Guiding Young Minds: A Discourse with Kieran Fanning on Children's Literature
In the world of children's literature, excitement is building as Irish author Kieran Fanning prepares for the publication of his debut novel, 'The Black Lotus'. This Middle Grade adventure, set in a near-future samurai-dominated world, promises to captivate young readers with its thrilling narrative.
Fanning, a teacher in Co. Meath, Ireland, has an MA in Children's Literature and a passion for storytelling that spans beyond the classroom. His ideas for plots and stories come from a variety of sources, including books, movies, songs, poems, people, newspapers, and Twitter.
For Fanning, the key to hooking a young audience is to dazzle them every step of the way. He advises aspiring writers to persist in their efforts, as it may take time to make it in the industry. Fanning also stresses the importance of seeking critiques from people who are not friends or family, especially from readers or writers of their genre. He recommends joining writing groups or online communities for critiques, as the non-face-to-face contact often encourages honesty.
Finding an agent and a publisher for children's books is a process that typically involves preparing a strong book proposal or manuscript tailored for the children's market, researching literary agents who specialize in children’s literature, querying agents with a personalized letter, synopsis, and sample chapters, and negotiating publishing contracts through the agent after interest from publishers. Fanning found his agent by making a list of agents from the Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook and submitting his manuscript to multiple agents.
Fanning's determination and love for writing paid off when he received two publishing offers. He chose Chicken House as his publisher, and 'The Black Lotus' is set to be released this summer. Fanning advises aspiring writers to write what they want to write, and to ask for advice but learn which advice to take and which to reject.
In addition to 'The Black Lotus', Fanning has written four puzzle/adventure books for children and school textbooks. He also has a unique hobby – he trained as a Matador de Toros. Fanning's love for writing, his dedication to his craft, and his ability to captivate readers are what will undoubtedly make him a successful author in the children's literature world.
For inspiration and advice on writing, Fanning recommends reading books by Patrick Ness. He does not read "How to" books or non-fiction, preferring to immerse himself in fiction for both children and adults to help him with writing for children.
As we eagerly await the release of 'The Black Lotus', it is clear that Kieran Fanning is a promising new voice in children's literature. His passion for storytelling, combined with his unique perspective and engaging writing style, promise to make 'The Black Lotus' a must-read for young readers this summer.
[1] Children's Books Ireland [3] The Irish Times [5] The Guardian
- Kieran Fanning's lifestyle as a teacher and his passion for storytelling extend beyond the classroom into the realm of children's literature, where he pursues education-and-self-development by continuously seeking critiques and advice fromwriting groups, online communities, and established authors like Patrick Ness.
- With his debut novel, 'The Black Lotus', scheduled for release this summer, Kieran Fanning sets an inspiring example for aspiring authors, demonstrating that a commitment to one's craft, combined with a unique perspective and engaging writing style, can lead to success in the competitive world of children's literature.
