Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market on Sale Today!

September 19, 2011 in Etc. | 150 comments

Today is the official publication day for the 2012 edition of the CHILDREN’S WRITER’S AND ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET, out from Writer’s Digest Books and edited by Chuck Sambuchino.

Inside this handy volume, you will find articles on craft, writing, submitting, and landing an agent, interviews with kidlit glitterati like M.T. Anderson and Meg Cabot, and updated listings for agents, publishers, and magazines that take work from children’s writers and illustrators. If you want to land an agent or find a market for your work this year, this is the book for you.

I highly recommend it. In fact, you will see a familiar face featured on the back cover, and an official blurb from me that reads:

Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market is the most complete, trusted, definitive, and inspiring source of publishing opportunities for children’s writers and illustrators working today.

It’s true. Not only did I lend my mug and stamp of approval to the book, but I have two articles featured inside. One is about writer’s conferences and how to make the best of your investment in them (whether it’s your first or your fiftieth), and the other covers my three favorite craft issues: Voice, Character, and Authority, with lots of juicy annotated examples from my favorite MG and YA books on shelves.

So if you want to read about and see examples of Voice that works — an especially tricky topic that lots of writers struggle with — pick up a copy today! This elegant guide is crammed full of useful information and updated agency, publisher, and magazine listings to make your quest toward publication a no-brainer. Let 2012 be the year you really MARKET your writing!

Because I’m so proud of this year’s book, I am giving away one free copy of the 2012 CHILDREN’S WRITER’S AND ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET to a writer randomly selected from the comments. Leave a comment below (make sure to include your email address in the comment form, though know that only I will be able to see it and it won’t be published on the site). Deadline for entries is midnight, Tuesday, September 20th. The winner will be announced in Wednesday the 21st’s blog, and then I will ship your copy to you next week. (US residents only, please.)

Related posts:

  1. Question for Writers: Staying in Touch With Your Market
  2. How Agents Rep Author/Illustrators
  3. No Post Today
  4. The Early Reader and Chapter Book Market
  5. Is Contemporary YA a Difficult Market?

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  1. tracy’s avatar

    tracy on September 19, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    This sounds like a GREAT resource.

    tracy.dickens@yahoo.com

  2. Doug Solter’s avatar

    Doug Solter on September 19, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    Thank you for the chance to win. Appreciate it!

  3. Estee Wood’s avatar

    Estee Wood on September 19, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    I’m feeling lucky tonight. Okay not really, but maybe positive thinking will make me a winner!

  4. :Donna Marie’s avatar

    :Donna Marie on September 19, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    Oh, yay! It’s always exciting when this book is released, but quadruply exciting when there’s a chance to get it for free! *licking chops*

  5. Rachael Harrie’s avatar

    Rachael Harrie on September 19, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    I definitely have to get this! Can’t wait to read your articles Mary :)

    Rach

  6. Melissa Douglas’s avatar

    Melissa Douglas on September 20, 2011 at 12:26 am

    You mean my copy from 2004 won’t cut it anymore…? :) I’m just kidding. Sign me up!

  7. Catherine’s avatar

    Catherine on September 20, 2011 at 2:43 am

    Great prize! And well done for getting the articles into the book!

    littlewillow83@gmail.com
    ps. I am a UK resident but have a US address that the prize could be sent to if this is ok? :)

  8. Ryanne Hall’s avatar

    Ryanne Hall on September 20, 2011 at 3:48 am

    Oh, my…I desperately needed your wise writings! I have just found your blog this past weekend, searching for information to direct me through the arduous agent acquisition dilemna…and I am SO thankful to have found you! Thank you, thank you…THANK YOU for your blog!!! I’m praying that someday I will be able to get my hands on the book you wrote about today. Too bad it takes money, to be able to get your hands on the resources & information it takes to actually MAKE some, eh? :)

  9. Jenny’s avatar

    Jenny on September 20, 2011 at 4:26 am

    I’m in New Zealand – but I do have a friend in the US who would love to share this prize :D

    Thank you!

  10. Nick’s avatar

    Nick on September 20, 2011 at 4:51 am

    Thanks for your contribution. Looks like a great resource!

  12. Carla’s avatar

    Carla on September 20, 2011 at 5:48 am

    Having a copy would be a big help — thanks so much for doing this!

  13. Stephanie’s avatar

    Stephanie on September 20, 2011 at 6:57 am

    It would be awesome to win this book!! I’ve got last years ed. and would love the new one. Can’t wait to see who you pick. :)

  14. Melissa’s avatar

    Melissa on September 20, 2011 at 7:00 am

    Count Me In. I would love to read the articles you’ve written and see what other suggestions you have for YA writers.

  15. Kim’s avatar

    Kim on September 20, 2011 at 7:19 am

    I’m happy to leave a comment for a chance to win. It seems a bit strange to see it without Alice Pope’s name. I have enjoyed her SCBWI blog though.

    Thanks again for the free book offer,

  16. Debbie’s avatar

    Debbie on September 20, 2011 at 7:32 am

    I’m feeling very RANDOM today, so I will take a chance.

    Always love your articles, and helpful information!!!!

  17. Karen Staman’s avatar

    Karen Staman on September 20, 2011 at 8:08 am

    How fun!
    Thanks for all you do for the kidlit community.

  18. Carly Sandifer’s avatar

    Carly Sandifer on September 20, 2011 at 8:10 am

    Excellent webinar last week! Thanks for the chance to win.

  19. Cheryl Mansfield’s avatar

    Cheryl Mansfield on September 20, 2011 at 8:11 am

    Oh, I love this book, but had forgotten about it. Thanks so much for the reminder.

  20. Jeff Davis’s avatar

    Jeff Davis on September 20, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Working on my first YA novel and your book would help tremendously! Either way, I hope it does well and hits all of the sales targets you’ve set!

  21. Leigh Smith’s avatar

    Leigh Smith on September 20, 2011 at 8:17 am

    Thanks for the contest, Mary. I will be sure to get my hands on this book either way.

  22. Emily’s avatar

    Emily on September 20, 2011 at 9:27 am

    Thanks for the contest – and for a terrific and very helpful blog, too :)

  23. Elizabeth’s avatar

    Elizabeth on September 20, 2011 at 9:44 am

    Thanks for giving one away. This is always a handy book!

  24. Georgia Parker’s avatar

    Georgia Parker on September 20, 2011 at 10:09 am

    I am excited to check out the gems in this box!

  25. Laura Miller’s avatar

    Laura Miller on September 20, 2011 at 10:13 am

    This looks like a great resource. Thanks for all of your helpful tips!

  26. Katherine Quimby Johnson’s avatar

    Katherine Quimby Johnson on September 20, 2011 at 10:38 am

    This is always a handy reference, but this year’s version sounds outstanding.

  27. Diane Geiser’s avatar

    Diane Geiser on September 20, 2011 at 10:45 am

    Looks like a great version this year! I will have to check it out. Thanks, Mary, for the chance to win it!

  28. Christy Luis’s avatar

    Christy Luis on September 20, 2011 at 10:53 am

    Thank you for posting this contest! I love your blog *hugs blog* I hope I win! :)

  29. Megan Bickel’s avatar

    Megan Bickel on September 20, 2011 at 11:02 am

    My 2011 copy is a tattered mess at this point, so thank you for the chance to win the 2012 version!

  30. Andrea Pring’s avatar

    Andrea Pring on September 20, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    Thanks for letting us know. Definitely wouldn’t be without this book.

  31. Matthew Aaron Browning’s avatar

    Matthew Aaron Browning on September 20, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    Tremendous resource. I lucked into a $4 copy of the 2010 version early this year but I doubt I’ll find that kind of bargain again anytime soon! I appreciate the chance to win the new one!

  32. Alison Acheson’s avatar

    Alison Acheson on September 20, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    Yes, the best reference, and the articles are always a huge part of it!

  33. Lindsay Weiss’s avatar

    Lindsay Weiss on September 20, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Pick me! Pick me! (says the unagented picture book writer)

  34. Lindsey Lane’s avatar

    Lindsey Lane on September 20, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    Oh Yea…oh fine, fine day…me, me, me…book, book, book.
    Also, did you hear this terry gross interview with Maurice Sendak today? So fine.
    http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=3&islist=true&id=13&d=09-20-2011

  35. Erik Kuntz’s avatar

    Erik Kuntz on September 20, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    It’s been years since I bought my own copy of this resource, and it’s time that I stepped up and got the latest version. This year’s cover is really interesting, it almost has a website-like design.

  36. tamara’s avatar

    tamara on September 20, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    Ah i want it so bad , it’s not even on amazon yet :( and i live out in boonie land way up north quebec , so no bookstore to sell it , but it must be a great great resource :) :)

    Good luck with the contest:)

  37. Lynn Caggiano’s avatar

    Lynn Caggiano on September 20, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    Thanks for letting us know that this terrific resource is now available! I feel lucky this week, so … I’ve got my fingers crossed for the prize book!

  38. Donna Koppelman’s avatar

    Donna Koppelman on September 20, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    It’s a particularly adorable CWAIM, is it not? I just love the pink. It would match my office if it rested on my desk. In no time, it would have a charming patina that would only increase its value, of course. And I wouldn’t be greedy with it, oh, no, I would share with all the people in my kingdom. People would come from everywhere, seeking wisdom from this magical book of answers. They will ask, “Who, m’lady, is editor-in-chief at Little, Brown?” “I beg you, who accepts unsolicited manuscripts?” “Who publishes rhyming picture books and talking animals? I must know.” And I, the benevolent queen of the adorable CWAIN (with the pink writing), would share the knowledge with all. And as a result, the lives of children everywhere would be forever richer. The fresh, new writers of my kingdom would take us all into a new age of generosity, peace, and lovingkindness. All because you gave me a book.

  39. Tracy Sottosanti’s avatar

    Tracy Sottosanti on September 20, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    RANDOMLY PICK ME!!! I NEED that book!!!! Plus you’ll save on shipping because you can just give it to me this weekend at the Northern Ohio SCBWI conference:)
    Looking forward to meeting you and I hope you have a great time in Cleveland while you’re here!! – Tracy :)

    tracysoda@sbcglobal.net

  40. Jennifer Weingardt’s avatar

    Jennifer Weingardt on September 20, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    What a great opportunity! I would love to win this book.

  41. Susan Sorrell Hill’s avatar

    Susan Sorrell Hill on September 20, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    This is definitely the book to own for working and aspiring writers and illustrators for children. The amount and variety of information is *always* almost overwhelming…and takes me most of the year to wade through properly. Please pick me!

  42. Marie’s avatar

    Marie on September 20, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    It would mean so much to win this book. It looks like a great read!!

  43. rosalind’s avatar

    rosalind on September 20, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    What a great book! And so pretty to boot!:) Thanks for the generous give-away opportunity!

  44. J Larkin’s avatar

    J Larkin on September 20, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    Awesome! I would love a copy of this book. Regrettably, I am doing the full-service starving-artist bit as I’m working on my MS. Enough cash for rent and groceries and not much else! Which, I know, does not set me apart from the vast majority of my author-hopeful peers :)

    Anyway, this is a very generous contest, and best of luck to all!

  45. Kathryn Purdie’s avatar

    Kathryn Purdie on September 20, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    This is the book I need right now. Perfect timing! Thanks for the recommendation and the chance to win a copy. (And thanks for your fantastic website!)

  46. Jamila’s avatar

    Jamila on September 20, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    Ms. Cole,
    Thank you for this opportunity to receive a copy of this highly helpful resource. And congratulations on having two articles included, as well as a blurb and photo on the back cover (NICE!). I have heard many mention this resource in the past and have looked it up. I need to put forth the effort to saddle up and get into the car to the nearest library that carries copies of this resource. It will be a bit of a drive, but I hear it is worth it. I am not a writer in the long book sense of the word, but both the writer and illustrator portions of this book would help as I am considering trying to do a little authoring and illustrating. Thank you, again, for the opportunity and congrats, again, on your accomplishments.

    - Jamila

  47. Kim Murray’s avatar

    Kim Murray on September 21, 2011 at 3:52 am

    Pick me…pick me…pick me…(*eyes closed, fingers crossed*)

  48. Mary Baader Kaley (@marybaka)’s avatar

    Mary Baader Kaley (@marybaka) on September 21, 2011 at 5:34 am

    I’d love to have a copy of that book. Thanks, Mary!

  49. Elizabeth’s avatar

    Elizabeth on September 21, 2011 at 6:53 am

    I have so many ideas for children’s books, but my three children make it hard for me to sit down and finish the projects! But this is my year….I’m making my own luck. Thanks for this.

  50. Blanche’s avatar

    Blanche on September 21, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Wonderful news, Mary. This book is always packed with exactly what I need to move my writing (and career) to the next level. Can’t wait to read your articles. If your blog is any indication of the insightful tidbits you’ll be dishing out, then they can’t miss! :)
    In the meantime, I’m still working with my well loved/worn 2011 edition, so I’m due for an upgrade.

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