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The System is updated regularly, so check back for new information, and please notify us of any outdated information or broken links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?
Unit 8 Publishing Scams to Avoid
Module 2 Query Letter Components
Unit 1 The Job of the Query
Unit 2 Paragraph 1 - The Intro
Unit 3 Paragraph 2 - The Pitch
Unit 4 6 Common Pitch Problems
Unit 5 Finding and Using Comp Titles
Unit 6 Paragraph 3 - Bio and Market Information
Unit 7 Paragraph 4 - The Conclusion
Unit 8 Putting It All Together
Unit 9 The Query vs. The Cover Letter
Unit 10 Special Considerations for Online Pitch Parties
Unit 11 Live Pitching
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 6 Query Critiques 41-50
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