Exploring Picture Book Topics For Your Children’s Book
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
Do you ever find yourself struggling to decide on your picture book topics, and wondering whether a manuscript would fit better into the category of a picture book or a short story? Well, not all picture book topics are an ideal fit for the picture book format. Meaning that not every picture book idea you have will—or even should—become a book. Some ideas are better suited for articles or short stories. Read on to find out how to choose compelling picture book topics.
Picking Compelling Picture Book Topics
Ah, the ongoing debate between whether certain picture book topics would work better as books or articles! You may have been told that your picture book idea doesn’t have “enough” for a book. Or maybe it has too much, and your picture book word count is too high. And this might be discouraging. But I actually think it’s good news. While you may not be able to solicit literary agent attention with a short story or article, at least you are building your publishing credits if you get your idea accepted for a magazine. You’ve already written it, you should seek to use it however you can, and then move on to other picture book topics.
This question of book vs. article or short story is even more prevalent in the nonfiction picture book market. Editors must confront this issue regularly, and suggest to writers that they pursue their ideas as a nonfiction magazine article or how-to piece instead.
Hearing that you don’t have a picture book but, instead, an article may seem like writing rejection, but remember, if an editor cares enough to suggest that you repurpose your manuscript, that shows you that they recognised something unique and appealing in your writing style, and liked your idea … they just don't feel your concept can sustain an entire book. At least now you have a connection, and you can pitch other picture book topics to that editor in the future.
The Wide Range of Picture Book Topics Out There
The truth is, the picture book market is brutally competitive right now. Editors are searching for the most unique, marketable, and trade-market-oriented ideas. Of course, they want things that are funny and quirky, but they are also looking for stories with a strong character arc that young readers can connect to.
The other consideration is that maybe your picture book topics are compelling, but your picture book manuscript execution is not quite up to snuff.
If I wrote a poem about twirling leaves in autumn, it may be too serene without a protagonist or plot to carry it. Conversely, if I wrote a tale about a character who simply couldn't tie their shoes, it could be extremely character-focused, of course, but could lack enough substance to make it interesting.
Same for a lovely idea about a family living on a maple syrup farm in Vermont! It could be a great fit for a magazine or regional press that could target a more specific audience such as Vermonters or maple syrup connoisseurs, particularly for an autumn issue.
When evaluating picture book topics and manuscripts in my freelance editing role, I find myself wondering: “Will this story be able to capture the attention of a large audience?” If not, then I recommend the author to look for other markets, such as magazines or a regional/small/specialized press.
Furthermore, I always keep in mind that a picture book costs a publisher about $50,000 to produce (not all of this goes to the writer, unfortunately, but to printing, book marketing, production, and the publisher’s overhead). The $50,000 figure is something I head from a publishing editor when I was a literary agent, and it’s still top of mind.
If you are flexible about the format where you will get your work published, and aren’t married to the idea of having every manuscript you write turn into a picture book, you are far more likely to see your work in print. Yes, the money and prestige aren’t the same for a magazine piece versus a published picture book, but every writing credit helps you get where you want to go.
Explore Picture Book Topics All Around You
If your story is not picked up right away, there's still hope! Ideas are all around you, and ideally, you aren’t just sitting on the same one or two picture book topics. You are, instead, gathering up your vault of book ideas and deciding what to do with each one.
You might be rejected by publishers, but the same manuscript could be just the thing a magazine or regional publisher is looking for. Don’t lose heart, picture book writers—there are lots of possibilities and picture book topics to explore!
To get a better understanding of magazine markets for children's work, be sure to check out the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market published by Writer's Digest Books. Explore the myriad of magazines and small presses listed there—take your pick and submit!
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Click here to purchase Writing Irresistible Picture Books, my book on children’s picture books. This comprehensive guide is crammed with craft advice and groundbreaking original research, including a survey of 1,000 upcoming picture book deals, a breakdown of 80 modern and marketable picture book topics, and in-depth analysis of over 150 published picture books.