Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Formating for a Children's Books

This is topic Formating for a Children's Books in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by shimiqua (Member # 7760) on :

I've written a children's story, but I am wondering how to best go about formatting it for submission.

Do you think it would be best if I leave it as a whole which together is about two pages long, or should I break it up into what sentences would be on what page making it about 18 pages long? There definitely needs to be illustrations in the story, but since I'm not an artist, I'd need them to find me an illustrator, (should I mention that in the query letter?), but should I make rough sketches of what the pictures would be in my mind?

And is it acceptable in a children's market to use a font other than courier?

What do you think?
~Sheena

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

Well, I googled "formatting children's book manuscript" and everything I can see says you do it the same way you would a regular manuscript.

If your story is in rhyme (which I hear is not encouraged unless it's really great rhyme), you would put it in poetry format.

If they buy it, they will provide an illustrator, so don't worry about that, and you will work with the editor on what words go on each page.

Of course, individual editors and publishers may have their own preferences on how to go about it, and you need to check the submission guidelines of each market before you send it to any of them. If they tell you to do it differently from standard manuscript format, then do it their way.

Posted by Betsy Hammer (Member # 8139) on :

I think Editorial Anonymous is a children's book editor. You may find his/her blog helpful.

http://editorialanonymous.blogspot.com/

Posted by shimiqua (Member # 7760) on :

Thanks.