Stiff Competition for These Picture Book Topics
For several years, information on writing a picture book has been available free on this site. It’s now available altogether as a 110 page pdf file, How to Write a Children’s Picture Book.
Dial editor, Liz Waniewski (ONE–es-key) spoke at the Arkansas SCBWI 2007 conference. For a couple months before the conference, she kept track of her slush pile picture book submissions by category. This resulted in my 2007 posting 12 Picture Book Topics to Avoid, one of the more popular posting in the 30 Days to a Stronger Picture Book series.
In December, 2008, I asked Liz if she might want to update the posting. She agreed and kept track of her submissions in January. The topics listed below are those which she sees over and over. She pointed out, “Just because I see these topics many times doesn’t mean you can’t write about it.” However, the competition is very stiff for picture books in these categories and your submission should really “stand out in today’s crowded marketplace.”
In comparing the 2007 and 2009 lists, you’ll see some overlap, such as grandparents. But there are new topics on the 2009 list, such as “going green.” Some differences, such as the predominance of holiday stories in 2007, may also result from the different times of the year the data was gathered. Be aware, also, that another editors list might vary widely. Still, knowing that many others writers are working on these topics, should make us either avoid them entirely, or take our manuscript to that next level.
2009 List of 10 Picture Book Topics to Avoid
- 2009 Repeated topics from 2007 list:
- Bedtime
- Cats and kittens (was pets in general in 2007)
- Visiting grandparents
- First Day of school
- Dealing with disabilities
- New for 2009 list:
- Monsters acting un-monster-like
- Going Green
- “I Love You” stories
- Boredom
- Baby Bird Learning to Fly
On 2007 List but not on 2009 list:
It would still be wise to check out the competition on these topics.
- Cleaning up your room
- Tooth fairy
- Christmas/Halloween
- “Hi! My name is. . . and I am (seven) years old!”
- New baby in the family
- Barnyard stories
- Personal hygiene
Related posts:
- 12 Picture Book Topics to Avoid!
- Research Competition
- How to Write a Children’s Picture Book
- 30 Days to a Stronger Picture Book
- How to Create a Read Aloud Friendly Picture Book
 |  Revise with confidence. |
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Great info – thanks! Posting your link on my blog. Seems I have a habit of writing what is popular! My published PB is a Christmas book and currently under consideration is a barnyard book…
[...] am researching competition for a picture book idea. I know there are topics with very stiff competition and I want to avoid anything similar to what has already been [...]