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- Aug 7, 2009
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This past summer, I made an attempt to write and illustrated a children's book. I managed to complete 24 pages, consisting of the illustrations and one or two sentences describing the illustration.
The book is for young readers, up to age four or five. It's based on a character and follows the character on a journey. It's almost like an Eric Carle book, just to give you some idea of what I am talking about.
I was so proud of the book that I actually had it copywritten with the library of congress. Months before, I had taken a graphic design course and the instructor insisted I copyright any work I submit for consideration.
Anyway, I had sent query letters to a handful 0f publishers in new york, all of whom replied that they only read "agented material." Upon furthering my research, I found, yet again, another new york based book publishing company that accepts unsolicited material and also listed on their website submission guidelines. Long story short, I submitted a proposal and the illustrations as the asked to supply them if they were ready. They say they reply in four months if they are interested - well, I submitted it in mid august, it's already mid-december, so my guess is that they are not interested.
In any case, I still want to pursue this idea of mine, still. Not only that, I have some artwork too, that I want to show and get a professional opinion on.
My question is this: Agents. How can I go about finding one without seeming completely clueless about the whole ordeal? I mean, from what I understand, they do not ask for money upfront, however, is it that all I need to know to distinguish literary agents? I have prepared a query letter to send out, and I have a book that lists possible agents, but I'm nervous about mailing it out. From what I understand, even agents take a 3 month period to respond, and that's IF they want to respond. Needless to say, I also want to mention to the possible agent that I want to have my other artwork submitted for consideration for various design products such as kitchen/bathroom decor (sheets, tablecloths, napkins, et), and such, and I want to see or at least have a professional opinion regarding my work.
So, anyone down a similar path - how did you go about?
The book is for young readers, up to age four or five. It's based on a character and follows the character on a journey. It's almost like an Eric Carle book, just to give you some idea of what I am talking about.
I was so proud of the book that I actually had it copywritten with the library of congress. Months before, I had taken a graphic design course and the instructor insisted I copyright any work I submit for consideration.
Anyway, I had sent query letters to a handful 0f publishers in new york, all of whom replied that they only read "agented material." Upon furthering my research, I found, yet again, another new york based book publishing company that accepts unsolicited material and also listed on their website submission guidelines. Long story short, I submitted a proposal and the illustrations as the asked to supply them if they were ready. They say they reply in four months if they are interested - well, I submitted it in mid august, it's already mid-december, so my guess is that they are not interested.
In any case, I still want to pursue this idea of mine, still. Not only that, I have some artwork too, that I want to show and get a professional opinion on.
My question is this: Agents. How can I go about finding one without seeming completely clueless about the whole ordeal? I mean, from what I understand, they do not ask for money upfront, however, is it that all I need to know to distinguish literary agents? I have prepared a query letter to send out, and I have a book that lists possible agents, but I'm nervous about mailing it out. From what I understand, even agents take a 3 month period to respond, and that's IF they want to respond. Needless to say, I also want to mention to the possible agent that I want to have my other artwork submitted for consideration for various design products such as kitchen/bathroom decor (sheets, tablecloths, napkins, et), and such, and I want to see or at least have a professional opinion regarding my work.
So, anyone down a similar path - how did you go about?