Although Harcourt does not accept unsolicited submissions except from agents or those previously published by Harcourt, Larson offered a list of qualities she looks for in every submission. These include vigorous language, a sense of story, characters that one feels strongly about, a feeling that the story is definitely for children, originality, and, in picture books, whether the story is paced well enough for illustration possibilities. Local author Edith Hope Fine spoke about finding one's path in the world of children's books. A pro doesn't whine. Pros get savvy.
Pros acquire skills.
Pros also don't despair every time another rejection slip comes their way. Speaking about fear of rejection, Hope Fine told those in the audience to stand if they had ever received a rejection. About Barbara J. Odanaka Authorlink columnist Barbara J. Odanaka writes children's books from her home in Laguna Beach, California. She is a former LA Times sports reporter and columnist. Watch for Barb's articles every month on Authorlink.