Here’s why you should write children’s books during the pandemic
“The COVID period is all about juvenile books.” Kristen McLean, executive director, business development for NPD Books, quoted in Publishers Weekly.
Some of the gorgeous picture books that Lilla will be discussing in the weekly show and tell live events in My Kid Book Pitch. Do you want to write children’s books? Sign up now!
In a recent poll on our Instagram story, you told us that 74% of you and/or your kids have been reading more during the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s easy to see why:
- Unlike many other arts, books can be enjoyed alone and at home, and – outside of a full lockdown – they can easily be produced and distributed
- When we’ve had our horizons shrunk so significantly, the need for escapism, wonder and magic is more powerful than ever
- With so many of us home schooling (surely British Jennie’s isn’t the only home school where everyone is crying and no one is wearing pants?), we’re heavily reliant on books to help us educate our children – especially those vital social skills they may be missing out on
- While we’re restricted from seeing family and friends, the bond that comes from reading together has never been so important
It’s clear that books are a boon to children, parents and individuals – but what about artists and creative people? Whether you’re looking for a change of direction, you’re wanting to turn your side hustle into something more substantial, or you want to take your creative career to the next level, here are four reasons why you should write children’s books to help pandemic-proof your career.
Want to get started? Art agent Lilla’s brand NEW course, My Kid Book Pitch, will help you dig deep into your unique, brilliant personality to come up with a story that only you can write. Class starts Monday, October 12th: book your spot here.
1. SALES ARE BOOMING
When we went into lockdown, we went shopping. In the US there was a 66% lift in sales of children’s non-fiction books in the week ending 21 March, according to the NPD Group, while longer-term, according to the Association of American Publishers, revenue from children’s and young adult books was up 14.5% between July 2019 and July 2020, from $163.1m to $186.7m. Chronicle Books say that “Children’s books, games, jigsaw puzzles, and adult coloring books have been strong sellers during the lockdowns”.
The same pattern is repeated elsewhere. In the UK, children’s educational titles went up a whopping 234%, to the third-highest level on record, in the final week of March, according to a BBC report. And according to The Guardian, publisher Bloomsbury reported a 28% growth in consumer sales in the four months ending in June 2020. Bloomsbury had previously predicted that its print revenues could fall up to 75% due to coronavirus – but they actually rose by 9%.
“Self-isolation around the world has seen a boom in reading. Books and reading are the ideal way of escaping our four walls, but also to understand what is happening around us, how to overcome this and how to make our lives better in the future.” – Hugo Setzer, president of the International Publishers Association
A sneak peek of the incredible My Kid Book Pitch downloadable workbook – 123 pages of goodness!
What does this mean for artists and writers? Editors, art directors and publishers need you! Lilla says that many of her artists who do children’s book illustration and have taken Make Art That Sells courses are consistently booked solid, even through the pandemic.
This means that editors and publishers are looking for fresh, authentic picture book ideas right now. What are your passions? What would you love a child to know? Whatever moves you, Lilla will give you the key to unlocking the exciting, imaginative, unique story that you can’t wait to share – even if you don’t think of yourself as a writer (yet). She’ll use tons of playful games and tricks that will lead you step-by-step to create your very own picture book pitch, right when publishers need them most. Find out more and book your place here.
2. KID’S BOOKS COUNT AS ESSENTIALS
In the early stages of the pandemic, some companies suspended or restricted distribution of some items, such as adult fiction, in order to prioritize essentials – which included children’s books. And if you’re a parent who’s ever been desperate for just a fifteen-minute break from re-runs of Caillou, we know you’ll agree.
Plus some publishers are developing new, innovative ways of delivering children’s books. According to the president of Chronicle Books, Tyrrell Mahoney, the company is “developing videos, renderings, and other digital assets that can emulate the touch and feel of its books online”, while online libraries of animated books, such as Vooks, are also creating new opportunities for artists.
A few of the nutty and evocative objects you’ll find on Lilla’s Magic Cards in class
What does this mean for artists and writers? Your market’s not going anywhere: if anything, the opportunities for artists are expanding (especially those who can animate their art, as taught in Editorial LIVE). Millions of parents are currently cooped up with restless children, who they’re expected to entertain, reassure, feed (oh the endless, endless snacks) and educate – and they need adventure, escape, inspiration and more. Whatever the story that only you can write looks like, it’s time to let it free: find out more about My Kid Book Pitch and book your spot here.
3. If you can write *and* illustrate, you get paid twice.
Being able to write and illustrate your own story is wonderfully rewarding, both emotionally and financially, and it can boost your illustration career as well.
Art agent Lilla says: “If you can also write children’s books, you are more appealing to editors and art directors at publishing houses, because you’ll get to create your own characters and your own story and then illustrate it, so it becomes your total vision: it’s incredibly thrilling. And of course, you also make twice the money—you get the advance as both author and illustrator, and all the royaltie$ as well.”
In My Kid Book Pitch, you’ll use the power of play plus Lilla’s Write a Story Recipe and her kooky Magic Cards, to come up with a completely unique, authentic children’s picture book story, that you either develop fully or, if you feel more comfortable, pitch as an idea. Want in? Find out more here.
4. The Situation unlikely to change any time soon – and we’ll always need books.
None of us know quite what the future holds just yet, but it’s clear that children’s books will continue to play a part. Are you ready to write children’s books? Lilla’s brand new course, My Kid Book Pitch, starts Monday, October 12th: book your spot here.
“There’s always been a feeling that books are kind of recession-proof. We didn’t know if they were pandemic-proof, but they’re turning out to be.” – Jennifer Enderlin, St. Martin’s Press
Books illustrated by some of Lilla’s artists. She tells us that the artists who do picture book illustrations are booked solid – and if you can write and illustrate then you’re more appealing to editors and publishers!
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
P.S. Lilla’s FREE three-part #MATSprep for My Kid Book Pitch starts next week! It’s a smart yet playful warm-up exercise that’ll help you get a taste of and get ready for class, and it’s open to everyone, whether you’re taking My Kid Book Pitch or not. We’ll be sharing on our blog and social media channels – don’t miss it!
