Publishing is a daunting industry. To be a writer is one thing – to pursue publication, something else altogether. From endlessly researching agents and editors to writing queries and blurbs and bios, the path to publication can be in itself a full time job.
That’s why it’s such a welcome kindness when an opportunity like #PBParty comes along. #PBParty is a contest where authors can submit the first 60-70 words of a picture book manuscript, and if selected as a finalist, those entries will be viewed by agents and editors who can request full manuscripts if they like what they read. A guarantee of agent and editor eyes on your work is a huge deal as a writer, and requests for full manuscripts are an even bigger deal! Contests and events like this one, run by other authors, are often a foot in an otherwise sealed shut door, and un-agented authors like myself have an abundance of gratitude for those working to create these opportunities.
This year #PBParty had over 1000 entries. Of the 50 finalists chosen from those entries, only 8 were rhyming texts. And I’ve heard a surprisingly large number of the overall entries involved roosters! So it came as a welcome surprise to hear that my rhyming manuscript about a sneezing rooster – Cock-A-Doo-Ah-CHOO! – was selected as a finalist!
Cock-A-Doo-Ah-CHOO! will be posted on the #PBParty finalists list for the next week while over 45 agents and editors look through the entries. I’d love for you to read along with them – the 50 entries are diverse, outstanding works of children’s literature, and an inspiration to browse!