Austin SCBWI » FAQs

How Do I Join the Austin SCBWI?

Erik Kuntz — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:47:05 +0000

You can join us by becoming an SCBWI member. Get the full information here.

When and Where are Meetings Held?

Erik Kuntz — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:41:26 +0000

Austin SCBWI holds monthly meetings except for those months in which a special event is taking place. Visitors are always welcome at our monthly meetings. See our calendar for a list of upcoming events.

Meetings are held at Book People, 603 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703.

Click the image to see a larger map and to get directions

How Do I Get Listed on the SCBWI Members Page?

Erik Kuntz — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:35:31 +0000

If you are an member of the national SCBWI, you are eligible to be listed on our Members page. There is a $10 yearly fee. For more information about getting a listing on the [Read the Rest...]

How Do I Share My News Through This Website?

Erik Kuntz — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:54:18 +0000

If you are a local SCBWI member, we want to help you get the word out about your successes (large and small), book signings, appearances, book releases, publications, programs, conferences news and the like.

Please submit items up to 50 words describing your upcoming event or success story to the RA through the webpage Contact Form and we’ll share it with the world!

I have written a children’s story (or several children’s stories) and want to know how to get published.

Erik Kuntz — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:28:24 +0000

Start by researching…by studying contemporary children’s books and magazines and by learning how your story fits into today’s market. Is your story age appropriate? Does it have a compelling plot and interesting characters? Study publishers’ catalogs and review publications such as Booklist and Hornbook (send off for them or see if the library will share). Network by joining a local chapter of SCBWI and by attending meetings and conferences. Obtain publishers’ guidelines before submitting (SCBWI publishes an updated market guide each August for their members). Make sure your work is professionally presented. Revise, edit, rewrite, revise some more. Join and stay in a critique group. Polish your work before submitting, and never tell an editor, “This is just a rough draft.” Always include a self addressed, stamped envelope with enough postage for your work to be returned to you, and never send more than one story to a publisher unless they request otherwise.

GLOSSARY FYI:
Solicited vs. Unsolicited Manuscript: Solicited means that the editor requested to see the manuscript. Your manuscript can have solicited status either through an agent, an editor you may have met at a conference, or you queried the editor according to their guidelines and got the okay to submit your manuscript. Otherwise, do not submit your work to a publisher who does not accept unsolicited submissions. It will not be read.

Exclusive vs. Multiple Submission: Exclusive submission means that you will not present your project to any other publisher while this publisher has it. These days, most publishers who still accept unsolicited manuscripts also allow multiple submissions. They just want to be told. Make your submission status very clear in your cover letter.

What should my query letter say? What should my cover letter say?

Erik Kuntz — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:27:26 +0000

A query letter is what you send to see if there is interest in your project. Most publishers require a query for a non-fiction project or novel. Your query should adhere to the publisher’s guidelines; never include more than they request. It should present your project succinctly, much like the preview you read on the inside of a book jacket, along with brief information about your publishing experience, if any. If the publisher requests sample chapters with your query, send the first pages, not your favorite parts. If they ask for chapter outlines, keep them simple.

A cover letter is what you include with your manuscript and should not be more than one page, if that long. If you have already queried the publisher, you can simply remind them that they requested to read your manuscript and tell them you look forward to their response (and let them know if it is exclusive or multiple). If you did not query first, then your cover letter should be like a query — with brief information about the project and yourself. Do not include a resume unless it is a non-fiction project and your resume reflects your expertise in the subject you are writing about. In any case, your writing will speak for itself. Most editors will tell you that they can tell if a project interests them by reading the first three sentences. They do not need to be told that your kids, grandkids, students, or dog loved your story, so don’t even go there.

Should I get someone to illustrate my picture book before I submit it

Erik Kuntz — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:26:59 +0000

Almost always: no. The editor who purchases your picture book manuscript will ultimately choose the illustrator. Except in rare circumstances, it is seldom a good idea to collaborate with an illustrator. Illustrators are better off researching the market and submitting their portfolios for assignments. Don’t illustrate it yourself unless you are a professional. There is also no need to describe the illustrations in your submission. If your manuscript doesn’t come to life visually without your explaining it, then the writing probably needs work. If the story is intended to be told by the illustrations, then mention that briefly in your cover letter; don’t clutter the manuscript with explanations.

Okay, I researched and networked and sent out my manuscript. All I’m getting back, if anything, are form rejections. What’s wrong?

Erik Kuntz — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:24:40 +0000

Most manuscripts are first reviewed by a reader, who is usually an associate editor. If he/she doesn’t see any promise in your manuscript for their publishing needs, she will return it with a form rejection letter which usually says something along the lines of, “Not right for our list.” Don’t be discouraged if you’ve done your homework. Keep sending it. If you get several rejections, see this FAQ. Also, don’t worry about copyrighting your unpublished work. The law is on your side, and legitimate editors do not steal manuscripts. Besides, you cannot copyright an idea, only your version of that idea. There are no original stories, only original ways to present them.

A publisher wants to publish my book, but they want me to pay for some of the expenses.

Erik Kuntz — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:22:13 +0000

These are called vanity publishers and they are to be avoided. Though they might tell you they will put up 50% of the costs, their “costs” are grossly over-inflated. You are better off publishing the book yourself. You can find excellent resources about how to begin this process, how much it will cost, etc. at the library or bookstore. Two helpful books are THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SELF-PUBLISHING by Tom and Marilyn Ross (Writer’s Digest Books) and THE SELF PUBLISHING MANUAL by Dan Poynter (Para Publishing). Also check out websites on self-publishing such as Self Publishing Resources.

An editor wrote that she saw promise in my manuscript but wanted it revised. I think it’s perfect the way it is. What should I do?

Erik Kuntz — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:21:31 +0000

“Revision is like wrestling with a demon, for almost anyone can write; but only writers know how to rewrite. It is this ability alone that turns the amateur into a professional.” — William Knott

Unless her comments are so far from your vision and you can’t see how you could possibly rework the manuscript the way she suggests, then take her comments to heart and get to work. Then, send it back to her and remind her that she has read it before.