May 2002
How Does an Illustrator Break in?
I am an illustrator who has not been published. I have many ideas for picture books, but none are in manuscript form. I will appreciate any comments and advice you can give me.While there are certainly exceptions, usually illustrators have to break in with publishers through the art department, by being chosen as an illustrator. Once an illustrator has a collaborative published book to her credit, she can begin the process of selling herself as an author/illustrator. Since you are an illustrator, I encourage you to put together a clean, professional portfolio, and submit your portfolio to the art directors at children's book publishing companies. The children's book publishers section of the 2002 Children's Writer's & Illustrators Market contains submission guidelines, as well as some great articles for illustrators. Also, Writing With Pictures: How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books by Uri Shulevitz, is an excellent reference about creating a picture book portfolio.
Are There Any Online Children's Magazines?
I took the Institute of Children's Literature writing course two years ago and wrote some poems and stories that my instructor said weren't "strong enough" for picture books. He said I should submit them to children's magazines. But I've submitted my work to several children's magazines without any luck. I don't have any writing credits since I don't have anything published yet. I did win a poetry contest in an ezine and I know other writers who are getting work published on the Internet. Do you know of any children's magazines or ezines that are published on the Internet? Is the Internet is a good way for a children's writer to break in?Yes, but first things first. Your poem won an ezine contest. Winning a contest is a writing credit. If your winning poem was published in the ezine or at the ezine's web site then you can count that as a publishing credit. Getting your work published on the Internet, in ezines, newsletters, or at web sites, is an excellent way for new writers to break in because there is always a huge demand for good content on the web. Whether or not editors choose to recognize Internet publishing is more subjective, however writers must continue to present them with Internet publishing credits and eventually those editors who are slow to warm up to the web will gradually accept it as a legitimate market. Although there are plenty of editors do recognize web publishing credits.
As for online children's magazines, there aren't many. The most popular duo right now is "Wee Ones & Wee Parents E-magazine." Jennifer and Jeff Reed are the creators and editors of these two online only magazines. "Wee Parents" is the companion magazine to "Wee Ones," containing articles, book reviews, and resources for parents. "Wee Ones" is geared for children ages 3 to 8. Each issue is published online monthly and features short (150-200 words) articles and stories, plus activity ideas and poems. Submission guidelines can be found at their web site. They pay $5 for poems, and 3 cents per word for articles and stories. In their April email newsletter, the Reeds advised, "Please expect to wait 1-3 weeks before receiving a response from our submission department. We will be accepting only the highest quality writing and art samples. Placing material for our November/December issues. Need Wee Teach articles for teachers. Will open up issue for 2003 in July!"
Also take a look at "Parents and Children Together Online," a project of The Family Literacy Center, featuring original stories and articles to encourage parents and children to enjoy reading together. They're looking for articles, stories, and poems, for children from preschool to eighth grade. They also publish articles for parents and children's writers, plus reviews of children's books and parents' magazines. According the Writer's Guidelines at the web site, they are a non-paying market: "All we can offer is a wide audience for your work."
Chances are pretty good for more online children's magazines making appearances on the web. Be sure to follow my column every month. I will post any information I learn about new online children's magazines.
How Can I Get My Children's Book Published?
I have written a short story for children, and I would like to know how to have the book published. I have never submitted any of my writing to an agent; this is the first time. I would appreciate any advice you could give me.The most valuable advice I can give you is to join the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Canada Chapter. SCBWI is an incredible organization. You'll receive lots of help and guidance through their bi-monthly Bulletin and other publications, such publishers' guidelines, agent listings, etc., which are free to all members. They can also provide information about your regional director who will help you find other children's writers in your local area.
The Children's Writer's & Illustrators Market is another great resource for articles and advice, plus guidelines for submitting to publishers and agents.
Check out my November 2001, column, "How To Gain an Edge in the Competitive Children's Book Market," featuring four publications for children's writers that contain specific information about what publishers are looking for from writers.
I wish you the best of luck!
For more information:
Peggy Tibbetts has been a professional writer, editor, and full member of the Society for Children's Book Writers & Illustrators for the past 26 years. She offers courses in children's writing and has edited several successful children's manuscripts. She is the author of the children's novel The Road to Weird, as well as the adult novel Rumors of War. Peggy also moderates the The Write List discussion list at Yahoo.
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