[marie-dentan Posts: 102 Status: Offline chocolate fan]

Hello everyone,
I've been writing and reading picture books for quite some times, but seem to be getting nowhere. 
I came across the picture book bluerpint by Laura Backes.
I know no formula can make a book get published, or everybody would be doing the same thing, but as I seem to be getting stuck, and the critics I get from my group aren't detangling the problem, or at least not enough to get an agent, I was just wondering if any one had bought this blueprint and if so, had it been helpful or not?
Thanks for your help. 

[Vijaya Posts: 7,104 Status: Offline Encourage]

Marie, I don't know about Laura Backes' PB Blueprint but the way you are immersing yourself in the PB is what I do too. I also love PB Builders, a blog where they share good PBs and do a bit of dissecting: https://picturebookbuilders.com/

Some good how to books on PB writing are by Ann Paul Whitford, Anastasia Suen, Linda Ashman. I also find Write it Right by Sandy Asher a very helpful book because you can see how the stories were revised. These might help you too in your journey. Best wishes.

[marie-dentan Posts: 102 Status: Offline chocolate fan]

Hi Vijaya,
thank you for all those suggestions. I'm going to have a look.

[christian-bailey Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Same question here! I'm leaning toward, "If it sounds too good to be true...."

[dkshumaker Posts: 1,446 Status: Offline]

Years ago, after my umpteenth year of getting so many "close calls" with agents or editors, I did buy the Blueprint system. Honestly, while it might be fantastic, I just never went beyond the first few lessons in the first module. But I do things like that, a lot. Start something with so much enthusiasm, then let it slide.

But, I did eventually sign with an agent and just had a conversation accepting my fifth picture book deal! For me, and everyone will be different, I felt I benefitted more from classes/workshops, paying for critiques with editors or agents at conferences or other places where those opportunities were, writing new stuff, and reading/typing up picture books I loved. I have more than 200 books typed up. I find printing them out, seeing the spacing and pacing without illustrations attached to them, helped me "see" what successful, text only picture books looked like.

Again, the Blueprints might be fantastic, it just didn't work for me.

[marie-dentan Posts: 102 Status: Offline chocolate fan]

Thanks s lot. I need to write up PBS. I believe that's a really good way as you said .

[christian-bailey Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Congratulations on your fifth book deal! Thank you for sharing your experience, and for your tips. I can see I have a long way to go--my typed texts only contains about five favorites so far. I have paid for a couple of editor critiques. That may be the way I learn best. Though I feel Zoomed out, I have loved the additional online learning opportunities. Perhaps we'll "meet" at the Fall Mid-Atlantic conference.

[dkshumaker Posts: 1,446 Status: Offline]

Zoom fatigue is a real thing. When the world gets past Covid, in person events will be so appreciated!

And yes, Christian, I’ll be at the October Mid-Atlantic conference. I’m co chair of the Consultations committee and we have spectacular faculty lined up!