Today we start off BIG with our first Superstar Speaker announcement. For our first reveal, you get not just one, but two Superstar Speakers. Please welcome the Caldecott-Medal-winning duo Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead!
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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.
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.
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!
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!
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
Pick the ticket that’s right for you and reserve your spot today!
We Are Not Alone: 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
A beginning that hooks your reader?
Or, an ending that leaves them feeling satisfied?
The short answer is both! While each of these elements has a very important role in your story, what is equally vital is how they work together.
Enter Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund and their 2022 Picture Book Summit Workshop:
From Lift-Off to Landing:
The Cosmic Connection Between the Beginnings and Endings of Picture Books
We’ve been there, too. That’s why PBSummit Co-Founder Katie Davis developed this year’s workshop: Houston, Your Manuscript Has a Problem.
After the Summit each year, we survey our attendees to see what they liked, what we can improve, and who they’d like to see at future events. In last year’s survey, one of our Summiteers recommended picture book creator Shadra Strickland saying, “her advice was game-changing!”
The more we got to know Shadra, the more excited we were to bring her expertise to you in one of this year’s Summit workshops!
Once we decided on our theme, we knew we needed truly out-of-this-world superstar speakers. We asked ourselves, who makes us think about creating picture books in a whole new light?
Just look at a few of the art pieces Eric and Terry have created for children’s literature:
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That’s when we asked ourselves, who would we ask to speak at Picture Book Summit if we knew they wouldn’t say no?
Who was at the top of that list?
Kate DiCamillo.
So, we took a chance, crossed our fingers and toes, and asked THE Kate DiCamillo to be a Superstar Speaker at this year’s Summit. And (you may already know the exciting ending to this story…) she said YES!
Kate has written some of the most beloved children’s books of this generation including Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, as well as the picture books Good, Rosie!, A Piglet Named Mercy, and La La La. Whether she’s writing picture books, chapter books, or novels, Kate DiCamillo knows how to write in a way that resonates with young readers and we could not be more honored to have her speak to you writer-to-writer at this year’s event.
Here’s a bit more about Kate’s presentation coming to a computer near you on October 8th:
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Do you have the right stuff for writing picture books? This year’s speakers can’t wait to share their secrets for reaching the publishing stars!
Over the next week, we’ll fill you in on all the juicy details of each presentation for this year’s Picture Book Summit!
We can’t wait for these sessions and we’ve crafted them so you’ll leave this year’s Summit with actionable steps you can take to write manuscripts that are ready for lift-off—whether you write fiction or nonfiction. So, let’s get started with our Superstar Speaker presentations!
