The Complete Picture Book
Submissions System

Welcome,

How To Use The Course

The System is designed to be used sequentially, in that each unit builds upon the knowledge of the unit before it. You can also browse the content in any order, at any time.

The System is updated regularly, so check back for new information, and please notify us of any outdated information or broken links

Each module and unit of the System (below) provides you with several different ways to access the information:

  • If you are a visual or aural learner, you can watch a video presentation of the content.
  • If you prefer to read the content, you can do so on the webpage for each unit.
  • You can download the slides from the video, and/or a print version of each unit’s content.
  • At the end of most units, you will find links to other Resources to Explore, as well as “Check Your Knowledge” quizzes to assess your understanding of the information presented.
Module 1 Getting Started
Unit 1 To Whom Are You Submitting? Agents vs. Editors  
Unit 2 Types of Agents  
Unit 3 Large vs. Small Publishers  
Unit 4 Researching Agents and Editors  
Unit 5 Publishers That Accept Unagented Submissions  
Unit 6 Tracking Submissions  
Unit 7 Is My Manuscript Submission Ready?  
Module 2 Query Letter Components
Unit 1 Paragraph 1 - The Intro  
Unit 2 Paragraph 2 - The Pitch or Hook  
Unit 3 6 Common Hook Problems  
Unit 4 Paragraph 3 - Bio and Market Information  
Unit 5 Finding and Using Comp Titles  
Unit 6 Paragraph 4 - The Conclusion  
Unit 7 Putting It All Together  
Unit 8 The Query vs. The Cover Letter  
Unit 9 Special Considerations for Online Pitch Parties  
Module 3 Query Critique Clinic
Unit 1 Query Critiques Intro and Important Notes  
Unit 2 Query Critiques 1-10  
Unit 3 Query Critiques 11-20  
Unit 4 Query Critiques 21-30  
Unit 5 Query Critiques 31-40  
Unit 7 Top 10 Query Mistakes  
Module 4 Query Dos and Don'ts
Unit 1 Query Dos  
Unit 2 Query Don'ts  
Module 5 Manuscript Submission
Unit 1 Formatting Your Submission  
Unit 2 Submitting Illustrations  
Unit 3 Understanding Layout  
Unit 4 Query Etiquette  
Unit 5 FAQs  
Unit 6 Query Manager Tutorial  
Module 6 Understanding Agent/Editor Responses
Unit 1 Interpreting Rejections  
Unit 2 Dealing with Feedback  
Unit 3 When an Agent Requests More Work  
Module 7 I've Got an Offer. Now What?
Unit 1 Offer of Representation  
Unit 2 Offer of Publication  
Module 8 You've Got an Agent! Now What?
Unit 1 Getting Started with Your Agent  
Unit 2 Maintaining Your Agent Relationship  
Unit 3 Parting Ways With an Agent  
Unit 4 Submissions After Parting With an Agent  
Module 9 Share Your Feedback
Unit 1 Please Share Your Feedback With Us!  
Module 10 Bonus - What Agents Look in Picture Book Submissions
Unit 1 What Agents Look for in Picture Book Submissions  
Module 11 Bonus - Essentials of an Author Website
Unit 1 Essentials of an Author Website