Story Coaching for Picture-Book Authors
So you want to write picture books?
You have a head full of stories. You have notebooks full of outlines, bits of paper with character profiles, collections of interesting scenarios scribbled on the back of envelopes and files full of finished stories.
But do you have a story you can send a publisher?
And what does a publishable manuscript even look like?
If something is holding you back from submitting your manuscript, if you’ve been getting silence after submitting, if you have received unfathomable feedback alongside your rejection slips, or if you simply don’t know where to begin, then you have come to the right place.
“Thank you for the richness, the clarity and the tenderness with which you have worked with the story, and helping me think even more deeply about it. How lucky am I! There is much to think about, and I am so excited about that.”
Getting industry feedback
We all crave industry feedback.
Industry insiders are on the front line, they know what works and what doesn’t, they are deeply knowledgeable and widely experienced.
But most editors and publishers have incredibly demanding schedules, and are unable to offer constructive feedback alongside their rejection letters.
At the same time, publishers are always on the lookout for fresh new voices, and for engaging and appealing stories that offer a new perspective on issues that interest children. Publishers long to be captivated.
This can make the world of publishing seem contrary, impenetrable and remote … but it doesn’t have to be.
Not when you can access an industry insider right here and now …
“Trust, I believe, is the most important quality of an editor. Trust that they will cut through to the essence of a story and let it shine. Margrete does this. Every time. No exception.”
Who is a picture-book manuscript assessment for?
Whatever your level or background experience, I have worked with others like you, and can offer professional advice on how to maximise the impact of your manuscript.
Perhaps you feel almost ready to take the big step of sending your manuscript out into the world . . . but you are not quite sure if your story is 100% solid enough to grab the attention of a commissioning editor.
Perhaps you are longing for an industry insider’s feedback before you run the gauntlet of final submission.
Perhaps you have received several rejections for a story and are keen to improve your story’s chances of success
Perhaps you have received ambiguous feedback from editors and wonder what the publishers mean (I can offer insights into the secret language of the rejection letter!)
If this sounds like you, then you have come to the right place.
How does picture-book story-coaching work?
Your manuscript development includes
a one-hour, one-on-one conversation
a deep-dive exploration of your reasons and motivations for writing the story - that is, the uncovering of your true ‘why’
a rigorous brainstorming of the foundational elements of theme and structure
a thorough review of your narrative voice, style and tone to make sure they serve your story
a close examination of your characters to double-check they are clearly demonstrating (but not articulating!) your theme in word and action
a (probable) shake-up of your plot to confirm it is achieving everything you want to express
a link to the recording of our conversation so you can replay it as often as you need to
“Margrete understood what I was trying to do better than I did! For anyone who wants to create the best picture-book they can, I recommend Margrete Lamond. Her assessment was sheer brilliance.”
Some award-winning picture-books I’ve edited and published
