The Society of Children's Books & Illustration lovers volume 2 Sept 13 | Page 13

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The Society of Children’s Books & Illustration Lovers – Newsletter # 2 – September 2013

The dummy Once you've completed your sketches for the book, it's time to make a dummy. There is no one right way to create the dummy. You can glue your text onto the sketches and then photocopy them, while blowing them up to the correct scale. Another approach is to scan in your sketches, place the type on using a design program, and then print them out. Never send actual sketches. Always submit copies. Although editors are careful, things do get lost! Once you have your sketches printed, you can cut them up and glue them together. Some people choose to actually bind their sketches together (sewing or gluing), much like an actual book, while others choose to spend less time. A timesaving approach is to send your sketches in unbound. (Author note: I personally don't like to spend much time putting my dummies together. I scan them into my computer, place the text on using a design program, and then print the sketches out on regular 8.5 X 11 computer paper. I send my editors the sketches unbound. It's easier for them that way to make copies to bring to the editorial meetings). The thing to remember is that your dummy does not have to be "actual size." Sometimes it's easier to make a dummy that will fit neatly into an 8.5 X 11 envelope. Of course, if you envision your book BIG then perhaps it's best to show your scale ideas early on. For more information on how to create a book dummy, check out this informative article at www.yellapalooza.com What to submit? When submitting your picture book idea to an editor, include: * A cover letter that lists the title of your project. Be sure to indicate whether you will be sending it elsewhere (as a simultaneous submission). * The manuscript and the book dummy. Some editors may go right to the dummy, but it never hurts to also include the text typed up. * Two finished i