Just Kidding

What the UPS Man Brought

2012-01-19T18:29:00.000-08:00

My books!

Teachers--A teacher's guide on the basic principles of economics is available from my publisher by clicking this link: http://childsworld.com/teaching_guides

Highlights High Five--Quack, quack!

2011-12-15T11:00:00.001-08:00

My poem "Garage-Sale Duck" appears in the January 2012 issue of Highlights High Five. [Once I figure out how to make the image bigger, I'll repost!] I LOVE Dan Andreasen's art.

Thanks, Kathleen!

Jody

BLUE JEANS and BREAD--BEFORE THE STORE

2011-11-28T13:06:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to announce that my two nonfiction social studies books for third graders, BLUE JEANS BEFORE THE STORE and BREAD BEFORE THE STORE, have covers! Both books will be released in January 2012 by The Child's World.

"One Small Chair"--Turtle Magazine

2011-11-15T07:27:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

I'm delighted to share that my poem, "One Small Chair," is in the November/December 2011 issue of Turtle Magazine.

Thanks, Terry! It looks great.

Jody

COLUMBIAKids Ezine

2011-07-05T06:54:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! Hope your summer is in full swing.

I just wanted to pop in and let you know that COLUMBIAKids, an online publication for children of the Washington State Historical Society, has purchased another of my poems! Yay!

"Old Shoes" will be featured in issue 5. I'll let you know when that happens. Thanks, Stephanie!

In other publishing news, more exciting things are coming. Think book length! I can't spill the beans yet, but you'll be the first (okay, maybe second) to know when I can.

Enjoy your summer! And don't forget the sunscreen.

Jody

Margo Sorenson, Children's Author

2011-05-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

Margo Sorenson is a children's book author with 27 books to her name. Margo's latest, ALOHA FOR CAROL ANN, was published by Marimba Books in April 2011.

Welcome, Margo! Glad you could join us.

Thank you, Jody! I’m very happy to be here.

Tell us about ALOHA FOR CAROL ANN. What's it about?

This is the story of eight-year-old Carol Ann who so does NOT want to move to Hawaii, where everything is so strange and different, and she wishes she were back at her old school. How will she ever feel at home here?

Sounds fun. How did you find Marimba Books? Tell us about your publishing journey with them.

I first began writing ALOHA FOR CAROL ANN in 1989 (no, that’s not a typo!) and I would read the various versions aloud to my middle school students, who would make comments, trying to spare my feelings! I began submitting it to publishers, and it was rejected many, many times. When I’d get feedback from editors, I’d revise it again, and I’d ask my fellow teachers for help, as well. I believed in the story, because I’d seen it reenacted so many times during our ten years in Hawaii, and I wanted to share the aloha spirit that our family had found there. It’s so important not only to show kindness to others, making them feel welcome, but also to be willing to accept that kindness and that wonderful welcome. Coach John Wooden said, “You cannot live a perfect day until you do something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

Twenty-two years later, I was still keeping an eye out for a publisher that I thought might be interested in the story, and lo, and behold, Marimba Books was founded, the perfect publisher for this story. I read about the founding of Marimba Books on the internet and researched the owners, Cheryl and Wade Hudson, who have an outstanding record in multicultural publishing with their other company, Just Us Books. I queried, was asked to send the manuscript, and the Hudsons acquired it, much to my and my family’s joy! They have been wonderful to work with, right from the very beginning, and they chose an illustrator, Priscilla Garcia Burris, who really made Carol Ann, the kids, and the beauty of Hawaii come to life on the pages.

Wow! Twenty-two years? You are the epitome of stick-to-itiveness!

Many people think a picture book author chooses her illustrator. Set the record straight for us. Did you know Priscilla Garcia Burris before CAROL ANN?

No, but I was familiar with her wonderful work and her national reputation as Illustrator Coordinator for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, so, needless to say, I was thrilled at the choice! She has truly made Hawaii come alive on the pages with her vibrant colors and empathetic renderings and has put in lots of touches that people who both live and visit there will recognize—touches that will make them smile—like the illustration in which Maile offers Carol Ann a spam musubi – yum!

You've written lots of books for children. Are they all picture books?

Of my 27 published books, only three are picture books: AMBROSE AND THE PRINCESS, AMBROSE AND THE CATHEDRAL DREAM, and ALOHA FOR CAROL ANN. The others are for readers ages 7-14, including FUNNY MAN, which was fortunate enough to be named a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in Young Adult Fiction a few years ago. Because I taught middle and high school, I was familiar with that age group and their experiences, so that’s why they comprised my audience at the beginning of my writing journey. I am finding it’s a lot of fun to write word play and whimsy for younger readers, as well.

How long have you been writing seriously?

I wrote my first “book” at age 6, titled LEO AND BO-PEEP, and I illustrated it, too (unfortunately!). I still have it, and it makes me giggle. When I do school visits, the students always ask me this same question, so I show them the tattered and ancient “book,” much to their glee! Writing seriously didn’t begin until 1986 – and that writing was primarily articles about teaching for educational journals such as The English Journal and Independent School.

My first published book, in 1991, was one I co-authored with Anne Polkingharn, the wonderful and legendary librarian of the California K-8 school at which I was teaching, Harbor Day School. It was a reading record book with multiple activities for students to report on their reading, titled HOW TO SNEAK UP ON A GOOD BOOK (Perfection Learning), which is now out of print. At the same time, I had just begun working on ALOHA FOR CAROL ANN, and I was writing a work-for-hire for Bantam Sweet Dreams series, under my pseudonym Marcie Kremer, titled ALOHA LOVE (Bantam, 1994, out of print), a very “demure” teen romance about two debaters at Aina Hau School (Punahou School, where our daughters attended and where I taught) in Honolulu.

Based on the reading record book, I was offered a contract to write a new series for reluctant readers by Perfection Learning Corporation called Cover-to-Cover, and that snowballed into a total of twenty-one books for them, mostly fiction, but two non-fiction as well, TSUNAMI and HURRICANE, and five time-travel adventure-biographies. Writing for this audience was an exciting challenge, and I studied plotting by John Grisham, Nelson DeMille, and other adult thriller authors, and met with many reluctant readers to try and find out what would hook them into reading the next page. I also have written about 70 unpublished manuscripts (emphasis on the UN!), including YA, middle grade, and picture books, and I continue to revise and submit, revise and submit! When I retired early from teaching in 1994 because of our move to Minnesota, my time was freed up considerably—no more papers to grade or lessons to plan—not to mention that the long winters are perfect for writing!

What has been the most difficult part of the journey for you? The most rewarding?

The most difficult part of the journey for me has been to be patient and to be willing to recognize when some of my favorite words/characters/scenes/plots have to be cut. One of my favorite sayings about writing is one of the “Writer’s Commandments” from Ellen Kozak: “Thou Shalt Not Fall In Love With Thine Own Words.” I think all writers realize that it’s important to know when to put a manuscript away and then take it out to look at it later, with a clearer eye, but it’s not always fun to do that, either! It’s also daunting to field rejections and read (sometimes devastating) critiques, but, if we don’t keep revising and revising and submitting our manuscripts, we’ll never see them in the hands of young readers. Beryl Markham (WEST WITH THE NIGHT) once wrote, “Work and hope. But never hope more than you work.”

The most rewarding part of the journey is when I hear from young readers about one of my books that they’ve read. The reason we writers write is to try to create adventures on the page for our readers, and when those adventures resonate with them, it is very special. I thoroughly enjoy school visits, where I get to meet with young readers and talk with them about the writing process and about reading.

What are you working on next?

I’m always working simultaneously on several manuscripts – I find that it helps me to look at each one more objectively, instead of working on only one at a time. Right now, I’m working on a YA novel set in Italy and on three new picture books, as well as on six others that I’ve written in the last year. There’s always plenty of revising to do, and my wonderful and long-suffering critique partner and middle grade/early chapter book author Bonnie Graves has my back!

What's the best part of being a children's author?

I love to play with words, and, because books were among my best friends when I was growing up, I look forward to trying to create for young readers the same kinds of adventures I enjoyed reading. Kids are ready for new ideas. They embrace new horizons and enjoy being transported to new places and times, identifying with characters in books. The acclaimed author Virginia Hamilton once wrote, “Writing is what you know, remember, and imagine.” It’s so much fun to combine all those facets into a new story to share a new world with young readers.

Thanks, Margo! Much success to you and CAROL ANN!

Thank you so much for your invitation to be here, Jody! Mahalo nui loa!

Readers, learn more about Margo here.

Gisele LeBlanc, Children's Writer and Publisher

2011-04-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Gisele LeBlanc is a children’s writer and publisher from Canada. Her ezine, Berry Blue Haiku, is her latest venture. Gisele is the former publisher of Dragonfly Spirit.

Hi, Gisele! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about Berry Blue Haiku. What is it and when did it begin?

The idea for Berry Blue Haiku came at a slow simmer, you could say. The seed got planted when I was still publishing my first online magazine for children, Dragonfly Spirit. We had published a couple of haiku (by Michelle Lord) and I remember being very drawn to the form.

In 2009, I started writing haiku and studying it more seriously, started reading haiku books and online journals, and I became totally captivated. In 2010 I decided I would like to start a poetry magazine for kids and realized there were no haiku magazines devoted to kids. That's when the idea came to fruition.

Who is the audience for BBH?

Our intended audience is children up to age 13, as well as teachers/parents who have an interest in teaching haiku. But the magazine has proved to hold global appeal and is enjoyed by people of all ages.

What kind of response have you gotten to BBH?

The response has been quite positive! Despite its short form, there is so much to learn about haiku. This is why our goal with BBH has always been to help broaden people's haiku awareness and hopefully entice them to experiment with the form.

What interests you about haiku?

Where to begin! There is so much to love about haiku. Firstly, it can be used as a meditative tool since it teaches us to slow down and see the beauty in simple things. Haiku is also about sharing experiences, and it reminds us that we are all one.

It can also be used as a therapeutic or journaling tool to express emotions or to capture everyday moments. Its short form is also perfect for honing writing skills, since strong and specific word usage is essential.

Is the standard form--5, 7, 5 syllables--still used?

From my understanding, most traditional Japanese haiku (which tends to focus on nature elements) still follows the format of 5-7-5 sound units (called on or kana in Japanese). But Japanese sound units are not counted the same way as English syllables. Therein lies the misconception of this so-called "rule." Many North American poets and translators agree that something in the proximity of 11 English syllables is a close equivalent to the 17 phonetic units used in Japanese haiku.

This doesn't mean that haiku written in 5-7-5 shouldn't be done, or that it is wrong—there are many wonderful haiku published in the 5-7-5 form—but writing a haiku this way, without employing needless words, is a challenging task.

Berry Blue Haiku is undergoing some changes. Tell us about them.

The March issue of Berry Blue Haiku was the last we will be publishing in this format. To alleviate costs and the level of work involved, we're considering publishing BBH as an annual anthology.

We have also made all issues, current and past, available for free. These can be accessed through our CurrClick homepage.

All teaching resources, such as articles, crafts, and lessons, will be available for free through our blog or website (which is currently under construction), where we will also be featuring interviews and contests.

Sounds like a great new direction for BBH. Congratulations, Gisele, and good luck!

Thank you, Jody, for inviting us to your blog! We are very happy to have had this chance to share information about Berry Blue Haiku!

Update May 5, 2011: Readers, I just received this email from Gisele about the future of Berry Blue Haiku. You can read it here.

Bridget Heos, Picture Book Author

2011-03-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

What To Expect When You’re Expecting Larvae: A Guide for Insect Parents (And Curious Kids) (Lerner) is Kansas City author Bridget Heos’ first picture book, released this month. Bridget has joined us today to tell us about her book and her journey.

Welcome, Bridget, and congratulations on your new book! Tell us about it.

Well, up to now, all parenting guides have been for humans. That’s great…if you’re a human. What if you’re a fly? What if you’re a dragonfly? What if you’re a butterfly? Let’s widen the net. What if you’re anything ending in “fly?”
That’s who this book is for. And: children.
It teaches them all about larvae. (Larvae are any baby insects that don’t look like their parents.) It’s a great book for teachers teaching metamorphosis or insect units.

Sounds great! I saw much earlier versions of your manuscript, so I can’t wait to get my hands on the finished product.

Take us back a bit. When and how did you learn Lerner wanted your book?

Well, I’d sent it to 13 editors (a good, unlucky number!) Rejected! Then I sent it to my now agent Kelly Sonnack of Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She took me on as a client and soon after let me know that Carol Hinz at Lerner was interested. It ended up selling in an auction, with Lerner offering a three-book deal. The next two books are What to Expect When You’re Expecting Pocket Babies and What to Expect When You’re Expecting Crocodilians. Carol--and Lerner—are awesome. They’re in Minneapolis. Being from the Midwest, I love that Minneapolis is a children’s book mecca. I hope to visit someday soon and soak it all in.

What have you learned along the way about publishing?

Well, it’s good to have an agent. Without Kelly, I’m confident I wouldn’t have sold any books. Also, she takes care of contracts and negotiations. And she’s very encouraging. This is a nice business. (To me it feels like I arrived at work to find that all of my colleagues are my sweet kindergarten teacher, Arlene Davis.) But it’s also a tough business, so it’s nice to have somebody on your side.

Secondly, you have to write a lot of books to make a living. I’m writing 12 this year, including work-for-hires, but it took me several years and a lot of pavement pounding, plus Kelly’s help to line up that many. (Work-for-hires are books in which the publisher develops the idea and asks you to write it for a flat fee—no royalties. They don’t pay as much as other books, but they pay faster.)
Currently, I work about 60 hours a week. I’m not complaining! Work is a blessing. I’m starting to write fictional picture books and to do some travel for nonfiction work. I should have a few exciting announcements about book deals later this year.

How have you been promoting your book?

I’ve done a library visit at The Plaza Library, part of The Kansas City Public Library system. I also have a library visit coming up through The Johnson County Public Library Dia! Children’s Book Day, on April 30 at the Oak Park Library. To promote these events, I gave the libraries silkworms as mascots. They’re basically the Official Mascots of Picture Books Being Awesome. I have a Facebook Page @Author Bridget Heos, where I share news about picture books, nonfiction children’s books, my books, and thoughts about professional wrestling (which is an interest.) I also got the chance to be in "The Kansas City Star" FYI section and on Fox 4 Morning News, through Save Everything! (and the Picture Book.)

That said, the publicity staff at Lerner has done much of the work. They sent galleys or copies to several bloggers and librarian and teacher journals. They’ve also met personally with some of these people—flying to New York in some cases. Through that effort, I’ve been featured in A Fuse #8 Production, Kirkus Reviews, and Instructor magazine (published by Scholastic.) They are also very encouraging of my publicity efforts (or publicity stunts, as my dad calls them.)

Tell us about your career. How long you’ve been writing, what caused you to want to write for children, and what’s coming up for you.

I always wanted to be a writer. Now, looking back, it’s obvious I would fall in love with writing children’s books. I was obsessed with Beatrix Potter. I loved musicals about orphans, such as Oliver! and Annie, and that theme is popular in children’s literature. In 5th grade, my friend and I put on a neighborhood play of The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman, featuring the music of—get this, Weird Al Yankovic—who is now also a children’s book writer!

But I didn’t know much about children’s books. Now, I see how my sons are with sports—they know the stats, the players, the intangibles. I didn’t have that kind of behind-the-scenes knowledge of children’s books, even though I loved them as much as my sons love sports today.

When my oldest son was little, he became obsessed with nonfiction. After reading about 100 nonfiction books to him (mostly about turtles but some about dinosaurs,) I fell in love with them. I felt so knowledgeable about turtles! And many of them were beautifully written, such as The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, by Barbara Kerley, ill. by Brian Selznick. I thought, “I wonder who writes all these nonfiction books?” I think I googled that very question. I had been writing for newspapers and magazines for several years, so nonfiction seemed like a natural fit. Eventually, I found a local writer’s group. I went to some events and then wrote What to Expect When You’re Expecting Larvae. My friend Ann Ingalls, who also writes nonfiction books for children, helped me a lot when I was getting started.

You’re also involved in a campaign to save the picture book called, appropriately enough, Save Everything! (and the picture book). Fill us in. What’s this about and how can people participate?

Save Everything! (and the Picture Book) is a program in which children read picture books, write reviews, and win picture books. The purpose is to show people the wide variety of picture books available to children of all ages. For instance, a second grader could spend an entire summer reading picture books solely about baseball. (My middle son did just that!) Picture books are great for literacy, imagination, and entertainment.

There is a new theme each month. (In June, it’s baseball.) This month it’s Save the Bookworms! (and the Picture Books They Eat.) You can visit http://savethepicturebook.blogspot.com to download the March flyer. There are book suggestions (including mine, this month!) but you can read any picture book about insects or books. Kids can win books, and teachers can win a basket of books for their classrooms.

What advice would you give to those entering the world of children’s writing? What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

I read somewhere that you need to read 100 books in your genre and write for 10 years before…I can’t remember what exactly is supposed to happen at that point. But those numbers are absolutely accurate. After reading the 100 picture books on Betsy Bird’s Fuse #8 Top 100 Picture Books Poll, fictional picture books started to click for me. Prior to writing nonfiction, I’d probably read more than 100 nonfiction picture books. Also, I’ve now been a writer for nearly 10 years. Like I said, I can’t remember what’s supposed to happen at this point. But from a craftsmanship perspective, I feel like I sort of know what I’m doing—though I still have a lot to learn.

"Toothless" Illustrator, Marcus Cutler

2011-02-15T13:14:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

Guess what I found today? A blog about my recent poem in Humpty Dumpty, "Toothless," and its fabu illustrator, Marcus Cutler. Check it out.

http://theispot.blogspot.com/2011/01/marcus-cutler-toothless.html

Great job, Marcus! I lOVE it!

Here's Marcus's personal blog. http://marcuscutler.blogspot.com/

My Interview on PeoplePlace

2011-01-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

Hey, everyone!

Brian Humek, fellow children's writer and all-around great guy, interviewed me recently for his PeoplePlace blog.

Here's the link. http://www.gleestreet.com/people/?p=495

Enjoy!

My Honda Had a Sleepover at Wal-Mart

2011-01-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was one of those days, one that you really don't want to end. At one point, my daughter, son and I were all in the livingroom engrossed in one of The Hunger Games novels. Bliss. It was their last day before winter break was over.

After dinner, the kids went to piano lessons with my husband while I ran errands. My first stop was the library. I needed more picture books and I wanted to take a peek at my most recent poem in Humpty Dumpty.

While I was there, I mentioned my poem to one of the librarians. She celebrated with me earlier when Babybug published my poem. She oohed and aahed and I blushed.

Then I was off to Wal-Mart. If I hurried, I could get my shopping done before the kids got home. As I drove down the dark street, I noticed a little fuzzy thing crossing the road. A possum. I'd seen possums before of course, many that had been hit crossing the road, but this one was in tact, fuzzy, waddly and scurrying like mad, if that's what you call a possum waddle.

Got to Wal-Mart, did my shopping, got in the car, and it didn't start. I waited, tried again. Nothing. Called my husband's cell and our home number. Nobody answered. So I waited. Suddenly all that waiting reminded me of something--publishing! Just kidding. I'm very patient.

When they got home, my husband called, brought his jumper cables, and tried to jump start the car. Unfortuatnely my Honda had other ideas. Which is how and why my Honda had a sleepover at Wal-Mart.

Even with my car situation, I wouldn't give back yesterday for anything.

Happy New Year!

Santa Came Early

2010-12-22T16:19:00.000-08:00

In the form of a poem acceptance from the SCBWI Bulletin!

Thank you, Santa, I mean Steve.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone.

Jody

Gimme a HIGH FIVE!

2010-12-16T14:39:00.000-08:00

A Highlights High Five, that is.

Today they accepted one of my poems!

Woo hoo for Kathleen and the High Five team. Such a nice way to end 2010!

Jody

Highlights for Children!

2010-12-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

I opened my mailbox
And what did I see?
A little 'ol contract
Just waiting for me!

Yippee! Highlights will publish another of my poems.

Thanks, Joelle and Christine!

Jody

BABYBUG!

2010-11-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

I learned today that my poem, "Red Mittens," accepted for publication nearly four years ago, has been published in the Nov/Dec 2010 issue!

You can check it out at your library! Woo hoo!!

Thanks, Jennifer!

Jody

The SCBWI Bulletin

2010-11-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

My latest poem is in the November/December issue! Thanks, Steve and Lin.

http://www.scbwi.org/Resources/Documents/SCBWI_ND10-final.pdf

Jody

Humpty Dumpty

2010-10-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled today to receive a contract from Humpty Dumpty for a poem that will appear in their January/February 2011 issue! Thanks again, Terry!

Highlights for Children Magazine

2010-10-01T04:21:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note. I received my first contract yesterday for a poem for Highlights! Very exciting. Thanks, Joelle!

Write What You Know (Unless Your Mom Knows Better)

2010-09-22T11:16:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard the adage, "Write what you know."

It's good advice for those wondering if they have anything worth writing about. The point is that the people, information, places, and conversations you're involved with are fair game for writing. Any topic can be made interesting, compelling, even fun or funny, if your treatment of that topic works.

But you might also want to write what you don't know. Say you'd like to put something together about aliens invading earth, or weasels doing war dances, or tadpoles. But you don't know the basics of how those things work. (Even in fiction, the reader expects some semblance of reality, whether or not that information makes it into the book.) What do you do? Ask an expert. Like my mom.

Let me explain. I didn't grow up on a farm, but farm animals and farm scenes creep into my writing. Who can resist a wet-nosed calf or a litter of pink piglets? How do I get information about how farms work? I ask my mom. She's my go-to farm girl, with loads of information on chickens and eggs, animal husbandry--that's about animals having babies, to you and me--milking cows and other farmy things.

So today when a critique member (Hi Laura!) wisely asked how all the farm animals in my book were miraculously born in the spring, I called Mom.

"Hi, Mom. Are farm animals usually born in the spring?"

What followed was a story about the hows and whys of animal life on a farm, with a sidebar about the size of chicken eggs.

[In case you're wondering, the answer is yes, farmers plan for their animals to be born in the spring. Who wants to tromp through the snow in the middle of winter to check on a newborn goat when you can simply separate potential moms and dads until it's warmer?]

So, I'd modify the standard adage, "Write what you know" to "Write what you know (Unless Your Mom Knows Better)," or unless you have other experts who can fill you in.

Writing As Process or Product?

2010-09-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

When I taught Freshman Composition for two undergraduate institutions, our instructional mantra to our students was, "View your writing as process, not product."

This meant that students should see their writing as works which could be revised, rethought, reimagined many, many times (not just copy-edited), but never really finished. For some, this was a new idea, a new, laborious idea. They preferred to write the paper, turn it in, and be done with it, come what may. Others felt writing as process attached a name to what they'd been doing all along. They were comfortable with the give and take and were relieved to know their institutions valued it as well.

In practical terms, writing as process meant that we used classroom time to brainstorm appropriate topics together and to group-critique or peer-edit one another's papers. For instructors, it meant that once a student finally turned in his paper, he could use the instructor's further feedback to improve the paper, and potentially get a better grade, many times over. But it wasn't a gimme; students had to use the feedback to rethink their works. The dedicated writers in my classes often turned in three or more versions of each essay assigned.

What did all this reimagining entail? Students had to learn not only the value of brainstorming but ways to brainstorm. They had to learn how to provide feedback concretely but tactfully. They had to learn how to receive feedback, how to evaluate it, what to do with it, and ultimately, whether or not altering their works accordingly would meet their writing goals and preferences and the assignment's requirements.

I've been on both sides of the classroom: as an English undergraduate and graduate student and as a writing instructor teaching others how to write. Care to guess which view of writing I was and am most comfortable with--process or product?

Right. Process. It has always come naturally to me. The brainstorming (also known as prewriting)--the time before you pick up a pen, when you let your mind wonder "What if?" The drafting--and drafting, and rethinking, and drafting, and printing out, and reprinting out, and reading aloud, and drafting, and revising, and rethinking, and rereading. The critiquing--asking others whose feedback or skills you trust to read your work and tell you where you fell short and where you hit the bullseye, followed by more drafting and revising and printing out and reading aloud. The editing--perfecting word-level choices, sentence constructions, punctuation, and grammar.

I haven't been in college or taught Freshman Composition for awhile now, but every time I approach a writing task, I use the same things I learned and taught and was drawn to earlier in life: brainstorming, drafting, revising and rethinking, getting feedback from professionals I trust, further revising and reimagining, followed by editing.

As to the feedback portion, I am a long-term member of two online critique groups--shout out to Critcasters and Rhyme & Reason--and to one in-person crit group--PB Thursday. These groups are filled with published and pre-published, agented and pre-agented professionals in the area of writing for children, and I couldn't be more grateful to them for their advice, support, wacky ideas and brilliant suggestions. They are my first and best readers.

I also periodically consult intelligent and witty people I've met along the way whose advice I respect, people like Ellen Jackson and Laurie Accardi. And my mom isn't a slouch at writing and giving honest feedback either. Hi, Mom!

Where do you fall in the process/product debate?

The Bounty of My Garden

2010-06-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

Pretty, huh? That's all there is so far. But it's still early. There's lots of time for little yellow flowers to turn into little green tomatoes to turn into red, juicy tomatoes. And I'm happy to wait.

What's growing in your garden?

SCBWI Bulletin

2010-06-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

Woo hoo! The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is going to publish another poem of mine! This one's called "The School Visit Dream." I'll let you know in which issue it'll appear when I find out.

Thanks, Steve and SCBWI!

And the silver goes to...

2010-05-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

COLUMBIAKids!

From the AAM MUSE Awards held last night, this notice just posted:

SILVER: COLUMBIAKidsWashington State History Museum
Judges said:COLUMBIAKids is a very attractive website which functions like an on-line magazine. The site should be commended for involving children's authors and illustrators to work on the content which makes the site more appealling to the young readers. It is a useful resource for teachers. The site has many interesting sections to engage the readers - the jurors especially like CollectionConnundrum which teaches children how to look at objects and podPuzzle. Read the whole article here:

CKids came in second only to the Smithsonian Museum of American History!

Read the whole article here: http://www.mediaandtechnology.org/muse/2010community.html

Congrats to Stephanie Lile and the whole CKids team! Keep up the good work!

Limerick Day Rocks!

2010-05-12T10:54:00.000-07:00

Though not as well known as say, the Fourth of July, Limerick Day deserves all the fanfare it can muster. Say it with me: "Woo hoo for Edward Lear! Woo hoo for limericks!" (Edward Lear popularized limericks in his 1846 "Book of Nonsense." He is the author of the famous poem, "The Owl and the Pussycat.")

There. Now didn't that feel good?

You'll feel even better if you create and post in the comments section below your own limerick for all the world to see. Family-friendly, please. I'll go first.

Way back when was an Englishman, Lear

Who had such a terrific career

Making rhyme after rhyme

Some absurd, some sublime

That we celebrate him over here

Now you, please. And happy Children's Book Week!

THIS TREE COUNTS! for Earth Day

2010-04-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite days of the year is right around the corner. Earth Day, April 22nd, is designed to heighten awareness of and appreciation for the Earth. What better way to do that than with a picture book about an oak tree? Critique partner and friend Alison Formento is the author of THIS TREE COUNTS! (Albert Whitman & Company, March 1, 2010), a part-counting, part-environmental awareness book with lovely language and illustrations.

Alison has agreed to stop by and answer some questions for us, on this the first stop of a blog tour.

JJS: Hi, Alison! How did THIS TREE COUNTS! go from idea to published book? Tell us about the path it took.

AF: Inspired by a large, old Oak tree, I wrote a simple ten line poem about ten animals in a giant tree telling its story, which sat unfinished in my computer files. A few months later, I saw an editor from Albert Whitman & Company speak on a panel at an SCBWI conference. After the conference, I submitted a story to her, which she rejected, but invited me to send something else, which I did. That story too, got a personal rejection and a note to send something for the very young, perhaps with a counting theme. I remembered my tree poem and worked on shaping it into story form, adding the children and teacher to hear the tree's story, and how it encourages them to plant more trees. After I ran that early version through my critique group, I submitted it to the editor and four months later, received an offer. In my case, third time was the charm. The revision process was smooth, as my editor really saw the story the same way I did, as did the illustrator, Sarah Snow. We actually expanded the story, to add a few more kids and more about how trees count to our world. A year later, THIS TREE COUNTS! is out and I couldn't be happier with the final product.

JJS: How long have you been writing for children?

AF: If you count my diary entries and the poems and stories I wrote as a child, then I've been writing for children a long time. As a freelance writer with credits in The New York Times, The Writer, Parenting and several other publications, I was first intrigued with writing non-fiction for children, and there are several factual elements to THIS TREE COUNTS! As common with many children's book authors, when I read books to my kids, it inspired me to write my own stories. I joined the SCBWI about six years ago, attended several conferences, found compatible critique partners and have fully embraced the rewarding, and often arduous, journey as writer for children.

JJS: What's the most rewarding part of being a published children's author so far? What's the most surprising part?

AF: I've just began sharing my book at libraries, schools and bookstores, but it's exactly what I'd heard from other published children's authors—Kids reactions to you and your story are the biggest rewards of all. Kids today are "greener" than ever, thanks to schools becoming more environmentally conscious, and they really enjoy telling me their favorite trees and how we use trees in our lives.

The surprising part about being a published author is how I'm able to promote my book much more than I thought I could handle. I feel fairly shy, but I'm so proud of the way my book has turned out, that it's exciting to share it any way possible. And meeting so many wonderful kids, librarians and teachers so far has already sparked a lot of great ideas for new stories.

JJS: Thanks, Alison! I wish you much success with your book.

Readers, Alison is having a contest on her blog. Win her book and help her plant 40 trees to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Just enter your favorite tree for a chance to win. http://alisonashleyformento.blogspot.com/

Or visit Alison's website: http://www.alisonashleyformento.com/. A portion of all proceeds of her book will go to AmericanForest.org to help plant more trees.

Learn more about Alison and THIS TREE COUNTS! Tuesday as this blog tour continues at http://rachelwrites4kids.blogspot.com/ and Wednesday at http://anom3.livejournal.com/.

Congrats, Alison! All the best!

Update: Children's Literature Festival

2010-03-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

We didn't have time to see everyone, but here's who we did see and loved:

Cheryl Harness, author/illustrator and all-around comedian. She's a hoot! And such a talented person. I can't imagine ever getting tired of hearing her stories or seeing her draw. Secret: for awhile in her early career, she created designs on tissue boxes. She called herself the "snot rag queen."

Eileen Christelow, author/illustrator of the FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS books and others. Quiet, unassuming, fun.

Sneed Collard III, author. I've heard him speak before and didn't miss a chance to hear him again. In addition to being a great creative nonfiction writer (A PLATYPUS, PROBABLY), he's ventured into midgrade novels, where I'm sure he'll find an audience as well.

Barbara Robinson, author (THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER). Down to earth and funny, Barbara is the antithesis of the author prima donna. She uses a typewriter to produce her works. Her favorite book as a child? TREASURE ISLAND.

Roland Smith, author and crazy man (CRYPTID HUNTER, JACK'S RUN, ZACK'S LIE, TENTACLES). He was a tornado in blue jeans. Funny, poignant, captivating, interesting, serious scientist, goofy author. They put him in the auditorium because so many people wanted to see him--and that was just for the presentation I attended. This guy is a rock star.

What a great festival!

42nd Annual Children's Literature Festival, March 14-16, 2010

2010-03-12T12:56:00.000-08:00

Each year for the last 42, the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg has held a huge children's literature festival during the college's spring break week. It's an opportunity for elementary and middle school-aged kids and their teachers from all over the midwest to swarm the campus, lunch bags and cameras in hand, to meet, to listen to, and to learn from some of the greatest authors and illustrators in kidlit. And each year for the last 4 or 5, I've joined them, as a chaperon for my children's fourth and fifth grade classes, or by myself. This year's festival is right around the corner, and I can't wait.

With so many great authors and illustrators to see, it'll be hard to choose. Here's the lineup:

C.S. Adler
William Anderson
Sandy Asher
Darleen Bailey Beard
Gary Blackwood
Joan Carris
J.B. Cheaney
Eileen Christelow
Sneed Collard
Shane Evans
Alane Ferguson
Micheal Graf
Jan Greenberg
Vicki Grove
Mary Downing Hahn
Cheryl Harness
David Harrison
Patricia Hermes
Jeanette Ingold
Richard Jennings
Veda Boyd Jones
Peg Kehret
Alexandria LaFaye
Dandi Daley Mackall
Claudia Mills
Anna Myers
Dorinda Nicholson
Marc Tyler Nobleman
P.J. Petersen
Barbara Robinson
Brenda Seabrooke
Gloria Skurzynski
Marie Smith
Roland Smith
Brad Sneed
Michael Spradlin
Roderick Townley
Terry Trueman
Vivian Vande Velde
Suzanne Williams
June Rae Wood

Cheers!

Quickie Updates: Look What I Found!

2010-03-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

My poem in Humpty Dumpty! Woo hoo! http://www.uskidsmags.com/content/hd-funtoread-7370446.htm And I love the illustration. In their print magazine, my poem's on the back cover!

And...when Shepherd's Check calls itself a microzine, they mean it, by golly!
Can you see it? Squint real hard. Good things come in small packages!

Cheers!

Another New Calligraphy--the Shepherd's Check

2010-02-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

Quick update. Just heard from ANC that my submission will be in their February issue. I'm psyched! Thanks, Robyn!

Recent and Future Goings On

2010-02-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

Did you know there's an earthworm in Australia called the Giant Gippsland Earthworm that grows to six feet long? How do I know, you ask? Because friend and fellow writer, Ann Ingalls, and I have been researching interesting Australian critters. More on that later.

(By the way, don't mean to brag, but I have received my very own copy of Ann and her sister, Maryann Macdonald's Little Piano Girl: The Story of Mary Lou Williams, Jazz Legend, and it is now signed by one of the authors. Just sayin'.)

Humpty Dumpty will publish my poem "Found!" in its March/April 2010 issue! Thanks, TH.

COLUMBIAKids published my poem "My Lists" in its Winter 2010 issue, out now. Have a look if you like. http://columbia.washingtonhistory.org/kids/fall2009/wordplay.aspx

Can't wait to attend the Children's Literature Festival again this year at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg! This year the festival runs from March 14-16. What a great opportunity for school kids, authors, illustrators and bibliophiles in general to listen to and learn from some of the greats in kid lit.

All the best!

Agents and Ezines

2009-11-19T10:07:00.000-08:00

Awesome News 1: I'm delighted to announce that Teresa Kietlinski of Prospect Agency has recently become my agent! And boy oh boy, do I feel lucky. Teresa is great--funny, prompt, helpful, intelligent, knowledgeable, energetic, connected. She's got oodles of experience, and I'm so glad to be working with her. Maybe she'll stop by some day and we can pick her brain about agenty kinds of things. Teresa? Awesome News 2: I just learned that COLUMBIAKids ezine will publish my poem "My Lists" in its Winter 2009 edition! Woo hoo! This magazine for kids, published by the Washington State Historical Society, is packed with fun things to do and read, and the folks who put it together are really nice. Thanks, Stephanie! Check it out if you have a chance. http://columbia.washingtonhistory.org/kids/Spring2009/default.aspx

Debut Picture Book Author, Judith Snyder

2009-11-09T07:06:00.001-08:00

Well, it has happened again! Another of my critique buddies has published her first children's picture book. Amazon describes Judith Snyder's What Do You See? (Odyssey Books) this way:

"This title is full of imaginative approaches to artwork, and perfect for curious children, who are eager to combine shapes and sizes in art. There is no end to the creativity this book facilitates, as youngsters open their eyes and the windows of their own creativity. It is a perfect way for adults and youngsters to see the world in a whole new way."

Judith has joined us today to talk about her book. Thanks for stopping by, Judith. Let's start at the beginning.

How did you get your idea for this book?

When I first started teaching, back in the golden years when creative thinking took precedence over skill and drill worksheets, I participated in classes that encouraged teachers to get students to stretch their imaginations. That was when I started using simple line drawings to stimulate creative thinking. I started this activity with fifth graders and when I changed grade levels, I discovered that first and second graders could do these activities as well. So that was the initial idea that followed me into all my classrooms. Many years later on a car trip, I used this activity to entertain my grandson. Everyone in the car had fun brainstorming ideas for different shapes. I saved the doodles and the ideas, and combined them with rhyming couplets and voila—What Do You See?

[It pays to save those scraps of ideas!]

How did you find your editor, or how did she find you?

At my second SCBWI conference in 2006, I had the good fortune to be with a friend who won the chance to sit next to one of the guest editors at lunch. So, along with nine other conference goers, we had a wonderful chat with editor/publisher, Barbara Cilette of Odyssey Books. We all talked about the normal publishing questions, but what I remember most is discussing educational philosophy and how books should stimulate creativity and curiosity. This discussion was a great segue into my What Do You See? book proposal that I had been subbing with no success, so I asked Barbara about the best way to get my vision across to an editor. As a result, I mailed her the manuscript. I remember the wait felt like forever. When Barbara responded initially, it was a “Yes, I like your idea very much, but I can’t promise you anything just yet.”

So I waited a little longer…and I was thrilled when she invited me to lunch to discuss this manuscript and several others she was interested in. (The time from initial query to final book was about three years, which I understand now is common.) And then my books arrived at my door and I discovered it was worth the wait. They are beautiful.

[Amazon tells me my copy is on its way to Missouri. I can't wait to read it!]

It sounds like you thought long and hard about how to make your proposal different from what was already on the market. Tell us about that.

This is a very important piece in getting noticed, and something that I consider as I develop my projects. My first magazine piece was an article and a folktale I sent out as a package, with the suggestion that they could be used together or individually. The article described how to tell a story and used examples from the folktale. It worked. They bought both.

With my Jump Start Your Library activity books, I stressed a hands-on approach, as opposed to simple worksheets, and proposed that the activities be pre-made to save librarians work.

Suggesting ideas outside-the-box can start the editor thinking, too. The concept for What Do You See? is so different from most other things on the market right now, that it was very difficult to market. Luckily, I found an editor with a vision and understanding of the creative process. This book goes far beyond a simple shape book to develop flexible and creative thinking. Preschoolers might enjoy it by finding shapes, but older students and adults are challenged with more abstract thinking.

Now that your book is out, how do you intend to promote it?

Thank goodness I have critique groups and Verla Kay’s message board. I’ve received support to motivate me into cyberspace (my website) and ideas to get me out into the other real world. Since I am a retired school librarian, I still have a few contacts in several metro area school districts to do some author presentations. I’m getting a slow start, but I wanted to make sure I would have my books before I did any presentations. I also think I’m very lucky to be a part of Odyssey Books first book launch. Though Barbara Ciletti has been in the publishing business for a long time, Odyssey Books is her very own imprint. And not only is she well versed in marketing strategies, she is as motivated as I am to get these books into the hands of children. We both are working hard for success.

Also, I am holding a contest on my website, judithsnyderwrites.com. You can win my book by answering a creative thinking question. I’ll put all the responders’ names into a hat and draw a winner. Stop by and check it out. The contest runs through Nov. 30, 2009.

What's next for you?

I love picture books and that’s what I enjoy writing because that’s what I know best. But there is something niggling at me to take a risk and try a different kind of writing. So I’m starting to learn about writing chapter books and a middle grade realistic fantasy novel. I’ve had a few false starts, but I’m gearing up again.

Finally, what's the best advice you’ve been given about writing?

I’ve received lots of great insights into the writing process from my critique groups and at conferences. But I have to go back to the very beginning of my journey, when I was just getting my feet wet and stretching my writing wings. Because I was a school librarian, I had opportunities to invite authors to my school and spend time with them at lunch and throughout the day. I remember asking the authors, Janet Stevens and Justin Mattott, how to get started on the “publishing a picture book” journey. Both replied with similar answers. Join SCBWI, go to conferences, get into a critique group, and write what you know. I followed their advice and it worked. And that’s the advice I would give to any other novice writer—that, and grow a thick skin because you’ll get a lot of rejections before you get that wonderful “YES!”

Thanks for your time, Judith. I wish you all the best with What Do You See?

Debut Picture Book Author, Ann Ingalls

2009-10-30T14:18:00.000-07:00

I have known Ann Ingalls for only a year, but it feels like forever. Ann and I are friends and members of the same picture book critique group in Kansas City. So when she announced this summer that her debut picture book, THE LITTLE PIANO GIRL: THE STORY OF MARY LOU WILLIAMS, JAZZ LEGEND, would be published in January 2010 by Houghton Mifflin, we were all thrilled.

Ann has graciously agreed to answer a few questions about her path to publication.

JJS: Ann, thanks for joining us. Tell us a little about you. What caused you to want to be a writer?

AI: My dad used to take my siblings and me to the library each week. We could check out as many books as we liked. Our grandmother and Aunt Dorothy bought us books for Christmas, something I still do for my loved ones. I read for hours every single day.

When I got to college, my professors said that I had a talent for writing and storytelling. I don't think I ever realized that before. I got lots of A's. It was one of the first times I ever realized I was good at something besides doing cartwheels and the splits.

JJS: How did you get the idea to write about Mary Lou Williams?

AI: I had written an alphabet picture book called “J is for Jive.” I sent it to the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors for a read. Bill Paprota, president of that organization at that time, suggested I take a look at Mary Lou Williams for the letter W. The more I read about her, the more intrigued I became. I spoke to Maryann [Macdonald, Ann’s sister and co-author] and we agreed to collaborate. We shared the research, shared the responsibility of looking for an agent, shared the responsibility of writing and editing and looking for endorsements. We have written and sold other work so we knew how we could successfully do this.

JJS: How did you find your editor?

AI: Wendy Lawton at Books & Such was my agent at the time. She sent LITTLE PIANO GIRL around to about a dozen publishers. Several publishers were interested but didn't think Mary Lou Williams was well enough known. That really is the reason we wrote the book. Though there are two biographies written about her for adults, none were written for children.

JJS: What has the editorial process been like?

AI: Erica Zappy at Houghton Mifflin has been my editor. From our first communication via email, she has been positive about the project, even sharing comments from others on the editorial staff, saying things like, “It has become a real favorite around here.” She worked tirelessly to find just the right illustrator. Erica looked at many illustrators' work for about a year until she was able to snag Giselle Potter, who I think brings just the right touch to the work. I was lucky enough to meet Giselle in Kansas City at the DNA Litfest that Reading Reptile [children’s indie bookstore] holds annually. That was a huge thrill for me. [Sidenote: I love Giselle Potter!]

JJS: How long did it take, from submission to publication?

AI: LITTLE PIANO GIRL was submitted in the fall of 2006. We received contracts within about 3 months. It took one full year to find an illustrator and another full year to complete the images. It has taken another year to print and promote the book.

Serendipitously, it will be released on the centennial year of Mary Lou Williams' birth. As a result, the Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the American Jazz Museum and the Kennedy Center will all be having special events in her honor.

JJS: Very cool! How has your story changed over time?

AI: It changed hugely over time. We knew we wanted to show that Mary Lou Williams was a musical prodigy and that she supported her family financially by the time she was about 8 years of age. We wanted readers to see that hard work and talent can allow one to rise above his/her circumstances. We also wanted anyone reading the book to feel that race and gender are not barriers to success. I hope we've achieved that.

JJS: How are you promoting your book?

AI: So far, I've been contacting schools, libraries, colleges, assisted living facilities, you name it, about giving presentations. About half the time, those responsible for an event will schedule something. I have to be honest and say that since I'm unknown, many people are not willing to take a chance. The uncertain economy has also played a part in that many schools have less money for these types of events.

JJS: Anything you’d do differently next time?

AI: Next time I would not bring any water or coffee anywhere near my computer. My cat, Harry, lunged across my desk and spilled just enough to kill my computer. Naughty boy!

JJS: I know you write picture books. Any other genre? And what’s next for you?

AI: I write poems, prayers, meditations, and I have written some teacher competency exams and ACT prep exams. I hope someday to write a middle grade book and a murder mystery. I have the victim and the murderer all figured out. Now...how to get from the beginning to the very grisly end?

I am currently working with a different writing partner on a book of poetry, and I will continue to write for Highlights and High Five, as I find that to be very satisfying work.

JJS: Thanks for your time, Ann. And have fun with the launch of your first book!

More Picture Book Love and Miscellany

2009-10-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

Whoever named the crucial final page turn in a picture book "the mother of all page turns" must have had Kevin Sherry's I'm The Biggest Thing In The Ocean in mind (Dial, 2007). Oh my. It's a doosie. If you haven't read this book, please do. It's hilarious, and the voice is perfectly kid-like. I won't ruin it for you, but let me leave you with this thought: I'm the biggest thing on this blog. :)

In other news, I got word recently that Humpty Dumpty will publish a poem of mine in their 2010 March/April issue! Woo hoo! Thanks, Terry!

And...I am overjoyed to say that I am in critique groups with three, count 'em, three debut picture book authors whose books are recently out or are coming out within the next few months. Stay tuned for author interviews, but for now, here they are...

What Do You See? by Judith Snyder (Odyssey)
This Tree Counts by Alison Formento (Albert Whitman)
The Little Piano Girl: The Story of Mary Lou Williams, Jazz Legend by Ann Ingalls and Maryann Macdonald (Houghton Mifflin)

CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES!!

SCBWI, Weasels, and Winter

2009-09-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

Some great things have happened lately in my little corner of the writing world.

First, I attended the very well-organized and upbeat Kansas SCBWI Regional Conference two weekends ago. Fabulous. Eve Adler, Henry Holt, Ruta Rimas, Balzer + Bray, and Ted Malawer, Upstart Crow, all inspired the crowd.

Second, my poem "A Scrumptious Read" was published in the September/October issue of the SCBWI Bulletin. Woo hoo! And guess who illustrated my little ditty? None other than Elizabeth Dulemba. Seriously cool.
http://www.scbwi.org/Resources/Documents/09-Sept-Oct_Bulletin.pdf

Third, I have been re-researching an obscure fact about a certain member of the Mustelidae family--okay, weasels--and in doing so have contacted experts from

North Carolina
New Zealand
England
Missouri
Alaska
Michigan
Kansas
New York

and they have been SO nice and helpful. Thanks to all who received and responded to my endless questions. You knows who you ares.

Fourth, I fell in love with another picture book, Waiting for Winter, by Sebastian Meschenmoser. It's everything a PB should be. The illustrations are superb.

http://www.kanemiller.com/book.asp?sku=495

Cheers, from my corner to yours!

More of My Favorite Picture Books

2009-08-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are a few more of my fav-o-rite picture books. Mmmmmm. Picture book love. It's the best.

Ira Sleeps Over, Bernard Waber
My Friend Bear, Jez Alborough
Mrs. Toggle's Zipper, Robin Pulver
Pete's A Pizza, William Steig
The Dog Who Had Kittens, Polly M. Robertus
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Kevin Henkes
Ginger, Charlotte Voake
How I Became A Pirate, Melinda Long

Do you have more?

My Favorite Picture Books

2009-08-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Wow. I mean, how long can you neglect your blog only to find it waiting for you, tail wagging, ears bouncing, when you return? Apparently quite awhile, thank goodness.

But today is a new day, a new, perfect day to discuss picture books. (What day isn't?) So, in no order, here are my fav-o-rites.

The Old Woman Who Named Things, Cynthia Rylant
All the Places to Love, Patricia Maclachlan
The New Girl and Me, Jacqui Robbins
The Day The Babies Crawled Away, Peggy Rathman
Orville, A Dog Story, Haven Kimmel
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, William Steig
The Going to Bed Book, Sandra Boynton
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More, Karen Beaumont
Zilla Sasparilla and the Mud Baby, Judith Gorog
The Red Bird, Astrid Lindgren
Louella Mae, She's Run Away, Karen Beaumont Alarcon
When I Met the Wolf Girls, Deborah Noyes
The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams

I know I'll think of more the second I publish this post.
What are your all-time favs?

Urgently Seeking Ursula

2009-07-08T05:08:00.000-07:00

I recently finished reading Leonard S. Marcus' Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom, which follows Nordstrom's long and distinguished publishing career at Harpers Books for Boys and Girls. Wow. It's like eavesdropping on some of the most fascinating people in kid lit.

Beginning in 1937 with a letter to Laura Ingalls Wilder about On The Banks of Plum Creek, when Nordstrom was an assistant to then-editor Ida Louise Raymond, and continuing through her rise to head the department and beyond, Nordstrom's letters are filled with wit, enthusiasm for her authors and illustrators, and her expert knowledge of publishing. This book is a treasure for those who want to learn about the roots of children's publishing, when authors and illustrators published with just one house for the length of their careers. People like Maurice Sendak, Else Holmelund Minarik, Ruth Krauss, Margaret Wise Brown, E.B. White. Fascinating.

And while the letters are filled with editorial thoughts and questions about current projects, they are not all business. They also contain the mundane details of Nordstrom's life--that the newspaper is no longer being delivered because someone ran into the mailbox, the names of her dogs, how she hated living in New York city, and her inquiries about her readers' lives and families. Her letters have the feel of a note from your witty and wonderful dear Aunt Maude. They are pre-email, pre-internet, even pre-computer. A treasure.

And as truly fascinating as the publishing history is of books like Where the Wild Things Are and Charlotte's Web, and it is fascinating, perhaps the thing that struck me most was Nordstrom's nourishment of and love for her artists and writers. She was an incredible champion for her talent. An amazing lady.

Another Writing Contest

2009-06-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

I found another great writing contest! This time in the Kansas City Star. Here's how it works: the Star prints a picture; you write a fake caption. It's fast--results are announced the following week--and you can email your submission. Perfect! The kicker: you've got less than 24 hours to submit your best stuff.

So I entered for the first time last Friday, 6/12, on DTV Conversion Day. Although I didn't win the $25 gift card, I was a runner-up. I couldn't get a link to page C7, so here's my caption for this crazy picture:

http://www.kansascity.com/806/story/1245277.html

"Ecstatic over his win in the inaugural DTV Conversion Day Awards, former rock star Melvin Bliggle takes home the Silver Spring."

I've missed the deadline for this week (rats), but I'm gonna enter again when I can. After all, it's a writing contest, and you know how I loves me some writing contests.

One of My Favorite Picture Books

2009-05-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

I discovered Orville: A Dog Story by accident. I might have been researching the publisher, Clarion, or perhaps I was wandering in the "K" section at my library. Either way, I lucked out. The supreme beauty of Haven Kimmel's Orville is its luscious blend of raw emotion and perfectly chosen words, the essence of a great picture book. And it doesn't hurt that it features a dog, another of my all-time favorite things.

Picture book writers desiring an example of a great first sentence need only look at Orville's. It hits you right between the eyes:

"He was so lost, and had been lost for so long, that when the early April thunderstorm blew in like a freight train, the dog lay down in the culvert, covered his eyes with his paws, and decided to never get up again."

Wow. It's poetry. It's raw. It's literary. And it doesn't stop with the first sentence. There's a great story there, filled with longing, conflict, and resolution. It's a novel in miniature, a love story. Published in 2003 and written for older picture book readers, Orville is not typical of today's lighter, bouncier, funny picture books. It's the kind of book I'd like to have written.

Children's Book Week

2009-05-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

It's Children's Book Week! And to celebrate, I read some of my picture books to two of my favorite elementary classes. What great audiences they were! Thanks to Mrs. Arth, Ms. Alvis and Mrs. Caywood and all your great students (especially my two favorites)!

Keep reading and writing!

My Debut Picture Book

2009-05-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

You asked for it! Okay, not all of you. But a few did. Okay two. Two of my friends. So here it is! THE EASTER BUNNY, my debut picture book, written and illustrated by my 10-year old self. (P.S. World rights still available. Call me.)

The first thing you'll notice is the unique cover paper. Made from recycled wallpaper sample books, this stunning volume seamlessly melds art and text. And it's sparkly.

Notice how the animal motif (bunny, tiger) builds on itself on the inside front cover. The title page is simple, yet classic in design, punctuated by a single flower in the top right corner. (And yes, I went through a period where I bubbled the dot above my i's. Cool, huh?)

Page 1. The problem

Page 2. The community gets involved

Page 3. Mole knows something

Page 4. Mole spills (!!)

Page 5. Mumble, mumble

Page 6. Quick! To your homes!

Page 7. The big finish

What I learned by writing and illustrating my own book? You don't have to start big. You just have to start. What will you write today?

Writing Contests

2009-04-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned I love writing contests? Well I should have. Writing contests put my brain into overdrive. The excitement! The challenge! The narrow focus and limited timeframe! It's too much for me to resist--kinda like exclamation points--so I usually don't.

In 2006 my entry was a winner in the "Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? Contest" sponsored by smartwriters.com and the Penguin group. I won a lovely tote, which I carry to all my writing conferences and gigs, the awesome book of the same name, and a poster which hangs proudly on my office wall. Thanks, Roxyanne and Penguin editors!

In 2007 my picture book, Freezing, Wheezing, Sneezing Weasels, took 3rd place in the picture book category of the W.I.N. Contest, also sponsored by smartwriters. com. Thanks, Roxyanne and Verla!

http://smartwriters.com/content/blogcategory/151/132/

In 2008 my haiku was chosen a winner in the AirQ Haiku Contest, sponsored by the Mid-America Regional Council in Kansas City, Missouri. I won a bike! Thanks, Amanda, judges and River Market Cyclery!

http://www.marc.org/Environment/airQ/Haiku/winners.htm%22%3E

Also in 2008, my holiday haiku took 2nd place in agent Rachelle Gardner's 17 Syllables Contest. Thanks, Rachelle and blog voters!

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/search?q=17+syllables

I can't wait to enter more contests. How about you?

Author Visit

2009-04-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

What a great day I had last Friday! The sun shone. The birds sang. And I spoke to a wonderful group of second graders about writing. It doesn't get any better than that!

We talked about the writing process and where ideas come from and how a writer knows when she is finished. They asked questions and listened as I read "The Easter Bunny," a story I wrote and illustrated as a kid (hey, where's my Caldecott?), plus a couple of my more recent picture books, unillustrated. They were polite and interested and interesting, and before we knew it, time was up. Thanks for having me, Mrs. Gutshall and Webster Elementary!