I did a workshop for 12x12 earlier this year about writing for multiple categories, and wanted to dig deeper into the topic. This post includes some starter tips for picture books, chapter books, early readers, and board books/novelty books.
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Let’s look at some submission numbers for picture books vs non-picture books.
I polled some fellow authors in my 2020 debut group, the Soaring20sPB, for their submission numbers. Take these numbers with a grain of salt, because they’re voluntarily self-reported (so I expect these are more successful numbers), it’s a small sample set, and it’s actually kind of hard to define “sub” and “sold” (What if it was exclusive? What if it sold as a different format? What if it was a revise and resubmit? What if it’s still on sub? etc. etc.) but here are the numbers:
The “+” numbers are for additional books in a multi-book deal. And then looking at non-picture book sales (an even smaller sample set!):
You can see that that success rate for non-picture books is higher than the picture book submissions. Because the sample set was so small, it’s impossible to say if that’s actually the case more widely, but both Christine and I have found success writing in different categories. Picture books can be hard to sell. I do think other categories are getting more crowded now as well, but I still think picture books are especially competitive. It’s a good idea to keep up with Publisher’s Weekly or other kidlit sources to keep an eye on how sales in different categories are doing.
No matter what, writing across different categories can only help.
Here’s how:
Diversify your offering. When a given category isn’t selling, you can always shift to focus on one that IS more viable.
Make the best book possible. Not all ideas work for all categories. By opening up to different categories, you might find that a picture book idea is actually perfect for a chapter book! Or an early reader! Or a board book!
Keep your sanity. Writing in different categories gives you new ways to challenge yourself and to stay busy while you’re waiting, waiting, waiting in this business.
Go on simultaneous sub→ More sales. Different categories will often go to different editors—which means you can be on sub with different books at the same time!
At time of writing, Christine and I have sold a combined total of fourteen chapter books, eight early readers, seven picture books, and three board/novelty books in the span of six years. We will be sharing our experiences in writing and pitching books across categories, so please subscribe if you’re interested in hearing more!
Here are some free starter tips:
Starter Tips for Picture Books
Join SCBWI
Read this guide by Josh Funk
Join 12×12 – this is a wonderful community of supportive kidlit creators, with ongoing open conversation about craft and business
Consider a class like Making Picture Book Magic or with Storyteller Academy
Study craft books, such as Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
If you want to write in rhyme, take Renée LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab course
Read lots of picture books!
Starter Tips for Chapter Books
I know how it goes… you start with a picture book idea and then somebody tells you it should be a chapter book. Or maybe you read a chapter book and realize one of your ideas is perfect for this category! This is how I got started writing my first chapter books series, Layla and the Bots. But whenever I start writing in a new category, I always start with mentor texts. And I recorded this video for Storyteller Academy explaining how I do:
Starter Tips for Early Readers
Early readers are for young readers who are just starting to read. They’re fun to write and a growing category. They are often heavily illustrated, either as full on graphic novels (like my Friendbots series), a mix of narration and speech (like my Best Buddies series), or fully narrated (like Laura Gehl’s Cat Has a Plan.) They’re like little word puzzles where you’re trying to create a fun vignette with limited word count and vocabulary. I usually just try to use the most simple words I can think of, but if you want help determining reading level, you can use something like the Children’s Writer’s Word Book by Alijandra Mogilner. I did a mini-class for Storyteller Academy all about writing early readers. Check out my list of mentor texts for ideas in this category!
Starter Tips for Board/Novelty Books
Board/novelty books can be a challenge, but I love focusing on simple concepts and I love the possibility of novelty formats. Both my I Can Code series (Sourcebooks) and my AlphaBot mix-and-match book (MIT Kids Press) use interactive elements to bring ideas to life. Sometimes, submitting these means getting creative in how you explain your idea.
Hope those ideas help you get started! We’ll be rolling out more detailed posts for paid subscribers for writing in each of these categories starting in January—so please subscribe if you’re interested!
Any comments, questions, or requests?
Happy to answer any questions or take suggestions for things to cover in our future posts! If you have any tips to share as well, please do.
Vicky Fang is the author and sometimes illustrator of twenty-two new and upcoming books for kids. To sign up for her monthly book news and giveaways, visit vickyfang.com/newsletter.
Christine Evans is the author of picture books and chapter books including Dear Mr. G, Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist, and The Wish Library. Find out more on her Substack or website.