Young Writers

Despite the fact that it is children who read children’s books and, very often, children who buy them, young writers have long-since been a very neglected sector of the world writing community. However no longer! We are proud to introduce a manuscript appraisal service especially targeted at writers aged 18 and under.

1. MANUSCRIPT APPRAISAL SERVICE (£50.00)

We will look at all types of writing for children. This could include picture books, early readers, short stories, novels for older children, non-fiction and poetry. All we ask is that you don’t submit more than about 1000 words of text. A book or story for very young children is unlikely to be much longer than this but, in the case of fiction for older children, it may be that you will need to submit just the first chapter.

Once the manuscript has been submitted you will be assigned a suitable editor. Your editor will carefully read your work and give detailed and constructive feedback. There is no fixed length to this feedback – it depends upon the standard of the story – but it is usually around five pages. The report is presented in an official Advice Centre folder and all writers will receive a complementary copy of Young Writer magazine.

Topics covered in the feedback will include presentation, targeting, subject matter, theme & plotting, structure & style, characterisation & dialogue, viewpoint, approach, choosing a publisher and a suggested list of further reading.

Manuscripts do not need to be expensively prepared and packaged – so long as they are clear and in hard copy format (ie. not on disc) we are happy to read them.

To Use this Service

1. To pay by cheque/cash print off the Application Form and return to our office with your manuscript.
2. To pay by credit/debit card over the phone please ask a responsible adult to telephone our office (0797 9905353) with your card details. You will then need to print off the Application Form and return to our office with your manuscript.
3. Alternatively the whole process can be completed via our online shop. Ask a responsible adult to click here which will take them to the shop which will, in turn, take them to our online form and payment details. You will still need to submit your manuscript to our office as hard copy.