This article is the tenth in the series: Writing a Chapter
Book.
Try these tips:
Chapter books have a denser
page of print than that of easy readers. Although the books are illustrated,
the reader is dependent upon the art to help “read” the book. These books are
broken into short chapters, and the reader can often read the entire chapter in
one sitting.
The number of characters is
small and the plot is not complicated. Usually the action takes place in a
short period of time and revolves around a single situation, such as trying to
win a contest. Action and suspense drive these stories.
Intense relationships and
strong emotions spin throughout the stories. Character development is not as
great as in books for older readers. Issues relevant to children ages 7-10 are
must-haves. Stories should reflect the everyday experiences of the readers.
Family, school, pets, friendship, moving, divorce, and bullies are a few of the
common situations on which stories are based. The situation must be something
that the main character—and the reader—care about.
Call for submissions for young writers:
Starsongs. You are the future, and Starsongs wants to hear your
voice. Our intention is to inspire and promote the creativity of youth. Starsongs
is a general market magazine interested in work by writers, artists, and
photographers ages 9-19. Please keep this age range in mind and focus your work
to a PG rating level. We are open to fiction or non-fiction and “as told to”
stories.
Submission guidelines at
http://www.kidspublished.blogspot.com/p/starsongs-guidelines.html
Call for submissions for adult writers:
Highlights Magazine Fiction
Contest
The theme for the 2013
Highlights for Children magazine Fiction Contest is holiday stories. Stories
should be up to 800 words long, for children any age between 5-12. Three prizes
of $1,000 or tuition for any Highlights Foundation Founders Workshop will be
awarded. (For a complete list of workshops, visit
http://www.highlightsfoundation.org.) No entry form or fee is required.
Accepting work from both published and unpublished authors age 16 or older. All
submissions must be previously unpublished. Indicate the word count in the
upper right-hand corner of the first page of your manuscript. Include your name
and the title of your story on your manuscript. Entries not accompanied by a
self-addressed, stamped envelope will not be returned. Manuscripts or envelopes
should be clearly marked FICTION CONTEST. Send to: FICTION CONTEST, Highlights
for Children, 803 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431. All entries must be
postmarked between January 1 and January 31, 2014. The three winning entries
will be purchased by Highlights and announced on Highlights.com in June 2014.
All other submissions will be considered for purchase by Highlights.
Thanks, Nancy, for another terrific post. You know I'm enjoying these and expect to put them to good use.
ReplyDeleteFantastic. I'm finishing two nonfiction manuscripts for a publisher, then I plan to hit the fiction trail again.
ReplyDelete