Opinions on my picturebook character

caspermac · Jul 26, 2011

Heya,
I wanted your opinions on my picture book story 'Butterbee and the Easter Egg'
It's about a giant bumble bee with the wings of a butterfly called Butterbee. He lives in a hive (which is actually a little house inside) that hangs from an oak tree on a farm. I sent quite a few submissions away but the picture book market is very difficult to get into.
I was wondering if I should adapt it a little to explain the story behind easter and try the Christian markets instead?
Thanks

sissybaby · Jul 26, 2011

Good luck with your PB idea. Unfortunately, the market is difficult to break into, but without a sample of the writing, it would be impossible to even begin to offer advice or express an opinion.

Wander around a bit, and leave helpful comments to get your post count up, and then try giving us a sample in the children's SYW section.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

MsJudy · Jul 26, 2011

casper...

One of the things that will limit your PB's chances is that it is holiday-related. The character sounds charming, but your sales will be zero the day after Easter. So that right there is going to give you more problems. For a debut author, a book that will sell year-round will probably get more interest.

As for the Christian market...something I know nothing about. But I suspect that mixing fantasy (an animal that doesn't really exist) with accepted doctrine like the story of Easter wouldn't be an easy sell. I would suggest going to your local Christian bookstore and reading a whole bunch of PBs to give yourself an idea of the market.

caspermac · Jul 26, 2011

Thanks for the advice, I'm starting to get my post number up so that I can submit some work to the SWY but that's so I can get some feedback on my fantasy novel.

Torgo · Jul 26, 2011

JudScotKev said:
casper...

One of the things that will limit your PB's chances is that it is holiday-related. The character sounds charming, but your sales will be zero the day after Easter. So that right there is going to give you more problems. For a debut author, a book that will sell year-round will probably get more interest

Congrats on 4K posts!

Most picture books will do most of their sales over three months or so, so don't be worried about seasonal themes. Easter and Xmas books are always welcome.

MsJudy · Jul 26, 2011

Torgo said:
Congrats on 4K posts!

OMG, I hadn't noticed.

I really do need to get a life...

I did have a boyfriend...almost...until he got stuck in an evil totalitarian regime.

So I guess I'll just keep hanging out with youse guys...

caspermac · Jul 27, 2011

I'm having a 'slow' moment this morning, what does 4K posts mean?

suki · Jul 27, 2011

Torgo said:
Congrats on 4K posts!

Most picture books will do most of their sales over three months or so, so don't be worried about seasonal themes. Easter and Xmas books are always welcome.

Actually, in the US market, this is not accurate advice for an unpublished author looking to break into PBs.

First, picture books aren't remaindered or treated quite like novels in that brief window to sell.

Second, it's not just the seasonally short shelf time that makes holiday themed picture books a hard sell for an unpublished writer (though that is part of it). A complicating issue is that holiday books are especially likely to have buyers look for familiar characters in a holiday book.

So, every agent and editor I've heard in person or read online answer a question like this has said that while not impossible, for picture books, adding a holiday makes it an even harder sell - at least to a US trade publisher.

I know very little of the Christian book market or if it might help it sell there.

~suki

Torgo · Jul 27, 2011

suki said:
Actually, in the US market, this is not accurate advice for an unpublished author looking to break into PBs.

First, picture books aren't remaindered or treated quite like novels in that brief window to sell.

Second, it's not just the seasonally short shelf time that makes holiday themed picture books a hard sell for an unpublished writer (though that is part of it). A complicating issue is that holiday books are especially likely to have buyers look for familiar characters in a holiday book.

So, every agent and editor I've heard in person or read online answer a question like this has said that while not impossible, for picture books, adding a holiday makes it an even harder sell - at least to a US trade publisher.

I know very little of the Christian book market or if it might help it sell there.

~suki

Hmm, that's interesting. It's not my experience of the UK market. Also I'm often told by our Rights department that seasonal books are appreciated by US buyers (maybe they're not buying home-grown stuff!)

MsJudy · Jul 27, 2011

I think seasonal books are popular, just hard for debut authors to sell.

Caspermac, look under your name along the left margin. It says how many posts you've posted on this website. I apparently have been exercising my right to free speech quite a lot lately.

Averon, that does it. You're not the first person to make that mistake (Scot and Kev are my sons, I don't know why I included them in my user name). Expect a name change as soon as a mod can show me how to do it.

caspermac · Jul 27, 2011

Caspermac, look under your name along the left margin. It says how many posts you've posted on this website. I apparently have been exercising my right to free speech quite a lot lately.

Thanks.

I've already had 8 rejections for this manuscript, but at least on person took the time to write a quick note with the rejection.

suki · Jul 27, 2011

Torgo said:
Hmm, that's interesting. It's not my experience of the UK market. Also I'm often told by our Rights department that seasonal books are appreciated by US buyers (maybe they're not buying home-grown stuff!)

As Jud says, they are very popular. But the shelves are crowded with old favorites and familiar characters having holiday adventures. So, trade publishers are often skeptical that an unknown author's holiday book can get a foothold if it's competing for a short window with a saturated market of holiday books.

It can definitely happen - I'd never say impossible. But I'd say the writer has to carefully consider if the holiday is an essential part of the plot, becuase it makes it harder, not easier, to sell.

~suki

Opinions on my picturebook character

caspermac

sissybaby

MsJudy

caspermac

Torgo

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.

MsJudy

caspermac

suki

Opinionated

Torgo

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.

MsJudy

caspermac

suki

Opinionated