Part I. It’s about the Kids … Write and Publish a Children’s Book

Whether you are currently writing books for kids … or you hadn’t thought about it … January will kick off our Author Year of Possibilities. And why not start with books for kids? If you write for the adult reader, did you know that the book you have already written speaks to all ages when presented in another format?

• What message is in your book that children need to hear?

• • Fantasy can be changed to be appropriate for all ages.
  • Villains and Heroes softened for younger audiences.
  • The plot and theme can be used to share life lessons

• Because words change the world, you have an opportunity to change the lives of children. Changing your audience is simply talking to short people without big words.

• • The Giving Tree- teaches about selfishness and selflessness
  • Historical novels- teach about history (which our kids are not getting)
  • Oh the Places You Will Go- Can your novel teach about challenges

• Your characters are already developed. By changing them to animals, dragons, trolls, or children- the novel takes a different approach

• • Trolls are grumpy
  • Butterflies are freedom
  • An older child is a good mentor for the younger one reading

• Stories for the younger crowd are from one point of view

• • The cast of characters are fewer
  • Much will be shown in action
  • Shorter pieces of dialogue

• Scenes you have written can be shortened and enhanced with illustrations.
• Children’s books have the same conflict, climax, and resolution that your novel has.

• • The length of the conflict is sorter
  • The black moment will be midway through
  • The resolution is longer because you will explain more at the ending

• Most people think that you are dumbing down the story to write for children, but you are actually going to crank it up a notch.

• • You have to fit more content in fewer words.
  • Every word has to work harder to get the meaning across.
  • Be conscientious about word choice

Show up, have fun, and learn with the guidance of multi-bestselling, award-winning children’s and adult author, Lisa Reinicke.

Part II: We will explore marketing strategies for the New Year.

It’s true 50% of book marketing works—most likely you don’t know which 50% it was. Judith Briles is going to increase your odds and identify a number of tips, tricks, and strategies to kickstart the year.

Who should attend the January 4^th program? Authors who are already writing for kids. Authors who have been thinking about writing for kids. Authors who didn’t think they could or just hadn’t thought about it beyond their current book. Authors who want marketing tips and authors who just need to jet some “juice” to get back on track or get started in the first place.

When: Saturday, January 4, 2020
Where: Smokey Hill Library, 5430 S Biscay Circle, Centennial, CO  80015
Time: 9 am to Noon
Cost:  $25 for AuthorYOU members, $35 for NonMembers. Price increases $ 10 on December 31^st.

AuthorYOU Members $25 (Only Register here if you are a paid VIP AuthorYOU Member)

Saturday, JULY 2nd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join Local Bestselling and Award-Winning AuthorYOU Members
at Barnes & Noble in the Southlands Mall – 6300 S Main St, Aurora

AuthorYOU authors will be celebrated and featured at the July Barnes and Noble Bookfair to sign, sell books, and support of the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame. Barnes & Noble has been a generous supporter of Colorado Authors and the AuthorYOU community.

This is an event where any books and other store merchandise purchased by visitors to the store on Saturday will generate a donation to support the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame, which will provide funds to support the Aspiring Authors Scholarships that will be awarded in September to residents of Colorado aged 16 and beyond.

The book signing event will feature fiction and nonfiction authors of all genres: adult, YA, juvenile, and children’s books.

If you want to be considered as a participant, you need to:

• Be a current paid-up member of AuthorYOU.org.
• Have your books available in the Ingram catalog.
• Had your book professionally edited.
• Cross market all participants books – your opening encourages visitors to our tables to meet and get other authors’ books.
• You commit a minimum of two hours to the event.
• You encourage everyone in your “circles” to come to the store. Over the phone. In-Person. Through your email. And via your social media portals.
• BN is supporting you and your book … you support BN as well, encourage book buyers to come to the store on July 3^rd to support you, other authors … and BN.

Participation space is limited … it’s a first come first serve. Interested? Contact Judith Briles at Judith@Briles.com  

In your subject line, put JULY BN

Usually, it’s a first-come, first-served. There are a limited number of spots available.

For more information about the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame and the Aspiring Authors Scholarships, visit www.ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org.

Register here: