October 2001

Do You Know Where I Can Find Information About Picture Book Proposals?

My editor has asked me to submit a one-page proposal for my current picture book. Do you know where I can find any information about picture book proposals?

In the article, "How I Eat, Er -- Write a Synopsis" by Victoria J. Coe, you'll find out how to divide your story into three parts, sum it up, plus an example of out a story synopsis. There's a link to her article online at the end of my column. Or look for her article under the title, "The Basics of Synopsis Writing (With a Hint of Chocolate)" in the 2001 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market.

The Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals, by Moira Allen, contains an excellent chapter on the novel proposal. Her guidelines for the novel synopsis provide a list of several basic elements, which you'll find helpful and can easily apply to your picture book synopsis.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: For Peggy Tibbetts' interview with Pattie Schnetzler, see http://www.writing-world.com/children/pattie.shtml.]

Can We Submit Our Manuscript With Illustrations?

My friend and I have just finished a children's book about AD/HD. I looked at some books about disabilities and thought I'd found the perfect publisher. However, they liked my subject but did not want me to submit a manuscript with illustrations. They prefer their own illustrator. The beauty of our script is that it's written for early elementary, and illustrated by an early elementary child. It's really not possible for me to submit my script without the illustrations. First of all, this project is a co-production and second of all it would almost be like submitting a picture book without the pictures. Each page has only one or two sentences on it and the illustration is essential, especially for children with AD/HD, who are more attracted by illustrations than by words. Would you have any suggestions?

Publishers almost always have a slate of illustrators they work with and these artists rely on the publishers for work. Although sometimes, once a manuscript is accepted for publication and the contract is signed, the editor will be open to suggestions for illustrators. Then you can bring up your own illustrator and "audition" those illustrations for consideration.

It's very important that you don't force the illustrations on the editor. Those negotiations can come after you've signed the contract. I know several picture book authors who were allowed to request or choose the illustrator, but that option only came about after the contract was signed for the text. Editors prefer to deal with one thing at a time.

For more information about writing and submitting picture books, read "So You'd Like To Get Published..." at The Dave Ross Home Page.

Where Can I Find Names of Editors and Agents?

Author Harold Underdown says in the 2000 Chautauqua Workshop to send manuscripts (queries, proposals etc.) to assistant editors or less known literary agents who may be a little hungrier. How does one get those names?

The Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market contains the names of small publishers, some assistant editors, as well as a list of agents who are looking for children's writers.

For an even more detailed list of agents, check out the Writers's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents by Jeff Herman.

For more information:

How I Eat, Er -- Write a Synopsis, By Victoria J. Coe

http://www.writejourney.com/webpages/synopsis.htm

So You'd Like To Get Published... By Dave Ross

http://www.daveross.org/publish.htm

Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Publications

http://www.scbwi.org/pubs.htm

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