How to write a picture book - Advice from a professional children's author
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ย. 2018
- Children's author and illustrator of over 300 books with 30 years experience gives his advice about writing picture books.
Join me on Patreon from more drawing, illustration and self-publishing videos and be part of my creative crew! / shoorayner
Lots of people ask me about writing a picture book. It's just for kids, so it must be easy, right? lol
I thought I'd make a video where I'd just talk about writing picture books and the difficulties you may come across. If you think you are going to make a fortune and be a famous author, you are better off working at Macdonalds - Honestly, that's not a joke.
It takes an inordinate amount of luck to have a best seller and a huge amount of work to make any sort of living at it. Author incomes have halved in the last 20 years - really!
But you may just want to have a few copies of your book for your family, which is great. These thoughts apply to you to. Any questions? put the in the comments box and maybe you will inspire a new video?!
Here are links:
Next Video - • How to publish a pictu...
SCBWI www.scbwi.org
SCBWI UK britishisles.scbwi.org
Ingram Publishing www.ingramcontent.com/publish...
Get my Pandora book here
Pandora on Amazon USA amzn.to/2RVissZ
Pandora Amazon UK amzn.to/2zd4Ouq
Pandora Amazon Canada amzn.to/2RWQCN3
Pandora Amazon Australia amzn.to/2PwmfAc
With award winning children's author and illustrator, Shoo Rayner
Subscribe to this channel on TH-cam for lots more drawing :)
➡️ bit.ly/Sub2Shoo
Website www.shooraynerdrawing.com
music by @cleffernotes
Everyone asks about the tools I use when I'm out using my sketchbook. here's a video to show you what and how I use them. • How To Use A Sketchbook - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I have great ideas but I have NO DRAWING ABILITY. What should I do?
turn your ideas into stories, then approach a publisher who will find you an illustrator of find an illustrator and do it yourself. and these guys are a great help. www.scbwi.org/ Good luck!
I could be your illustrator
@@jazzyzjourney I’m interested.
@jazzyzjourney what’s your email? I’d love to connect
Your eyes shine when you speak about children's books, so passionate.
....by money ;)
@@pikaso6586 you dont make that much writing off books.... its very hard to reach stephen king level of success. teen romance may be easy to make money from though.
Shoo is so indulged into telling all the tips and facts about writing a real picture story for for children that proves your passion for work and love for children.I am writing my first story book for Pakistani early years' level which is in Urdu and related to our historical Poet and Philosopher Dr.Allama Iqbal's poetry for little ones.
Yes, and he's so pleasant and tactful in the way he pointed out that the cute little stories you tell your children aren't necessarily meant for the book market - that your kids love you no matter what story you're dishing.
This was so so helpful. I just self published two little books I wrote and illustrated. They are not super brilliant and accomplished, as yours are. I sold my books on Etsy and to my amazement I have sold 230 so far. The books are not great as I said, but the brilliant thing is that by going through the process I learnt so so so much. There are loads of you tube channels but not many really helped. Your videos always do help tho and I have always watched and taken what you said on board. Thank you. I had fun with mine but I hope to improve with time and experience.
Thank you so much for your videos
the only person who thinks they are NOT Brilliant - are you - Have faith in your work
Tilly Trout Tilly good evening, please, can you share your experience of how yo did to illustrate your books. Regards. James.
Tilly Trout That Was Sweet, 🙂
It must mean a lot to him!
Add a link. I want to visit your store.
What were some of the challenges to get it published, if there were any? Like page sizing or color matching for copies of illustrations? Is Etsy a good publisher in your opinion?
I have always been an imaginative person and as a child I had a very wild imagination. I’ve retained it and so I decided to start writing children’s books. Thank you for the inspiration I found in your video! I would love to send you my story when it is finished if you would like to read it.
"an idea is worthless". Absolutely right! I would even say a well developed bad idea is far more worth than a poorly developed good one! Agree?
Oh, I totally agree. I'm just sitting here chuckling to myself reading the irony of your screen name in context of the subject.
@@AmieB2005 💀
@@AmieB2005 yoooo! ⚰️
I’m so excited to watch more of your videos. I LOVE writing children’s books!!
I loved this sensible and very useful advice, I feel like I’m pratting about being very indecisive about my book, but I think I’m better doing that than putting it out there before it’s ready!
I'm so glad I've found your channel! I've had a pictorial story rattling around my head for years and now that we're in lockdown there's hardly an excuse to put it off.
I'm starting to sketch out the illustrations and just hoping a story will form while I'm shading and smudging.🤞
You have inspired me to get working on book that has just been an "idea". Like you said, its time to put ideas into actions! I will be writing a few Picture books about my 3 year old daughter and lessons she is learning from our two family dogs. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Cheers 😎
Go for it!
The cover of your book is irresistible! Makes me want to open it and devour the book. I love to listen to you speak on publishing a children’s book. You are so knowledgeable and your passion for the topic is fantastic and contagious. Thank you for sharing this! 🙌🙌🙌
Thank you for your wisdom. Much appreciated 💙🌸
Thank you so very much for this amazing explanation!
I am so glad you give such insightful videos! I'm so excited to make my own books for children!
Thank you for all your insights!
i love listening to you speak, your voice is so calming
That was such a fresh and helpful Video. Thank you so much!!!
Thanks for the video, Shoo. I love my copy of Pandora obtained during the Kickstarter campaign. Now, I get to order books for all my nieces and nephews!! I'm very excited for them to have their own copies.
Thank you for your polite honesty. Very Intelligently put
Thank for sharing this inspiring video, great motivation for me. That an idea is just nothing without the commitment to making it something more. You have encouraged me to push on with my idea and make some changes :)
Great tips! Thank you.
You're like me - a bit giddy about life! I found this helpful. Thank you!
Wonderful presentation. Thank you.
I always love seeing the notifications for your videos in my feed!
Today is my daughter's birthday. I've been working on making some alterations to a story I used to tell her at bedtime to make it more... marketable, lol. She and I will always have the original version (and the memories of her laughter!), but I recognised that I had to strip it down to the skeleton as most of the meat was specific to my kiddo.
If it ever turns into something, I'll send you a copy
Very useful indeed!! Thanks!
Hi Shoo. This is what Iv been looking for. I am wanting to illustrate a short story especially for my daughter and this couldn't have come at a better time. As always I get super excited whenever I get a video notifocation from you. Grrat advice as always.
So, so many valuable observations and tips in here. I've just started to dive into writing, and my, it's really a craft I can see that now.
Thank you for this awesome video.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this video ❤
I'm actually trying to make my own book! This really helped!
Waffles Untoasted Good luck!!
thanks for the advice I'm a designer/illustrator working on writing and illustrating my first children's book
Thank you for the well rounded video! you spoke about every possibility why someone would want to write a children's books. I hope to make the children's book I have in mind to be my second project!
Thanks you!!! Now I need to get to work!
Hi Shoo, nice to know you and your art. My name is Sawyer and I'm a full-time illustrator based in Madagascar. I'm on my third year of experience and I'm so inspired by your career. It's always uplifting to meet artists with several years of experience in the industry. Looking forward to seeing more of your works :)
Do you have a web page for your illustrations that I can see?
@@meganpitt Yes I do, all the links are in my channel :) Thank you !!
HI SAWYER I AM GOING TO LOOK UP YOUR EMAIL
@sawyercloud4429
OKAY 😎 👁️👁️ IF I FIND YOU GREAT!👍
This is a very helpful video, thanks! :)
Thank you for making this video.. it is truly helpful! Your fascination is contagious.
You are so welcome!
Cool.. process! Thank-you!
You're welcome!
What a delightful fella. =)Thank you for your honest and expert advice!
I very much enjoyed your first video . I could totally relate. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you this was very helpful
Glad it was helpful!
Fabulous video. So delightfully expressed. So much interesting and helpful content. Thank you.
Thank you. Good advice.
Shooooooooo! Missing yoooooooooou! Perfect vid for me today! Thank you x
I wish I had seen your videos sooner but am so happy to be seeing this now! Children's books are definitely a lot of work but I love the process. I'm an aspiring children's author/illustrator. This video was so helpful for me to watch :)
Thanks - glad I might have been of some help. Good luck!
Are you taking projects? I just wrote my 1st short book. Need an illustrator.
I just found out you. Its really Great to see an Artist always very happy drawing and teaching things. Congratulations! :)
Thank you, very interesting content x
Thank you, this was good info
I'm trying to write one and get it published now. Great video
Thank you so much for this video. I’m one of those who is going to try to illustrate a children’s book as a keepsake using my granddaughters so I’m taking your advise and drawing like a crazy person!
Wonderful!😀
My mom is a teacher and I'm writing a book for her class
Hi Shoo, this was brilliant. I have a question on layout/design. Where I have two characters speaking (this is from a first person POV), how should I layout the text. Do you think next to the characters (2 sentences each), or better to be tucked away altogether at the bottom or side of page?
Thank you for this,
I’m in the stages of the illustrations on my first children’s book.
Glad it was helpful!
Shoo Rayner Drawing 😊
A picture speaks 1000 words! I love plotting and can picture everything in my mind but I have the hardest time describing my visions! I love watching you!! Thanks!
Thanks - try thumbnail sketches - small and quick - you only need stick people!
Love this. Thanks for the tips! I have a children's book I've been working on for ten years so I can relate to a lot of what you are saying here!
What a lovely personality you have. You sparkle!
You are so kind😀
THANK YOU!!!!!
Oh sooo helpful thank you!! I love your sense of humor haha! Excited to begin this journey. I'm already an artist and have actually Always wanted to do children's books. Even if its just for my own kids. I have countless talents (don't mean to brag lol), but I have a real Passion for this idea of being a children's author. I adore kids ❤
You got this!
I got up on the wrong side of the bed this a.m. You're great, fun and casual with good info. I write scripts for my videos.
Thanks for your opinion - I won't change tho! 😀
Thank you for the tips.
You seem like you are a genuinly happy person!
I am currently in the process of putting together the text and the illustrations. I am blessed and grateful that I have such an amazing illustrator. Let's see where this journey takes us.
Best of luck!
@@shooraynerdrawing Thanks 😊
I love your work 💚
Thank you! 😊
So true
I need your help. Definitely!
Thanks,.
thank you for your video, I am an illustrator just starting out.
Good luck
I'm so glad to watch your video. My daughter has started writing her stories and shared it here (recently) . Hope you can watch her videos and give comments for her improvement! Thanks so much! ❤❤❤
I am not writing a picture book but I am happy I clicked to watch this video- thank you for your perspective
Thanks
Thank you.
You're welcome!
I am excited to hear what you have to say ..my mother died almost 20 years ago , and wrote a little story before she died for my 2 year old daughter ...it is a little rhyme here and there but a nice little story , I want to rewrite it so it seems a bit less " jerky " when read aloud , and have my daughter draw some pictures , then make 2 copies for each of my daughters for sentimental value...I am sure no one else would want it , buit I hope this helps make it sound right !!
Farmer Jones This is such a sweet idea. What a nice way to honor your mother. ❤️
The way you are explaining this feels like "we cant write unless we are incredibly good about writing " maybe is how I took it but in order to get good you have to keep writing, you sound like you put people down unless we are you
I agree
Yes, someone has to be good if they want to have a best seller. But practice makes progress 🙂
Omg I thought it was just me
love this video. I am watching this in June 2020. I wonder how well your book went? hope it went well. all the best, and thanks for the information.
I’ve always had an idea for a childrens book and decided that this year was they year that I am going to try to actually make it a reality! Thank you for the amazing video!
Go for it!
Would it be possible to do a step by step guide on your process of starting a children’s book. Do not know where to start and now stuck at home and need a project to get my teeth into. Thank you so much.
so good
I would love more information on how you put your book on Kickstarter. I've been thinking about doing that, but don't really know where to begin.
So you can pick your own illustrator when you publish, and self publish? Also can picture books be like golden sound story books? ,or is that more of a early reader? -Or does it depend? what If you can see your book, as both an early reader and picture book? what if you can see your book with a figurine, plush, or like something you touch, press or smell that goes with the book?-does this(more bells and wistles) all come later, after just a plain jane picture book?
Hi I wish too show you what i did it's an rose watercolour so how do i do it
Do you have another video of the structure of either the text or illistration beyond beginning, middle and end, I keep looking at kids books, and finding lots of rhyming and lots of very small words of course, and lots of random endings, or the book being just a very small moment in time.
Maybe you can broaden with episodes about writing for certain age ranges or how to use color or if there is a certain way it should be done format wise. I dont want to do rhyming at all so I'm glad you said that and I have no issue changing something. I learned that a long time ago as a writer.
Sounds like you need a college course! lol
I want to be the next Shoo Rayner!
How do you protect your book idea? Sorry if this have been covered already. Thanks in advance.
@@shooraynerdrawing Brilliant! Sorry I knew it may have seemed an obvious question, thanks for the advice ☺
Successful children authors love children...I can see you love children just watching your videos.
@@shooraynerdrawing lol, I can believe that.
I will say there are some successful self publishers. Thanks for the info.
there certainly are some successful publishers, but I think they are either marketers first or extremely lucky. 99% will be lucky to sell more that 25 copies.
Great video Great advice.
Glad it was helpful!
@@shooraynerdrawing I have written a Christmas children's book and submitted it to a publishing website i hope they like it i have dyslexia so i hope if they are any spelling mistakes the books publisher will still consider my book.
A reputable publisher will not worry about spelling - the story is much more important and they have line editors to work on that. Be careful - there are some sharks out there. If they want you to spend money they are not a traditional publisher. There are many "publishers" who will take your money and print whatever you send them - spelling mistakes and all! Good luck - I found this this typical page that will help explain self-publishingschool.com/vanity-press/ (I have no connection with this site btw)
I AM ALSO A WRITER. CURRENTLY, I AM WRITING A CHILDREN´S BOOK... I WAS BORN IN ISTANBUL, BUT I AM SPENDING THE LOCKDOWN IN MEXICO CITY... I´VE GOT "PANDORA"... AND TOTALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH HER...! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLISHING TIPS... WE SAY IN SPANISH " UN ABRAZO"... BIG HUG TO YOU...!
Gracias! 😆
Hi there. Congratulations on publishing your book. Thanks for all the pointers. I have a question. Did you copyright your book through copyright.gov? If so, did you have to use form TX for text and form VA for your pictures to copyright for both texts and pictures? Also, where did you for editing service for your book? Do you recommend an editor who is very good and reliable, but not too expensive? Please advice. Thanks.
The act of publishing creates copyright. You don't need to spend money on it unless you are a corporation wanting to protect ip. Are you seriously going to bankrupt yourself going to law if someone infringes your copyright?
Ive never sat through a video this long ❤
lol! glad you liked it :)
I’ve published my first book. It’s a rhyme/picture book. Self published on Amazon... gotta get your feet wet somehow.
Enjoyed this video as I continue to put together a story book.
So, I'm a failed comic book Indy gogo campaigner. I tried and I bombed after ten plus years of making and publishing my own title, and I think it affected my confidence more than I wanted to admit to my friends. Then this wonderful woman, who always seems to bring the best out in her friends, kind of brought me out of this funk. So I'm picking up a thing I started in high school nearly twenty years ago.
I am trying, really trying, but my question to you is this; is it worth it more for an aspiring picture book maker (writer and illustrator) to pitch a rough draft and colored finished illustrations to a publisher (self publisher like Amazon or Barnes and Noble) or is it better to go with Kickstarter?
My friends are adamant that this may have been my true calling after all, but like I said, the Indy gogo failure has made me second guess how worthwhile my artistic endeavors have been. I can handle rejection enough, but I'd rather take my work to an audience that might appreciate it.
Self publish without help, or Kickstarter?
Thank you for your video on how to self publish. I plan on writing a children's book and self-publishing on amazon kindle. I did have a question. I am not a graphic designer and was planning on finding someone to illustrate my book from Fiverr. My question is it is a one-time payment, do I need to give royalties, or do I share my profit with the illustrator?
Thank you for your time
Joyce
Glad it was helpful! All of those are possibilities. They might suggest something to you. Statistically, you will not sell more than 100 copies, and that will be hard work, so most illustrators would rather be paid for their work, rather than have a share of royalties that, statistically, will never appear, though you may be a brilliant marketer or have, by chance written a new classic!
Illustrators on Fivr are often from a different culture to yours and will generally produce artwork that ;looks okay, but is not appropriate for the project and the market it is aimed at. Good luck
Hello! I know I'm a bit late to the party in terms of comments, but what techniques do you use to check yourself when you're developing an idea for a story? I want to make sure I'm reviewing the right elements of my story without overthinking.
20 years of telling re-telling, editing and re-editing on that particular book. Otherwise, work with an editor. Their job is to translate your intention into the best version possible for the reader to understand and enjoy. Good luck
Shoo Rayner thank you so much! That’s incredibly helpful! I wish you the best and thank you for taking the time to reply.
I’ve got a interesting question, how do you stick to a specific age group when writing a series of children books? I’m talking the language and details?
I guess that comes down to experience - read a lot of children's books and you will get a feel for it. Alternatively, you write what comes naturally and see where it fits in 😀
I WROTE. A POEM TO THE ATT TECH ENTITLED “ INCREDIBLE”.. AS RECENT AS TODAY. SHE
LOVE IT. WHILE SHE WAS HELPING ME WITH MY PHONE ACTIVATION. I LOVE WRITING, DRAWING. I USE FREE STYLE WRITING TELLING THE STORY AS. OPPOSED TO RHYMING ….
Hey Shoo! If you're not self-publishing , and let's say you write the words and sign with an agent/publishing company, do they draw the pictures for you?
Basically yes. Depends on what kind of publisher they are. You should not have to pay. They should pay you an advance on royalties. If you do then then they are scammers or vanity publishers
It is still very early days, I mean I literally came up with the idea yesterday. But there was this story I wrote when I was a little girl. I feel like the plot might have potential (not much hope tho!) So maybe for my New Year's resolution, I should rewrite it for the children in the nursery/preschool I work for. The title was Goldie and Sandie, and it was about a couple who couldn't find a best man for their wedding, but then came across a lost dog that ended up being their best man 😂 Omg it's so cheesy, only a child (a learning disabled child!) could come up with a plot like that!
sounds like the beginnings of a good idea!
Did you work on this manuscript? :)
Jolly good video. Of all the authors and writers I have listened to you are the most unique. You talk about both self-publishing and working with a publisher. You talk about external life mattering in what you write, in other words, you can't just write something that has no meaning to modern times.
I think I gleaned several golden nuggets that should be useful to me going forward. The organization sounds like a good one to be part of. If the people are like you it should be a pleasant place to banter about in.
Overall I did not feel the 20 minutes at all. I have Sleep Apnea, and I truly intend to watch something over 5 minutes, but I find myself waking up long after the video has concluded. I was able to listen to you, pillar to post, without a yawn nor a bob of the head, indicating a nap will overtake me shortly, and if you don't know, that is high praise. Nice to meet you and good luck going forward.
That's amazing - some people say ,my voice calms them down and sends them to sleep! lol
@@shooraynerdrawing
That is very interesting. If I were to put that to scientific thought, it may be that at that time the brain had a notion to deactivate, as if they finally had an opportunity to nap.
In comparison, I must have returned to my childhood where I had a good teacher where I learned to sit up and pay attention. Now that I have Sleep Apnea,
I find that my brain takes the opportunity to konk out if what I am listening to has no hook to my attention span. In fact, You had teaching I really wanted to know and I did not for an instance feel a nod or a journey to the Land of Nod.
I had to mention that because I watch dozens of educational videos, and too many I awake having missed some important portion of the lesson. And guess what? Don't bother going back over it, because I'll just konk again probably at the same place in the video.
So, I considered myself so lucky I was excited that I got all the important information I had to tell you. I noticed a PhD in your title, That may have something to do with it. many of those I listen to aren't titled that way. Your presentation and organization were far superior.
Thanks, but no, I've not got a PhD!
@@shooraynerdrawing
Well, well, so sorry old chap. Appreciate the correction.
Can't have me walking about thinking you're a doctor, can we? Count me corrected, there's a good fellow.
Great video and amazing tips specially for first time authors. Today with self publishing made so easy with platforms like Amazon kdp, how do you ensure that your idea is not stolen specially while sharing it with people for feedback
I agree that a good illustrator will "write" all the things you didn't say... But what about the publisher who is going to read your story before it has illustrations ? I have written severall picture books that I feel don't find their publisher because they need have so few words and descriptions... I see them as a movie in my head but can't put it in their heads ! How would you deal with this kind of problem or situation ???? (I have published PBs )
how do you get your self published books into shops? Im used to publishing on amazon but would so love to see my work in shops😍
I think there is a option to have Amazon books available through shops. To get shops to stock them - that's a whole different business. How much do you want to spend? Most of the books in shop promotions are paid for. Otherwise get a best-seller - It's a catch 22! Start marketing :)
🌸
Can you please do a video on how to do a simple manuscript for a children's book? I have no idea how to do that. I'm based in Australia and would love to make my ideas actualised rather than being word files on my laptop sitting here. Thank you for the great video!
Do you do consultancy? So people can run their books past you, and you can guide them forward and what to expect etc? (Coaching even?)
I really don't have the time to do that. Do you know about SCBWI the Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators? They know everything! www.scbwi.org/regions/british-isles
I’m a chil myself, I am looking into writing a book to prevent pollution to save the earth
Hello! I’ve wrote 3 children’s books. Age 3-6 and I really think they are good. One is rhyming and two are non. Can you help me with who I should approach? I have another two in the pipeline. I’m also great at drawing. Background - journalism degree and plenty of writing experience for many magazines. A* in fine art A LEVELS got into central st martins for fine art but choose ARTS LONDON LCC for journalism 😊
You need SCBWI www.scbwi.org/regions/british-isles They'll help you. 😀