Honest and precise… everything about writing for children there is to know.” —Jane Yolen, author Here is the comprehensive guide to writing, publishing, and selling for the ever-expanding and always exciting children’s market—now in a new and updated third edition. • Includes new chapters on self-publishing and on "how to choose a how-to", plus revision and updates throughout • Offers practical advice on getting started--and on dealing with out-of-print books • Covers picture books, chapter books, nonfiction, middle-grade and young novels, and common formats and genres • Reveals what happens inside a children's publishing company, and provides guidance in working with an editor • Sample cover and query letters, manuscript format, glossary, and recommended resources in an extensive appendix • Plus information on agents, contracts, copyright, marketing, and more

Harold D. Underdown is a children-'s book editor, currently working as a consulting editor and running the well-known children's publishing site "The Purple Crayon." Previously he was vice president and editorial director at ipicturebooks. Before that, he was editorial director of the Charlesbridge trade program, and he has also worked at Orchard Books and Macmillan. He speaks at conferences and provides editorial services to publishers and authors.