FAQ

Do you need to submit your manuscript with illustrations to get it published?

The short answer is that it depends on whether you are an author OR an author/illustrator. The long answer is…

For writers: If you are planning to submit your book (manuscript) to a traditional publisher*, you don’t need to hire an illustrator to create a finished prototype, a.k.a. ”dummy” with illustrations. In fact, sending your manuscript with illustrations may make you look like you haven’t done your homework. That’s because once your manuscript is acquired, the publisher will match your story with a professional children’s illustrator that they feel will be the best fit for your book.

If you are both an author/illustrator, then yes, submit your dummy with illustrations. Follow the submission guidelines for each publisher and/or agent. Submit a sketched-out dummy with three finished spreads in full color, final art. This shows the publishers that you are willing to collaborate with them to create the best product possible to generate the most sales of your book.

*A traditional publisher, editor, and/or agent doesn’t require a fee to submit a query or to publish your book.

Are you looking to self-publish? It is difficult to sell many copies of your book this way. You will need a solid business marketing plan unless you go the fully assisted* self-publishing route with a hybrid publisher. Regardless, the shelf space in bookstores is very competitive. You will most likely only sell your book online, and if a store does stock your book, they will only stock one book at a time. Traditional publishers have a team of people to make sure their books get into the hands of readers. If you self-publish, you are in charge of this task, which takes a lot of time.

For more details on the different paths to publication, Jane Friedman, CEO and Co-Founder of Open Road Integrated Media, has created a very helpful infographic that you can link to here. If you plan to self-publish your book, develop a marketing plan and figure out where you’re going to warehouse all your books. It’s a highly competitive business, and you will be selling the books on your own.

*A fully-assisted self-publisher (a.k.a vanity press), you pay for a publishing services package. Costs vary widely.

Where do I find more information about the children’s book industry?

• Children’s Book Council https://www.cbcbooks.org/

• Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators http://www.scbwi.org.

• Harold Underdown’s website: The Purple Crayon http://www.underdown.org

• Read: THE CHILDREN’S WRITER’S & ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET

• Book List on Writing and Illustrating.

How do you lay out the pages of a picture book?

Please visit my blog for picture book templates. BLOG