In General- Early Chapter Books Contain:

·      Larger fonts than chapter books

·      Pictures on nearly every page (sometimes in color)

·      Shorter chapters

·      Less chapters

·      Lower word count

·      Even simpler plot

·      Most often a series

·      Reading level and interest level could be between 4-6, 5-7, 6-8.

Motivating Readers

A number of series will be published in the Branches line. Series books provide an added incentive because children love to read about characters they already know. The stories provide readers with a sense of satisfaction and familiarity, and readers’ comprehension skills improve as they revisit popular characters in each book.

As a teacher, these books are perfect for both types of readers. If you have kindergarteners or first graders they may be ready for something more challenging.  If you have a third grader that is a reluctant or lower reader, they could read a chapter book and feel successful and not feel like they are reading something too babyish like a leveled reader.

Check out these new early chapter books in the Scholastic Branches division.

For more information about these early chapter books, check out their website: http://www.scholastic.com/branches/

DON'T FORGET!!!!!!!!

The Chapter Book Alchemist is  being presented by The Children's Book Academy. Instructors are the amazing Dr. Mira Reisburg and children's book author, Hillary Homzie. (Author of one of my favorite books: The Hot List.)  And...I'm so excited that I get to assist with this course. Yay!!!

http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/the-chapter-book-alchemist.html

And next week, I plan to share with you my entire lecture plus six handouts that include: Chapter Book Basics, Chapter Book Analysis (where I take apart 3 chapter books and analyze the structure), a list of recommended chapter books to read, Chapter Book Template Outline, A list of problems that characters can deal with in early chapter books, and finally a list of publishers that accept chapter book submissions.  

But for this week...I've compiled a huge list of resources to get you started on writing chapter books.

One you won't want to miss listed at the end is a FREE WEBINAR about Writing Chapter Books and an amazing Chapter Book Course!  (Also, did I mention there is a contest where you can win registration to this amazing Chapter Book Course?  YEP! You heard me right. So scroll on down and check it out!!!!

Blog Posts About Chapter Books

Kathy Temean defines chapter books

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/writing-chapter-books/

Mary Kole discusses chapter books

http://kidlit.com/2010/10/22/early-reader-chapter-book-market/

Rebecca Talley discusses chapter books

http://rebeccatalley.com/blog1/writing-for-kids-chapter-books.html

Author Lynne Jonell discusses her path to writing chapter books.

http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/magazine/just-launched/tag/jennifer-arena/

Ideas for Writing Chapter Books for Kids

http://www.creativejuicesbooks.com/ideas-for-writing-a-book.html


Children’s Writer Tina Cho discusses writing Beginning Readers and Chapter Books

http://tinamcho.wordpress.com/tag/how-to-write-beginning-readers-and-chapter-books/

Chapter Book Formula

http://jeanoram.com/blog/2011/03/01/chapter-book-formula/

Chapter Book Blue Print

http://writersrumpus.com/tag/writing-chapter-books/

6 Things I Learned About Writing Chapter Books

http://operationawesome6.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/guest-post-kurtis-scaletta-on.html?m=1

Chapter Book Chat (Blog dedicated just to chapter books)

http://chapterbookchat.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/difference-between-chapter-books-middle-grade-redux/

Writing a Series

http://writersrumpus.com/2013/11/12/so-you-want-to-write-a-series-guest-post-by-anna-staniszewski/

Creating a Chapter Book Series

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/creating-a-chapter-book-series/

Scholastic Discusses: The World of Kids’ Chapter Books

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/book-selection-tips/world-kids-chapter-books


Online Tools

Renaissance Learning: Use this site to look up word count of chapter books.

http://www.renaissance.com/store/quiz_home.asp?c=1

Craft Book Resources

Yes! You Can Learn to Write Beginning Readers and Chapter Books

http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Write-Beginning-Readers-Chapter/dp/1478168226

The Writers Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb

http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Crafting-Stories-Children-library/dp/1582970521/ref=pd_sim_b_23?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JVEMV31ZBCPXNKCE1NN

Children’s Writer’s Word Book  (This isn’t about chapter books, but it’s a great word resource to use.)

http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Writers-Word-Alijandra-Mogilner/dp/1582974136/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JVEMV31ZBCPXNKCE1NN

Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Irresistible-Kidlit-Ultimate-Crafting/dp/1599635763/ref=pd_sim_b_12?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JVEMV31ZBCPXNKCE1NN

Challenges/Groups to Join

SCBWI Blueboards (for members of SCBWI) There is a specific forum just for chapter books and mg.

http://www.scbwi.org/boards


Chapter Book Challenge

http://chapterbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/chapterbookchallenge

https://www.facebook.com/groups/chapterbookchallenge/


Chapter Books to Read

http://delightfulchildrensbooks.com/2013/06/05/early-chapter-book-series/

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/chapter-book-series

http://www.iusd.org/ea/GradeLevelPages/documents/ChapterBookList.pdf

http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2013/05/k-thru-2nd-grade-chapter-book-series.html

http://www.amazon.com/b?node=2579000011

http://www.kidsbookseries.com/lists/series.php

Contests!
Dr. Mira Reisburg in holding a contest with some amazing prizes!!!! (One prize being a free ride to her Chapter Book Course.)  
http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/miras-virtual-birthday-party-contest.html


Free Webinar: Why Editors Want Chapter Books and How to Write Them

Children's book author, Hillary Homzie and Children's Book Instructor and Agent Dr. Mira Reisburg are holding a free webinar on Friday March 21st at 6PM Pacific Daylight Time on “Why Editors Want Chapter Books and How to Write Them.” If you’ve ever been on a CBA webinar, you’ll know that they are lots of fun.Mira will be explaining what exactly a chapter book is, why editors are looking for them, and about their great potential for illustrators. Hillary will be sharing awesome writing techniques, why Hollywood is interested, and then if time allows we’ll be commenting on any ideas for standalone or series books that you post on our page here http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/why-editors-want-chapter-books-and-how-to-write-them-webinar.html 

   
So if you’d like to register for our super fun webinar (which we hope that you do) – here’s the link https://wj168.infusionsoft.com/app/page/event-register



You won't want to miss this!!!!

Hullo all, Mira here. Last month I shared about how agents choose who they represent.  I’m not sure if I spoke about how hard it is for us to reject clients. But trust me it is. Some of us procrastinate getting back to writers and illustrators because we’re just so busy and it’s just so hard to say no; especially, if we are empathic types. I’ve heard that it gets easier. I am looking forward to that but it kills me every time knowing personally how much heart and effort has gone into each submission.

This month I’d like to begin sharing about what agents actually do when they sign you. I’d like to start with the Agent/Client contract. 

First off, the Agent/Client contract should spell out what each side expects from the other. Contracts can vary quite a bit but below are some of the things that a contract will usually address:

• Whether the agent handles all of your literary work or just your children’s work.
• What percentage they take (usually 15-20% for writing, 20-25% for illustration or writing & illustrating)
• How that percentage increases or is divided to include sub agents fees for extra sales such as international sales or film (usually a 5-10% bump to cover sub agent fees).
• How long the contract is good for and what the criteria is for ending it.
• What happens to both sold and unsold work after the dissolution of the contract.
• How advances and royalties are distributed (usually the money goes to the agent who then distributes it to the client but some agents now ask publishers to pay their clients directly if possible).
• What happens if the client doesn't deliver, fails to meet their deadlines, or violates copyright laws (usually the client is held responsible and must return all monies already paid out).
• Who is responsible for costs such as mailing the work and other miscellaneous expenses (usually the client is responsible but agents sometimes don't bother invoicing for this. It depends on the amount).

Like history, most contracts are written to favor whoever is writing it. We’ll be talking a little about publishing contracts in a future post, but suffice to say that whether it’s an agent or publishing contract that you are negotiating, if you are not a big name, generally you are not going to be able to ask for too much so pick your battles so that you don't come across as either difficult or needy.

Any contract should be mutually beneficial; it should make the relationship clear and secure both parties so that both you and the agent are protected so that if an agent puts in a substantial amount of time on your work, she isn’t left high and dry if you decide to go elsewhere. Or if you do decide to go elsewhere your future works are protected. You are both putting your efforts on the line, so there should be an agreed upon set of goals and level of commitment. 

Trusting your agent and understanding that they are also putting their faith in you, your talent, and your ethics, while investing substantial unpaid time and heart in hopes of helping you get published for a small future commission is essential. If you are not comfortable signing an agreement with someone, then you should carefully consider whether or not you should be working with them professionally. The bottom line is, if it doesn’t feel right for you, then don’t do it.

In the literary world, most agents strive to support their clients on a variety of levels.  A contract is simply an extension of that pact.

I hope that this post has been helpful for you. Next month I'll be talking about how an agent goes about submitting you work. If you have any topics that you'd like to learn about, please let me know in the comments below. And as always, any comments are much appreciated.

Yours in children's book love and creativity  ~ Mira