Wednesday, April 5, 2017

PBParty #26: BETTY BUILDS IT, Humorous Author/Illustrator

Title: BETTY BUILDS IT
Genre: Picture Book
Word Count: 300 words 

Query: 


Dear Agents,          

I’m excited to share my quirky picture book dummy for Betty Builds It.
           
Betty is a robot girl who can build just about anything in her workshop home, but what she really longs for is a friend. Can she build one, even if her pesky little brother keeps getting in the way? Even if her inventions spin out of control? Determination and imaginative problem solving carries the day for Betty, and will resonate with kids who love to build stuff! Besides being fun, Betty is a strong female protagonist who will inspire girls towards technology.

Betty Builds It is 300 words, laid out as a 40-page self-ended picture book. The use of speech bubbles for some of the dialogue and spot insets borrow from the world of comics. I have an affinity for comics and really like the increasing crossover of graphic techniques between genres. You will see a juxtaposition of the futuristic and the familiar in the world building I have done for Betty.

I am an author/illustrator/architect based in San Diego. As a child I wanted a robot friend! (Maybe I still do). I tend towards an offbeat kind of humor, while looking for that sweet spot of creating something both funny and heartfelt. I have certificates in both Children’s Book Illustration and Children’s Book Writing through UC San Diego. I also polish my work through numerous conferences and workshops. I’m active in my local SCBWI chapter, and also have the benefit of a fabulous local critique group.

This project is the just the latest example of my art and story wackiness. I would love to share some of my other work with you! I look forward to hearing from you.



First 50 Words:

Betty could build just about anything.
Her home was a fabulous workshop full of tools and spare parts.
She lived with a parental unit and baby brother Toby, who couldn’t do much.
Betty longed for a friend who liked to do the same things she liked to do, like..


6 comments:

  1. Would love to read more! Feel free to send a query, quick bio, and manuscript pasted into the body of an email to adria@martinliterarymanagement.com. Thanks + good luck!

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  2. This is right up my alley! Please send your pitch and the full manuscript in an email to lauren@triadaus.com, with [PBParty + TITLE] in the subject line. I can't wait to read! - Lauren Spieller www.triadaus.com

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  3. I'd love to see the manuscript! Please send the full as an attachment to LBiagi@jvnla.com, along with the pitch and bio in your email and PBParty in the subject line. Looking forward to reading! -Laura Biagi

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  4. I'd love to take a look! Please send the manuscript following the guidelines on jdlit.com and include PBParty in the subject line. Excited to read!--Roseanne Wells, The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency

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  5. What a wonderful concept, I'd love to see the rest! Please send to query@psliterary.com with the query in the email + full MS attached and put #PBParty in the subject!

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  6. Congratulations on catching the eye of Ninja Editor Dragonfly! Watch your inbox for instructions on what to do next.

    ReplyDelete