I have a children's novel coming out in September. The publisher is advertising it as the first book in a series. However, I only have a contract for the first book. Should I start writing a sequel or wait until I have a contract to start? Thanks!-
Write your sequel. But umless it is written into you contract, you are not obligated to offer your current publisher first refusal. Going to another publisher first, however, may burn bridges with your current publisher, and that is rarely wise. And word does get around.
I have to agree. If you already had intentions to write a sequel then there's no reason to not write it. Get to work on it now and you at least have a head-start when they try to contract the next book. There's no downside.
I would not waste time writing book two until you're contracted to do so. If they decide they don't want it, it's unlikely you'll be able to pitch it elsewhere. Talk to your publisher, and see if you can get a contract. If they want to wait, then you should work on something else. Also, check your contract for wording about other books involving the characters or settings...
If you still have an interest to write it, get busy. It is always easier to sell a product in hand than an idea of a product.
