Hi everyone.
I've written text for a picture book and some agents specifically state that a synopsis is needed. Also, a few have requested that the full picture book is placed in the body of the email rather than as an attachment.
Is it best practice to send a synopsis, even if the book is only 600 words of so?
Also, if they don't specify whether they'd like the book as an attachment or not, is it best to attach a document or paste in the body of the email?
Thanks,
Melissa
Forgot to add:
YES!!! Take the advice of Adrian, Lorraine, and Cherry! Check out the agents' websites thoroughly and follow THEIR guidelines. What one will bin is what might win over another.
Hi, Melissa!
I help out part-time at a tiny children's book publisher's. And there's this aspect to your situation:
To sell a picture book (to the public), the illustrations are of vital importance. Some publishers have either staff illustrators or preferred freelancers and don't WANT you to suggest an illustrator of your own. If you illustrate your own book, that's a different matter.
For a small, unknown publisher, the reverse is true. The one I work for has 2 or 3 texts which NEED illustrations, and we haven't yet found the illustrators. One with whom we've worked in the past wants to concentrate on her own WRITING. Another wants to take the summer off. Another was a "one-trick pony". BRILLIANT trick: totally original! As far as we're aware, this illustration style is absolutely unique in children's books. (And that's saying something!) But he's a writer, not really an illustrator. (He's also our editor-in-chief.)
I've never worked as - or for - an agent, so I can't say exactly what they prefer. And, anyway, "different strokes for different folks". But I know one thing: you've got to interest them from the very first communication! One way MIGHT be to send a sample illustration which you think perfectly matches your text, perhaps with a note: "this is the style I'm leaning towards" or "this illustrator has agreed to the project IF we get a contract".
Otherwise your text needs to be really exceptional, so that agent or publisher is willing to invest time matching you with an illustrator.
Best of luck!
Emilie
Agents get very precious about their submissions policy, so I would do exactly what they ask for on their website. If they don't specify, then they will presume you will send as an attachment.
Good Luck