Learning to read is a milestone in every child's life. This goes hand and hand with finding your favorite book, what genres appeal to you, and reading your first chapter book out loud, feeling so proud. Many authors guided us through this process. Authors such as; the famous Dr. Seuss, Megan McDonald, Paula Danziger, Margaret Wise Brown , and Maurice Sendak (this is just naming a few).
Necessary Skills
Some of the skills that a children's book writer would need to be successful are the foundations of writing. A children's book writer needs a strong set of writing skills as well as an exceptional sense of imagination and creativity. They have to be able to write in a way that speaks to a young audience. Most of the stories need to involve a conflict and a resolution. Every book should be some type of lesson. It is also recommended that children's book writers take risks! Don't be afraid to be out there with you ideas, it will probably get you further in the long run.
Education
The more knowledge and writing experience that the author has the better. Technically an author does not need to extend into further education after high school. Although, there are so many different types of bachelors and masters programs offered to expand their knowledge and writing methods as well as narrow down the fluff of a college education and focus more on creative writing.
Salary
Unlike other careers that have a yearly salary, a writers salary is not constant and revolves around when they write and publish a book. In 2011 the average salary for a writer was around 68,000 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statics). However; since this was an average about half of these authors made under 50,000. Another thing to consider when looking at these numbers are that they cover the whole genre of authors not just children's book writers specifically.
Writers are also paid in other ways such as; book advances (about 3,000), royalties (which depend on the amount of books you sell and the percentage you get), and there are cases where the writers get hired hourly and get paid about 1-3 dollars a word with an hourly rate around 60 dollars (this is less common).
All in all, a writers salary has many factors and revolves around the success of your book. It's not exactly a career that you go into for the money due to its flip floppy nature. Many writers have a back up plan, or a second job to pay the bills.
Writers are also paid in other ways such as; book advances (about 3,000), royalties (which depend on the amount of books you sell and the percentage you get), and there are cases where the writers get hired hourly and get paid about 1-3 dollars a word with an hourly rate around 60 dollars (this is less common).
All in all, a writers salary has many factors and revolves around the success of your book. It's not exactly a career that you go into for the money due to its flip floppy nature. Many writers have a back up plan, or a second job to pay the bills.
A day in the life...
A day in the life of a children's book writer is basically spent however they want it to be spent. Writers have the abilities to create their own schedule because they are the ones doing the writing. Once the writing is done challenges begin to arise. Your work has to be sent to publishers (you can do this yourself or and agent can assist you). You also have to market yourself and create a brand, basically how to sell yourself to the publishers. Once a publisher is interested meetings take place where you get to deal with a mix of emotions, either positive, or the ever so popular, negative.
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There is always a light at the end of the tunnel for children's book writers, and all writers in general. Eventually someone will bite and you will see your piece of work, the time and effort, the edits and re-edits, the vision, and the let downs, published on a screen (2014 people) or in the flesh, paperback in your hand. It'll all be worth it. And if that is to long of a process for you,you can always self publish and see where that takes you. Either way being a children's book writer isn't for everyone, but if you have the passion and determination never give up.
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