Harry and Horsie Katie Van Camp Pictures by Lincoln Agnew Baker & Bray [An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers] 2009 370 Words 36 Pages Harry and Horsie is a picture book romp through space, where Harry jets around looking for his stuffed animal Horsie. Horsie was whisked away from earth by one of the bubbles…
#13DayPBChallenge Day 13 – How to Format A Picture Book Manuscript
The following is what SCBWI says about formatting a manuscript so that it is ready to submit: How to Format Your Manuscript “All manuscripts must be typed on 8½ ” x 11” white paper in black ink. » Use 12-point Arial or Times New Roman. » Double-space all manuscripts. » Pages should be numbered consecutively….
Agent List – for Children’s Picture Book Writers
Ausbury, Hannah VanVels Belcastro Agency First and foremost, I’m building an inclusive list with a variety of voices and genres. I’m looking for BIPOC authors, authors of color, queer authors, disabled authors, and generally, authors from historically excluded backgrounds, regardless of genre. I love identity-driven stories that reflect the first-hand, lived experiences of the creators….
#14DayPBChallenge Day 12 – How to Write a Query Letter
I’ll be very honest in saying that because my debut picture book manuscript was picked up in a Twitter Pitch Event, I have not had much experience with writing query letters, but that is about to change. I scoured the internet looking for tips for writing query letters, and my primary take-away from that research…
#14DayPBDay 11 – How to Write an Author’s Biography for A Picture Book Writer?
I’ve only been in the business of writing children’s books for a couple of years and yet, I couldn’t even venture a guess as to how many times I’ve been asked to supply a biography for myself. Doesn’t it make sense to get one good biography ready and store it somewhere safe? Better still–email your…
#14DayPBChallenge Day 10 – Let’s Practice Writing Twitter Pitches
Frances Gilbert, Vice President and Editor in Chief at Doubleday for Young Readers [under the hood of Random House Children’s Books], acquired my debut picture book The Donkey’s Song via #PBPitch, which is a Twitter Event for picture book writers who want to pitch their books to agents and editors. I have written several posts…
#14DayPBChallenge Day 9 – How to Write a Picture Book Pitch
Your Assignment for Day 9 of the #14DayPBChallenge is to Write Sample Pitches for Your Picture Book. What Is A Picture Book Pitch? Writer’s Digest Distinguishes Between A Synopsis, A Pitch, and a Query. Here: What Is A Pitch? “…an explanation of your story in 3-8 sentences. It’s like the text you see on the back…
14-Day Picture Book Challenge Day 6 – Write the First Draft of Your Manuscript
The challenge for Day 6 of the #14DayPBChallenge is to write your official first draft. We have spent several days describing, describing, researching eras, and describing some more. Today, I want to put away your notes and your descriptions, and everything else that might distract you. I want you to close your eyes and recall…
Create a Text Dummy for Your Picture Book + A Look at A Variety of Different Types of Picture Books – Different Number of Pages – Different Pages to Begin the Text
Today, I have several objectives: I want you to know how to create a picture book text dummy. Unlike an illustrator’s dummy, a text dummy is for writers. It will help them edit and re-edit their books. It will also help them with their books’ pacing–helping them understand where the page breaks should fall. Above all…
I Am Foverver Trapped in the 1800s
I am a true Romanticist. I am more engaged with my Romanic and idealized vision of the past than I am with the present. I am emotionally trapped in the 1800s, but none of my picture books [at this point] spring from that period. I am, however, currently creating one or more series of books…