Writing Resources

If I want to publish a picture book, where do I begin?

Great question! Publishing can be a daunting process, so I want to provide a few steps and tips to help you get started. Everyone’s path to publication is unique, and it’s important to remember to do what works for you. As a traditionally-published (different from self-published) author, I’ll lay out the general steps for that process.

  1. Read, read, read

    Before diving into writing, take time to read what is already out there. You can learn so much from fellow creators. Analyze your favorite books (both old and new) to discover what makes a good story. Through reading, you can learn different picture book forms, story structures, genres, and more. Pay attention to the details and ask yourself questions: Is this book the standard 32 pages? Does this book include back matter? Are there a lot of books covering this subject matter? How might my story add to the conversation of existing books? Have fun with this step!

  2. Write, write, write

    Write whenever you can. Follow your curiosity to see where it leads. Practice is a crucial step in discovering your artistic style, voice, and interests. If you are a text-only picture book writer, please note that the editor (see step 5) is normally the person to pair you with an illustrator once you have a book deal. Most of the time, authors and illustrators do not communicate directly with one another until the book is complete in order to maximize creative freedom on both sides. The editor will be your main point of contact during the process.

  3. Edit and polish (hint: you don’t have to do this alone!)

    Congratulations on completing a draft! Now comes the editing process. This starts way BEFORE it reaches the desk of an editor or any publishing professional. A big part of this step is finding community. There are many other amazing creators out there who are on this journey alongside you, perhaps in the same stage as well. Connect with them, form a critique group, and share resources. Some helpful organizations to look into are:

    Some of these organizations include paid memberships, writers conferences, scholarships, free online resources, and other opportunities. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Continue the search!

  4. Get a literary agent

    This is a crucial step if you’re looking to be traditionally published. Most publishing houses do not accept unsolicited manuscripts or work from unagented creators, so you will need an agent to manage that process. The organizations listed above can provide helpful resources and lists to get the process started. As a picture book creator, you should have at least 3-5 polished manuscripts at this stage. You will query with one, but if an agent is interested, they will likely request more work. Be patient with yourself—this is a notoriously challenging step!

  5. Publish the book!

    Once you land an agent, you and your agent will go on submission with your work. Your agent will send the work to editors at publishing houses to see if they want to acquire your story for publication and offer you a book deal. As you wait to hear back from editors, continue working on new things. Keep going!

I hope this helps! Wishing you all the best in your writing journey. Due to high volume, please note that I’m unable to respond to specific questions regarding the publishing process for individuals. My contact page is only for events, school visits, or book-related inquiries. Thank you!