We’re just a couple of weeks away from the return of art agent Lilla’s picture book writing course, My Kid Book Pitch, as a LIVE course, and we can’t wait!
Lilla has agented many hundreds of picture books during her 30 years as an art agent, and worked on author-illustrated picture books with the artists she represented.
Today we wanted to share a couple of FREE video mini lessons from Lilla on how to write a picture book and on finding your voice as a writer. Plus we’ll be sharing some of the many fabulous success stories that have come out of this course, so you know what’s possible.
As an art agent for 30 years, Lilla agented many hundreds of picture books, so she has a wealth of knowledge to draw on: she knows exactly what sells, who’s buying, and what publishers are looking for. Plus she also worked with several of the artists that she represented – like Katie Vernon, Erica Root, Erin Vanessa, and Paloma O’Toole – on their first author-illustrated picture books. She’s got so much wisdom to share!
Some of the author-illustrated books that art agent Lilla worked on with the artists she represented during her 30 years as an art agent, by Erin Vanessa (left), Katie Vernon (center), and Erica Root (right).
Lilla says: “I brought this course back live this year because I love to teach it, love helping you craft your stories, and love watching the magic.”
HUGE NEWS: Lilla will be picking one student for a warm, supportive, private 1:1 after the course has finished to work on their story idea together and polish their pitch to perfection. This is an incredible opportunity – don’t miss your chance! Sign up for the class here.
FREE VIDEO: How to write a picture book
Perhaps your head is bursting with stories and you’re just looking for the excuse to let them out – or perhaps you don’t think of yourself as a writer at all (yet).
My Kid Book Pitch is carefully designed by Lilla for artists, illustrators and creatives just like you, to work with their unique minds and huge imaginations to bring out their unique story ideas and help them to present them in a complete pitch, ready to send to a publisher or agent.
In this mini video lesson, taken from a Zoom chat with students, Lilla talks about how to get started writing a picture book. She talks about Ari Arranges Everything, the book that Katie Vernon wrote while beta-testing My Kid Book Pitch, as well as other picture books she’s agented.
Check it out below – and if you enjoy this then don’t miss the FREE live public Zoom with Lilla on Friday, February 20th, at 12 noon ET. Mark your calendar now!
FREE VIDEO: How to find your voice as a writer
Lilla also talked about how to find your unique voice as a writer, and shares a neat trick to start understanding your own. Check it out below.
Ready to write a picture book of your own? Here’s a round-up of some of our real-life student success stories from My Kid Book Pitch – read more alumni success stories here.
Student success story #1: Kimberly Fry
Make Art That Sells student Kimberly with her book, Boys Don’t Fry, which was published after she took My Kid Book Pitch (left) and a spread from the book (right). Join the class here.
Kimberly’s book Boys Don’t Fry is about a young boy who longs to learn the art of Malaysian Nyonya cooking. Find out more about Kimberly and her writing on her website and Instagram.
Student success story #2: Paloma O’Toole
The front cover of Their Name is Alex (left), some of Paloma’s art from class (center), and a spread from her soon-to-be-released book (right).
Paloma started writing Their Name is Alex in My Kid Book Pitch and then worked on it with Lilla after Lilla offered her representation. It will be published by Hachette in May this year.
See more of Paloma’s art on their website and Instagram.
Student success story #3: Purificación Hernández
Purificación’s original concept for Chef Lupo, created in My Kid Book Pitch (left) and the published book (right). Ready to write YOUR book? Sign up now!
The book which Purificación started writing in My Kid Book Pitch was published by Clavis Publishing. See more of Purificación’s work on her website and Instagram.
Student success story #4: ROSE LiHOU
Publisher Puffin won the rights to the Tiny Dogs series of books by Make Art That Sells student Rose Lihou in a five way auction. Rose wrote and illustrated the books after taking My Kid Book Pitch and Illustrating Children’s Books.
Rose with the first of her books (left) and some art from the books (center and right). Since taking My Kid Book Pitch, Rose has landed a multi-book deal with publisher Puffin.
Rose told us: “Illustrating Children’s Books and My Kid Book Pitch were amazing, and really helped me understand the market and refine my offering. So I made a pitch – and this happened … !” See more of Rose’s work on her website and Instagram.
Amazing, right? With the right instruction, structure and mentoring, it could be you next!
Do you want to make 2026 the year you write your picture book? Give yourself the best shot of landing that deal and sign up for My Kid Book Pitch now.
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
