Things to ask yourself and be mindful of

THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF: 

– Can you see the potential in your idea for telling a story or journey? 

– Is your concept/ character/ setting/ plot different enough? 

– Have you seen anything like it recently or before? 

– What’s your angle? Will be it funny? Educational? Lyrical? There’s no need to limit yourself to just one of these. Give an editor more reasons to take on your book by giving it more than one hook. 

– Summarise your story in a one-line pitch to identify if; your story has enough tension and conflict. 

THINGS TO BE MINDFUL OF: 

– Inappropriate vocabulary or language structures for your intended audience (These could make your story less accessible) 

– Inanimate objects (It is easier for children to relate to anthropomorphic main characters and characters that take on the same emotional qualities as the children themselves) 

– Ideas that are specific to one culture or country (pigs, currency, schools, fairy tales can be culture or country specific and can therefore be difficult to sell internationally) 

– Stereotyped roles (Everyone deserves and needs to see themselves depicted authentically in books. We need diverse books!) 

– Poor rhyme (The industry standard for rhyming texts is rightly incredibly high. Inconsistent meter, rhythm or scansion just won’t cut it). 

(This doesn’t mean to say the above can’t ever work. But they may make a story less suited to an age range or publisher.)