3 Things I’ve Learned About Traditional Publishing
The path to traditional book publishing is one many authors strive for.
For those who aren’t in the business of writing and publishing, traditional publishing means, in its barest form, that your written and/or illustrated work has been picked up by a publishing house and will be produced, marketed, and distributed by said publisher.
The biggest of these publishing houses are known as the Top 5
Penguin Random House
Simon & Schuster
HarperCollins
Hachette Book Group
Macmillan Publishers
In my previous post, I talked about three things I’ve learned about self-publishing a picture book, which is how I got my start writing and publishing children’s books. The other path in publishing is traditional publishing. Of which, has been top of mind for me since I committed to a career of writing for children.
When I decided that I wanted to be traditionally published, I had to learn how the picture book market works, where my stories fit in the market, and who (agents and editors) are going to be interested in what I write.
It’s been a learning curve. 😅
As of now, my work has not been traditionally published. So, I’d be considered a pre-published author.
Having done the work these past three years to understand the traditional publishing space - with the full intent on having my stories reach traditional publication someday - I’ve learned a thing or two about it.
So, I’m sharing, from the pre-published author’s perspective, the
Top 3 Things I’ve Learned (so far) About Traditional Publishing, in Picture Books.
It Requires Patience and Discipline
Nothing moves fast in the world of traditional book publishing. And most definitely the case if you’re new to the biz.
If you want a chance at having an editor consider your manuscript and actually pick it up for publication, it’s recommended to have a literary agent.
Many authors have achieved publication without an agent, but some editors, especially those at the top five houses won’t look at your work without an agent.
Also, agents are your biggest champions! They know the market, will help you position your manuscripts for the best chances of success, and they will help you navigate contracts once you receive an offer from an editor (queue happy dance!).
How does one get an agent?
For picture book authors, it’s recommended that we are prepared with at least three polished manuscripts that are ready for submission to agents.
This means spending time writing and revising manuscripts.
Getting them reviewed by critique partners and professional editors.
Then revise some more to get them polished enough to be submitted for an agent’s consideration.
I’ve learned that agents can - on average - get hundreds of submissions a month, sometimes that many per week! (Actual term is to query/queries). Which means you’re competing with hundreds of other talented authors who want the same thing you do.
Also, you don’t want to query just any agent. You want to reach out to those who have an interest in what you specifically write.
Therefore, you’re going to spend time doing lots of research on specific agents before you submit to them. Consider this like researching and applying for a job. It’s a job in itself.
Your hard work doesn’t end once you get an agent.
Once you’ve signed with an agent that’s right for you, you’ll work together to polish your manuscripts some more before submitting them to editors.
The process of submitting work to editors before that “Yes” can take a long time. Be prepared to wait, and be patient.
Once an editor decides to pick up your manuscript – and it’s gone through the different departments of the publishing house for final approval – your book will be prepared for production!
Production can take, on average, about two years.
So, your book won’t reach shelves until about that length of production time.
What’s described above is the reality of traditional publishing.
There’s a lot of writing, revising, pitching, querying, submitting, and waiting involved until your book reaches the shelf.
Patience and discipline will be your best assets to see this dream realized. ✨
You’re Challenged as a Writer in Ways You’re Not in Self-Publishing
When a publishing house decides to publish your story, they’re making an investment in your work and in you as the author. All involved want to see your story succeed and sell well in the market.
So, why choose YOU and YOUR STORY when there are so many other amazing, captivating, unique stories waiting to find their place on the shelf too?
This isn’t a question you have to answer in self-publishing. There, if you want a story published, it will happen with work, time, and money.
But an editor in a publishing house chooses you and your story because you’ve invested the time and commitment to bettering your craft.
You’ve written a polished story that has been made with intention, imagination, and heart in a way that speaks to your editor.
But, how does a picture book author get to this point?
Constant writing, revising, and education on the craft of writing picture books.
It’s one thing to have an idea for a story.
Then, you have to get it down on paper.
But the way it comes out in the first draft is flawed and not exactly what you’re trying to say and it’s not the best way to say it.
Then your story will go through multiple revisions.
And then you’re going to need other writers’ feedback, because this kind of work can’t live in a vacuum. You’re too close to it.
And then you’ll want an industry professional’s feedback, but then they give you edits you’re not expecting.
In some cases, it requires taking apart the whole story in order to piece it back together into something better.
To write requires thick skin, because every reader is going to have an opinion. It may hurt to hear those opinions at first. But, some of that feedback is going to be gold, worthy of your time, and is going to contribute to building a stronger story.
You’re going to be challenged in many ways through the process of getting your story traditionally published.
It’s going to challenge your original inspiration and intentions.
It’s going to challenge what you hear in your writing and what’s actually coming across to the reader.
You’re going to face writer’s block.
You’re going to face juggling too many ideas in one story.
You’re going to need to remind yourself of why you wrote this particular story at all.
These challenges are necessary in the process of traditional publishing, because unlike in self-publishing, it’s not just you. There’s a whole team who is behind your story and invested in it.
The Path to Traditional Publishing is Community Oriented
Get/Stay Connected! 💞
We authors commiserate on the often-solitary journey of book writing. The nature of writing mostly involves the writer and their computer. And we return to our lonely post, draft after draft, rejection after rejection.
So, imagine my delight when I discovered that there are established organizations and programs all built around bringing children’s book authors and illustrators together!
Through conferences, webinars, chats, social media groups, and forums offered through these organizations and various programs – the biggest ones I’m a part of are the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and The 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge (12x12) – we are given spaces to learn about our craft from industry professionals, discuss happenings in the industry, discover opportunities to grow, and support each other through challenges and success.
While these resources are available in the self-publishing space, they are vital on the path to traditional publishing.
It can be a tricky business getting your book traditionally published, and there are lots of dos and don’ts to master in order to get there. Therefore, it’s important that you are constantly learning from your peers and connecting with them.
Additionally, there are always events going on online, with opportunities to pitch your manuscript to agents and editors. Many of which I’ve found out about through the social media groups I’m a part of.
Joining writers’ organizations is also how I met my critique partners! All of my partners have become champions for me, as I have for them. And in the process, we’ve become friends and invaluable companions on the road to traditional publication.
We understand the journey; we are each other’s rocks when the goings get tough and are each other’s cheerleaders when we have wins. 🎉
Joining the 12x12 is when I first began connecting with the picture book community. The best way I can describe this program is that of a hearty buffet, made up of all you need to know about writing picture books.
One of their many offerings is a blog with a section called, “How I Got My Agent”. Picture book authors are interviewed about how they ultimately ended up signing with their agent. Having a place to read about other authors’ paths to representation has been a guiding light while I’ve been on this path myself.
All the examples mentioned above are only a small fraction of all that I’ve gained from the communities I’m a part of.
Since connecting with the kidlit community, I went from a novice, (who knew nothing of the industry when I self-published my first picture book), to a well-informed author.
I now have a clear understanding of how the children’s book market works and how to get traditionally published. And I’m also aware of each step I need to take in order to make my own success.
If I hadn’t bothered with traditional publication, I’m not sure I’d be here, taking the steps I have in my career. And would not have realized how important having a community is in enriching our lives as children’s authors. 💗
