Twenty "Simple" Steps to Be a Successful Picture Book Writer

I've been working with a young writer who wants to write picture books.  As I was sharing with her some tips for starting out on this journey, I sent an email to reinforce some of our conversation, and I thought it might be helpful for others who are aspiring picture book writers. So, here it is for anyone who needs it.  Feel free to add clarifying comments or "steps" I may have missed in the comments.

​Tonnye's tips for beginning picture book writers:

1. Read at least 50 picture books that were published within the last 2-3 years.
2.  Read WRITING PICTURE BOOKS by Ann Whitford Paul  AND/OR
3. Take a picture book writing course. Some options are: 
   1. Writing Barn
   2. Storyteller Academy
   3. Susanna Hill
   4. Picture Book BluePrint (This is not an exhaustive list -- just some ideas.)
4. Write a rough draft of a story you want to tell. Don't edit as you write -- get an ugly, messy bad first draft on paper or computer without sensoring yourself. Let the ideas flow.
5. Revise, revise, revise. (This is a good time to watch a webinar by Pat Z. Miller called When Less is More: Cutting the Fluff). You'll find it here for free: https://youtu.be/v1rekOv9NI8
6. When you've revised to the very best of your ability, find a critique partner or critique group that is NOT a member of your family. (SCBWI is a great resource for finding connections.) Also, surround yourself with positive writing friends that will cheer you on and celebrate with you and listen to you cry over rejections. (social media is a great place to find a network of writers with whom you have literary kinship.)
7. Be brave and share your work with that critique group.  Be open to critique and try out things -- especially in the beginning. If you're just starting, trust the other folks who've been doing it longer than you. You'll develop your own writing eyes/ears as you go. (I like to make a copy of the manuscript with their comments and use it as my working document, but there are many ways to do it. Find your own strategy, but try their ideas!)
8. Send it BACK to the group (or to a different group or partner if you have more than one.)
9. Repeat until you're all thrilled with the book (and tired of revising ;-)
10. Do that with another story, and another, and another until you have 5 good, solid, polished stories that you have put through your critique groups multiple times and have made them the best stories you can.

11. When you have (at least) 5 good, solid, polished stories, you are ready to begin the querying process to try to get an agent. Research agents' MSWL (Manuscript Wish List) to find suitable agents. Use Querytracker and agency websites to determine who is open to queries and matches your manuscripts.

12. Draft a query letter for ONE manuscript that matches the agent who you think might like your book.  Be sure to include comp titles (2 or more books that have elements in common with your book that tell publishers you understand how your book fits into the marketplace.)

13. Send your query letter to a trusted critique partner or group and revise it just like a manuscript until it is shiny and polished.

14. When your manuscript and your query letter are polished to a shine, submit your first query. (Most recommend small batch submissions to your top 5-ish agent matches for that book)

15. Do NOT check your email every 5 minutes. ;-) Congratulate yourself for getting this far. Eat some chocolate. Drink some wine (but not too much ;-). Celebrate. Do something fun.

16. Start on a new project. Enter a contest. Research agents for your other books. Take a class. Revise another manuscript. Forget about the query letter. It is in an abyss.  Put a note in your calendar for the date when they say you can consider it a pass.  When that date arrives, revisit any feedback you received (probably NONE . . .)

17. Understand that EVERY journey is different. It is a matter of the right story getting into the right hands at the right time. For some it happens quickly. For some it takes longer.  Sometimes it feels like forever. Don't give up. Take every opportunity you encounter to learn, grow and succeed: pitch parties, contests, webinars, classes, conferences, retreats, critique trades, etc.

18. Revise the manuscript OR send more queries OR choose a different book to query.

19. Repeat ad infinitum until you achieve success. . . .
​
20. Celebrate BIG when your moment comes!!!