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Picture books are beloved by children and adults alike, but crafting a successful one is no easy feat. Many aspiring writers make the mistake of thinking that picture book writing is easy because of the short length, but it actually requires a lot of skill and precision. In this article, we'll cover some key elements of writing picture books, the different types, and how to publish them.
Part 1: Writing Picture Books
Typical Length, Age Range, and Word Count
Picture books are usually between 24-40 pages long, with an average word count of 300-1000 words. On average, a 32-page picture book is the norm. The age range for picture books varies depending on the content, but most are generally geared toward children ages 2-8. Language doesn't have to be simple, like in an early reader, as the expectation is that an adult will be reading these books to the child and can help build vocabulary. Keep in mind that the text must be engaging and entertaining enough for both the child and the adult reading it. As any parent will tell you, the 100th read of a favorite picture book is more tolerable when it is one that the adult likes too.
Rhyming and Page Turns
Rhyming is common in picture books, but it's not a requirement. If you choose to rhyme, make sure it doesn't detract from the story or feel forced. Far too many first-time children's book authors think they need to write like Dr. Seuess. Go to your local library or bookstore though and you will quickly discover that many of the picture books out there avoid rhyming completely.
Page turns are also important to consider - each page should end with a hook or cliffhanger that makes the reader want to turn to the next page. Just like books for older readers, there should be some kind of plot or story that pulls the reader through the book. We should want to know what will happen next whether that is what the next barn animal will be or whether the princess will rescue herself.
"Writing a picture book is like creating a symphony - every note needs to be in tune, every beat needs to be just right, and the end result should be something beautiful that resonates with the reader." - Andrea Beaty
Illustratability
When writing a picture book, it's important to consider whether the text is easily illustratable. This means creating opportunities for visual storytelling and leaving room for the illustrations to enhance the text. Avoid being too descriptive or prescriptive about the illustrations, as the illustrator will bring their own unique style and interpretation to the story.
You do not have to be an illustrator in order to write children's books. In fact, some of the best children's books out there are a beautiful marriage between one author's writing and an illustrator's artwork. These relationships can often be fun and surprising too. For example, perhaps you wrote a fun story about building a new park for the neighborhood. You never specified in your story what your characters looked like though. If the illustrator has been given license to beimaginative, they may return with a story that is about ducks building a playground. The images may also contain added humor that the author never put into their text. This does not mean that the book can go against your vision as the writer, only that sometimes picture books can go in interesting directions.
"Picture books are like little pieces of theater, where the words and the pictures play off each other and make something greater than either one could be alone." - Mac Barnett
Types of Picture Books
There are many different types of picture books, including:
Fairy tales: These classic stories often feature magical elements and teach valuable lessons. Some great examples of fairy tale picture books include "The Three Little Pigs" by James Orchard Halliwell and "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Sanna Annukka.
Poetry and rhyming: These books use poetic language to tell a story or convey a message. Some great examples of poetry picture books include "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein and "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Board books: These sturdy books are designed for infants and toddlers and often feature simple, repetitive text. There are many that are both available as picture books and board books. Some great board book examples include "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown and "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.
Non-fiction: These books teach children about the world around them, covering topics such as science, history, and geography. Some excellent non-fiction picture books include "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon and "The Street Beneath My Feet" by Charlotte Guillain and Yuval Zommer.
Picture book biographies: These books tell the story of a real person's life through engaging text and illustrations. Some excellent examples of picture book biographies include "Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos" by Monica Brown and John Parra and "The Watcher" by Jeanette Winter.
There are also a plethora of picture books that don't fall into these categories like Mo Willems "Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" or James Gurney's "Dinotopia".
Myths About Writing Picture Books
There are many myths about writing picture books, such as the idea that it's easy or that it doesn't require much effort. In reality, writing a successful picture book takes a lot of time, effort, and skill. It's important to do your research and understand the craft before diving in. Not only are you trying to write a short simple story that engages children, but you have to do so in a way that keeps adults interested without feeling didactic or talking down to your intended audience.
Picture books go through just as much editing and revisions as a full novel. Your page turns may be off, your main character may not be interesting enough, or you don't have enough of a story to fill up a 32-page picture book. Whatever the case may be, if you are thinking of writing a picture book because you thought it would be easy, you are wrong.
It is also important to remember that your main audience is children. Having worked in children's book publishing, I can tell you that there were a lot of submissions from well-meaning grandparents who made the main character...you guessed it...the grandparent. While there can certainly be adult characters, it is important that the child be able to relate to the character. I promise, kids can understand "Mother Bruce" and his frustrations than kindly grandma taking the kids on a field trip with grandma being the main character.
Some excellent books on writing picture books include "Writing Picture Books" by Ann Whitford Paul and "The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults" by Cheryl Klein.
Part 2: Publishing Picture Books
Once you've written and revised (and revised again) your picture book, the next step is getting it published. There are several different publishing options available, including self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing.
Self-Publishing
Self-publishing allows authors to have complete control over the publishing process. However, it's important to note that self-publishing a picture book can be expensive and the costs are up-front, as you'll need to hire a good illustrator and pay for printing and distribution. When hiring an illustrator, make sure their style fits your book and that they're able to meet your deadline. An author may choose self-publishing if they want complete creative control over their book, from the writing to the illustrations to the design. They may also choose self-publishing if they want to keep a larger percentage of the profits or if they are having trouble finding a traditional publisher.
Keep in mind that you do get what you pay for. If you decide to cheap out, you are running the risk of getting someone who won't meet your expectations. For example, I worked with an author once who hired an illustrator via Upwork. The designer was based out of the Phillipines. By illustrations standards, the images were well-done. The problem came when the author needed some changes because they had not taken into consideration margins and gutters in a picture book. The illustrator was nowhere to be found. And because the illustrator had not provided the images without text on them, they were unusable for a picture book.
There are several printers in the United States that offer good prices for printing picture books, such as BookBaby and IngramSpark. Some authors may choose to simply upload their picture book as an ebook to Amazon and other ebook vendors. It's important to keep in mind that, while the parents may be reading and buying these books, young children typically have limited access to readers and tablets. While you avoid printer costs, you also limit your audience.
Hybrid Publishing
Hybrid publishing is a combination of traditional and self-publishing. This type of publisher typically offers more support and resources than self-publishing but doesn't require the same level of investment as traditional publishing. Some hybrid publishers that publish picture books include Mascot Books and Clear Fork Publishing.
Hybrid publishing can be a good option for authors who want some professional support in the publishing process but also want to retain some control over the final product. Hybrid publishers often offer editing, design, and marketing services, but the author may still have a say in the final decisions. Hybrid publishing can also be a good option for authors who want to see their book in print but don't have the resources to self-publish. Every hybrid publisher is different. Some may let you keep the rights to your book in the end, some use crowdfunding to make the book, while others require payment up front.
There used to be an old adage that said that you should never pay to have your book published. However, that was in the days where there were two types of publishers, Traditional and Vanity. Vanity publishers can sometimes fall under the hybrid publishing umbrella. It is important to note that a vanity press will publish anything as long as you are willing to pay. While they may offer some editorial, design, and/or marketing support, as long as you have the money, you can be published. There is nothing wrong with this as long as this is what you are aiming for. Be sure you know what you are getting into before you sign a contract.
Traditional Publishing
Traditional publishing is the most competitive and difficult option, but it offers the most prestige and potential for success. To get traditionally published, you'll usually need to find an agent who can pitch your book to publishers on your behalf. When querying agents, make sure to follow their submission guidelines and personalize your query letter to each agent. The competition is high here so it is important that you follow all the "rules", written and unwritten or your book may end up in the rejection pile.
An author may choose traditional publishing if they want the support of a team of professionals, including an agent, an editor, a designer, and a marketing team, to help them produce and promote their book. Traditional publishers often have established distribution channels and can get books into bookstores and libraries more easily than self-published or hybrid books. Additionally, traditional publishers often offer advances against royalties, which can help the author cover the costs of writing and promoting their book.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision of which publishing route to take depends on the author's goals and priorities. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and what works for one author may not work for another. It's important for authors to research their options thoroughly and make an informed decision based on their individual needs and circumstances.
A word of caution here, whatever route you choose, do your homework. Be sure that the company you choose will give you the support that you need at the level you want. If you just want a couple copies for friends and families, then self-publishing and finding a good printer would be more in line with your vision. If you imagine your book sitting on the bookshelf at Barnes & Noble, then hybrid or traditional publishing would be a better match.
"Publishing a book is like sending your child off to school - you hope it will be well-received and find its place in the world." - Kevin Henkes
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