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Welcome to the 1st day of #PicBk101
NB: This is not the ONLY way to write a picbk. This is not a set of rules. Picbks are complex & deep & varied. In simplifying them I may contradict myself or say something you disagree with. Take what YOU need from this. Write how YOU write.
NB: This is not the ONLY way to write a picbk. This is not a set of rules. Picbks are complex & deep & varied. In simplifying them I may contradict myself or say something you disagree with. Take what YOU need from this. Write how YOU write.
Day 1 Basics
Today on #PicBk101 we look at:
Pros & Cons of writing picbks
Key ingredients
Layout
Template
Example text
Today on #PicBk101 we look at:
Pros & Cons of writing picbks
Key ingredients
Layout
Template
Example text
Pros: Picbks are like haiku+art. They are small & beautiful, made for that snuggly, shared space of reader + child. As a writer, picbks will mean:
Good PLR (library loan income) over many years
Material for bookshop events or school visits
Cute fanmail
Good PLR (library loan income) over many years
Material for bookshop events or school visits
Cute fanmail
Plus the text of a picbk is short enough that you can easily carry it with you as you get on with your day. Most of the work is done in your head. This makes the physical writing process v efficient. Print it in the morning, scribble edits as you go. Rinse/repeat.
#PicBk101
#PicBk101
Cons: Picbks are fragile. They have a lightness & energy. If you push too much, they can fall flat. As a writer, Picbks will mean:
Many failed attempts (I have loads that don't work)
Low hit rate (you get lots of rejections)
Long editing process (multiple stages)
#PicBk101
Many failed attempts (I have loads that don't work)
Low hit rate (you get lots of rejections)
Long editing process (multiple stages)
#PicBk101
Key ingredients: You are looking for theme + character + story + commercial hook – we will go through these during this #PicBk101
Picbks have to please the book buyer BUT it’s the CHILD who picks it off the shelf at home – night after night. You want to write the book that the child reaches for again & again. It’s those books which produce the cute fanmail – from parents as well.
#PicBk101
#PicBk101
Picbks are specifically designed for multiple re-readings, so you can
..afford to be subtle with your message
..hide details that will only be seen on the 10th reading
..focus on engaging with the child’s world
#PicBk101
..afford to be subtle with your message
..hide details that will only be seen on the 10th reading
..focus on engaging with the child’s world
#PicBk101
Picbks are commonly 32 pages:
1 inside cover
2&3 End papers (often beautifully illustrated)
4&5 Copyright and title
6&7 story begins and goes on till 28&29
30&31 End papers
32 inside back cover
This leaves 24 pages for text in 12 ‘spreads.’ A ‘spread’ is a double page.
1 inside cover
2&3 End papers (often beautifully illustrated)
4&5 Copyright and title
6&7 story begins and goes on till 28&29
30&31 End papers
32 inside back cover
This leaves 24 pages for text in 12 ‘spreads.’ A ‘spread’ is a double page.
As a writer you need only concern yourself with the 12 text spreads that cover pages 6 to 29. The illustrations, the cover, the end papers, the blurb will be designed/sourced/organised by the publisher.
Tip: Do NOT send in drawings unless you are aiming to be an illustrator as well. If you want to be an AUTHOR, just send in text. Publishers hold illustrator work on file waiting for the right text to go with it & that could be YOUR text.
#PicBk101
#PicBk101
Authors often have little/no direct interaction with an illustrator. Work is passed via the publisher. You might not ever meet the illustrator. I met @laurenjbeard 3 or 4 books into our series & even though we are now friends, we only do #FairytaleHairdresser via the publisher.
Any unusual feature (lift-the-flaps, folds, sliders, pop ups, glitter, even non-standard size) are all v expensive to produce. Think carefully before adding them – only propose where essential eg the Spot books or @sophyhenn’s Lifesize series.
HOW: I use a 12-spread template to draft my books. My template is here (PDF) https://www.abielongstaff.com/writing-advice/picbk101/
We will fill it in as we go. But that template is not what I send publishers. I send a Word document...
#PicBk101
We will fill it in as we go. But that template is not what I send publishers. I send a Word document...
#PicBk101
I divide into spreads marked Left Hand, Right Hand. I keep illustration notes to essentials only & put them in comments to save word count & not distract the editor.
Here is the first page of #FairytaleHairdresser & Rapunzel. I have 14 spreads so I start on spread 4-5
#PicBk101
Here is the first page of #FairytaleHairdresser & Rapunzel. I have 14 spreads so I start on spread 4-5
#PicBk101
Book of the day: Octopus Shocktopus by @PeterBently & @StevenLenton @NosyCrow 10 out of 10 for re-readability, subtle message of acceptance & belonging plus crazy fun!
Homework: Go to a library/shop. Look at picbks: endpapers, copyright page, spreads set-up (some have more than 12, or extra single pages). Familiarise yourself with what’s selling, what’s new, what doesn’t fit the mould. Tweet me if you see unusual layouts!
#PicBk101
#PicBk101
That’s all for Day 1 Basics on #PicBk101
See you at 10am tomorrow for Day 2 Theme, where we analyse theme in terms of
1. World theme
2. Issue theme
3. Societal theme
I’ll be here for the next hour. Do tweet me questions, add your own points, or debunk mine!
See you at 10am tomorrow for Day 2 Theme, where we analyse theme in terms of
1. World theme
2. Issue theme
3. Societal theme
I’ll be here for the next hour. Do tweet me questions, add your own points, or debunk mine!
