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Building a career as a children's author

  • ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Children’s publishing is highly competitive and crowded, with debut and established authors alike often struggling to break through the barriers to publication, let alone gain the sales and award recognition required for a long-term career. So what does it take to build a sustainable career as a children’s author, and what does the day to day of that work realistically look like?  

Children’s author and part-time bookseller Jo Dabrowski began her writing career in advertising before moving into writing for kids. Since 2020 she has published seven children’s books, ranging from board books and picture books to middle grade fiction — a publication history which paints a picture of great success and, to an outsider, even makes it seem easy. Jo will join the ASA’s Professional Development and Events Manager, Kate Adams, in conversation to explore all the time, effort, and labour she has put in behind the scenes to get to where she is today. 

Jo will share:

  • What she has learned to look for when researching your publishing options and planning your approach
  • The steps you can take to diversify your output as a children’s creator
  • What to expect from a career as a children’s author today
  • What bookselling has taught her about the realities of children’s writing and the publishing industry

If you’re in need of inspiration or practical insight to kick your writing career into gear, learn from Jo how you too can develop your craft, experiment with your approach, and hustle hard to work towards your publication goals. 

There will be time for questions from the audience.

Who is this for?

  • Children’s authors seeking insight and inspiration on how to build a sustainable writing career

About the presenter

Jo Dabrowski
Jo Dabrowski
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Can't make it to the live session?

No problem! Everyone booked in to this event will be emailed a link and passcode to access the recording afterwards. This recording will be available to view for 10 days after the live session. This also means that if you wish to revisit the session after attending it live to take further notes, you can do so!

After 10 days, the link will expire and the recording will no longer be available to view.