Hello,
Does anyone know where I can find examples of the best formatting for picture book submissions? I've seen a few different versions of this but not sure which is preferred. The yearbook makes reference to this but keen to see examples.
I'd really appreciate the info if anyone knows where I can find these.
N
Areas of interest
Hi Clare, Thank you so much for your advice. I am just submitting text at this stage. Any options you can share would be much appreciated.
Hi Naomi,
Absolutely! If you're just submitting text then I've pulled together some resources.
SCBWI are a great resource for picture book writers (and writers of children's fiction in general: https://www.scbwi.org/online-resources/frequently-asked-questions/
As I mentioned, some literary agencies will have different submission policies. I've had a look at some examples of agencies who I know accept picture book text submissions and have listed them below for you.
Please note this isn't an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of the common formats.
Darley Anderson Children's Agency: https://www.darleyandersonchildrens.com/submissions
If you are submitting a picture book…
We are happy to look at up to three full picture book texts. Please include each text as a separate attachment, and don’t include pictures unless you are also submitting as an illustrator. You should also send a covering letter.
United Agents
Please send a covering email and at least three stories (not in a series) as attachments
Catchpole Literary Agency: http://www.thecatchpoleagency.co.uk/submissions/#:~:text=Please%20send%….
Send a short, snappy cover letter with just a couple of details about the sender
a one- or two-sentence pitch for a story idea, to set out the hook of its premise
– a brief nod to the intended readership
– and then a sample of writing PASTED INTO THE BODY OF THE EMAIL (a whole picture book text or a couple of chapters of a novel)
Caroline Sheldon: https://www.carolinesheldon.co.uk/becoming-a-client/
Send the work by email to info@carolinesheldon.co.uk, addressed to Caroline Sheldon . Please do not send to Caroline's individual email address.
In the subject line of the email put PROPOSAL/[Title of Work]/[Your Name]
Include a three-sentence synopsis of your work at the top of your email
In your email, include any relevant information about yourself, such as your experience, your ambitions as a writer, or if you’ve been previously published.
For picture book proposals, please send the text only. You can send us up to three samples of your work if available.
Please ensure all attachments are in .doc or PDF format
I hope this gives you a better idea of formatting Naomi! You'll almost always have to include a covering letter, but you'll see that some agencies are happy for you to send just one text, while others do ask that you submit up to three.
Best of luck! :)
In reply to Hi Clare, Thank you so much… by Naomi Nightingale
Hi Naomi!
It can depend on the literary/illustration agency you're submitting to as agencies do have different submission policies.
If you are submitting your work to a literary agency - just the picture book text - this is normally accepted in a Word Doc format with double spacing.
Can I ask if you are submitting text and illustrations? If so, I'll have a look into some options for you and will share on here!