THE BOOK: the Essential Guide to Publishing for Children 2021
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THE The ESSENTIAL GUIDE to PUBLISHING for CHILDREN 2021 WELCOME TO THE BOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PUBLISHING FOR CHILDREN. This book is the crown gem of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators publications. It contains virtually all the information you will need about writing and illustrating for the children’s book market. It will help you chart your creative work from inception all the way through the process of publishing and marketing. THE BOOK includes the latest market reports, articles on social media, discussions of emerging publishing options, and up-to-the-minute directories of everything from agents to book reviewers to relevant websites. Time-sensitive material contained in THE BOOK is updated regularly on our website, scbwi.org. The SCBWI staff takes great pride in presenting you with this invaluable tool that will optimize your career, whether you are already well published or a newcomer to the field. Use it as your primary reference and workbook. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any remaining questions. We wish you great success in the children’s book field and hope that THE BOOK will guide you along your creative path. With all best wishes, Lin Oliver | Executive Director EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Kim Turrisi ASSISTANT EDITOR: Sarah Diamond & Kiana Martin ART DIRECTOR: Sarah Baker INTERIOR DESIGN: Meagan Bennett FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SCBWI LIKE US ON FACEBOOK WWW.SCBWI.ORG 2021, SCBWI THE BOOK: ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PUBLISHING FOR CHILDREN. © 2021 SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS. Published by Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, 6363 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 425, Los Angeles, California 90048. Printed and bound in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechancial means including information storage and retrieval systems without written permission from the publisher. This publication is intended for the personal use of SCBWI members only. It may not be used, sold or lent for any purpose, commercial or otherwise. CONTENTS PREPARING & SUBMITTING SCBWI EN ESPAÑOL YOUR WORK Introducción ................................................ 83 From Keyboard to Printed Page ........................ 7 Del teclado a la página impresa ....................... 85 The Query Letter ........................................... 11 La carta de presentación ................................ 89 The Synopsis ................................................ 13 Guía para ilustradorxs de SCBWI ...................... 91 SCBWI Illustrators Guide ................................ 15 La organización de un portfolio ganador ........... 99 Jumpstart Your Creative Career ........................ 21 Del escritorio de la editora ............................. 101 Prize-Winning Portfolio .................................. 23 Creating Picture Book Dummies ....................... 25 SCBWI MARKET SURVEYS Demystifying Digital Dummies ......................... 27 2021 SCBWI Market Survey of Publishers of You’re Hired to Illustrate Your First Children’s Books for Young Readers ................................ 105 Book: What Comes Next? ................................ 29 International Market Survey ............................ 135 From the Editor’s Desk: Editorial Facts .............. 31 Edited By..................................................... 137 Starting a Critique Group ................................ 33 Small Press Market Survey .............................. 147 The Give & Take of Critique ............................. 35 Magazine Market Guide .................................. 155 Mentoring Matters ......................................... 39 Religious Press Market Survey ......................... 167 What the Heck is an Informational Book? ......... 43 Educational Press Market Survey ...................... 173 Nonfiction for Children: Growing and Changing .. 45 SCBWI DIRECTORIES & PUBLISHED AND LISTED RESOURCES Are You Making the Most of Your Virtual Visits? 49 Agents Directory ........................................... 183 Doing a Video Presentation from Home? ........... 51 Agented By .................................................. 197 Writing a Proposal for Conferences and Festivals 55 Finding an Agent: Best Practices ..................... 207 Bringing Your Backlist Forward ........................ 57 Saying Yes to the Rep .................................... 209 Freelance Editors Directory ............................. 211 SELF PUBLISHING A-Z Guide to Publishing in the Digital World ..... 219 What You Need to Know Before You Self-Publish 61 Book Producers Directory ............................... 221 Self-Publishing: Best Practices ........................ 63 Book Reviewers Directory ............................... 225 Hiring an Illustrator for Your Self-Published International School Directory ........................ 237 Book ........................................................... 67 Writing & Illustration Courses Directory ............ 239 How Good Design Can Elevate Your Book’s Writing & Illustrating for Children & Teens ....... 247 Allure.. ........................................................ 69 Grants, Fellowships, Residencies, & Retreats ..... 253 Using Kickstarter to Fund Your Self-Published Residencies & Retreats for Writers & Artists ...... 257 Book.. ......................................................... 73 The Ten Steps of Self-Publishing: A Guide for Beginners.. ............................................. 75 Beware Author Solutions Self-Publishing Scams.. 79 PUBLICIZING YOUR PUBLISHED WORK Book Release Checklist .................................. 261 100 Ways to Promote Your Children’s Book ....... 263 Grassroots Book Publicity ............................... 265 Keeping Your Book Alive ................................ 267 Resources for Published Authors & Illustrators .................................................. 271 7 Steps to Blogging Success ........................... 275 International Bloggers: What They Can Do For Your Book .................................................... 279 RIP for the Press Release? Not So Fast! ............ 281 Thirteen Kidlit Podcasts to Inspire Your Writing . 283 A Podcasting Primer ..................................... 285 Fifty Kidlit Blogs to Visit Before You Die .......... 289 All About Book Trailers .................................. 293 Crafting Your Book Marketing Plan ................... 297 PAL Speaking Opportunities ............................ 299 SCBWI SCHOOL VISITS Doing School Visits in the United States ........... 303 Guide to International School Visits ................. 307 Sample Lecture Contract ................................. 309 Public Speaking Primer .................................. 311 SCBWI LEGAL QUESTIONS Plagiarism.................................................... 315 Copyright for Writers & Illustrators .................. 317 SCBWI Sample Children’s Book Contract ............ 321 Archiving Your Work: What You Should Know .... 337 MY WORK My Projects .................................................. 340 Submission Record ........................................ 344 SCBWISCBWI PREPARINGPREPARING && SUBMITTINGSUBMITTING YOURYOUR WORKWORK 20202021 PUBLICATIONSpublications guide: GUIDE: the THE book BOOK | www.scbwi.org | www.scbwi.org FROM KEYBOARD TO PRINTED PAGE edited by Kim Turrisi o you’ve written a book or an article for young readers? Whether you’re submitting to agents or have decided to submit directly to editors on your S own, here are the basics on formatting your writing and the process of sending it out. QUERY FIRST Here are some basic suggestions: A query letter is always recommended before submitting a full manuscript. This letter is an introduction of you and your story for » Your manuscript should be addressed to the editor who the editor. If your manuscript is of interest, the editor will request requested it in response to your query letter. Include a self- a submission. Read “The Query Letter” on page 13 of this guide. addressed, stamped envelope of the correct size to hold your manuscript, with a sufficient amount of postage affixed. AGENTS » Include a brief cover letter with only information that While an agent is not necessary to submit a manuscript to an is necessary for the editor to know, as it relates to your editor, many publishers accept only solicited material represented manuscript (e.g., for nonfiction, describe what qualifies you by an agent. When submitting to an agent, here are some things to discuss your subject; for fiction, include any previous you should know: publishing credits). If you are submitting your manuscript in response to a previous query, be sure to mention this in your » Not all agents handle children’s material. Consult the Agents cover letter. Directory on page 143, or online in the “Publications” portion of » Keep copies of all correspondence. the SCBWI website. » Unless you are a professional illustrator, do not include » Most agents list their submission guidelines and procedures illustrations with your picture book manuscript. An art at their websites. It is imperative that you research these director will choose an illustrator that suits your work. guidelines prior to submitting. » Do not attempt to indicate where you would like illustrations » The SCBWI recommends that you not deal with agents who to be placed in your picture book story, or what they should charge upfront for any of their services or have a “reading” fee. portray. This is the job