Introduction to Writing & Illustrating Children's Picture Books

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  • Опубликовано: 21 окт 2024

Комментарии • 70

  • @mariebraaksma1386
    @mariebraaksma1386 Год назад +20

    This is just what I need! Over the past 7 years as a nanny I’ve come up with so many ideas but haven’t yet got something together. Now that I have my son I’m extra motivated to give it a shot. Can’t wait to get started!

  • @suzum5689
    @suzum5689 Год назад +6

    The thrill of getting your book published is perfectly expressed in the movie Miss Potter with Renee Zellweger.

  • @martinhawrylkiewicz2025
    @martinhawrylkiewicz2025 9 месяцев назад +3

    Lovely vid! I work in kindergarten and have written several picture books for my kids (wrote it with a pen on stapled copy paper and did my own illustrations) just for fun. Never thought of publishing them cause they might not be that good. My first one was a story about a lonely, old shoe living in the attic who gets tired of this kind of lonely existence and decides one day to go on a journey to find his other half, his missing partner shoe...

    • @antoniohockman4495
      @antoniohockman4495 7 месяцев назад

      did you ever publish that

    • @MegaBIBILICIOUS
      @MegaBIBILICIOUS 6 месяцев назад +1

      Sounds clever. Go for it.

    • @hassanas4816
      @hassanas4816 3 месяца назад

      This sounds lovely. I want to read it. Please publish it

  • @littlepacificstudios
    @littlepacificstudios Год назад +2

    What a wonderful teacher thank you! That is very kind to share your hard-earned experience with us all...

  • @natashahamunene2052
    @natashahamunene2052 11 месяцев назад

    So glad I've stumbled on your channel. I've been on a bit of search. Thank you for spending the time to empower.

  • @tammyroberts9655
    @tammyroberts9655 Год назад +2

    Never been a writer or illustrator but I have been a fine artist and won many competitions in my art work. I have been working on Childs book with my mom, she does the writing and I do the illustration, My brother always have told me I should write books because when I write notes or letters or draw pictures I am very detailed and yes I have wanted to write and illustrate children’s books but never really had any idea of how to get started or had the money to really get into it, so I want to thank you so much for these videos they are extremely informative and very helpful.

  • @bfedits816
    @bfedits816 2 года назад +4

    You explain things so clearly and cleanly. I appreciate the information in this channel thank you.

  • @LifeWithLonnett
    @LifeWithLonnett Год назад

    Thank you I enjoyed watching your video ! Just what I needed a little direct inspiration. BLESS YOU ❤❤❤

  • @zee6984
    @zee6984 Месяц назад

    I got a new saving-up goal. If I start saving now I might have enough for option 3 by June. I am looking forward to next year already! ^^) Wish me luck!

  • @suzum5689
    @suzum5689 Год назад +1

    Talk about picture perfect! " I work from home. I have a studio at the end of my garden,".

  • @41yearoldnewdriver
    @41yearoldnewdriver 2 года назад +6

    I have had an interest in writing for children since I was in my 20s. I finished a course with The Institute of Children's Lit. I am going to be getting a pb manuscript critique. I like the idea of becoming a children's author. I can see it now "Children's author Ayesha Karim."

    • @yfgyvffb1922
      @yfgyvffb1922 Год назад

      What is this course I want to learn from, Tell Me Please

    • @41yearoldnewdriver
      @41yearoldnewdriver Год назад

      @@yfgyvffb1922 I graduated from the Institute of Children's Literature. I am an aspiring children's author. I have a successful blog called TheAyeshaSite. I am a happy writer. I have a degree in English too!

  • @arizonacarr5915
    @arizonacarr5915 2 года назад

    I'm glad I found you. Thank you, I will search all your videos and hope to fulfill a dream of mine come true.

  • @Meg-db2ij
    @Meg-db2ij 2 года назад +1

    Thank you! I needed the practical information. ❤️

  • @msvladyslavap
    @msvladyslavap Год назад

    Fabulous information, thank you 🙏

  • @ninanoorable
    @ninanoorable 2 года назад +2

    thank you for this video..I'm interested in learning how to write and illustrate educational books for children

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  2 года назад +2

      Good to hear from you Nina. The overall principles I teach on the Courses website are the same for educational books but obviously you'll need to have the specialist knowledge for the particular subject of your book. I illustrated a lot of educational books when I was starting out (though I didn't write any of them as they weren't my field). Good luck with your project, Christyan

    • @ninanoorable
      @ninanoorable 2 года назад

      @@christyanfox189 thank you!

  • @allison3132
    @allison3132 Год назад +1

    You are such a cutie pie. I am definitely going to invest in course three. Thank you for your public videos.

    • @lisasternenkind6467
      @lisasternenkind6467 Год назад

      Hi Allison, can you please tell me where I can find the prices on the website? Or can you tell me the price for course number 3?

  • @dyersinvegas
    @dyersinvegas Год назад +1

    Just discovered your channel. Really enjoying the content. Would you consider doing a segment on rhyming picture books?

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад +1

      There's information in the writer's course on writing rhyming books - I don't have time at the moment to make a free video about them but it's certainly something to consider for the future... thanks for the suggestion!

  • @marziehsafaee9686
    @marziehsafaee9686 5 месяцев назад

    Hi,
    I have 17 ready manuscripts. Should I submit them to the traditional publishers all 17 at once or should I submit one by one manuscript?
    Another question is should I send the manuscript to some publishers at once and wait for one of them to pick that or should I send the manuscript to just one publisher at a time and if they reject go to the next one?
    Sorry but last question: to wich level I should edit my manuscript for a traditional publisher as they might have their own editor?
    Thank you so much for replying. It helps me a lot.

  • @sadepennbrook
    @sadepennbrook Год назад +1

    I have a background in design. I’ve worked for large multinational agencies. I understand the, illustrative process and the print process. I also understand the market. I have worked with copywriters and creative writers and have picked up techniques by proximity. What is the benefit for someone like me of having to chase the approval of a middle man such as a publisher versus self-publishing with a print-on-demand provider? I am very aware that print on demand such as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing in contrast to an offset printer are wildly different in quality.

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад

      Hi, designers have often been some of my best students because they have more of an understanding of the entire concept of a book (balancing the words alongside the images), they often produce very strong and appealing compositions and characters, alongside the realities of deadlines. The quality issues you mention are certainly a consideration but, more importantly, I think the input of a good editor can really turn a book around and make it more appealing for the market. Not everyone wants that kind of input of course and many prefer to make their own decisions, in which case self-publishing might be a better option. Hope that helps, Christyan

  • @anadelaisla
    @anadelaisla 2 года назад

    I really love your channel ❤
    Thank you for share all this information 😸💕✨

  • @leslieaharden6183
    @leslieaharden6183 Год назад

    Awesome. I have two childrens books that I want to illustrate and write!

  • @tortupolar6704
    @tortupolar6704 11 месяцев назад

    Lovely video!

  • @nudafu633
    @nudafu633 2 года назад +2

    I really liked this insight into the details and nuances of the publishing process. Merci beaucoup.

  • @Dudakslva
    @Dudakslva 2 года назад +4

    show your books, plaese!(the ones on the shelf)

    • @ronjohnson7699
      @ronjohnson7699 2 года назад +1

      Type his name in Amazon. They will show up there

  • @vermontmike9800
    @vermontmike9800 6 месяцев назад

    Christyan- is there a standard format for a picture book manuscript?

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  6 месяцев назад

      Hi Mike, there's no standard format for a written manuscript but I go through the most commonly accepted forms in the Writer's Course.
      If you're talking about standard sizes for the finished book itself, again there are no standard shapes or sizes if you're published through a mainstream publisher: books have been all sorts of sizes from huge Babar to tiny Beatrix Potter, and shapes from standard rectangles/squares all the way up to books that look like novelty pizza or burger boxes. However, if you're self publishing you'll have to choose from the off-the-shelf options.

  • @laurapower2697
    @laurapower2697 2 года назад +2

    Great video 👏🏻

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  2 года назад +2

      Thanks Laura, always nice to hear. good luck with your children's book projects.

  • @jamesshaw6011
    @jamesshaw6011 Год назад

    Hi Christyan, are you hands on with your courses, ie is there personal input from yourself or is it all pre-recorded with no personal feedback from yourself?

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад +1

      Hi James. The online courses are a series of videos with downloadable transcript notes. I also run one-to-one (face-to-face mentoring/workshop sessions from my home studio in Thames Ditton, see my main website (christyanfox.co.uk) for details.

  • @thelimitless_woman
    @thelimitless_woman 2 года назад +2

    İ have my book written already , struggling with illustration

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  2 года назад

      Hi Dona, great to hear you already have your book written. Of course, if you're a writer you're not expected to do the illustrations as well (unless you're self-publishing). Full details about how to prepare your written or illustrated book ready for publishing in the course: www.childrensbookcourses.co.uk/writers

  • @yfgyvffb1922
    @yfgyvffb1922 Год назад +1

    Hello I love your channel very much, I have a dream to have a storybook of my drawings, I have this passion to learn, where to start How can I develop myself in this field, because to know something I just want to learn, is there a course where you recommend me to learn🙏🙏🙏

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад

      Hi there, thanks for the compliments and it's good to hear you have a passion for developing a picture book of your own. The video above is actually an introduction to the video-based online courses I run in picture book writing and/or illustration. They take you through all aspects of creating g a story, formatting to the correct lengths, pacing, editing, illustrating, creating characters etc along with advice on how to prepare and present your book and who to approach for publication, either via the mainstream publishers or self-publishing route. The link for the courses is: www.childrensbookcourses.co.uk ... just take a look through the information on the site and see what appeals to you. All the best and good luck with your book, Christyan

  • @jamesnewsom5899
    @jamesnewsom5899 Год назад

    I am wondering if your courses include what type of computer programs or software to use. Can they take us to the point of having a book ready for Kindle?

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад +1

      Hi James, yes the illustrators course discusses the various types of software you can use, whether you’re a professional or amateur - I don’t spend time giving demonstrations of each option but I discuss which might be best for your needs. And yes, both the writers and Illustrators courses discuss how you should prepare your work for mainstream or online self-publishing, along with the pros and cons of each.
      Hope that helps,
      Christyan

  • @lisasternenkind6467
    @lisasternenkind6467 Год назад

    Where did you hide the prices? I couldn't find them on your website. It just has information about discount, but not the actual price.
    😮

    • @lisasternenkind6467
      @lisasternenkind6467 Год назад

      I used to be a freelance journalist and I am the mother to several sons, who meanwhile are adult and have all presented me wonderful grandchildren. Well, they still go on doing so. 😊
      I learned 4 professions and started my career as journalist without a university degree. After about two decades of text and photo journalism, together with project oriented jobs in the field of press and PR, as well as conceptual work for middle class business owners, DTP, and text translations from English to German primarily, I was forced to quit my beloved work due to a severe retraumatization and injuries resulting from this assault on September 7th,
      2011.
      When I was in school, I wrote poetry, journals, short stories, and I worked for the school newspaper as photographer and writer of minor articles. I also competed in all art competions available and won several prizes. This was in an American school overseas. When my father retired, our family moved to Austria. There I took part in various writing competitions, again poetry and short stories, but from then on in German language.
      I married in 1987 and moved to Germany. For my sons I wrote songs, poetry, short and not so short stories, just the usual mom stuff. I also wrote 3 children's books, which sadly were burnt to ashes when my house was on fire in the night of March 3rd, 2003, short after my divorce. But when my grandchildren began streaming in, I started writing for them. I'm also writing a phantasy novel placed in history, so I would call it a historical phantasy novel, more or less for adults. There are a whole lot of historical details involved, which I would like to also express with a few illustrations, including the one for the cover.
      Since I
      I will never be able to go back to my former job, as I now suffer from cPTSD and lead a life with social distancing. But meanwhile I have started with drawing and painting again. I practice every day to get more skills. Primarily I paint with watercolors, also line and wash, as well as acrylics. I haven't found my personal style of painting yet, so I am still trying out the certain styles I like. But I do know how I would like to illustrate my children's books and I am working on this particular style now with great intent.
      So I would very much like to take course number 3. Yet I have to go through some not so nice operations soon, and my second goal is my new PTSD service dog, who will be born in October and settle in after Yule during the days of the wild hunt.
      My third goal is to get going with the publishing of my first children's book in 2024. Maybe even finish the second book I already have in mind? So I need to make plans now. Since August 1st, I am officially retired and due to bad politics in Germany, my pension sadly is more than modest. Yeah, Germans need to be humble nowadays in every possible way. 😅
      Well, this is why I really need to know the costs for course number 3.
      I only know how to publish articles and photographs. In addition, I had severe head injuries that forced me to relearn many skills and more. The surgeries are also related to them. So this is why I don't only want to take part in the illustration course, but in both courses.
      I hope to hear from you soon. 😊 Cheers from Germany 🍻

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад +1

      Hi Lisa, just click to the page that relates to the course you’re interested in (writers, illustrators or combined), scroll down and you’ll see the price options. All the best, Christyan

    • @lisasternenkind6467
      @lisasternenkind6467 Год назад

      ​@@christyanfox189Thank you so much. 🙏🏻
      Apparently the links didn't work with my Samsung phone. Using a pc helped tough. I will do this latest in January, so know for sure in about three weeks.
      I am so glad you are offering these courses and also individual help later on the hopefully professional journey. You are indeed a light at the end of a very dark tunnel as this could mean I can get back to work, albeit different than before. I have many ideas, I am fast with texting, but I am slow with illustrations. So I will keep on working on my technical improvement until I start the third course.
      Thank you and regards from Germany again. 🙃

  • @jesusproperty7033
    @jesusproperty7033 Год назад

    Hello, I would just like to ask, what do I do next? I wrote a short children's book but not interested in illustration.

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад +1

      Hi, well if you’ve already written a text you can submit it to a publisher. If you’d like to check a few details before submission I cover everything about how to format the story, choose suitable content that will appeal to children and publishers, and the whole submission process in the Writers Course.
      Take care, Christyan

    • @jesusproperty7033
      @jesusproperty7033 Год назад

      @@christyanfox189 thank you. I am going to do the research

  • @eurekandavani5089
    @eurekandavani5089 Год назад

    Hello there,a clueless girl here,I have my manuscript ready, illustrations done, now I don't know how to go about it saving it and publishing it either through a publicist or Amazon I'm literally stuck not knowing what to do next is super frustrating,I've looked up videos I'm yet to find one that actually explain the entire process please help.

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад +1

      Hi @eurekandavani5089, if you'd just like to self-publish your book via Amazon or a similar on-line publisher the process is pretty straightforward: just go onto their site, see how they'd like you to format your work (usually pdf), and what sizes/formats are available... then sign-up to whichever level of their terms you agree with and follow the upload instructions. I don't have specific instructions, each platform varies but they make them as user-friendly as possible.
      However, if you'd like to consider whether your story is structured correctly and will appeal to children, whether your characters are appealing and take a look at the fundamentals of composition and layout, you might like to consider my online courses. The Illustrators Course would be most applicable to your needs, though the Writers Course will teach you a lot about structuring a story.
      There's information on every aspect of producing a children's picture book and the final part of the courses deals with how to present your book - either for self publishing or mainstream - whether or not you need an agent and much more.
      Take a look here: www.childrensbookcourses.co.uk
      Best of luck with your book,
      Christyan

  • @devanshi2193
    @devanshi2193 Год назад

    I want to primarily focus on illustrating, and I am not good at writing. So it would be great if I could collaborate with some authors who want to write and not illustrate. Any advice as to where I can reach out to authors?

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад +1

      Hi Devanshi, it’s not really necessary or advisable to collaborate with authors before you approach a publisher because publishers like to choose their own illustrators to be the best fit (in their opinion) with any texts they’d like to publish. The best approach is to put together a really good portfolio to submit to as many publishers as you can, then if they like your work they’ll offer you a fee to collaborate… much better because you will already have agreed a fair price for your work in advance.
      Hope that helps, Christyan

    • @devanshi2193
      @devanshi2193 Год назад

      @@christyanfox189 Hi Christyan, Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Understood what you are saying. I am still at that stage in my illustrator journey where i am developing a style. Are there any tips one should keep in mind while making an illustrator portfolio?

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  6 месяцев назад

      @@devanshi2193 Hi Devanshi, it's a big subject so I put everything I know into the courses. The Illustrator's Course would be your main focus, though if you'd like to become better at the writing side and have complete control over your creative process (or just have more understanding of how to collaborate with an author) the combined course is the best option.
      All the best, Christyan

  • @amandahilleary2581
    @amandahilleary2581 Год назад

    Is the course a one off payment or monthly payments???

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  Год назад

      Hi, just a one-off payment and lifetime (or at least as long as the internet lasts) access. Good luck with your book ideas, Christyan

  • @zoeygrace7037
    @zoeygrace7037 2 года назад

    Hi sir, I am interested in the free course video

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  2 года назад

      Hi Zoey, there's no free course, but there are a few other free resource videos if you take a look around the website: www.childrensbookcourses.co.uk

  • @md.sharhabilfarazee1334
    @md.sharhabilfarazee1334 2 года назад

    Sir,
    How are you doing?
    I am Farazee. I want to be a children Fiction writer. I always imagine many things in my head. But I have no idea about publishing. After much searching online I found several sources of authors but I can't trust them.
    I am expecting some guidelines from you in this regard.
    Thank you.

    • @christyanfox189
      @christyanfox189  2 года назад

      Hi Farazee, well there's an on-line course (www.childrensbookcourses.co.uk) and lots of free resources available... not sure how many more guidelines I can give you, but if you have a more specific question just get back to me. All the best, Christyan

  • @greggoreo6738
    @greggoreo6738 Год назад

    O.k. ? God let us meet? A Full length movie script exists. Family material. The classic story of Pinocchio. A blacksmith in 1885 makes his own mechanical toy named Pan Oky Oh. You can see the pitch on You Tube under the title of "Pan-Oky-Oh!" So? Is This divine timing? Disney turned it down because they already had Tom Hanks in production. The Henson studio has no idea what happened to the materials Left at Their main gate. I want Tyler Perry Studios to film it. I want Christian believer Steve Harvey the comedian to star in the role of Geppetto. Yes. There's a brief manuscript story. Why sit we here til we perish? No need to respond if The Spirit tells You to "PASS". Be well. And. God bless you. Respectfully submitted for your consideration Gregg Oreo Long Beach CA etats unis