Im writing a

Chatterbox: Inkwell

Im writing a

Im writing a book! Post if you want to know what its about. Anyone know how a young writer can publish a book and have it sold in stores? I know that the girl who wrote Swordbird was 14. How do you get someone to publish your book? Is there a certain person I have to talk to or something? TYVM!

submitted by Brooke L., age 10, Fredonia, NY
(September 27, 2008 - 8:15 am)

back to the Inkwell

Book publishing is a really tricky business.  If you know someone who is a publisher, first send it to them.  If you don't, then you could send it to a normal publisher, but chances are likely that it may not get published, espesialy if you are under 18.  Talk to your librarians.  Enter as many writing contests as you can find.  If you win, someone may notice, and actually talk to you about publishing!  Enter contests in Cricket!  See if you local bookstore has writing contests.  I'm currently writing a book, and I want to get it published, too, so I'll tell you if I find anything, since we live fairly close...

submitted by Paige P., age 12, Gorham, Maine
(September 27, 2008 - 1:10 pm)

I want to get my stuff published, too. I think what you have to do is send your letter and the story to a publisher. But it has to be the right kind of publisher. So don't send your mystery stories to the publishers of board books or adult self-help books or something like that. My mom got me a book about getting your books published.  :P Isn't that weird??

submitted by Emily L., age 13, Planet Aphoondi
(September 29, 2008 - 7:53 pm)

I'm not an expert on this kind of thing or anything, but if you just send it to a popular publisher out of the blue it goes to their "sludge" pile and will probably stay there for a long time (if it doesn't stay there forever!) So you might want to either send it to a smaller publishing company, or contact the company before you send the story in, so you have a better chance of them reading  (and if it's good...) publishing it. Hope this helps!

submitted by Grαcε♥, age 12, SC
(October 10, 2008 - 2:59 pm)

Grace and everyone else, I strongly recommend that you look for a publisher's writer's guidelines before submitting your work. That way you won't waste time and energy submitting something to the wrong place.

A good place to start is by entering our Cricket League contests. Be sure to follow the specific theme and rules in each magazine and on our Web site. We'd love to see your work!

submitted by Old Cricket, age Older than, Cricket Country
(October 10, 2008 - 7:45 pm)

I have a book about publishing books, too! But it's really confusing, and meant for adults......

submitted by Allison P., age 12, Orlando, FL
(December 10, 2008 - 7:24 pm)

What's it about?

submitted by Zoe, age 12, Standish, Maine
(October 13, 2008 - 9:42 am)