New to children's writing--information please?

[james1611]

hello everyone,

I'm actually a novelist with one published novel--but I have a children's book that I am attempting to get published also. The book is a Christian picture book story--first does anyone know of any publishers accepting these right now or agents?

Also--how long is too long or too short for one of the little cardboard page picture books. I'm estimating my book would be about 10 pages with a stanza on each page. I've got some for my kids that are about this size, but is there a standard page length for this type of book?

Thanks,
James

[Cassidy]

Hi,
Others who know more about picture books will hopefully chime in here but I believe 16 is somewhat standard. There is some variation though. As far as publishers, I'd take a look at the Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market.
Good luck with it!
-Cassidy

[moondance]

There is a standard length - the whole book inlcuding cover, will be 32 sides/pages, which means that usually you have 24 sides on which to write your story. This can be divided up however you like - you can use double-page spreads, which means you would have 12, or any combination of the single/double. Some picture books will have the story on up to 27 sides but that is at the expense of losing blank pages at the front or back. Best to work to the standard 24 sides/12 doubles.

Board books, however, are a completely different kettle of fish, and I don't know anything about them. They are usually created in-house, so a new author is unlikely to be asked to do one. However, it sounds like your story (if it's got 10 stanzas) isn't suitable for a board book anyway (as these are usually aimed at babies). Go to your local library and spend some time in the picture book section. You'll soon see what kind of things are 'standard' in the pb industry.

And yes, there are publishers who accept Christian picture books. The book Cassidy recommended will tell you which ones.

[Bk_30]

They are out there, but they are very few. I wrote a christian fiction PB a little bit ago. Most of the adult publishing house's have a childrens editor or off shoot. Unfortunatly the field is even smaller than main stream, but you probably already know this. One Editor said, in a recent ask the editor thread on this forum, that because secular childrens books are "clean" there isn't much of a demand for PB's or early readers. I ended up putting mine in that "special" drawer for now :(.

[Torgo]

Also--how long is too long or too short for one of the little cardboard page picture books. I'm estimating my book would be about 10 pages with a stanza on each page. I've got some for my kids that are about this size, but is there a standard page length for this type of book?

Sounds about right - although what sort of reading level is your book? Board books sell better when they're very young - one short sentence a spread or even one word a spread. Standard 32pp hardback picture books are often too old for the board book treatment.

[james1611]

gone

[moondance]

Lulu prints whatever you supply. They are basically a glorified printer, so if you provide them with the artwork and the text, they will print it for you. Simple as. Of course, a full colour pb will be more expensive to produce than a novel.

[pam]

You are talking about a board book and they run around 10 to 16 pages.

Here's my Christian writer's webpage, which might help you search for a publisher. But be forewarned: board books are almost impossible to get published if you're new to children's writing and even more so in the Christian world. :)

http://pamcalvert.com/for_christian_writers