How to get your Picture Book Published in 2022
And how I’m figuring it out, step by step. 1/many
So, you have an idea for a children’s book! This is hugely exciting. Children’s books provide us some of our first journeys: interactions with foreign worlds beyond our backyards. They aren’t ours; we become theirs as they weave their magical way into our souls.
Now what? How can you possibly get souls to invite your story to magically weave into them? I’m figuring that out, too. And, that’s what this is about.
In this series, I’ll be sharing everything I’ve learned and everything I’m learning as I get my first children’s picture book published as an illustrator/author, this year. #goals
Me:
I’m an illustrator and I think up stories. Making picture books is my calling. I know this, and, I’ve dabbled in it, but, have never had the time — lies — never MADE the time to commit to it. I have published a couple of books: activity books that had wide distribution, an award nomination, a mention in the “for Dummies” line, were ridiculously fun to work on, and, went out of print 10 years ago. However, I have story books in my brain, and, that’s a very different ballgame.
My goal:
- Publish loads of children’s picture books as an illustrator/author that are fun for both kids and their parents to experience over and over again with an SCBWI-listed publisher.*
Where I’m at:
- I’m currently building a submission package and am starting the process to find an agent who would be excited to work with me. Basically, I’m at the almost beginning.
What I have done so far:
- I have two distinct story ideas at various stages of development. Both are hilarious (to me and to my Uncle Frank).
- I am a member of *SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, and, I can’t recommend them enough. Step ONE for everyone wanting to publish a children’s book is to go straight to scbwi.org and sign up.
- I began growing my network and sharing my work; building confidence, receiving feedback, and making friends. Recently, I completed an online continuing education illustration course with RISD (Rhode Island School of Design).
- I have done loads of research. Loads. And, I will share what I’ve learned so far (and as I go) in this Medium series. This baring of my soul is called “keeping myself accountable” in a way that I truly hope opens doors for you all, as well.
What is on my to-do list:
Whelp. It’s long. And, I really like to keep momentum going, so, I packed 2022. For now, here’s January.
- Prepare for the SCBWI Winter Conference Portfolio Contest and Peer Reviews in February. This is its own list, and, mostly involves drawing and painting!
- Begin another RISD CE course: “Children’s Book Illustration”.
- Participate in various SCBWI Sponsored events and workshops.
- Learn Twitter. All the #kidslit and #kidslitart folks use it. That’s the hashtag. Now you know.
Getting published isn’t easy and the process is anything but straightforward. There are many different ways to get published and knowing which way is right for you and the books you create will determine your path to publication. It doesn’t help that the process is usually different for authors than it is for illustrators than it is for author/illustrators!
I hope you’ll follow along and that I can be of help and entertainment in your journey. You’re already assisting me in mine. I can’t wait to share all I’ve learned so far, and, what I continue to discover along the way.
