I write mysteries for kids. I don’t write for this audience because it’s easier than writing for adults. (It’s NOT easier!) I write for this audience because I like it! I like kids. I like kids’ books. I make regular trips to the library to check out new kids books and find out which books are the most popular.
I like to tell stories, but I really like to turn non-readers into readers. Whether they’re non-readers because of ability or interest. As a writer, there’s nothing more satisfying than to receive a heartfelt letter or e-mail that begins, “I never really liked reading before, but then I read your [insert book title here] all by myself.” That’s why I write for kids.
That probably also explains why I write mysteries for kids. Kids who don’t like a lot of other books will often pick up a mystery. Writing mysteries gives me an opportunity to reach the non-reader.
Sadly, I’ve run into a number of writers who want to write for kids for what I think are the wrong reasons.
Some are writers who’ve been writing for adults, but have had a hard time selling recently, so they think they’ll try writing for kids. Because it’s got to be easier, right?
Wrong.
Not unless you really understand the kids market. Not unless you’ve taken the time to read a few hundred children’s books and have honed your skills as a children’s writer.
Others see the success of books like Harry Potter and the Hunger Games and they think there’s money to be made in the kids and/or YA genres. I know a number of children’s book authors who make a modest living at what they do (often after years of study and perseverance), but I’m not sure I know any who are rich. Many of us are able to make a living because we supplement our writing with school visits. In fact, once you’ve sold a book or two in this genre, it’s sort of expected that you will visit schools and talk about how you became an author. But if you don’t like kids or you don’t know how to talk to them, your school visits won’t be very successful.
Still others write for kids because they’ve got an important lesson they want to teach. Do you like to be hit over the head with a moral when you read fiction? Neither do kids. In fact, that’s a good way to turn a kid off reading. Forever.
Honestly, I find it a little bit insulting when someone thinks breaking into the kids market is somehow easier than breaking in to the adult market. There are no shortcuts to publication in any genre. You have to know and understand your market, write a great book that an editor can’t turn down, and persevere. That’s the real secret to publication. In any genre. Perseverance.
Write for kids because you want to, not because you think it’s easy. Write for kids because you like and respect this audience and their books, not because you think you’re going to get rich. Writing for kids is its own reward.
-Dori Hillestad Butler is an award-winning author of more than 40 books for children, 
including the Buddy Files, which is a chapter book series about a school therapy dog who solves mysteries. Her books have been on children’s choice and teen award lists in 19 different states. The Buddy Files #1: Case of the Lost Boy won the 2011 Edgar Award for best juvenile mystery. Dori has also been a ghostwriter for the Sweet Valley Twins, Unicorn Club and Boxcar Children series and has written numerous magazine stories, educational materials, plays, book reviews, even characters for one board game and trivia questions for another. She grew up in southern Minnesota, spent the last 19 years in Iowa, and has just recently moved to the Seattle area. Look for her new Haunted Library series for young readers. For more information visit her website at www.kidswriter.com.
I wouldn’t think writing for kids would be easy at all. Think I will stick to adult books!
I’m not sure writing for adults is any easier. And it would likely be harder for me. I understand the kids market…and I’ve never really written for adults. There are no shortcuts. No matter who you’re writing for, you have to know and respect your audience.
Great post, and spot on! Kids love mysteries and humor-it’s obvious you ‘get’ that just by the glossary in The Haunted Library. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! Actually, the glossary was a lot of fun. :)
I would think writing for youngsters would be the hardest genre to write in. As a children’s author you’re not only giving them a story to read, you’re also helping make them readers for a life time. Dori, I’m thankful there are writers like you out there providing wonderful books for youngsters. Even though I don’t have any kids myself I do have young cousins who I encourage to read. Wishing you much success.
Thank you! That’s my goal…to turn non-readers into readers!
Elizabeth – Thanks for hosting Dori.
Dori – Thanks for sharing your perspective on why you write mysteries for kids. I truly respect authors like you who get young people to pick up a book and read. I wish you much success.
Thank you.
School visits are a lot of fun, but if you don’t like kids, that could be a big problem.
Yes! I’ve actually met a number of kids authors who don’t like doing school visits. That always surprises me.
I adore Middle Grade, and I’m always looking for something to read to my 4 kids. Right now its Troubletwisters by Nix (they picked it out). I grabbed an ebook recently that was an adult writing a kids’ book, and it felt so phony. I remarked that I didn’t think this author had ever seen a “children” before.
Oh! I have the Troubletwisters series on my list (and it’s a very LONG list!) of books to read! (For myself…my kids are grown, so I can no longer use them as an excuse…haha!) I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but this one caught my attention! Is it good?
Dori–
Thanks for your post. I’m wondering whether you can tell me what percentage of books written for children and for the YA-NA market are women authors. I have the general impression that fewer men write for those readers. Without being sexist about it, I would think moms are usually (not always) more knowledgeable about children and adolescents. Correct me if I’m wrong.
As for writing for children, I’m sure it’s hard to do. But it may be quicker. Again, I have the general impression that writers for children/YA are publishing lots of titles.
I don’t have actual statistics, but I think you’re right about more women writing for kids. When I attend children’s writers conferences, women FAR outnumber the men. However (and again, I don’t have actual numbers to back up my claim), even though there are more women writing for kids, I think more MEN are winning the big awards! I’ve been talking about that with some writer friends recently…trying to figure out why that is.
As for publishing more titles…maybe. If you’re writing for kids, your books are shorter, so yes, you can publish more titles in a year if you’re producing the same number of words as someone who’s writing for adults.
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Excellent advice! The “I’m going to teach you something important” books drive me nuts – and the kids despise them! :)
Me too!!! My eyes immediately start to glaze over if I find myself in a conversation with a writer whose “elevator pitch” is all about what the kid is going to LEARN from her book.
Writing for kids is hard and the best books, like St Exupery’s Petit Prince, are classic masterpieces – writing masterpieces isn’t easy! And thanks for an excellent post reminding us what it takes to write for kids…a lot, and above all, respect for your audience!