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How to Write a Children's Picture Book: And get it published [Paperback]

Andrea Shavick (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 29 July 2011
What do picture book publishers really want? This entertaining and practical book has all the answers, including:

* What to write about - and how to write it

*How to present your work professionally

* How to persuade your chosen publisher to accept your book for publication.

It covers virtually everything you need to know about the international picture book market and selling your work to agents and publishers.

Andrea Shavick's book also answers the vexing questions of which publishers to approach, whether you need an agent, what to do about the illustrations, how to protect your copyright, and even how much money you can make.

It additionally features:

* Original picture book text - to help you format your own manuscripts professionally

* An easy-to-use picture book layout plan

* Title sheets and covering letters to use when submitting manuscripts which are of proven success

* Andrea's unique Plot Planner for designing, lengthening, shortening or just tweaking your stories.

Frequently Bought Together

How to Write a Children's Picture Book: And get it published + Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2013 2013 (Writers' and Artists') + How To Write For Children And Get Published
Price For All Three: £26.12

Buy the selected items together

Product details

  • Paperback: 160 pages
  • Publisher: How To Books (29 July 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1845284623
  • ISBN-13: 978-1845284626
  • Product Dimensions: 15.4 x 23.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 9,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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  • See Complete Table of Contents

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Andrea Shavick Page
Andrea Shavick
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

Product Description

Review

Wonderful! Full of knowledge, wisdom and first hand experience. --Reader review

A godsend and an eye-opener. --Reader review

You've encouraged me, saved me loads of time and made me laugh. --Reader review

A godsend and an eye-opener. --Reader review

You've encouraged me, saved me loads of time and made me laugh. --Reader review

About the Author

Andrea is an established children's author. She has managed to persuade some of the biggest publishing houses in the world to publish her children's writing - Pan-Macmillan, Hodder, Orchard, Oxford University Press, Ginn, Random House, Scholastic, Pinwheel, Heinemann, and Walker Books to name just some. Andrea is the author of over 25 books including four international best-selling picture books. With her inside knowledge of the picture book market she is perfectly placed to help you realise the dream of seeing your own book accepted for publication.
Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars A mainly good book - with some serious research flaws 8 Dec 2012
By Ben Foster
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
On the whole, I'd agree with everyone else's comments. This is an easy to read, informative book with loads of good ideas and helpful advice on how to write a good picture book. However, a few instances of mistakes overshadow the rest of the book (for me, at least). The most glaring mistake is actually a double whammy: Shavick says how it's good when titles and text are multilayered enough appeal to adults as well as children, as it's the grown ups who have to re-read it. All good advice; but it's her example where it falls flat. She mentions the book "Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me?" by Louise Rennison, saying that a title that paraphrases the line spoken by Lady Macbeth "if I remember rightly" will make the grown-ups smile as they re-read it. However,
1. It's Macbeth who says that, not Lady Macbeth. A 10 second Google search could have corrected that error. But more heinously,
2. "Are these my Basoomas..." isn't even a picture book! It's a teenage book about a teenage girl, first seen in "Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging." I've always assumed that the basoomas in question are her newly-grown breasts. This is NOT going to be a book that a parent reads to their young child, let alone RE-read!

These aren't the only errors, there were three of four I noticed on a casual look through the book; I haven't even read the whole thing! Small mistakes, true, but there are sections in the book about research. Surely she should research properly too?
I'll repeat that most of Shavick's advice is sound, and the book on the whole is pretty good. But the sheer number of sloppy errors has spoiled her credibilty for me.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the money 4 Aug 2011
By JK
Format:Paperback
I bought this book because I was intrigued by it and because I, like many people, have had a few ideas kicking around in my head for a children's book.

And I'm so glad I bought it because the best aspect, for me, was the focus on what NOT to do when writing a children's books: avoid the cliches, taboos and plain boring. The second thing that I loved about the book was the author's suggestions for coming up with ORIGINAL stories, characters and plots, as well as ways for -- crucially -- keeping it SIMPLE. In other words, avoid another trap: don't make it too complicated.

It also covers things like proposals, pitching etc, but the above were the key elements of her book that I think stood out.

While I have bought other 'how to get published' books (for non-children's market), this is the first I have bought for writing for kids. Last, buying this book has probably helped me save a load of wasted time. She gently sets you on the right path to children's writing with a gentle push of encouragement.

Well worth the money.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars If you only do one thing this writing year... 8 Jan 2012
By J. Webster
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
...buy this book.
It is brilliant.
Practical and encouraging advice from Andrea Shavick.
I hadn't realised why it is so important to appeal to the international market but I do now.
I like the way she also lists the things NOT to do which clearly saves a lot of time.
This book will appeal to any writer who is trying to break into the children's picture book market.
I now feel fully equipped to write a story and get it published.
Thanks, Andrea for sharing your expertise.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
An absolute godsend for any aspiring picture book creator. Written with humour and a mountain of knowledge. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Mrs. P. R. Coothoopermal
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
Easy to read, concise, but detailed advice for would-be writers, with special sections on appealing to international markets, and how to present your manuscript, so that it doesn't... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. R. Wyn Harrison
4.0 out of 5 stars A truly great resource.
I have been writing and drawing all my life, with my main focus being on a younger audience. Although I consider myself to be comfortably skilled in these fields, this book gave me... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lalouba
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
I was expecting a lot more from this pamphlet-like publication. I did learn something from it, but overall I found the information superficial. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Advice
Finally a book that doesn't just state the obvious (frankly most books are a waste of time), all of the author's suggestions are backed up with examples for improvements and really... Read more
Published 8 months ago by A1Cat
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
Fantastic little book packed with really useful Industry tips....what a great buy!
The author is not only a successful children's picture book writer but she is generous... Read more
Published 9 months ago by weegrannygalli
5.0 out of 5 stars A great place to start
Even if it is just a thought start here! The book is easy to understand and simple step by step. By the time you've read the book you will want to get going and the idea will... Read more
Published 10 months ago by A Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars How to write a children's picture book and get it published
Brilliant! Andrea Shavick has opened a door into the world of book writing and publishing for children and inspired this novice to take the plunge with confidence. Thanks Andrea!
Published 14 months ago by Penny Devon
5.0 out of 5 stars LOOK NO FURTHER
If you want to write a picture book and get it published then this is the book for you. I found it clear, concise and above all encouraging. Read more
Published 15 months ago by tracy
5.0 out of 5 stars Best How To Book
I bought this book recently as I am very keen to write my own picture books. It was brilliant. So much useful advice. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mrs R from York
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