Yesterday Alyssa Henkin mentioned that nonfiction picture books are treating topics that are so sophisticated she wonders if they’d be better suited to middle grade. Who is the audience for these nonfiction picture books with higher lexile scores and are they doing well?
Leeann
3 years ago
What types of stories or categories of stories are editors seeking now? I have been told by agents that the pb marketplace is tough and that they hear from editors about a specific set of needs. So, what are they?
is it best to find your own illustrator or write the story and seek one after? I have a friend who is an amazing artist and I’d like to work with her because it would be tremendous fun.
Emma
3 years ago
Hello Celia! Is the world of making and publishing picture books at all like the world of graphic novels, or are these considered completely different entities?
John
3 years ago
What do you consider the difference between a board book and a picture book? If someone submits a picture book, what are some deciding factors in turning that into a board book? Thanks…
How do you, personally, feel about rhyming stories, and is there one Scholastic imprint that publishes rhyming manuscripts more than the others?
Joni Nemeth
3 years ago
Piggy backing on the above comment – is it okay to blend fictional elements in non-fiction picture books (Ie., anthropomorphizing animals in a nature book). How would you classify such a book? – I’ve heard info-fictional but that seems a little unwieldy.
I write mostly MG and YA, but I’ve got some ideas for picture books and don’t know the proper format when querying. Do you have any suggestions of books or blogs to help with this?
Hi Celia! I took your class at NJSCBWI last year and left fully inspired to change my NF picture book into a novelty book. I’ve had some good feedback, but I’m stuck with making a dummy as a nonillustrator.
Here are just a few basic questions I’ve been wanting to ask you. 🙂
Should a dummy be on cardstock or paper?
Do I draw some horrible and simple pictures, or do I just include some of the novelty features (like flaps and a fact wheel) with the text?
Do I print it out on 8.5×11 size or half-page size or the size it will ideally be?
How do I bind it?
I can’t wait to learn from you again. You’re an inspiring editor.
Thanks,
Annette Whipple
jackie
3 years ago
I’m a Middle Grade writer who eventually want to do some picture books. Most agents aren’t interested in author-only picture books. Once you’re published, though, if your other books do well, does that picture book door typically open up, where they pair you with an illustrator? Are they looking for you to have a fan base and good sales first to be willing to do that?
Bluejules
3 years ago
Hi Celia! I’ve been wondering about the language used in picture books. Obviously, it has to be suited to the readers’ abilities, but some editors seem to like if authors also use ‘big’ words (as a sort of challenge for the children to learn new things), but others frown upon them. How challenging do you think PB should be?
I often see picture book biographies listed for mswls. How does this work when the subject is living? Would permissions be something that agents take care of or do they prefer to see that in place before the writing is even attempted?
Rhea
3 years ago
Is it worthwhile to look for an agent for picture books? I heard agents think picture books are a waste of time since they don’t sell for very much. Also, as an unpublished writer, is it really almost impossible to break into the picture book market? Is it better to try to break through in a different market?
Also, I’d love to hear about NF novelty books for ages 5-7. My kids still love them (as solid readers), but there doesn’t seem to be a huge market for them.
Thanks,
Annette Whipple
jackie
3 years ago
If a Middle Grade novel does well, are publishers like Scholastic typically willing to do a version of it as a picture book or a graphic novel so that lower level readers can enjoy the story? Is that kind of thing negotiated as an idea when an editor buys a novel that would lend itself to that?
John
3 years ago
What is your attitude / approach to picture books that have been previously self-published?
J
3 years ago
Is there a difference in word count between picture books and picture books early readers? Around 500 words seem to be the average for a PB, I have seen several PBs in the forum with circa 1500 words – are these likely to be early reader chapter books?
What is the recommended word count for a historical fiction picture book .
Kathy
3 years ago
Please discuss the Early Chapter Book genre. I have written an ECB and my dream is to see it in the Branches series!!! Thank you.
Laurie
3 years ago
Are agents/editors as open to series in PB as they are in other genres? If you have a solo manuscript that could lend itself to a series, should you mention or let the agent/editor make that call?
The homelessness question got me thinking — are any topics too dark for the picture book market if dealt with sensitively enough?
slipshaw
3 years ago
Is there a market for narrative nonfiction picture books geared towards third to fifth grade that tie into common core or is that more appropriate for the school library market?
In narrative nonfiction if the text is more lyrical, do prefer to have back matter or no back matter?
Joni Nemeth
3 years ago
Are you pro or con wordless picture books?
Leeann
3 years ago
On comp titles: An agent yesterday advised shying away from using a comp title that was too popular a book, such as Hunger Games or Harry Potter. Is this true for PB comps, too? I would like to use Last Stop on Market Street, but I am shying away from this after what she said.
How do you feel about art notes? Only those that are imperative to move the story along (and not covered in the manuscript)?
Connie
3 years ago
Can one transition from author only of pbs to later becoming an author illustrator. I woukd love to be an author illo, but while my writing is almost there in quality, I have a lot to work on in art. Should I submit as author only while I work on my art, hoping to submit as both for later books, or am I boxing myself in as author only?
Deborah
3 years ago
HI Celia! Since you mentioned ART notes 🙂 I always have questions on this topic in general. And also if you have an art driven project, is it helpful to put a note at the beginning for the whole manuscript or better to put notes throughout? Thank you so much! This is a very helpful session!
Hello! Could you please take a moment to speak about ILLO notes? Thanks!
Rhea
3 years ago
If you have multiple picture book manuscripts ready, how do you send out proposals to agents or editors? Do you pitch your best book and just mention you have other manuscripts? Or do you send multiple?
Yesterday Alyssa Henkin mentioned that nonfiction picture books are treating topics that are so sophisticated she wonders if they’d be better suited to middle grade. Who is the audience for these nonfiction picture books with higher lexile scores and are they doing well?
What types of stories or categories of stories are editors seeking now? I have been told by agents that the pb marketplace is tough and that they hear from editors about a specific set of needs. So, what are they?
is it best to find your own illustrator or write the story and seek one after? I have a friend who is an amazing artist and I’d like to work with her because it would be tremendous fun.
Hello Celia! Is the world of making and publishing picture books at all like the world of graphic novels, or are these considered completely different entities?
What do you consider the difference between a board book and a picture book? If someone submits a picture book, what are some deciding factors in turning that into a board book? Thanks…
What is hot and what is not?
How do you, personally, feel about rhyming stories, and is there one Scholastic imprint that publishes rhyming manuscripts more than the others?
Piggy backing on the above comment – is it okay to blend fictional elements in non-fiction picture books (Ie., anthropomorphizing animals in a nature book). How would you classify such a book? – I’ve heard info-fictional but that seems a little unwieldy.
Hello, it’s great to see you here! What advice do you have for a non-illustrating PB author to break through?
PS. I have a mass market children’s book coming out in June (un-agented), and am seeking an agent that handles PBs.
I am writing a picture book about homelessness and I am wondering about the query process for picture books? Is it similar to querying other projects?
Thanks 🙂
I write mostly MG and YA, but I’ve got some ideas for picture books and don’t know the proper format when querying. Do you have any suggestions of books or blogs to help with this?
Why do agents and editors have a preference for author/illustrators rather than just one or the other?
What word count do you like to see in PBs?
Hi Celia! I took your class at NJSCBWI last year and left fully inspired to change my NF picture book into a novelty book. I’ve had some good feedback, but I’m stuck with making a dummy as a nonillustrator.
Here are just a few basic questions I’ve been wanting to ask you. 🙂
Should a dummy be on cardstock or paper?
Do I draw some horrible and simple pictures, or do I just include some of the novelty features (like flaps and a fact wheel) with the text?
Do I print it out on 8.5×11 size or half-page size or the size it will ideally be?
How do I bind it?
I can’t wait to learn from you again. You’re an inspiring editor.
Thanks,
Annette Whipple
I’m a Middle Grade writer who eventually want to do some picture books. Most agents aren’t interested in author-only picture books. Once you’re published, though, if your other books do well, does that picture book door typically open up, where they pair you with an illustrator? Are they looking for you to have a fan base and good sales first to be willing to do that?
Hi Celia! I’ve been wondering about the language used in picture books. Obviously, it has to be suited to the readers’ abilities, but some editors seem to like if authors also use ‘big’ words (as a sort of challenge for the children to learn new things), but others frown upon them. How challenging do you think PB should be?
I often see picture book biographies listed for mswls. How does this work when the subject is living? Would permissions be something that agents take care of or do they prefer to see that in place before the writing is even attempted?
Is it worthwhile to look for an agent for picture books? I heard agents think picture books are a waste of time since they don’t sell for very much. Also, as an unpublished writer, is it really almost impossible to break into the picture book market? Is it better to try to break through in a different market?
Also, I’d love to hear about NF novelty books for ages 5-7. My kids still love them (as solid readers), but there doesn’t seem to be a huge market for them.
Thanks,
Annette Whipple
If a Middle Grade novel does well, are publishers like Scholastic typically willing to do a version of it as a picture book or a graphic novel so that lower level readers can enjoy the story? Is that kind of thing negotiated as an idea when an editor buys a novel that would lend itself to that?
What is your attitude / approach to picture books that have been previously self-published?
Is there a difference in word count between picture books and picture books early readers? Around 500 words seem to be the average for a PB, I have seen several PBs in the forum with circa 1500 words – are these likely to be early reader chapter books?
What is the recommended word count for a historical fiction picture book .
Please discuss the Early Chapter Book genre. I have written an ECB and my dream is to see it in the Branches series!!! Thank you.
Are agents/editors as open to series in PB as they are in other genres? If you have a solo manuscript that could lend itself to a series, should you mention or let the agent/editor make that call?
The homelessness question got me thinking — are any topics too dark for the picture book market if dealt with sensitively enough?
Is there a market for narrative nonfiction picture books geared towards third to fifth grade that tie into common core or is that more appropriate for the school library market?
In narrative nonfiction if the text is more lyrical, do prefer to have back matter or no back matter?
Are you pro or con wordless picture books?
On comp titles: An agent yesterday advised shying away from using a comp title that was too popular a book, such as Hunger Games or Harry Potter. Is this true for PB comps, too? I would like to use Last Stop on Market Street, but I am shying away from this after what she said.
I’m am mainly a YA writer. Would you recommend I find an agent who can represent my picture book as well? Would it be easier that way?
Will unagented attendees of WriteOnCon have the opportunity to submit to you directly?
Speaking about blending non-fiction and fiction picture books – I heard the term “faction” recently.
Will you accept queries from pb writers attending WriteOnCon?
How do you feel about art notes? Only those that are imperative to move the story along (and not covered in the manuscript)?
Can one transition from author only of pbs to later becoming an author illustrator. I woukd love to be an author illo, but while my writing is almost there in quality, I have a lot to work on in art. Should I submit as author only while I work on my art, hoping to submit as both for later books, or am I boxing myself in as author only?
HI Celia! Since you mentioned ART notes 🙂 I always have questions on this topic in general. And also if you have an art driven project, is it helpful to put a note at the beginning for the whole manuscript or better to put notes throughout? Thank you so much! This is a very helpful session!
Hello! Could you please take a moment to speak about ILLO notes? Thanks!
If you have multiple picture book manuscripts ready, how do you send out proposals to agents or editors? Do you pitch your best book and just mention you have other manuscripts? Or do you send multiple?
Thank you so much!!!