Talk with teachers and ask what topics have not been covered in picture
books or what topics/subjects need more books. When I was a librarian in an
elementary school, I read an article about pink dolphins. The next day I
searched for books on pink dolphins to order for the students. I was surprised
when I could find not one book on the subject. Ah-ha! Inspiration struck and I
wrote ON THE BANKS OF THE AMAZON, which included information on pink dolphins.
On another occasion, I read an article about the two Hill sisters who were
from Kentucky and wrote the world’s most popular song, Happy Birthday. So
little had been written about their lives, I decided to write a picture book
about how they got the idea for the song. My book, HAPPY BIRTHDY: THE WORLD’S
MOST POPULAR SONG, was the result of my research.
If you think of a topic that has not been covered or if you think of a new
angle for a topic, research it to see if a large number of books are already in
the marketplace. If not, you may have a subject that teachers, parents, and
young readers will gravitate toward. Let the editor know you have done your
homework by explaining that you’ve researched the market and your book would
fill a literature gap.
Call
for submissions for Adult Writers
FutureScapes is an annual writing competition that asks writers to envision a
particular sort of world, and tell us a story about it. We could run
projections and publish reports, but there’s a reason why Wilde didn’t say, “Life
imitates empirical studies.” We want to help writers of excellent potential
find their voice while shaping tomorrow.
-$2,000 PRIZE FOR FIRST PLACE,
$1,000 PRIZE FOR SECOND PLACE
-4 RUNNERS UP EACH RECEIVE
PRIZE OF $500
-PUBLICATION IN ANTHOLOGY
DISTRIBUTED TO MAYORS, GOVERNORS & MEMBERS OF THE U.S. CONGRESS
DEADLINE: July 15, 2016.
In particular, FutureScapes
seeks:
–Works of short fiction up to 8,000 words, written in accordance
with this year’s prompt: Cities of Empowerment
–Compelling stories that explore the nuance of technology, science,
politics, and/or policy, without forgetting about plot and character!
-Stories that show us both the
positives and negatives of this possible future.
-Stories that can provide a
road-map for cities, states, and nations to follow.
-Stories that may be built in a
rich and full world, but that manage to show us the reality of a single city,
neighborhood, and/or life.
–Stories worthy of the $2,000 prize for
first place, $1,000 prize
for second place, and $500 prize to each of the four runners-up.
-Stories that, when placed in
the hands of a mayor or governor, could change the course of the future.
Deadline:
July 15, 2016
