Have you ever written a children’s story? Perhaps it’s a bedtime story you told to your child or your grandchild, and you finally got it down on paper. Or maybe it’s a story you wrote to impart an important moral or lesson. Or maybe it’s a story you wrote just for fun.

I’ve written all of those kinds of stories. And honestly, some were much better than others.

But what’s next? What do you do with the story after you’ve written it?

The first thing I do after I’ve written a new story is put it away. If it’s on the computer, I close the file. Then I let it sit for a few days, maybe even a week. That way, when I look at it again, I’m looking at it with a fresh set of eyes.

Next, I get ready to edit — to make a lot of changes to make my story the very best it can be. I don’t know of any writer who has created their best work the first time through. I revise all of my stories and books multiple times before I even think about submitting them, and then I go back and revise some more!

To make your story even better, consider finding a critique partner or joining a critique group. I’ve been a member of an online critique group since 2004. There are three other writers in the group, and we all live in different parts of North America. Even though we have never met face-to-face, we are able to support, encourage, and help one another with our projects. For the past two years, I’ve also been a member of a critique group that meets in person where I’m able to get critiques on illustrations as well.

Once your story is as polished as possible, then it’s time to start searching for a home for it. You can find books featuring writer’s markets online, in bookstores, or in your library. These books are updated every year, so try to find the most recent edition. Look for markets that accept the kind of story you wrote. For example, don’t send your fantasy picture book to a publisher than only deals with nonfiction.  If you’re submitting to a magazine, be aware that many magazines follow monthly themes. Don’t submit your short story about aliens in Alabama to a magazine looking for stories about squirrels.

Make a list of the possible markets for your story. To be sure you have the most updated information, visit the publishers’ websites, too.

It’s a great feeling to put that final punctuation mark on the page. But get ready, because there’s still a lot of hard work ahead!