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Activity
Harold D. Underdown

The Secret to Becoming a Published Writer

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A very good article providing "secrets" to those writers hoping to get published. Includes tips, secrets, quotes from published writers, and links for further information.
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eBook
Harold D. Underdown

A Publisher's Sample Guidelines

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A list of typical or sample guidelines a publishing company may provide for manuscript submission. Relates primarily to children's literature but may also apply to other forms. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.6 Use technology to produce and...
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Unit Plan
Harold D. Underdown

Sample Illustrator Guidelines

For Students 9th - 10th
A list of typical and sample guidelines a publisher may provide for potential submissions. Made specifically for illustrators.
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Activity
Harold D. Underdown

Multiple Submissions in Publishing

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A resourceful look at the concept of "multiple submissions" while attempting to publish your written work. Includes definitions, explanations and advice.
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Activity
Harold D. Underdown

The Purple Crayon: Getting It Out of the "Slush Pile"

For Students 9th - 10th
The "slush pile" is a publisher's sizeable reading stash, and this site is a great resource for attempting to get a publisher to get your manuscript OUT of the pile. Includes several pieces of advice concerning the story itself, your...
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Activity
Harold D. Underdown

Rites of Submission: Cover & Query Letters in Publishing

For Students 9th - 10th
A fantastic reference for how to format a cover or query letter when submitting a manuscript for publication. Includes examples of good letters, what NOT to write, and general guidelines for success.
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Website
Harold D. Underdown

Caldecott Medal Winners, 2002 Current

For Students 9th - 10th
A list of the children's books to win the esteemed Caldecott Medal from 2002 until the present. Includes links to each books page from "Amazon.com" for buying information and additional resources.
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Website
Harold D. Underdown

The Newbery Medal Winners, 2002 Current

For Students 9th - 10th
Site includes a listing of previous winners of the Newbery Book Medal in children's literature since 2002. Shows winners and provides a link to each book's page on "Amazon.com" for buying information.
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Website
Harold D. Underdown

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, 2001 Current

For Students 9th - 10th
A list of the past winners of this prestigious award in children's literature. Given every two years, this award is presented for a body of work, not simply one book itself.
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Website
Harold D. Underdown

The Pura Belpre Award, 2002 Current

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives a brief description of the merits of this award, and lists its winners since 2002. This award is given only every two years and is presented to a Latin American author/illustrator.
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Website
Harold D. Underdown

The Michael L. Printz Award, 2002 Current

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a list of the winners of this award for young adult literature since 2002. Clicking on each award-winning title takes you to a link to the book's page on "Amazon.com."
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Professional Doc
Harold D. Underdown

The Margaret A. Edwards Award

For Students 9th - 10th
Includes a brief description and winners since 2002 of this award for a "lifetime contribution" in writing young adult literature. Clicking on each award-winning title brings you to the book's page on "Amazon.com."
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Activity
Harold D. Underdown

Publishing: Finding and Choosing a Literary Agent

For Students 9th - 10th
A great site for writers looking to hire an agent for submitting a manuscript. Provides information concerning researching an agent, evaluating an agent, and choosing an agent.
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Article
Harold D. Underdown

Writing Young Adult and Children's Fiction and Fantasy

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A great article concerning writing children's literature, especially in the area of fantasy or science fiction. The author provides information concerning how to develop characters, creating literary elements, and discusses some pitfalls...
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Activity
Harold D. Underdown

Getting Out of the Art File: Tips for Book Illustrators

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent resource for illustrators to format their work in order to get the attention of a publisher. Intended for children's literature, but may also apply to other genres.
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Unit Plan
Harold D. Underdown

The Purple Crayon: Books About Children's Writing

For Students 9th - 10th
A resourceful list of books to consult when writing children's literature. Includes several books from different perspectives, and includes links to each books page on Amazon.com.
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Unit Plan
Harold D. Underdown

The Purple Crayon: Books About Illustrating

For Students 9th - 10th
A list of resources concerning illustrating for children's literature. Each link takes you to the book's page on Amazon.com.
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Unit Plan
Harold D. Underdown

The Purple Crayon: Books About Children's Books

For Students 9th - 10th
A list of books about children's literature. A good resource for one who is looking for information or research about children's literature. Click on each link for the book's Amazon.com page.
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Unit Plan
Harold D. Underdown

The Purple Crayon: Reference Books

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive list of general reference books concerning children's literature and publishing. Includes dictionaries, publishing guides, and manuals of style.
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Unit Plan
Harold D. Underdown

The Purple Crayon: Children's Magazines, Orgs, Websites

For Students 9th - 10th
A rather comprehensive and resourceful list of children's literature organizations and websites. Each listing provides a link to the magazine, company, or organization's website.
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Activity
Harold D. Underdown

An Agent's Advice on Selling/ Publishing Your Artwork

For Students 9th - 10th
An artist's representative presents basic steps and tips to selling or publishing your artwork as illustrations for books. Written primarily for children's literature, but may also apply to other genres as well.
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Activity
Harold D. Underdown

Publishing: The Artist/ Agent Team

For Students 9th - 10th
Some interesting and helpful advice for illustrators who are looking to get published. Discusses the pros and cons of getting an agent (artist's representative) and some practical advice concerning getting your artistic work published.
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Handout
Harold D. Underdown

The Use of Visual Elements to Tell a Better Story

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Short article gives excellent tips concerning how to use visual elements to enhance a written story. Article was written specifically for children's literature, but can also apply to other genres as well.
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Activity
Harold D. Underdown

Publishing for Illustrators: Portfolio Portent

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An informational resource concerning what to include in a portfolio for publication submission. Is geared toward illustrators, but many of the concepts in this article can also be applied to writers.