talking animal stories

[dolores haze]

I have three picture book/easy reader stories that I've yet to put into ms form. They've been tested and honed on my own children, and the children of friends. About six months ago I started researching publishers/agents, and was very disappointed to find many were stating "no more talking animal stories". My stories do involve talking animals, however, so I decided to wait a while until the market seemed like it would be more receptive. Since then, however, I've been paying particular attention to my children's choice of books, teachers' choice of books, and library storytime selections. Guess what - the vast majority are "talking animal stories". So what gives? Any insider knowledge or pearls of wisdom for me?

[Hillary]

I'm going to call my mother and ask tomorrow morning. Because that boggles me. Her very first picture book was about talking animals and Scholastic published it. I don't know if it's because she was already published, or because you're being fed a load of tripe, but I'm interested in finding out.

[ghost]

The reason they don't want talking animal stories is because there are millions of them already on the market. Very few picture books are being published these days because there are just too many.

You're going to need something extremly origional for them to take notice. Good luck!

[Kat Frass]

I am currently trying to place a manuscript with talking animals as well. In the 2007 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, there are tons of publishers who don't say anything about talking animals. There are definitely a few who specifically don't want to look at it.. but many many more seem to not care.

I wouldn't wait for the "market to turn around". There will always be publishers out there who don't want to see talking animals. Just find the ones who don't care. :-)

Best of luck (to us both!! LOL)

[JoeEkaitis]

Of course, everything in a publisher's submission guidelines goes right out the window when a celebrity, politician or convicted felon (pardon the triple redundancy) submits "Ferdie Fox, Rhondie Rabbit and Wee Willie Wolf Save the Magical Land of the Flying Rainbow Unicorns."

[Moonfish]

I've actually heard this very same thing. "No more talking animals, please!" So I'd think that it'd have to be very original.

[Stijn Hommes]

Originally Posted by ghost

Very few picture books are being published these days because there are just too many.

Whatever gave you the idea there are too many picture books? That's like saying there are too many books for adults. Just because the market is smaller doesn't mean there's a cap to the amount of possible books.

[ghost]

Originally Posted by Stijn Hommes

Whatever gave you the idea there are too many picture books? That's like saying there are too many books for adults. Just because the market is smaller doesn't mean there's a cap to the amount of possible books.

I've been doing my MA in Creative Writing. For the past year, every week, agents, editors, publishing companies and other various people have been coming in to give us lectures and recruit. When it comes to childrens writing they all say the same thing. Picture books and Chap books are overflowed right now. There is no demand. Certain book stores won't even purchase new books. I'm not saying it can't be done, but the demand is not there.

However, they also say that middle reader books with male protagonists are in demand.

[moonslice]

Ladybug mag still prints a lot of talking animal stories.

[TurkeyLurkey]

Hmmm.. MGs geared for boys. I love a good challenge. I even have a few ideas popping in my head. Thanks for the insight!

[Stijn Hommes]

Originally Posted by ghost

I've been doing my MA in Creative Writing. For the past year, every week, agents, editors, publishing companies and other various people have been coming in to give us lectures and recruit. When it comes to childrens writing they all say the same thing. Picture books and Chap books are overflowed right now. There is no demand. Certain book stores won't even purchase new books. I'm not saying it can't be done, but the demand is not there.

However, they also say that middle reader books with male protagonists are in demand.

I wonder what the readers have to say about that...

[dolores haze]

Yep - that was the reason for my original post. Publishers are saying they don't want the very thing that seems most popular. The only reason that makes sense is that they have a stockpile of talking animal stories, and don't need to buy any new ones at this time.

I think one of the stories would be best in book form, and I think I'll try to get an agent for that one. The other two I will try the magazines. I see Highlights at the library, but haven't seen Ladybug there.

Thanks for all the advice.

Talking animals stories is a good idea.I back you!!fighting

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[cwgranny]

Publishers aren't really totally "anti talking animal" since kids like them, they are "anti talking animal in the slush pile" because the vast majority of picture books feature talking animals, mostly in rhyme, and mostly badly written. If you have 90% talking animal books and almost all of them are bad, you can't say: "No more crappy submissions" because who would be moved by that? So some clever bit decided to just outlaw "talking animal stories" thereby cutting huge hunks from the slush pile while still LOOKING like they're open to new writers.

And in one way, that's a good thing. If a house could really trim a quick 90% out of the slush, the rest of the manuscripts would be facing fresh hopeful eyes instead of exhausted "expecting this to be crap" eyes -- which is who is reading slush now.

By the way, if you read picture books, you'll notice a great many of the animal featured characters never say they are animals in the text. It was a publisher decision, not a writer one. I've heard a number of writers who were surprised to see their books about kids and dads turn into kid&dad raccoons or bears.