Offering consultations for picture book writers and authors, from querying agents to marketing your new picture book, and (almost) everything in between.
Hi, I’m Michelle and I offer hourly consultations for picture book writers and authors, from querying agents to marketing your new picture book, and (almost) everything in between.
Over 3,000 picture books are published every year. How will you make yours stand out in a sea of thousands?
Sending your new book out into the world can be daunting — but it doesn’t have to be. I’m here to help.
Or if you’re a writer querying agents for the first time, I can help with that, too.
I offer consultations on how to:
Write a query
Look for agents to query
Query agents, understand the process and know what to expect
Give an informed and considered opinion on the viability of a story idea in this current market
Establish an author website
Establish a social media presence, author brand and engage readers
Write captions, create and edit photographs and reels for Instagram
Start a blog
Start an author newsletter
Make a creative publicity plan to reach readers in person, online and on social media that complements your publisher’s marketing and publicity plan
Discover newer ways of online and social media marketing
Reach out to schools for author visits
Put together an author visit presentation
I’m a picture book strategist.
I point you to the tools and resources you need to market your picture book and show you how to use them.
I offer fresh ideas tailored to marketing all kinds of picture books — thoughtful ideas suited to who you are as an author, your cultural background and region.
Marketing ideas are endless. I will help you make an actionable list, prioritize the tasks that should get done first and how much time to work on them each day, keeping in mind the publicity and marketing plan your publisher already has in place for your book, and how you can complement that.
At heart, I’m a creative.
A creative who’s organized, meticulous and business-minded.
I’m also an ideas person.
I’ve spent years reading hundreds of picture books, writing, sharing picture books as a blogger, observing and analyzing website and social media metrics.
I offer a unique perspective with:
9 years as a picture book writer
5 years as a published picture book author
10+ years as a picture book blogger and influencer who’s read thousands of picture books and keeps current on industry news and picture books published each year
20+ years as a professional photographer
10 years as a speech-language pathologist working in the school setting specializing in language and literacy
Send a message and we’ll set up a time to talk.
Looking forward to meeting you!
“Anyone looking to write a children’s book, this is your starting point!” — Malaka Gharib
“Michelle has an exceptional grasp of the book industry, especially when it comes to launching a book with thoughtfulness, creativity, and strategy. She offers clear, practical insight into what it really takes to build visibility, from understanding the realities of the market to identifying the many small, meaningful ways authors can use their own platforms, communities, and strengths to help a book find its readers. She brings not just knowledge, but a sharp, generous perspective on how authors can approach promotion in ways that feel both effective, authentic, and perhaps more importantly, for a debut author like me, approachable and doable!” — Carren Jao
Art by the one and only Micah Player.