I’ve noticed with chapter books, or at least the ones I read, there are more books with more girl main characters than boys. When I see a boy main character for that age group, it’s usually in a graphic novel form. Is that a trend now?
Galaxy Zack, Captain Awesome, and Geronimo Stilton are great chapter books you can use as mentor texts
Cwyszynski
2 months ago
I understand that most chapter book series are initiated in-house/by the publishers. Do you think that situation is changing and welcoming more author/agent initiated projects?
SarahMS
2 months ago
Are chapter books under as stringent rules as picture books? What are they if so?
Krromo
2 months ago
How do you plan or plot an individual chapter book, and how do you plan for a series?
Wheeler1992
2 months ago
what in your opinion is more important, a spunky character or a killer plot?
Cwyszynski
2 months ago
Boy series to check out: Planet Omar, Desmond Cole, Freddy Ramos, Magnificent Makers, Jaden Touissant, Melvin Beederman
Are the plots all positive and spunky or do some go to a slightly darker side, like worry and fears?
onenycitygirl
2 months ago
Any advice for a first time writer who wants to write chapter book stories on real life issues, not monsters or magical themes? I hope to Focus on teaching kids to connect with their community and issue awareness in their community?
DianaZ
2 months ago
Hi Vicky…your book Invent a Pet is 32 pages. What differentiates this from a picture book?
If you are a newbie writer, is it best to start off in PB then transition to CB?
JENGarrett
2 months ago
How many books do your overarching stories span in each of your series? Obviously each book has a standalone, story, but for the series, how many books for the “long haul” stories?
(I can clarify if this question isn’t making sense)
Children’s Writer’s Word Book by Alijandra Mogilner and Tayopa Mogilner is my word bible. It was published in 2006, but I can still guess at the book level of published titles based on this book. Also, for research on current books check out ARBookFind.com.
One website for plug and check Analyzer | Lexile & Quantile Hub
jenavarre
2 months ago
Most agents list that they accept picture books and/or middle grade but not chapter books. Can you submit to agents who work with both picture book and middle grade authors since chapter books fall in between the two?
Kathy
2 months ago
Anna, Can you discuss your Scholastic sale ( my goal!)? Did you have an agent and/or editor? Was it pitched to many publishers? Bidding war? Thank you.
Connie Nice
2 months ago
Is there a presumed age of the characters in the book that fits best for this genre? Writing for age 6 – 8 / characters would be 6-8 years old?
Charlene77
2 months ago
Thank you for sharing the series binder Debbie! That was excellent.
Connie Nice
2 months ago
Are you doing your own illustrations – or does the published provide.
Connie Nice
2 months ago
Jess, in your book with the Titanic, is there a non-fiction statement to the storyline. I have a series I’ve been working on…with “real” components told in a fiction style. Is this a good format in today’s market??
Cwyszynski
2 months ago
Zoey & Sassafras is able to combine both magical AND environmental issues
Kathie
2 months ago
When you’re writing a series with recurring characters, what advice do you have for how much backstory to include in each book for those who may have not read the previous books?
tangentpoints
2 months ago
What are your thoughts on a chapter book series that connects to a Middle Grade world/series? If the fantasy world was targeted towards MG but the MCs have younger siblings, can you spin off a series for those characters?
Krromo
2 months ago
Lexile.com
jenavarre
2 months ago
app.readable.com
Wheeler1992
2 months ago
if aiming a chapter book for boys, is gross out humor a no-no. I know kids love the Captain Underpants books, but I hear teachers, librarians, and parents are not too keen on them. Do editors feel the same way.
Connie Nice
2 months ago
Thank you for answering my questions. This session has been very helpful!
Pamela Jansury
2 months ago
Thank you all for the great information. Looking forward to Debbie’s session on Breaking into Chapter Books!
Renee' La Viness
2 months ago
I always liked readable.com for determining grade level of stories. However, I’ve been more focused on adult writing for the past few years, so I haven’t used it in a while. It has a fee, but it’s not much, and the info you get is super-helpful.
Renee' La Viness
2 months ago
I really enjoyed this session. Thank you, ladies, for sharing your time with us!
I’ve noticed with chapter books, or at least the ones I read, there are more books with more girl main characters than boys. When I see a boy main character for that age group, it’s usually in a graphic novel form. Is that a trend now?
Galaxy Zack, Captain Awesome, and Geronimo Stilton are great chapter books you can use as mentor texts
I understand that most chapter book series are initiated in-house/by the publishers. Do you think that situation is changing and welcoming more author/agent initiated projects?
Are chapter books under as stringent rules as picture books? What are they if so?
How do you plan or plot an individual chapter book, and how do you plan for a series?
what in your opinion is more important, a spunky character or a killer plot?
Boy series to check out: Planet Omar, Desmond Cole, Freddy Ramos, Magnificent Makers, Jaden Touissant, Melvin Beederman
Thank you.
Are the plots all positive and spunky or do some go to a slightly darker side, like worry and fears?
Any advice for a first time writer who wants to write chapter book stories on real life issues, not monsters or magical themes? I hope to Focus on teaching kids to connect with their community and issue awareness in their community?
Hi Vicky…your book Invent a Pet is 32 pages. What differentiates this from a picture book?
If you are a newbie writer, is it best to start off in PB then transition to CB?
How many books do your overarching stories span in each of your series? Obviously each book has a standalone, story, but for the series, how many books for the “long haul” stories?
(I can clarify if this question isn’t making sense)
Yay, I guessed right! And I love the follow up questions that are clarifying my question.
Thanks, you all are amazing!
Is there a resource to know about words / vocabulary for each grade level?
Children’s Writer’s Word Book by Alijandra Mogilner and Tayopa Mogilner is my word bible. It was published in 2006, but I can still guess at the book level of published titles based on this book. Also, for research on current books check out ARBookFind.com.
One website for plug and check Analyzer | Lexile & Quantile Hub
Most agents list that they accept picture books and/or middle grade but not chapter books. Can you submit to agents who work with both picture book and middle grade authors since chapter books fall in between the two?
Anna, Can you discuss your Scholastic sale ( my goal!)? Did you have an agent and/or editor? Was it pitched to many publishers? Bidding war? Thank you.
Is there a presumed age of the characters in the book that fits best for this genre? Writing for age 6 – 8 / characters would be 6-8 years old?
Thank you for sharing the series binder Debbie! That was excellent.
Are you doing your own illustrations – or does the published provide.
Jess, in your book with the Titanic, is there a non-fiction statement to the storyline. I have a series I’ve been working on…with “real” components told in a fiction style. Is this a good format in today’s market??
Zoey & Sassafras is able to combine both magical AND environmental issues
When you’re writing a series with recurring characters, what advice do you have for how much backstory to include in each book for those who may have not read the previous books?
What are your thoughts on a chapter book series that connects to a Middle Grade world/series? If the fantasy world was targeted towards MG but the MCs have younger siblings, can you spin off a series for those characters?
Lexile.com
app.readable.com
if aiming a chapter book for boys, is gross out humor a no-no. I know kids love the Captain Underpants books, but I hear teachers, librarians, and parents are not too keen on them. Do editors feel the same way.
Thank you for answering my questions. This session has been very helpful!
Thank you all for the great information. Looking forward to Debbie’s session on Breaking into Chapter Books!
I always liked readable.com for determining grade level of stories. However, I’ve been more focused on adult writing for the past few years, so I haven’t used it in a while. It has a fee, but it’s not much, and the info you get is super-helpful.
I really enjoyed this session. Thank you, ladies, for sharing your time with us!