Path to Publication
The basics steps to getting your book traditionally published.
As some of you know, I’m currently running a mentorship for the Children’s Media Association. Since my mentees have great questions and insights, I’ll be sharing some of what we cover in posts here!
First up, I’m going to talk about the basics of the path to publication. I know we have readers at all points in their publishing journeys, so if you have insights to share from your own experience, please do! I’m sure many of you have knowledge to add.
Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing
For writers considering publication, there are many different models to getting your book out into the world. Most books in bookstores and libraries are traditionally published. Self-publishing is faster and allows you greater flexibility but means you’ll be taking on a lot more than just the creative part of writing the book. There are also a lot of “hybrid” models that lie in between, but these typically fall closer to the self-publishing realm.
Traditional: You work with a creative team and a publisher who will manufacture, market, and distribute your book. It is easier to get these books into bookstores and libraries. You gain recognition as a published author. You are paid upfront, with little financial risk. There are lots of gatekeepers.
Independent: You self-publish or work with a hybrid publisher. There are no/few gatekeepers and full creative control. There is higher cost and work involved, as you are responsible for the work and the capital. You receive higher per unit profit. It can be more difficult to get into bookstores and libraries. You are essentially running a publishing business.
Here are a couple resources to learn more:
Arree Chung (Storyteller Academy) talks about the Traditional vs Self-Pub
Writer’s Digest: Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing Vs. Self Publishing
In this post, I will be focused on traditional publishing, as that is what I am familiar with.
Path to Traditional Publication (Basically)
Here’s the basic rundown of how a book gets published. There are many substeps along the way, but this is the general idea:
Write a great book!
Find an agent.
Go on “sub” (submission to editors.)
Your book is bought by a publishing house.
Your editing team selects an illustrator.
You revise the book with your editor.
Your book launches!
Your experience might not follow this exactly, but this is a typical path. But sometimes people get a book offer first and then find an agent to negotiate the deal. Sometimes people skip the agent and negotiate their own deals—but it’s difficult to access editors without an agent and your agent is a valuable business partner who helps shape your career and get better deals. I highly recommend working with an agent!
Let’s take a closer look at the first two steps: writing a great book and finding an agent.
1. Write a Great Book
Generally, you’ll want to find an agent who will represent you for your career, not just one book. If you’re writing picture books, this means you’ll want to have at least three texts ready for submission. To help you get there:
Join organizations to connect with and learn from the community: SCBWI, 12x12 Challenge, Kidlit411, etc. (If you’re looking for more ways to connect with the kidlit community, check out our post on it.)
Find critique partners (through the community you’ve connected with!)
Consider paid critiques, either through conference opportunities or from editors/authors who offer them. (Keep in mind, while editors may be able to identify problems, other writers often can help you figure out why and how to fix them!) Here are some tips on critiquing.
Take craft classes, such as Making Picture Book Magic, and study craft books, such as Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
Read lots of current picture books! The books that are published today are different from what you read as a child. Make sure you’re up to date on what’s being published today.
2. (Part A) Research Agents
Once you have some great manuscripts, you’ll want to start looking for an agent! Do some research to find an agent that would be a good fit for you. Some places to start your research:
SCBWI conferences
Manuscript Wish List (MSWL)
Bluesky — While Twitter used to be a great place to learn about agents, the kidlit community has largely moved off the platform. Bluesky seems to be the most popular platform now, though it doesn’t yet have the same traction. Here’s an Agent Starter Pack on Bluesky from Debbie Ohi.
QueryTracker — I’ve never actually used QueryTracker, so somebody else may have more insight on this one!
12x12 Challenge — 12x12 provides great webinars that often feature agents. In your second year, you can become a gold member, allowing you to submit to the featured agents.
Writing Barn — This is another resource I’ve never used, but I have heard great things about their webinars and community. If you have experience to recommend here, let our readers know!
Publisher’s Weekly — Check industry news to see what books have been acquired and who’s acquiring them.
Publisher’s Marketplace — This requires a paid membership, but you can search deals here to see who represents your favorite authors and who made the deals for the books you love.
How I found my agent: My critique partner, Faith Kazmi, attended a writers conference and heard the agency was looking for STEM stories, so she let me know.
2. (Part B) Query Agents
Once you’ve identified agents to pursue, you’ll want to send them query letters. Be authentic and concise. Cover the following:
How you’re connected (or why you’re seeking them out)
Short query pitch for your manuscript
Short bio highlighting you as a writer and as the writer of your story.
Be ready to send more materials if requested
There are lots of resources online to learn how to write a query letter, like this one from Jane Friedman. You can also get query letters critiqued.
Here’s the query letter that landed me my agent, back in 2017:
Dear Elizabeth,
My critique partner saw Jill Corcoran talk in Las Vegas and mentioned that your agency is looking for STEM titles. I'm excited to send you the following manuscript, CUSHI’S MAGNIFICENT MACHINE, a 520-word picture book for 4-8 year olds.
A determined and one-of a kind little girl, Cushi wants a pet that’s as unique as her! When her mom gives her a mysterious machine that creates wacky mixed-up creatures, she knows her dream pet is within reach. There’s just one problem: can she figure out the formula for her perfect pet? Cushi embarks on a critter-filled adventure to create her perfect extraordinary pet. And it isn’t what she expected it to be.
I have been a designer of kids' experiences at Google for the last 3 years. I'm seeing the need for creative materials to support the growing trend of coding education, with annual events to encourage girls and minorities at an early age. I am an active member of SCBWI, 12x12, Storyteller Academy, an SCBWI critique group, as well as a 2017 WWTS mentee.
I have several other STEM manuscripts to share if you are interested. This is a multiple submission.
Thank you for your time!
2. (Part C) Vet Agent Offers
At first, you’ll probably get form rejections. Then, as your manuscript improves, maybe champagne rejections, where they say something nice that is specific to your story, but still ultimately reject the manuscript. Then you might get R&Rs—“revise and resubmits” where they ask you to edit your manuscript. And eventually, if you persevere and continue to improve your manuscripts, you’ll get an agent offer! At that point, it’s probably wise to vet the agent. Have a call with them and ask some questions.
Make sure you have a rapport and that you trust them.
Check Writer Beware for scams.
Talk to other authors. See if anyone has heard about the agent/agency and what they’ve heard.
Ask for referrals. You can ask the agent to refer a couple of clients for you to talk to.
Find out how their submissions work and what kind of connections they have.
What I asked my agent: TBH, I didn’t do a lot of due diligence because I was so excited to have an agent offer! But Elizabeth and I had a good conversation that made me feel like she would be an insightful, competent, and professional partner for me. I lucked out that she has far exceeded my expectations!
It Doesn’t End There
While the beginning of your journey is focused on getting an agent, there are still several steps before your manuscript becomes a book! In a future post, I’ll talk about the submission process and how to put together a great pitch with your agent to send to editors.
If you have advice to add to what I’ve written here, please do share!
Really great content packed post! Thank you so much! I also also would highly recommend WeNeedDiverseBooks (DiverseBooks.org) for their mentorship programs for authors, author/illustrators, and illustrators working on their craft and making connections with industry folk. Also InkedVoices.com (great workshops with editors), the HighlightsFoundation.org, and the RUCCL.org One-on-One Plus Conference (fantastic weekend with editors) are fantastic resources, workshops, and submission opportunities too. Most workshops cost $, but some opportunities like applying to mentorships are free. Also, I would add that everything in publishing takes wayyy longer than one would think, so patience along with paying mindful attention to your self esteem during it, and strengthening your resilience through passes/rejections is key. Remembering that we all are on our own journey and to not compare ourselves to others’ successes is helpful too, and to always remember why we are writing the book and who it’s ultimately for. Thanks again Vicky and Christine!