This book has an entertaining story about a child who wants to learn her colors. A younder neighbor already knows his colors and that shakes her confidence. See the clever method of teaching and the delightful way she shows her new confidence when she learns her colors. I love the author's sense of humor.

The 5 star rating and excellent price caught my attention. This was the first book I purchased on the subject of writing children's books. It's nice and thin, for easy portability, but lacks the punch I've seen in several other titles. There is some good information inside, however. I especially like the way the author points out a child's viewpoint and offers clear explanations for adults. While good instruction on writing a story and getting it publishes is here, I yearned for a little more completeness. It felt as though this was a primer on the subject instead of a true encyclopedia. I found the organization of the material to be chaotic, but it's a good beginning book.

You can't beat the price, however, and if you're looking to dip your toes in the water, this is a good place to start.

I really have a problem with reviewers like the last one who said this book didn't give enough information about getting an ISBN. (He said ISNB number but the N stands for number. He should have only said ISBN. I wonder if he has figured out how to get a set of them.) Anyway this book gives the snail mail address and the website for getting them. There are some books which print the actual forms but they cost a lot more than this little guide. Then if the forms are revised, you are stuck with the old ones. Why not go to the website, use the snail mail address, or call toll free number?

The book has so many other helpful things. Its section about fiction is one that I check to be sure I haven't left out anything important in terms of plot, etc. It has helped me get published. The book has many print and online resources for writing, selling, promoting, and self-publishing.

It also has information to help you decide if self-publishing is right for you.

I loved the message board for children's writers which I found by way of this book.

Before missing out on this little gem, you might like to read all of the reviews. This book has helped a lot of people!

It's awfully hard to find any information--at all--about self-publishing children's books. This meaty little guide has essential points that makes a challenging venture go much more smoothly. From the writing considerations to the business aspects, this book has lots of bang for the buck.

"Break a Leg, Betsy Maybe!" is about Elizabeth Cythera Wilkersen Maybe (aka Betsy Maybe), a 17-year-old girl starting her senior year at Stoney Neck High School. Three years ago, her mother and stepfather died in a car accident, and now, after spending some time at a private school, she's come to live with her aunt and uncle. Her real father was a world traveler who's been missing for thirteen years, but still remains her biggest inspiration.

One day, Betsy is invited to sit-in on a meeting of the school's drama club, Spotlighters. Before she knows it, she's involved in the upcoming play "The Madwoman of Chaillot" and two other plays later that year. Her decision to join the club mainly had to do with Nick Gretschkin, the attractive senior who's also in Spotlighters. Unfortunately, he's already involved with another fellow drama member (Stackie Delahay), but that's not going to stop Betsy from trying.

During the remaining year of high school, Betsy is overwhelmed with her feelings of "being distressed with Harry, happy with Jan, angry with Stackie, annoyed by Pierrot" --(all fellow actors)-- "inspired by Bar" --(her drama teacher)-- "communicating with Aunt Val and Uncle Win, and baffled, frustrated, agonizingly in love with, and worried about Nick."

Since being bitten by the acting bug, Betsy has made plans, like her friends, to pursue acting after high school. Even though she's lucky and is accepted at London Academy of Dramatic Art, most of her friends are rejected and left completely clueless about their futures in theater. To further the upset, one of Betsy's friends has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and expects a long battle with the radiation treatment.

"Break a Leg, Betsy Maybe!" is a pretty good book about a young woman who is troubled by her double-identity (no, not a split personality). Part of her remains as Betsy Maybe, a nervous, insecure girl who breaks out in hives when anxious, but part of her wants to be Cythera Wilkersen, her alter ego. Cythera was the name her missing father gave her, so Betsy has a certain attachment to it. "Cythera" is everything she's not but wants to be: an adventurer like her father, beautiful, strong, confident. Yet, Betsy realizes she can't compete with the unrealistic expectation and, instead, learns to grow comfortable with herself.

There are a few more complaints I do have about this book though. One, Betsy seemed too self-assured around Nick for someone who breaks out in hives sporadically. And Nick didn't seem too interested in her anyway, or, at least, I never picked up on a "vibe" between them. Two, Betsy rarely speaks about her dead mother and stepfather. I began to wonder if she was even affected by their death. She seemed more impacted by her father's disappearance and living up to his christening than being orphaned. Perhaps the author didn't want to be too depressing, but I thought a few reminiscent scenes of her mother and stepfather would have been appropriate. Otherwise, why even mention Betsy being orphaned?

Still, I would recommend this book to anyone 12 and up who enjoys school plays and drama clubs. For younger readers, you might like "What's So Funny About 9th Grade?" by Catherine Clark, since it's also about school plays.