I attended a public webinar hosted by writeforkids.org
Here are some of my notes. They talked about word count for different books. Any inaccuracies are the fault of the note taker.

Board books –
– Ages 0-2, up to 200 words.
– There are illustrations on each page.
– 12-24 pgs average.

Picture Books:
– Are meant to be read out loud.
– 3-5 ages fiction and nonfiction 500-800 words average.
– 4-8 ages, fiction, and nonfiction 500-1000 words average.
– 6-10 ages nonfiction 1k to 2 k average. It can be illustrated with photos or illustrations.
– 8-12 nonfiction 2K to 3200 words average. It can be illustrated or have photos. Maybe be longer – than 48 pgs.

Easy Readers –
– Meant for kids to read on their own.
– They have simple sentences and short paragraphs.
– They are for kids learning to read on their own. Fiction and nonfiction.
– Most easy readers are part of a leveled series with 3-4 levels for preschool through second grade.
– Sentences become more complex and text is longer.
– Short Chapters occur in higher-level easer readers.
– Text range from 100 to 1200 words.

Chapter books –
– Fiction and nonfiction can be broken up in short chapters.
– They are for children reading on their own.
– Can be illustrated.
– There is a lot of action and dialog to keep the pages turning.
– 5-8 age 1k t0 2500 words. They can be black and white or color. Illustrations can be on ost of the pages but text plays a bigger role/
– 7-8 ages up to 10K. Maybe had 1 to 2 black /white illustrations per chapter.

Middle grade –
– Full novels or chapter-length nonfiction 8-12ages.
– 20-55K on average.
– The characters range between 9-12.
– Animals are popular characters.
– There are a lot of creative formats.
– Good for all types of stories.

Upper middle grade. –
– Same as above but geared toward middle school readers 10-14 ages.
– Characters are a bit older 11-12.
– Conflicts are more sophisticated.
– Geared to readers 6-9 ages if they are good readers.
– Some stories (such as fantasy) may be accessible to younger readers.

Young adults –
– Full novels or chapter-length nonfiction 12+ ages.
– Word counts are 50K to 85K average.
– 14+ characters.
– Kids might have a romance.

Upper Young Adults –
– Full novels, chapter-length nonfiction for 14+ ages.
– 50-85K average.
– Characters 15+ fiction.
– Readers are Juniors or Seniors in high school.
– Upper young adults might have kids having sex.

How books are traditional published:
1. authors write a book
2. gets reviewed by peers/ beta readers
3. submit to agent or editor. May have to submit to different agents and editors. The agent submits to the editor.
4. Editors take the book to editors meeting (marketing, financing, and art departments.
5. Book read by other editors,
6. The editor offers the author a contract. /agent negotiates contract.
7. Book edited
8. The book is edited, designed illustrated.
9. Prepublishing, marketing, sent to reviewers.
10. The book is published.
11. Post publications marketing signings, school visits interviews. Blog tours.

Traits to succeed:
– You need to be willing to learn
– Respect your readers (write to not down to children).
– Be flexible.
– Believe in yourself. (you have what you need inside you to succeed.)
– Have a passion for the process.
Link: https://writeforkids.lpages.co/dream-launcher-video-2/