Writing a children's book query

After you know how your chosen publisher wants your materials submitted, youre ready to pull together your query. Nonfiction books jane friedman for years, ive offered a lengthy guide on how to write a query letter for a novel. But nor are you writing a detailed outline of your story. Have you published other books, or do you have other writing experience.

Writing childrens books for dummies, 2nd edition by lisa rojany buccieri, peter economy publishers require prospective authors to submit either a proposal a longer document providing additional editorial and marketing information about your book or a query letter a onepage letter of introduction inviting the publisher to ask for more details about your project. If your book stands alone but you feel you would only sell it as a series, then say something in the query letter like, x is written as a standalone. Whether youre writing a board book, a picture book, or a chapter book, the title of your book needs to be centered and in all caps, and you need to have two line spaces or one double space between it and. You must explain your credits, bio and platform making a case that you are the best person to write this book and you have some means in place to sell it.

Write a killer picture book query to hook a literary agents. Children s book coach and bestselling authoreditor emma walton hamilton gives a stepbystep lesson in how to write a pitchperfect query letter. I have also had stories published in childrens magazines. The first step in knowing how to publish a childrens book is to understand the basic categories of childrens books and how they apply to your writing. Five wellknown writers share how they got their start. A proper query letter will provide a synopsis of your book, will. How to format your childrens book manuscript dummies. This is the perfect query letter for picture book formula.

If youre writing nonfiction, suddenly the bio paragraph becomes the most important part of the letter. I am a member of scbwi and the author of a childrens picture book. Childrens book coach and bestselling authoreditor emma walton hamilton gives a stepbystep lesson in how to write a pitchperfect query. Query letter basics for the childrens book market book editing. It is hard to write a good query letter, especially when youre starting out. But so much has changed in the world of children s books, and so many people seem all fired up to write them, that we thought wed get the inside skinny from one of our favorite children s book. If you want additional advice or variations on formatting, take a look at harold underdowns excellent the complete idiots guide to publishing children s books. Whether youre writing a board book, a picture book, or a chapter book, the title of your book needs to be centered and in all caps, and you need to have two line spaces or one double space between it and the first line of text. Contact me for personal, actionable advice on your project. You also have your picture book query letter, and, well, the most important thing. Have you written a book for children, but you arent sure how to get it out there to publishers. Yes, a query should be a professional business letter, but honestly, writing a query in the same manner as a regular cover letter is a recipe for snoozeville. Successful query letters and winning examples writing. The first rule of query writing is that the letter must fit on one page.

A query letter is what you send to find out if there is interest in your project. In an equery, you dont need to start with your address, the recipients nametitle address, or date as you would in a traditional snailmail business letter to editorspublishers. Discover how to polish your manuscript, find agents, submit to publishers, and even selfpublish a children s book. Picture book format and how to format your manuscript kidlit. But with picture books, there are a few extra things to keep in mind. Query letters are your introduction and a tease of your book. Youll dive into emergent readers and first chapter books and examine the impact of harry potter on children s book writing as a whole. Learn how to write a rocking picture book query letter in this post, which includes tips from the top childrens book editors in the industry. However, if you are writing a book thats about a group of kids who go to a deepseadiving camp and youre a marine biologist, thats relevant.

Successful query letters and winning examples the goal of query letter is to elicit an invitation from an agent or editor to send in sample chapters or the whole manuscript. When writing a query letter for a picture book you will basically have three main paragraphs, plus your. Sending a query for a picture book follows the same guidelines as any other type of manuscript, and you can read the rest of my querying blog posts here. A great query should not only tell an agent what your book is about, but it should also match your book. This letter is short, sweet, and definitely to the point. Consult a written or online guide to childrens book publishers. This is only a barebones guide to writing a cover letter. A query letter is an appeal to publishers or agents in an effort to get them interested in something youve written, usually a book. Query letters for childrens book fiction harold underdown. Just present the main characters, the main problem, and the resolution, then work in a hook great friendship hook, above, and sign off like you normally would with a novel query. A query letter is meant to elicit an invitation to send sample chapters or even the whole manuscript to the agent. How to write a picture book query the basics the layout of a picture book query.

You should put just as much care and attention into crafting and polishing your query as you did into your manuscript. As a picture book editor, i work with writers on all aspects of the picture book craft, from creating a compelling children s book manuscript in proper picture book format, of course. Sitting down to write your very first query letter for your book can be nerverackingeven stymying. What should you write in the bio paragraph of a query. Children s publishing is extremely competitive and there are so many writers out there trying to get their children s picture book into print. These days, most queries to agents will be equeries. Friends of mine, old hands at the writing game, admit to still feeling a twinge of anxiety when they have to write a query. Query letters for children s book fiction musings archive for april 2003. Many authors hate the task of writing a query, but its a necessity in todays. Query tips no one tells writers from literary agent carly watters.

For some writers, the query will represent a completely different way of thinking about their bookbecause it means thinking about ones work as a product to be sold. When youre pitching fiction to an agent or publisher through a query. Query letter basics for the childrens book market book. How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers dummies. Simple query letter for picture book tips and a sample so you can publish a picture. Wow children book publishers with perfect query letters. A query letter is a onepage letter sent to literary agents in an effort to get them excited about your book. And speaking of the first line of text, it must always be flush left. How to write a picture book query letter in 6 simple steps. The best inside information and resources for writers of any genre and readers of young adult fiction, including secrets from popular authors, tips, howto advice, and indepth articles.

And arielle has agented dozens and dozens and dozens of books in her 18 year career as a literary agent. Check out our guide and wow prospective publishers. In this lesson, youll explore books for beginning readers and discover the resources available to writers. Secrets of successful childrens book authors parents. However, dont let the fact that kids books are short and full of pictures fool you. Type it single spaced, but leave sufficient white space at the top and bottom so the letter looks uncluttered and appealing. Remember that picture book format is just one small component of a successful childrens book submission. Most publishers require a query for a nonfiction project or novel.

Query tips from authorartistzoologist jess keating. If you do it enough, and do it well, you can even turn it into a source of income. A lot of people who write for children are parents, teachers, and librarians. Since most agents ask that the picture book manuscript be included in the submission, writing a really meaty query for that short a manuscript. Youll learn about the market and gain tips to help you create books children. So, your book is finished and you need to get the word out. In my role as coadmin for the query critique forum on 12 x 12, i recently wrote a post on writing a picture book query. If you write fiction or narrative nonfiction, a query letter is your first and often, your only chance to get an agent interested in reading and, with hope, signing your work. Dont focus so much on picture book manuscript format that you lose sight of character, plot, and writing. How to write the perfect query letter query letter example. How to write a darn good query letter ny book editors.

No need to write an elaborate picture book query letter. I dont know anyone who really likes writing queries, and most agree. Thats one side of one page no cheating and printing a doublesided letter. If youre hoping to secure a traditional publisher for your next great american novel, youve got to write the best darn. How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers. How to write a successful query letter example and. Top 10 tips to submitting a childrens picture book. Query letters that worked sub it club features the letter of author margaret chiu greanias as a successful example of a query.