If You Want to Write a Story

Crafting a great story can be as fun as reading one with this action-packed introduction to fiction writing as your child’s guide!

Nothing is quite as exciting and frustrating as chasing a story idea out of your head and onto the page. Award-winning author and illustrator Jeff Mack should know— he’s been telling stories since the second grade. With How to Write a Story, he brings the writing process to life for the next generation of yarn spinners.

“Ideas are hiding anywhere,” our narrator notes as we open on a pensive mouse at his writing desk. This proves true a moment later, when a stuffed bunny leaps from a shelf and out of the house, straight to a cardboard box spaceship. “Writing a story is like traveling through space,” we continue as mouse and bunny do just that: “It may take you a long time. You may not always know where you’re going.” Once landed on an alien planet, the adventure continues to the bottom of the sea, the stomach of a big fish, and the lair of a killer robot. Each thrilling beat illustrates a tool in the fiction writer’s kit.

Whether used in the classroom or gifted to the talented youngster in your life, How to Write a Story is timeless, multifaceted, and empowering.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs