If you haven’t been following my progress with my first picture book submission, I entered a New Voices children’s book publishing contest. I didn’t win, but I received an offer for editorial assistance on my book manuscript, Sumo Joe.
I jumped on that offer. I’d been trying to get into a critique group where I live but I haven’t been successful so far. The established one at my local library merged with another group, and I’m on the waitlist for what seems like a very long time. The SCBWI critique book folded the first time I was supposed to attend. I was considering hiring editorial help for polishing my manuscripts, so it was gift from the gods to get this offer of help.
New Voices Competition
I can’t say enough about entering the New Voices contest.
- It’s free.
- Editors at Lee and Low read your manuscript and get back to you!
- You don’t need to write a query letter.
- It’s a simple process.
- Even if you don’t win, you could still catch the eye of an editor and get your book published.
If you are a person of color and haven’t published a book but have a manuscript ready, I would highly encourage you to enter! Manuscripts will be accepted from May 1, 2017, through September 30, 2017, and must be postmarked within that period.
Sylvia Liu won the New Voices award in 2013, and her path to publication is here. More encouragement here from Debbie Taylor (Sweet Music in Harlem), G. Neri (Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty), and LaTisha Redding (Calling the Water Drum). Still more advice from two new New Voices Award Winners who weren’t afraid to tackle heavy themes.
For me, my writing journey started with this blog more than seven years ago. I got serious a year ago by taking a children’s book writing class at my local high school’s Community Ed program. I drafted Sumo Joe for that class; feedback from my classmates helped me polish my manuscript, as well as help from PickyKidPix.
This experience has made me braver. I’m currently working on Paula Yoo’s NaPiBoWriWee: 7 Picture Books in 7 Days. I hope this encourages you to take that risk of the thing that you really want to do, but seems out of reach! You can do it!
Update: Sumo Joe was acquired by Lee and Low on June 29, 2017!
Hi Mia!
I’ve met with the Acquisitions team and we’ve all agreed to acquire your manuscript, Sumo Joe! The team felt that your fun-filled story would be a great addition to our list of titles. Congratulations!
I am excited to pursue this project with you and am looking forward to developing it for publication. Congrats again!
Best,
Kandace
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I have an entire list of picture book ideas I want to do something with eventually. I also have an easy children’s chapter book that I need to polish and then try to publish…
Hi MaryAnne,
I think this is your year to get it done! Join SCBWI in your area to get resources and opportunities to meet with agents and publishers. I’d also suggest taking a class. Mine only met 4 times but it got me going!
So happy for you, Mia!!!
Thanks so much Maria! I am learning so much and having so much fun developing Sumo Joe with Kandace at Lee and Low. It is so great to have an editor!!
I missed your March post announcing your Sumo PB as I was on vacation. Like the idea. And, I’m pleased with how Lee & Low sponsors a competition. It is exciting that you’ve been asked to share back matter, which I found interesting. I studied Shinto many years ago and really discovered that it is a way of life for most Japanese, whether they say they are Shinto or not. Think your book has great potential and am excited you are working with an editor.
Thank you so much Pat! Lee and Low acquired SUMO JOE a few weeks ago! It was an exciting moment for me to get the contract!
Congratulations! My husband and I entered 2 picture books in this year’s contest and we are waiting on the edge of our seats for a response! Thank you for this encouraging post and I can’t wait to read Sumo Joe!!
Thanks so much for entering Bethany!
Congratulations! I look forward to following along your journey. I shouldn’t say I am surprised. Avid readers are often creators of the very best books!
Thanks so much Lisa!