After some encouragement from my sister Karen in Singapore, I have finally had another go at submitting my children’s storybook to a publisher.
I originally completed writing my first children’s story, a chapter book based around the imaginary adventures of my own three daughters, back in 2005. Ninety percent of the writing was done on my trusty Palm Pilot during my daily commute to and from work – an hour or so in each direction. Well, everyone has their own story of how they got into writing, while still having to eek out a daily existence.
I originally submitted the manuscript to 2 or 3 publishers, and received the customary 2 to 3 knockbacks. I know you’re supposed to keep going until someone says “Yes”, but I knew some editing was required, and I had run out of energy for it at that point in time.
Karen let me know that her kids, Jake and Josie, really enjoyed the story, and that she had made a few edits to filter out some words and elements which were not quite age appropriate – the very edits which I knew needed doing.
So, with my sister’s editorial work done, I cheerily printed off a new manuscript copy, bought an express envelope, and posted it off to a publisher that is currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts! It could be a while till I hear back, but I am ever the optimist, and I look forward to posting a story of my acceptance here, in maybe 3 to 4 months time…
I don’t think I’ll become a Paul Jennings, Roald Dahl, Stephanie Meyer or JK Rowling overnight, but it would be nice to have a copy of something I have written being enjoyed by a few children around the place.
