Created a Children's Book, and ready to send it off to a Publisher

[Pall Wall]

It seems all Children's Book creators are just the writers, and the Illustrators are separate. Websites say that writers send in their manuscripts, and if liked they will get a hired Illustrator to draw it. But I wrote AND illustrated mine, and sites say "send in your manuscript of your written story. So I don't know if that means I still have to submit only a manuscript. Again I drew and colored everything, formatted everything the way I'd want it. AND I just had it copyright registered with the copyright.gov office. I can't seem to find any website to answer my question, "Can't I just submit my PDF file of my book?"

[Saffron_]

I recommend a book called the writer and artists yearbook. It might help answer your question. Also, it's unusual for publishing companies to accept something written and illustrated by the same person though not impossible. Normally they like to team up an author with an illustrator.

 

Have you asked permission to send in your manuscript? If not, you'll probably find you won't get very far. You'll likely end up in something called the 'slush pile'. If that happens, it doesn't matter how good your work is. It'll be briefly glanced at IF you're lucky but more likely it'll be ignored and tossed. Personally, I would contact the publishing company and ask if they'll accept examples of your illustration alongside your manuscript. Do not send all your illustrations, just a couple of your best examples i.e. a double page spread and one other.

 

What kind of experience do you have in writing/illustrating? It's not easy to break into, trust me! It's very competitive, the standard is high and companies are reluctant to give a chance to a newbie. They like to see some kind of experience and if you haven't done this before, it won't be easy.

 

I went to art school and I specialised in Illustration.

[Saffron_]

I forgot to ask if you were in the UK. If you are, this might help link removed

[Pall Wall]

Have you asked permission to send in your manuscript? .

 

 

I don't know who's permission your referring to. So far I've had it copyrighted. The background experience I have is an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design and Applied Science. I'm well experienced in Version 5 of Adobe Illustrator, In Design, and Photoshop. I received high marks in Storyboard class.

[Saffron_]

The publishers permission. Most publishing companies do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

[Pall Wall]

The publishers permission. Most publishing companies do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

 

Oh, right, should have figured that is what you meant. My life long best friend is good with business and he wants to help me make my book rise. He has the idea of making like say a facebook link page for it, and a teaser website of it with reviews from others that have read it, such as a 3rd Grade Teacher and her students that loved my book. You think that would be a nice way to start, or is better to try to get a publisher first and then use my friend's help to promote it?

[agent1607307371]

Have you thought about self publishing?

[Saffron_]

Oh, right, should have figured that is what you meant. My life long best friend is good with business and he wants to help me make my book rise. He has the idea of making like say a facebook link page for it, and a teaser website of it with reviews from others that have read it, such as a 3rd Grade Teacher and her students that loved my book. You think that would be a nice way to start, or is better to try to get a publisher first and then use my friend's help to promote it?

 

One of the things you are specifically warned against in the writer and artists yearbook (and by my illustration tutor) is trying to sway a publisher by saying "I've shown it to people and they really love my book". Every submission from an unsolicited author claims that someone loves their book. That doesn't matter. That won't work!

 

I've had a couple of things published (illustration not writing) but I ended up giving up when I realised what a struggle it was to earn a living (I do want to go back to it someday though). I recommend having a look at that website link I posted. It might be of some help although things are obviously different in the US compared to the UK. Even so, it's worth a look.

 

Normally what you'd do first is contact a publisher and ask permission to send your manuscript. Very important to get permission first! Practices may be different to when I was submitting work but I was always discouraged from sending PDF's etc. Again, you have to ask. If they accept, you send it and wait for their response. That takes time. Some people hedge their bets by sending their work to more than one publisher but that can backfire and get you a terrible reputation. Another option is to get an agent to represent you. They'll arange meetings with publishers and negotiate payment etc. I can't give you much more information because I'm not familiar with the US system. Using Facebook etc to showcase your work is a great idea but that alone won't get you noticed by a publisher. Everyone's doing stuff like that these days.

[tiredofvampires]

It’s perfectly acceptable for you to submit as an author/illustrator. Just be prepared that they may like your story, but wish to use another illustrator, or they may feel your graphic skills would be desirable for another project but don’t want the story; so there may be offers they make like those, and it would be up to you to take or reject them. The one thing that is a real no-no in this field is an author-illustrator team submitting something together.

 

Here is the standard submission format:

 

-- Submit the manuscript itself on 8.5 x 11 inch paper, double-spaced. You MUST do this, regardless of whether you are submitting illustrations or not.

-- For illustrations, 2 finished pieces (best if highlights from the story with strongest action/tension) and the rest should be a DUMMY (rough draft) — that is, roughs of the rest of the layout of the book

-- A cover letter explaining what the story is about and why you want to tell it

 

Do NOT send it in as a PDF. In this business, people want to see the book in front of them as easily as possible, and if they have to print up stuff, it’s one extra step and once removed. Emails are coming at them by the thousands, and you want to stand out. It’s hard enough to avoid the “slush pile” even so, but coming from the computer rather than hard copy right off the bat is weak.

 

Since you’ve already finished the entire book (not the correct protocol), I would suggest that you go back to the drawing board and either use the sketches of your storyboard that you’ve done already to create a dummy, or create the roughs now, using your final version to make the dummy. You can insert the text, but again, make sure to include your manuscript on its own, separately. I suggest this route because it shows you’ve done your homework, which is that you know a design editor will likely want to edit and revise your final work and page layouts, so it’s not feasible to submit more than a dummy for their initial evaluation.

 

You can take a chance and submit it as it, complete as you’ve made it, but that’s a bit of a crapshoot because if they see some parts they don’t like and some they do, they may dump the baby out with the bathwater, since a finished work looks more final and less open to being a work to be revised.

 

If your ultimate goal is to publish it via a legit publishing house, the testimonials from others won’t help. Publishers know their markets and what to look for, so they make up their minds regardless of how well you’ve marketed it yourself. The manuscript and illustrations will stand on their own. Personally, I think you should get the publisher first, because that will get your book printed and distributed to book stores. That’s what you need first. Then you can market on your own however you wish. Also, do your research: look for publishers who have other books out that have a feel or look a bit like yours, or are in line with the kind of story you’ve written. Different publishers have different tastes and focuses.

 

Here's another great link for you -- these guys have great resources and maybe even conferences in your area:

 

link removed

[abitbroken]

Children's books also go through an editing process. You definitely only want to send a couple sample illustrations as there may be editing involved. They might want it edited for grammar or clarity, or even to make it a little more appealing. They may also want the story to be longer, or want it edited a little to fit it into an age group or format.

[Pall Wall]

Here's another great link for you -- these guys have great resources and maybe even conferences in your area:

 

link removed

 

I have looked into that, and I've tried to read and understand, and it's a little confusing of whether or not it's only for members that have had published works. It all talks about counseling, advisory, but it doesn't clearly state where you get this counseling. I don't know if it means attending the Regional Chapters in TX where I live. They are all over 3 hours away from where I live, it will not work for my trying to physically attend.

[tiredofvampires]

I have looked into that, and I've tried to read and understand, and it's a little confusing of whether or not it's only for members that have had published works. It all talks about counseling, advisory, but it doesn't clearly state where you get this counseling. I don't know if it means attending the Regional Chapters in TX where I live. They are all over 3 hours away from where I live, it will not work for my trying to physically attend.

 

Yes, you have to become a member to be able to access the info. But you don't need to be published. It's for anyone who wants to pay for a membership.

 

I personally have not subscribed, but I've gone to regional conferences which I've paid for as a non-member.

 

If you have the money, I'd recommend them, because they are a gold mine of information.

[chitown9]

They are all over 3 hours away from where I live, it will not work for my trying to physically attend.

 

Only 3 hours away! Get a motel room. That is what other people attending the event will be doing. Do you have Motel 6 in Texas? ...

[quantumst8]

Get a literary agent and have the agent handle all of these details.