Tuesday, November 13, 2012

2013 CWIM Giveaway!

Have you used CHILDREN'S WRITER'S AND ILLUSTRATOR'S MARKET, also known as CWIM? It's a wonderful resource for those who write or illustrate for kids and young adults. It's updated yearly and has over 650 listings for publishers, agents, magazines, and more, including who to contact, how to submit your work professionally, and what they're looking for. It also has interviews and articles.

A new feature this year is a roundup with more than 20 SCBWI Regional Advisors who share their best advice on how to get your children's book published. I'm one of those!!!

CWIM is edited by the knowledgeable Chuck Sambuchino. I've asked Chuck some questions:

Kristi: In my own journey to being published in children's books, I had first sent art samples to publishers using the list of publishers in CWIM and was able break into illustrating children's books before writing them. When I began writing, I was hesitant and scared to submit my manuscripts to publishers. How does a writer know when they're ready to submit for the first time?
Chuck: In my opinion, a manuscript is ready for submission when it lacks any major problems. What happens is this: You write a book, and then you'll need to get other opinions on your writing -- be that from a professional editor or your own writing peers. These other readers will point out problems with the work -- e.g., how the writing is weak in the middle, or how the book starts too slow, or how the ending is not believable, etc. It is then your job to address these issues and try to fix them, one at a time. Once all the major issues of your book have been fixed, and readers start to respond to you with no more needed fixes, then I believe the book is ready for the world. 


Kristi: Now I'm blessed to have a wonderful agent, Linda Pratt, who submits for me. What can published writers and illustrators with agents still learn from CWIM? Do you consider CWIM a beginner's resource?
Chuck: It is certainly used mostly by beginners, but the book can be great for advanced, published authors, as well. Let's say you're a published author or illustrator who has made inroads in the book world -- but now you want to make more money writing for magazines. CWIM lists kids magazines. Perhaps you want to sell more books and build your writer platform through more public speaking. CWIM lists conference opportunities and contact names. Plus, it always has 120-180 upfront pages on the art and craft of writing & illustration. It's great instruction, and we must never stop learning. 

Kristi: Congrats on your new book, CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM, coming out soon. Can you tell us a bit about platform and why it's important?
Chuck: Your writer platform is your visibility in the marketplace and your proven ability to sell books. A platform is built through success in arenas like a blog, social media, public speaking, media appearances, newsletter creation, article writing, networking, organizational contacts, etc. 
Platform is important because the number of publicists in the publishing world continues to dwindle. The pressure is now on for writers to be the lead marketers of their own books. In fact, nonfiction and self-published authors absolutely must have platform if they want their books to be successful. Fiction writers and illustrators not need platform, but do indeed want it -- because platform translates to book sales. And if you can personally sell more of your own books, you can make more money for yourself and also for the publisher. That makes you a more valuable, in-demand author that will get future book deals.


Since I've contributed to the 2013 CWIM, I'm holding a giveaway! Simply comment on this post by Nov 30 for one entry, and post a link to this blog in your favorite form of social media for an optional second entry (let me know in the comments). Leave me your email address or a way to find your snail mail address in case you win. Must live in the US.

34 comments:

k.h.whitaker said...

oh yay, I haven't gotten the new one yet :D
karenwhitaker_illustrations.@live.com

Lola Perkett said...

I'd love the new book!

Barbara L.W. Myers said...

I just started my first YA book, so this would be immensely helpful for me! Sharing this post on my Twitter feed (@LiterateBeast). E-mail: theliteratebeast at gmail dot com

MishAYE said...

Would love to win a copy! mishelleayesha (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks much!

Children's Illustrating - Susan Clement-Beveridge said...

That's awesome would love to win a copy of the book...Thanks for the post!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the opportunity, would be great to win the new one! I'm a newly-fulltime freelance writer and novelist, so I won't have the money to buy it, and really appreciate people like you who do giveaways! I can be reached at tiffanytjohnson@gmail.com. Thanks again!

L Dana F Dodge said...

This book would be great! I have a whole series of children's books just sitting on my desk glaring at me; ready, for the world to see. dana@ldanafdodge.org

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Sweet! Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I just posted on twitter too!
https://twitter.com/LauraLouda/status/268592316674097152

Mehreen Tejani said...

This is so inspiring. I have always wanted to be a writer. Will definitely retweet your link. Thanks! mehreentejani@gmail.con

Derek said...

Thank you for the giveaway. :)

Robin said...

I've been searching google for children's publishers, this would certainly make my search easier.

I'll be retweeting this on my @crackedmum twitter account.

Thanks!
http://www.dirtyrottenparenting.com

Will Hogarth said...

Editing my first YA novel at the moments. So would love the book.

Posted link in twitter

Anonymous said...

I am finishing the final edit on my first children's book. Then on to an agent! After I find an agent would love to have this for the next step!
Email: jehovahs_draco@msn.com
Reposted to Twitter!

Peggy Reiff Miller said...

Great questions for Chuck S, Kristi! And congratulations for being included in the new CWIM! I'd love to have a copy. You've got my e-mail address.

Anonymous said...

I hope to write and illustrate my own children's books and would love this resource! thelivelongjune@gmail.com

Rosemond said...

I would love to win! rosemond22@aol.com

Unknown said...

I'd love to have this book. Thanks

Hollyberre said...

I was lucky enough to borrow the first copy from our library! However, I can really use my own copy. I also posted this to my Facebook friends. https://www.facebook.com/#!/hollyberre

Anonymous said...

So great to have access to many helpful resources-- I feel we can never have too many writers, illustrators, and artists in the world to inspire humanity.

Frank
houseofdpm@yahoo(dot)com

Kayley said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I'd love to get a copy of this book.

freshmankay[at]gmail[dot]com

Karenofarcola.com said...

Great giveaway idea. I'd love a copy of this book.
I'll be retweeting this link.
You'll find me at karen@karenandgreg.com

Steve Matteo said...

This is perfect timing. My juvenile story with a unique Christmas angle is in the works. I am already a published non-fiction author and journalist. This is my first children's story!
hi-fisjm@ix.netcom.com

Nessa Morris said...

Posting to Twitter now: @Nessa_Morris

Jennifer R said...

I would love to win a copy of the CWIM. I need an updated copy. I'm also posting a link to this post on Facebook.

Thanks!

Jennifer R said...

I forgot to leave my email address jenberger75 at yahoo dot com.

Love your blog, I'm also following via email now.

Kristin Lenz said...

These books are so helpful - and worth it just for the articles, in addition to the listings. Thanks for the giveaway! kristinbartleylenz at gmail dot com

LuAnn Kern luannkern@comcast.net said...

My copy is so old! Would love a new one. Posting on FB as well. Thanks for your generosity!

Janet Smart said...

I have a 2011 copy, would love to have the new one! thanks so much for the give a way. wvsmarties(at)yahoo.com

Kate said...

I'm new to your blog, but I love your art. (and of course would love the book as I havent gotten it yet!)

drawingsandillustrations@gmail.com

WilsonW said...

Thanks so much! Consider me volunteered and I posted a link to you on my twitter as well for the second entry!! @WilsonWJr74

wilson(at)doublewillustrations.com

Thanks Kristi!

Amanda said...

I love your artwork! Thanks for hosting this giveaway. :) amanda.e.kastner AT gmail DOT com

Anni Matsick said...

CWIM is the standard. I recommend it often to anyone working in the field or wanting to enter. The update on how to submit to publishers is invaluable. The interviews are always good reading. Congrats on yours, Kristi!

Kristi Valiant said...

Thanks, everyone, for your comments! CWIM is a wonderful guide. Congrats to our giveaway winner, Nessa Morris!