Word Count for Children's Books

A beginning writer recently asked me about the word count of children’s books. No specific answer qualifies for every publisher, but here is a general overview: 

Board books: 0-100 words. 

Fiction picture books range from 0 to 500 words. These books keep getting shorter. Nonfiction titles are often longer. 

Early chapter books for 5-7 year-olds are illustrated and range 1,000-7,000 words. 

Chapter books for the older audience, ages 7-9, range up to 15,000 words.  

 

Middle-grade novels for ages 8-12 are usually between 20,000-45,000 words, maybe more. My middle grade novel, AMAZING GRACE, topped out at 33,000. 

YA (Young Adult) novels range higher: 50,000-85,000. 

Publishers set their own parameters for word length. There are many variations, but these are generally acceptable. 

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.

 

Writing a Middle Grade Novel/Call for Submissions

Let’s take a look at the latest trends, according to some editors. I’m not advocating writing to trends, since by the time your story is ready to submit, the trend may have passed. However, trends can indicate types of manuscripts that editors are looking for.

Here’s a peek:

Picture books are on the rise. This category had been flat for several years.

Chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels and new adult novels are selling well and have editors requesting manuscripts.

Humorous stories in all categories are a plus, as are realistic, contemporary stories.

Series continue to be popular.

Paranormal and dystopian have saturated the market so they are in less demand.

Horror stories are seeing a growth pattern.

Strong male protagonists in Young Adult are seeing an upsurge.

Historical fiction is in an upward swing.

Nonfiction in all areas of children’s lit is growing, possibly due to the Common Core, a program used by schools in which nonfiction books are utilized.

Remember, quality fiction and nonfiction transcend all trends.

Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:

The second annual short story contest from the Loudoun County [Virginia] Public Library is NOT limited to Loudoun County residents. No theme: Take part in our annual adult short story writing contest. For ages 19 & up. Stories can be inspired by real life, fantasies, mysteries, adventures, or even horror.” Cash prizes: $200/$100/$50 for the top three stories. Those winners and honorable mentions will receive a copy of the resulting book. No entry fee.

Deadline: August 11, 2014.

Submit your entry: writeon@library.loudoun.gov

Submission Guidelines at http://library.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=705

Writing a Middle Grade Novel, part 1/Calls for Submissions

This article is the first in the series:

Anybody who writes a book is an optimist. First of all, they think they're going to finish it. Second, they think somebody's going to publish it. Third, they think somebody's going to read it. Fourth, they think somebody's going to like it. How optimistic is that?" ~Margaret Atwood

Sometimes I think the keys on my computer must be made of magnets. They keep pulling my fingers back to them. My fingers are so optimistic I’d feel guilty if the rest of me didn’t follow with equal enthusiasm. A positive outlook is easy to muster when starting a new book, but as the writing journey becomes more difficult, enthusiasm wanes, especially when rejection floods in. Some manuscripts are easier, much easier, to sell than others. Knowing that tidbit, it seems reasonable then to suggest that writers write only stories that are easy to sell. Of course, if we knew the magic potion that empowered us to write publishable print, we could jar it and make a fortune in a traveling show. 

Each children’s book I have written has followed its own path in the journey to publication. But in a total of 30 books, none have ventured into as many detours as my upcoming middle grade novel. 

 

In my next several blogs, I’ll detail my efforts and offer tips for writing for 8-12- year-old readers.

Call for submissions for Young Writers

YARN --- Since this is a YA literary journal, we ask that the material be appropriate for, and of particular interest to, young adult readers, 14 years old and up. We have no age restrictions for authors (fogies over the age of 18 write YA, too), and no genre restrictions (if you’ve got a story set in 2060, bring it on!). We only ask that the writing you submit be original and publishable, with some literary merit (in other words, if you’ve written a slasher thriller with lots of smooching and slaying, we recommend sending it to Hollywood and not to us). Send us only your very best. YARN is an award-winning literary journal that publishes outstanding original short fiction, poetry, and essays for Young Adult readers, written by the writers you know and love, as well as fresh new voices...including teens.

Submission guidelines at http://yareview.net/how-to-submit/

Call for submissions for Adult Writers

East of the Web. Children's short stories, ages 5 to 12. We're seeking children's stories aimed at age ranges between 5 and 12. We're looking for stories written by authors who know children and what children want to read. We want storytellers who can capture a child's imagination and who also know the children's book market, know what's original and understand what's interesting and appropriate for children of the age their stories are aimed at. We consider stories of all genres as long as kids will love them!

Submission guidelines at

http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/index.php?p=submissions/20132

    Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/