The 2022 PBParty Contest is Almost Here!

It’s almost time to submit for the 2022 PBParty contest. Wahooo! I can’t wait for another year full of new friendships, requests, and success stories.

Here’s a link to the main PBParty contest info and FAQs.

And here’s a direct link to what you’ll need for the Google form…with lots of helpful details.

Here’s some extra tips and info to make sure you’re 1000% ready. And to ease last-minute jitters. I promise, the Google form is quick and super-easy! Last year, some people requested I share what it looks like ahead of time, so I have screenshots of the writer form below. If you scroll through all four photos, you’ll see everything. 🙂

Tips

*It’s a good idea to have all your entry info ready to go, triple checked, in a file.

*See if you can swap entry info with at least one other person to make sure you didn’t miss any errors

*Include everything in the prepared file, including your e-mail. Four people gave incorrect e-mails for the PBParty PB Ranking Party and one person put their name instead. You could miss out on important info, like a PBParty Finalist badge and banner and invite to our private and supportive Facebook group.

*Google forms will strip ALL formatting. That means, what you see is what we’ll receive. No bold, italics, etc.

*In the past, people have been disqualified for putting large chunks of their manuscript in the query or packing in way too much info to try to make up for the short sample. If a query looks unprofessional, it will knock out an entry…even if we love the sample itself. (We don’t like having to disqualify a sample we love–so please don’t do this.)

*You will not be able to edit a submission or send a new one in. Take your time filling out the form. Try to start it at least 15 minutes before the window ends. Once the second window closes…the forms won’t open again until the 2023 PBParty contest.

After you hit submit, there will be a message saying thank you for entering. That is your confirmation. There will not be an email confirmation.

Look for more tips and what agents and editors shared that they’re seeking below the screenshots of the Google form. 🙂

Here’s a link to the WRITER form which will not allow any attachments (remember it will NOT let you view the forms until the two PBParty submission windows)

Here’s a link to the AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR form — it’ll be the same as below except for a few things:

*Two spaces to add illustrations at the end of the form (up to 1 MB each)

*You MUST have a Google account in order to use it (that’s the only way they’ll let you download something). Make sure you test it ahead of time.

*The author/illustrator form won’t allow you to submit without including two illustrations

Here’s what agents and editors shared that they’re seeking. We didn’t receive a list from all of them, so don’t worry if your entry genre isn’t listed. Make sure it’s the strongest, most unique manuscript you can write. Then go for it! We’re wishing you tons of luck. 🙂

BIPOC and underrepresented are always in huge demand 

Humor is extremely popular!

Humor with heart was mentioned several times.

STEM/STEAM: (especially if it’s both educational and fun)

Also in demand:

Character driven

Series potential

Nonfiction with a strong narrative

Science/conservation

SEL (social emotional learning)

Genres that can be a bit more difficult at the moment

*We love rhyme! There are agents and editors who seek it–and quite a few who said they avoid it. For a rhyming manuscript to make it through, we must absolutely love it. The rhyme must be spot on and receive a green light from our rhyme pros.

*We’re still seeing bios as the most difficult sell. Many said they aren’t seeking them now because of that. One agent and one editor are actively looking for it though, so there’s hope if it’s truly unique and dazzles.

*I personally love meta picture books, but several told me they’re still a hard sell at the moment. I hope they’ll be back! I personally love, love, love them!

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I’ll tweet reminders to help everyone around the world know exactly when the two windows will be open. This World Clock will also be helpful.

World Clock

I’ll share titles of the finalists on my website on March 17. Last year, my website went down for a bit because there was so much activity. If you can view the post via e-mail, that might help this year. 🙂

Good luck! We are so excited. The judges and I can’t wait to read your entries and will tweet tips and teasers as we go through them.

What are you doing to pass the time until the submission windows open?