Hi Community,

I'm new and have really appreciated reading other threads here so thanks for all you have contributed!

I'm writing to ask about longer form picture books that are both beautiful in imagery and rich in language. Books that are equally for the parent and child. I have a manuscript of such a book (currently 4,000 words) and I haven't been sure what to do with it because I birthed it directly from my soul before knowing how the current categories for books exist, but I am reluctant to take it all apart before seeing if there is a place for it. At the same time, I'm not a published author yet and I really want to start getting my work into the world. Here's a little more about my mission since I anticipate I might bump up against this in other books I write.

 I want to create content for young girls that allows them to create their own realities and not just those of the systems they are inheriting through white patriarchal capitalism. That means more connection to nature, more magical and mystical characters that embody a range of feminine archetypes, not just the princess and maiden. That means more books that talk about pleasure and the magic of a female body at a young age, more books that talk about the energy that lives inside and around us. I want to create more books about the women, traditions, and rituals  that existed before the patriarchy took hold and not just the ways in which girls / women can be equal to men, but the ways in which feminine energy brings distinct  and necessary values and balance to the world. The time in now. This burning earth needs us in our fullness.

Thanks so much for your advice, Meena

Another challenge for writers!

Join FirstDraftFriday (Sunday Edition) today.

https://www.holliewolverton.com/post/firstdraftfriday-anniversary-with-norene-paulson

Mark your calendar to check out Hollie's blog the first Friday of each month for that day's guest author interview! Get inspired and then get drafting a new picture book manuscript. Things "officially" start at 8 am ET with the blog post. Join us on the Twitter hashtag for encouragement and accountability!  All the details are here: https://www.holliewolverton.com/post/firstdraftfriday-2023

I'm glad to see the Blueboards will continue, but I have to say my trust in SCBWI is badly shaken. Verla gave this over in good faith in order to ensure it would keep going. I truly hope it does.

 

I'm glad to hear this! So many people seem to find this to be a useful information exchange and sounding board that exists nowhere else, especially with in-person events disrupted by the pandemic. With regional conferences in abeyance as well, the value of membership has declined.
Thank you for listening and responding.

Besides the obvious kid as the main character of picture books, a quick perusal of my bookshelf this morning yielded a great array of other characters -- I'm sure you add to this list. Bee, llama, giraffe, hippo, unicorn, panda, cabbage, bundle, cowpoke, gorilla, bunny, dragon, serpent, pig, piggie, tater-tot, whale, fish, worm, puppet, dog, kitten, shark, starfish, chicken, cow, horse, lamb, alien, gator, cowboy, duck, troll, leprechaun, brother, sister, cousin, train, car, wagon, goose, cheetah, bean, egg, pea, sweet pea, otter, dinosaur, t-rex, lion, owl, goose, pumpkin, witch, ghost, pearl, clam, spider, banana, goblin, skeleton, longhorn, magician, sorcerer, wizard, hat, donkey, tree, dandelion, farm. What else?