he used books and not the internet to do his research.

Like most teen boys he’s not all that library-aware. I tend to borrow books for him and hope he’ll enjoy them. He sees the library as geeky. So his first port of call for project info was the intent. Herein lay the problem – the sites he looked up were all ‘boring’. The information was laid out in a very ‘facts and figures’ way, there was no colour to the writing. Maybe he just didn’t find the right sites. I looked for others but again on the ones I found the information wasn’t delivered with any sort of style.

So he struggled to rewrite the information and add his own mark to the project at first. Then I went to the local library and found three books – one on World War II (Dorling Kindersley) and two on D Day itself. The DK one was particularly good – lots of photos, maps, personal accounts – it really brought the whole thing alive. On the way back from the library I read up on D Day and found out dozens of things I’d never known.

Sam flicked through the books, decided they looked ‘OK’ and that he’d give reading them a go. Twenty minutes later I stuck my head around the door and he said ‘Omaha Beach, all those soldiers dead, man! And those Mulberry yokes, mad. And some of the soldiers were my age, and . . .’ He’d started to really take the information in and think about the war in personal terms. Result!

Sam had every chance to be a book loving child. He was read to from birth, our house and his bedroom have always been over flowing with books, I read the books he reads (to review and out of choice – they are far better than most adult books) and we talk about which Skulduggery Pleasant is the best (book 3), what we liked most about Crocodile Tears (the scenes in Africa), when the new Eoin Colfer is out. We fight over my proof copies – especially the Derek Landy ones!

I’m by no means a perfect parent, but when I saw the interest, the spark in Sam’s eyes pouring over the D Day books it made me smile. At least I’ve done something right.

If you have a baby or toddler in your house – especially a boy – please do read to them as often as you can. As they get older – please never stop talking about books with them, leaving books around the house, using the library, visiting your local bookshop, listening to audio books in the car, encouraging your friends and rellies to give him/her book tokens for Christmas. It really can make the difference between a reluctant reader and a book lover.

It’s a true gift for life. I’m not sure I could get through even one day without reading something. For me books are lifesavers. And our teens need them too . . . it’s as simple as that.

Happy December!

Sarah XXX

People – especially children – always ask me ‘where do you get your ideas’? And it’s a good question.

Yesterday as I sat in the hairdresser’s I wrote the bones of an early reader called Joseph and the Pumpkin.

My early reader called Emma, the Penguin is coming out with O’Brien Press in Feb and I had so much fun doing it I thought I might give the age group another go – age 5+.
Plus I promised a son’s friend – Joseph – I’d write a book about him – to impress his school mates!

So I had a name – Joseph – and I knew the kind of boy I wanted to write about – afraid, nervous, lacking in confidence – and I love Hallowe’en so I thought that would make a fun book.

But I had to find a story. So I decided that Joseph would be afraid of Hallowe’en (told a ghost story as a toddler and never got over it – he loves stories but not ghost stories) and by the end of the book overcome this fear.

The plot involves a lost dog (the real Joseph loves his dogs) and a spooky cottage and a journey to find the lost dog involving spooky noises, rustles in the hedges, foxes and deer – drawing on fairy tales like Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel etc.

So that’s the idea in the nutshell – a little boy, a lost dog and his fear – Hallowe’en – and how he overcomes it.

Ideas come from all sorts of place, but finding the central theme, the ‘kernel’ to hang the book around is the important thing – for this story it’s Joseph’s fear and what this fear is based on. Oh and the character has to learn something about themselves along the way – in this case Joseph will learn how strong and brave he can be when he has to be.

I love it when a story starts coming together. There’s still a lot of work to do on the plot, but it’s a start.

SarahX

You are very lucky that I’m am a master of procrastination when supposed to be keying in edits – which I don’t find all that thrilling to be honest. I’m at the final tweaking stage – typos and minor changes – and by this stage I know the book almost off by heart. Still, I am making myself laugh even now – so the book can’t be all that bad. In fact there are a couple of pretty good scenes – coming from me that’s saying a lot! It’s Amy 3 – Bridesmaid Blitz and it really, really is almost finished.

So – Irish Pen New Kids on the Block night – more detailed notes. I will basically transcribe all my notes from the night in case it’s useful to those writing for kiddi winks.

First off was Paddy O’Doherty.

Paddy is an experienced editor and has worked with Children’s Books Ireland for many years. She has recently become the Children’s Editor at Puffin Ireland.

Here is what she had to say (paraphrased) and very interesting it is too:
Penguin Ireland has published for 8 years now. Puffin Ireland is linked to Puffin Uk so the big advantage is that authors will have immediate access to sales in the UK and maybe all the English speaking countries. But this does restrict the books we can take on. They will have to have international appeal.
We will accept unsolicited manuscripts (not from an agent) but there will be little chance at the moment to publish books for the under 7s and picture books. In the future I would dearly love to publish picture books. Paddy explained that the economics of picture books just don’t add up.
This is what she wants:
Age 7 to 9 fiction
Age 8 to 12 fiction
We need books that fill the gaps in the market and gaps in PUffin books
eg Fantasy
Books that will appeal to both boys and girls
animal and child stories like those of MIchael Morpurgo and Dick King Smith
Humour for girls
Louise Rennison type books
She also mentioned Cathy Cassidy and my own Amy Green books (very kindly)

Paddy again: There is no difference between literary and commercial books to me – if they are good that’s all that matters.
We have 80 submissions at the moment – and some have potential.
We want well written, original books with an original voice, a sense of control, a sense that the author knows what they are doing, a sense of authority.

Puffin Ireland’s first book will be by Laura Cassidy – to be published in 2010 or 2011 – and it’s a teen book for girls with an unusual premise.

Puffin Ireland want a cover letter, 3 chapters and a synopsis

It will take 2 to 3 months for them to get back to you and at present they do not acknowledge receipt of manuscripts although this may change.

They give priority to work sent in by agents.

Submission details are on www.penguin.ie

More on Little Island as soon as I get a chance.

YOurs in writing,
SarahX

First of all, thanks so much to all the lovely libaries and schools around the country who hosted Amy Green events or workshops or just plain old talks during the Children’s Book Festival – I had a ball.

I just thought I’d jot down some observations on the festival and generally how you can make us writerly types happy – mostly involving food and some TLC. Here goes:

1/ Do have a glass or bottle of water ready for the author – throats do go Sahara after talking for an hour.
2/ Do make sure the authors get fed at the relevant times – lunch is always good! They may turn into pumpkins if you don’t.
3/ If staying over, put them up in the hotel you would choose to stay in – warm, quiet and clean. Remember some of your authors may need to write/work in the evenings – so do take this into consideration – a tiny room without a desk is a no no.
4/ Please don’t expect them to drive 30 or 40 miles between events – remember many authors are city slickers and more used to trains and buses. Cows in the middle of the road disturb them.
5/ Think about the logistics and what’s best for the author – it might be a better use of their time to base them in the main library rather than slepping them all over the county.
6/ Make sure the person at the desk/in reception knows an author is coming and greets them with a smile. Glum = bad, keen and smiley = good!
7/ Make an effort with posters – these can be ordered from the author’s publisher in advance – or at the very least type welcome and the author’s name on a sheet of paper and stick it to the door. Make the author feel wanted – us authors are sensitive souls, be kind (rewind).
8/ A follow up email/letter to say thanks for visiting is always nice. Chocolates are even better.
9/ Do try to have the author’s books in stock – they will look for them on the shelves!
10/ If the author asks for 5th and 6th class girls, don’t give them 1st class boys – there is a reason for their request! In my case involving bra talk and ballet tutus!!!

Some of the brilliant things librarians and schools did for me this festival:

Cootehill made me a lovely welcome poster and book display.

Alexandra School library provided six copies of Amy Green, Teen Agony Queen for the girls to win on the day of the visit. They also gave me a book token and a box of chocolates. And a follow up thank you card. Many Brownie points for Alex!

Bray/Wicklow libraries presented me with a huge box of Dairy Milk and two darling pink candles for my study. Darlings!

Clare libraries put me up in the Old Ground Hotel – which had a desk so I could work in the evening! Yeah!

Much kindness all round!

SarahX

Did a magic writing workshop with kids in Tallaght LIbrary today. There were supposed to be 1 group of 6th class kids, but I ended up with that lot plus a gang of 4th class kids. So 60 odd in all. Difficult enough for a workshop but they were great – very imaginative and interactive.

We talked about genre, what makes a book ‘good’, how to write interesting sentences – I asked them to come up with a more interesting way of saying ‘The mouse ate the cheese’ and some of their answers were brilliant!
What else – using detail in your work, memory, the importance of unforgettable characters, plotting and conflict and lots of other things.

My tip for doing workshops – be very, very prepared! Lots of exercises for them to do, ones that can easily be adapted for different age groups (in case you get landed with 1st class instead of 6th – happens all the time! Lots of show and tell material – books, photos, diaries etc. And a whole heap of energy and attitude – vital for entertaining 30/60 or more kids!

Paddy O’Doherty’s (Puffin Ireland) wise words keep coming back to me – you must make them know you are in control – in her case she meant her good self, the editor, and she was talking about writing, being in control of the story – but it goes for doing children’s events too – the kids must know you are in control, that you have the session planned, and that you know what you’re talking about and are prepared to be honest, open and attentive during the whole hour/90 mins.

If they start getting twitchy or flicking bits of paper at each other – they’re bored! Try an Abba song (only half joking – it actually works!). Get creative – engage with them. Ask them questions – about their lives, their families, their hobbies/interests, their school.

More next week after sessions in Clare, Lucan and LImerick! Ah yes, Children’s Book Festival – don’t you just love it?!

SarahX

I’ve just set up a new Amy Green facebook page for young fans and readers of 9+ – with lots of tips on great books and insider info on the Amy Green characters – if you have a young reader at home do let them know.
Right, back to edits now!
SarahX

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ask-Amy-Green/157542427175?ref=nf

Phew! I’ve been having a fun time at the Children’s Book Festival. I kicked off my school visits last week with Arklow, Wicklow and Bray; Deansgrange, Stillorgan and Alexandra College in Rathgar.
All the visits were lovely, and a bit shout out to the girls in Hollypark and all the other schools. And thanks for all the emails you’ve been sending me, including the amazingly great poems and stories – it’s a pleasure to read them.
And a big thanks to the librarians, especially Noelle Ringwood, for all their hospitality.

I have just come back from Cavan where I visited Cootehill, Balieborough and Cavan libraries and met pupils from St Mary’s in Drung, (sorry I kept calling it Dung!), and The Dorley school in Cootehill.

5 Things I Love About the Children’s Book Festival

1/ Meeting great boys and girls from all over the country.
2/ Visiting some really fab libraries – and the lovely librarians who run them.
3/ Finding out about the students favourite books – from Jackie Wilson to Derek Landy and everything in between.
4/ Talking about some of my favourite books with the students and teachers – and believe me, I have a long, long list! (Wilderness is right up there, with Judy Blume and The Cat Mummy)
5/ Answering all the odd and bizarre questions that are thrown at me – from ‘What’s your favourite pet?’ to ‘Are you Cecelia Ahern’s sister?’

I was speaking at the Irish Pen ‘New Kids on the Block’ event last night, along with Svetlana for the Author Rights Agency, Siobhan Parkinson, new children’s editor at Little Island (New Island’s imprint for children and teens), and Paddy O’Doherty, new children’s editor at PUffin Ireland.

I will do a full report on the evening next week – but for now – the main points – ie what they are all looking for. Which is what everyone really wants to know!

Paddy – Puffin Ireland: Wants 7 to 9 fiction
but especially 8 to 12 fiction
She says ‘read Puffin books’ and see where the gaps in the list are – and try to fill the gaps!
she wants – animal and child stories like Charlotte’s Web
Humour for girls – Louise Rennison type books (she kindly mentioned my own Amy Green books as the type of thing she is looking for)
Fantasy
The books must be ‘well written, original ideas and voice, with a real sense of control’ – she wants to feel that the author knows what she (or he) is doing – a sense of authority
She has 80 submissions at the moment to go through, but is very keen on reading more manuscripts from new authors – all good news!

Siobhan – Little Islands: is looking for novels for age 9+ and teen novels
she is not a huge fantasty fan herself – she likes realistic novels
she wants – ‘originality, a strong voice, someone who is in control of their writing’

Svetlana – agent: is a big fan of fantasy and finds this sells best to international publishers
she as likes teenage/crossover fiction
universal stories are vital – and she is most interested in books that can travel

To find out more see: www.puffin.ie
or email siobhan at siobhan.parkinson@newisland.ie

Oh and I told people to read children’s books to get an idea of what works, and many other things – but I’ll type up my notes and publish them here asap.

I have a barby to cater for now – 30 of Ben’s work gang – and it’s pouring rain – oops!

Have a good weekend,

SarahXXX

Hi People,
I’m away next week – writing in West Cork – so no posts ’till the following week – but I’ll leave you with this – a fab event for kids and teens – with Derek Landy, Judi Curtin and many, many more . . . (oh and me!)
Check it out – and book asap!
In the meantime, happy writing,
SarahX

Bubblegum Club Book Bash – Monster Book Fun!

Saturday 3rd October 2009 (During the Children’s Book Festival)

At the Kingston Hotel, Dun Laoghaire
12pm to 3.30pm

The first ever Irish literary lunch for children and teens. An author or book guru at every table! Come along and meet:

Derek Landy, Mr Skulduggery Pleasant himself! Winner of this year’s Irish Book Awards.
Marita Conlon McKenna, much loved and multi award winning author of Under the Hawthorne Tree
Sarah Webb, author of the hugely popular Amy Green series and bestselling author for mums and big sisters too!
Don Conroy, writer, artist and much loved Uncle Don from Den TV
Joe O’Brien, author of the Alfie Green series and other brilliant books
Judi Curtin, creator of the mega cool Alice and Megan books
Celine Kiernan, author of the Moorhawk fantasy/adventure trilogy
Claire Hennessy, teen writing sensation who started her career at age 13!
Alison Walsh, uber experienced editor Ivan O’Brien, publisher, O’Brien Press
Plus more amazing writers – David Maybury, Maeve Friel, Jane Mitchell, Roisin Meaney, and Sarah Rees Brennan. And David O’Callaghan, book guru from Eason.

A fantastic, once in a lifetime chance to talk to these amazingly talented authors.

Plus Derek Landy will entertain you with tales from the depths of his wickedly creative mind. And our crack team of book trade professionals will answer all your questions on how a book is created and how you too can get published.

It gets even more exciting – every young reader will go home with a goody bag, and there will also be an Author Auction – win a writer to visit your school, or signed books by Darren Shan and other cool writers, plus a bookshop on site.

Please note tickets are limited and early demand has been unprecedented, so please book now to avoid disappointment. Children e20, adults e25 (child and adult tickets both include lunch – and child tickets include free goody bags)
All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult

Booking: email – bubblegumclubbookbash@gmail.com
Tel: 01 2360456 or 086 2628888 or check out www.bubblegumclub.ie for details
Children’s Book Festival info: www.childrensbooksireland.ie