Picture This with Children’s Books Ireland

Please note that this is a live zoom webinar and will not be recorded. Therefore it will only be available as a live event and open to those who register in advance.

Discover the recommended word count for a picturebook, how a picturebook is laid out, why you don’t need an illustrator to submit a picturebook text, and what agents and publishers are looking for when it comes to picturebooks. Hear from a wide range of book industry experts on all aspects of writing and publishing for children. This back-to-basics event will provide the no-nonsense information you need to get your picturebook idea off the ground.

Plus hear children’s writers and illustrators talk about how they got published and give tips for new writers and illustrators.

Come with questions and leave with answers!

Children’s Books Ireland is the national books organisation of Ireland. Through their many activities and events they aim to engage young people with books, foster a greater understanding of the importance of books for young people and act as a core resource for those with an interest in books for children in Ireland. One of their missions is to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events, and to support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland. This event was programmed by Sarah Webb for West Cork Literature Festival and Children’s Books Ireland.

10.25am Join Our Webinar

10.30am Welcome by Aoife Murray, Programme and Events Manager, Children’s Books Ireland and Eimear O’Herlihy, West Cork Literary Festival

10.35am to 11.30am The World of Picturebooks

What is a picturebook? How are they laid out and how many words should they be? Do picturebooks have to rhyme? Find out all this and much more during this first panel session.

Chaired by Sarah Webb, Children’s Writer, Reviewer and Programmer. Speakers: Patricia Forde, Mary Murphy and Joseph Coelho 

11.30am to 11.40am 10 minute break

11.40am to 12.20pm Debut Picturebook Authors and Illustrators

Hear debut picturebook authors and illustrators talk about their journey to publication and share their writing and illustrating tips.

Chaired by Shane Hegarty, Author of the Boot books for children and experienced journalist. Speakers: Caitriona Sweeney, Debut author/illustrator of A Galway Fairytale and Hannah Lee, Debut author of My Hair 

12.20pm to 12.30pm 10 minute break

12.30pm to 1.30pm What Publishers and Agents are Looking For, Finding an Agent and Getting Published 

Aoife Murray from Children’s Books Ireland talks about the world of agents and publishing with some experts from the children’s book world. Speakers: Deirdre Nolan from Gill Books; Tanya Rosie from Walker Books and Jodie Hodges, Children’s Literary Agent, United Agents.