Following on from my list of children’s publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts, I thought I’d post a list for people who are submitting children’s books to agents, as I’m considering that route for one of my novels and I thought others might find it helpful.
Publisher or agent? There are mixed opinions about which to try first. As we know, there aren’t many children’s publishers (or indeed adult ones) who accept unagented manuscripts these days, but on the other hand small publishers are more likely to take a chance on an unknown than an agent. Some people argue that if you approach publishers first then the agent won’t be able to submit to them, but to my mind there are such a small number of publishers you can approach yourself that I don’t think this would be a problem.
If you have decided to take the agent route, this list of agents is not exhaustive but will give you a starting point. (I have left off agencies who do not have a website or who just have a ‘wallpaper’ website with contact details only.) You can find full listings of UK agents in the Writers and Artists Yearbook or the Writers Handbook.
You will find that agents are more likely to respond promptly than publishers as they are always searching for the next breakthrough book. The turnaround can sometimes even be brutally quick! You are also more likely to get a standard rejection form, so you need to develop a tough skin and not take the lack of feedback personally – it’s simply a lack of time.
If you haven’t approached agents before, take these points into account before submitting:
* Be professional. Make your submission business-like and to the point.
* Study the agency website thoroughly. Get a feel for the type of work they like and the authors they represent.
* Links to submissions requirement pages are included on this list. Make sure you following the guidelines for submitting to the letter or risk the wrath of the reader! Missing something simple like an SAE (always include a stamped addressed envelope with submissions) could cost you a response. Some agents don’t take email submissions while others are paperless and will recycle any hard copy manuscripts they receive.
* Make a note of whether the agency prefers to be exclusively submitted to. Some recommend you approach multiple agencies while others discourage it.
* Some agencies don’t accept picture books; others prefer literature for older children or teenagers only.
* Make a list of your favourite agencies and work your way through them. If your manuscript returns home or to your inbox with a rejection slip, send it straight back out the next day to the next name on your list. Don’t waste time feeling despondent when your bestseller could be back out there finding a home! Good luck and if this list helps you in any way, I’d love to hear from you.
Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency
A spin off from the main Darley Anderson agency dedicated purely to children’s authors, it has nine of them on its books and accepts submissions by email or post. Send covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters . They aim to respond within a month and prefer exclusive submissions. You are welcome to chase them up politely after 6 weeks.
This fairly young agency is keen to develop new authors. They have four agents and a large number of clients. You should send them a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters by post only. If you don’t want your work returned, include an email address for the response.
This is a small agency with two agents and twenty-seven authors, who take on only one or two new authors a year. They have a very specific way of handling submission: a dedicated email address to which you should send a brief email and a small sample of your work pasted into the email itself (no attachments). If they are interested they will ask for more.
Anne Clark from Piccadilly Press has founded a brand new agency specialising in children’s and YA authors and already has eight clients. Send a covering email attaching a single Word file with the synopsis and first 20 pages (rounded to the nearest chapter). Picture books can be sent as a complete text. Anne favours the personal touch with dealing with clients so prefers UK or UK-based authors.
This large, established agency has six agents for both adults’ and children’s books, and over eighty authors. They ask for postal submissions consisting of a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters by post only. They aim to reply within two months. They encourage authors to submit to other agencies at the same time, but you should mention if your manuscript has or is being read in full by anyone else. At the time of writing they are not looking for picture books. As well as reading the very comprehensive submissions page, you should also click on the link to read some extremely useful advice from their reader David Llewellyn (who has instantly endeared himself to me by suggesting ‘the slush pile’ be renamed ‘the talent pool’!).
Read an interview with Paula Rawsthorne and her Conville & Walsh agent Jo Unwin at the Tall Tales and Short Stories blog.
Curtis Brown are a large, long established agency with a huge number of clients working in literature, TV, film and theatre. They have a brand new submissions system on their website and no longer accept postal submissions. Prepare a covering letter, synopsis of no more than 3,000 words and the first 10,000 words of your manuscript and follow the prompts in the link above to submit directly – do not send by email. The children’s agent is Stephanie Thwaites. They reply in six to eight weeks.
This is a small agency that deals mainly with children’s books. The website asks you to email them for their latest submissions details. At present they are not accepting submissions until after 1 October 2013. When open, they accept email submissions only and should reply in six to ten weeks.
Fraser Ross Associates deal mainly with children’s writers and illustrators. They have two agents and nearly seventy clients. They accept postal submissions only consisting of a synopsis, the first three chapters, and a writing CV. (Read their guidelines for more details about this.) They warn on their website that a response may take some time. In my experience they can take a long time to reply but have given valuable feedback to me in the past.
Read an interview with Fraser Ross clients Barry Hutchison and Teresa Flavin and comments from agent Kathryn Ross on the Tall Tales and Short Stories blog.
This is an independent agency who pride themselves in the personal service they provide between agent and author. (As a font fan I was also excited to see the rare appearance of courier on their menus!) They have two agents and over sixty clients. They accept fiction for older children and teenagers (preferably not science fiction or fantasy), by post or email, and you should send a covering letter or email, a brief synopsis and the first five to ten thousand words. They aim to respond within four weeks.
Greene & Heaton specialise in authors “prominent in their field”. They have seven agents and around 150 authors as well as speakers, presenters and illustrators on their books. You can submit by post or email including a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters or about fifty pages. They will try to reply within six weeks to postal submissions with an SAE or email contacct but will not respond to an emailed submission unless they wish to take your submission further.
This US-based young agency also accepts submissions from the UK. They have two agents and over fifty clients. They prefer to be a paperless office and you can email them with a short synopsis, a few details about yourself and the first chapter or first five pages, whichever is shorter. This must all be pasted into the body of an email – no attachments are accepted. They aim to reply within six weeks and in my experience are very prompt.
Read an interview with Greenhouse authors Anne-Marie Conway, Harriet Goodwin and Jon Mayhew with comments from agent Sarah Davies at the Tall Tales and Short Stories blog.
Antony Harwood have a large list of high profile authors writing in many fields including children’s literature. They have three agents including one for children’s authors, and over fifty authors including the amazing Garth Nix. They accept manuscripts by post or email but don’t specify any particular requirements on the website other than asking for a ‘brief outline’. So the best approach may be to email with a short description of your work and ask how they would like you to submit it if they are interested. Alternatively you could presume the standard covering letter, synopsis, first three chapters package will be acceptable.
This is one of the UK’s leading literary agencies with a huge list of clients. They only accept electronic submissions; you should use their submissions form and follow the instructions to type or paste in a covering letter and synopsis, and attach your sample chapters. They suggest you follow up after six weeks if you haven’t heard back from them.
This is a huge, long established agency with a large stable of authors. They ask for postal submissions only for adult work but in the case of children’s manuscripts you should submit by email only to the address given. The email should take the form of a covering letter to which you should attach a word document consisting of a synopsis and the first two or three chapters plus a CV. They accept picture books (send the whole manuscript).
You can read an interview with client William Hussey and comments from agent Veronique Baxter at the Tale Tales and Short Stories blog.
This London agency has four agents and a large number of clients. You can submit by post or email and should send a covering letter (or email), a synopsis and the first three chapters or first fifty pages. If sending by email you will not hear back unless your submission is taken further. They do not accept picture books.
Lucas Alexander Whitley or LAW is a small London agency representing large list of bestselling authors internationally. The link takes you to a pdf giving submissions guidelines; their main site is here. Submissions – a covering letter, short synopsis and the first three chapters or first thirty pages if shorter – should be sent by post only and they aim to reply within eight to twelve weeks. Send an SAE if you want your work returned; otherwise send a small envelope or email address for a reply. They also accept picture books.
This one woman agency is keen to develop new talent and currently represents thirteen authors You can submit by post or email. If emailing include the first three chapters and the synopsis as two seperate Word documents. A covering letter or email should introduce yourself and your work. They accept picture books.
This London agency has two agents and a variety of clients including children’s authors. They prefer email submissions if possible with a brief synopsis pasted into the email plus the first three chapters or forty pages as an attachment. They will reply within eight weeks.
Read an interview with Andrew Mann clients Ruth Eastham and Savita Kalhan and comments from their agent Anne Dewe at the Tall Tales and Short Stories blog.
This small agency specialises in children’s fiction. They are closed to submissions at the moment but may reopen so keep checking the website.
You can read an interview with author Steve Hartley with comments from Sarah Manson at the Tall Tales and Short Stories blog.
This is a book, film and TV rights company. They have four agents and over thirty authors as well as directors, screenwriters and software developers. They accept book submissions by post or email which should consist of a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters. If sending by email, use attachments rather than pasting work into the email itself.
MBA represent writers in all media. They have seven agents and a large number of authors including fourteen children’s writers. They prefer email submissions but will accept postal ones too; send a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters. They aim to reply within eight weeks.
This London agency also has a number of overseas offices. They have over eighty authors on their books including Cornelia Funke. Send a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters by post or email to the address on the submissions page. If emailing, the synopsis and chapters should be one document sent as an attachment. If you do not hear back within three months you can assume you have been unsuccessful.
Read an interview with children’s and YA agent Jenny Savill at Talltalesandshortstories.blogspot.com. You can also read about ANA author Keren David.
This London agency has around eighty authors on its books including screenwriters and illustrators and only takes on a few each year. Submit to them by post only including a covering letter, a cv, a synopsis and the first three chapters. They aim to respond within two months.
This is a leading literary agency who are very selective about their work. They have two agents and a large list of clients. Submit by email to one of the agents (read about them on the site) and attach a synopsis and the first three chapters. If the children’s book is under ten thousand words you may submit it in its entirety, or up to three picture books. You should also read their twelve pet hates! In fact, read them anyway whether or not you are submitting.
United Agents are a large literary and talent agency with interests in many fields. Twenty-six of their many authors are children’s writers including Anthony Horowitz, Ali Sparkes, Rick Riordan and Ian Whybrow. They are happy to receive submissions by email to their children’s agent consisting of a covering email with a synopsis and the first three chapters as Word documents. Picture book authors can send three picture books. If you do send material by post, include an email address for a response. Expect a response within eight to ten weeks.
Read an interview with United Agents client Ellen Renner at Talltalesandshortstories.blogspot.com.
Watson, Little handle a wide range of writers and have three agents keen on developing the long term careers of their writers. They ask for a covering letter, synopsis and sample chapters but do not say if they accept by email or not; however if you do not include an SAE they will respond by email.
This small agency is almost a one woman show and yet has a good number of authors including the brilliant Andy Stanton, author of the Mr Gum books. About half her authors are children’s writers and she now accepts picture books. You should submit by email only with one attachment consisting of a brief synopsis, word count and the first three chapters. For a picture book, no synopsis is required. You will receive an automated conformation of receipt and they will reply any time within six weeks. (To my submission they replied after six days.) See also the FAQs.
Read an interview with client Kate Maryon and comments from Eve White at Talltalesandshortstories.blogspot.com.
Eileen Wharton
January 31, 2012
as always, the information you supply is invaluable to authors seeking publication. Well done, you!
loutreleaven
January 31, 2012
Just trying to spread the love, Eileen!
quillwielder
February 6, 2012
I’m in love with your site. You simply have some great info that I was desperately needing. Thanks.
loutreleaven
February 7, 2012
Great! It’s just information I needed to compile for myself as someone at the submitting stage but it’s nice to know it’s helping other writers. Come on everyone, we can do it!
quillwielder
February 6, 2012
Reblogged this on The Quill Wielder and commented:
Found this blog while looking for children’s publishers. She has a great list of publishers and agents worth checking out.
Theresa Heine
February 13, 2012
This is an amazingly useful site! Thank you so much.
Ellen
June 17, 2012
Hi Lou I was just wondering how many picture books to send to each agent? My picture books are very short only a few hundred words in length and it would be great if i could send two or three to be looked at, but is this asking too much? should I just pick one? And would you suggest that it would be best to choose one which does not rhyme?
Thanks for the brill website!
loutreleaven
June 18, 2012
Hi Ellen. I assume you mean publisher rather than agent? I would send one out at a time unless the publisher specifies otherwise in their guidelines. But there is nothing to stop you sending different ones to other publishers so you can still have a few ‘out there’ at a time. Rhyming stories can be harder to place as they are more difficult to translate so the publisher loses any possible overseas sales. But it’s worth a go, and Maverick definitely accept rhyming stories.
Jennifer
June 26, 2012
A really useful list – thank you!
LISA PUGH
July 10, 2012
Hi Lou,
what an absolute goldmine of useful info you have here!
Do you have any pointers for a covering letter at all please?
loutreleaven
July 11, 2012
This article is quite useful – https://www.writers-online.co.uk/Features/How_to_write_a_covering_letter_to_a_publisher,_editor_or_agent/ – although I would add that it’s always good to mention your online presence too – blogs, twitter, facebook etc.
LISA PUGH
July 11, 2012
That’s great stuff, thank you so much:)
Lisa Pugh
November 21, 2012
Hi Lou,
we are at the stage of being able to send our books out to the publishers and wondered when the best time of year was to catch them please?,
Many thanks,
Lisa.
loutreleaven
November 21, 2012
According to agent Lorella Belli, it’s advisable to avoid submitting manuscripts in the New Year (overload of submissions due to people’s New Year’s resolutions!) and around the time of the book fairs – London, Bologna and Frankfurt. The London Book Fair is 15-17 April 2013, Bologna is 25-28 March and Frankfurt is 9-13 October. Hope that helps and good luck!
Rob
July 13, 2012
Just outstanding. The information you supply is a godsend, and you do it all out of kindness! I’m a bit in love with you
x
loutreleaven
July 13, 2012
Ha ha! But I do have an ulterior motive, as you will find out when I post my forthcoming blog entry, ‘Building an Author Platform’…!
Nick Lorentz
July 17, 2012
Wow Lou – this is very informative and interesting. Thank you – I feel that the mountain might still, one day, be within reach! I have written a children’s book and am still looking for an illustrator – do you think I could submit the story only to a publisher or agent ? – Or would you advise having it illustrated first? – (it’s a big ask of an illustrator – to draft a 45 page for gratis!)
loutreleaven
July 17, 2012
Hi Nick. Normally you would submit without illustrations, and the publisher will match you with an illustrator later on. So go for it and good luck!
Rod Walford
July 30, 2012
Hi Lou – An extremely useful article – thank you! I have self-published two sequential childrens stories told in rhyme and have my own illustrator. Would you recommend sending agents/publishers copies of the actual book or partial manuscripts if that is what they specify?
loutreleaven
August 2, 2012
That’s a tricky one, Rod. If the book is already self published you would normally need to show that you are selling in large numbers in order to attract the attention of a publisher. And if that is the case they will find you! It might be worth writing or emailing to the publisher concerned and asking them if they would be prepared to look at a self published book.
Rod Walford
August 3, 2012
Thanks Lou. It’s weird – I’m told by teachers & mums alike that there’s a shortage of good children’s rhyming books, they all say mine are great and that I should submit them to publishers – which I did (to about a dozen of the world’s largest publishing houses) who all say dismissively it “doesn’t fit our current profile” or words to that effect. I understood the job a publisher is to sell in large numbers so it would seem they would want their job half completed by me before they would be interested ! Anyway, frustrated but undeterred, (and like myriad authors before me) I shall try a zillion smaller publishers – but certainly not any who want money up front!
grizzlyshiels
August 3, 2012
Thanks hugely for this page, and others on your site. I’m trying to get myself off the ground book-wise and this is a real help in addition to the yearbook lists. Puts my blog of nonsense and random splutterings to shame!
Cheers.
Duncan Pile
August 8, 2012
Thanks for this information Lou. It has been extremely helpful.
Froofroo
August 9, 2012
It is really generous of you sharing this list. Thanks so much. Really good luck with your writing.
Rachel Wilkinson
August 16, 2012
This is so incredibly useful! Thank you very much.
E.Maree
August 21, 2012
Brilliant list, thank you!
Debbie
August 29, 2012
THis is brilliant – many thanks for putting all this info together.
Nia Bailey
September 3, 2012
Oohhh Lou, you’ve given us hope!! What a fab site. I’ve had another spurt of sending my ms off but only because of all this helpful advice!! So thank you, you’ve helped us to wade through some of the treacle. ( :
Nimal wilson
September 17, 2012
Thanks a lot Lou. As a first time author, I was trying to find my way and your help is extremely useful. Shall let you know if I find an agent. Most agents ask for a synopsis and the first 3 chapters. My whole book is only three chapters so can I send the full MS without a synopsis?
Nimal
loutreleaven
September 18, 2012
Hi Nimal. That depends on the chapter length! If the book is very short you can send it all in, but you always need to send a synopsis with it anyway; it’s useful as a precis and can be passed round to other departments, eg marketing.
Nick
September 19, 2012
You are so helpful Lou – incredibly generous with all this information. Nia is right – you have made it a lot easier to wade through the treacle! I have made a few submissions to some agents – so I’m holding thumbs!
kerry
September 20, 2012
Thank you for this post. I live outside of the UK and am new to the ‘agent’ world. Do agents consider/accept submissions from around the world?
Thanks, Kerry
loutreleaven
September 20, 2012
Hi Kerry! As far as I know they do, if you are planning on selling to publishers in the UK. But it might be a good idea to email your chosen agency and ask them before you submit.
Julian Williams
September 20, 2012
Thank you, your list really took the work out of looking.
julie chapman
October 1, 2012
Thank you for your advice.
Pavel
October 23, 2012
Hi Lou, thank you very much for this list! I’m looking for a foreign agent for my book that was published in my country, and this information is really useful. Thanks again!
Caroline
October 24, 2012
Hi Lou. Do you know of any good competitions for writers of childrens stories? I am working on a rhyming picture book at the moment. Many thanks. Caroline
loutreleaven
November 2, 2012
I don’t at present, Caroline, but a site that is very useful for checking out current competitions is Prizemagic at http://www.prizemagic.co.uk/html/writing_comps.htm. You have to browse through the list but it’s worth it for the deadpan comments the author likes to throw in! Good luck with your picture book.
Nick Foulger
November 21, 2012
Hi Lou,
Many thanks for the very helpful links. I’ve written a children’s adventure book – for readers 8 and above or maybe slightly older, and at the moment it’s around 97 A4 pages / 48k words which I think is roughly 190 pages of a Harry Potter book. Should I categorize this a children’s novel?
Many thanks, NIck
(P.S. – I noticed your blog – you may like my comic book made with plastic figures – http://www.thomasswiftproductions.co.uk)
loutreleaven
November 21, 2012
Hi Nick, the length should be fine for most publishers although double check the individual publishers’ requirements before sending just in case they specify length. Just been checking out The Green Man – amazing! I am in complete awe!
Nick Foulger
November 21, 2012
Many thanks for your quick response
The Green Man is currently available to read as a series of videos on YouTube (with music and sound effects), but I’m hoping to have an electronic ‘flip book’ version available on my web site soon, which will show it in its original comic book format.
UK literary agents
November 29, 2012
I really appreciate for your work. Please update this regulaly.
Coo Clayton
November 30, 2012
Hi Lou, I have just finished writing my first Children’s book. It’s currently on a word document 150 words in length, suitable for age 2-4. When printing it out to send to agents shall i just leave on the one page in short paragraphs to indicate the page breaks or do i print the small amount of text on each page? Thanks, Coo
loutreleaven
November 30, 2012
Hi Coo. Short paragraphs should be fine, as long as it’s obvious that it’s a page break. Best of luck!
Ben Peate
December 5, 2012
Hi Lou,
thank you ever-so-much for this list, really really useful for a first timer like myself.
I have written and illustrated a rhyming children’s book. I’ve had a small amount printed to a high quality (christmas gifts!). Who would you advise would be the most receptive or useful agent or publishers to send my expensive/precious copies to, rather than just email or printouts?
Thanks b
loutreleaven
December 13, 2012
Hi Ben, sorry it’s taken me so long to reply to you! It’s a difficult question to answer. To be honest an agent or publisher should be just as receptive to a paper manuscript as they are to the finished product so if I were you I would save my printed copies for gifts. But if you would like to send them out, you need to research your market and find a publisher who prints similar subjects and lengths. Have a look through the list here, browse their websites and catalogues and choose the ones you think most fit your style. Good luck and I hope the other recipients enjoy their books too!
Ben Peate
December 19, 2012
Thanks very much for your help!
Alia Butt
December 13, 2012
Hi Lou
I came across your website and was amazed with the information you have generously offered.
I would like to put together a picture book for small children. However as I cannot draw I am very uneasy about submitting just words? As a first timer could you advice what I should do? Should I get an illustrator to help sell my manuscript? Thanks
loutreleaven
December 14, 2012
Hi Alia. Don’t worry, words are all you need! The publisher will find an illustrator for you. In fact, submitting with an illustrator can hinder your submission as, if they don’t like the pictures, they will reject the whole thing. So go for it and make sure your words are brilliant on their own!
csoundar
January 4, 2013
Great links. Thanks for collating it. I just checked Eddison Pearson and they are not accepting until Mar 2013 and Sarah Manson is not open yet.
loutreleaven
January 5, 2013
Thanks for the update!
Emma
January 18, 2013
Thank you so much for taking your time and experience to do this for others, it is very much appreciated!
Harry Dexter
January 24, 2013
Hi Lou
It’s wonderful that you should take the time to collate all of this very valuable information for us new writers hoping to be published. When we have a story to tell we concentrate solely on getting the story written, and have very little knowledge in the hard work that follows – submitting to Agents/Publishers etc. Your help and guidance in this area is of immense help and I just wanted to say thank you.
Zohra Jabeen
February 5, 2013
Hi Lou
It was great discovering you.
Thank you very much for providing us a big list of book agents and relevant helping hints. You have taken a big load off my head. I have some finished.Children’s stories to send to the agents. I hope I will find good ones from your list.
thank you again.
Zohra
yousillygoose
February 9, 2013
Did I mention how awesome you are Lou?
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your blog!
I wondered how many agents on average one should typically consider querying, or is there no such thing as too many? I have sent a recent manuscript to 8 different agents – no bites yet but it hasn’t been long since I’ve queried them. I just don’t want to give up on this one.
loutreleaven
March 12, 2013
Hello goose! Simultaneous submissions are fine as long as you are open about it to the agents – some may require you to state whether you are sending to them alone; others recommend you send to others as they cannot guarantee when they will have time to respond. I like to send separately but with a gap of about three months; if I haven’t heard after that, I carry on down my list. I hope you hear back with some positive news soon.
Matt Walker
March 11, 2013
Brilliant list, thank you very much!
Steven Maros
March 18, 2013
Hi Lou, I have written a short rhyming picture book that has characters already drawn up by a budding artist and it all needs putting together. What agency would you recommend that specialises in children picture books and wouldn’t mind using the illustrations that I already have?
loutreleaven
March 18, 2013
Hi Steven. Not all the agents listed accept picture books but those who definitely do are The Greenhouse, David Higham, Caroline Sheldon and United Agents. Usual advice is to send without illustrations, but if you definitely want to get published together with that illustrator and don’t mind being turned down if they don’t like the illustrations then it’s worth a try!
Steven Maros
March 18, 2013
Hi Lou, thanks for your quick response and advice. I may try a few with illustration and if it does not work out, try without. Great page by the way. Really informative and useful for people trying to break into the world of children’s (and other) books. If I need any more advice you will be the first person I come to. Thanks again
Simon Peter Bartley
April 2, 2013
Lou thank you for doing this, I know lots of people have said it but i just wanted to add my thanks. This is my first time looking at your blog and must say I will be back for sure to print the list of agents. Ive done some writing and would love to get something published, many of my friends have read my stuff and some work colleagues and tell me I must pursue publication and now thanks to you and this site Im going to try.
thanks
loutreleaven
April 3, 2013
That’s great, Simon! Good luck and I hope you find success.
Annie
April 3, 2013
Hi Lou, and fellow fans of Lou’s amazing blog!
I’ve just been doing a bit of agent research this morning and have a couple of disoveries to throw into the ring:
Julia Churchill has now left The Greenhouse Literary Agency and starts at another agency, A M Heath, on 15th April 2013.
Eddison Pearson are not accepting submissions until after 1st October 2013
Cheers, Annie
loutreleaven
April 3, 2013
Thanks Annie; I’m just updating the list so that was very timely!
Jo
April 3, 2013
Hi Lou
Thank you do much for all of the really useful information that you have so kindly put together. After much soul searching I have just submitted my first manuscript to Curtis Brown, so am waiting to hear their response.
Your blogs etc have given me the courage to give it a go! So fingers crossed as I plunge headlong into the big wide world of agents & publishing!!
With kind regards
Jo
loutreleaven
April 3, 2013
Enjoy your plunge – hope you meet with a soft surface!
elizfrat
April 10, 2013
Reblogged this on elizabethfrattaroli and commented:
As usual Lou is a mine of useful information and I would recommend her blog for anyone interested in pursuing publication of children’s books.
katy rink
April 21, 2013
This is an absolutely fabulous resource. Thank you so much.
Kirstie
April 25, 2013
Dear Lou, Thank you for all the guidance on this page. I just have a couple of short children’s stories, not books & wonder what I can do with them please? Thank you very much, Kirstie
loutreleaven
May 21, 2013
Hi Kirstie, sorry for the delay in replying. Children’s stories can be hard to place but if you click on the category for short stories in the right hand bar of this blog it will bring up some opportunities. Your other option is to rework them as picture books.
JohnBoyWalton
May 18, 2013
Hi Lou, loving the work. Just wondering if you would ever consider submitting 3 chapters of an unfinished manuscript, to determine whether it would be worth continuing? Or, what I am really asking, is if you received some interest following a submission and the rest of the book was unfinished, would that be the end of the interest? Thanks and keep up the good work!
John.
loutreleaven
May 21, 2013
It’s a very risky strategy, John! It could be the end of the interest – it really depends on who you are sending it to. This is where an agent would come in handy as once you have one they are more likely to look at work in progress. Another strategy could be to enter some competitions which require an extract and synopsis (such as the Winchester Writers’ Conference competitions). It’s a good way to test out the marketplace without committing to writing a full book.
It would be a shame to ruin your chances by not having the rest of the manuscript ready if required, so I would say for the first book at least, get it finished before submitting.