Archive for General FAQs - Austin SCBWI

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

February 27, 2009 in FAQs, General FAQs

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?

in FAQs, General FAQs

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

in FAQs, General FAQs

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.

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