I've written a children's story and had it illustrated. It's a picture book.

I've heard that publishers prefer to receive manuscript only -- not illustrated, unless the author is the illustrator.

I guess this is because otherwise, the choice of illustrator is often not good.

My career background is in Copywriting and Creative Direction (though not for the book publishing industry). I'm happy that the work is good -- story and illustrations.

I've had a few copies of the book digitally printed. I could send printed copies to publishers, though I'd like to send it to quite a few agents / publishers, and it would keep costs down to email a link to the images / story, rather than to send each agent / publisher the printed book.

So I was thinking of calling agents and/or publishers, pitching the book, telling them a little about my background, and asking if they would be happy to receive an email with a link to images of the pages.

How does this sound as a strategy?

Any advice on what I should include in the pitch?

Do agents / publishers, in general, accept submissions by email?

Thanks, Richard

I've written a children's story and had it illustrated. It's a picture book.

I've heard that publishers prefer to receive manuscript only — not illustrated, unless the author is the illustrator.

I guess this is because otherwise, the choice of illustrator is often not good.

My career background is in Copywriting and Creative Direction (though not for the book publishing industry). I'm happy that the work is good — story and illustrations.

I've had a few copies of the book digitally printed. I could send printed copies to publishers, though I'd like to send it to quite a few agents / publishers, and it would keep costs down to email a link to the images / story, rather than to send each agent / publisher the printed book.

So I was thinking of calling agents and/or publishers, pitching the book, telling them a little about my background, and asking if they would be happy to receive an email with a link to images of the pages.

How does this sound as a strategy?

Any advice on what I should include in the pitch?

Do agents / publishers, in general, accept submissions by email?