Six Marks to Hit Before You Submit Your Picture Book
with Dan Richards
About this Breakout Session:
Are you constantly second-guessing whether your picture book manuscript is ready to submit? Do you wish for a way to bring clarity to the age-old question, ‘is it good enough to send out’? Dan Richards will cover six questions that throw back the veil on what agents and editors want. These six questions will expose manuscript weaknesses before you make the mistake of submitting too soon. This session will also demystify rejection letter double-speak (e.g. ‘too thin,’ ‘too quiet,’, ‘lacks break-out potential,’ etc).
"Writing a picture book is like painting a masterpiece with fingerpaint"
you have an idea.
You been to dream and see all of the possibilities. You build it up into what we think it is in our head then-
the rejection comes.
Dan spoke a bit about his background to illustrate how he came to discovering his "Six Marks."
Dan shared that he had some early successes where his manuscripts sold immediately, which built a false sense of reality where he thought he cracked the code.
But soon, he went through several years where nothing would sell, causing much frustration.
\At first, Dan was resistant. So much so that he felt like it was impossible to make a change.
But Dan took two or three of those tips and notes, posted them on his desk, and let that help him build his skills, and shape his writing.
Those little changes eventually helped him navigate his story block, refining his process which led to his recent successes.
With his newfound approach to craft, Dan created the Six Marks to Hit before you start to submit to agents and publishers, his tried and true method for submission success.
The Six Marks to Hit
1. Is it age appropriate, child centered, and works best as a picture book?
2. Is there an immediate hook?
3. Is it a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end?
4. Is there an emotional arc?
5. Does it have an added layer of meaning?
6. Does it bring something fresh that stands out in the crowded picture book marketplace?
STORY TIME!
In Ghost Cat, though there are very few words, there is a beautiful emotional arc that has powerful added layers of meaning.
It speaks to the youngest reader of picture books but even as an adult, this story resonates with you as well as serves the readers who may be experiencing loss.
Different from Ghost Cat, this is more oriented to an older crowd of picture book readers.
In Watercress, the emotions connect so well, where Andrea finds a great hook early in the book, taking a moment in time and telling that specific story.
She gives it a beginning, middle, and end, weaving the emotional arc through it all, establishing the main character's internal journey and how she connects to the bigger picture within her family.
I got teary-eyed listening to it, and I've read it many times. That is a sure sign that it hits the marks!
So grab your favorite book or even your personal project and run through the Six Marks!
Author
About
Dan Richards is a graduate of the University of Washington Writing for Children Program and best known for his humorous picture books and middle grade novels. Recently, NUBBY was selected for the 2024 Dolly Parton Imagination Library and ONCE UPON A GOAT received honors as a Junior Library Guild Selection, Indie Next Selection, and Washington Children's Choice Award finalist. Nearly 700,000 copies of his books are in print worldwide. He'll be presenting his picture book class SIX MARKS TO HIT BEFORE YOU SUBMIT at the 2024 Summer SCBWI Conference. Dan is also a picture book coach who loves working with new clients. He lives in Bothell, WA with his wife and mischievous doodle Arthur. www.danrichardsbooks.com
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