READER’S FORUM

June 27, 2023 at 08:04 pm Reply

Jeffrey Wald

Greetings Gordon!

I hope you are well. My boy, Ezra, age 10, loves your books. Thanks for your writing.

I'm writing to ask your advice about the next step in my own writing. I'm a full time criminal prosecutor. I write children and adult fiction on the side. Over the past 5 years, I've taken my writing more seriously, and published about 25 short stories. My dream (as is every writer's dream, I suspect) is to make full time fiction writing my career. I want to take the next 2 years to devote more time and attention to my writing, focusing on children's fiction, with the hope of eventually being able to take the leap and write full time. Any advice besides just writing as much as possible and hoping for some good breaks and good luck along the way?

Thanks and blessings and keep on writing!

Jeffrey Wald

Maddock, ND
June 28, 2023 at 05:54 pm Reply

Gordon Korman

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Hi, Jeffrey. First of all, congratulations on your success. I know it's a big decision to make the jump to being a full-time writer.

Sadly, it's not possible to predict how well any career as a free-lance artist is going to go. My main piece of advice would be to put together a portfolio of some of your published work and submit it to literary agents. (If writing for kids is your main goal, be sure to choose agents who specialize in the children's book field, as it can be pretty separate from the adult publishing world.)

Once an agent agrees to represent you, he or she will be able to guide you as you take the next steps in your writing career.

I wish you all the best and look forward to welcoming you as the future competition!

-------Gordon Korman-------
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Hi, Jeffrey. First of all, congratulations on your success. I know it's a big decision to make the jump to being a full-time writer.

Sadly, it's not possible to predict how well any career as a free-lance artist is going to go. My main piece of advice would be to put together a portfolio of some of your published work and submit it to literary agents. (If writing for kids is your main goal, be sure to choose agents who specialize in the children's book field, as it can be pretty separate from the adult publishing world.)

Once an agent agrees to represent you, he or she will be able to guide you as you take the next steps in your writing career.

I wish you all the best and look forward to welcoming you as the future competition!

-------Gordon Korman-------