七転び八起き (Fall down seven times, get up eight)

Lesson #4: 七転び八起き (Fall down seven times, get up eight)

So, you've sent out your query letters and waited.  And waited.  Then the replies start dribbling in.  None of them good news.  But why?! 

How to get your picture book published

Lesson #3:Give your submission as much attention as your  manuscript.

Once you've edited your work and got some independent feedback (paid or otherwise), the next step is sending it off to agents and/or publishers with a well-polished query letter.  But which ones? And how?  

Editing a children's picture book

Lesson #2: Don't be afraid to kill your darlings.

No, you don't need to call the police.  I'm talking about getting rid of those bits of your book that you love and are really proud of, but you know don't quite fit in your book.  Because editing is NOT just about ensuring the spelling and grammar are correct.

In the beginning there was a cat...

Lesson #1: No writing is ever wasted.  Even if it's just a stepping stone to the next idea - you couldn't reach the next idea without it.

I don't know about you, but my best ideas come to me just as I'm falling asleep.  Not great if, like me, you've got someone lying in the bed next to you, who really doesn't want their eyeballs burnt out of their sockets by the bedside lamp.