Can you make a living with Children's Picture Book?

billythrilly7th · Jan 2, 2006

Can you make a living writing children's picture books?

Just wondering.

What say you?

Sage · Jan 2, 2006

I'm sure it's possible, if you're a good writer & sell lots of books. Or get a really good one that everyone loves. I'm sure that the writers of "Goodnight Moon" or "Where the Wild Things Are" are doing just fine, since they were around when I was a kid, & still are.

billythrilly7th · Jan 2, 2006

What about a bad writer that only has a couple out that not that many people buy?

Sage · Jan 2, 2006

billythrilly7 said:
What about a bad writer that only has a couple out that not that many people buy?

Hmm... I'd have to go w/ no, then.

silentpoet · Jan 3, 2006

billythrilly7 said:
What about a bad writer that only has a couple out that not that many people buy?

Then you make a living as a critic.

Grey Malkin · Jan 3, 2006

I went to a conference last summer where this was a big issue. The general advice: don't do it for the money.

kmm8n · Jan 3, 2006

It seems to me that there could be a lot of money in this! I teach 2nd grade and every day I do a mini lesson where I read a picture book and teach the kids something. Teachers also do read alouds and use books to help students understand how to write. In addition, we generally use picture books, etc. to help teach social studies and science, since we don't have text books. Plus, the kids are supposed to have 5 books at their independent level in their book baggies.

victoriastrauss · Jan 3, 2006

Making a living by writing books shouldn't even be on your goal horizon if you're seeking publication. Writing is not a lucrative career (a study done some years back showed that the average income for a professional writer was around $4,000-5,000 a year, and I don't think that has changed). Sure, there are successes, even huge successes. But even if you do get published--and even if you parlay that first publication into an ongoing writing career--the chances that you'll make enough money to actually live on are slim. I do know writers who support themselves through writing--but they work hard, and all of them either have a spouse they can fall back on, or supplement their writing income with other activities, such as teaching.

The money may come. But you shouldn't count on it.

- Victoria

billythrilly7th · Jan 3, 2006

Thank you for the answers.

Inspired · Jan 3, 2006

If you can manage school visits, you can do better than just cashing small royalty checks. I would try to do as many tie-ins as possible - demonstrations, readings at libraries, classroom visits, etc.

billythrilly7th · Jan 3, 2006

I wrote two children's picture book stories that would need illustraters, but I don't even know where to begin as far as that is concerned, and publishers, and format or anything etc...I'm a screenwriter and that's all I know.

I'm a total beginnier when it comes to children's picture books.

I might buy Children's Picture Books for Dummies. I have almost the full dummy catalog. I heard that's a pretty informative book.

I just was wondering if it's even worth it. If I'm going to move forward there has to be some financial reward in it.

And I was at Barnes and Noble and looking through the children's picture book section and I would pick up a random book and wondering "did this author make any money from this?"

That's why I started the thread.

Inspired · Jan 3, 2006

Don't get an illustrator. You'll do better by yourself. Start reading threads here and on other great message boards, like http://www.verlakay.com/boards/index.php and http://www.write4kids.com/index.html

Read and absorb all the advice before submitting. You'll be able to avoid a lot of typical newbie mistakes (like hiring an illustrator.)

It is a different business than adult writing.

spike · Jan 5, 2006

Some people do make a living at it. Write a book that is a classic and it will never be out of print. Good Night Moon is 50 years old. Where the Wild things are is 42 this year.

However, the downside to that is those books, and other classics clog the shelves, and make it difficult for new books to reach the public. Plus, it is a common misconception that PBs are easy to write.

Inspired · Jan 5, 2006

spike said:
it is a common misconception that PBs are easy to write.

Very common! I've even heard writers say they're going to start out writing PBs because they're fast and easy.

I just bite my tongue and let them try. It's rare to be able to write a quick book and get it accepted at a publishing house - especially a PB.

billythrilly7th · Jan 5, 2006

Where can I get a list of publishing houses that accept PB submissions?

cyberwraith · Jan 5, 2006

I've always liked any of the Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market books. Even if you get hold of an old copy, most times you can look up the publisher's current information on the Internet.

Having the hard copy seems to make careful reading of the information a bit easier, plus folding the corners down (I hear librarians gasping--I'm sorry!) makes a body feel that much closer to publication!

Inspired · Jan 5, 2006

Yes, that's the best guide. You can also go to the bookstore and take books that might be similar to yours off the shelf. Write down the publisher's name and look them up on the internet. Many have writer guidelines online.

billythrilly7th · Jan 5, 2006

Awesome. Thank you.

Gina_Ritter · Jan 19, 2006

kmm8n said:
It seems to me that there could be a lot of money in this! I teach 2nd grade and every day I do a mini lesson where I read a picture book and teach the kids something. Teachers also do read alouds and use books to help students understand how to write. In addition, we generally use picture books, etc. to help teach social studies and science, since we don't have text books. Plus, the kids are supposed to have 5 books at their independent level in their book baggies.

There is TONS of money in this! For the publishers. The writers get very small royalty checks and have to do a LOT (and I mean, a ton!) of their own marketing to sell more.

But if you love writing children's books, then do it. Just don't quit your day job

JenNipps · Jan 20, 2006

Grey Malkin said:
I went to a conference last summer where this was a big issue. The general advice: don't do it for the money.

I've heard that said for any kind of writing, though. *s*

Grey Malkin · Jan 24, 2006

JenNipps said:
I've heard that said for any kind of writing, though. *s*

It's a quirk of this industry. I've never heard of an apprenticeship in writing. If you train to be a carpenter or a technician or, well, most trades and crafts, you earn while you learn, taking on more responsibility the better you get. With writing you don't get a bean until you hit the bullseye with a script of high enough quality to get accepted, plus a second bullseye to get it through to being a published book. If it takes five years, you're going to need a hell of an advance to cover those years without pay.

Grey

Lauri B · Jan 24, 2006

Gina_Ritter said:
There is TONS of money in this! For the publishers. The writers get very small royalty checks and have to do a LOT (and I mean, a ton!) of their own marketing to sell more.

But if you love writing children's books, then do it. Just don't quit your day job

There is absolutely not a "ton" of money in picture books for publishers. PB are a very difficult sell and the returns tend to be higher than for adult titles. Where are you getting your information?

cwgranny · Jan 24, 2006

And picture books are EXPENSIVE to produce.

The children's writers I know who make a living at it usually write the books they love PLUS they do some educational nonfiction (which isn't big money but can be steady once you get the swing of it) PLUS they do A LOT of author visits to schools and libraries. So, with the combination, they make a modest living (I know a couple single moms who survive this way.)

But OVERALL, most of the children's writers I know -- even those with several picture books in print -- do NOT make even a modest living at it.

I lived on my writing income for years, but I wrote for children AND adults, I did a lot of magazine work, I taught writing, and was paid to speak about writing. And I did a good bit of work for hire because it's sure money. And even with that...I didn't live "WELL" -- but I made enough to be content.

Grey Malkin · Jan 24, 2006

I write for children, I just steer clear of picture books. I love buying them though!

Gina_Ritter · Jan 24, 2006

Nomad said:
There is absolutely not a "ton" of money in picture books for publishers. PB are a very difficult sell and the returns tend to be higher than for adult titles. Where are you getting your information?

It was said mostly tongue in cheek. No need to worry.

If there was no money in children's books they wouldn't be around, so I am not too worried about publishers. I would imagine it's not the biggest and best publishing industry, but they seem to hold their own.

I'm more concerned about the misconceptions that children's writing is easy (it's not) and you can make a hefty income (which is not the norm).

Can you make a living with Children's Picture Book?

billythrilly7th

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

billythrilly7th

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

silentpoet

practical experience, FTW

Grey Malkin

Moody Member

kmm8n

victoriastrauss

Writer Beware Goddess

billythrilly7th

Inspired

billythrilly7th

Inspired

spike

Mostly Ignored

Inspired

billythrilly7th

cyberwraith

Mumbling darkly

Inspired

billythrilly7th

Gina_Ritter

Into the fray with a giggle

JenNipps

Have you JHS today?

Grey Malkin

Moody Member

Lauri B

I Heart Mac

cwgranny

Grey Malkin

Moody Member

Gina_Ritter

Into the fray with a giggle