Q. [This is from a real letter.] I am a teacher [in Maine]. Last year you visited our school. I have always dreamed of writing a children's book and after seeing you speak, I followed my dream and have just completed a book. Thank you for your awesome presentation that pushed me. I am now wondering what the next steps would be if I wanted to publish it. Where do I go now and who do I contact?

A. I always admire people who "just do it." You have no idea how many people are "thinking" of writing a book--but never seem to. Here's some general advice:

1. Get someone who is a writer or editor to look over the manuscript for typos and grammatical errors, if you're not 100% sure of your technical skills.Make sure it is as good as it can be before you go to step 2.

2. Type it up DOUBLE SPACED. Put your name and address on the title page.

3. Do not bother to find an illustrator for it (editors prefer to see unillustrated manuscripts).

The exception: if you are primarily an artist and want to do your own book. In that case, you need to buy a book on illustration, which will tell you how to submit artwork to an editor. Basically you will need to submit one piece of finished art, sample sketches and dummy. You may make suggestions about the art, if it is critical to understanding the text (if for example the text says one thing but an illustration shows something else happening, for humorous effect).

4. Research publishers. Go to a library or bookstore and see who is publishing the kind of book (ie., humor, biography, picture book, novel) you have written.

5. Send your manuscript to your favorite publisher, addressed by name if you know the editor, to "Editor" if not. Some people advise sending out three mss at a time, because it can take over three months to hear back from publishers. Enclose a SASE and a cover letter, which explains how many publishers you've submitted to simultaneously and says a little about yourself, listing any writing credentials you might have: "I'm a third grade teacher, and this is my first book. I 've taken two courses on writing for children." Don't tell any more than you need to: the manuscript should stand on its own. Editors don't care if your niece loves the story.

6. For non-fiction, the process is very different. Your cover letter must stress why you have the credentials to write about your subject, and you need to submit an outline, rather than a finished manuscript.

7. Wait. Patiently. Say a few prayers.

8. Start again at Step 5 when you get your first rejection.

9. Some good references, and resources:

* How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published, by Barbara Seuling (good all-round writing--and illustrating--advice);

* The Children's Writers and Illustrators Market (lists publishers and their needs);

* Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (www.SCBWI.org), a national membership organization that will answer ALL your questions in greater depth than I can;

* and for Mainers, Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance in Bath, Maine ( http://mainewriters.org/ tel. (207)386-1400) which has wonderful workshops for writers of all levels (including children's writers), a great newsletter, and is just a general all around great resource for writers. (Join!).

Q. How can I get my students' work published?

A. Here are some places that publish student work. [Note: Beware "national poetry contests" that offer to publish "winners'" writing for a fee; they generally are scams.]

· "Kids Are Authors Competition," which publishes picture books written by whole classes of kids through Willowisp Publishing; SBF Services Inc., 10100 SBF Drive, Pinellas Park, FL 34660.

· Stone Soup Magazine is a national magazine that publishes the art and writing of children up to age 13. Send submissions to: Stone Soup, Submissions Dept. , P.O. Box 83 , Santa Cruz, CA 95063. Or get guidelines from the web site: Stonesoup.com. Include your name, age, home address, phone number, and e-mail address if you have one.

· Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest is a PBS-run yearly contest for young writers and illustrators from grades K-3. Contact PBS or go to the web site: Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest

· River of Words. Web site of the River of Words yearly student poetry and art competition for all grade levels. This is a wonderful web site, with resources for both students and teachers, examples of past winners, and contest guidelines.