Hello everyone! It's another terrific Tuesday and you're back at KidLit Oasis. Thank you for visiting! As you know, this is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost. Are you comfy and cozy? Are you ready to welcome this week's guest? The multi-talented Author and Librarian, Kena Sosa is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Welcome, Kena! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: It’s strange how the most healing practice in my life is writing and my most major writing accomplishments seem to partner with downturns, like writing was there for me during my harshest trials. I discovered how easily words took me out of my pain as a teenager. I was grounded and thought I would literally die of boredom. I found a typewriter and let it free me. In publishing I started out writing travel pieces and articles as well as reviewing children’s books. I wrote and wrote and wrote, for myself mostly but after moving to Dallas and attending SCBWI, I thickened up my skin and started submitting. There were rejections, as there are in life. I kept trying. My first book was released by 4RV Publishing in 2015. It was such a victory, and then months later, my household tore apart. It was painful to meet people and force a smile, but I knew this was my chance to prove that I could be an author. I am immensely thankful to the authors I met during that first year who shared their expertise, their techniques and their stories with me. Their kindness and friendship kept me from giving up. I wrote my second book based on what I learned during a travel and research grant, but many found the subject matter a bit controversial for a picture book. 4RV took it on, but had me rewrite it as a chapter book, a new challenge for my squirrel-like attention span. How right they were! That book, Kindertransport-a child’s journey, earned my first award as an author, a Children’s Literary Classics Award in historical fiction in 2018. Soon after my third book, The Unhuggables, emerged after my son asked me what would happen if you hugged a porcupine. That book, under River Road Press, won an award as well, The Enchanted Page Book Award in 2019. With each heartbreak, a victory, and with these experiences I can say, it has been a life worth writing about. 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 think one measures challenges in the same way one measures success, through the lens of perspective. I have always struggled the most with the gaps between projects. Like Tom Petty sang, “the waiting is the hardest part.” You are filled with anticipation, excitement, or anxiety simply waiting for an acceptance or rejection, waiting to see a finished product, waiting to find out how your creation will be received. Coming in at a close second is editing. It is so necessary like going to the dentist, but never something one looks forward to as a writer. To get through it, I try to make the journey of editing like a mental puzzle, to challenge myself to make it better by arranging the pieces in ways they work better. 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: As far as my writing process goes, I always keep a scrappy notebook. Whenever a little spark flickers at me, whether it is a name I like, a phrase or a plot twist, I jot it down before I forget. I don’t typically sit down to write an entire story from conception to birth in one sitting. It needs time to grow and develop. So, I let those snippets sit in the notebook until they find each other organically and weave themselves into a story I can tell. That’s when I take a seat and let the story tell itself from start to finish. I give it a day or two to settle, and then from the scrappy notebook, where the story may be written in the margins, backwards or upside-down, however it decided to be, and type it up. I edit mostly during this stage. Once it is in the e-world, I employ tools to help me polish it up. I just learned recently that Word will do a readability check for you which tells you the reading level of your manuscript, including incidents of passive voice and counts the number of words per sentence. My inner child may write through me; however, she writes too mature for her age. This tool helps me figure out how to rewrite and adjust my voice to the right audience before it is ever seen by an editor. There is also a citation checker built in. I am a firm believer in working smarter, not harder so any trick to get things moving is a plus in my book. 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: Although many aspects of life have slowed, I am still coming down off the thrill of winning the Enchanted Page Book Award in 2019 for The Unhuggables. Considering current events, most of us have not held in-person events and have turned to technology to pursue our dreams as authors. I have been learning to adapt like the rest. I worked on improving my website and updating my social media presence as well as opening my mind to more unconventional opportunities. Meanwhile, these days appear to be the perfect time to speak less and read more. I can help with that. I am happy to announce that I am anticipating a new release in 2022! I can’t wait for you to read it! Thank you, Kena -- I can't wait to read your new book! It was a pleasure having you on the blog! I wish you all the best on your journey and many more successes! 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 Kena Sosa: Website: www.kenasosa.com Twitter: : @sk_kso School librarian by day and writer by night, Kena Sosa adores words. She also loves playing the drums. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University and her master’s degree in bilingual education from Southern Methodist University. Her first children’s book, Rey Antonio and Rey Feo, was born of the celebration of her childhood in San Antonio. Her second book, Kindertransport: A Child’s Journey, is about the escape of children on the Kindertransport train just before the outbreak of World War II. Kena Sosa has lived in Japan and Mexico, but sharing stories with her two sons and other eager readers has been her favorite adventure yet!
0 Comments
Piles of multi-colored leaves, rainy, chilly days, warm drinks and cozy sweaters. . . Are you enjoying fall? What have you been reading? Well, just in time for Halloween, I am pleased to introduce to you a new picture book and interview its author! So, once again dear readers, welcome to the KidLit Oasis ― the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! It's great to have you here! Now, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for an awfully fun and sweet chitchat with children's author Sandra Sutter who is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the giveaway at the end of this interview. Welcome, Sandra! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: Stan’s Frightful Halloween was one of the first stories I wrote when I began my (serious) writing journey in 2017. But after a few critiques with my newly-formed critique group, it sat untouched in my computer while I worked on other projects. Meanwhile, my debut picture book, The Real Farmer in the Dell, was picked up by Mira Reisberg and Callie Metler at Spork, an imprint of Clear Fork Publishing. I got to know Callie through that process, and when I saw she didn’t have a Halloween-themed story on her list, I showed her my manuscript. Callie loved clumsy werewolf Stan as much as I did, and now he and his story can be shared with everyone! 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: There are a lot of challenging aspects of the Kidlit publishing world. The biggest challenge is staying motivated in the face of rejection and long waits. There are a lot of both! But being a part of the community – building friendships, learning, giving back – and sharing stories and information with children are incredibly motivating rewards. And, for me, the creative process isn’t optional. The need to do it IS motivation. 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 brain generates a lot of ideas, often at random times when I can’t get around to working on them (on a mountain bike, at the grocery store, in the shower, while driving). So, I email myself when an idea takes root and tuck it away in a special computer file. When I’m ready, I revisit the idea. I’ve found it helpful to add details – to note the word, image, or memory that prompted the idea – so when I circle back to it, the spark is still there. My revision process always begins with sending the work to my critique partners. I need feedback! It doesn’t matter if I agree or disagree, the feedback itself is incredibly valuable and I trust my critique partners always have my best interest at heart. Sometimes I set the work aside for a while to allow things to sink in. Other times, I revise right away because I am too excited about making the story better. I really, really love the feeling that a “missing piece” has been found and my manuscript “puzzle” is almost complete. 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’m incredibly excited about the release of Stan’s Frightful Halloween and sharing this loveable character with the world. Stan has a lot going on for such a young werewolf, so you might get to see more of him in the future. Due to COVID and remote-schooling two young kids, my time devoted to writing has been … limited. But, I do have some exciting plans in the works which I hope to announce soon. You can follow me on Twitter or visit my website for more information, and please stop by the Wonder of Words blog, which I run with five amazing critique partners. Every three months I host the PITCH IT TO ME CHALLENGE, where an author pitches a story idea and a “celebrity” guest and I craft our own and put it to a vote. It’s always fun and a great way to see multiple pitch ideas. Thank you, Rosie, for having me here today. It’s been a pleasure to share a bit about my journey and creativity with your readers. You're very welcome -- that was wonderful, Sandra, and I can't wait to hear more about the exciting plans you'll be announcing! Wishing you all the best on your journey and many more literary successes! 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 greatly appreciated. Let's spread the word! Thank you! Connect with Sandra Sutter: Website: www.sdsutter.com Twitter: @sandradsutter (click on the book cover to order a copy) Sandra is the author of THE REAL FARMER IN THE DELL (Clear Fork Publishing, 2019), a modern, gender-bending take on the popular children's song, and STAN’S FRIGHTFUL HALLOWEEN, a spookily fun story of a clumsy, but determined young werewolf. She is a member of SCBWI and an assistant with the Children’s Book Academy. When not writing, Sandra is a mountain-biking mom and jewelry-making hobbyist with a knack for finding life's silver linings. Connect with her at www.sdsutter.com, or on Twitter @sandrasdutter. G I V E A W A Y ! ! ! Comment on this post for a chance to win a picture book critique by Sandra Sutter! Welcome to KidLit Oasis the Chitchat series -- a place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost! We have another amazing author interview with great insight, plus a GIVEAWAY! Welcome back, Beth! Thank you for returning to the KidLit Oasis as my guest, which tells me you liked my hospitality the first time ☺, but it also means you have a new book coming out that you'll be sharing with our readers! Congratulations! So, first, let me ask you this: I know that every book is special to its author in a particular way—how is this book special to you? Dear to your heart in a different way? What was the experience like, compared to the previous one? Is there an interesting behind-the-scene about the idea for the story, its creation, an unusual journey to publication perhaps? What stands out? A: Thanks so much, Rosie, for inviting me back! Maybe it was growing up in the country, or maybe it was just normal kid curiosity, but city sidewalk grates always caught my attention. What’s down there? When I read an article about James “Smelly” Kelly, I had some answers to that childhood wondering. And he had such quirky experiences—comical, dangerous, bizarre! I was smitten! But with only a few anecdotes about his life, pulling together a story was a huge challenge. After trying out a few angles, I examined his story through the “hero” lens. I had worked through ideas about heroes with Lizzie Demands a Seat and how we all need to step out of the “silence.” “Smelly” Kelly was a different kind of hero—an everyday hero. As I dug deeper asking myself questions about heroism and considered his “super” senses, I found my “heart” thread. The story became about finding our own specialness and where we fit in our world; about what makes a hero a hero; about the idea that we all have unique talents to offer. Those ideas, which I believe strongly and want to share with every child, make this story near and dear to my heart. Q: And to piggyback on the questions above, did anything surprise you with this book or the publisher's approach to it (whether it was the same publisher or a new one)?Did you learn anything new? Was it harder or easier to bring it into the world? A: Carolyn Yoder at Calkins Creek was the editor for both Lizzie Demands a Seat and “Smelly” Kelly and His Super Senses. While the process is the same and both deal with concepts about heroes, the stories are very different. The biggest contrast in going from manuscript to book was with illustrations. E.B. Lewis and Jenn Harney work very differently, and it was fascinating for me to learn about their processes and see the books come to life. I am so intrigued by how the editor and art director identify the perfect illustrator and proceed to marry text to art. I would love to be a fly on the wall and watch it all! E.B. Lewis, who works in watercolors, says in his art note in Lizzie Demands a Seat that he used colors he had never used before. Clearly, we both pushed past our comfort zones with that book. Jenn Harney, who works digitally, also taught me about palettes. With her process, changes and tweaks were easy to make. We both had a lot of fun with “Smelly” Kelly and His Super Senses. I relished sneaking in superhero references, and she infused joy into all the action. I learn more with every book! Q: When did you find out who the illustrator was for the project and were you asked for an input? What was it like working with the illustrator for this book? When did you first see the art and what was your reaction? A: The editor and I shared ideas about illustrators. When she suggested Jenn Harney, I immediately explored her website and found glorious detail, unique characters, and scenes bursting with life. I was an instant fan! Jenn was wonderful to work with—always happy to revise and tweak as we worked through a few challenging pages. It turns out she loved her first adventure into researching for illustrations, too. She surprised me with the two palettes for above and below ground, fascinating detail, and creative ways to show the action that involved drips and leaks hidden behind walls or underground. The first tunnel scene took my breath away. The power of the palette! And the last page was so perfect—better than anything I’d imagined. I enjoy learning about illustration and all the aspects of it beyond the ability to draw. Q: What do you hope to accomplish within the next 2-3 years? Any specific goals or aspirations—personal or writing related—that you could share with us? A: I look forward to sharing my books with kids and sparking curiosity, creative thinking, and opening up their world. Hopefully, I can continue to chance upon stories that beg to be told that will help kids see the humanity in history and connect it to their own lives, as well as explore fun and thought provoking topics. I’m thrilled to stay on this path, and I welcome any opportunities that might come my way. Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any other exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers? A: I’m looking forward to the virtual launch of “Smelly” Kelly and His Super Senses at Second Star to the Right Bookstore in Denver on Oct. 17 at 4pm MDT. Please join in! The New York Transit Museum is doing a virtual family program on “Smelly” Kelly and His Super Senses soon (date TBA). I’ll be helping with a couple presentations. If you’re interested in upcoming virtual events like this, please check my website. And recently I was contacted by the Long Island Museum about a program they’re developing for schools on Elizabeth Jennings using Lizzie Demands a Seat. If you’re in a school and interested in the virtual program, please contact the museum. I’m very excited about Tad Lincoln’s Restless Wriggle which releases in fall 2021. It’s such a tender father and son story, full of energy and joy! Tad reminds me of all those students I had that couldn’t sit still, whose minds popped with ideas—kids who were challenged as learners for various reasons, and who pushed me to be a better teacher. Another story dear to my heart! Thank you, Beth. What an interesting insight! I can't wait to read "Smelly" Kelly's story. Readers, to 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 greatly appreciated. Thank you! G I V E A W A Y! For a chance to win a copy of "Smelly" Kelly and His Super Senses simply comment on this post and you will be entered. (Continental US only, please.) Connect with Beth Anderson: Website: www.bethandersonwriter.com Twitter: @BAndersonWriter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Smelly” Kelly and His Super Senses by Beth Anderson, Illustrated by Jenn Harney For signed copies with swag, pre-order from Old Firehouse Books HERE or Boulder Book Store HERE and let them know if you’d like the book personalized. Beth Anderson, a former English as a Second Language teacher, has always marveled at the power of books. Armed with linguistics and reading degrees, a fascination with language, and penchant for untold tales, she strives for accidental learning in the midst of a great story. Beth lives in Loveland, Colorado where she laughs, wonders, thinks, and questions; and hopes to inspire kids to do the same. Author of AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET(S&S 2018), LIZZIE DEMANDS A SEAT! (Calkins Creek, 2020), and “SMELLY” KELLY AND HIS SUPER SENSES (Calkins Creek, Oct. 2020), Beth has more historical gems on the way.
The giveaway winner is. . . Cynthia Ahern! Congratulations!!!
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! 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, wonderful readers! Welcome back to 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 amazing creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author and illustrator Kataneh Vahdani is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the DOUBLE giveaway and my workshop invitation to you at the end of this interview. Welcome, Kataneh! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. A: The seed of the story of “Kat and Juju” was inspired by the time I first moved to America from Iran. My mother, my little brother and I left everything behind and came to this country with couple of suitcases, very little money and barely speaking any English. The theme behind “Kat and Juju” (book 1 of the series) is about bravery and overcoming our fears even at a young age. All the childhood traumas and self-doubts can create insecurities and change lives. If we don’t face our fears when we are kids, they can become bigger issues down the line. I learned to be strong from my mother and also a fallen wild baby bird who once came to my life and inspired me to be brave. My Juju! I always tell my students and the young creators/authors to be true to themselves when they write a story. Many powerful memorable stories are the ones that are based on the true experience and a raw emotion. This way we can touch the hearts of many, and hopefully bring a positive change. I want to be honest and tell your readers that the journey to the publication was a long painful one. I had to go through many ups and downs. I knocked on several doors that never opened and many people in power doubted my abilities because I am a minority woman! But luckily, I never let that stop me. I knew I came to this country for a reason. I knew I was one of the lucky ones who got a chance to be free and have a voice. I knew I was responsible to tell a story that can hopefully make an impact. My drive and passion helped me to continue. So, if you have a story that can heal and help others, never give up. Share your story with the world. 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: Favoritism is toxic in many industries including ours. Sometimes we get rejected not because our story is not good enough, but because we are not connected to the people in power. Also being a minority woman can make it really difficult to get a platform. But times are changing and today many women including diverse women, are getting a chance to be heard. So, I encourage you to embrace your true self. Be honest, be proud, be you. Once my Juju taught me to open my wings and fly high and I want to inspire you to do the same. 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 believe sometimes to be able to connect to our creative mind, we need to first try to disconnect. When I first want to write a story idea, I find a space (in nature or at home) where nobody else can distract me and I just zone out. It is a form of meditation and a massage for our brain. I know we are all going through challenging times so I suggest finding that space where you can cleanse all your thoughts and find that moment when you can reconnect. Allow yourself to disconnect and then find the connection like rebooting your mind. The creative magic can be found there. I am a visual storyteller and I illustrate my own projects. So, after finding the seed of the idea, I start thinking about shots. I start by writing down the story beats and then draw small thumbnails. This way I can look at the bigger picture and later make the adjustments. 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:“Kat and Juju” is my first children’s book and it will be a book series. These days I am working on the story beats of “Kat and Juju” Book #2. I was always afraid to be visible and have a public platform. But yet again Juju taught me to be brave and face my fears. So, a few weeks ago, I made @KatandJuju Instagram account public and the support has been unbelievable! Kat, Juju and I are so excited to meet all our friends (we call birdies) all around the world. We hope to be able to inspire them to face their fears, believe in themselves, open their wings and reach their full potential. I’m grateful to say I am currently directing my feature animation movie. At this moment I can’t announce anything, but I’m excited to share the news with you and your wonderful readers once the time is right. I came to this country barely knowing any English, with couple of suitcases and a dream. I worked hard and I didn’t give up even when others wanted me to stop achieving my dream. Today I have a voice and my wings are open. Want to fly with me? This was a fun chat, thank you! And congrats on all of your success -- I look forward to the animated movie, too, how exciting! Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, Instagram, 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 Kataneh: Amazon Page Instagram Page: @KatandJuju Twitter: @KatanehV and @KatandJujuLove Facebook: KatanehVahdani and Kat Juju Facebook Page: @KatandJuju KatanehVahdani is a director, animation creator, storyteller and a professor. She was born in Iran but came to the United States in pursuit of her dream: to have a voice and be free. After receiving a degree in Mathematics, she enrolled at California Institute of the Arts, spending seven years studying animation and earning her master’s degree. She later continued her education in Paris, France. Kataneh's animated films have been screened at many festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival and the New York International Film Festival, where she was named Best Director of Animated Shorts. She worked for many years in the story department at Walt Disney Animation Studios and also taught story, design, and animation at CalArts and College of the Canyons. Kataneh is currently directing an animated feature. In summer 2020 Kataneh's first picture book, "Kat and Juju" is being published. G I V E A W A Y!!! Kataneh is giving away a PB critique and a copy of her book! Please comment on the post by midnight on Monday 5/25 to enter the giveaways. Two winners will be picked and announced next week. Good luck! You are invited to this epic kidlit workshop! Early bird registration will expire soon so don't miss it -- register today! Plus, only a limited manuscript critique spots are available. Check out the details HERE. The winner of Sharon's picture book critique giveaway from last week is... Pamela Huskin! Congrats, Pamela.
An email has been sent to you to connect you with Sharon Giltrow. 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. |
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
Categories
All
|
Connect with Rosie
|
|