Now that I’ve completed the basic work needed to create this website, it’s time to write the first post. I thought the best place to start is here in the “Write” section. If I want to use this website as a record of my publishing journey, then I better create a post that describes where I am currently at on my journey. So here we go…
A Recap of the Past Few Months…
I submitted my PhD dissertation (The Pedagogical Potential of Harry Potter and The Vampire Diaries: Incorporating Children’s and Young Adult Literature Across the English Studies College Curriculum) for final review in early March of 2021. Soon after, my brother and sister-in-law announced they were expecting their first child. That night, I couldn’t fall asleep without getting out my phone in bed and writing out the first draft of my first picture book manuscript.
I wrote a second manuscript the next night.
Over the last few months, I’ve written five more manuscripts.
Considering my lack of drawing talent, I won’t be illustrating my picture books. While self-publishing can work if I hire an illustrator, the upfront costs and lack of any marketing support are two big hurdles for that path. So, I started researching traditional publishing of picture books.
I found out I needed at least 3-4 polished PB drafts before querying a literary agent.
In the last few months, I joined SCBWI, did tons of writing and publishing research, found two critique partners, and joined a critique group. I wrote a few more PB drafts and worked on revising and polishing my top 3-4 manuscripts with my critique partners and via events like PBParty Train and critique giveaways on Twitter.
On June 30, 2021, I sent my first query to a literary agent. The following week, I sent four more. My first batch of queries was officially out!
I plan on sending out a new query every time a query is rejected. That way, I can improve my query and manuscript as I get feedback. So far, I’ve received one personalized rejection. I sent out my sixth pitch earlier this week, after having the query letter wonderfully critiqued by my new pitch critique group (go, Zombie Queens!).
At this point, I’m polishing my various manuscripts and prepping for the SCBWI summer conference. I’ll be pitching one of my PBs to an editor during this event. I also signed up for the Picture Book Summit today, which takes place October 2nd.
I’m really looking forward to taking part in these two big events.
If you’d like to follow along on my journey, you can follow me on Twitter or sign up for my email newsletter. The newsletter will also give you access to my resource library.