049 - 4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected - Part 4

05/23/23 • 13 min

It's our final installment of the 4 Big Reasons Your Manuscripts Get Rejected.

Following agent submission guidelines is a rather obvious part of the querying process....right?

"Query-whisperer" Emma Walton Hamilton gives us an inside look as to why following submission guidelines are crucial—and how over half of all new authors get it wrong.

Have you listened to the other parts of 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected?

Catch up here:

046 - 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscript Get Rejected Part 1 - Unoriginal Ideas

047 - 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscript Get Rejected Part 2 - Lack of Emotional Resonance

048 - 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 3 - Not Submission Ready

It's our final installment of the 4 Big Reasons Your Manuscripts Get Rejected.

Following agent submission guidelines is a rather obvious part of the querying process....right?

"Query-whisperer" Emma Walton Hamilton gives us an inside look as to why following submission guidelines are crucial—and how over half of all new authors get it wrong.

Have you listened to the other parts of 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected?

Catch up here:

046 - 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscript Get Rejected Part 1 - Unoriginal Ideas

047 - 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscript Get Rejected Part 2 - Lack of Emotional Resonance

048 - 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 3 - Not Submission Ready

Previous Episode

048 - 4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected - Part 3

It's time for the third biggest reason manuscripts get declined by agents and editors and this is a BIG one. Manuscripts are turned down every day for the simple reason that they are just not ready. So, how do you know when your manuscript is ready to for publication, therefore ready for an agent's or editor's eyes?

Katie Davis outlines the why and how of familiarizing yourself with the workings of the picture book industry, professional mistakes to avoid, and what to do with your manuscript before sending it to an agent.

Have you listened to the first two episodes of 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected?

Catch up here:

046 - 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscript Get Rejected Part 1 - Unoriginal Ideas

047 - 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscript Get Rejected Part 2 - Lack of Emotional Resonance

Stay tuned! We wrap up this series with Part 4 in two weeks!

Next Episode

050 - Book Bans - Picture Book Summit Roundtable

This week, we are thrilled to bring new feature to the podcast: The Picture Book Summit Roundtable!

In our weekly Summit planning meetings, we often discuss current events in publishing, how they affect picture books, and how they affected picture book creators like you. We decided to record our conversation and invite you to listen in!

Our Picture Book Summit Roundtable includes Julie Hedlund, Katie Davis, Kelli Panique, and Emma Walton Hamilton.

And because we like to start everything we do with a bang, we’re jumping right into the national conversation on book bans. Emma Walton Hamilton leads our discussion with the background and history of book bans as well as how today’s book bans compare to book bans of the past. We'll discuss the history, myths, and current news about book bans in schools. Find out how book bans specifically affect picture books and their creators. (Spoiler alert: having your book banned does NOT mean it becomes a bestseller.)

Emma shares facts about book bans from PEN America. You can download that PDF here.