Useful Links

Becoming a Published Author of Children’s Books:

Bug in a Book is primarily focused on Australian children’s picture books; therefore this is the area we have researched. If you are interested in other book types I can only suggest you check out some publishers websites, but have a read because most points are still valid.

When you are first looking into getting a book published you very quickly discover the first brick wall. Publishers want solicited manuscripts and/or authors who have already published a book. Solicited means you need to get an agent and agents want nothing to do with picture books or even children's books. They are as rare as hens teeth and honestly it’s harder to get an agent than a publisher especially for first timers, plus there are costs involved.

So what are your options? There are publishers that will take unsolicited manuscripts so look around, often it is better to go with a smaller publisher who specialises in the area you are writing in. It is definitely worth doing a bit of research with the prospective publisher to make sure you are not wasting yours or their time by sending them work in an area that they don’t publish. Like sending a kids book to a romance publisher, there is just no point.

Next you need to check with the individual publishers’ submission guidelines. They may want a cover letter, a bio or even for you to state why you think they are the publisher for you. Make sure you follow their guidelines. Most publishers will request the manuscript to be written on no more then two pages with double line spacing (remember this is for picture books). They usually do not encourage illustrations to be submitted with your manuscript. Some will accept illustrations if you are a self illustrator for example, but generally they prefer to use their own illustrators so again check the guidelines.

Finally only send your manuscripts to one publisher at a time.

Getting a book published is a long process; it can take an average of three months to hear back from a publisher. Often after that point you can assume it wasn’t accepted and send your manuscript to another publisher. Some publishers will let you know, but all this will be in their guidelines.

Our Useful Links page is a god starting point.

A few simple suggestions before you submit:

~ Once you have read your own story a hundred times (read it aloud), edited it, changed it and finally got a copy you are happy with give it to your friends to read, be open to suggestions and criticism. If they notice things you haven’t the publisher will notice too.

~ Read it to children, volunteer at the library or local childcare centre if need be, but get it out there. Children will give you good feed back. Make sure the age group is appropriate as interests and attention span will vary. If you want to print your manuscript in a book format and do some simple pictures to help with the story then do so. You don’t need to be Monet, simple pictures will do if the story is good, just for the sake of getting feed back. Dont submit dummy books unless publishers state otherwise.

~ For really good tips and loads of advice we recommend you have a look through the useful links, Mem Foxs' website is a good place to start.