Why I wrote seven books and none have been published yet
Hello everyone,
In this blog post, I would like to take you behind the scenes of my work and explain why I have written seven books as a children’s book author and none of them have been published yet.
The first book is finished: a coming-of-age novel for young adults
As you may already know, I have been writing stories, drawing and painting since I was a child. After graduating from high school, I studied and earned my bachelor’s degree before becoming a freelance copywriter in 2020. My goal at the time was to have more freedom, learn more and, above all, create more time for my own book projects. Since 2020, I have been actively writing children’s and young adult books every day in addition to advertising copy, and I also create children’s book illustrations for my stories. Over the years, I have written four children’s books and one young adult book. The shortest book so far is about 120 pages long and the longest is 380 pages long. That adds up to quite a few pages and words, as well as illustrations to decorate my children’s books. ✨
Over the years, I have also created a so-called exposé for each finished children’s book, which is intended to provide all the important information about the story, a brief insight and a reading sample. It has always been my wish to inspire a children’s book publisher with my stories and to bring my children’s books into the world together with a publisher. What should I do?
In search of literary agencies
When I finished my first young adult novel in 2021, I was really proud to hold all 380 pages in my hands. I thought I could now start looking for a publisher and heard that going through a literary agency would give me a better chance of getting into a publishing house. So I finished my synopsis and researched German literary agencies that represent children’s and young adult books. Full of enthusiasm and confidence, I completed my applications and sent my first book to the first three literary agencies that I thought would be the best fit for me and my book projects. When you send books to literary agencies and publishers, you should be prepared for long waiting times. And that’s what I did. I waited, and after the first three agencies rejected me, I continued and sent my synopsis to other agencies. More than a year passed, and for the most part I received no feedback or only rejections. 🥲
Convincing publishers with an exposé and volume 1 of my children’s book series
During this time, I wrote my first children’s book and created the illustrations. Once again, I wrote a synopsis and changed my strategy by daring to contact children’s book publishers directly. After my favourite publishers turned me down, I didn’t give up and presented my children’s book to other publishers. After a good three years of sending out synopses, hoping confidently and waiting, I still haven’t received any positive feedback.
As you can imagine, I was devastated and sad after every rejection or lack of response. After a few tears, the lioness in me came through and I regained my courage and confidence. I continued writing my children’s book series about Lasse, Lucy and Oskar, and volumes 3 and 4 were born. I continued to develop and improve my writing skills and took many courses on writing books and illustrating children’s books. I never run out of ideas and the fun never ends – every day! I believe in my stories and I also believe that everything in life happens for a reason. And now I’m exploring new avenues and finding out how I can publish my children’s books – with or without a publisher.
Never give up, never, never, never
And that’s the most important thing: if you have an idea, write your first book. Enjoy yourself and have fun! Do it as well as you can and make sure you’re happy with it when you’re done. Then show it to someone you trust the most and who you know will always support you and be there for you (in good times and bad). Revise your book and write a synopsis. Then take it out into the world with literary agencies, publishers or self-publishing. Don’t let rejections or people who criticise your book get you down. Believe that it is good as it is and has what it takes to be published. Rejections and criticism are part of life and cannot be changed. But what you can change is how you deal with them.
Don’t give up and just keep going, a little bit every day – sentence by sentence, word by word, brushstroke by brushstroke! At the end of the day, what matters is that we pursue our dreams and do what fulfils us and makes us happy. For me, that’s writing and illustrating. What is it for you? 🌞
What happens next with my seven children’s books?
Step 1: The first step for me is always to keep writing and drawing, which results in new children’s books and illustrations every year. My book series thus expands with new exciting adventures.
Step 2: After all these years, I finally dared to show my art and write about writing books and illustrating children’s books. On my business website, which I created with the help of my favourite person, Julius, I regularly publish blog posts and newsletters where you can read news about my children’s books and get insights into my everyday life as an author and illustrator.
Step 3: I also want to share my stories and thoughts with you on Instagram, where I share my illustrations and ‘behind the scenes’ pictures. Feel free to follow me there if you like.
Step 4: I’m waiting a little longer, as I still have some applications pending with children’s book publishers and I want to give them the chance to get back to me within the next three months. At the same time, I am saving up for professional editing in collaboration with a freelance editor and considering how I can self-publish my books.
So it remains exciting!
I wish you a wonderful day and hope you enjoy the sunshine. ☀️
Best regards,
Rike