tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post2246092085698047187..comments2024-03-28T06:16:39.508+00:00Comments on Help! I Need a Publisher!: SUBMISSION SPOTLIGHT 8: picture bookNicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-22948442737980289682009-11-05T09:07:13.832+00:002009-11-05T09:07:13.832+00:00Just to clarify, I was talking about projects when...Just to clarify, I <i>was</i> talking about projects when I was both author and illustrator. the point being that in some picture books the concept and visual style of the book can be more important than the finish of the text, at least in the minds of some editors. If Beverley's idea was a 'wow!' concept with a fresh new illustration style, I'm sure an editor would be prepared toThomas Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987047131104943571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-73452763494053510332009-11-03T18:42:08.239+00:002009-11-03T18:42:08.239+00:00Hi Nicola!
I'm out here! And I'm so over...Hi Nicola! <br /><br />I'm out here! And I'm so overwhelmed (in a positive way!!) <br /><br />To be featured on your blog is a tremendous boost to my confidence. It's a strange feeling, being 'exposed' in this way, but how else would I know if what I'm trying to achieve is indeed, achieveable? <br /><br />All the comments are SO welcomed. I will sit down and digest them Beverleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-15868865004166504392009-11-03T08:54:52.252+00:002009-11-03T08:54:52.252+00:00Thomas - as a picture book illustrator, you woul...Thomas - as a picture book illustrator, you wouldn't have to worry about the words, because in that context you're not the writer. However, Beverley is offering this as writer-illustrator. My strong recommendation is that she needs either to submit her illustrations (along with some others from different ideas) as an illustrator, or get the book concept and words really strong.<br /><brNicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-26283500176141869962009-11-03T07:36:38.073+00:002009-11-03T07:36:38.073+00:00I agree that the letter is too long, and the story...I agree that the letter is too long, and the story a little flat. However, despite that last point, I don't think you would be wasting your time submittimg this because it still serves as a showcase for your very finished illustration style.<br /><br />As a picture book illustrator, I've often been told by publishers 'don't worry about the words, we'll help with those, just Thomas Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987047131104943571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-46130135608891191192009-11-03T01:02:33.111+00:002009-11-03T01:02:33.111+00:00Well, first, Anna seems to have the depressing hab...Well, first, Anna seems to have the depressing habit of knowing what she's talking about, so I'd be guided by her. (And Anna: has anyone done the Talking Heads version of a 'This is not my ... ' book?)<br /><br />But second, I've spent the past few years reading way, way too many children's book to my kid. And maybe the text is flat and doesn't scan, but it's Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-404786459353152622009-11-02T22:45:25.456+00:002009-11-02T22:45:25.456+00:00Hi Beverley,
I’ve worked as an in-house editor on...Hi Beverley,<br /><br />I’ve worked as an in-house editor on touch and feel (amongst other things) so I’m very familiar with this kind of project. Here’s a list of my reactions; they are broadly negative I’m afraid but please consider this less as discouragement and more as a list of insider tips for reference on future projects.<br /><br />* Concept-wise, it’s a clear a rip-off of the Usborne ‘Go away googlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920753582190379988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-32203533322169958702009-11-02T22:30:49.589+00:002009-11-02T22:30:49.589+00:00I agree with the comments so far both about the lo...I agree with the comments so far both about the lovely illustrations and the text being a bit flat.<br />I just have a question about your format. I just want to check that by 16-page book, you mean a single signature, so you have room for all the added extras. I'm sure you know about this, it's just more usual to tell an agent/editor how many words your picture book is, not how many Elen Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445201005486291612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-17659565780649229782009-11-02T22:09:41.998+00:002009-11-02T22:09:41.998+00:00I love the illustrations which have been shown her...I love the illustrations which have been shown here, and bet that publishers will see them and want them. They are just delightful.<br /><br />The query letter, though, went on far too long and wasn't focused enough. Too much incidental detail, too much rambling round the houses, and not enough about the book.<br /><br />I hope that Beverley isn't upset by my comments. I'm sure sheJane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-69703817826880378292009-11-02T21:54:00.021+00:002009-11-02T21:54:00.021+00:00My comments come solely as a reader with no specia...My comments come solely as a reader with no specialised knowledge of this field but I agree that the text lacks that special "something". (Sorry, that's not very helpful - it's just that some books, when read aloud, demand to be re-read and re-read and this piece of text, FOR ME, lacked that repeatability.) <br /><br />I LOVE the illustrations - there's no question of your Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06466817234425104422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-3048374266055234922009-11-02T21:01:57.706+00:002009-11-02T21:01:57.706+00:00I really like the pictures but I am less sure abou...I really like the pictures but I am less sure about the words. They do not, as one small reader, once put it to me, have "bounce" or rhythm. <br />Nanny doing the knitting is cosy and comfortable but it is also a stereotype. Could someone else make the final suit? It might have even more impact.catdownunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06959328192182156574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-2859319623588734732009-11-02T20:00:14.680+00:002009-11-02T20:00:14.680+00:00The picture book itself looks great and its nifty ...The picture book itself looks great and its nifty to tie it in with the whole crafty side of things. My children loved lift the flap books of all kinds. Nannas would love it and they are so often the book buyers for the very young. <br /><br />The letter itself seemed way too long ( I stopped reading before the end)and it seemed odd to open by telling them what you planned to tell them. ThatsMelinda Szymanikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10202080805759494767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-78199538530170646262009-11-02T19:48:21.919+00:002009-11-02T19:48:21.919+00:00Sorry, but I can't offer anything from a criti...Sorry, but I can't offer anything from a critique point of view as I know nothing about writing for children. <br /><br />However, as a doting auntie, I would certainly buy this. It would also be such a lovely present for other people's children. I love how tactile it is. What a wonderful book!Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972925629235261913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-68287069277832326562009-11-02T19:47:17.863+00:002009-11-02T19:47:17.863+00:00Flixton Mum - you are right that the text doesn&...Flixton Mum - you are right that the text doesn't scan or trip of the tongue. As an illustrator, clearly Beverley has talent but the words need much more work. <br /><br />Personally, I think Beverley should push herself as an illustrator. From that could come opportunities to create a complete book herself, or work with an editor, but the voice is not strong enough here. <br /><br />The Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-42625138818617558442009-11-02T19:30:01.292+00:002009-11-02T19:30:01.292+00:00Tough, tough market to break into.
As one who us...Tough, tough market to break into. <br /><br />As one who used regularly to see illustrator's portfolios, I think the letter over-explanatory to the point of being defensive. The work must speak for itself. <br /><br />I am not in the publishing business. My untutored view, therefore, is Beverley must decide whether or not she is staking all on this single book, or if she wants to get on the DOThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00719312854612984929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-20234892317243623632009-11-02T19:21:53.788+00:002009-11-02T19:21:53.788+00:00Hi Beverley
I'm not a parent (sadly) but I...Hi Beverley<br /><br />I'm not a parent (sadly) but I'm sure if I was, I'd buy this book for the little one, really. I think it's quite delightful with attractive and professional illustrations and a lovely text which encourages young children to think, apart from entertaining them.<br /><br />I've gleaned that a query letter for adult fiction should be no more than one page; David John Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01524610087056533062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-18655503597813951512009-11-02T19:18:02.149+00:002009-11-02T19:18:02.149+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.David John Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01524610087056533062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-2348427607355450692009-11-02T19:09:06.833+00:002009-11-02T19:09:06.833+00:00I know nothing about writing lift the flap books, ...I know nothing about writing lift the flap books, but we do own an awful lot of them and Dear Zoo is one of our absolute favourites.<br /><br />Is that directed for the 3+ market? My 3yo does like it, but only in that she attempts to work out what the letters are it is my 1yo who is more interested in it. I would say it is more 1+.<br /><br />I like the teddy idea and he looks adorable. I could Flixton Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17786998532681180809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-60789693397042474232009-11-02T18:41:15.375+00:002009-11-02T18:41:15.375+00:00I think that it would be more effective if the fir...I think that it would be more effective if the first thing the agent reads is the hook, rather than personal intro. Agent should know right away that Eddy's New Suit is a picture book for 3+ crowd, and that due to word count, synopsis and complete manuscript, etc....<br /><br />Then second paragraph could be about inspiration and who is target audience.<br /><br />Lastly, the credentials. Marisa Birnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17945909737147497606noreply@blogger.com