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desk  

When I put a dummy together for a publisher or editor, I use only printed reproductions of the artwork. Once I have the sketches and several finished paintings printed out I use an adhesive glue dispenser to join the back edge of each page to the next.

When all the pages and the cover are glued at the spine side in this way, I enclose the entire spine with Art Tape to hold the booklet together.
By using matte brochure paper I can print on both sides with no bleed through. This makes a lighter package for mailing.
                       
  A picture book dummy will consist of two signatures, or sections of 16 pages each. In the dummy that translates to eight sheets of paper printed on both sides and joined to the next 8.          
                       
    dummy  

Along with the dummy book I will send a careully printed manuscript, a cover letter and a return envelope with enough postage to have the dummy returned.

Although it is more time comsuming, I will query first and send the package if an editor or AD expresses interest in seeing the work.

Also, if an editor requires exclusive submissions, I will adhere to that request and wait for a reply before sending to any other publisher.

      
                       
    stitched  

One alternative to gluing and taping the pages of a dummy together is to hand stitch each signature and then join the two signatures together with another row of stitches. It is more time intensive, but the finished product is a true work of art.

In addtion to the dummy, manuscript, cover letter and return envelope with postage, I will also include two or three separate prints finished in full color and loose, so that they can be passed around from editor to editor.