The classic picture book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs imagines life in a town where food drops "like rain from the sky." (That's good, right? Or is it? Read the book, please!!) It's a fantastic concept and, as evidenced by the forthcoming movie version's official trailer, it should prove fantastical on the big screen.
Take a peek:
It certainly looks, um, animated. But (to me) it already feels very different, stylistically, from the book. What do you think?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Celebrating Children's Book Week
The beginning of Children's Book Week (that's this week, May 11–17) started with a bang, with lots of coverage all over the kid-lit/publishing blogosphere. All week long, children, schools, libraries, booksellers, parents, writers, and publishers nationwide (whew, lots o' folks!) have been participating in special reading- and books-boosting events — and we all hope this kind of focused collective effort helps create the kind of attention and momentum that inspires (reminds?) kids to choose reading as a fun leisure-time activity throughout the upcoming summer break and, of course, beyond.I know the week is ending, but I thought it would be nice to help keep the love flowing during its last gasp. So to the blog I'm taking!
How am I observing this event? Well, for starters, I hauled myself to the bookstore last weekend to support great children's books by putting my money where my mouth is. Love, love, LOVE the library, always. Love sharing books, too. But sometimes (who am I kidding? more times than is probably prudent) I want my own copies and just go get them. I bought The Graveyard Book so I can finally catch up with the reigning Newbery winner; Inch and Miles: The Journey to Success, a character-ed picture book created for the school market (I wrote its accompanying teacher resource several years back using the manuscript's Word file!); and a classic cute-doggie novel, Ginger Pye, to pass along to an 8-year-old girl.
Next up for me is this weekend's local SCBWI conference, where I'll spend two long, intense-but-wonderful days immersed in sessions dedicated to the craft and business of creating the very works that Children's Book Week honors. Seems like the perfect capper to me, and I can't wait!
Friday, May 01, 2009
NaPiBoWriWee Starts Today!
You've heard of NaNoWriMo, right? Where thousands of masochistic writers EACH try to churn out a full-length novel in one frenzied month? Well, picture book writers, rejoice! Your event has arrived on the scene:
Today marks the launch of the first-ever National Picture Book Writing Week (that's NaPiBoWriWee to you . . . I think I'll stick to saying the words), in which participants write a complete picture book every single day for one full week.
Author Paula Yoo established the event and is hosting its various activities at her blog, May 1-7. Head over there for all the details, including how to register and participate. Looks like a lot of fun!
Today marks the launch of the first-ever National Picture Book Writing Week (that's NaPiBoWriWee to you . . . I think I'll stick to saying the words), in which participants write a complete picture book every single day for one full week.
Author Paula Yoo established the event and is hosting its various activities at her blog, May 1-7. Head over there for all the details, including how to register and participate. Looks like a lot of fun!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A Brief Musing on "Busy"
I'll keep it brief because I'm — you guessed it — BUSY. I'm just wondering this morning, what is it about "busy" that always seems to attract more of the same? Why, when you have, for example, four deadlines in the first three days of the week, are you inundated with availability inquiries from clients (communications you'd rather not put off), personal calls/emails/invitations (stuff you want to focus on), and a growing list of must-suddenly-do-nows around the house?
What do you think? Do all these things always hover within your sphere but simply become more noticeable when a confluence of outside demands appears? Or does the "busy" energy you're putting out into the universe actually spark something that makes other people/forces seek you out?
Naturally, now — as my busy factor peaks — is the absolute best time to stop and try to get philosophical about . . . anything.
Before I get back to it, I want to give a quick shout out to any UW editorial certificate students checking out the blog: Hi if you're out there — fun to talk at you last night!
What do you think? Do all these things always hover within your sphere but simply become more noticeable when a confluence of outside demands appears? Or does the "busy" energy you're putting out into the universe actually spark something that makes other people/forces seek you out?
Naturally, now — as my busy factor peaks — is the absolute best time to stop and try to get philosophical about . . . anything.
Before I get back to it, I want to give a quick shout out to any UW editorial certificate students checking out the blog: Hi if you're out there — fun to talk at you last night!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Finding Your Children's Writing Niche, Part 2
Hi all, just taking a few to quickly follow up on Monday's "A to the Q" post about finding your writing niche. I wanted to share these questions to ask yourself, which I think can help you further your quest to narrow your own focus:
- What types of adult books do you tend to read for pleasure? How are they similar to and different from the works for children you enjoy?
- Why do you want to write for children? What attracts you to the idea (or practice, if you're already doing it) of writing for children?
- Consider the works for children you've already written. Have you found the writing experience(s) satisfying? Why or why not? If you haven't yet written anything for young readers, what has held you back?
- If you could write just one (or one more) children's book — ever — what type of book would it be?
Monday, April 06, 2009
A to the Q: Finding Your Children's Writing Niche, Part 1
A to the Q is an ongoing series of posts in which I answer questions I've received from blog readers, workshop students, and others about writing and navigating the waters of children's publishing. My aim is to share what I know and spark your search for even more information.
Q: I read your post about getting hired as a children's writer. You mentioned the importance of finding a "niche." Can you talk more about this? How do I do it?
A: I think I'll make this a two-parter so nobody gets too terribly b(l)ogged down. Ready? Okay!
Of course many aspiring children's writers know exactly what they want to write. There's no question, they just write what comes, whether it arrives in the form of a YA novel or a rhyming picture book. Others know only that they want to write for children but have no idea where they might begin. Nothing wrong with not knowing what you want till you find it. The key, though, is that you take action.
In my Children's Writing Workshop, I help students refine their writing-niche goals by first taking them through many of the same exercises I featured in my Finding Your Voice series. I suggest reading that as background. If you're strapped for time, just answer the three questions in that first entry. How do your responses play into your current writing interests? I'm willing to bet that they offer some strong insights . . . or at least a good jumping-off point for your thoughts.
Following are four more action items you can try as you hunt for a niche.
(1) Everything about the business, the craft, the endeavor should begin the same way: You have to do your research, and that means you have to read, read, read . . . and then read some more. Your aim is to know both your readership and your market.
Get to know your local children's librarian pronto. Ask him or her for a list of must-reads, then check them out and get to it. You can approach the task in a number of ways. Here are a few ideas:
Keep in mind that getting fully entrenched in the world of children's and YA literature takes time. You can't read it all, and you most certainly cannot read it all quickly. But you must make this a priority.
(2) It's helpful to get a feel for how children's lit has changed (and stayed the same) over the years so you can better see where — and exactly how — you might fit into today's market.
Research major award winners. Lists of books that have won awards such as the Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Michael L. Printz, Edgar Allan Poe (juvenile division) are readily available online. Check out the American Library Association's site — this ALSC page lists links to several award-specific sites (be sure to check the descriptions, as some are for adult books). For awards not covered here, just use Google or any other search engine.
Also, the Children's Literature Web Guide will point you to many lists and other great information. It's no longer updated, but its archives have tons of still-relevant info for anyone interested in writing and learning about kid lit.
For additional help studying the children's market and narrowing your own focus, do make the time to visit the Children's Book Council and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators sites.
(3) Read good writers' books that include information about the distinctions between genres. These long-time favorites will get you started.
Children's Writer's Reference by Berthe Amoss & Eric Suben
This all-around reference includes a wonderful discussion of genres called "Age Levels and Formats." Request it at your library!
Children's Writer's Word Book by Alihandra Mogilner
In this resource you'll find grade-specific word lists (along with an annotated thesaurus of the same words), writing samples from each reading level, brief discussions about what kids are interested in and required to learn at each grade level, and tips for writing to given reading levels. You will absolutely need to own this book if you plan to write for the education market. Some publishers will ask you to use it, and once you have, you'll want to keep it handy.
Worlds of Childhood: The Art and Craft of Writing for Children by William Zinsser, editor
This is a collection of essays by some of the best-known children's writers. The theme that ties the essays together is honesty in children's writing, as in what experiences these writers draw upon to help them create authentic stories and connect with their readers.
(4) Research publishers' sites. See what they're producing (and not producing)!
For a list of children's publishers (along with URLs and brief descriptions about each house's specialty), check out BookWire's index of children's publishers. Note that this index, while very useful, is not comprehensive. But there's no better place to start browsing and researching publishers that seem to be producing the kinds of books you'd like to write.
That's it for this post. I'll be back later this week with Part 2 to share a few more links and exercises to help you identify YOUR niche.
Q: I read your post about getting hired as a children's writer. You mentioned the importance of finding a "niche." Can you talk more about this? How do I do it?
A: I think I'll make this a two-parter so nobody gets too terribly b(l)ogged down. Ready? Okay!
Of course many aspiring children's writers know exactly what they want to write. There's no question, they just write what comes, whether it arrives in the form of a YA novel or a rhyming picture book. Others know only that they want to write for children but have no idea where they might begin. Nothing wrong with not knowing what you want till you find it. The key, though, is that you take action.
In my Children's Writing Workshop, I help students refine their writing-niche goals by first taking them through many of the same exercises I featured in my Finding Your Voice series. I suggest reading that as background. If you're strapped for time, just answer the three questions in that first entry. How do your responses play into your current writing interests? I'm willing to bet that they offer some strong insights . . . or at least a good jumping-off point for your thoughts.
Following are four more action items you can try as you hunt for a niche.
(1) Everything about the business, the craft, the endeavor should begin the same way: You have to do your research, and that means you have to read, read, read . . . and then read some more. Your aim is to know both your readership and your market.
Get to know your local children's librarian pronto. Ask him or her for a list of must-reads, then check them out and get to it. You can approach the task in a number of ways. Here are a few ideas:
- Try sample readings from all age levels/genres so you can more easily compare them as you go.
- Try reading books from one age level/genre per week.
- Pick and choose yourself, starting with the age level/genre you think you want to write for and taking it from there.
Keep in mind that getting fully entrenched in the world of children's and YA literature takes time. You can't read it all, and you most certainly cannot read it all quickly. But you must make this a priority.
(2) It's helpful to get a feel for how children's lit has changed (and stayed the same) over the years so you can better see where — and exactly how — you might fit into today's market.
Research major award winners. Lists of books that have won awards such as the Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Michael L. Printz, Edgar Allan Poe (juvenile division) are readily available online. Check out the American Library Association's site — this ALSC page lists links to several award-specific sites (be sure to check the descriptions, as some are for adult books). For awards not covered here, just use Google or any other search engine.
Also, the Children's Literature Web Guide will point you to many lists and other great information. It's no longer updated, but its archives have tons of still-relevant info for anyone interested in writing and learning about kid lit.
For additional help studying the children's market and narrowing your own focus, do make the time to visit the Children's Book Council and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators sites.
(3) Read good writers' books that include information about the distinctions between genres. These long-time favorites will get you started.
Children's Writer's Reference by Berthe Amoss & Eric Suben
This all-around reference includes a wonderful discussion of genres called "Age Levels and Formats." Request it at your library!
Children's Writer's Word Book by Alihandra Mogilner
In this resource you'll find grade-specific word lists (along with an annotated thesaurus of the same words), writing samples from each reading level, brief discussions about what kids are interested in and required to learn at each grade level, and tips for writing to given reading levels. You will absolutely need to own this book if you plan to write for the education market. Some publishers will ask you to use it, and once you have, you'll want to keep it handy.
Worlds of Childhood: The Art and Craft of Writing for Children by William Zinsser, editor
This is a collection of essays by some of the best-known children's writers. The theme that ties the essays together is honesty in children's writing, as in what experiences these writers draw upon to help them create authentic stories and connect with their readers.
(4) Research publishers' sites. See what they're producing (and not producing)!
For a list of children's publishers (along with URLs and brief descriptions about each house's specialty), check out BookWire's index of children's publishers. Note that this index, while very useful, is not comprehensive. But there's no better place to start browsing and researching publishers that seem to be producing the kinds of books you'd like to write.
That's it for this post. I'll be back later this week with Part 2 to share a few more links and exercises to help you identify YOUR niche.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Poetry Friday: An "Earworm," or a Writer's Potentially Empowering Refrain?
It's Poetry Friday in the KidLitosphere! Kind of late in the day (it's three-thirty-ish at my house) to slap together a participating post, but I just this minute decided to join the fray. About an hour ago, I languished on hold FOREVER waiting to talk to a colleague, and the song I heard — "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)" — has not yet left my brain:If you love me, let me know / If you don't, then let me go . . . ./ If you love me, let it be / If you don't, then set me free / Take the chains away / That keep me loving you.
Really, what's a writer girl to do with a rhyming lyric like that if not take to her blog with Poetry Friday–pertinent thoughts. I'm hoping the sharing will release me from the song's earwormy grips . . .
So, as I got back to business at my desk, the song's refrain having super-glued itself to my auditory cortex, I started noting the many opportunities we writers have to feel said refrain as we deal with all types of feedback loops on our various paths to publication. Examples flow from absolutely everything I'm working on right now.
(1) In my sights from writers wanting me to show their work some love, preferably ASAP: a pile of 20 manuscripts I need to critique for a literary contest that connects winners with potential agents and editors; an email from an aspiring author asking me to evaluate a piece of writing; and a manuscript I'm editing for a publisher client.
(2) Writing work of my own that I hope will lead to more yays (!) than nays (!), and sooner rather than later: new writing for an upcoming first-pages clinic; the detailed outline I just this morning emailed an editor for an already-contracted book (is it too soon to check in for a reaction?); the two (count 'em!) draft manuscripts I want to revise this year and pitch to an agent; the Grades 6–8 lesson plan I'm currently revising to satisfy a reviewer's wishes; and a broad synopsis/basic storyline chronology I submitted earlier this week to a new publisher I'm probably (though no contract yet exists) going to write for.
Hmm. You can see which list is longer. And why, perhaps, the song tapped in to my professional psyche instead of my personal one (which tends to know where it stands). My writer's head pulled a Babblefish on the hooky lyrics and heard: "If you aren't interested in . . . or you don't like . . . the writing I've sent on spec or under contract (ETC.), then please just let me know so I can move ahead/on (by either trashing, fixing, or rehoming) in a dignified way."
It's all par for the course in a writer's day, and so often produces some of the crazy-hazy dynamics of courtship. Don't you think?
Now, for your listening/viewing/poetry-sussing pleasure, enjoy this clip of Olivia Newton-John performing the song live.
The radio version I heard on the phone was a bit slower and felt kind of "lovesick" to me. But this sassier version makes the person delivering the message seem secure, in control, and ready to face the situation with confidence, regardless of what the other person thinks or does. And that's the attitude I try to embrace as a writer. If a professional relationship or partnership (or, heck, just a piece of writing) doesn't work out, ONWARD AND UPWARD is the only way to go!
For today's complete Poetry Friday roundup, head over to The Drift Record.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Free, Vicarious Pass to the Bologna Children's Book Fair
I have always wanted to attend the Bologna Children's Book Fair, the world's leading event dedicated to children's book/product publishing, rights, and licensing.A few of my titles have made publisher-booth appearances, but, sadly, nobody has ever been interested in having me (read paying for me to) tag along to do author signings or provide complimentary valet services for harried exhibit staff. Not even after I've explained that I'd studied Italian film in college (so I know several Italian words!) and thought my professor, who lives just a short high-speed train trip away in Milan, would surely make good on his 20-year-old invitation to drop in — with whomever I might be traveling — for a spot of vino and a wealth of insider tourist tips. Harrumph.
This year's Fair is in its second full day, and I'm enjoying Craig Virden's PW-sponsored blog Bologna By Day and Night. On it, Craig serves up candid impressions of the atmosphere and goings-on. Take a peek for yourself — and I'll see you at the Fair!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Celebrating 40 Years of a Classic: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is celebrating 40 years of publishing success! Can you believe it?Google is honoring the event (today only!) with a special tribute logo. You can read about the book's history in this interesting Newsweek.com piece.
And, here's a short video of Mr. Carle sharing a bit about the book and its message of hope — perfect for the first day of spring, or any day at all.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Operation Teen Book Drop 2009 Coming Soon!
Operation Teen Book Drop is back for a second go-round this spring after a terrifically successful launch last year. An event created to encourage reading as a go-to leisure activity and help get great books into kids' hands, Operation TBD is sponsored by readergirlz, Guys Lit Wire, and YALSA.What exactly IS a TBD, you ask? It's a fun, ceremonial dropping off of books, in which 18 book publishers first donate and deliver 8,000 YA novels, graphic novels, and audiobooks to teen patients in various U.S. pediatric hospitals. Then, on April 16, all teen readers and YA authors are invited to leave a favorite YA book in a public place where a teen might find and pick it up . . . in other words, to drop a book into the hands of a young reader and, thus, spread the gift of a great read and reinforce — or spark — a great reading habit.
If you'd like to help "rock the drop" this year, click here to download a special bookplate you can paste into the book(s) you plan to donate. Your recipient(s) will be thrilled!
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