Poetry began as an oral art and, with the exception perhaps of concrete poetry, it needs to be heard.  But, whether it’s poetry for adults or for kids, it’s not always so easy to read poetry well aloud.  Here are some tips on how to do it.

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Besides the wonderful Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein, there are many other excellent children’s poets.  Here’s a list of fifty-two of them.  Look up their books!

(Click here to read the full list)

Published in Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market, 2003

Have you heard the one about the editor at a writer’s conference? She’d been “on” for hours and was enjoying a much-needed moment of privacy in the bathroom. Then, from the adjacent stall, came an eager voice. “Hi,” it said. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. Let me tell you about this picture book I’ve written…”

Truth or urban legend? Well, maybe a bit of both. But the fact is with more and more publishing houses closing transoms to unsolicited manuscripts and more and more “pre-published” writers desperate for entrée, this kind of story isn’t far-fetched. Only slightly less dramatic stories have been verified, and they demonstrate the real frustration editors have with conferences.

Because of these tales, I decided to ask a number of editors what they like and dislike about these events. It’s my hope that both writers and organizers will benefit from their responses.

(Click here for article.)