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Writing Irresistible Picture Books: Insider Insights Into Crafting Compelling Modern Stories for Young Readers
Writing a picture book is not as easy as jotting down 600 words full of cutesy language and calling it a day. Today’s picture books are much more than moral stories—and with such a short word count, you can’t waste a single syllable! If you want to be competitive in this red-hot kidlit market, look no further …
Straight from a publishing insider, this comprehensive picture book guide is bursting with craft advice and groundbreaking original research. Writing Irresistible Picture Books unpacks a survey of 1,000 upcoming picture book deals, a breakdown of 80 modern and marketable picture book topics, and in-depth analysis of over 150 published picture books.
You can confidently internalize and write character, theme, plot, conflict, voice, and structure for young readers. You will also get answers to the most common questions about picture book revision, illustration, submission strategies, query letters, and more, from an industry insider and former literary agent at one of the top children’s book agencies in the nation.
If you’re looking to get your work traditionally published, Writing Irresistible Picture Books is the resource for you. Dive in and learn the best strategies to get your picture book noticed by literary agents and publishers, and to leap into the hearts—and onto the shelves—of amazing young readers everywhere.
Straight from a publishing insider, this comprehensive picture book guide is bursting with craft advice and groundbreaking original research. Writing Irresistible Picture Books unpacks a survey of 1,000 upcoming picture book deals, a breakdown of 80 modern and marketable picture book topics, and in-depth analysis of over 150 published picture books.
You can confidently internalize and write character, theme, plot, conflict, voice, and structure for young readers. You will also get answers to the most common questions about picture book revision, illustration, submission strategies, query letters, and more, from an industry insider and former literary agent at one of the top children’s book agencies in the nation.
If you’re looking to get your work traditionally published, Writing Irresistible Picture Books is the resource for you. Dive in and learn the best strategies to get your picture book noticed by literary agents and publishers, and to leap into the hearts—and onto the shelves—of amazing young readers everywhere.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2023
32 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 7, 2023
Mary Kole has created an irresistible resource for picture book writers. There is more information in this text than I have gleaned from years of attending workshops, conferences and courses. This is a must have reference book.
September 24, 2024
"The things you have to say to a child are some of the most essential and important ideas you'll ever express." - Mary Kole
A former agent and now freelance editor, Mary Kole has produced a timely, nuanced picture book writing guide that is chock-full of analysis aimed to maximize both immediate and future commercial success.
Anyone breaking into the world of writing picture books quickly comes to understand how complex the publishing world is, whether going the traditional route or self-publishing. This guide was exactly what I needed as I continue to write, revise, submit, grow, start over. Mary offers careful analysis about what is stocking bookseller shelves TODAY - with pragmatic advice about deviating from the norms and why it might not, but can, work. She has a mature approach to discussing DEI that takes into account multiple perspectives. While the meat of the book focuses on picture book analysis and how to nurture a picture book idea into a saleable product, Mary also offers timely information on the post-writing process. Questions about illustration, querying & submissions, marketing are all answered at least at a high level. A lot of this information can be found online, but she has packaged it beautifully and distilled it down to the essential points, with plenty of additional resources at the back of the book.
I was also a big fan of "Writing Picture Books" by Ann Whitford Paul, which is also excellent for writers new to the space. This book is less of a hands-on workbook for writing exercises and approaches the process from the big picture angle (theme, world view etc.) before drilling down to the specific elements to support the overarching theme. It's tough to guide inspiration, sometimes I start with a theme, but sometimes with the title, or a specific line I can't get out of my head. In any case, this book can help you improve a story in ANY STAGE, as well as your craft in general. If you're a note taker like me, I suggest the paperback version. My copy is already pretty beat up and full of notes, but I love flipping through it for quick reference.
I was not incentivized for this review, I just strongly believe in sharing products that have enriched my life or caused me irreparable damage and despair. Thankfully this book belongs in the former category.
A former agent and now freelance editor, Mary Kole has produced a timely, nuanced picture book writing guide that is chock-full of analysis aimed to maximize both immediate and future commercial success.
Anyone breaking into the world of writing picture books quickly comes to understand how complex the publishing world is, whether going the traditional route or self-publishing. This guide was exactly what I needed as I continue to write, revise, submit, grow, start over. Mary offers careful analysis about what is stocking bookseller shelves TODAY - with pragmatic advice about deviating from the norms and why it might not, but can, work. She has a mature approach to discussing DEI that takes into account multiple perspectives. While the meat of the book focuses on picture book analysis and how to nurture a picture book idea into a saleable product, Mary also offers timely information on the post-writing process. Questions about illustration, querying & submissions, marketing are all answered at least at a high level. A lot of this information can be found online, but she has packaged it beautifully and distilled it down to the essential points, with plenty of additional resources at the back of the book.
I was also a big fan of "Writing Picture Books" by Ann Whitford Paul, which is also excellent for writers new to the space. This book is less of a hands-on workbook for writing exercises and approaches the process from the big picture angle (theme, world view etc.) before drilling down to the specific elements to support the overarching theme. It's tough to guide inspiration, sometimes I start with a theme, but sometimes with the title, or a specific line I can't get out of my head. In any case, this book can help you improve a story in ANY STAGE, as well as your craft in general. If you're a note taker like me, I suggest the paperback version. My copy is already pretty beat up and full of notes, but I love flipping through it for quick reference.
I was not incentivized for this review, I just strongly believe in sharing products that have enriched my life or caused me irreparable damage and despair. Thankfully this book belongs in the former category.
November 9, 2023
A fantastic resource for picture book authors
I have enjoyed Mary Kole's other books and I had high hopes for this one, and was not disappointed. It not only included Mary's detailed analysis of upcoming picture books -- which was useful to understand the market and generate ideas -- but also a how-to guide for writing picture books, from an expert in the field. I highlighted so many of her tips and I'm sure I will refer to this book often when writing my manuscripts. I've recommended it to my writing friends. Thank you Mary!
I have enjoyed Mary Kole's other books and I had high hopes for this one, and was not disappointed. It not only included Mary's detailed analysis of upcoming picture books -- which was useful to understand the market and generate ideas -- but also a how-to guide for writing picture books, from an expert in the field. I highlighted so many of her tips and I'm sure I will refer to this book often when writing my manuscripts. I've recommended it to my writing friends. Thank you Mary!
December 30, 2023
Invaluable & Current
Highly recommend for any aspiring picture book writer. Mary dives into critical details needed for a successful story in today’s PB market, from idea to submissions. Well done!
Highly recommend for any aspiring picture book writer. Mary dives into critical details needed for a successful story in today’s PB market, from idea to submissions. Well done!
December 10, 2024
5 stars, even with the several typos/spelling errors I came across.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews