Ask an Editor: What to Submit for an Agent Critique

05 Wednesday Nov 2025

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, critiques, editor, Events, publishing

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – I landed a critique from my dream agent at an upcoming writer’s event. I send in the manuscript ahead of time, then have a Zoom with them. Should I submit my best picture book manuscript or one that I’m struggling with?

– Paula, the Valley

Hello Paula – I’m always happy to hear that people are signing up for critique opportunities. How you proceed depends somewhat on your personality. Are you a planner or a pantser (e.g., you like to fly by the seat of the pants)? Pantsers tend to send in whatever story in whatever condition, figuring any feedback is good, and they’re willing to see where that submission takes them.

However, if you’re more of a planner, then consider the following information.

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Ask an Editor: Advice for Selling at Tables

06 Wednesday Aug 2025

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

≈ 1 Comment

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#AskanEditor, Amanda Davis, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, Events, Jocelyn Rish, Keila V. Dawson, marketing, Micky O'Brady, Moni Ritchie Hadley, publicity, publishing, R.S. Mellette, Tina Athaide, Tracy Gold, websites

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – I’m selling my book for the first time at an event. What tips can you share? I’m looking for things that have worked well for sales and that were cost-effective.

– Ellie, Pasadena

Hello Ellie – You’ll have fun! That’s one of the great things about being a kidlit author.

Authors who have been there and done that share their tips:

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Ask an Editor: When to Announce?

14 Wednesday May 2025

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, community, editor, marketing, publicity, publishing, websites

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – My book deal has been announced on Publisher’s Weekly but I don’t have an ISBN, exact publication date, or a cover image yet. When should I announce it myself?

– Carrie, Los Angeles

Hello Carrie – Congratulations! It’s exciting seeing the PW announcement—now the world knows! You don’t need to wait for an ISBN or the book cover. In fact, even if you have the book cover, you can use that at a later date as a “book-cover reveal” announcement.

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Ask an Editor: Should I Self-Publish?

15 Wednesday Jan 2025

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, author, authors, books, business, Christine Van Zandt, craft, editor, indie-publishing, publishing, self-publishing, websites, writing

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – I’ve been trying to land an agent for four years, but have had no success. Should I self-publish my book?

– Hana, Culver City

Hello Hana – It typically takes 3–5 years from when a manuscript is polished and querying begins until an author lands an agent or publisher, and there is no guarantee a manuscript will get picked up. I understand that’s a long time to wait on a chance.

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Ask an Editor: How Do I Research Topics for a Nonfiction Book?

07 Wednesday Aug 2024

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

≈ 1 Comment

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#AskanEditor, 12x12, author-illustrators, authors, business, children's book insider, Christine Van Zandt, craft, editor, illustrators, publishing, Storystorm, The Lyrical Language Lab, The Writers' Loft

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – What’s the best way to research nonfiction picture book topics?

—Bria, Los Angeles

Hello Bria – While everyone has their own styles and preferences, I’ll share some techniques I’ve used for the nonfiction picture books I’ve had published.

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Ask an Editor: 13 Great Things to Do While Waiting to Sell Your First (or Next) Book

15 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine – I’m pre-published and wonder if I should have a website or be on social media.

—Deneice, Northridge

Hi Deneice – When I started on this journey writing children’s books about seven years ago, I was unagented and unpublished. Now I’m represented by the fabulous Liza Fleissig and am the proud author of two nonfiction picture books, Milkweed for Monarchs (Beaming Books, 2024) and A Brief History of Underpants (becker&mayer! kids, 2021). If I can do it, so can you!

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Ask an Editor: School Visits (Finding Gigs, What to Charge)

17 Wednesday Jan 2024

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

≈ 4 Comments

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#AskanEditor, Alexis O'Neill, author-illustrators, authors, business, Christine Van Zandt, editor, illustrators, middle grade, nonfiction, picture book, publishing, school visits

“Ask an Editor” is a quarterly forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Alexis – I have three traditionally published nonfiction picture books and have heard that I can make money doing school visits. You seem to do a lot of them. How do I get my first school visit and what should I charge?

—KK, Los Angeles

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Ask an Editor: Query Letters—When to Start Writing One?

01 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

≈ 1 Comment

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#AskanEditor, authors, Christine Van Zandt, editor, middle grade, nonfiction, novel, picture book, publishing, query letters, writing tips, YA

“Ask an Editor” is a quarterly forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine—I’ve finished the first draft of my middle-grade mystery but still have a ways to go before it’s ready for me to submit it to literary agents. When do I start writing my query letter?—Ava, Los Angeles

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Ask an Editor: What Is an R&R?

19 Wednesday Jul 2023

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

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#AskanEditor, authors, Christine Van Zandt, editor, middle grade, novel, picture book, publishing, writing tips, YA

“Ask an Editor” is a quarterly forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine–When I queried my YA novel to a few agents, one sent me an “R&R” (revise and resubmit) request. Should I do this?—Effie, Los Angeles

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Ask an Editor: Writing Nonfiction

17 Wednesday May 2023

Posted by Christine Van Zandt, up next: HOT DOG!, LEVER, and COG in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

authors, editor, nonfiction, picture book, publishing, research, writing tips

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.

Hi Christine–Since you write nonfiction, are you an expert on those topics? How much does an author need to know to write nonfiction and get it published?—Gen, Pasadena

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