In case you missed it:
Grab your PiBoIdMo mugga joe and let’s get to it, shall we?
mvanhierden asks:
When submitting query letters for picture books, is it standard practice to include a manuscript?
Always follow an individual’s submission guidelines. Some agents/editors don’t ask for a query first because a picture book is a short read. They’ll ask for a cover letter and the manuscript instead. And even though some want the full manuscript, they’ll still ask for a query letter with it. Why? They want to hear how you SELL the story.
Not sure what goes into a query letter? See yesterday’s post.
But everyone is different; pay attention to their guidelines. Guidelines are in place to help an agent/editor work most efficiently, according to their preferences. Therefore, not following guidelines is subject to an immediate, automatic rejection. They just can’t afford the time to read submissions that don’t follow directions.
.
Anne Bromley asks:
I heard recently that one needs at least 3 polished, ready-to-submit picture book stories in order for an agent to take serious interest. Has this been your experience as well?
Yes, this is what I recommend—have at least 3 to 5 picture book manuscripts polished and ready for submission.
An agent will rarely take a writer based upon one picture book manuscript alone. Yes, it happens, but your odds are so much better if you have several ready. Why? If the agent likes your work, they will almost always ask for MORE WORK. An agent wants to ensure that they are a good fit for you, so they want to connect with a body of work, not just one piece. If they like your submission and want to see more but you don’t have anything else, you’ve wasted an opportunity.
More books ready means more books to sell, which is preferable for the agent. If they can’t sell one manuscript, they have another to sub immediately.
But what about an editor? The same holds true. They could like your manuscript but not have the ability to publish it for whatever reason. They may ask for something else. You want to have that something else ready!
And honestly, you become a better writer with each manuscript you complete. So although you might have one ready to submit, wait until you have more because the next manuscript might be the better sell.
.
Patricia Tilton asks:
When do you set aside a MS after many rejections, even though it’s polished, been through editors and you’ve done the revisions and more revisions? Or do you just keep submitting?
Tough question, Patricia! I feel like this is dictated by a gut feeling more than anything else.
I have an agent, so my rejections always include a reason. If I receive compliments and suggestions, then the manuscript is on the right track and we keep submitting. If I receive a lot of similar suggestions for improvement, I take it back and revise.
For those without an agent, if you receive only form rejections without any personal rejections, it’s a signal that perhaps the manuscript needs more work.
It’s not uncommon to hear of manuscripts rejected 20 or more times, so sometimes it’s about just connecting with the right editor at the right time.
If you’ve submitted widely without a bite, I’d recommend putting the manuscript aside and coming back in a few months to see if you can make improvements. Then try another round. Again, some rejections are about timing rather than quality, so a new round of submissions can yield new results.
.
Carrie Brown asks:
We know, as writers, to revise until our very best work is present. Then, we know to send it out to our critique groups and revise some more. Repeat. Repeat again. Etc. Once our work is “the best it can be,” do you think there is a secret numbers formula as to how many subs a manuscript should go through before being shelved? What if, for example, a manuscript goes through a period of requests mixed with personal feedback from agents, and then said changes are made and it goes back out to be met with chirping crickets? Then what? Just like everything in the writing world, I know these questions will be met with subjectivity, as well. But this inquiring mind values your opinion!
Yes, as you’ll see by my answer above, it really is subjective, a gut feeling. I’ve known writers who have submitted 27 times with rejections and the 28th time was the charm. I’ve known writers who have revised a manuscript on and off for nearly 10 years before it was bought.
I suppose my suggestion is to keep plugging away as long as you feel passion and confidence in your work. Again, sometimes it’s about timing more than anything else.
Let’s go to the scenario you proposed—if you’ve made changes that were requested but have only heard crickets in response, I would probably go back to the previous version. When you revise based upon suggestions from one individual, it’s purely being done to meet their specific taste. And if they don’t like it after the changes have been made, it probably wasn’t the right move.
.
Jo Dearden asks:
In your query letter, when it comes to describing your Picture Book, should you include a short paragraph in the style of a jacket blurb, or should it be a straighter description (like a mini, paragraph-long synopsis)? This is assuming you’re sending the whole text to the agent/publisher.
Yes! It’s an excellent idea to write your synopsis in the style of jacket flap material. This kind of paragraph whets the appetite and makes the reader want to dive in. Pick up a bunch of picture books at your library and study the book jackets. Try to emulate them.
Guess what? There’s one final installment coming tomorrow!
And remember, follow-up questions are welcomed.
20 comments
Comments feed for this article
June 5, 2014 at 7:52 am
marcia23
Glad to read your comment about having more than one manuscript ready for submission when seeking an agent. It’s going to be a lot of work, but worth it in the long run. Thanks.
June 5, 2014 at 8:51 am
jheitman22
Thank you for this series, Tara–very helpful. I will refer to it again and again.
June 5, 2014 at 8:53 am
shiela fuller
Looking forward to tomorrow. I have totally enjoyed this series, as these are many of the same questions I would have asked.
June 5, 2014 at 9:20 am
Prairie Garden Girl
Thank you for taking the time to answer so many questions-good questions and great answers. I especially like the idea of having three to five polished ms reading for submission. ~Suzy Leopold
June 5, 2014 at 9:28 am
Darshana
Loving this series Tara. Thank you!
June 5, 2014 at 12:06 pm
nicole snitselaar
I could perhaps add that sometimes you might submit a second round a few years later and find a publisher. 🙂
June 5, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Tara Lazar
“Like”!
June 5, 2014 at 12:17 pm
berylreichenberg
Keep these questions and answers coming, please. Beryl
June 5, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
Great stuff. I love these posts. Thanks.
June 5, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Anne Bromley
Thank you, Tara, for taking the time to answer our questions so thoughtfully and thoroughly. You do a great service to our “community.” I keep so many of your posts in a special email folder.
June 5, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Tara Lazar
That’s great! But be sure you visit the posts online for the most up-to-date info…because truth be told, I’m always adding to them after they’ve been posted! (Sometimes two seconds after they’ve gone live, LOL.)
June 6, 2014 at 7:01 am
Your Kidlit Questions Answered! Part IV | Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)
[…] So, there have been three previous Q&A’s…check them out here: Part I, Part II, Part III. […]
June 6, 2014 at 9:10 am
Rene Aube
Thanks, Tara! The discussion about submissions/rejections/revising/tabling a manuscript are especially helpful. I appreciate your generous heart in sharing your experience/knowledge. 🙂
June 6, 2014 at 10:59 am
Diana Delosh
yes yes about having more than 1 project/book proposal in the works. They look at you differently when they realize you have stories/books vs being just a 1 trick pony.
June 6, 2014 at 5:20 pm
writersideup
I just had to say I LOVE the depiction of you in the art by Edna. It really captures you! 😀
And, as always—spot on answers to the questions 😀
June 6, 2014 at 7:12 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
Wonderful! I love the “Book Jackets” comic! 😀
June 7, 2014 at 12:09 am
Carrie Brown
Thanks, Tara! I LOVE the, “as long as you feel passion and confidence in your work” comment! It seems that when I start to hear the same or similar comments from about 2-3 knowledgeable agents or other professionals, that’s when I play with it and revise again. I agree timing can play a huge role as their lists constantly change. So, as long as passion and confidence are present, I will press on! Thanks again!
June 8, 2014 at 11:22 am
Lori Mozdzierz
Thanks, Tara! Truly enjoyed 😀
June 8, 2014 at 8:25 pm
elainekielykearns
Thank you, Tara! Great post!!!
October 26, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Your Kidlit Questions Answered! Part II | Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)
[…] .Part III to come tomorrow! […]