[WhoKnew]

Just wanted to share that I have been working on a children's book for the last year, and it will be in print soon!

I looked for a special book to give my daughter when we finalized her adoption (at age 4), but couldn't find anything just right. I have been so frustrated at the lack of appropriate picture books for kids adopted past infancy. So, I was inspired to right one .

I have gotten wonderful feedback on the book from parents and children alike. This has been such a labor of love, and I can't wait to see my words and illustrations in print!

My book will be very reassuring to children adopted as toddlers, preschoolers and beyond. It will also make a special keepsake gift upon placement, finalization, or the anniversary of either event.

I'll keep you posted, and wish me luck!

[Batty1]

Wow, that's exciting! Can't wait to hear more about it.

I adopted my son at age three, and have also had a hard time finding appropriate books. So many of them are written for children adopted as newborns.

Good luck!

[SHAMROX]

That is SO AWESOME! Good for you!! I will be looking forward to reading it!! I've been wanting to do that for so long, but how do you go about doing that once you've gotten the basics of the book established?

[WhoKnew]

Hi SHAMROX,

The first place to start is with two books:
The Children's Wirters & Illustrators Market
How to Get Happily Published

The first book has all the publishers' contact info. and guildlines on submitting your manuscriupt or a query letter.

The second book explains traditional publishing, self-publishing, and POD (print-on-demand) publishers. It has great advice on marketing and distribution.

I researched publishers and sent my manuscript out to the ones who had already published children's adoption books. I had serious interest from three publishers, and the manuscript made it pretty far through the review/approval process. However, I think they thought it might not have a big enough audience, and did not choose to publish it in the end.

I am publishing it now through a POD publisher. You pay up front, $500 to over $3,000, depending on what marketing and other services you add on. You e-mail the text and illustrations. They design and put the book together, get the copy right (or you can), get the ISBN number, etc. They list the book on their website and on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Borders.com. When orders cone in, they print the books (as it is all done digitally).

Anyway, I hope to have my book out in early December . Good luck if you decide to write a book.