Stories & Case Studies Archives

Stories & Case Studies

What Makes a Picture Book Stand Out to Editors, Agents, and Illustrators

What makes a picture book stand out in a crowded marketplace? Why do some manuscripts capture the attention of agents, editors, and illustrators while others never gain traction? To answer those questions, I spoke with the team behind TASTE YOUR WORDS by Bonnie Clark and Todd Bright. From the author and illustrator to the literary agent and acquisitions editor, each shares what made this project special and what aspiring picture book creators can learn from the publishing process.

June 11, 2019

What Publishing Professionals Look For in Picture Books

What makes a picture book stand out to publishing professionals? Editors, agents, illustrators, and art directors all evaluate manuscripts through different lenses, yet certain qualities consistently rise to the top. To better understand what publishing professionals look for in picture books, I spoke with the teams behind Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader and What a Prickly Pear. Their insights offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at what helps a picture book move from manuscript to bookshelf.

May 21, 2019

Elizabeth Gerlach on Grief, Children’s Books, and Ben’s Adventures

It's a privilege to introduce children's book author Elizabeth Gerlach. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, children and dogs. With a background in marketing, she only recently considered herself a writer. Elizabeth's life has taken surprising turns over the past few years that led her here. The Gerlach's lost one of their triplets in 2016 at just 3 years old and established the Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation. She then developed a series of children’s books called Ben’s Adventures, about a young brother who uses a wheelchair. Both the foundation and books were prompted by the loss of her son. Elizabeth also blogs about the grieving process and has been published on a variety of websites. While not working on the Ben's Adventures series, she has been writing something more like a memoir but it's still taking shape.

April 30, 2019

Susan Schmid on Patience, Perseverance, and Publishing Children’s Books

It's a joy to have children's book author Susan Maupin Schmid by for an interview. Susan is the author of the 100 Dresses series from Random House, an avid seamstress, and a Mentor Mom for MOMSnext (a division of MOPS International). She considers her inner 10-year-old her greatest asset as a writer and mentor (except when said inner child wants to stay up late or play Animal Crossing).

April 15, 2019

Bonnie Clark on Literary Agents, Picture Books, and Traditional Publishing

Picture book author Bonnie Clark joined me to discuss her debut children's book, TASTE YOUR WORDS, working with literary agent Adria Goetz, balancing writing with parenting, overcoming rejection, and navigating the traditional publishing process. Whether you're pursuing traditional publishing or simply trying to finish your next manuscript, her journey offers valuable lessons on persistence, creativity, and long-term growth.

January 31, 2019

Heather Macht on Persistence, STEM Picture Books, and Building a Publishing Career

Children's author Heather Macht combines storytelling, science, and curiosity to create engaging books for young readers. Author of THE ANT FARM ESCAPE, REX THE…WE-DON’T-KNOW, and YOU MAY JUST BE A DINOSAUR, Heather writes picture books that encourage children to explore the natural world while embracing creativity and discovery. In this interview, she shares lessons about publishing, literary agents, rejection, STEM education, perseverance, and building a long-term career in children's books.

January 16, 2019

Abi Cushman on Publishing Picture Books, Creative Persistence, and Finding Your Artistic Voice

Author-illustrator Abi Cushman knows firsthand that creative success rarely happens overnight. Before selling her debut picture book, Soaked, she spent years refining her craft, joining critique groups, revising manuscripts, entering contests, building industry relationships, and developing her illustration portfolio. In this interview, Abi shares lessons about literary agents, traditional publishing, creative persistence, critique groups, branding, illustration, and the realities of building a long-term career in children's books.

January 8, 2019

Valeria Wicker on The Ugly Doodles, Literary Agents, and Traditional Publishing

Children’s book author and illustrator Valeria Wicker joined me for a second interview to discuss her debut picture book, The Ugly Doodles, working with literary agent Adria Goetz, and what the traditional publishing journey actually looks like behind the scenes. We talked about creativity, self-doubt, illustration, submissions, editor feedback, and the emotional highs and lows of getting a picture book deal. If you haven't read my first interview with Valeria, be sure to check it out so you're up to speed on her backstory.