Comments on: Picture Books: Those Confusing 32 Pages

By: Darcy Pattison

Darcy Pattison — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:18:56 +0000

Correct. There are actually end papers that are glued to the front and back papers, too. Sometimes the illustrator will do something there. But the 32 pages are the pages of the book, not including the binding.

Darcy

By: Shelberight

Shelberight — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:04:57 +0000

Great site! Thanks for the info. Just to clarify… Your cover and back cover are obviously not part of the 32 pages right?

By: Darcy Pattison

Darcy Pattison — Mon, 03 May 2010 00:54:01 +0000

Yes, you’re right. In a 32 page book, there are about 3-4 pages of material required, such as a title page and copyright page. That leaves about 28 pages for text. If you want a double-page spread (illustration covers both pages of a book when opened flat), then you may have text on only one side of that spread. However, sometimes, there is text on both sides.

I don’t think I would call a title page and copyright page as just “filler from the publisher.” i can’t imagine a book without a title page; and you certainly want the copyright notice there to protect your work.

A 32- page layout is just standard in the industry.

Darcy

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 02 May 2010 02:21:12 +0000

So what you mean to say is that the end book will have 14-28 pages with text from the author and the other four pages are filler from the publisher? I still have trouble with your statement. My manuscripts are around three hundred words but they are poems written to be one or two lines a page.

By: Maria Norris

Maria Norris — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:49:09 +0000

Hello,

I found your website to be very helpful. However, I haven’t been able to find the answer to a question I have: exactly how does one format the manuscript for a RHYMING picture book – that is, one with stanzas. Do I format it like a poem (single spaced within a stanza, and double spaced between stanzas), or double spaced with 4 spaces between stanzas. Your answer would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you, Maria Norris