Frequently Asked Questions
What is the thing you like most about creating kids' books?
Since most of my books are non-fiction and about topics that I know very little about, I need to do a lot of research. I enjoy interviewing experts in various fields and love to find out about things I didn't know. I try to aim for the “wow” factor when I debate about whether to include factual information, i.e. will it cause the reader to say “wow” when they read about it, just as I did when I first learned about it. Even though my books are non-fiction, I also enjoy the opportunity to embed a sense of humour in my writing style.
Do you have any tips for young creators?
I find that good writers are voracious readers. So, my advice to young creators is to read a lot. Reading increases your vocabulary and exposes you to many styles of writing and ideas.
I’ve written a children’s book. How can I get published?
Getting published requires a lot of patience, persistence and homework. Take a course to make sure you’re on the right track. Check the internet to see if similar books have already been published. Find out what publishers are looking for by getting a publication from the Canadian Children’s Book Centre entitled “Get Published! The Writing for Children’s Kit” which includes a list of Canadian children’s publishers currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts. For each publisher, the document shows the genres they publish, how to submit manuscripts and other important details.
How long does it take to publish a book?
About two years. This involves research, writing, editing, illustrating, designing and printing. There are a lot of people and steps involved in the publication of a children’s book.
Where do you get your ideas?
Sometimes from a newspaper article, sometimes from talking to people I’ve met and often from seeing what kinds of books are needed by the students at my school but not available. I also look at language arts and science curricula.
Do you choose the illustrators for your books?
No. Publishers prefer to choose illustrators with a style that will match the text. However, I do get to see the rough sketches and final art and my comments are taken seriously. This is especially important for science books that have experiments.
How do you research or create your books?
I do my research by reading books and by interviewing professionals in person, if I require a lot of information, or over the phone, if it's just a little bit. I frequently ask these professionals to vet my writing to make sure it’s accurate. I also use the internet to access research papers found in science journals and reliable sites like National Geographic, the Smithsonian and Ask Nature.