5 Things You Should Know About Writing a Picture Book

Before attempting to write my first picture book, I did a lot of research. I didn't think I could write one because I had no artistic ability (except for the little doodle flowers that I draw all over my notes when I am bored in class). I quickly learned that this would not be problem. Since I have done a lot of digging, and I thought I would share the tips I learned for writing a picture book.

1. No artistic ability required. Picture book manuscripts are submitted with just the text. It shouldn't be formatted like a picture book or laid out in any special manner. Just neatly typed and formatted like any other work. Publishers have artists that they use for picture books and once a book is accepted they will match it with an appropriate illustrator. That was a big relief for someone like me. If you are an artist, you should think very hard about whether you should submit art with your manuscript. First, if you are not a professional illustrator, just don't. It is difficult for a publisher to call and tell you they want your text but not your artwork. More than likely they will just reject the whole thing. It is hard enough to get accepted as a writer (or an illustrator) without having to get both the writing and drawing accepted. While we're on the subject, you also should not tell a publisher that your aunt, uncle, or cousin's best friend is willing to do the artwork.

2. Word count is key.  Word count is always important when submitting, but becomes especially important when your space is as limited as it is in a picture book. Picture books are usually limited to 24 or 32 pages, with about 4 of those pages used for the title page, copyright, and other non-story related material. You should limit yourself to 500-2000 words. Are there picture books out there with more or less words? Of course, but they are not usually by first time authors. With so few words, it is important to consider what really needs to be said in the text and how it is said. Remember that there will be pictures, so you don't need to describe the scenery or the characters, the pictures will do this for you. Use action words and present tense to help keep your word count down and the action moving.

3. You might be on your own. Agents are an extremely important part of the writing business, but many are not interested in first time picture book authors. Picture books do not typically make a lot of money for the writer or the agent. Most children's book agents accept middle grade and young adult manuscripts, but do not want picture books. That is okay though. A large number of publishing houses will accept unagented picture books. You can always go the way of looking for an agent (there are a number of online and print resources that will help you do this), but you might be better served by going it alone. Once you have an offer on the table, you could turn to agents to help you negotiate the contract. Once you have some publications under your belt, getting an agent to represent you for your picture books will be a little easier.


4. It doesn't have to rhyme. Like illustrations, if you are not a very poet, don't attempt to make your story rhyme. Before you write and submit a rhyming story, ask yourself if you are really good at it. Then ask a bunch of people that you know won't lie to you (not your husband, best friend, or mother). It takes a very special person to write a story that rhymes perfectly and has extraordinary rhythm. It is okay not to be that person. Most picture books don't rhyme anymore and publishers are often wary about publishing ones that do, simply because they must be extraordinary if they are going to make it. If you write a wonderful story that is engaging and doesn't rhyme, your are in far better shape that if you write a story that is clumsy because of the forced rhyming and rhythm.

5. You're not writing for the children. Okay, you are writing for children, but they are not your only audience. Small children don't buy books, parents do. Your book not only has to appeal to children, but also to the adults who buy and read books to them. Children usually demand that their favorite books are read over and over, so parent are careful to only bring home books they think they can stand reading 999,999 times. Think about whether your story appeals to parents as well. Is there another level to the story that is understood by adults but not children? Does the story subtly teach a lesson that benefits parents? Is it exciting enough that parents will want to read it again and again?

Did you lean something while writing/submitting a picture book?