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The Easy Way To Write Picture Books That Sell
This comprehensive new book is written by the bestselling children's author of over 90 published books, Robyn Opie Parnell.
With the burgeoning success of Kindle Fire and other on line retail book outlets, publishers and self publishers are scrambling to meet the demand for children's picture books. Will you rise to the challenge of meeting this overwhelming demand?
Whether you want to be published by a traditional publisher, or go it alone by self publishing, there's never been a better time to become a children's picture book author. But if you seriously want to stand out in this competitive market, you need the information in Robyn Opie Parnell's new book.
The Easy Way to Write Picture Books That Sell contains all the information an aspiring picture book writer needs to know - and then some. It's full of inspiring and motivational tips and step by step instructions that are easy and fun to follow.
This valuable reference book will show you:
* where to find great ideas
* how to develop your ideas
* important aspects to consider when working on your ideas
* what to consider when creating a plot for a picture book
* what make good plots in picture books
* the difference between internal and external conflict
* how to avoid confusing your young readers
* what subject matter works best in a picture book
* how to create believable characters
* how animals make great characters
* things to consider when naming characters
* the role of adults in picture books
* whether to include morals or lessons in picture books
* what to include in your text and what to omit
* the relationship between the words and illustrations
* the ideal number of pages in a picture book
* the ideal number of words in a picture book
* your target audience for a picture book
* how your picture book should look when submitted to a publisher
* why it's a good idea to submit to educational publishers
Also included:
* tips to help you write and sell a GREAT picture book
* and tips on crucial questions to ask yourself during editing
Plus analyses of successful picture books. What makes them great from page one - and why they sell.
Robyn Opie Parnell has a fine reputation in the publishing industry for the quality of her work and her willingness to help writers at any stage in their career. In this book she draws on her experience and expertise to give you a complete guide to imagining and writing your own picture books - that will sell!
In The Easy Way to Write Picture Books That Sell you will be charmed by Robyn's giving nature and delighted by the wealth of knowledge she wants to share with you.
There's a common misconception that writing for children is easy. That perhaps anyone can do it. But it's only easy IF you know exactly what is required by picture book publishers. If you already have a picture book that you can't sell or is languishing at the bottom of the charts, it could you're missing something crucial - that 'little something extra' that is the secret behind successful children's picture books. Find out what that is by reading Robyn's new book!
Whether you want to write factual or fiction based picture books, Robyn explains why this is often seen as a 'difficult' market - whereas the reality is actually very different. Robyn also takes you on a methodical journey, from coming up with ideas (which, once you know how and where to look, are everywhere!), to creating lovable and enduring characters, to plotting using conflict and obstacles and credible resolutions that warm the heart. Then, she goes deeper into the writing process. How to use background and setting to best effect, what type of language to use, and how to use descriptions - and when NOT to use them!
You can save yourself years of study and effort - and rejection and disappointment - by reading Robyn's book and learning from her unique experience as a bestselling children's author.
With the burgeoning success of Kindle Fire and other on line retail book outlets, publishers and self publishers are scrambling to meet the demand for children's picture books. Will you rise to the challenge of meeting this overwhelming demand?
Whether you want to be published by a traditional publisher, or go it alone by self publishing, there's never been a better time to become a children's picture book author. But if you seriously want to stand out in this competitive market, you need the information in Robyn Opie Parnell's new book.
The Easy Way to Write Picture Books That Sell contains all the information an aspiring picture book writer needs to know - and then some. It's full of inspiring and motivational tips and step by step instructions that are easy and fun to follow.
This valuable reference book will show you:
* where to find great ideas
* how to develop your ideas
* important aspects to consider when working on your ideas
* what to consider when creating a plot for a picture book
* what make good plots in picture books
* the difference between internal and external conflict
* how to avoid confusing your young readers
* what subject matter works best in a picture book
* how to create believable characters
* how animals make great characters
* things to consider when naming characters
* the role of adults in picture books
* whether to include morals or lessons in picture books
* what to include in your text and what to omit
* the relationship between the words and illustrations
* the ideal number of pages in a picture book
* the ideal number of words in a picture book
* your target audience for a picture book
* how your picture book should look when submitted to a publisher
* why it's a good idea to submit to educational publishers
Also included:
* tips to help you write and sell a GREAT picture book
* and tips on crucial questions to ask yourself during editing
Plus analyses of successful picture books. What makes them great from page one - and why they sell.
Robyn Opie Parnell has a fine reputation in the publishing industry for the quality of her work and her willingness to help writers at any stage in their career. In this book she draws on her experience and expertise to give you a complete guide to imagining and writing your own picture books - that will sell!
In The Easy Way to Write Picture Books That Sell you will be charmed by Robyn's giving nature and delighted by the wealth of knowledge she wants to share with you.
There's a common misconception that writing for children is easy. That perhaps anyone can do it. But it's only easy IF you know exactly what is required by picture book publishers. If you already have a picture book that you can't sell or is languishing at the bottom of the charts, it could you're missing something crucial - that 'little something extra' that is the secret behind successful children's picture books. Find out what that is by reading Robyn's new book!
Whether you want to write factual or fiction based picture books, Robyn explains why this is often seen as a 'difficult' market - whereas the reality is actually very different. Robyn also takes you on a methodical journey, from coming up with ideas (which, once you know how and where to look, are everywhere!), to creating lovable and enduring characters, to plotting using conflict and obstacles and credible resolutions that warm the heart. Then, she goes deeper into the writing process. How to use background and setting to best effect, what type of language to use, and how to use descriptions - and when NOT to use them!
You can save yourself years of study and effort - and rejection and disappointment - by reading Robyn's book and learning from her unique experience as a bestselling children's author.
77 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2013
3 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Opie Parnell
23 books8 followersRobyn Opie Parnell is the author of 94 books for children and adults, and 3 feature film screenplays. Robyn's credits include the Amazon number one best-sellers Dialogue: The Ultimate Writers' Guide, The Easy Way to Write Picture Books That Sell, Making Your Writing Sparkle: Self-editing for New Authors, and Show, Don't Tell: The Ultimate Writers' Guide.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 1, 2015
Great textbook
This was easy to read and full of great advice. The children's book author interviews in the back were an added bonus. This is a quick read. I highly recommend.
This was easy to read and full of great advice. The children's book author interviews in the back were an added bonus. This is a quick read. I highly recommend.
March 20, 2017
Good Guidance
I like the way Robyn breaks down each aspect of a picture book and discusses in detail. Great practical tips.
I like the way Robyn breaks down each aspect of a picture book and discusses in detail. Great practical tips.
October 28, 2013
The author Robyn Opie Parnell has written an excellent book for any writer considering writing in this particular genre. Her experience and knowledge shines through on every page and she writes with a warmth and clarity for her subject.
Robyn amply illustrates her text with some well known examples of children's books. By naming them and showing us the text, her examples certainly make for a better comprehension of what is required for the writer to understand.
These days, there should be no inbuilt moral in the tale as children are far more knowing of what is implied. Robyn says yes, there could be a message, and if one happens to be there, well and good. But don't deliberately force anything. A story should just be a story and the character/s and plot could then become representative of anything wanting to be said. Robyn shows us her thorough knowledge of the genre by having written over 90 books.
She gives us heaps of tips on how to write, what to think about, where ideas come from and the correct way to go about approaching and being a children's book author. One tip that leapt out at me was this -
'A picture book should be about a BIG emotion.' With the age of the reader in mind, this is more than enough for reading or listening to from a child's point of view. She also says it helps to think visually and to keep it simple.
As much as we, as adults love reading novels with cliff-hangers and as page-turners, so should a children's book be the same. What child wouldn't want imaginative excitement to happen, so that they want to read or hear the story over and over again.
With so much experience and writing so many books, it's quite easy to know that Robyn has shown us her many years of experience in writing for children. There is a lot of information available here and certainly worth getting this book now.
Adrian Murphy - Writer and Author
"Writer's Workshops" [For all workshop details, please email - writehot8'AT'gmail.com]
Robyn amply illustrates her text with some well known examples of children's books. By naming them and showing us the text, her examples certainly make for a better comprehension of what is required for the writer to understand.
These days, there should be no inbuilt moral in the tale as children are far more knowing of what is implied. Robyn says yes, there could be a message, and if one happens to be there, well and good. But don't deliberately force anything. A story should just be a story and the character/s and plot could then become representative of anything wanting to be said. Robyn shows us her thorough knowledge of the genre by having written over 90 books.
She gives us heaps of tips on how to write, what to think about, where ideas come from and the correct way to go about approaching and being a children's book author. One tip that leapt out at me was this -
'A picture book should be about a BIG emotion.' With the age of the reader in mind, this is more than enough for reading or listening to from a child's point of view. She also says it helps to think visually and to keep it simple.
As much as we, as adults love reading novels with cliff-hangers and as page-turners, so should a children's book be the same. What child wouldn't want imaginative excitement to happen, so that they want to read or hear the story over and over again.
With so much experience and writing so many books, it's quite easy to know that Robyn has shown us her many years of experience in writing for children. There is a lot of information available here and certainly worth getting this book now.
Adrian Murphy - Writer and Author
"Writer's Workshops" [For all workshop details, please email - writehot8'AT'gmail.com]
October 29, 2013
I read this in preparation for November's Picture Book Ideas Month challenge. I am planning a non-fiction Middle Grade picture book and needed all the help I can get.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book--concise and very helpful both for a beginner and a more experienced writer hoping to break into the field of children's picture books.
Reading it was like having a conversation with a friend. Everything I wanted to know--and extra points I didn't know I wanted to know--were all clearly laid out and easy to find again from the index. The book is relatively short, says what it needs to, and stops. I liked this because I could get planning and writing quickly for myself.
Robyn Opie Parnell has successfully published so many children's books and picture books that she is careful to stress where publishers' requirements may vary. Always useful to know.
The author interviews were also very helpful in revealing how other authors conjure up ideas for picture books and work through to the finished publication.
Have given this four stars as there may be something better around but I haven't seen it yet. This is the one I'll keep by me for reference next month.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book--concise and very helpful both for a beginner and a more experienced writer hoping to break into the field of children's picture books.
Reading it was like having a conversation with a friend. Everything I wanted to know--and extra points I didn't know I wanted to know--were all clearly laid out and easy to find again from the index. The book is relatively short, says what it needs to, and stops. I liked this because I could get planning and writing quickly for myself.
Robyn Opie Parnell has successfully published so many children's books and picture books that she is careful to stress where publishers' requirements may vary. Always useful to know.
The author interviews were also very helpful in revealing how other authors conjure up ideas for picture books and work through to the finished publication.
Have given this four stars as there may be something better around but I haven't seen it yet. This is the one I'll keep by me for reference next month.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews