ADVICE FOR WRITERS
If you enjoy writing and want to see your book in print, there are lots of things you can do to increase your chances of making this happen.

READ
There are lots of books about writing. Here are some the Catnip editor likes.

The Children’s Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook (A & C Black Publishers Ltd): INVALUABLE - try to get your hands on the most up-to-date edition.
On Writing – Stephen King (New English Library): Stephen King has had lots of books published, so he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to writing them.
How NOT to Write a Novel – Howard Mittelmark & Sandra Newman (Penguin): Written by editors and not for the faint-hearted, this is a funny and accurate account of what editors don’t want to read.
There are others out there, but don’t get hung up on reading them all. Instead spend some time reading published books in the genre you write for. Think about why these are successful, what makes them different and how they are written for the audience.

WRITE
DO NOT send off a book to an agent or a publisher unless it is finished.
· Read it to see if you think it flows well. If it doesn’t, then make it so.
· See if you notice any lazy words, sentences or turns of phrase. Change them.
· See if you notice too many commas, unclosed brackets or speech marks. Change those too.
Write a synopsis to include all important plot points over no more than two sides of A4. One side is better still.
Write a cover letter with full contact details (address, phone, email) and indicate the title, target audience and length of your book. Keep it short and professional as if applying for a job.
If you feel ready to submit, then go back and read the Children’s Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook to see who to send it to. Look at their websites.
The Catnip editor recommends looking for an agent before approaching publishers directly. Agents are there for a reason – they’ll work to get you the best deal with the right publishing house.

TALK
Sometimes it can be hard to get perspective on what you’re writing. Other writers know what it’s like, so try and meet up with them to share your work and the experience of writing.
Societies such as the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and The Children’s Book Circle provide support and information for writers. They run conferences, seminars and workshops where you can meet other writers as well as people in the industry.
There are some online groups such as WriteWords where you can interact with other writers. You could also look at authors’ blogs.
If you feel you want more professional feedback, you could contact a consultancy such as Cornerstones who scout for agents; offer editorial feedback on manuscripts; launch new writers and run specialist workshops.

IF YOU ONLY HEED ONE PIECE OF ADVICE:
Write because you like writing, not because you want to be a writer.