I just finished typing up the first draft of Bobby the Brown Pelican. Word count: 1,168. I don’t even know if that’s the right length for a children’s (around 5-6) book, or if it’s too long or too short. I will do a little research and read a few children’s books. I am somewhat familiar with them, but I need to study them more intensely. I will also try to find a few beta readers, who have experience in this field. I believe the simplicity of the language is at the right level. I have taught children of this age, so I think I have a feel for the way they talk.
I have been thinking of publishing it myself on Amazon or Smashwords, but now I am leaning toward a traditional publisher. I have found lots of royalty-free photographs of pelicans on Pixabay and Pexels. The trick will be to find the ones that match up with what is happening in the story.
Now it’s on to writing a sci-fi horror story about an American colonel torturing an alien armada commander in an apocalyptic future. This is more my style.
Phil Slattery, Writer, Publisher 