'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Thursday 6 April 2023

Guest Post: Aakanksha Jain on Overcoming Challenges Faced by Children's Authors

Aakanksha Jain loves to celebrate the magic of reading and the charm of books and is one of India's top reviewers. Today she shares her 'Guide to Success' for overcoming some of the common challenges faced by those attempting to pen quality stories for young people.

Aspiring children's authors often face a unique set of challenges on the path to success. 

Writing for children requires a different approach than writing for adults, and it can be difficult to create stories that are both engaging and appropriate for a young audience. 

In this article, we will explore some of the common problems faced by children's authors and provide practical solutions for overcoming them.

Challenge #1: Finding the right balance
One of the biggest challenges faced by children's authors is finding the right balance between entertainment and education. While children's books should be fun and engaging, they should also provide some educational value. The key is to strike a balance that doesn't overwhelm young readers with information but still provides valuable lessons.

Solution: Think about your target audience and the message you want to convey. Make sure that your story is age-appropriate and that the lessons you are teaching are conveyed in a way that is fun and easy to understand.

Challenge #2: Creating relatable characters
Another challenge for children's authors is creating relatable characters that will resonate with young readers. Children want to see themselves in the characters they read about, and it can be difficult to create characters that are both unique and relatable.

Solution: Draw inspiration from your own experiences and those of the children in your life. Think about the qualities that make a character relatable and incorporate those into your writing. Use dialogue and action to develop characters and make them more dynamic.

Challenge #3: Dealing with rejection
Rejection is a common experience for writers, and children's authors are no exception. It can be disheartening to receive rejection letters or negative feedback on your work, especially when you've put so much time and effort into it.

Solution: Remember that rejection is a part of the writing process, and that it is not a reflection of your talent or potential. Use rejection as an opportunity to learn and grow as a writer. Seek feedback from other writers or professionals in the industry and use it to improve your writing.

Challenge #4: Balancing creativity and commercial success
For many children's authors, there is a tension between creativity and commercial success. While it's important to write from the heart and create something that is unique and original, it's also important to consider the marketability of your work.

Solution: Find a balance between your creative vision and the needs of the market. Do your research and understand what children are reading and what is popular. Use this information to inform your writing and marketing strategy.

In conclusion, writing for children can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By understanding the unique challenges faced by children's authors and implementing the solutions discussed in this article, you can create stories that are engaging, educational, and commercially successful. Remember to stay true to your vision, seek feedback from others, and always keep learning and growing as a writer.


Author’s Bio – Aakanksha Jain is an Indian writer. Her first book is How to Become an Amazon Influencer? and her second book is a collection of micro-fiction stories named Reflection, published in 2022. She is also the founder of Books Charming, India’s Top Book Reviewing site.

 Follow  Aakanksha via her Instagram account.