Write Chapter Books
Chapter books are tremendously fun to write,
and offer writers a broad range of topics to write about.
Plus, there’s less competition in this category,
and editors are always on the lookout for new chapter book authors!
Chapter Book Category Overview:
- Called “transitional books” (ages 6-9), or “chapter books” (ages 7-10), these short novels are broken into chapters that average 3-5 pages each.
- Books range from 64-96 pages; manuscripts average 6000-15,000 words (transitional books being on the shorter end).
- Characters can be animals, fantasy creatures or children, though child characters are the most common.
- Stories are told primarily through action and dialogue, though some minor description is acceptable.
- Dialogue scenes are longer than in easy readers (up to an entire book page), and characters begin to be developed through their thoughts and inner lives as well as their words and actions.
- Though story possibilities range from mysteries to humor to fantasy, plots that revolve around family, friends and school are most common.
Now, let’s make writing a great chapter book really easy!….
Children’s Book Insider $1 Trial Membership + Bonus Pack
Published monthly since May, 1990, each issue of CBI features:
✔️ Fresh & exclusive market opportunities, featuring publishers & agents seeking writers, contest, grants and more.
✔️ Exclusive "Above the Slushpile" member-only submission opportunities with top agents & publishers.
✔️ Interviews with leading authors, editors & agents.
✔️ Insightful how-to articles about every aspect of writing, revising & getting published, and much more!
"With CBI on my side, I went from being unpublished straight to the bestseller list! If you dream of writing for children or teens, this is the place for you."
Ken Derby, author of The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School
Join us! A three month trial membership - with loads of great bonuses - costs just $1.
Chapter Book Blueprint
Here it is - the simple step-by-step program that makes crafting a wonderful chapter book a breeze!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
I can't tell you how much I love my affordable, easy to use Blueprint.
Its methodical, take-your-time approach was just what I needed to get my manuscript moving again.
Thank you guys so much for putting this program together!
Julianna J.
Mastering the 5 Kidlit Story Endings
How do your readers feel after finishing your stories? If they aren't raving, you need a stronger ending. Here's how to finish your stories in style.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
WOW! Life-changing for this writer!
Thank you! I'm so glad I signed up!
Maureen H.
Mastering the 6 Modes of Narration
Learn the Secret Used By Top Authors to Create Excitement, Movement & Flow.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This was a SPECTACULAR lesson.
Thank you SO much. Extremely helpful. I will be re-watching multiple times, so that this bakes into my DNA!
Vivianne L.
Secrets of Writing a Page-Turner
Are your stories just blah? Learn the crucial technique of Narrative Tension and start writing page-turners today!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
Lola, you were mesmerizing.
Your teaching was rich. If I can apply even a little of this, I will be thrilled. Thank you sooooo much for sharing.
Katherine P.
The Transformative Power of Outlining
Learn the easy way to use a crucial technique that creates strong stories.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
Mind-bogglingly brilliant.
Sheila M.
The Magic Portal to Great Writing – The Mentor Text Workshop
The art of reading, analyzing and extracting writing insight from great books is a crucial skill that every writer must have. Here's how to do it - the right way!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This was AMAZING.
SOOO helpful. Thank you!
Vivian I.
No Conflict, No Story
A story without conflict isn't really a story - it's just a procession of events. Here's how to build page-turning excitement by creating the right kind of conflict your story needs.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This was absolutely incredible!
Totally invaluable. Changes my writing in the best ways!
Julia B.
How to Generate Amazing Story Ideas
Having trouble coming up with good ideas for stories? Not after watching this innovative workshop!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
Ingenious and inspiring. I am already brimming with new ideas!
This was exactly the creative boost I needed. Thanks!
Robyn D.
10 Mistakes That Get Kidlit Manuscripts Rejected & How to Avoid Them
Can one little mistake ruin your chances of getting published? Indeed it can. Here's how to avoid the problems that commonly trip up writers seeking a book contract.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This was magnificent. I learned so much! - Kimberly B.
This was one of the best workshops I've attended. Deborah navigates the world of queries and the pitfalls we can now avoid. - Tracy
Thank you Deborah! I thought that I was ready to submit my manuscript, but now I know how to be ready! - Debra P.
The Children’s Nonfiction Market: Your Path to Publication
Looking for a wise mentor to help guide you to success as a nonfiction author? You just found him!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This workshop is the full package!
From basic terms and market needs to different styles and how to step into those that fit "my voice". There were examples, explanations, and ENCOURAGEMENTS all along the way.
Jan B.
Writing Nonfiction for the School & Library Market
Want to write books for a truly book-hungry audience? Write for the school and library market! Here's how...
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
Well organized and full of resources for nonfiction authors.
Thank you all this up-to-date information told in a fast paced, articulate presentation.
Virginia M.
Chapter books are tremendously fun to write,
and offer writers a broad range of topics to write about.
Plus, there’s less competition in this category,
and editors are always on the lookout for new chapter book authors!
Chapter Book Category Overview:
- Called “transitional books” (ages 6-9), or “chapter books” (ages 7-10), these short novels are broken into chapters that average 3-5 pages each.
- Books range from 64-96 pages; manuscripts average 6000-15,000 words (transitional books being on the shorter end).
- Characters can be animals, fantasy creatures or children, though child characters are the most common.
- Stories are told primarily through action and dialogue, though some minor description is acceptable.
- Dialogue scenes are longer than in easy readers (up to an entire book page), and characters begin to be developed through their thoughts and inner lives as well as their words and actions.
- Though story possibilities range from mysteries to humor to fantasy, plots that revolve around family, friends and school are most common.
Now, let’s make writing a great chapter book really easy!….
Children’s Book Insider $1 Trial Membership + Bonus Pack
Published monthly since May, 1990, each issue of CBI features:
✔️ Fresh & exclusive market opportunities, featuring publishers & agents seeking writers, contest, grants and more.
✔️ Exclusive "Above the Slushpile" member-only submission opportunities with top agents & publishers.
✔️ Interviews with leading authors, editors & agents.
✔️ Insightful how-to articles about every aspect of writing, revising & getting published, and much more!
"With CBI on my side, I went from being unpublished straight to the bestseller list! If you dream of writing for children or teens, this is the place for you."
Ken Derby, author of The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School
Join us! A three month trial membership - with loads of great bonuses - costs just $1.
Chapter Book Blueprint
Here it is - the simple step-by-step program that makes crafting a wonderful chapter book a breeze!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
I can't tell you how much I love my affordable, easy to use Blueprint.
Its methodical, take-your-time approach was just what I needed to get my manuscript moving again.
Thank you guys so much for putting this program together!
Julianna J.
Mastering the 5 Kidlit Story Endings
How do your readers feel after finishing your stories? If they aren't raving, you need a stronger ending. Here's how to finish your stories in style.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
WOW! Life-changing for this writer!
Thank you! I'm so glad I signed up!
Maureen H.
Mastering the 6 Modes of Narration
Learn the Secret Used By Top Authors to Create Excitement, Movement & Flow.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This was a SPECTACULAR lesson.
Thank you SO much. Extremely helpful. I will be re-watching multiple times, so that this bakes into my DNA!
Vivianne L.
Secrets of Writing a Page-Turner
Are your stories just blah? Learn the crucial technique of Narrative Tension and start writing page-turners today!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
Lola, you were mesmerizing.
Your teaching was rich. If I can apply even a little of this, I will be thrilled. Thank you sooooo much for sharing.
Katherine P.
The Transformative Power of Outlining
Learn the easy way to use a crucial technique that creates strong stories.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
Mind-bogglingly brilliant.
Sheila M.
The Magic Portal to Great Writing – The Mentor Text Workshop
The art of reading, analyzing and extracting writing insight from great books is a crucial skill that every writer must have. Here's how to do it - the right way!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This was AMAZING.
SOOO helpful. Thank you!
Vivian I.
No Conflict, No Story
A story without conflict isn't really a story - it's just a procession of events. Here's how to build page-turning excitement by creating the right kind of conflict your story needs.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This was absolutely incredible!
Totally invaluable. Changes my writing in the best ways!
Julia B.
How to Generate Amazing Story Ideas
Having trouble coming up with good ideas for stories? Not after watching this innovative workshop!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
Ingenious and inspiring. I am already brimming with new ideas!
This was exactly the creative boost I needed. Thanks!
Robyn D.
10 Mistakes That Get Kidlit Manuscripts Rejected & How to Avoid Them
Can one little mistake ruin your chances of getting published? Indeed it can. Here's how to avoid the problems that commonly trip up writers seeking a book contract.
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This was magnificent. I learned so much! - Kimberly B.
This was one of the best workshops I've attended. Deborah navigates the world of queries and the pitfalls we can now avoid. - Tracy
Thank you Deborah! I thought that I was ready to submit my manuscript, but now I know how to be ready! - Debra P.
The Children’s Nonfiction Market: Your Path to Publication
Looking for a wise mentor to help guide you to success as a nonfiction author? You just found him!
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
This workshop is the full package!
From basic terms and market needs to different styles and how to step into those that fit "my voice". There were examples, explanations, and ENCOURAGEMENTS all along the way.
Jan B.
Writing Nonfiction for the School & Library Market
Want to write books for a truly book-hungry audience? Write for the school and library market! Here's how...
🔹 🔹 🔹 🔹
Well organized and full of resources for nonfiction authors.
Thank you all this up-to-date information told in a fast paced, articulate presentation.
Virginia M.
