Laura Backes - Picture Book Summit Podcast

Podcast – How to Get Out of the Slush Pile: Part 1

Laura Backes - Picture Book Summit PodcastReady to get out of the slush pile? Join us for the first of our three-part series: How to Get Out of the Slush Pile!

Author and Picture Book Summit Co-Founder Laura Backes is first up and speaks on one of the biggest mistakes new authors make: writing poor main characters.

To help you avoid this issue, Laura provides important questions to ask of yourself and your work. Listen in for actionable solutions in creating stories that kids (and industry professionals) will want to read over and over. It’s time to get out of that slush pile!

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Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Julie-Hedlund

Podcast – Sophisticated Storytelling with Julie Hedlund

Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Julie-HedlundAre your picture books using sophisticated storytelling that trusts your kid reader and allows them to rise to the occasion?

“Don’t be too preachy in your writing!” You may have heard it many times before, but how? Try leveling up with sophisticated storytelling that uses humor.

Julie Hedlund discusses the sparkle of smart humor in picture books, where to find excellent mentor texts, and how to incorporate it in your own writing.

 

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Katie Davis - Picture Book Summit 2022

Podcast – Pacing and Shorter Texts with Katie Davis

Katie Davis - Picture Book Summit 2022

How is pacing in picture books different today from the books you read growing up?

Author Katie Davis spells out why pacing is important in picture book manuscripts and why it’s different in today’s market from some of your childhood favorites. In this episode, Katie analyzes pacing examples in some of her favorite picture books and reveals various methods for achieving excellent pacing in shorter texts.

 

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Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Julie-Hedlund

Podcast – The Verse Curse with Julie Hedlund

Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Julie-Hedlund Verse Curse

If editors and agents say they don’t want rhyming picture books, then why are so many published each year? Some of the most beloved picture books of all time are written in rhyme. Should you really never write a rhyming picture book?

Spoiler: Of course not! Julie Hedlund, author of three rhyming picture books and Co-Founder of the Picture Book Summit, shares what you need to do to break the Verse Curse and write rhyming manuscripts that will actually sell.

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Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Emma-Walton-Hamilton

Podcast – A Brief History of Picture Books

Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Emma-Walton-HamiltonToday’s episode comes from our previous Mini Summit: Don’t Write Your Grandma’s Picture Books. Emma Walton Hamilton unearths a brief history of picture books including how Randolph Caldecott started the genre by creating illustrations that helped to tell the story instead of the pictures simply reflecting what’s in the text. Emma shares how picture books evolved from morality tales to books for “naughty children” and books that break the rules and meet children where they are today.

It’s the best kind of history lesson for picture book creators.

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Got Submissions Questions?

We’ve received lots of questions from curious picture book creators about how the Summit + Submissions Ticket works for Picture Book Summit 2022 – The Write Stuff: Creating Picture Books That are Out of This World. So, we’re here today to answer the most frequently asked questions.

First, let’s introduce this year’s Featured Agents and Editors and tell you a little bit about their panels at Picture Book Summit.

2022 Featured Agents

First Contact: Agent Query Critiques

Three agents take real queries for a test flight and share how to make a big bang with your submission instead of being sucked into a black hole.

Karly Dizon from Fuse Literary, Savannah Brooks from KT Literary Agency, and Page Terlip from Andrea Brown Literary Agency will join us in this pre-recorded panel. Hosted by Julie Hedlund.

 

2022 Featured Editors

We are Not Alone: Editors Panel
Three children’s editors answer burning questions and talk about new frontiers emerging post-pandemic.

Emily Feinberg from Roaring Brook, Emma Ledbetter from Abrams Kids, and Jess Harold from Henry Holt discuss how they help authors and illustrators make the giant leap from manuscript to published book in this pre-recorded panel.

Plus, all three agents and all three editors are accepting pitch submissions from attendees who purchase the Summit + Submissions Ticket.

This is a HUGE opportunity because only Savannah Brooks and Paige Terlip are open to general submissions as of now. That means you’ll be able to get your pitch in front of one agent and three editors who are not currently open to submissions. It’s a PBSummit perk!

 

FAQs

How does the PBSummit submissions opportunity work?

The Picture Book Summit submissions opportunity works a little differently than submitting a query letter and manuscript. In order to attract top-notch, busy agents and editors, we’ve streamlined our process in order to get them excited about accepting submissions from our attendees.

Attendees who purchase the Summit + Submissions ticket will have the opportunity to pitch a manuscript to each agent and editor. They will all have their own submission form. That means you will be able to tailor your pitch to each individual agent or editor according to what they are seeking in submissions.

For example, you could submit the same pitch to every agent and editor, a different pitch for a different manuscript to each agent and editor, or anything in between. No matter what, you’ll have six opportunities to pitch YOUR project(s) to these industry professionals.

Will agents and editors provide feedback on all pitches?
No. We can’t guarantee feedback on all pitches. If an agent or editor is intrigued by your pitch, they will reach out to request the manuscript. Four of these six opportunities are submitting to individuals who are not currently open to general submissions, so it’s a great opportunity to get your pitches seen by these industry professionals.

Does my manuscript need to be complete to submit a pitch?
Yes. If an agent or editor likes your pitch, they will request the full picture book manuscript and you will want to make a great impression by sending a complete and polished manuscript. If you are querying an agent, we recommend having 3-4 submission-ready manuscripts prepared so the agent can see your body of work.

Do I have to submit a pitch for a picture book?

Yes! This is “Picture Book” Summit and our Featured Agents and Editors will be expecting to see pitches for picture books.

How long do I have to submit?
The submissions opportunity will be open to attendees who purchase the Summit + Submissions Ticket from October 10 to December 31, 2022. We suggest watching the panels live or in replay before submitting so you can tailor your pitch to each agent and/or editor.

When does registration close?
Registration ends this Friday, October 7, 2022. But be sure to register before October 3rd so you can attend the Summiteers-Only PJ Party LIVE!

Register Now!

If you’re ready to submit your pitches (or you will be by October), choose the Summit + Submissions Ticket when you click the button below.

 

Don’t need submission opportunities this year? Choose the Summit Only ticket.

At this time, none of these editors are accepting unsolicited submissions from unagented writers and only two of these agents are open to general submissions, so this is an excellent opportunity to get your pitch in front of these three powerhouse professionals!

 

The Write Stuff:

Creating Picture Books That Are Out of This World

October 8, 2022

Picture Book Summit 2022 - ALL RECTANGLE

Pick the ticket that’s right for you and reserve your spot today!

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Picture Book Summit Agent Query Critiques Panel

We Are Not Alone: Editors Panel

Just like many industries, the pandemic changed children’s publishing. How do these changes effect you as a picture book creator? We have three stellar Featured Editors coming to The Write Stuff: Creating Picture Books That are Out of This World on October 8, 2022 to fill you in. Let’s uncover a bit more about this trio of editors.

We Are Not Alone: Editors PanelPBSummit Editors Panel

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Picture Book Summit Agent Query Critiques Panel

Agent Query Critiques

Year after year, our Summiteers highlight our Featured Agent and Editor Panels as one of their favorite parts about Picture Book Summit. This year is sure to be no different with our Agent Query Critiques and Editors Panel.

Today we want to focus on the supernova talent this year’s Featured Agents are bringing to our panel for The Write Stuff: Creating Picture Books That are Out of This World, online on October 8, 2022

 

First Contact: Agent Query Critiques

PBSummit Agent Query Critiques

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Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Betsy-Bird

Podcast – Betsy Bird: Great Picture Book Read-Alouds

Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Betsy-BirdThis episode is an excerpt from the Picture Book Summit presentation Performance on the Page by author and uber-librarian Betsy Bird.

Betsy provides an in-depth examination of what separates the good picture book read-alouds from the great picture book read-alouds. Librarians have always known that picture books can often break down into two groups: one-on-one titles and read-aloud titles. One-on-ones are great for getting snuggly at bedtime, but if you want to engage a large crowd of kids, you need a text that pops in an entirely different way.

Betsy breaks down some of the most successful read-alouds, from classics to lesser known titles and more recent favorites.

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Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund - Query Letters That Worked

Podcast – Query Letters That Worked

Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund - Query Letters That WorkedToday’s episode comes from Picture Book Summit Co-Founders Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund. Emma and Julie are also co-creators of the Complete Picture Book Submission System. In this episode, you’ll hear them share their submission expertise as they provide you with the key components of a killer query letter and break down three real query letters critiqued by Emma or Julie that resulted in agent representation or a book contract. You’ll leave this episode with actionable items you can apply immediately to your own queries. Get ready to polish those queries until they shine brighter than you thought possible.

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