Comments on: how long does a children’s book have to be? http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/ by Cynthea Liu Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:36:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-28212 Cynthea Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:12:45 +0000 http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-28212 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs has about 1200 words in it. That's not that far out of range for a publishable manuscript if the story warrants the length. If your manuscript is geared toward the upper range of the 4-8 bracket and it's longer than the typical contemporary picture book, the range of publishers who will take a chance will become quite narrow. Unfortunately, a lot of it has to do with the house and the editor acquiring the manuscript. And there's not a trade publisher I can think of off-hand who specializes in what you speak of. That doesn't mean they're not out there. I just don't know of any. One broader market you may want to consider is the magazine market (if the text is older and the length is longer). Some stories just fit better for the magazine market (Highlights, Cricket, etc.,) than they do for the picture book market. Hope that helps. Cynthea Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs has about 1200 words in it. That’s not that far out of range for a publishable manuscript if the story warrants the length.

If your manuscript is geared toward the upper range of the 4-8 bracket and it’s longer than the typical contemporary picture book, the range of publishers who will take a chance will become quite narrow. Unfortunately, a lot of it has to do with the house and the editor acquiring the manuscript. And there’s not a trade publisher I can think of off-hand who specializes in what you speak of. That doesn’t mean they’re not out there. I just don’t know of any.
One broader market you may want to consider is the magazine market (if the text is older and the length is longer). Some stories just fit better for the magazine market (Highlights, Cricket, etc.,) than they do for the picture book market.

Hope that helps. Cynthea

]]> By: Tara http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-28140 Tara Thu, 04 Oct 2007 02:01:35 +0000 http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-28140 Cynthea, do you have any wisdom on picture story book length? Is anyone publishing in this genre anymore? Supposedly it's a picture book for a slightly older audience--a little more words, a little less illustration. A classic example is "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" (although that one is fully illustrated). Love the site! Thank you! Cynthea, do you have any wisdom on picture story book length? Is anyone publishing in this genre anymore? Supposedly it’s a picture book for a slightly older audience–a little more words, a little less illustration. A classic example is “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (although that one is fully illustrated). Love the site! Thank you!

]]> By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-19987 Cynthea Fri, 20 Jul 2007 21:41:13 +0000 http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-19987 Critique Circle is one option at www.critiquecircle.com. Or if you prefer something more personal, put out a call on the <a href="http://www.verlakay.com/boards/index.php" rel="nofollow">Blue Board</a>. Another place to get hooked up with picture book writers in your area is your local <a href="http://www.scbwi.org" rel="nofollow">SCBWI </a>chapter. Hope that helps! Critique Circle is one option at http://www.critiquecircle.com.

Or if you prefer something more personal, put out a call on the Blue Board.

Another place to get hooked up with picture book writers in your area is your local SCBWI chapter.

Hope that helps!

]]> By: Cathy Stroud http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-18049 Cathy Stroud Sat, 07 Jul 2007 02:53:50 +0000 http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-18049 Best sources for critique groups for young children's picture books? Love so love your site, your tenacity, your giving. Bless you and that beautiful Snoop Boy. Cathy Stroud Best sources for critique groups for young children’s picture books? Love so love your site, your tenacity, your giving. Bless you and that beautiful Snoop Boy. Cathy Stroud

]]> By: cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-14297 cynthea Sun, 03 Jun 2007 06:11:20 +0000 http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-14297 The average length of picture books coming out today is NOT 1000. It's going to be much closer to 500. It used to be around 1000, but as parents become more pressed for time, the market is now delivering books these parents can read to their kids without passing out. Picture books published near 1000 words or more are quickly becoming the exception to the rule. The average length of picture books coming out today is NOT 1000. It’s going to be much closer to 500. It used to be around 1000, but as parents become more pressed for time, the market is now delivering books these parents can read to their kids without passing out. Picture books published near 1000 words or more are quickly becoming the exception to the rule.

]]> By: Cynthea http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-5139 Cynthea Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:06:40 +0000 http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-5139 Really the appropriate length of the text has everything to do with your story and how it's written. Every word does count and careful consideration must be taken to ensure the pacing of the story and the illustratability is supported in a way that fits a picture book format. (See the article <a rel="nofollow" title="Revision 9-1-1 for fiction picture books" href="http://www.cynthealiu.com/2006/06/19/92/revision-9-1-1-for-fiction-picture-books/" rel="nofollow">Revision 9-1-1 for Fiction Picture Books</a>). Today's contemporary picture books often come in at 500 words or less. But that is a guideline and not something to get worried about if your text "requires" more. The key word being "requires." I'd say a word count over 1000 words will certainly raise some eyebrows for many editors. And 500 words or less will certainly get the attention of many editors, provided the story is appropriate and well-written for the PB market. Really the appropriate length of the text has everything to do with your story and how it’s written. Every word does count and careful consideration must be taken to ensure the pacing of the story and the illustratability is supported in a way that fits a picture book format. (See the article Revision 9-1-1 for Fiction Picture Books). Today’s contemporary picture books often come in at 500 words or less. But that is a guideline and not something to get worried about if your text “requires” more. The key word being “requires.” I’d say a word count over 1000 words will certainly raise some eyebrows for many editors. And 500 words or less will certainly get the attention of many editors, provided the story is appropriate and well-written for the PB market.

]]> By: Maureen http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-5097 Maureen Sun, 25 Feb 2007 02:41:53 +0000 http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2006/05/21/22/how-long-does-it-have-to-be/#comment-5097 Hi Cynthea. I had a comment about the length of picture books. I subscribe to the Children's Book Insider (from Write4kids.com) and they say the average length is around 1000 words. You mentioned about 500--much lower than I would have thought. I know you said they're guidelines, but is 800-1000 (mine is around 900) too much now? (By the way, I like your site! Thank you for all your "tips!") Hi Cynthea. I had a comment about the length of picture books. I subscribe to the Children’s Book Insider (from Write4kids.com) and they say the average length is around 1000 words. You mentioned about 500–much lower than I would have thought. I know you said they’re guidelines, but is 800-1000 (mine is around 900) too much now? (By the way, I like your site! Thank you for all your “tips!”)

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