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Creative writing

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Original poster

Ok, I'm going to go for it, but how?

16 replies

FlamingoBingo · 21/03/2011 08:54

I'm going to try submitting my children's picture book for publication. I'm going to go out and buy the children's writers and artists yearbook this morning, and see if some friendly MNers will read it to their children for me to see if they like it (is that a good idea?).

And then what? Do you send mss to several publishers at once, or do you have to wait months for each rejection before submitting somewhere else? What about agents? How do they fit in?

Thanks

OP posts:

belledechocchipcookie · 24/03/2011 22:03

The amount of agents who deal with picture books are titchy so research this very carefully, look at their web sites for the up to date submission details and look at the types of author's and the genre they represent. Publisher wise, some will only accept manuscripts that are submitted by an agent (Walker books, Random house don't recommend that they are sent unsolicited manuscripts etc), Little Tiger Press will read as long as it's less then 750 words and it's worth your while looking for other ones.
I found it really helpful to read picture books that have just been published, the style and content has changed so much over the past 10 years, the publishers don't all want tame and mild.

An agent will help you with your manuscript, they will submit it to the publishing houses who do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, they will help you with the contract and will ensure your royalties are paid on time. Worth their weight in gold if you can find one. I gave up and went to a publisher first.

Hope this helps, best of luck

Original poster

FlamingoBingo · 25/03/2011 07:42

Thank you! I've found an agent and have just clicked 'send' on my submission to them! Eek! They prefer to be submitted to exclusively, so now have to wait for six weeks to hear from them. Plenty of time to get working on my other projects :)

OP posts:

MmeLindt · 25/03/2011 07:46

Good for you. It is nerve-wracking sending your book off, isn't it?

What age are you writing for? I have a 6yo and (almost) 9yo and would love to "test read".

Original poster

FlamingoBingo · 25/03/2011 08:01

I'll send it to you, MmeLindt, but you'll be in big trouble if you suggest any major revisions!

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MmeLindt · 25/03/2011 08:31

Ah, sent you my email address before I noticed your PM. Will have a look

belledechocchipcookie · 25/03/2011 11:08

Fingers crossed for you do look for alternative agents though as they sometimes don't reply at all. I don't mind having a test read if you want.

Original poster

FlamingoBingo · 25/03/2011 20:37

Yes, I've got a list of agents to work though, Belle, which kind of makes me feel not too bothered if the first ones accept or not, in a strange way. I'm kind of looking forward to preparing another submission if it doesn't work out. Only time will tell if I really won't feel disappointed when they send a rejection letter!

If I haven't heard anything by the end of April (when I get back from my holidays), I'll submit it somewhere else.

In the meantime, I'm working on another picture book, and my novel, so have plenty to be getting on with :)

OP posts:

FreudianSlippery · 28/03/2011 20:18

Can I bump this - DH and I have got some ideas for Children's books but we don't know where to start. Any ideas? :)

belledechocchipcookie · 28/03/2011 20:53

Have you written them?

The Childrens writers and artists year book is a great place to start. Do you have an age group in mind as they all have different word limits/vocab? Are they illustrated?

Original poster

FlamingoBingo · 28/03/2011 21:39

^ WSS

Get hold of the yearbook

OP posts:

belledechocchipcookie · 28/03/2011 21:45

The childrens one, it's yellow. Not the adults one (which is red)

Original poster

FlamingoBingo · 29/03/2011 08:16

The Children's one is at Amazon for about £8 (RRP £14.99!) and you can get last years' adult one, if you're lucky, at The Works for £2.99.

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FreudianSlippery · 29/03/2011 08:27

Thank you, what does it have in it?

They're not written yet, we came up with the ideas ages ago but have been too busy and wimpy to get on with it. But DH is off sick for at least another month or two so we may as well try.

I heard you shouldn't illustrate them as they prefer to find their own, is that true? Even though they are for toddlers (ie picture books)? Should you put sketches in so they know what the idea is?

FreudianSlippery · 29/03/2011 08:29

How does payment work with an agent btw, do you pay them up front or is it only when you get published or...

Original poster

FlamingoBingo · 29/03/2011 11:01

Helpful articles; lists of agents/publishers/book festivals and more.

As I understand it (don't have an agent myself yet) they get their payment as a percentage of your pay from the publisher if/when it gets published...which, of course, encourages them to work on your behalf getting the best deal. There is lots in the handbook to explain the role of agents.

And, again from what I've read, publishers don't like illustrations with text, preferring to find their own illustrators. You can do illustrations if you're a brilliant artist, but ask for them to be considered separately so they don't rejet the whole thing if they just don't like the pictures.

OP posts:

belledechocchipcookie · 29/03/2011 11:45

They don't like you to get your own illustrator, I've not sketched any pictures at all, it can make the illustrator's job harder apparantly.

Agent wise, they will take 15% of whatever it is you earn, if they can't sell your book then they don't get paid. This is why it's so hard to get one.

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