Picture Book Submissions – The Powerful Proposal

Apparently this is a controversial issue – To submit a children’s Proposal with your manuscript or not? I always do. The editors can choose to read it or not, but I submit it, unless the Market Guide for a publisher states specifically not to submit a proposal. I will share with you what I learned at a conference from Christine Tangvald, back in the early 2000s, who has had a gazillion children’s books published. I figured if it worked for her, then I would do exactly what she did. I have not learned anything different through the years, it has worked for me, so this is how I still submit.

I don’t use the same form of proposals as is encouraged for adult books. Those seem to be more in paragraph form. Children’s Proposals are shorter, more precise with bullet points and sub-headings, and to the point. If you are an editor and prefer receiving children’s manuscripts in a different form, please mention it below. We’d love to submit the format you hope to receive, especially if it has changed in the last 20 years.

Here is a sample of a proposal and a short description of what each section may look like. Number the pages, with the exception of the first page, in the header right corner. In the header left corner put your last name and brief title. Use Times Roman Numeral 12 point font. Let’s use a purse theme and call it For the love of Purses.

In header: Lord/purses

Top left corner

Single spaced

Name/address/phone

email/website

 

(start this about 1/2 way down)

For the Love of Purses

Proposal

By Jill Roman Lord

 

Proposal: A Picture book for girls celebrating a child’s passion for purses that becomes a passion for sharing. (In one sentence tell what your book is about)

Purpose:

• Bullet points here.
• What point do you hope to make?
• What impression do you want this book to make?
• Any lessons you hope will come across?
  • For example – to demonstrate a girl’s passion for purses
  • To exemplify the joy of having a passion
  • To demonstrate a girl going ‘overboard’ in her passion
  • To serve as an illustration of a girl sharing her passion with others less fortunate
  • To exemplify the joy in giving and sharing
  • To encourage girls to reach out to others in need
  • To encourage girls to share their passions

• Hopefully you get the idea – not too many but enough to state your purpose.

Target Market:

• Girls ages 4-8
• Girls who love purses
• Girls learning to share with others in need
• Get as specific as you can… All girls is too broad.
• Not too specific as to shrink your market too small.

Special Features:

• What makes your book stand out? List them here.
• Written in delightful rhyme
• Scripture verse at the end
• List of charitable organizations at the end to which children may donate items
• Template for making purses with items around the house
• Apps for children wanting to sell purses
• Whatever creative idea you come up with to help your book ‘rock’!

Specifications:

• 750 words (shows your word count is within this publishers target range)
• Written as a 32 pages book (flexible) – always be flexible here, but let them know you’ve thought it out
• Colorful pictures on each page
• Any other specifics here…

Comparisons:

• Do your homework and see what other books are already published similar to yours and list them here, but don’t slam them as theirs is published and yours isn’t, yet…
• Mention how yours is different. Briefly. Editors don’t have time to read too much detail.
• Clifford’s Big Red Purse – List author, publisher, date: Story illustrating a big red dog and his love for his new purse. Written in prose. For the Love of Purses is written in rhyme and also demonstrates a love of purses but takes the reader further into sharing this passion with others.
• Next one, etc.
• Not an eternal list but enough to show it’s a popular topic but why yours should also be published.

Credentials:

• Any published work?
• Start with most recent and work down to oldest
• Important accomplishments related to your manuscript
• Won award for starting collection of purses to send overseas
• Articles published or number of articles if you’ve written a ton
• This is the place to let them know you’re the one to write this book
• Not the place to mention your high school summer work at Walmart, unless of course you were manager of women’s/girls purses.

And that’s it. This is not the one and only way to submit, but I learned this method from a professional at a writer’s conference and it has worked for me. Again, if you are an agent or editor and prefer different submissions please let us know! Spend time on this, do your homework, and make it powerful and make it sparkle!