The children's book biz may be facing a slow down but the generosity of chidren's book editors, agents, writers, and illustrators seems to know no bounds.
FOR MORE FANTASTIC WRITING TIPS CLICK HERE.
Also, please see the comments for picture book writer extraordinaire Tammi Sauer's writing tips titled: Want the KEY to Publising Picture Books in Today's Tough Market?
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19 comments:
Thanks for compiling these great tips, Jill. Some great info here.
Thanks, Jill! There's some great tips in those links!
Hey Jill! Well gosh, I was surprised to see my name there on your list. Thanks for spreading the word! Dummies are a beautiful thing!
Terry
Great links and who can't relate to cookies?
The demographics are down for the picture book crowd, and the publishers are tightening their belts, so I think authors and illustrators have to put in extra time and energy to create something truly original.
Glad they're helpful. I know they have helped me.
Douglas, you are so right. It is funny though, sometimes when you write something original you think....someone else must have done this already. It is fantastic when you realize you do have that spark of originality.
I have one of those 'original' books out on submission right now. A poetry book, no less. More on that later....
Thanks for all the links Jill!
Jill,
What a truly EXQUISITE blog!
BRAVO!
Brenda
Awww.....thanks Brenda.
Hi, Jill.
It's Tammi from the blueboard.
I recently posted some pb writing tips at Kidlit Central. :)
Here's the link: http://community.livejournal.com/kidlit_central/38474.html
Weird. Every time I post the link, it doesn't work from this site.
ANYWAY...if you'd like the tips....go to Kidlit Central and check out the November 20, 2008 post. :)
PHEW!
Wow!
Thanks for the links. I'm off to tear my little PB mss apart!
Jean
http://www.jeanmatthewhallwords.blogspot.com
Thanks Tammi!
I'm having trouble with both those links so let me try...
http://community.livejournal.com/kidlit_central/38474.html
Oh, and let me brag a little for Tammi Sauer - author of 7 pbs and counting; I'll take her advice any day:)
Tammi Sauer
Oklahoma
www.tammisauer.com
Author of the following picture books:
Cowboy Camp (Sterling, 2005)
No Baloney! (Dutton, 2009)
Chicken Dance (Sterling, 2009)
Mostly Monsterly (Paula Wiseman/S&S, 2010)
Launch Time! (Dutton, forthcoming)
Princess-in-Training (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, forthcoming)
Duck Means Business (Paula Wiseman/S&S, forthcoming)
Good luck, Jean:)
Ha! Who needs a link? This was my post on the Nov. 20 Kidlit Central site:
Want the KEY to Publishing Picture Books in Today's Tough Market?
Before you send your latest picture book manuscript Out There, ask yourself the following questions:
Does my manuscript begin in a way that draws the reader in?
Is my main character flawed yet likeable?
Can I amp up the humor?
Have I put relevant obstacles of increasing difficulty in the way of my main character?
Have I used the best nouns and verbs possible?
Have I limited my usage of adverbs and adjectives?
Does my manuscript sing when it’s read aloud?
Can I cut any words?
Can I cut even more words?
Is the problem something a child can relate to?
Does my manuscript have a solid story arc (beginning, middle, Black Moment, end)?
Is my manuscript well-paced?
Does my manuscript evoke emotion?
Have I created opportunities for good page turns?
Have I left room for the illustrations to tell half the story?
Have I created opportunities for many and varied illustrations?
Does my main character solve the problem without the help of a grown up?
Does my manuscript end with a surprise or twist?
Have I shared this manuscript with others and received solid feedback concerning what works and what can be improved?
Have I done everything possible to make this manuscript irresistible?
And that KEY I mentioned? It’s simple.
Answer YES to the final question.
Good luck!
Tammi Sauer
Oklahoma
www.tammisauer.com
Tammi, thank you.
You are so generous!
Thanks for this great collection, Jill (and Tammi too). I will share it with the #pblitchat community.
For any of your readers, #pblitchat is a weekly online chat about picture books only. You can read more here; http://picturebooksonly.wordpress.com/about-picture-books-only/ - and you're most welcome to join us.
(Oh - I see why I was one short. The link to http://jwkclassic.com/articles/pb-mistakes-plague-slush-pile says the domain name has expired.)
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