I love writing for children. I've been writing for publication for many years and I've done a lot of different kinds of writing - but my favorite is writing for children. I'm grateful to be at a place where so much of my writing ends up in the hands of children. I appreciate editors - their insight and help to make my work better. Okay, honestly, I don't appreciate criticism at the moment I get it, but I do want to improve steadily and always - so I appreciate input.

Knowledge is Power, but Only if You Use It

But mixed in all of these emotions are facts - and one fact is that writing is not just my joy, it's my profession. This means that I write and someone gives me money for it. When I get enough money, I pay my bills and life is good. When I don't get enough money, well, I eat a lot of mac-and-cheese and hit up relatives for toilet paper (or I did before I got married to a nice guy with a steady income). Because writing is my profession, I really can't afford to let the emotion rule the way I do business, because that road leads to mac-and-cheese and begging for tp.

As a writer, I deal with businesses that need things written. I've written "package lift" - the perky stuff written on toy packages. I've written books that accompany toys. I've written for newspapers. I've written for local magazines. I've written for national magazines. I've written curriculum. And in each transaction, I am aware that the business that wants my writing has one goal - maximizing profit within the confines of their mission. So, a toy company wants to make the best, most appealing toy while spending as little as possible without compromising the "best, most appealing" part. Magazine publishers and book publisher want to create things that make readers fall in love, while spending as little as possible without compromising the "fall in love" part. The business needs to think this way or else they don't stay in business.

Because publishing is a business, the publisher's primary focus is the good of the company. This often coincides with my own personal good - publishing my material gets it before children and that's my ultimate goal. However, sometimes the good of the company does not coincide with my own personal good because it is best for the business to get the most from me while paying the least possible. Then they have more money to pay other bills. And it is at this point that I need to be alert and not overwhelmed with my delight in being published AT ALL. Throwing all your emotion into joy at publication leaves you vulnerable to signing deals that are bad for you.

The Benefit of the Doubt

Someone recently said that she felt writers need to give new publishers and publishing options the benefit of the doubt. To that, I say - no. PUBLISHERS SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT -- PERIOD. Remember always: publishers (not editors) are trying to maximize profit while still abiding by whatever mission statement they may have. They are not trying to protect you. They are not trying to hurt you (unless they're a scam). They are doing business for their best interest which sometimes coincides with your best interest and sometimes doesn't. So, you always need to go in totally and boldly looking for the "bad" potential so that you can deal with it. Okay, I see it here, here, here, here, and here -- let's see if we can change any of those -- and those I cannot change, let's think about whether I can deal with the possible bad end. If I can deal with it and I still want to see what happens, then I'm going in.

I have actually worked with a publisher that has been around a long long while but who was trying something totally totally new - children's series fiction with an unusual marketing method. They wanted me to do a series for them and they would pay me up front so whether their marketing idea worked or not would not effect my getting paid. I paused, looked for all the "bad" potential in the deal -- changed those things I could change (which was get more money), and then thoughtfully decided if I could live with the rest if those things turned around to bite me. The end result is NOT a normal publishing experience. But I got good money, a right pretty book, and possible steady money in the future -- though I am definitely NOT banking on possibilities.

So, feel free to doubt publishers, question publishing methods, consider the "bad" potential -- then decide. Research - not just on the publisher's website or among other folks recently signed up with them, but expand your research to see what professional experienced writers are saying about the company's choices, because that's how you'll find out all the potential "bad ends." And always remember, the folks who aren't giving a business the benefit of the doubt -- they're making a reasonable logical profession choice. If you're going to do the gusty bold thing and go with a company that has some serious potential bad results-- admit it, because otherwise, you're not going to like the end result when the benefit of the doubt bites you hard.

Research is Your Best Defense

Every single year there are literally hundreds of writers left heartbroken by the bad results of publishing choices made by giving folks "the benefit of the doubt" or rushing in to any deal because you want publication so badly. Some of these writers are also hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars poorer too. Don't fall into the trap of letting the thrill of the moment convince you to rush after a deal or gloss over irregularities. Think. Research. Weigh all possibilities. Make an informed choice. You'll be so glad you did.

Let me give you three quick places to research:

Absolute Write's Bewares and Background Check
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22
You can find out bad and good things about agents and publishers here.

Writer Beware Blogs

Preditors and Editors
http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/
They have an extensive list of publishers and agents with information about them.

Good luck and let's be careful out there.