HELP - submitting picture book

[September skies]

I am submitting a children's book to a publisher but I have a couple of questions. No querry, obviously, just a cover letter with complete ms. No problem there.

I have followed the guidelines for submission but some things aren't clear.

:Shrug:

1. It says to keep it under 1,000 words. Mine is 250. is that too short for this publisher? It does not say to make it a minimum number of words.

2. It says to double-space, etc. etc. No problem there but how will they know when one page (of the story) is over and the next one starts? Do I label it in any way so that they know this?

3. They say -- no need to send illustrations or provide an illustrator, if they are interested, they will find one. But, if we want, we can send in some illustration copies.
well...I'm no artist. So I'm better off not sending in my art work. BUT, I had some darling drawings in mind to go with the story. I guess the thing to do is to keep my mouth shut. I'm assuming they aren't interested in knowing anything else at this point. If they find their own illustrator (I'm thinking positive here) do I get a say on the drawings at all?

If anyone can help answer these (without me scrolling through pages and pages of Uncle Jim thread) I would appreciate it. Thanks.:Shrug:

[Torgo]

1. For a picture book, there's no minimum word limit.
2. It doesn't really matter. In my experience, picture book editors are happy to look at a text with no obvious breaks in it - they know where they ought to go. But maybe put paragraph breaks where you envisage each page ending and it should be obvious enough.
3. Don't mention anything about illustrations, is my advice. You will probably get a say on the art in the sense that they will show you roughs and things and will get a chance to object - if you really, really hate the artwork they may consider changing it. I haven't ever known this to happen, though (more because the art has always been acceptable than anything else.)

[Storyteller5]

I'm working through the massive Uncle Jim thread still too! :ROFL:

1. I wouldn't worry about word count. If you are concerned, check their book list to see if they have done other books that length.

2. You don't need to label page breaks. The illustrator will know what pictures would work best. You can always discuss this with your editor after acceptance.

3. From what I've read, some houses give you say on illustrations and some houses you don't. Looking at other books the publishers has put out will give you an idea of what kind of look they tend to go with.

Good luck!

[KelseyF]

Thankyou for asking this question! I was wondering the same thing as your question two. Good thing I decided to take a look before posting my own thread.

K~