Writing for Children and Teens

My Websites 

Stories for Children Publishing, LLC

Stories for Children Publishing, LLC is here to help those who want to write for children find the resources and help they need. Come join us on an adventure into the World of Ink.

Stories for Children Magazine

A monthly on-line magazine for children ages 3 to 12.

VS Grenier's Author Website

Here you can learn more about me, sign up for my newsletter, and so much more.

VS Grenier on MySpace

MySpace Profile - V.S.Grenier
"Books choose their authors; the act of creation is not entirely a rational and conscious one."~VS Grenier

Virginia S Grenier's Page - Kids Read

Virginia S Grenier's Page on Kids Read

This network is for teachers, librarians, children's book authors, and children's literature lovers who believe that worlds open when kids read.

Stories for Children You Tube Channel

There has always been an enchantment about reading a good childrens story. Children take pleasure in having a story read to them anytime or anywhere whether it be around a campfire, under a starry night, in their beds wrapped up tight in snuggly blankets, beneath a shady tree on a hot summers day, or in front of a roaring fireplace on a cold winters day. Children love to listen to a story being read and this can go as far as adolescence. So sit back and let the authors and illustrators at Stories for Children Magazine take you and your child along with Stanley on a magical journey into the World of Ink!

Amazing but True (nonfiction) Contest 

Stories for Children Magazine Announces Amazing but True (nonfiction) Contest

Amazing, But True (nonfiction) Contest

Stories for Children Magazine Announces Amazing but True (nonfiction) Contest

For this new annual contest, send Stories for Children Magazine an amazing event or true story (nonfiction) for children. What age group you choose-3 to 6, 7 to 9, or 10 to 12-is up to you, but remember the event or story has to be true and for children, which means no sexual content, violence, or anything related to drugs.

Submissions will be accepted between May 4, 2009, and July 30, 2009.

Who may enter? Adults (18 and older)

Contest Fee: $10

Contest Prizes:
The top article in each age group category will be published in the following months:
Ages 3-6 winner: September SFC issue
Ages 7-9 winner: October SFC issue
Ages 10-12 winner: November SFC issue

The SFC Amazing but True Grand Prize Winner: December SFC issue

In addition to being published in Stories for Children Magazine, all winners will receive a Winner's Certificate and

· SFC Grand Prize: 3 months' membership in the Children's Writers' Coaching Club (an $81 value). For more information visit http://www.cwcoachingclub.com/

· 1st Place in each age group category: a one-year subscription to Children's Writer (a $19 value). For more information visit http://www.childrenswriter.com/

All entries may be considered for publication in Stories for Children Magazine at a future date.

Contest Rules:

Your article must be for one of the following age groups at Stories for Children Magazine:

· DISCOVERY (ages 3-6): Learning about the world around them. WORD COUNT: 150 to 400

· HOW AND WHY (ages 7-9): Understanding the how and why of things. WORD COUNT: 400 to 800

· TELL ME MORE (ages 10-12): Covering the basics and digging deeper for a better understanding of their world. WORD COUNT: 500 to 1200

Your maximum word count, not including your title and byline, may not exceed the word count listed in the age group you choose.

Winners will be selected based on quality and appeal to our readership here at Stories for Children Magazine.

Submission Guidelines:

§ Any original, unpublished piece not accepted by another publisher at the time of entry is eligible. A $10 contest entry fee is required.

§ All submissions must be emailed as Word.doc attachments to SFCcontests@StoriesForChildrenMagazine.org by midnight July 30, 2009, with "Amazing, But True Contest Submission" in the subject line. We are unable to open RTF or DOCX files.

§ Your name, contact information, word count, and date of submission should be in the top right-hand corner of your attached entry. Your title should be one-third of the way down the first page, with your byline directly underneath the title. If you are using a pen name, please indicate this in a cover letter. Use only Times New Roman or Arial 12-point font. All submissions must be single-spaced with no indentations and a blank line to indicate paragraphs.

An invoice will be sent via PayPal for the contest fee of $10.

§ No mail-in entries will be accepted.

§ No acknowledgement of receipt of entries will be sent.

§ Multiple entries are allowed, but must be sent in separate emails. Each entry must include a separate entry fee.

§ Entries that do not follow submission and format guidelines may be disqualified.

§ SFC staff members will serve as contest judges and are ineligible to enter.

Articles on Writing and the Business of Writing 

These will change out weekly so make sure you check back often!

Writer's Digest - 101 Best Websites for Writers

101 Best Websites for Writers - Improve your writing with help from Writer's Digest - 101 Best Websites for Writers

From word challenges to critique groups to hot markets, our annual list of best writing websites is a one-stop shop for all the free resources you'll need to find success.

How I Got My Agent: Kristin O'Donnell Tubb

How I Got My Agent: Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
Posted by Chuck

"How I Got My Agent" is a new recurring feature on the GLA blog. I find it fascinating to see the exact road people took that landed them with a rep. Seeing the things people did right vs. what they did wrong (highs and the lows) can help other scribes who are on the same journey. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings.

To see the previous installments of this column, click here.

If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we'll talk specifics.

Mistake 41: Creating Too Many Characters

Tip of the Day - Improve your writing with help from Writer's Digest - Tip of the Day

Why this is a mistake: If the curtain on a play opened and there were thirty people on stage and all of them had speaking roles, would you be able to identify and keep track of everyone? Or if you went to a party and opened the door and the room was filled with people you'd never met before, would you have a good time? Throwing too many characters at the reader creates the same sense of bewilderment and diminishes the reader's ability to empathize with any of them. Larry McMurtry can do it in Lonesome Dove and win the Pulitzer Prize, but we're not Larry McMurtry. He's able to do it because he makes each character distinctive. It's a question of how much you're able to change personalities with your characters. Most of us can only take on a handful.

Writing Tips - Story Conflict

"Don't Get Slighted"

by Jan Fields

One of the most dread phrases in rejection-land is "slight." Different editors may use it to mean different things - not enough action, characters who don't seem fully realized, or stories with unlikely plots. But the number one reason why editor say "slight" is in response to stories without enough conflict or theme. Slight writing may be nicely crafted. It may have an engaging character. It may be fast paced. But it doesn't tend to linger.

Sometimes an editor will expound on "slight" by telling you that there isn't enough going on. Or he might tell you that the premise seems too weak for a story. This happens when there isn't enough purposeful action. I've seen stories that are full of things happening - even happening to the main character - but the action doesn't seem purposeful. It doesn't seem to be driving toward a clear ending. Again, the culprits are usually conflict and theme.

Good News: You NEVER Have to Dumb Down

"Good News: You NEVER Have to Dumb Down"

by Jan Fields

I read a lot of writing boards and writing email lists. These places have given me unexpected networking opportunities and made me aware of new markets. They're well worth the time I invest. They also sometimes drive me crazy. The one thing that most frequently makes me tense is when I see someone react to a rejection or critique by grumbling, "I guess I'll never be published for kids because I just refuse to dumb down my writing."

Published children's writers don't dumb down their work - ever. "Dumbing down" means condescending to the reader and the second anyone tried that, his/her chance of publication would be virtually nil. Some children's writers craft work that is intentionally challenging - work that embraces deep themes and complex ideas. But themes and ideas are never what the message board grumblers mean when they insist they won't "dumb down."

SFC Newsletter for Writers 

Voted one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers 2009 by Writer's Digest

SFC Newsletter for Writers -- Voted one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writer's Digest 2009!

SFC Newsletter for Writers was created for children's writers or anyone who loves to write. Each newsletter contains tips on writing,how other writers started down the road to success through trial and error, success stories on being published, contest, and writing markets.

Here is what some of our readers had to say:

"I read the first two newsletters and you offer a nice selection of articles for writers of children's stories, as well as a great source of markets, contests, etc." --Marcia Berneger

"I truly appreciate the work you are doing. It's been incredibly insightful and helpful to me as I am just starting out in the children's writer world. I find the information invaluable. Thank You for all that you do!! It's much appreciated!" --Brenda Francis

"Your newsletters are sooooo much more informative than anything I've found to date on this side of--The Pond" --Paul

At SFC Newsletter for Writers, we believe writers naturally want to help along those starting out. I know you will enjoy this monthly newsletter loaded with helpful information, fun stories about the writing life, and the successes of fellow writers.

Manuscript Critiques & Editorial Services: 

Do you have a wonderful story, but need a second pair of eyes to look it over?

VS Grenier Critique & Editorial Services

Do you have a wonderful story, but need a second pair of eyes to look it over? VS Grenier will look for grammar, spelling, and so much more.

Not ready to have your manuscript edited for submission. Looking to get feed back from a professional on your overall manuscript? Critiques are designed to help us become better writers. We all need our stories looked at by others who have experience in the writing world. So have VS Grenier help you with setting, plot, character development, and much more to make those final revisions the best they can be.

Testimonials:

"Some time ago, you critiqued my children's picture book text, "Edward the Bear and the Willow Treasures" I am just writing to thank you for those comments and to let you know that the publisher I sent the story to liked the story. They have made some recommendations and have requested a rewrite. . . I am hoping that the publisher would not have taken the time to request a rewrite unless they were seriously considering the story for publication."~Jeff Doherty

"I'm very glad VS Grenier had the time to look at my story. She provided very valuable insights and provoked me to think deeper about my approach. All in all, this story, and any I may write in the future, will be benefited by her expertise. I am pleased and challenged by her feedback and would suggest her critique service to anyone. She's not about boosting your ego. She's about helping you. And that she does well."
-Dave Gregg

"Virginia has a keen eye for narrative flow. She caught some repetitive wordings that none of my other critiquers noticed. With her pointing them out, I was able to vary my phrasing, improving the pace and readability of the entire story." -Karina Fabian

Send VS Grenier an email for more information with "Critique" in the subject line at: mailto:vsgrenier@yahoo.com

Featured Guest Interviews at Stories for Children Magazine 

Author and Illustrator Interviews

Featured Guest Author Bill Trombello

The old adage "write what you know" has proven true for children's author, Bill Trombello. The author's expertise and work with the Canadian National Railroad inspired Bill to write How a Real Locomotive Works. Come along for this fascinating journey getting to know Bill Trombello and a "real locomotive."

Your career interests have come full circle with the publication of How a Real Locomotive Works and Trains and Real Locomotives. Please share with us your fascination with locomotives.

They always say "write about what you know." For over 25 years, I've been teaching students all over the world how to repair locomotives. I guess you can't help but develop a fascination for these modern marvels.

Meet Writer and illustrator Dave Manousos

Writer and illustrator Dave Manousos has provided us with a unique glimpse into his illustrious career. In 2004, Dave decided to write and draw for children. Life is Good & Other Reasons For Rhyme is the first of the "Life Is" series, with two additional titles, Life Is Weird & Other Rhyme For No Reason and Life Is Crazy & More Rhymes For No Reason, to follow. Dave is a member of The Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and now a happy member of JacketFlap.

He credits his inspiration to the lyrical genius of John Lennon, the nonsensical writings of Lewis Carroll, and the colorful magic of Walt Disney. Come along for this fulfilling interview with Dave to read how he achieved his dreams of publishing his writings and drawings.

Meet Author Kevin Scott Collier Children's Illustrator and Author

Writer and illustrator Kevin Scott Collier recently granted Stories for Children Magazine an interview about his illustrious career. Evidence of a child at heart, his writing and illustrating talents will leave you spellbound and inspired. Be forewarned, Kevin's responses will have you chuckling out loud. Ignore the kids and pets when they look at you cock-eyed.

Children Book Awards 

Children's and Young Adult Books by Native Authors and Illustrators

Children's and young adult books by Native American authors and illustrators. While hundreds of books about American Indians are published every year, Native youth literature creators are among the most underrepresented groups in publishing today. However, those who have found success shine among its brightest stars - people like Sherman Alexie, Joseph Bruchac, Joy Harjo, Louise Erdrich, Simon Ortiz, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, Shonto Begay, Gayle Ross, S. D. Nelson, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Jan Bourdeau Waboose, Richard Van Camp, and Tim Tingle. We encourage you to learn more about Native American youth literature creators and Native American children's/young adult literature.

New Books - New Voices

The Class of 2k8 is a group of 28 first-time authors who've joined together to spread the word about our books. Like our wonderful predecessor, the Class of 2k7, we hail from all over the US and, now, from Canada. Our books come from a spectrum of the top publishers, are divided evenly between YA and MG, and range widely in setting, tone, and subject. But what we, as their authors, all have in common is our excitement about our books, about readers and about bringing the two together.

Children's Choice Book Awards

The Children's Choice Book Awards program was created to provide young readers with an opportunity to voice their opinions about the books being written for them and to help develop a reading list that will motivate children to read. 10,000 children in five teams from around the US spent months reading and evaluating books submitted by publishers. They looked at hundreds of titles.

2007 Cybils

Now in their second year, the Cybils are the Internet's first literary awards. The public nominates their favorite children's books. Then groups of bloggers get to work. First, a nominating committee reads ALL the titles in a given category. After nearly two arduous months, this committee winnows the nominees to five finalists. A second committee of bloggers considers the shortlist and, after much debate, chooses the best of the best for 2007.