I have three new books coming out in 2016. That obligates me to have at least one New Year's resolution, right? No. No it doesn't. Some people hate resolutions, some love them, some make them, some break them. I'm not here to tell you what will work for you, but I can tell you that in the past, my best New Year's resolutions have had three things in common: 1) They were driven by ME. They were sparked by something internal, not by someone else's suggestion, blog post, popular culture, obligation, or a comparison to others. The goal was something I personally wanted (or needed) to change about my life or habits. 2) They were realistic. My best goals and resolutions were things I actually had the capacity to achieve, without depending on people or circumstances out of my control. 3) They were made over time, not in haste. By the time New Year's rolled around I already knew what I would be resolving to do, and had taken steps to prepare or gather information and resources. You're already on a good path since you're reading the info here at the Children's Book Academy. But instead of focusing on a big, daunting resolution, why not break it up into a checklist of tiny tasks? Here's a list of 100 small-scale things I've done over the years that have helped, in some way, to foster my writing career in children's literature. (I've actually taken many more small steps, but the list was getting rather long...) While there's no one path to writing or publishing books, sometimes it helps to have a few breadcrumbs to follow or new ideas to employ. Feel free to check off tasks that you've already done (you'll feel accomplished right away!). You may skip the ones that you feel don't apply to you, then try to check off as many of the rest as you can in 2016. Happy New Year! 2016 Path-to-Publication Checklist By Miranda Paul 1. Get a library card. 2. Bring a crate to the library and don't leave until it's full. Repeat often. 3. Designate an office space, nook, or area in your home that you'll use for writing. 4. Introduce yourself to your local children's librarians. 5. Read 100 books in the genre you're hoping to write/publish. 6. Keep a reading log or spreadsheet. 7. Join Goodreads and keep track of books you've read or want to read. 8. Write reviews of your favorite books and post on Amazon, Goodreads, etc. 9. Set a 30-minute timer and do a "writing sprint" every day for a week. 10. Place a small idea notebook and pen in your car, by your bed, and in your purse or briefcase. 11. Join the SCBWI. 12. Learn how to use the Notes and Dictation features on your electronic devices. 13. Take an online writing course or webinar. 14. Sign up for an in-person writing course or retreat (I highly recommend the Highlights Foundation - and hey, I'm teaching there in April 2016, and there are SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!) 15. Go to the grocery store and pick up the free local magazines. Find the editor's info on the inside page and query to see if they're looking for more writers, or pitch an idea. 16. Introduce yourself to the local booksellers. Get to know them all by name. Support them. 17. Search for a local writing group or book club and attend their events. 18. Join a writing critique group. 19. Sign up for a writing challenge - RhyPiBoMo, ReFoReMo, NaNoWriMo, 12x12, PiBoIdMo & More (See a list at KidLit411). 20. Make themed book lists (e.g. 10 books about robots, 15 MG memoirs, etc.) 21. Make a list of recently-published, debut books and authors. 22. Join Facebook groups where the discussion is about children's books or writing. 23. Get a trial or full subscription to industry services such as Publisher's Marketplace, Writer's Digest, Publisher's Weekly, etc. 24. Volunteer for your local SCBWI chapter. 25. Volunteer to read books at a local school or library. 26. "Kid-watch" (Not in a creepy way, but to get a sense of how kids talk and act today). 27. Strike up conversations with kids in your life - ask what they're reading, what they like, or what their ideas are. 28. Attend (or watch live-streaming) any major kidlit award banquet. 29. Host your own Mock-award competition, ranking recently published books against a set of criteria. 30. Organize your manuscript files in a clear way on your computer. 31. Back up all of your files regularly. 32. Make a Pinterest board (or magazine cut-out board) of things your main character likes. 32. Make a clay or play-doh sculpture of your main character. 33. Storyboard your new idea. 34. Make a word web for your current work-in-progress. 35. Catalog every story or poem you've written with a pitch sheet - include the title, word count, genre, and 1-sentence pitch for each thing you've written. 36. Write a blog post or guest post for a writing website or a site geared for parents, teachers, or book buyers. 37. Visit bookstores and libraries in other cities while you're traveling. 38. Tweet a picture of the books you're currently reading. 39. Browse the bookshelves when you're visiting someone else's home. What are they reading? 40. Do an Amazon search of books in your genre/topic and sort by "Recently published" to see what's coming soon. (Yes, Amazon lists books months before they even come out!) 41. Join Amazon Author Central (if you have books published already). 42. Secure your website (yourname.com) from a domain service. 43. Build a simple website that includes your contact info or contact form. 44. Join a freelancing service or make a work-for-hire package. 45. Read a range of children's magazines to get familiar with what they publish. 46. Query a children's magazine with a story, poem, or nonfiction article you've written. 47. Read a book, then watch the movie. 48. Host a movie marathon and show only films that were first children's books and now are movies. 49. Make or wear a costume based on a kidlit fictional character. 50. Play a writing or prompt game, even if you have a million ideas already. 51. Play language-related board games with family or friends. 52. Buy books as gifts for the young people in your life. 53. Get a book signed. 54. Go see an author talk/signing in your area. 55. Attend a major library, bookseller, or education conference such as ALA, NCTE, ILA, or ABA. 56. Attend regional library, bookseller, or education conferences. 57. Submit a proposal to speak (if qualified) at a conference or workshop. 58. Read your work out loud. 59. Ask someone else to read your work out loud. 60. Read your work out loud to an audience. 61. Join (or become more active) on one form of social media. 62. Join and participate in a writer's forum (e.g. SCBWI blueboards, Writer's Retreat, Absolute Write Water Cooler, etc.) 63. Read a book on the process of writing, or a writer's memoir. 64. Attend a business/networking group in your state where you can learn more about the business side of earning income as a sole proprietor (or corporation/LLC if you choose to incorporate). 65. Open a bank account that is strictly for writing-related expenses and income. 66. Get business cards printed. 67. Learn how to use video chat software such as Skype, Google Hangouts, OoVoo, GoToMeeting, and more. 68. Ask friends for technology recommendations if your computer/laptop needs to be replaced. 69. Pack a writing-event bag and keep it handy - with a pen, notebook, business cards, water bottle, etc. 70. Pull out a story you haven't looked at in awhile and revise it until it's not horrible. 71. Pull out an unfinished manuscript and FINISH IT. 72. Make a rejection folder and stuff all of your rejections in it (make sure to print the electronic ones!) 73. Write one of your manuscripts from a different point of view. 74. Change something major about your main character and see how the rest of the story would change. 75. Write a poem about one of your characters, settings, or story plots. 76. Take a rhyming manuscript and write it as prose, just to see how the story progresses. 77. Go do something fun - not necessarily writing-related - with other writers. 78. Give your current manuscript a deadline, and stick to it. 79. Offer to critique someone else's manuscript. 80. Apply to get a writing mentor, or hire a mentor through Mentors for Rent. 81. Send your manuscript to a site such as RateYourStory.org for feedback from a published author. 82. Make a submissions log tracker sheet or sign up for submission tracker software. 83. Make a list or flow chart of publishing houses and their imprints, so you understand how they work, which company is part of which company, and which ones are independent. 84. Read books such as The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, or SCBWI's The Book. 85. Do a book report/analysis on your own current manuscript. What is the takeaway value? Is it didactic? Does it have a story arc and climax? What "type" of book is it? Which titles compare? 86. Write three different author bios for yourself. Make sure each is no more than 100 words. 87. Place books in every room of your home or apartment. (Baskets work great if you don't have shelves in each room). 88. Give books and authors you love shout-outs and/or attention on social media or word-of-mouth recommendations. The love will come back to you when your books come out! 89. Enter a writing contest. 90. Enter a book giveaway. 91. Make a piece of fan art and take a picture. 92. Take a college course on writing, illustrating, or literacy/children's books. 93. Make a song about one of your books or poems. 94. Print a picture of your literary heroes or inspiration and print it above your desk/table. 95. Try writing at different times of the day and determine when you're most productive. 96. Purchase bins, files, or folders to organize your research. Even a simple filing system will do! 97. Write a fan letter to an author or illustrator who's work you love. Don't expect a reply or ask questions. 98. Buy a writers' market guide and highlight names of agents or editors you'd like to work with / are compatible for your work. 99. Make a list of individuals who review books or are "book champions" or ambassadors in kidlit circles. (Hint: these are often bloggers, reviewers, and teachers with an online presence). 100. Give away a piece of your writing, so that you'll have to write something new in its place. Miranda Paul is an award-winning picture book author whose current career hinged on keeping a New Year's Resolution. Her 2015 debut, One Plastic Bag, received a Eureka! Honor award from the California State Reading Association and a starred review from School Library Journal. Water is Water, her second book, was named the 2015 "Best Creative Nonfiction" for kids from The Huffington Post and was included on Best of Year lists by Bookpage and the Chicago and New York Public Libraries. Her forthcoming 2016 titles include Whose Hands Are These? (Lerner/Millbrook), Trainbots (little bee books), and 10 Little Ninjas (Knopf/Penguin Random House) — all of which she'd love for you to add on Goodreads. Learn more about her upcoming events, her advocacy efforts, and how to contact her at mirandapaul.com.
54 Comments
12/30/2015 08:17:08 am
I love this, Miranda! Thanks for sharing and setting an example for all!
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12/30/2015 08:39:35 am
Miranda, this is a wonderful list! I felt good about the things I am already doing (including your online class ; )) and happily challenged to set some of the other ideas as goals for 2016. And then, of course, I plan to keep some of the ideas in my back pocket for that sagging mid-year moment when I need to renew my goals and energy. Thank you so much!
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Cassie Bentley
12/30/2015 09:06:27 am
Thank you Miranda and best wishes for continued success. My grand kids do mock grape cutting and arranging competitions. I'm inspired to try it with book awards.
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Charlotte Dixon
12/30/2015 09:15:32 am
Thank you, Miranda, for this great list to use as a learning guide as I continue my writing journey. I can check some of the items off, but still have a long way to go :) You are an inspiration, lady!
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Ellen Fischer
12/30/2015 09:57:03 am
Great article and super helpful list. Thanks Miranda!
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12/30/2015 10:11:57 am
This is such an amazing post. And I love your thought process regarding setting goals for the New Year. We need to do it for ourselves. This is a GREAT resource to start your way to success.
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Maria Marshall
12/30/2015 10:17:27 am
Miranda. Thanks for the list. It was encouraging to see how much I have already done (accomplished) and get great ideas for the New Year. Here"s to an excellent year for everyone.
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12/30/2015 10:55:19 am
LOVE this list! Thanks, Miranda, I definitely plan to work through these in 2016.
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emiko
12/30/2015 12:38:41 pm
wow, a great list!!! this will get me going for 2016!!! thankyou!!!
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12/30/2015 02:12:59 pm
Thanks, Miranda! This is a great resource for me as I write out realistic goals for the coming year!
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12/30/2015 02:21:43 pm
Great list! And to think this famous author was recently a guest in my home.
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Kirsti Call
12/30/2015 03:32:29 pm
I loved this list, Miranda! This is a wonderful post to read right before the new year! You're an inspiration!
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12/30/2015 06:39:40 pm
Give your manuscript a deadline? What a great idea :-)
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If you're submitting your work, especially without an agent, you'll be amazed to find out how many different publishing imprints have the same parent company. It may not be wise to send your work to editors who work across the hall from each other, but for me it was impossible to keep them straight without drawing myself a map. It can help when you get to the submission stage!
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12/30/2015 07:19:38 pm
Great post Miranda! Thanks for the inspiration and your generosity.
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Rebecca Sheraton
12/30/2015 08:09:45 pm
I really enjoyed this list Miranda. Surprisingly, I've done quite a few of these
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12/30/2015 08:12:30 pm
Now that's a working list with something for everyone. Happy New Year! You rock Miranda.
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Angela Turner
12/30/2015 08:54:17 pm
This list is so helpful Miranda. I am printing it off now so I can refer to it throughout the year. I do or have done a lot of them but you have a lot more that I can work on.
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12/31/2015 05:27:29 am
You're an inspiration, Miranda! I'll be writing my list today, and it will include many of your suggestions. Thank you.
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12/31/2015 05:29:19 am
What a fabulous list. Printed it out and pinned it to my bulletin board. Thank you!!
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Kathy Halsey
12/31/2015 07:58:32 am
YES, Miranda. I am sharing w/my 5ht grader writers and Lydia! I will print this list out of myself, too. I just made a list on my personal blog today of what I consider my success in 2015. http://booktails1.blogspot.com/2015/12/join-me-in-2015-anti-resolution.html
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12/31/2015 01:12:30 pm
What a great list and mindset for looking to 2016 as a writer!
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12/31/2015 03:56:05 pm
Congrats Miranda! Thanks for taking the time to create such a wonderful list! Enjoy 2016! Congrats again!;D
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Heather MacLeod
12/31/2015 07:30:08 pm
What was the New Year's resolution that you kept that was so crucial to your current career??? That was an amazing hook - I have to know the answer!!
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Audrey Couloumbis
1/1/2016 07:10:43 am
love this list, Miranda!! i found helpful tips here (that map of the publishing imprints is brilliant), and of course, number two helped me feel less guilty about the number of books i carry away from the library in my rolling carryall. thanks, and happy new year.
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Laura Renauld
1/1/2016 08:43:19 am
Thanks for giving me a jumpstart on the new year! Here's to a great year of writing in 2016!
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Rowan Reale
1/2/2016 04:25:40 pm
Thankyou that was really insightful! Can't wait to get ticking more boxes!
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Nina Johnson
1/2/2016 05:40:13 pm
So many wonderful suggestions Miranda! Thanks for putting this list together.
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Deb Bartsch
1/18/2016 10:33:02 am
Miranda, thank you so much ! You are an inspiration and a gem ! I highly recommend to anyone who would like a refresher, your "Grammar Groove" course through the CBA.It is the bomb ! I really enjoyed it as it refreshed and revitalized my writing. Thank you !
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Adrea
2/26/2016 02:28:10 pm
Hi Miranda I go to Orchard School
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1/1/2017 08:25:38 am
Thank you for this useful list! So great to think about what habits to cultivate to enhance a writing life.
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Ali Earle Pichardo
1/1/2017 09:16:41 pm
Miranda, thank you for this motivating list. I will give my manuscripts deadlines from now on.
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1/6/2017 06:04:48 am
Thank you, Miranda, for this wonderful list! It's so helpful as I finish crafting my goals for the year.
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