Hello, summer readers! After a series of summertime siestas and soaking in the sun, I am back to welcome you to KidLit Oasis. As you might remember, this is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! Now once again, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we are kicking off the new season with author Kirsti Call! She will share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, there's a giveaway, too! Welcome, Kirsti Call! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: My first book,THE RAINDROP WHO COULDN’T FALL, came out in 2013, very soon after I started writing picture books. It was a miracle that I’ve been grateful for ever since---especially because I had a 5 year gap full of submissions and rejections and more rejections. Finally I signed with Emma Sector at Prospect agency 2 years ago and now I have 3 books coming out. MOOTILDA’S BAD MOOD is releasing almost exactly 7 years after my raindrop book. Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: Rejections are the worst. But rejections are what make the process of actually making a book sooooo special. I love watching how kids react to my book—a laugh from a kid reader is priceless! And because I adore words and creating stories, I stay motivated—it’s all about loving the journey! Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like? A:I revise my stories a gazillion times. I write, re-write, send to critique partners, quibble over words, send to other critique partners, re-write, send to my agent, then re-write again. Mentor texts are super helpful for me as I’m working on a project—when I find a book that conveys the feeling I want to convey, I try to understand how that book accomplished it, and infuse that into my writing. Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: I have two more books coming out into the world! COW SAYS MEOW releases with HMH on March 16, 2021, and COLD TURKEY releases with Little Brown in the Fall of 2021. Also, Kim Chaffee and I have started a podcast called Picture Book Look. Interviewing authors and illustrators has been an incredible adventure---and each episode is only 15 minutes, so it’s short and sweet. Thank you, Kirsti! Dear readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. Don't forget to leave a comment so you can be entered in the giveaway for a chance to win an ARC of Mootilda's Bad Mood! Connect with Kirsti Call: Website: www.kirsticall.com/ Twitter: @kirsticall Kirsti Call is the co-host of the Picture Book Look Podcast and the co-coordinator of ReFoReMo. She reads, reviews, revises and critiques every day as a 12x12 elf, a blogger for Writer's Rumpus, and a member of critique groups. She's judged the CYBILS award for fiction picture books since 2015. Kirsti's picture book, MOOTILITA'S BAD MOOD (Little Bee) debuts fall 2020. COW SAYS MEOW (HMH) and COLD TURKEY (Little Brown) release in 2021. Kirsti is represented by Emma Sector at Prospect Agency. And the winner of Mootilda's Bad Mood is. . . Susan Kang!!! Congratulations, Susan!
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Hello, amazing readers! It's a pleasure to have you at the Oasis -- thanks for visiting! This is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! And with this post, I will be wrapping up the series for the season and taking a break for the summer, but the Chitchat will resume at the end of August. So . . . Get ready to enjoy this interview! Stretch your smiles wide, and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another awesome creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Lindsay Leslie is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the DOUBLE giveaway, and other offers at the end of this interview. Welcome, Lindsay Leslie ! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: Thank you so much for having me, Rosie! I wasn't one of those folks who dreamed of becoming an author, but I was one of those folks who could write. It was something I did to manage my emotions (lots of diary and journal writing), to stay busy and focused (on my high school newspaper; journalism major), and to secure myself a job (my career as a public relations exec). And we've all heard this before: it took me having my own children to fall back in love with picture books, but as a storyteller and not just a reader. I dove into craft and leaned on all the resources--SCBWI Austin, Julie Hedlund's 12X12, Picture Book Summit, The Writing Barn--and I also chased every avenue to get feedback and exposure to agents and editors--#PBParty, #PBPitch, #PitMad, and so on. I've met so many fantastic and talented authors and illustrators who inspired me to push on and keep at it. I never wanted to throw in the towel, but I often wondered if I could ever break through. And then my break came from a pitch during #PitMad for THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS. That's how I connected with Page Street Kids and my editor at the time, Charlotte Wenger. They not only offered on THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS (illustrated by Alice Brereton), but then two subsequent manuscripts of mine, NOVA THE STAR EATER (illustrated by John Taesoo Kim) and the picture book that just released, DUSK EXPLORERS (illustrated by Ellen Rooney). The text for DUSK EXPLORERS came to me from one of the presentations by Julie Hedlund called "The Verse Curse". The story poured out of me and really didn't require much editing. I was so in the moment when I wrote it. I was transported back to my childhood street of Fieldwood Drive in Richardson, Texas. Right now, I'm wishing another story would come to me like DUSK EXPLORERS did. I think a lot of it is being open to the memories, the experiences, and the observations, and being mindful when they cross the transom. I think my biggest uphill battle with getting into this industry was the very beginning. I was coming out of a depression due to massive panic attacks, and I once again leaned toward writing to give me courage and to pull me out of the pain. What came of that was my debut, THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS. It was very autobiographical. I wasn't ready to share the story about how the book came about until recently. I wrote about it here. I then had another big health scare in 2017 when I contracted Tick Borne Relapsing Fever, which landed me in the hospital. During my sickness, I had the wherewithal to post my pitches to #PitMad, which led to my first book deal. When I think about these health battles, the trials and tribulations of the creative process and publishing industry don't get to me as much as they would have had I not been knocked down a couple of times. I've built some amazing armor over the years and I'm full-on using it. I've always said, "It's always a 'no' if you don't put yourself out there." Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: Besides the waiting? OK, seriously, I think it is the feeling that you are just one creator among a sea of so many talented people. Your manuscript has got to shine and shine brightly. Often times I write a story and I love it. I'm head over heels, yet other folks read it and don't get what I'm trying to do. I'm often too conceptual, but I love working in that space and leaving parts of the story up for interpretation. What I find rewarding is when I connect. First I have to connect with my agent, then an editor, and then I get to connect to the readers and to the parents, teachers, and librarians. When they all get it and get the feelings I'm trying to express, nothing is greater. That's what keeps me motivated. Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like? A: I feel I'm one of the worst people to ask about process. I'm so willy nilly, but, hey, that's a process, right? I let my manuscript lead me. But in the end, I always ALWAYS put my manuscripts through the ringer with at least a couple of critique groups. I read them aloud to my husband (a novelist) and children (seriously wonderful editors), and, wow, are they honest with their feedback. (Brutal!) I almost always dummy my stories. I would share the dummies for one of my three published books, but I threw them out. Now, why would I do that? Ugh. I won't do that in the future. Sorry folks! My dummies are 8 pieces of 8 1/2 X 11 pieces of paper folded in half. I write each word in with pencil, so that I think about each word. I often read it out loud as I am writing, so I catch words I've doubled up on or those words that just don't lend themselves to the story. I also use the drawer or the file folder and let the story sit for a while. I need space from my story to be able to really see it again for the editing process. Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: I have the type of exciting news I can't talk about. So, CLIFFHANGER! Also, I'm thrilled that DUSK EXPLORERS earned a starred review from Kirkus, Ellen Rooney and I were interviewed for the June issue of Kirkus (pinchable moment), and Amazon's editors picked it as one of the best books of June 2020 for ages 3-5 (jaw drop). I will be doing a live reading of DUSK EXPLORERS and answering questions over on Books & Books Instagram page (@booksandbooks) on July 4 at 11 a.m. ET. Swing on by! Wow, what an amazing journey! Congrats on all your success, Lindsay, and I can't wait to hear more about the exciting news you can't talk about now (what a cliffhanger indeed!). It was a pleasure having you and I hope you'll be back to share your next book with us, too! Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. I hope you enjoyed this post — comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you! Connect with Lindsay Leslie: Website: lindsayleslie.com Twitter: @lleslie A diary keeper, a journalism major, a public relations executive, now a children’s author—Lindsay Leslie has always operated in a world of written words. She likes to bring her unique outlook on life, quirky humor, and play with words to the page in picture books. Lindsay is the author of THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS, NOVA THE STAR EATER, and DUSK EXPLORERS (Page Street Kids). She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, two boys, two fur-beasts, a guinea pig, and a tortoise. D O U B L E G I V E A W A Y ! ! ! Comment on this post by midnight on Monday 7/06/20 for a chance to win a copy of Lindsay's book (US only please) or a picture book critique! (Please indicate your preference.) Two winners will be announced next week. A few reminders while I'm away for the summer:
July 29 is National Rain Day and, in honor of my upcoming picture book, Sunday Rain, I'll have something on Twitter @RosiePOV that day, so stop by and check it out! (P.S. Sunday Rain is now available for pre-order. Click on the cover to place your order through your local indie bookstore.) * * *
Register for my upcoming in-person, all-day workshop with Random House Editor, Frances Gilbert, and catch the early bird before the workshop price goes up. * * *
Register for my upcoming 8-week online course, SO YOU WANT TO WRITE FOR CHILDREN? Have a wonderful summer, everyone!!! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ And the winners are. . .
The picture book critique goes to Lieve! A copy of Lindsay's book goes to Kim Gutierrez! Congrats to both!!! Hello, wonderful readers! Welcome back to the Oasis ― it's great to have you visit again (or for the first time)! This is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost, and I hope you'll keep coming back. Now, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another awesome creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Katelyn Aronson is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the giveaway and my FREE webinar offer at the end of this interview. Welcome, Katelyn! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please describe your journey to publication. A: Thank you, Rosie, for having me! After “dabbling” in writing off and on most of my life, I finally got serious about becoming a children’s author 5 years ago. 2015 marked a time of relative calm in my life, and I felt ready to pursue that old dream, finally giving it the focus it demanded. During that first year, I wrote a few stories, paid for some professional critiques, and tried querying a couple of publishing houses on my own. When that didn’t work, I started looking around for other solutions. I’m indebted to the “brain children” of two great ladies of the children’s book industry: picture book authors Tara Lazar and Julie Hedlund. First, I participated in Tara Lazar’s “PiBoIdMo” in November of 2015 (now called Storystorm), and filled a notebook full of ideas. A few months after that, I stumbled upon Julie Hedlund’s “12x12 Picture Book Challenge” in January of 2016 and enrolled, with all those brand new ideas ready to be fleshed out. I threw myself into the 12x12 program, finishing one new manuscript per month, sharing my stories on the community forum, and giving and getting peer feedback. By May of that year, I had already signed with agent Christa Heschke of McIntosh & Otis, the second-oldest literary agency in New York. I expected my career to take off from there, but it didn’t. Things took time. It isn’t always easy for a newbie to get their work noticed. The industry is cyclical and the wheel is always turning. Picture book biographies were selling like crazy at the time. Then, non-fiction in general seemed to take over. Unfortunately for me, I was writing mostly character-driven fiction. Should I have switched genres? Maybe. But I knew that by the time I’d created some worthy non-fiction pieces, the market would have changed yet again! So I stuck to what I loved best. The waiting part was arduous, and I was tempted to give up on many occasions. Oh, was I glad I hadn’t when 2019 rolled around! My first offer came from Viking of Penguin Random House, for my debut Piglette, releasing this year (only a year after signing it over). Incredibly, four other offers followed within the same calendar year. Words cannot communicate what it means to see a life-long dream coming true at last. Only happy tears can. Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: No newsflash here: The most challenging thing in this business is all the waiting! I produce a steady stream of new manuscripts, and it’s hard to wait for each of these projects to be subbed/read/replied to in due course. My only coping mechanism is to “distract” myself by jumping into a new writing project. If my motivation is running low, it helps to re-read a bunch of my favorite picture books. That makes me fall in love with the genre all over again, and sometimes even sparks new ideas. The most rewarding moment for me is seeing my story come to life through an illustrator’s talent. I get a bit misty-eyed the first time I see my manuscript illustrated. Then there are those three magical moments when the book is finally born: 1) receiving your box of author copies in the mail, 2) seeing your book in an actual bookstore and 3) seeing your book in a child’s hands. At every stage, you realize all over again: it’s real! Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like? A: I’m a visual person, so I either storyboard my stories (actually sketching them out) or at the very least, I make a dummy to work out pacing and page turns. Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: I had a couple of Piglette launch events scheduled for Paris this month, but everything has been postponed due to the pandemic! So I’ll be doing virtual events through indie bookstores in the US, and some in-person events in Switzerland. My first event scheduled is a virtual story time at “Mystery to Me” Bookstore in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 11th at 10:30 a.m. I’ll publish more details across social media soon! Thank you so much for being my guest, Katelyn, and for your keeping-it-real answers! I appreciate the honest insight and I know our readers will, too. The ups and downs in this business can be quite contrasting and drastic indeed, and the waiting in between, truly excruciating, I agree. Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, requesting their books through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. I hope you enjoyed this post — comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Katelyn Aronson: Website: www.katelynaronson.com Twitter: @MademoiselleK8 Instagram: @AuthorKatelyn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katelyn.aronson Katelyn grew up in Southern California, where she went on to work as a children’s bookseller. Eventually, she answered the call of her “European dream” and moved abroad. Today, she divides her time between France and Switzerland, teaching French and English as foreign languages and writing stories. ......................................................................................................................................... G I V E A W A Y ! ! ! Comment on this post by midnight CST on Monday 6/22/20 for a chance to win a copy of Piglette. (Winner will be announced next week.) Notes and announcements: If you wish to support my work, please consider pre-ordering my upcoming picture book, Sunday Rain, from your local indie store by clicking HERE:
Free Zoom Seminar: So You Want To Write For Children, August 31, 2020Do you have a story idea for a children's book? Have you wondered about how to become a children's author? You might think writing a picture book is easy, but you may be surprised. So how do you turn your idea into a good story by today's publishing standards? Do you know the current market and audience, and how to develop your idea into a publishable story? How do you even get started in children's publishing -- mistakes to avoid, the most important steps to take, what you need to know about writing for children. This seminar will answer all of these questions and introduce you to the craft and business of children's writing. And the winner is . . . Shelly Dixon!!!
Congratulations! Hello, amazing readers! Welcome back at the Oasis ― it's great to have you visit! If this is your first time reading this blog, I hope you'll be coming back often! This is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! Now, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another lovely creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Claire Annette Noland is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the book giveaway at the end of this interview and enter for a chance to win a copy of Claire's new book, Evie's Field Day. Welcome, Claire! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: Thank you Rosie for inviting me to the KidLit Oasis. I’m excited to share my writing journey. I was one of those kids who always read. The public library was my home-away-from-home where I spent hours exploring the shelves. My favorite section was 398.2 – folk and fairy tales. I loved my high school creative writing class and I began writing my own fractured fairy tales. I loved to travel (still do) and majored in geography with a minor in comparative literature focusing on world cultures and oral traditions. I knew I wanted to work with children and books so I earned my master’s degree in library and information science and had a wonderful career as a children’s librarian. I went back to school and got my teaching and reading specialist credential so that I could be on the same school schedule as my children. I knew I wanted to write but didn’t know where to begin. I joined SCBWI, found a critique group, and realized how much I had to learn. My first picture book was 2,000 words! When I finally started to submit, rejections piled up. I was so discouraged that I stopped submitting for a few years but never stopped writing. I joined 12 x 12 and continued to work on the craft of writing by attending conferences and workshops as well as meeting weekly with my critique partners. I sold a book to an educational publisher and then began writing a series for our regional children’s hospital featuring George the Giraffe. I follow many blogs (like yours) and look for submission opportunities. In December of 2018, I saw that Cardinal Rule Press was open for submissions. The publisher, Maria Dismondy, has a clear vision for her company. She looks for stories that feature issues children face and how they solve their problems. I had a work-in-progress about a competitive child who hates to lose that I thought might be a good fit. I revised, cut words, and when my critique group agreed it was ready, pressed submit. That was January 31, 2019. As writers know, it can take a long time to get a response on a submission so you can imagine my surprise when, on February 11th, I received an email to set up a zoom meeting. Maria told me that a friend had just asked what to do when a child has a hard time losing. Then, she opened my submission addressing this very issue. Here are two take-aways from this experience: One, sometimes a manuscript reaches a publisher at just the right time. Two, do your homework before submitting. Maria said she received animal stories, poems, and subjects that she does not publish. I read as many CRP books as I could find to make sure mine was right for them. Evie’s Field Day : More Than One Way To Win was illustrated by the lovely Alicia Teba who lives in Spain. Other authors told me that they had no contact with their illustrators so I was thrilled when I was given the go ahead to contact her. We’re now Facebook and Instagram friends and I hope to meet her someday when we can safely travel again. These are Alicia’s original character sketches of Evie. Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: This business is filled with challenges. One is that there are so few houses open to unagented authors. I am actively seeking representation but, in the meantime, I continue to write and submit. Because I am interested in early literacy, I’d like to write for the early reader trade market. It seems to be a difficult market to break into as many publishers use in-house authors and more and more picture books are being reissued as early readers. Of course, having a debut trade book released in the midst of a pandemic is full of challenges. Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way To Win, was timed to release with the end-of-the-school-year celebrations. When everything was cancelled, we came up with a new idea - a virtual at home field day. I visited classrooms via zoom, reached out to school districts, and partnered with Sensory Rock which is a gym for all kids but specially designed for children with sensory processing issues. My remarkable publisher organized an Instagram teacher influencer tour and other publicity as well as providing great prizes for the field day which I’m happy to say was very successful. I am in the process of planning more events to promote my book. Another big help is being part of the 2020 Debut Crew. We encourage and promote each other and I am grateful for their support. Children and the kidlit community keep me motivated. I am a goal-oriented person who enjoys participating in writing challenges. 12 x 12 has been especially valuable because I know I’ll write at least one rough draft and a revision every month. The most rewarding part of being an author is seeing children enjoying my books and the positive feedback I receive from parents and teachers. Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like? A: A number of years ago I realized that I needed to make writing my priority. Being in a weekly critique group keeps me accountable. I read children’s books constantly, first for enjoyment and then to examine the author’s craft. I also share books with children to see their reactions. Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: A postponed event to celebrate Evie’s Field Day at our local Storybook Garden has been rescheduled for later this summer. I continue to do virtual author’s visits and recently did a book reading accompanied by an ASL interpreter. I’m looking forward to being featured on several podcasts in the weeks ahead. Also, the fifth book that I wrote for Valley Children’s Hospital will be released this summer. Thank you for being my guest, Claire! I wish you all the best on your journey! Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. I hope you enjoyed this post — comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you! Connect with Claire Annette Noland: Website: claireannettenoland.com Twitter: @claire_noland Instagram: clairesfieldtriplife Claire Annette Noland writes picture books and early readers for children from her home in central California. Because she knows that everyone who reads is a winner, she is passionate about connecting children with books through the library collections she is developing in Nicaragua, her local women’s shelter, and her little free library. Her debut trade picture book, Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way to Win, was released by Cardinal Rule Press on May 1, 2020. She loves to travel but these days she is visiting new places via books. She blogs about books, places, and books that take you places on her blog, A Field Trip Life. G I V E A W A Y ! ! ! Comment on this post by midnight on Monday 6/08/20 for a chance to win a copy of Claire's book (US only please). Winner will be announced next week. You are invited to an epic workshop! Check it out! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Books by Rosie J. Pova Hello, lovely readers! Hooray for you! You are at the Oasis and it's great to have you visit again (or for the first time)! This is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! Now, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a nice chitchat because today we have another awesome creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Gabrielle Snyder is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the book giveaway and my workshop invitation to you at the end of this interview. Welcome, Gabi! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: Thanks for hosting me on the KidLit Oasis blog, Rosie. I’m honored to be here! Back in the day (early aughts), I studied English-Creative Writing at The University of Texas, with a focus on writing fiction for adults. After earning my MA, I took a succession of jobs that used writing (like grant writing and instructional design), but I struggled to find time for my own writing. Fast forward to 2013: when my kids were little (3 and 5), we moved from Austin to Corvallis, Oregon. With a break from work following the move, I found time to get back to my own writing. Only by then, I’d become immersed in the world of picture books and fallen in love with this form of storytelling. In 2014, I wrote my first picture books. And because I was already a writer, I (foolishly?) started submitting to agents and editors right away. From 2014 to 2017, I received over 100 passes from agents and editors. But thrown in the mix were some champagne rejections and a few requests to see more work. Finally, in 2018, I found my agent, the fabulous Natalie Lakosil of Bradford Literary. I had sent Natalie three of my picture book manuscripts. When I received an offer from a small press for one of those manuscripts, I “nudged” the handful of agents who were reading my work at that time. Natalie responded that same day, requesting that we set up a time to chat. I had the impression that she’d already been considering me as a potential client and my “nudge” may’ve just moved things along. Since signing with Natalie, we’ve sold two picture books. My debut, TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal, is out now (May 19) from Abrams Appleseed. My second picture book, LISTEN, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, will be out in spring 2021 from Simon & Schuster/Wiseman. Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: Striking the balance between letting a project simmerand actually finishing the project – saying this is good enough (for now) and I’m going to send it out into the world – is a challenge. Most stories and other creative works benefit from multiple revision passes, but it’s also possible to revise the spark out of a story. I’ve found that sometimes happens when I try to revise too soon after receiving feedback. On the publishing side of things, the waiting can be a challenge! I am not patient by nature and all the waiting for responses when out on submission can be nerve-wracking. I know that the best thing to do is throw myself into other projects, but that’s easier said than done! This quote about patience is becoming my new mantra: “Patience isn’t waiting – it’s the knowledge that to become exceptional takes time.”—Allyson Felix, US Track & Field Athlete. Maybe we can reframe how we deal with the snail’s pace of publishing. Instead of a passive waiting, maybe it’s taking the time to create/be a part of something phenomenal! Accountability check-ins with writing partners help me stay motivated. Having multiple projects helps, too. When I’m feeling stuck with one story, I can set aside for a bit and focus on a different writing project. Also, I think it’s important to choose writing topics that inspire you. Some things that consistently inspire and inform my writing are nature, my kids, and memories of my own childhood. Tapping into memories of the emotions of childhood – how it felt to be a child living through a particular moment or situation – feels especially helpful. Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like? A:I like to start each writing session with a “free write” to clear away the cobwebs and to capture anything that’s worrying me or that I want to remember. After that, I try to stick to a schedule. I block out a certain amount of time for working on picture book manuscripts. And then, time permitting, I have blocks for revising my middle grade manuscript, writing critiques, etc. I try to work some exercise into the schedule, too. My revision process looks a little bit different for each project. But, in general with a picture book, I think it’s helpful to get a complete first draft down in one sitting. And then I like to let the draft sit and marinate for bit – at least a week. If, after marination, it still shines, still feels like a promising idea, I revise again. Sometimes I revise several more times before the manuscript feels ready for my critique partners. Once in a while I do send an early draft to critique partners if I want brainstorming help and I’m still open to ideas about what the story is about. But if I have a strong idea about what the story is about and the emotion it should evoke, then I think it’s better to wait until I’ve taken the manuscript as far as I can before sending it to critique partners. Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: Having a book released during a global pandemic isn’t ideal, but it’s been heartening to see the kidlit community rally around creators and indie bookstores. I’m currently planning some virtual book events. You can visit my website or sign up for my newsletter to stay apprised of events. I’m super smitten with illustrator Robin Rosenthal’s art for TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE. Here’s a sneak peek at one of the interior spreads. To see more, visit Robin’s website: robinrosenthal.com Thank you, Gabi! It was a pleasure having you at the KidLit Oasis! I wish you all the best with this book and all future projects! Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. I hope you enjoyed this post and will be back for our next interview next week. Comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you! Connect with Gabrielle Snyder: Website: gabisnyder.com Twitter: @Gabi_A_Snyder Reader. Writer. Lover of chocolate. Gabi’s debut picture book, TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE, is out now (May 2020) from Abrams Appleseed, and her second picture book, LISTEN, will be out in spring 2021 from Simon & Schuster/Wiseman. Gabi lives in Oregon with her family, including one daredevil dog and the cat who keeps everyone in line. G I V E A W A Y! Gabi is giving away a copy of her book, Two Dogs on a Trike, to one lucky winner who comments on this post before midnight on Monday June 1, 2020. (US only, please.) Winner will be announced sometime next week. A T T E N T I O N, P L E A S E! You and your writer friends are invited to this epic kidlit workshop with Random House Editor Frances Gilbert! Don't miss the early bird registration and sign up for a written picture book critique from Frances before all the spots are gone. Check out the details for the workshop HERE Congratulations to Nora Nickum who is the winner
of Gabi's giveaway! Hello, dear readers! Once again, the Kitlit Oasis has summoned you because it's the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! Now, as you're getting ready to enjoy our next interview, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another awesome creative on the Chitchat series... Children's author Sharon Giltrow is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the giveaway and my new workshop with Random House Editor, Frances Gilbert, at the end of this interview. Welcome, Sharon, and Happy Book Birthday! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: My debut picture book BEDTIME DADDY’s, book birthday is today. Yay! Thank you, Rosie, for interviewing me on this very special day! BEDTIME DADDY’S road to publication was quite long. The ideawas sparked through Tara Lazar’s writing challenge – Storystorm. In June 2017, I took that idea and wrote my first draft of BEDTIME DADDY. Then with the help of my fantastic critique groups, I revised the story. In November 2017 I started submitting BEDTIME DADDY. After receiving a number of rejections, I decided that the story wasn’t quite ready. So, with more help from my critique groups and a publisher’s critique I started submitting again. In June 2018, I submitted it to EK Books and two weeks later,I received ‘the email’. I signed the publishing deal with EK Books in August 2018. My Publisherthen matched my story with the amazing illustrator Katrin Dreiling. EK Books, shared the entire publishing process with me and Katrin, and were very open to any suggestions, changes or ideas that we had. Twenty-one months after signing the contract BEDTIME DADDY was released. Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: The biggest challenge for me was at the beginning, when I was trying to think of myself as a ‘writer’. However, once I started calling myself a writer and telling my family and friends that I was a writer, it became easier. Not surprisingly, after this I also became more serious about being a writer. Although, it wasn’t until I signed the publishing deal for BEDTIME DADDY that I started calling myself an author. One of my most rewarding moment was when my family and friends started calling me this too. Another challenge I found was marketing. This was something that I had to learn but with the help of my debut group 2020 Debut Crew, I learnt these new skills and fast 😊. My most rewarding marketing moment was when my daughter and I produced the book trailer for BEDTIME DADDY. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOLMyE5TXnc My next challenge will be getting book number two published. I have a number of picture book manuscripts that I am currently submitting. I hope I will have some more good news soon. As all writers do, sometimes I question why I am putting in all this hard work, especially after I receive rejections. But, for me it is impossible not to write. I have an inner desire to write stories for children, which can’t be ignored. My greatest reward is seeing BEDTIME DADDY being read and enjoyed by children and adults 😊. Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like? A: The most helpful thing for me as a writer, is being a member of a critique group. BEDTIME DADDY would not have been published without the help of my critique partners. They helped me to take a very rough first draft and through many, many, many revisions turn it into a polished manuscript. Here is how, with their help, the beginning of BEDTIME DADDY changed from version one to the final version ten. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: My debut picture book BEDTIME DADDY is releasing worldwide TODAY! Available through EK Books and all good ONLINE bookstores. I have a blog tour happening in May. This blog is part of the tour. Finally, as many schools around the world are now closed due to the Corona virus, I would like to share the links to BEDTIME DADDY’S teaching notes, for parents and educators. They can be found on EK Books and SCBWI – Australia West websites. In the near future I will also be recording and sharing short videos of some of these activities. Great chatting with you, Sharon! Thanks for sharing your journey with us and the behind-the-scene of how your manuscript changed from its first draft to published book -- that's very helpful and I think writers will appreciate this example. Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. I hope you enjoyed this post — comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Sharon Giltrow: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharongiltrowwriter/ Twitter: @sharon_giltrow Sharon Giltrow grew up in South Australia, the youngest of eight children, surrounded by pet sheep and fields of barley. She now lives in Perth, WA with her husband, two children and a tiny dog. When not writing, Sharon works with children with Developmental Language Disorder. Sharon was awarded the Paper Bird Fellowship in 2019. Her debut PB Bedtime Daddy, released May 2020 through EK books. G I V E A W A Y! Sharon is giving a way a picture book critique to one lucky winner. Leave a comment by midnight on Monday 5/18/20 to enter the giveaway. Winner announced next week. Don't miss this amazing workshop! Click on the picture to get all the details and make sure you invite your writer friends to check it out, too! Hope to see you there. Hello, marvelous readers! Thank you for visiting the Oasis ― it's great to have you here! This is still the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! Now, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another great creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Lauren Heller Kerstein is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the giveaways, promo gifts, and other offers at the end of this interview. Check out the double giveaway at this end of the interview, and if you missed my latest announcement, find it at the bottom of this post! Welcome, Lauren! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: In 1980, I wrote and … well… illustrated my first picture book. I used wallpaper as the book cover, and it still sits on my desk today. (Thank you, Mom, for saving it!) I’ve always loved writing and reading, but I quickly realized illustrating may not be my strength. Fast forward… I took writing classes in high school and college. I wrote when I could while juggling a very full career as a child and family psychotherapist. My publication debuts were actually professional books in my field, and I never stopped working on my fiction. But… I wanted more. More time for fiction. More time for writing. More time for studying the craft. So… about 6 years ago, I signed a contract that two of my closest friends wrote out for me on a napkin at dinner. I agreed to drop one of my consulting positions so that I could write more. And then, I dug in. I joined SCBWI, carved out Wacky Writing Wednesday time, studied craft, joined Julie Hedlund’s 12x12, and began submitting. *BRAKE SCREECH!* I began submitting… TOO soon! GROAN! My manuscripts were NOT ready. So, I studied more craft, went to conferences, joined multiple critique groups, and took classes. About 160 rejections later (on many different manuscripts), I FINALLY landed an agent, and this is how… I waited for an agent I loved, whom I had met a couple of years prior, to open up for submissions through 12x12. I selected a manuscript I thought she’d love after EXTENSIVELY researching the books she represented. Then I took months to revise, revise, receive critiques, and revise again. SHAZAM! She offered representation! (It was a lengthy process including a revise and resubmit, but I won’t bore you with the details.) Then she sent the manuscript out to a list of editors and rejection, rejection, rejection, until... We sold Rosie and Charlie! And from there… well… I revised, revised, revised until ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES swam to shelves June 1, 2019. I have learned that this industry is 100% sheer will, determination, education, and persistence, and 40% luck and timing. (Please ignore the fact that the math doesn’t work at all!) It is a roller coaster ride, for sure. But, if you hang on tightly and keep on keeping on over and over and over again, you never know what magic may happen! Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: I find the waiting most challenging. I try to focus on the fact that we have control over our craft. We have control over making our work THE best it can be. We have very little control over the rest. I find the connections I’ve made with other kidlit writers to be incredibly rewarding. My critique partners are INCREDIBLE! The authors in my debut group are AMAZING! I also love the contact and interactions I’ve had with children (virtually and in-person). I write for children! It is thrilling to watch them enjoy Rosie and Charlie. Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like? A: I write a lot of craft tools in my Quick-Read Crafty Tips, for my critique business, and in my #ReVISIONweek posts. I also have templates on my website. The craft tools and techniques I use are generally different for each story, but the tools I consistently use for all manuscripts are:
Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: The second Rosie and Charlie book will hit shelves on September 1, 2020. It is called ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT (Two Lions). Nate Wragg illustrated again, which is terrific! He’s so talented. I’m excited to share this book with the world! Let me tell you, helping a dragon settle for bed is an interesting and fun challenge! I also have a book called, HOME FOR A WHILE (Magination Press), coming out in February 2021. Natalia Moore is the illustrator. This is a book from my heart. HOME FOR A WHILE is about a boy in foster care. It provides children and their caregivers the opportunity to explore and highlight the beauty of their unique characteristics. It is my hope that Calvin’s resilience and courage will help children as they find their way through their own struggles. In addition, I have a number of picture books (fiction, non-fiction, humorous, and more serious) out to editors, so please cross your fingers, legs, and toes for me! I’m working on a few new PBs, revising a YA (slowly), and an adult novel that I began years ago has been screaming at me to pay it some attention. We shall see where that leads. Thank you so much for having me, Rosie! I have enjoyed sharing this writing journey with you, and look forward to all of your future successes! I can’t wait to hold SUNDAY RAIN in my hands. Aw, that is so sweet, thank you, Lauren! Fingers, legs, and toes crossed for your projects on submission! And thank you so much for being a guest, and for sharing such great insight and a wealth of resources and tips with the blog readers! I know everyone who reads this interview will be inspired by your journey. Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. I hope you enjoyed this post — shares are appreciated. Thank you! Connect with Lauren: Website: www.LaurenKerstein.net Twitter: @LaurenKerstein Lauren Kerstein is an author and psychotherapist. She is a Jersey girl at heart who currently lives in Colorado with her husband, Josh, their two dragons...er, daughters, Sarah and Danielle, and her rescue dogs, Hudson and Duke. She is represented by Deborah Warren with East West Literary Agency. Lauren's debut: ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES splashed to bookshelves in June 2019. The companion volume, ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT, is expected September 2020. Lauren also has another soon-to-be announced book upcoming in 2021 with Magination Press. Lauren is one of the founders of #ReVISIONweek, a judge with Rate Your Story, runs a critique business, and is a long-time member of 12x12. Visit her at www.LaurenKerstein.net, on Twitter @LaurenKerstein, Instagram @LaurenKerstein, or Facebook. D O U B L E G I V E A W A Y! One winner will receive a copy of Lauren's book (U.S. only), and one winner will get a picture book critique from her! Leave a comment by 11:59 p.m. CT, Monday 5/11 to enter the giveaways and indicate your preference. Winners announced the week of 5/11 -- look at the end of the next blog post! Have you seen my latest announcement? You are invited to this epic full-day, in-person workshop! Imagine your picture book manuscript landing on Frances Gilbert's desk. There are 8 top reasons for which she will reject your story faster that you can spell its title. BUT, there are at least 9 hooks that could potentially grab her attention! Before you shop your manuscripts, what can you do to avoid these top rejection-bearing reasons, and hook her strongly enough with your project that she says "YES"? The Write Universe Kid Lit Workshop will answer those questions and so much more! Plus, a limited number of written critiques from Frances are still available. The icing on the cake? A direct submission opportunity for the attendees!!! Act fast and register today! Grab your seat HERE. And the winner of Nell Cross Beckerman's critique is . . .
Susan Johnston Taylor! Congrats, Susan! A copy of DOWN UNDER THE PIER goes to . . . Myrna Grasser! Congrats, Myrna! Hello, dear readers! Here, at the Oasis, the inspiration keeps going. And as always, it's great to have you visit! This is still the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! Now, stretch your smiles wide once again and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another spectacular creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Nell Cross Beckerman is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the DOUBLE giveaway and my announcement of an epic all-day, in-person workshop with Random House Editor, Frances Gilbert, at the end of this interview! Welcome, Nell! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: I first started out writing middle grade. I actually wrote a book and got an agent, but then found myself completely blocked for revisions and quit writing for 10 years (and had kids.) I felt like a failure. As my kids started to get older, I realized that I was their role model, and if I wanted them to be brave and live big, I had to as well. Finding the book, THE ARTIST’S WAY, by Julia Cameron, helped me understand my creative blocks and how to nurture my inner artist. Everything fell into place after that—I was definitely my own worst enemy! Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: The thing that feels the most challenging, that we hear time and time again, is that all the agents and editors are totally subjective. You only need ONE yes. So you can doubt yourself if the “nos” pile up, but you just need that one person to connect with your work. This has happened on every project with me. It’s funny to see my first book coming out, getting nice reviews, and to look back at all the rejections it got early on. But it just had to find that right home. This is the biggest challenge we writers have to wrap our heads around. The most rewarding for me so far is finding my critique group and being part of the kid lit community. My group is incredibly special—we are super supportive but we also challenge each other. Most importantly, we keep each other going. During these pandemic times, they are my group chat. And I love going to conferences and meeting more writers, agents, and authors. Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like? A: My creative foundation is from THE ARTIST’S WAY. Morning pages, writing freely for three pages first thing in the morning, always helps if I’m feeling stuck. Then also: going on an “artist date”—this is doing something alone, just for fun. For me that might look like going to get a huge cookie and a big glass of milk at a bakery and just reading a book, it might be going on a hike and turning off my phone, it might be doing something totally unusual like trying to watercolor a dummy of the story I’m working on (I’m not an illustrator!). I’ve tried to dummy in different ways and it has helped me with revisions and tickled my brain in a different way. For one project I used Keynote slides and just pulled images off the internet to convey the visuals I was looking for. It helped and was fun! I also work with a freelance editor and check in with my critique group, and then finally my agent, Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, who has incredibly savvy thoughts and knows how to pull the best out of me. One last exercise—I’ll go to the library and find a bunch of mentor texts and retype them. I’ll read them aloud over and over and try to get their brilliance into my bones. Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: DOWN UNDER THE PIER released April 7 from Cameron Kids, illustrated by the fabulous Rachell Sumpter. It is inspired by the Santa Monica Pier and all the time I spent there with my kids—everyone knows how to have fun on top of the pier at the amusement park, but it is down under the pier, at low tide, where the real magic happens. I plan to do a series called “Demystifying the Debut” where I retrace all my steps and share my experience and advice in having my debut published. Please join my mailing list at www.NellCrossBeckerman.com if you want to get those sent to you! You can also see the book’s trailer here. In 2021 I’m looking forward to my second book, WHEN THE SKY GLOWS, coming from Beach Lane Books/S&S with the fantastically talented David Litchfield illustrating. That will be a non-fiction book celebrating all the different ways that nature makes the sky glow, and the bonds formed by those witnessing it. My agent is just now sealing the deal on my third book, which I’m completely thrilled about—it’s another lyrical nature-themed story. And I have a really special picture book out on sub now, that I wrote in collaboration with a TV personality that I’m very excited about, fingers crossed on that one! Thank you, Nell -- it was a pleasure having you and chatting with you! All the best with your projects and your journey! I hope you'll be back to visit again. Dear readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. Connect with Nell Cross Beckerman: Website: www.nellcrossbeckerman.com Twitter: @NellBeckerman IG: @NellCrossBeckerman Nell Cross Beckerman writes picture books for children, inspired by the magic of nature and the human spirit. She has produced, written, and directed shows for VH1, MTV, MSNBC, and the Discovery Channel. Her dad is a retired biologist and her mom was a YA librarian in the Bronx in the '70s. She lives in Venice Beach with her husband and two daughters. G I V E A W A Y ! ! ! Comment on this post for a chance to win either a picture book critique by Nell or a copy of DOWN UNDER THE PIER. (Let me know which one you'd prefer.) Shares on your social media are greatly appreciated! Thank you. A full-day, in-person workshop with Random House Editor Frances Gilbert! Does your picture book have a strong "hook"? Why does your work get rejected? What goes on behind the scenes of a "Big Five" publishing house? Frances Gilbert, Editor at Random House, will share invaluable insight into the publishing process, discuss what grabs her attention, offer a different perspective on some "rules" and address common fears writers have. Plus, a limited number of written critiques will be available as an add-on for those who act fast. All that and much more! Catch the early bird registration and sign up to reserve your spot before the seats sell out! More details here. The winner of Kelly Jordan's picture book critique is . . .
Wendy Passantino! Congrats, Wendy! Look for an email from me to connect you with Kelly for your prize. Hello, dear readers! Welcome back to the Oasis ― it's great to have you here! As you probably already know, this is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! How great is that?! Now, once again, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another awesome creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Kelly Jordan is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, there's a giveaway -- hooray! Welcome, Kelly! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: I initially wrote the manuscript for The Little Blue Cottage as an exercise in Laurel Snyder’s picture book class offered through Decatur Writers Studio in early 2016. The assignment was to write a story drawn from our own personal experiences. When I thought about the places and moments that meant the most to me in childhood (and as an adult!), my dad’s bay cottage came to mind. My brother, dad, and I always have referred to it as “Blackwater” for the dark color of the water in East Bay, Florida. It’s a simple place, but one where time tends to slow down. When I think of Blackwater, it’s inextricably linked to the love I feel for my dad, as well as boat rides, skiing, seeing pods of dolphins, and long afternoons swimming. To me, it has always been a place that represents simplicity, beauty, pure joy, and magic. After writing the initial draft, I spent two years revising and shelving the story. I felt like there was something there, but it didn’t quite fit the “quirky, funny” picture books that it seemed everyone was looking for. So, I held off on pitching it to any agents or publishers. During #PBPitch in 2018, I Tweeted a pitch of The Little Blue Cottage and Charlotte Wenger, former editor at Page Street Kids liked it! Since I got a “like” from her, it was an open invitation to submit to Charlotte. So, I did! She and I sent the draft back and forth for various revisions, then, in August 2018, she sent me a publishing contract. I didn’t stop smiling for weeks! Through the process, I was also able to find my amazing agent, Stephanie Fretwell-Hill of Red Fox Literary! Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: I’d say the most challenging aspects of both writing and publishing are patience and perseverance. You’re going to receive a ton of rejections and it hurts every time. But, you get tough! And, it’s important to remember that when you get rejected, it’s nothing personal. At the end of the day, publishing is a business. So, I always do my best to keep perspective and to take those rejections as opportunities to practice and learn. I also allow myself to feel disappointed and sad. When you work hard on something, it’s ok to let yourself feel! The important thing is to move on and keep pursuing your dreams! The most rewarding aspects of writing are the sense of accomplishment I feel when the words and story finally come together and I get to hear from another person (be it my husband, a critique partner, or my agent), “I love this so much!” To have your words evoke emotion from another person or to transport someone is such an amazing feeling! I’m a huge reader and I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I also find that when I’m my happiest, I’m writing! So, those two things keep me motivated, as well as the cheerleading I receive from my critique partners. Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like? A: My critique partners are by and large the most helpful and valuable part of my revising process. These people are all incredibly insightful and honest in their feedback. I typically let a new draft sit for a few days or weeks—until I have a bit of separation from the work. Then, I work on revising the draft until the language and the heart are at a place where I’d like them to be. At that point, I print the story, read it out loud, and record myself reading it, which helps me hear awkward phrasings or unnecessary words. Then, if I really love the story, my husband reads it. After that, my critique partners review it and I make revisions that feel right based on their feedback. Finally, when it’s clean and as good as I can get it, I send it to my agent! Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: My debut picture book, The Little Blue Cottage, illustrated by the fabulous Jessica Courtney-Tickle will be released by Page Street Kids May 12, 2020. Depending on whether we will still be social distancing or not, I’ll either do in-store events and school events throughout the Southeast or several virtual events to promote the book. Please check my website for updates and to order the book! My second book, Chase the Moon, Tiny Turtle: A Hatchling’s Daring Race to the Sea, illustrated by Sally Walker, will also be published by Page Street Kids March 2, 2021. Thank you, Kelly, it was a pleasure chatting with you, and congratulations on the Kirkus starred review! I couldn't agree more about the most rewarding aspects of writing you talked about -- "the sense of accomplishment when the words and story finally come together" and also "to have your words evoke emotion from another person." That's how I feel, too! Wishing you all the best with this book and all future projects! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators any way you could: by following them on Twitter and Instagram, requesting their books through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books from your local indie bookstore. I hope you enjoyed this post and will be back soon. Shares on social media are also appreciated, thank you! G I V E A W A Y!!! Kelly is giving away one picture book critique! Comment on this post to be entered. The winner will be announced next week. Connect with Kelly Jordan: Website: kellyjordan.com Instagram: @kellyjordanwrites Kelly Jordan is a children’s book author represented by Stephanie Fretwell-Hill of Red Fox Literary. Her Kirkus-starred debut picture book, THE LITTLE BLUE COTTAGE, will be released by Page Street Kids May 12, 2020, followed by CHASE THE MOON, TINY TURTLE: A HATCHLING’S DARING RACE FROM LAND TO SEA (also by Page Street Kids) March 4, 2021. She is a member of both SCBWI and 12x12, and is actively involved in the Atlanta writing community. A lifelong lover of words, Jordan is also a freelance writer and editor, whose articles have appeared in such publications as Atlanta magazine, Georgia Travel Guide, Redbook, Southern Living, Paste, Darling, and Flavors. Jordan is a Gulf Coast native and a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism. She is currently enrolled in Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Communication program. She lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her husband, cat, and dog. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you'd like to support my work, consider ordering any of my books while also supporting your local indie bookstores. (Click on the image to order.) Thanks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And the giveaway winner of Heather Macht's PB critique and copy of her book is... Jackie!!!
Congrats, Jackie! We'll be in touch soon... Hello, dear readers! Yay, you're back at the Oasis ― it's great to have you here! This is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! Now, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another fabulous creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Heather Macht is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, there's a double giveaway, too! Welcome, Heather! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: Thanks so much for having me, Rosie! Wow, I’ve been interested in publication ever since I was a young girl. But my interest really peaked when I was 18 and graduating high school. I told my teachers and classmates that I was going to be a children’s picture book author. I knew there was nothing else I wanted to do. I spent years in libraries looking through the bookshelves, writing, querying, and yes, even receiving boatloads of rejections (and I mean BIG boatloads). However, after years of perseverance, I finally received my first YES. That was almost 13 years later after my journey started! My first book, You May Just Be a Dinosaur, was published in 2015. It was worth the wait. 😉 Q: What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated? A: You know, I was under the impression once I had my first, second, or even third book published that things would get easier. Yeah, I was wrong. It’s equally as difficult to get a book published the fourth or fifth time around. And it makes sense, too. The writing community is so talented! Publishers are constantly getting swamped with incredible manuscripts. You must keep studying and working on your craft. And, you must keep up to date on what’s getting published. This helps you make sure you have a fresh take and put a fresh spin on what you’re writing, so you can offer publishers something new (not something they’ve seen over and over). What’s most rewarding and what helps me stay motivated actually share the same answer: I love reading to kids. My favorite type of events are school visits where I get to read and inspire students, and hopefully make them laugh (which I thankfully usually do). This is always a reminder of why I keep trying and trudging through rejections. It’s worth seeing their faces light up and making a connection with them! Added bonus: I have at least a handful of students tell me they want to be a writer, too, after my presentation. That makes my heart melt every time. Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? A: Yes, I have three techniques I swear by. Hopefully some of these will help other writers, too.
Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: My next book, Rex the…We-Don’t-Know, is coming out April 6th! It was the most difficult book I’ve written, probably because it means so much to me. Since Rex is a blend of all the animals I had growing up, I knew I had a special duty (to them) to make it extra heartfelt. 😉 Needless to say, I’m SO excited to have this book released into the world! I’m currently planning blog tours, book readings, school visits, and more so stay tuned for updates! Thank you, Heather! It's always a pleasure chatting with you. All the best with Rex the…We-Don’t-Know and your future projects! Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. I hope you enjoyed this post and will be back for our next chitchat. Shares this post with writer friends, teachers, librarians and parents. Thank you! Comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of Rex the…We-Don’t-Know AND a picture book critique! (One winner for both; US only; prize will be mailed after quarantine) Connect with Heather: Website: www.heathermacht.com Twitter: @AuthorHMacht Heather Macht, author of REX THE...WE-DON'T-KNOW (Pelican, 2020), THE ANT FARM ESCAPE! (Pelican, 2019), and YOU MAY JUST BE A DINOSAUR (Pelican, 2015), is an active children's author who has been creating stories since the third grade! She earned her degree in fine arts from Florida State College at Jacksonville and holds a career as an I.T. professional and a full-time mom. Macht’s an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, is a volunteer judge for Rate Your Story, and lives with her family in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. In her spare time, she dwells in poetry and picture books and enjoys painting. For more, visit www.heathermacht.com And the giveaway winner is . . . Pippa-Chorley!!! Congratulations!
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About Rosie J. PovaRosie J. Pova is a multi-published, award-winning children's author and kid lit Writing Coach. She's the creator of Picture Book Mastery System™ that is proven to help emerging children's writers advance their career and get closer to their publishing goals.
Rosie's latest picture book, Sunday Rain, was featured in The New York Times and recommended by Parents magazine. Her upcoming picture book, The School of Failure: A Story About Success will be released in the spring of 2022 in both China and the USA. Rosie also loves to visit schools and her interactive workshops empower students to unleash their creativity and grow in confidence through reading, writing, and creating. Teachers and librarians love Rosie for her bubbly, upbeat personality which captures students' attention, encourages them to think creatively, and motivates them to pursue big dreams. She has been featured on TV, radio, podcasts, and print media, and also speaks on women's and moms’ topics, sharing her journey from a Bulgarian immigrant to a published author. Find out more about Rosie's online courses, mentorships, and her work by visiting her website: RosieJPova.com Check out her Critique Services here, her Workshops here, and her school visits page here. Rosie is represented by Jennifer Herrington of Harvey Klinger Literary. Twitter: @RosiePOV Archives
March 2024
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