Anyone A Published Children's Book Author?

[Doug123]

I'm interested in the process of getting a "picturebook" for the toddler age range published. If anyone on the DIS has experience in this area, I'd appreciate any information you can give me.

Broadly, what's the process to getting a book for children published? How did you go about getting the art work? Did you "pitch it" to different publishers by just mailing them the story itself or with the art work?

 

[arminnie]

My ex sister-in-law has published several children's books. I think she self published the first one but then got a contract with some division of Disney for the distribution.

She used a lot of public domain clip art - she published the first book over 15 years ago. It was an adorable recipe book for children using healthy foods.

Don't do this thinking that you are going to make a lot of money. You only make a few cents a book and that doesn't add up to much unless it turns into something like Harry Potter.

 

[GEM]

My mom is a children's author. She has about 11 books published for middle grade readers with a new one coming out this fall. Her publisher is Walker and Company in New York. She has also done a few picture books, and this is the way it works. Basically, if you want to write a picture book, you just write the text and submit it. Publishing houses have illustrators that they will assign to your book if they want to publish it. You do not need to find someone to illustrate it. In fact, you will hurt your chances of publication if you do that. I suggest you get a copy of a huge book called "The Writers Market". It will give you all the info. on who publishes picture books, what their submission guidelines are, etc. As the previous poster said, you certainly won't get rich off the royalties from a picture book. My mom makes a comfortable living, but she is not wealthy - and she has published lots of books. She actually makes more money from her speaking engangments, writing workshops, etc. Here's a link to her website, if you're interested. She just switched sites, so this one isn't quite finished yet, but there is some interesting info. there.

www.annamyers.info

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thank You! Younger dd wants to be published. I guess I owe it to her to look into it.

 

[Doug123]

Thank you. I will look into each of the suggestions.