Properbook: Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Writing for Children and Teens

Would you like to write for children or teenagers but don’t know where to start? Have you written a children’s book and are wondering what to do next? This practical, focused event is for you – part of the #ProperBook series of events and workshops for new and emerging children’s writers and illustrators.

Discover why you don’t need illustrations to submit a picturebook, how long a middle grade novel (age 9 to 12) should ideally be, and what the current trends in children’s books are (and why writing directly for the market is to be avoided). Gráinne Clear, Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books will talk about what agents and publishers are looking for when it comes to children’s books.

Hear experienced children’s and YA writers – Deirdre Sullivan and Mary Watson – talk about how they first got published and give tips for new writers on finding your voice and finding the right agent or publisher for you. Plus Aoife Murray from Children’s Books Ireland will talk about how CBI can help and support new writers and illustrators.

Come with questions and leave with answers!

Children’s Books Ireland is the national books organisation of Ireland. Through their many activities and events they aim to engage young people with books, foster a greater understanding of the importance of books for young people and act as a core resource for those with an interest in books for children in Ireland. One of their missions is to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.

The accompanying photo is by Ger Holland and it was taken at a previous Proper Book event with (from left) Chris Judge, Michael Emberley, Sarah Webb and Mary Murphy in the dlr Lexicon, Dún Laoghaire.