Writing a picture book

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BetsyJ

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For a simple story, I've been known to include as many as three or four notes in the text and no one seemed to mind. But I made sure each one was absolutely necessary and really couldn't be handled any other way. Yes, irony would be one example.

The pack of dogs knew lots of fun games.
(Note to Illustrator: Illustration shows dogs rolling in garbage or doing other mischief.)

But I agree that you shouldn't cross the line into the illustrator's domain. In general, the author doesn't get to choose the book's layout, although there are exceptions--and I've been asked to do it once or twice. But the illustrator does that job for most books.

The author doesn't get to say which elements get illustrated and which ones get a double spread. You don't get to say what style is used, what details are included, etc. About the only correction I'll make is if I see an inaccuracy that might get the entire book in trouble. Then I'll mention it to the editor.

By the way, I also don't get too picky if the illustrator wants me to change something. I've had an illustrator ask me to re-order a sequence of events to make it easier for her--and I gladly obliged. Expect a reasonable amount of give and take.

Remember that a picture book belongs to the illustrator as much as it belongs to you. I can't tell you how many times illustrators have told me that they feel like second class citizens. The illustrator often works longer and harder than the author, without getting as much of the credit. Illustrators have to deliver at least thirteen or fourteen pieces of museum quality artwork for a standard 32-page picture book. That's a lot of work.

Ellen Jackson
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ESL

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Can someone please tell me the maximum word count for a picture book? I want to write for children ages 4 to 8 years old. Some say it has to be less than 1000 words, others less than 1500 words and yet others less than 700 words. I appreciate your help. Can't seem to find it anywhere.
 

Cyia

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It depends on the book's structure. Many have < 500, and detailed books with a lesson - like the MAGIC SCHOOLBUS books have around 2000.

Just make sure that you keep the writing clean and simple, and that the page count falls into the 32 page standard (no writing on at least one of those pages so it can be used for copyright and title info).
 

Wen

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wow I haven't been on here forever o.o Picture books have always been pretty interesting to me though, could anyone tell me what the normal format for one is?

1. What is the exact format for handing in the final draft of the text? Can someone show me a picture of an old one, I can't seem to google anything?

2. How many sections of text do we need? I keep on hearing 28, and 32 pages but isn't it usually 14?

3. Besides the text for the picture book, what else is needed in the portfolio?

Thanks for any help :D
 

BetsyJ

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Hi Wen,

Your post is several months old, and I see no one ever responded. So I thought I'd give it a try:

In the upper left hand corner, put your name, address, phone number, and email address. In the right hand corner put the word count. Space down about 1/3 of a page, add a title, and start the text. DO NOT break the text up into blocks of text to fit a 32-page format. You just type it the way you would any manuscript. You don't have to indicate page breaks in any way.

You should plan for about 14 double-page spreads and 28 pages total. (You subtract the copyright and title page and maybe one more from 32.) But again, just keep this number in your head--you don't have to page it out. That's not your job.

No portfolio (unless you're also an illustrator). Send the manuscript along with a cover letter.

I hope you take this in the right spirit, but if you need to ask these kinds of basic questions, you probably should read up on writing and publishing books for children before sending out manuscripts. Here are some articles to help you get educated:

http://www.verlakay.com/boards/index.php?topic=13762.0

http://www.underdown.org/basic-articles.htm

Good luck!

Ellen Jackson
www.ellenjackson.net
 
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Nutellanut

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I've written an easy reader and the manuscrip for that was easy to manage because I had paragraphs. Now I've also written a rough draft for a picture book and because the structure of that is different from an easy reader....I'm confused about how to format the manuscript.

Let's say that a certain line is supposed to be on page 2 of the book....do I only put THAT line on page two of my manuscript. Or do I just type the lines on one page (if they all fit) regardless of how they'd be broken down in an actual book?
 

Smish

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I've written an easy reader and the manuscrip for that was easy to manage because I had paragraphs. Now I've also written a rough draft for a picture book and because the structure of that is different from an easy reader....I'm confused about how to format the manuscript.

Let's say that a certain line is supposed to be on page 2 of the book....do I only put THAT line on page two of my manuscript. Or do I just type the lines on one page (if they all fit) regardless of how they'd be broken down in an actual book?

One page. :)
 

Nutellanut

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^Really? WOW! So, let's say that even though a picture book may be 32 pages.....the whole manuscript might just be one or two pages....(if the whole story fits on that many pages)?

And do you make notes about implied meanings/sarcasm and such? Or don't bother with that?

Also, do you write the lines as you normally do. Where you put a period after one sentence and a couples spaces after it...begin the next sentence? Or do you type one line...hit enter...and the next line goes below? I've tried finding samples of a picture book manuscript online...and haven't found one.
 
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Polenth

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^Really? WOW! So, let's say that even though a picture book may be 32 pages.....the whole manuscript might just be one or two pages....(if the whole story fits on that many pages)?

And do you make notes about implied meanings/sarcasm and such? Or don't bother with that?

Also, do you write the lines as you normally do. Where you put a period after one sentence and a couples spaces after it...begin the next sentence? Or do you type one line...hit enter...and the next line goes below? I've tried finding samples of a picture book manuscript online...and haven't found one.

I think you're trying to over-complicate it. You don't need special formatting, description of the deeper meaning or anything like that. Just write it out the same way as you'd format text for any other story.
 

MsJudy

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And do you make notes about implied meanings/sarcasm and such?

Ummm...this line jumped out at me.

I teach kinder and first grade. The target age for PBs. And I'm afraid the majority of kids that age don't really "get" implied meanings or sarcasm. Well, first graders might, as they mature. But younger than that, not likely. So...I'm not sure what you have in mind.
 

Momento Mori

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For those writing picture books, the British chapter of the SCBWI had a talk from a number of professional editors, including from picture book specialists Gullane Children's Books and Little Tiger Press, both of which accept unsolicited manuscripts.

I put up a report from the talk on my blog: http://hooton.livejournal.com/33789.html which includes some details on the kind of thing they're looking for.

MM
 

whitebutterfly

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whitebutterfly

I recently attended the SCBWI fall conference and what I was told was to make sure my PB left room for the illustrator to describe scenes, ect. They don't like the author to use words to do what they consider their job. Hope this helps.

Have fun with your journey...!
 

rockurself

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Picture books don't seem to be a huge market.. maybe I'm wrong. Does this make it harder to get a picture book published?

Any tips?
 

printingray

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Because of the emphasis on publishing, we sometimes forget that writing and publishing are different activities. You must understand that picture book publishing is a collaborative process. The collaborators are the author, the illustrator, the editor, the art director, and sometimes the editor-in-chief and marketing staff. If you need total control of the of the process, best publish your own manuscript.
 

novagem

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Help! Illustrated Children's books

I have several 28-30 page childrens books ready for publication.
Fortunately I am an artist and I was able to do all the illustrations and a publishing program to add the text and graphic art to add the professional touch.
I looked at Smashword but it appears they only take text. There was a box to submit cover art.
Did I miss something on that sight?
Also are there any suggestions as to which e-book publishers take the picture book files. I converted it to Jpeg so they are ready to go.

Help ! Would be appreciated.
[email protected]
 

___Mag

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Over time, I have self-published (and unpublished some) over 20 books. I have made endless mistakes in the process. However, there is no thrill like having a child ask you to read them your book again and again.

My best advice regarding children's books is that it must entertain both the adult and the child. It must work on several levels--the illustrations and the text.

I recommend 32 pages as that is the minimum for perfect bound should you ultimately decide to go the self-publishing route.

Good luck with your project.
 

jmikehub

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well background wise thats not usually the main attraction, try making the characters pop for the audience, like bright colors, different personalities and ect :D
 

Bonnie Ferrante

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Bare with me, I'm going to try to figure out my questions as I write this.

I am writing a picture book. So that would mean it would be 28-32 pages, the normal for that type of book.

Word count: I know that this can vary. But is there a minimum I should aim for?

Detail: How much detail do I need about scenery etc? If my book goes along fine with simple details about what the main character is doing, is that okay? From what I have written so far, if an illustrator were to look at it I think they'd be able to create pictures. I would say that's a good thing. Okay, that's what I read somewhere hehe.

Any other advice would help. I am trying to be serious about this story. I've written many in the past, not done much with them and need to start getting things done. I know there are a lot of things I can read on the net, and I do, I just want your real experiences and tips, that you know work for you.

First draft of the story is completed, but not good enough. Keep me going guys ! I am pumped and ready. :jump

You don't need descriptions of scenery or people. The illustrator will take care of that. Keep the writing lean. There are good sites on word counts for certain ages and reading levels. It's good to check them out. Also some great books on writing picture books.
 

Bonnie Ferrante

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Anyone who thinks the text alone should completely carry the work doesn't know much about picture books.

That said, the writer should WRITE, and let the illustrator do her job. Picture books are a partnership between the writer and the illustrator. The illustrator is not working for the writer; she's working with the writer.

It's fine for the writer to include minimal illustration notes if clarification is needed. The key words here are "minimal" and "needed".

Most editors are going to be very annoyed if the writer includes illustration notes for every page (I'm tempted to say "every editor", but there may be a rare few who don't care). Writers who are that controlling are difficult to work with, so even if your manuscript is great, an editor is likely to pass on your submission.

:)Smish

I agree. The words tell half the story and the pictures tell the rest. I know the illustrator can take the book in a different direction than the writer.
 

Linda Phalen

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Hi Betty, :) Thank you so much for your intereting post on how to write a picture book. You have saved me from having to ask the same questions as the previous writer. I have a book for children in the works. I have already published two books. Neither are picture books though. :) I hope this next one will be. I have the same problems with the word bear and bare. I always thought that bear was the animal. Then when I wrote a short story and spelled it bare it was quickly corrected. Have a Blessed day! :)
Nope, it's "bear", not "bare", and I'm with Maia - no way!

As for picture books, the best book I've found on the subject is the WD book, Writing and Illustrating Children' Books for Publication: Two Perspectives, by Berthe Amos and Eric Suben. It is filled with all sorts of good information, checklists, writing exercises, case histories, reading lists, and advice. It was published in 1995, but it is still the best resource I've found. Also very good (and also from Writer's Digest Books, my favorite source for writing books) is the book/workbook set called You Can Write Children's Books, by Tracey E. Dils [commerical: watch for a review of this by that well-known and beloved book reviewer, Betty Winslow, coming soon to AW]

Both books tell you what you need to know, in different ways: how long to make it, how many pages (they are 32 pgs. long, true, but do you know how many you actually can count on using for text? 28...), how to set up the manuscript for submisison, what NOT to do (very important in this field, since what you think would be logical is not what they want).

For those of you who are asking yourself, "What does she know about this? She's never had a picture book published?", I reply, "True, but I know this field, inside and out."

As part of my job as mother of four, I've read many picture books out loud.
As part of my job as school librarian, I've read and considered hundreds, in the process of developing the school's collection, and I've taught classes on how to use them in school with kids of all ages.

As a friend of the head of the 2004 Caldecott committee, I've attended a mini-Caldecott workshop on what they want in a winner.

And as a writer, I've done many picture book reviews for various magazines. I've gone to many conferences, workshops, and lectures featuring picture book authors, and listened to them talk about the field. I've toured the Mazza Museum a half-dozen times. And I've discussed picture books and the publishing business a number of times with an internationally-known picture book author, over the course of about six years or so, in letters, e-mails, and phone calls, and face-to-face at conferences and in her living room, as well as with her editor.

I may only write magazine articles, book and restaurant reviews, poetry, and essays, but my heart belongs to picture books.
 

Kersten

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Has anyone sold a manuscript alone? I'm not talking about self-publishing. I mean have you or your agent sold a book to a publisher that then found an artist? I'm just curious.

Hey, beachbum- I have sold 10 (hopefully 12 by the end of the year). I know Bestsy up above has sold a caboodle. Did you have a specific question? I read through the thread and it seems like good advice to me…


:)
 
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