New here, looking for a list of publishers ?

1) The publisher will choose the illustrator.

2) You find a publisher by researching. I'd start by buying (or checking out from the library) the latest edition of the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market. Then you have to target your submissions -- find where your book would fit.

Good luck!

CCappelletti said:

Hello!

I'm new here, and just got started writing. I've written a childrens book, a picture book really based on about preschool age. I'd like it to be basically two lines per page, and maybe just a few pages long. Anyway, how do I get started with submitting it? I've read the other threads here about how to make the manuscript look, and how to set it up for submitting, but I have a few other questions.

Does it need to be illustrated before submission?

What publishers should I submit my manuscript to?

Thanks in advance!
Colleen

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Hi, and welcome. There's lots of info in the Writing for Children forum about writing picture books and the submission process.

I'm also going to post a link to another thread going on right now with some info you might find helpful:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151002

To answer your questions:
I'm not sure your pb manuscript is yet ready for submission, based on your description. But you can best figure that out by reading the cross-referenced thread, reading up here and on other sites, and going to the library or a good books store and reading a whole lot of the picture books published by the large trade publishers in the last few years.

You can also post your text in the childrens subforum in the Share Your Work forum to get some critique on the manuscript. And read some of the other threads on there to see what critiques are being made.

You can also google submitting picture books (and similar wording) and will find other sites with info - like this one that is very helpful:
http://www.underdown.org/picture-books-illustrations.htm But be careful about avoiding scams and vanity presses - anyone you see asking for submissions, check them out in the Beware and Background Check forum and on Preditors and Editors before submitting.

I'd also suggest joining the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators. (again, see cross-referenced thread).

Once you have your manuscript as good as it can get and you are sure it is ready to be submitted - then you need to decide whether to seek an agent or go straight to submitting to publishers - read around in childrens and the query letter forum of Share Your Work for more info on subbing to agents.

For publishers, there are a number of books and online guides to help you find them and their guidelines.

As for your next question, no, it does not need to be illustrated, and in fact unless you yourself are a professional artist, it shouldn't be. Simply sub the text and the publisher, if they choose to publish it, will pick the illustrator.

good luck.

~suki

Start here:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39596

Getting a picture book ready and published is a lot harder than most people realize. You really need to do your research if you want to have any success. Good luck!

CCappelletti said:

Also, what if I have a friend who is a professional artist who might want to Illustrate it?

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From what I have read, it's really hard for a new writer to break into the picture book market. And even harder to do it with a book that's already been illustrated.

If by chance you are a decent illustrator, or know of someone to illustrate for you (and you *really* want it done your way), wait until your text is picked up by an agent (or a publishing house), and then after the deal is done, casually mention that you have illustrations of your own, or have a perfect artist in mind. There might be a chance they'll ask for samples