Hi all
I am looking for some advice on where to start:) I have collaborated with an illiustrator to create a gory picture story book ( think Edward Gorey, Tim Burton). This would we be a book with short stories ( maybe 4 or 5) and the first draft ( first story) is finished. I am not sure which category this would be - would the book appeal to children or adults and what exact genre that would be. So I am looking for any advice how to start and where to start looking ( do we approach agents etc...) Any help would be much appreciated.
Areas of interest
Hi Niko,
A gory, creepy picture story book sounds great! The comparisons you've given would definitely give any agent or editor a good idea of where your story would fit.
I think figuring out where your book sits in the market depends on the actual content of your stories. Do they feature graphic content? The children's market can be broken down into different categories. Picture books, chapter books (5-8 years old) and middle grade (9-12 years) and naturally these age groups can 'handle' different levels of content.
If you are thinking of approaching agents, the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is a great first port of call! Yet, you will most likely need to finish all of the stories within this collection before you start submitting your work. It sounds as though you only have a first draft of one story, so there might be a bit more work needed before submitting to agents.
If you'd like to know more about the children's book publishing industry, I'd recommend checking out SCWBI - The Society of Children's Writers & Book Illustrators. It's a great community to be a part of, with plenty of resources that might help you figure out where exactly you want your book to sit within the market.