Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing
Children's Books: The Purple Crayon

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What Is The Purple Crayon?

Logo: Writing Children's Books, Illustrating Children's Books, and Publishing Children's Books: The Purple Crayon

I am a children's book editor, and I created this site so I could post articles and other materials about how to publish a children's book. Over the years, the site has grown and now includes articles contributed by other people, covering writing, illustrating, marketing, and editing.

Why The Purple Crayon?
My first name's Harold, and I have always loved the Harold and the Purple Crayon books by Crockett Johnson. So the name and design of this site are an allusion and a tribute to them.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to
Publishing Children's Books

Buy at Amazon
The C.I. Guide to Publishing Children's Books

"I wish this book had been around when I first started out!"
--Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist

"A guided tour of children’s book and magazine publishing that never skips a step. For seasoned writers and illustrators it is valuable. For beginners, it is essential. I learned plenty!”
--Gail Carson Levine, Newbery Honor winner

“If you want to see your work published, this is the one book you absolutely must have. Why? Because Harold tells the truth about publishing for kids and teens. . . . This book unveils all the secrets.”
--Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak, Fever 1793, and Chains

Idiot's Guide 3rd Edition Home Page:

"[Harold] left his yard, taking his purple crayon and the moon along. To get very far he was going to need a lot of words. B is for Books. He could find plenty of words in a pile of big books. He was ready for anything." -- Crockett Johnson, Harold's ABC.

This is a personal site, created and maintained by Harold Underdown, with help from others. Last update: January 8, 2024.