New Picture Book

Well, I finished a picture book!  My first attempt in a long time to create one.  I'm happy with the results and have sent it out to a few editors.  I read it at my last critique group meeting and received wonderful feedback.  There was not much to change, so I worked on some suggestions and sent it out.  One of the group members said she could see this manuscript as a Christmas show every year on television,  since the book is a holiday book.

I cringe when I think of sending out holiday stories to publishing houses because if the spin is not unique enough, no one will touch it.  Holiday books are sold for approximately 8 weeks out of the year by book stores, so it is safe to say that holiday books are not the best type of investment.  However, I had to write this story.  It called to my love of Christmas and my German heritage, so ...  I took the chance. 

I've always found picture books difficult to write.   I love to express my stories so that the reader can feel the characters emotions, hear noises, smell the odors the character smells and feels the objects, whether they are hot, cold, slippery, silky etc.  I tend to go on some, so I need to cut, cut, cut.  For instance, my YA I'm working on.  I've written around 50 chapters but still need to go through and cut. My main character is so complicated that she takes much of my time nurturing her and all of her issues, that I tend to keep going on and on and on.  Like a faucet.  Making sure I've written every last detail so that the reader can fully empathize with her.  Oh!  The work we do but, where would we be without words, paper, pens, pencils or computers?  I shudder at the thought.

Good Morning!

It's been awhile since I've had a chance to write.  Unfortunately, my writing has taken a back seat to life and that makes me sad.  Writing is such a part of me, I feel like I'm being stifled or choked if I don't have a chance to put words to paper.  So... here I am. 

I had an Author and Illustrators Night and although the evening was slow due to the horrific weather we were experiencing on the East End of Long Island, I had a wonderful evening.  Both students and teachers (and amazingly enough, one of the teachers had a son at another school where I had done a school visit!) approached my table having already read my book The Island of Rouge, just to talk and express their enjoyment of it. 

There is no greater feeling to hear such words of joy from your readers.  Ultimately, my goal is wield words so powerfully they captivate the reader, marking their soul with excitement; positive or negative.  The point is, to engage a child to read but most importantly is to have fun while doing it.

I Spent My Day

Researching literary agencies and publishing houses.  That, to me, is the easy part.  The hard part is struggling with the cover letters.  I try to make mine as unique as the individual house or agency is.  Each agency or house has their own submission policies and should be followed to the letter.  If they ask you to provide specific information, like where did you hear about them, supply it.  If they ask about previously published works, tell them whether you are published or not.  Don't feel less than adequate if your not published, everyone has to start somewhere.  We are all unpublished at one time or another and unfortunately, some may never be.  To me, its all about finding the right agency or house.  Making the perfect match can be extremely time consuming but well worth the payoff.

Cover letters or query letters can take a long time to perfect.  Some writers know exactly what to say in their cover letters but if anyone is like me, I struggle.  Constantly questioning myself and double guessing, should I say this or put this in.  Is it too much?  Not enough.  At some point you have to come to the realization that as long as you put your best foot forward and you're confident that you've done the best you can, you should be happy.  Happy for many reasons.  The most notable is that you are taking that step into the publishing world, opening yourself for rejection.  Not an easy feat.  But it must be done if ultimately publication is your dream.

So tips for a good cover letter are:

• Make sure you've expressed an answer to each question the agency/house has asked.
• Make sure you've done your research so you are submitting to a compatible agency/house.  Editors and agents are busy and most rejections are because they are not a good  fit.
• Make sure you've properly addressed your letter.
• Make sure you've signed your letter.
• Make sure you are submitting only the information requested by that house or agency.  Many of them throw away or simply delete your e-mail if it's not formatted properly.
• Check your spelling and grammar.  Your cover letter is a reflection of your writing abilities.

Librarians and HarperCollins Battle Over E-Book Loans

Librarians and HarperCollins Battle Over E-Book Loans

My First Attempt at Blogging!

So, this is my first official blog.  I'm excited and nervous at the same time.  I love new adventures so I'm anxious to get this one started.

Although I'm feeling under the weather today, I'd like to write about a very sad event that occurred this weekend.  At our monthly Long Island Writers and Illustrators (LICWI) group meeting a founder of the group and Author and Illustrator Event Coordinator, Brian Heinz, has decided to eliminate the Author and Illustrators Nights.  Anyone who is not familiar with these events should know these evenings were started as a way for children, parents and teachers to visit with local authors and illustrators, engaging with them the love for writing and reading.  The children were the main focus.  I can't tell you how many times I had a small face smile up at me too shy and tentative to speak with me until I could coax them out of their shell.  Once they realized I was a normal person, they were able to open up and I'd have lovely conversations with them.  Some would purchase a book but more so then not, the only fulfillment I received was in payment of conversation.  I shared  details of my book, my writing style, questioned the children on their writing and I hope I influenced some of the young minds I spoke with.

Author and Illustrator Nights have run now for over 18 years.  A long, long time for a "living book fair."  It is sad to see such wonderful events be canceled due to the poor taste and lack of professionalism on a few members parts.  However, out of all bad things comes something positive!  LICWI will now focus on what the main mission of the group originally was and at times has drifted from the humble beginning that began in someones house many years ago by a small group of authors.  Focusing on the groups writing/illustrating will once again feed and nurture new and existing talent.  Who knows, maybe one day out of the many aspiring writers we may produce another J.K. Rowling or Mark Teague.  If you don't know who they are, check out Harry Potter Series and Funny Farm, a picture book.

I could not write about this event without thanking Brian Heinz for his dedication, not only to the Author and Illustrator Nights  but to LICWI.  With his many published titles, school visits and traveling schedules, he still manages to attend LICWI meetings, sharing his work and critiquing  work that is shared by our many members.

So, here is some food for thought.  Author's are not big money makers. Instead, they love the written word, whether they are creating or simply reading marveling at another author's unique writing style.  They love to discuss everything and anything having to do with their latest novels or a friends latest project. And seeing the faces of a certain fan, brighten when you take the time to speak with them.