Frequently Asked Picture Party Contest Questions
We get a lot of questions. Here's a selection of the ones I see the most. They are in no particular order.
When do I post my pitch?
You don't. This isn't an online twitter pitch event. Picture Book Party requires a query and your first fifty words. Entries are sent to us by email. See our announcement post for more details. Selected finalists will be posted into an agent showcase on my blog during specific dates. Agents and editors will then make requests. You decide whether to send the requests so research our agents and editors. Writers can watch my blog for a list of those finalists selected before the showcase.
But it's called Picture Book Party. Where the party?
The party is on twitter under #PBParty. But it isn't a pitching party. It's more of a get to know you party. We have daily topics to tweet about and get to know other writers and make friends. Maybe agents will be stopping by. It's a place to hang out and have fun while the hosts read the entries.
Do I have to limit myself to 50 words; Can I go over or under? What if I have a chapter book?
You may post less than 50 words. You may go over by two or three words to finish a sentence only. Chapters books may include 100 words. Single spaced. Space between paragraphs. 12 point font. Times New Roman or equivalent.
Do art notes count toward the 50 words?
Yes.
Can I send more than one entry?
Yes, you can. Each person may send two different manuscripts in two separate emails. Do not send more than two. Pick your two favorites, the ones that are the most polished, the ones that are the most original, the ones you've queried the least--in other words, you decide. Only one entry will be picked per person. You do not have to send two. You can send one.
Can I send an illustration?
Yes! We encourage you to do so. You may attach one illustration per entry to your entry email. We have something special planned for illustrations this year.
I just learned about PB Party and missed the window. Can I send my entry late?
No. We stay open one hour and that's it. We have a feeling there will be a ton of entries this year. It wouldn't not be fair to those who followed the rules.
If you send early you will also be deleted, but you can resend at the proper time. 4:00 pm EST on March 19th.
My formatting messed up. Am I disqualified?
No. We will read even with wonky formatting. Now if you forgot your 50 words or sent a pitch instead of a query, you will probably not be selected. And we have too many entries to allow redos. Please send the correct info the first time. Check and double check your entry.
Will my name and twitter handle be up for everyone to see?
No. If selected, we will not include your name or twitter handle on the blog. That info is private for us only. Note: We do nothing with your info. Not add you to our newsletters or give your info to anyone.
Do I have to be on twitter to enter?
No. I do suggest it as great place to learn and where we will be tweeting out hints and tips. Also a great community to make friends because you need friends in this industry.
I didn't get a confirmation email when I sent in my entry. Should I resend?
Big no. Check your spam folder. Then contact Mindy @MindyAlyseWeiss or myself @Michelle4Laughs on twitter with the title of your ms. We will check for you. We'd rather not read duplicate entries. Most of the time the entries are there. If you aren't on twitter than reply to the Submission day post with your title and name.
I got a confirmation on my first entry but not on my second. Resend it?
Big no. Our vacation reminder/confirmation email will only go out once in most cases. If the first went through than the second one did.
What greeting do I use in my query?
Whatever you want. Dear Michelle, Mindy, and Sharon. Hi gals. Dear Agents. Have fun with it.
Should I include a closing?
You can include thanks, but no need to put your name, address, personal info. Those will be stripped out if posted to the showcase. If you want to include links to your illustrations or other identifying info in your query bio, that is up to you. We will assume you want us to leave any info in your bio.
Those are some frequent questions off the top of my head. Feel free to post others in the comments.
When do I post my pitch?
You don't. This isn't an online twitter pitch event. Picture Book Party requires a query and your first fifty words. Entries are sent to us by email. See our announcement post for more details. Selected finalists will be posted into an agent showcase on my blog during specific dates. Agents and editors will then make requests. You decide whether to send the requests so research our agents and editors. Writers can watch my blog for a list of those finalists selected before the showcase.
But it's called Picture Book Party. Where the party?
The party is on twitter under #PBParty. But it isn't a pitching party. It's more of a get to know you party. We have daily topics to tweet about and get to know other writers and make friends. Maybe agents will be stopping by. It's a place to hang out and have fun while the hosts read the entries.
Do I have to limit myself to 50 words; Can I go over or under? What if I have a chapter book?
You may post less than 50 words. You may go over by two or three words to finish a sentence only. Chapters books may include 100 words. Single spaced. Space between paragraphs. 12 point font. Times New Roman or equivalent.
Do art notes count toward the 50 words?
Yes.
Can I send more than one entry?
Yes, you can. Each person may send two different manuscripts in two separate emails. Do not send more than two. Pick your two favorites, the ones that are the most polished, the ones that are the most original, the ones you've queried the least--in other words, you decide. Only one entry will be picked per person. You do not have to send two. You can send one.
Can I send an illustration?
Yes! We encourage you to do so. You may attach one illustration per entry to your entry email. We have something special planned for illustrations this year.
I just learned about PB Party and missed the window. Can I send my entry late?
No. We stay open one hour and that's it. We have a feeling there will be a ton of entries this year. It wouldn't not be fair to those who followed the rules.
If you send early you will also be deleted, but you can resend at the proper time. 4:00 pm EST on March 19th.
My formatting messed up. Am I disqualified?
No. We will read even with wonky formatting. Now if you forgot your 50 words or sent a pitch instead of a query, you will probably not be selected. And we have too many entries to allow redos. Please send the correct info the first time. Check and double check your entry.
Will my name and twitter handle be up for everyone to see?
No. If selected, we will not include your name or twitter handle on the blog. That info is private for us only. Note: We do nothing with your info. Not add you to our newsletters or give your info to anyone.
Do I have to be on twitter to enter?
No. I do suggest it as great place to learn and where we will be tweeting out hints and tips. Also a great community to make friends because you need friends in this industry.
I didn't get a confirmation email when I sent in my entry. Should I resend?
Big no. Check your spam folder. Then contact Mindy @MindyAlyseWeiss or myself @Michelle4Laughs on twitter with the title of your ms. We will check for you. We'd rather not read duplicate entries. Most of the time the entries are there. If you aren't on twitter than reply to the Submission day post with your title and name.
I got a confirmation on my first entry but not on my second. Resend it?
Big no. Our vacation reminder/confirmation email will only go out once in most cases. If the first went through than the second one did.
What greeting do I use in my query?
Whatever you want. Dear Michelle, Mindy, and Sharon. Hi gals. Dear Agents. Have fun with it.
Should I include a closing?
You can include thanks, but no need to put your name, address, personal info. Those will be stripped out if posted to the showcase. If you want to include links to your illustrations or other identifying info in your query bio, that is up to you. We will assume you want us to leave any info in your bio.
Those are some frequent questions off the top of my head. Feel free to post others in the comments.
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