How to Write a Children's Picture Book and Get it Published

Description

What do picture book publishers really want? This entertaining and practical book has all the answers, including: - What to write about - and how to write it - How to present your work professionally - How to persuade your chosen publisher to accept your book for publication. It covers virtually everything you need to know about the international picture book market and selling your work to agents and publishers. Andrea Shavick's book also answers the vexing questions of which publishers to approach, whether you need an agent, what to do about the illustrations, how to protect your copyright, and even how much money you can make. It additionally features: - Original picture book text - to help you format your own manuscripts professionally - An easy-to-use picture book layout plan - Title sheets and covering letters to use when submitting manuscripts - which are of proven success Andrea's unique Plot Planner for designing, lengthening, shortening or just tweaking your stories. Contents: Introduction; 1. What is a picture book?; 2. Thinking about your audience; 3. What to write about; 4. Creating characters; 5. Subjects to avoid; 6. Word count; 7. Plot planning and the rule of three; 8. Language and language structure; 9. Textural devices and page turners; 10. Editing; 11. Titles; 12. Preparing your manuscript; 13. Title sheets; 14. The covering letter; 15. Illustrations; 16. Choosing a publisher; 17. Submitting work; 18. Copyright - how to protect your ideas; 19. Agents; 20. Your work is accepted - now that?; 21. Dealing with rejections; 22. Other routes to publication; Recommended books, websites & writing organisations; Index.

Andrea is an established children's author. She has managed to persuade some of the biggest publishing houses in the world to publish her children's writing - Pan-Macmillan, Hodder, Orchard, Oxford University Press, Ginn, Random House, Scholastic, Pinwheel, Heinemann, and Walker Books to name just some. Andrea is the author of over 25 books including four international best-selling picture books. With her inside knowledge of the picture book market she is perfectly placed to help you realise the dream of seeing your own book accepted for publication.

"Wonderful! Full of knowledge, wisdom and first hand experience" "A godsend and an eye-opener" "You've encouraged me, saved me loads of time and made me laugh"