La Consejería: I wrote a bilingual children’s book...What’s steps should I take next?

Q: I wrote a bilingual children’s book and could use some guidance on gaining an illustrator and moving forward with publishing. What’s steps should I take? Thank you in advance.

A: It’s a common misconception that picture book manuscripts need to be paired with an illustrator at the querying stage or even the submission stage. Unless the author has been working with an illustrator in a team effort early on or the author will also be illustrating, children’s editors commonly review picture book manuscripts without any art on hand.

If the editor connects with the manuscript and is able to offer and acquire it, it is once the manuscript has already found its publisher that the illustrator search will begin. This is all to say that in completing your picture book manuscript, you’re well on your way in your publishing journey! It would be advisable to consider beginning to query agents for representation for your work as your next step.

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La Consejería: What are the best ways to build my network, considering that I'm in a different country?

Q: I'm an aspiring Latinx writer, living in Canada, where Latin culture is under-represented. I'd like to build my network in the US, where the market is stronger and I can find more latin peers. What are the best ways to connect, considering that I'm in a different country (I speak both English and Spanish and am an immigrant here)?

A: The internet proves a lot of different options to connect with other writers! Whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, there are thriving writing communities. Join a Facebook group that focuses on your genre, follow writers on a similar path like yours, or comment on content that speaks to your genre. You can also look for online writing groups with available space for new members or start your own.

However, when trying to network, it’s always important to respect other peoples’ time and privacy!

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La Consejería: What is the best way to get an agent?

Q: What is the best way to get an agent? Muchísimas gracias por su ayuda!

A: The first step is research! There are a lot of agent databases available to you like Manuscript Wishlist, QueryTracker, and AgentQuery. Latinx in Publishing also hosts a list of agents who have expressed interest in representing/currently represent Latinx authors and illustrators on our website. Another resource you can refer to is Literary Agents of Color. There’s also Publishers Marketplace; however, you’ll need to be pay a membership fee to access it.

Create a list of agents who represent the books in the genre you’ve written in and are currently open to queries. But remember to be thorough in your research and to protect yourself as well—if someone is asking you to pay a fee they are not a reputable agent.

Now that you've done your research and made your list, it’s time to start querying. As you are writing personalized query letters to each agent make sure that you are following their submission guidelines exactly. Agents receive hundreds of queries, and they have specific guidelines for a reason.

Finally, after your queries have been sent and you’re waiting for them to respond, it’s alway good to follow up if you haven’t heard a response in fair amount of time (at least six weeks).

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