Sami's Story

I am writing an article about an amazing dog breed, the Basenji.  Basenjis don’t bark.  They have a physical structure in the voice box which is different from other dogs.  But Basenjis can growl, whine, whimper, and yodel—sort of a warbling effect. 

Basenji puppy photo by Cooperfeesh

The angle of the article:   the training of a Basenji puppy named Sami as she prepares for her first dog show.  I researched the breed by reading books, newspapers, and journals.  I discovered even more about the breed when I interviewed Sami’s co-owner, Carole.  From my interviews, I learned that Basenjis are not the easiest dogs to train to be show dogs.  They are independent thinkers.   Carole told me once that on the down and back (trotting in a straight line so that the judge can critique movement) Sami’s great grandpa decided to lie down in the ring and roll on his back. 

After completing my research, I landed an interview with the president of the American Kennel Club!  Then, the personal relations director connected with me an AKC judge.  She firmly suggested that I focus on Junior Showmanship since I was writing for children.  I listened and thanked her for her suggestion.  Then I discussed why I wanted to write this story—I had met Sami’s great, great, grandmother.  I had a personal connection.  But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t convince her of my story.  Nonetheless, she begrudgingly agreed to answer my questions for the piece.   

When I hung up the phone, I felt that I was making a big mistake.  I was full of self-doubt.  Was she correct?  Was I taking the wrong angle for kids?  I considered re-writing a completely different story.

In the meantime, I stayed in touch with Carole.  Her puppy was about to enter her first show.  And then I realized that I cared about Carole and her dog.  I was rooting for Sami.  I wanted her to do well in the ring.  In the end, I silenced my self-doubt and listened to my heart, to my passion.  As it turned out, the AKC judge never answered my questionnaire.  Yet, I had the opportunity to interview a judge in person at a local dog show.  I had great research, great quotes, and more, I had a great story.  Regardless of what had been suggested to me, I stood my ground.  And I’m glad that I did.  I will have an amazing story to share with kids. 

Make it Your Mantra

When pitching your picture book to a publisher, it helps to have credentials.  So you decide to build credits by writing a nonfiction article for a children’s magazine. 

You research a topic, write the article, compose a cover letter, and click—you email your submission.  Will you receive an acceptance?  As Nonfiction Editor for Stories for Children Magazine, I receive many submissions that well, need a little help.  A good majority require revision.  Some miss the mark completely by submitting fiction.  So how can you join the ranks of those who succeed? 

Before you begin your article, review the magazine’s guidelines to know what will be expected of you. Guidelines will indicate how to format your manuscript.  For instance, guidelines will state whether to single or double space the text.  Guidelines will usually give the word count and the age range.  They may also call for a bibliography and a biography. 

Each publication has specific guidelines.  Read them and follow them.  While this may seem obvious, I can’t stress this point enough.  An editor is not trying to make you jump through hoops.  She’s not trying to frustrate you or test you.  The guidelines are in place to help her review the many submissions that stack up on her desk or fill up her email. 

Never argue with an editor about the guidelines.  Yes, that’s happened to me before.  An editor doesn’t have time to re-format your work or find another source for your bibliography.  It’s your job to do it correctly. So make it your mantra.  Repeat after me:   I will follow the guidelines, I will follow the guidelines.  Good job!  You’ve just increased the change of an acceptance coming your way.

Writing for the Arboretum



photo by Parvin

  

I volunteer at the Arboretum, the State Botanical Garden of Kentucky.  As a member of the committee for the Children’s Garden, I am awarded opportunities to write for children.   

Recently, the director needed a brochure for children about the rose garden.  The challenge:  design a brochure that was educational and entertaining for children.   Since this would be like the nonfiction articles I write for children, I embraced the task.  Using several Arboretum brochures as guides, I developed four pages (which may be edited by the director).  I placed the Arboretum logo at the top of the first page.  Underneath the logo I placed an image of a velvet-petaled crimson rose.  Beneath the photo, I added a funny poem about a rosebush and an oak tree written by Shel Silverstein. 

On the second page, I used an image of a garden with rows and trellises of blooming roses.  Under the photo, I listed six columns each designated with a color:  red, pink, yellow, purple, white, or orange.  The director will fill in the columns with the names of roses that correlate to the color category.  

The third page shows a diagram of flower parts and follows with a brief history of the naming of roses. Near the center of the page is an outline of a rose that children can color, and then name.  On the last page is Arboretum contact information, followed by fun facts about roses.  For instance, did you know: 

Barbara Streisand, Whoopi Goldberg, and Rosie O'Donnell each have a rose named for them.

In 1986, then President Ronald Reagan signed legislation making the rose the official National Flower of the United States.

Writing for children doesn’t have to be restricted to writing stories.  Look for opportunities to write for young ones at children’s museums, libraries, nature centers, and more.  What other ways can you share your writing with kids?  

                                                                     



The Story Behind: I Love You, Be Careful

Judy Snider is co-author of I Love You, Be Careful. Today she shares the inspiration behind her heart-warming book.

Hello ! It was fun to think of why my sister, Joan and I wrote, I Love You, Be Careful! We talk on a daily basis on the telephone and during one of our conversations we discussed being mothers, wives, friends, sisters and how important our loved ones are. Joan began talking about her fun grandchildren and how she worries about them as well as her own grown kids. We said no matter if our kids are 4 or 40, you still want the best for them and for them to “be careful”.

The next day we spoke again and said how we had told our husband’s to “be careful” and we loved them as they left for work. This led to what a great idea it would be to write a picture gift book that shows all the “be careful” moments in life, for any person, no matter what language they speak or what country they are from.

We began a rough draft and worked every day to combine our ideas as to what should be in the book. We took from all our own “be Careful” moments in life with our kids and began looking for an illustrator. We were lucky we found Cady Driver, because besides being a wonderful illustrator, she is a mother and a very creative and fun person to work with! She is in a different state, so all our interactions were on the phone or on the computer.

It was fun work and wonderful to hold our finished book in our hands. Before we finished the book, we thought who would want to read it. We have found it is mothers of daughters, parents of those in the military, new brides, fathers of daughters, and new moms and grandmothers who love the book and find it sentimental. Yet, we were surprised that kids liked the book.  They enjoyed finding the hidden “be careful” in every picture and talking about their own “be careful” children’s moments.   We were lucky to have a video trailer done by Virginia Grenier and to be on this book blog tour.

I hope you like the book. Remember, everyone has a book inside them!

Creating Characters

Renee Hand shares her thoughts on developing characters.  She has received a Best Book Award, a National Literary Award, and a Preferred Choice Award for her children's series and adult books.  Renee is the author of the mystery series known as the Crypto-Capers. Recently, she won a Seal of Excellence Award in Storytelling for her Joe-Joe Nut and Bisquit Bill series. 

Creating characters is a very important job. Without good developoment, characters can be lifeless and dull. Too many times, writers will tell about their characters, but not show who their characters really are. In order for characters to be believable, you must make the reader feel something about them. Good description is key, but it's not enough. How may times have we read a book or watched a movie and have cried or laughed with the characters? We want what they want. We do so because we made a connection with the characters. We felt sympathy or empathy. We love or hate characters based on how the writer makes us feel about them.

When I create characters, this is what I do. My characters are never lifeless and boring. They are dynamic and evolve as the story continues; they have depth. They don't just exist and are meaningless. I put myself in their shoes and walk around. I think how I would feel if that happened to me and I share my feelings. The best thing you can do as a writer is to share your characters' feelings. You can't just tell what a character is doing. A writer must show how a character feels: their pain and suffering, their happiness and joy, and their fears. That makes a character believable—a reader can relate to that. There is more, of course, a lot more to character development, but the above is a good start.

Check out Renee's website at: http://www.reneeahand.com/  to learn about cyrptograms and how to solve the ones that are in her books.

Listening to Chuck

I had registered for a workshop on getting an agent, which would be presented by Writer’s Digest Editor Chuck Sambuchino.  Due to an illness however, he had to cancel.  In the meantime, I registered for a picture book workshop for March 26^th at Joseph Beth Booksellers.  Unbeknownst to me, Chuck’s workshop had been rescheduled for the same day.  Decisions, decisions.  Which one would I go to?  How I would have loved to have cloned myself to be able to attend both.  In the end, I decided to attend Chuck’s, which ran from 9:45 – 11:45, and then catch the tail end of the picture book workshop, which ran to 1:30.

I made the right choice.  Chuck’s presentation was amazing.  He was confident, personable, direct, and lively.  Throughout the lecture, he paused to answer questions and afterward, kept the presentation moving smoothly.  The audience was respectful, keeping their questions directly related to the topic.

Chuck suggests, “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.”  In other words, have other works in progress should an agent expresses interest.   He also had some pointers for query letters:  

Keep a query to one page. 

Personalize the query (no Dear Agent)                                

Paint a picture of your book

Refer to an agent’s books

After his workshop a light bulb went off in my head.  I have to try harder to get an agent.  My picture book has won three awards—three!—so why haven’t I any takers?   I blame it on my query.  So, together with my notes from the workshop and Chuck’s book, 2011 Guide to Literary Agents, I will edit my query to make it stronger, more enticing.  I am stoked.  I feel more confident and have the tools to” bring it” to an agent. 

If you’re thinking about getting an agent, I highly recommend following Chuck’s blog: literaryagent@fwmedia.com and taking a look at the his literary agent guide book.  Better yet, think about registering for one of his workshops.

And the winner is...

 

Last month, The Maggie Project sponsored a picture book

giveaway contest. 

The winner is Cheryl Malandrinos.  She wins a copy of             

Monkey Made Dream. 

Congratulations and happy reading, Cheryl! 

Writer's News



photo by Lucas



Maggie and the Third Grade Blues has been
submitted to 23 editors and 8 agents. These are the latest results:

Charlesbridge—sent manuscript, no reply  

GP Putnam—sent manuscript, no reply

Houghton Mifflin Children’s Books—sent manuscript, no reply 
Clarion—equery, no reply 

Susan Schulman Agency—queried, no reply

Pippin Literary Agency—e-query; no reply

On the other hand, after I queried Editor-at-Large Melanie Kroupa, she sent a lovely hand written note addressed to me personally, not to “author.” Melanie wrote that she was taking on few projects.  This is what many in the publishing world say is “a positive rejection.” This means that she read my query and it was professional enough to garner a personal note.  

Maggie and the Third Grade Blues has been entered in four contests.  The Kay Snow Willamette Writers Contest will make the final contest, the deadline being this April.  To date, the picture book has captured three contest awards!

More news:  I will post a review of Chuck Sambuchino’s workshop “Everything You Need to Know about Getting an Agent.”   And, I will be hosting two special guests next month.  On April 11^th Renee Hand will offer her insights about creating characters.  On April 15^th Judy Snider will present the back story of I Love You, Be Careful.  

Until then, happy writing!

A letter to Merilee

photo by McBeth

How would I describe you to someone who never knew you?  You were my dad’s girlfriend, a beautiful blond, a fabulous cook, a dancer, a friend to my family, and a cheerleader of my writing.  When I’m quiet, I can hear your voice from your cell phone:  “Hi, this is Merilee, leave me a message.”  And when we’d connect, we’d talk and talk.  I am lucky to have some of your recipes, preserved on note cards—my favorite, the scrumptious honey bun cake!  I have some jewelry you had given to me as gifts.  You knew me well, knew that I liked small earrings.  I still have a most unusual gift from you:  a crystal angel lamp that lights up and warms perfume.  

When I saw you for the last time, I whispered in your ear, “You were the best thing that has happened to our family.” I meant it, though you modestly shrugged it off.  Six years is not long enough to have known someone.  But who am I to question God’s plan?  I would loved to have walked with you in the arboretum.  I would have loved for you to have joined more family celebrations.  I would have loved to have one more day with you.  It’s hard saying good bye.  Merilee, I miss you.

Book Review: Monkey Made Dream

Monkey Made Dream 

by Tom Listul, Heather Listul Hewitt

Primary    Trafford Publishing    40 pp.

12/2010     ISBN-10:   1426949863  ISBN-13: 9781426949869

Monkey Made Dream is a whimsical story of a little girl who wakes up one morning to find a monkey lying in her brother’s bed.   After dressing him, combing his hair, and brushing his teeth, they get ready to go to school.  But her mother doesn’t notice anything different, and neither does her teacher.  Her friends don’t understand when she tries to explain he has a name.  What’s a sister to do?  Monkey Made Dream is full of subtle humor and colorful illustrations. Though the rhyming is not always spot on, this light-hearted book is sure to delight and entertain young children.  Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Book World are just a few of the sites where Monkey Made Dream is now for sale.

Enter the free book giveaway!

For each thing you do (see the list that follows), your name will be entered into the giveaway. This giveaway is open until the end of the month, March 31, 2011.  On April 1, 2011, I will randomly select a name. Then, I will announce the winner that day with instructions on how to claim your copy of Monkey Made Dream.

1.  Become a follower of The Maggie Project.

2.  Leave a comment on The Maggie Project.

3.  "Like" the Stories for Children Fan page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Stories-for-Children-Magazine/101731646536813 and leave a comment at The Maggie Project to let me know you have (and your FB name is, if different).
4.  Follow SFC Publishing on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sfcpublishing and leave a comment at The Maggie Project to let me know you have and what your Twitter ID is.
5.  Leave a comment on Tom and Heather’s tour page on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=198703490158349 and leave a comment on The Maggie Project to let me know you have.

Cross 'em off the list



photo by CarbonNYC



A while back, I wrote an article for a writer’s newsletter.  Before submitting it, I queried the editor.  I waited the obligatory month as indicated and to my dismay, I received no word.  Then I mustered the courage to send the editor a polite follow-up email. Still, no word.  And yet all I wanted was an e-mail that simply stated:  no thank you.  I hate to admit it, but this has happened to me twice—with the same editor.  I should’ve listened to my gut instincts.  But I was willing to try her one more time.  Maybe my emails got spammed. 

The same scenario happened to me with another editor, but with different results.  After emailing her over the period of a year, she finally responded to me, accepted my work, and published it.  But, I vowed I wouldn’t submit to her again.  She was unorganized and the effort I put into contacting her repeatedly wasn’t worth my time.  I should’ve submitted my work elsewhere, where it would’ve been published sooner.  

Editor etiquette varies from publication to publication.  Most magazine editors will contact an author when they aren’t interested in a submission.  However, there are a few that have a different style.  I call them “the silent type.”  While I could view this as a negative experience, I choose to think of it as a good thing.  I now know that I’m wasting my time submitting to this silent editor.  And all is not lost.  I’ll find a home for my article.  I’ll look into new markets.  Or, I'll submit to the editors with whom I've worked with, those who respect me and will get back to me in a timely fashion.  As for my silent editor, I bear no harsh feelings.  It’s just the way she does business.  And I don’t have to do business with her.  I’ve finally learned that it’s time to move on and cross her off my list.

What are your thoughts when an editor fails to respond to you?

Writing for Appleseeds Magazine

Besides creating picture books and working as an editor,

photo by Sergey Melkonov

I write articles for children.  Last year, when the award-winning, social studies magazine Appleseeds posted that one of their upcoming themes was “horses,” I knew I had to submit. I envisioned writing an article about Visionaire, the Derby race horse that one of my friends co-owned. 

Living in Kentucky and having witnessed the 100^th running of the Kentucky Derby, I felt that the editor would welcome my query. But before I could think about the query and the article, I had to meet Visionaire.

Visionaire is now retired and living at Crestwood Farm in Lexington.  One frosty November morning, manager Pope McClain, Jr. invited me to meet this chestnut beauty.  After interviewing Pope and taking photos of Visionaire, I returned home to outline the article.  I drew up questionnaires for Visionaire’s co-owners and for the trainer (none other than Michael Matz, trainer of the 2006 Derby winner Barbaro).  Several weeks later, I worked up a rough article.

I polished a query and sent it months in advance of the deadline (August, 2010).  By the end of August, I was heart-broken.  I never heard from the editor.   Having faith in the piece, I decided to place it elsewhere.  Then, toward the end of September, I received an intriguing email.  The subject line read:  Appleseeds Assignment.  When I opened the email I discovered that the editor liked my proposal and wanted to publish it.  So awesome!  

I had three weeks to send in the completed article.  The word count had to be trimmed down.  More research had to be completed.  I edited my article accordingly and had my loving editor (my husband) peruse it.  But, he pointed out that the article lacked excitement because it was written in third person.  So I re-wrote the piece in first person, reflecting my thrilling encounter with Visionaire.  Then, I sent it off to the editor with photos and photocopies of all of my resources.  Several months later, I received the contract and word that “The Road to the Derby” will be a three-page spread in the Appleseeds spring, 2011 issue—just in time for Derby Day.  

So what did I learn from this experience?  Have a vision.  Follow through.  Let nothing get in your way.  Tell the story like nobody one else can.

And the Winner is...

Last month, The Maggie Project sponsored a picture book giveaway contest.

The winner is Margay Leah Justice, who wins a

copy of Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster.

Congratulations and happy reading, Margay! 

The Compliment Challenge

 

Photo by J. McPherskesen 




Let’s say that you’re sporting a new haircut, or that you’re driving a new car.  Chances are you’d want someone to notice.  You’d want someone to acknowledge you.  Deep inside, you’d like a compliment. 

 

Yet compliments are rare.  Allow me to travel back in time when I was a medical technologist.  I worked with about thirty employees in the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.  We worked Monday through Friday (with two days off a month) and every third weekend.  We were expected to fill in on any shift.  We operated and maintained sophisticated instrumentation.  We analyzed blood and other body fluids (differentiating between normal and critical results), and reported the results to doctors and nurses.  Needless to say, we didn’t get a pat on the back.  Such a shame. My co-workers were amazingly talented individuals.  Were doctors, nurses and managers too busy to notice? 

While it would be insincere to give employees compliments every day, an occasional “You did a nice job” would be a good thing to hear.  To repeat the over-used phrase, it’s a “win-win situation.”  Giving a sincere compliment makes the employee feel appreciated.  Employers who give compliments know it encourages and motivates employees.  It’s such a simple thing to do and it doesn’t cost anything.  Employees in any work place deserve them. 

So what’s this got to do with writing?  Let me pose another question.  How often to do compliment an author for an article that you enjoyed?  How often to you acknowledge a writer for winning an award or achieving an exceptional goal?  I challenge you to do so.  Call them on the phone, post a message on Facebook, or send them an email.  You could send a card or a small gift.  We are so caught up in our everyday lives that we forget that as writers, we need to connect with other writers.  We are part of the community.  So put yourself aside for five minutes and think about someone else.  Pay a compliment to a friend, a family member, or a co-worker.  It will brighten their day and you too, will feel good knowing that you’ve made a positive impact on someone else. You say you’ll consider it?  Then, good job.  Nicely done.  Bravo!  My heartiest congratulations go out to you!

Writer's News

photo by Lucas 

Recently, I submitted Maggie and the Third Grade Blues to 4 more publishers (now making a total of 14) and to 2 more agents (a total of 7).  After waiting the standard 3-month period to hear from an editor, these are the results:  

Dutton—queried; received a rejection

Tanglewood Press—sent manuscript, but received no word

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers—sent manuscript, but received no word

Philomel—sent manuscript, but received no word

Adams Literary—sent manuscript, but received a rejection 

Sheldon Fogelman Agency—sent manuscript, but received a signed rejection

Regardless on the lack of interest from publishers, I've entered two more contests:

Tennessee Mountain Writers and CNW/FFWA.  I will share the outcomes with my followers.

Other writer’s news:  At the end of the month, I’ll be attending a seminar hosted by Chuck Sambuchino, a columnist for Writer’s Digest.  He’ll be discussing how to find an agent. In the past, I’ve been told that picture book authors don’t need an agent,but I’m beginning to think otherwise. Many children’s book publishers have closed their doors to unagented authors. In fact, Meg Cabot (yes the world famous author) told me, “Get an agent” if I want to see publication. 

I can't wait to meet Chuck and learn all there is to know about finding an agent. 

Got a question for Chuck?  As I’ve mentioned in an earlier blog, leave a comment.  

I’ll ask Chuck on your behalf.

Book Review: Writing Picture Books

Writing Picture Books

by Ann Whitford Paul

Writers Digest Books   256 pp.

6/09     Print  ISBN-10:  1582975566      ISBN-13: 978-1582975566

 

I thought I knew everything about creating a picture book, until I discovered Ann Whitford Paul’s book, Writing Picture Books.  After reading Paul’s book, I discovered more ways to make my picture book more successful.

She lays it on the line and emphasizes that writing picture books is not easy.  And she’s right.  A picture book author has to write a book that adults will want to read and that children will want to hear over and over and do so using very few words.  Paul’s book discusses topics like character development, strong openings, the poetry of prose, endings, and much more.  She provides a mix of hand-on exercises and instruction to help writers create great picture books that will appeal to editors and agents, as well as children and parents. 

One of my favorite parts of the book was a layout of pages of a picture book to illustrate the importance of page turns.  When I applied this technique to my picture books, I discovered that my page turns needed a little tweaking.  With so many how-to-write books on the market, I recommend that you move this book to the top of your list.  It’s an enjoyable read and perfect for those driven to create picture books for kids.

Nobody is Gonna Rain on My Parade



Photo by tcp909



Recently, a person published a rather mean-hearted article about my blog.  Crushed, I conferred with my sister (who also has a blog), my husband (who told me to “let it roll off my back”), and my blog teachers (who informed me that I’ve encountered my first troll). It was hard not to take it personally, because he complained that my blog was self-serving. And in some ways it is.  But if he had read any of the entries, he would have seen that 90% of my blog is written to help other writers. 

People blog for all kinds of reasons.  Some people create blogs to read like diaries, while others promote themselves and their work.  Blogs can educate, or entertain, or start debates.  It’s a personal choice.  For me, I started with the concept of wanting to share the journey (the triumphs and the disappointments) of trying to get a picture book published.  The blog branched out into reviewing and promoting other authors’ books, offering inspiration for writers, and providing insight into an editor’s world.

My troll believes that blogs aren’t creative.  I would encourage him to spend a few minutes researching popular blogs.  He would be surprised to find that many are wildly creative and written by witty people.  He also thinks that blogs are a waste of time.  I agree blogging takes time; however, successful bloggers manage to make time to fit blogging into their writing schedule.  It doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process. 

While attending a lecture by Alice Pope, former editor of Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market, I learned that people should consider developing a platform to sell their books.  Some publishers are willing to lend a hand with publicity, but in many cases, an author must do most of the promoting.  Social networking and blogging have the potential to reach a vast audience.  For this reason and for personal reasons I will continue to blog, regardless of the negative comments. As for my troll, I think he should toy around with blogging while he tries to find someone to publish his book.  He may just have a change of heart.  He may realize that blogging could be beneficial.  And when he does so, I only hope no one rains on his parade.  

Rejection Day Blues

Photo by KatLevPhoto

Once, I had a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” to quote Judith Voirst, poet and children’s book author.

I had submitted an article to a popular children’s magazine.  The editor’s reply read:  “We’re not accepting manuscripts at this time.”  However, her e-mail sent to me four weeks prior stated: “Yep, we accept submissions.”  Likewise, her website indicated that submissions were being sought.                                         

I’ve received hundreds of rejections, so why did this rejection make me feel so bad?  I don’t know.  Maybe it had something to do with the weather, or a bad hair day, or just a general sense of why-the-heck-am-I-writing-anyway-blues.  Or maybe I felt bad because I felt that the editor had lied to me.         

I tried several ways to relieve the yucky feeling:  washed the car, cooked dinner, got some exercise, ate chocolate.  But, nothing worked.  It took me several weeks to realize that holding on to the painful rejection was not healthy.  I needed to let go of it.  During this time period however, it dawned on me that editors’ needs constantly change.

After swearing that I would never submit to this editor again, I wondered what I should do with my article.  A piece this well-written shouldn’t hide in a desk drawer.  I decided to send it off to another children’s publication as soon as possible.  In doing so, my article was accepted by another editor.  It was also snatched up by an educational database.

Let’s face it. You know as well as I do that rejections stink. And they make us feel bad.  But it’s up to you to think of them differently.  They are part of writing; and as much as I hate to admit, rejections will help you grow.  Remember that you write because you’re driven.  Because you just have to.  Trust that you haven’t yet found the right editor for your piece, but that you will.  And know that days filled with writing are not always “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad-days”, but wonderful, delightful, very good days. 

Give me the money—OK, don’t

Photo by Tracy O.

I write because I love to write.  I’m not in it to make a lot of money, though that would be nice.  When I first started writing, I submitted to non-paying markets.  As my husband always says, “You got to pay your dues.”  I spent many hours researching, writing, and editing my articles.  The non-paying markets accepted my work and though I wasn’t paid, I acquired credits and built a nice bio. 

Establishing credits boosted my confidence.  A few years later, I pitched to big time children’s markets:  KNOW magazine, Nature Friend, and Highlights for Children to name a few.  These publications accepted my work and paid me for it.  As I look back, it was a good thing that I waited before approaching these markets.  I simply hadn’t honed my skills or earned the credits early on. 

Though I regularly submit to the paying markets now, I don’t shy away from the non-paying ones.  If they’re a good fit for my article, I’ll pitch it to them.  I know that educational companies are often willing to purchase my work.  And more, non-paying markets continue to build my bio. 

Over the years of submitting to non-paying markets, I’ve learned that many are well-respected, award-winning publications. Think again if you believe it’s a piece of cake getting published in one. Winning an acceptance from a non-paying market can be as difficult as a paying market. So having them on your biography is a good thing.

Some people submit to the paying markets without having any credentials.  But I dare say that those writers would have trouble catching an editor’s eye.  An editor looks at your track record, especially if you’ve never written for her publication.  Many times, an editor will ask for clips before accepting your work or giving you an assignment.  Editors like to go with sure bets.  

So here’s my advice.  Put the paying markets on the back burner.  Work on improving your writing. Build your bio.  Apply this simple equation: Hard work + Non-paying markets = credentials.  Continue applying the equation until you have about five published pieces.  Then go for it.  You’ve paid your dues.  Submit your very best and cash in on the paying markets. 

Leave me a comment.  How do you feel about writing without pay?

Book Review: Little Shepherd

Little Shepherd   

by Cheryl C. Malandrinos; illus. by Eugene Ruble

Ages 4 – 8     Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.    16 pp.

8/10      Print  ISBN 13: 978-161633-085-9  eBook  ISBN 13: 978-1-61633-086-6

The Little Shepherd is a story about the birth of baby Jesus told through the eyes of Obed, a young shepherd boy.  Malandrinos transports readers back in time through imagery of the senses to the night where Obed tends his flock of sheep.  We feel the chilly air; we hear the wolves howl and the sheep bleat.  Obed, his father and the other herders are visited by the angels who announce the birth of the Savior.  When Obed’s father decides that they should go to Bethlehem, Obed is afraid to leave his flock unattended.  Obed’s father however, comforts him along the way.  Upon arriving at the manger, Obed is amazed when he beholds baby Jesus.  How can an infant be so calm?  Afterward, Obed travels back to his flock, worried about what he may find.  Yet, he discovers one more miracle that night.  Full of bright illustrations that leap off each page, this book is a touching story, perfect for Christmas Eve. 

Accepting the Offer

I loved writing for Stories for Children Magazine, one of the best children’s magazines online.  But, the magazine went on hiatus in 2009.  Though shaken at first by the lost of this respectable magazine, I found other markets that accepted my work. 

 

Fast forward to summer, 2010.  Editor V. S. Grenier announced that she was bringing the magazine back.  She posted some openings, so I applied for a position for the magazine.  Being an editor for an educational website www.viatouch.com, I felt that I could contribute to the Stories for Children Magazine team. 

Here’s what followed:    

Read Editor V. S. Grenier’s post for an editor position at SCBWI*

E-mailed a brief resume

Took part in a phone interview

Was offered the job several days later (and said yes!)

Set up email accounts

Got to know the editorial team through e-mails

Joined in on conference calls

Learned how to log in submissions and critique submissions

Talked with the nonfiction editor to fine-tune my duties

Worked with my husband to understand the nuances of Microsoft Office Live

Created lots of folders for submissions, acceptances, and revisions 

Acquired the first submissions

So far, I’ve received a nice selection of work.  I congratulate the authors for Stories for Children.  They work hard to create educational and entertaining pieces.  Our first issue is due this spring.  I invite you to take a look at: www.storiesforchildrenmagazine.com.  Check out our guidelines.  You may want to contribute, too.

* SCBWI is the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators:  http://www.scbwi.org/

Submission News, a Contest, and a Class

Four months after the birth of The Maggie Project, I’ve submitted to 18 publishers and 6 agents, and I’ve entered 3 contests.  Having been awarded two prizes helps offset the following news.

Albert Whitman: mailed the manuscript; not interested

Boyds Mills Press: mailed the manuscript; received a rejection

Holiday House: mailed a query; received a rejection

Adams Literary Agency—submitted manuscript online; received an online “no thank you”

            While the submission process seems somewhat grim, Maggie and the Third Grade Blues will be entered in The Tennessee Mountain Writers contest this month.  The contest coincides with the organization’s annual conference which will be held in Oakville, Tennessee March 24 - 26.  

 

            I’ve registered for the class “Everything You Need to Know about Getting an Agent.”  While many picture book authors will tell you that getting an agent is not necessary, more and more publishers only accept agented submissions.  The class will meet at the Carnegie Center for Literary and Learning in Lexington, Kentucky this February and will be taught by Writers’ Digest Editor Chuck Sambuchino.    I follow Chuck’s blog and can’t wait to meet him and learn all he has to offer.  Does anyone have a question for Chuck?  If so, leave me a comment.

And the Winner is...

On December 13^th, The Maggie Project Blog sponsored a book giveaway.  The random drawing was held and follower Susan W. of New Jersey won a copy of “The Great Snowball Escapade.”  Congratulations, Susan! 

I’d like to thank all of the faithful followers and supporters of my blog.   May the New Year bring inspiration, creativity, and much success to all of your writing endeavors. 

Jump-Starting Your Creativity Engine

     From time to time, I'll share pieces that I've published in writers' magazines for my blog.  I wrote this article for the writers' magazine The Creativity Connection back in January 2001.

                    Five Easy Ways to Jump-Start Your Creativity Engine

Sometimes I’m not sure what to do with all the half-written thoughts and fragmented phrases scribbled in my journal.    

You can call it writer’s block.  To me, it’s more like I my engine has stalled.  Because this happens to me more than I care to admit, I have found five tricks to help get me back on the writing track. 

1.      Take a walk.  Walking helps me think.  Besides, it’s a great way to get exercise and take a break from sitting in front of the computer.  While I walk I might think about a word or phrase that I have written.  I quiet my internal editor, and then I allow free thought to take over.  Or, if I don’t want to think so much, I might make observations as I walk.  Seeing and hearing things along the way may help me find just the right words to finish a poem or an article.

2.      Take classes.  I like to take workshops offered at our literacy center.  Not only have I have met other writers, I’ve also had instructors help me find direction for my ideas.  Similarly, taking online classes may be worthwhile, although I haven’t tried these yet.

3.      Re-write a story.  For instance, changing the point of view can liven up a story.  Sometimes, I like to switch from third person to first to give the story an up-close personal feeling.  Changing from past to present tense is another way to re-shape your piece. 

4.      Study writer’s magazines.  I like to read Writer’s Digest and The Writer magazine, to name a few.  I save informative articles and pull them out whenever I need help.     

5.      Read a favorite novel, some short stories, or poems.  I like to analyze why I like them.  Sometimes, I practice mimicking the technique, which helps me re-invent or strengthen my style.

   

Out of the five, going on a walk is the easiest and least expensive.  Walking can help bring focus to creative ideas.  Likewise reading, whether it’s for enjoyment or education, is a great way to help channel your ideas.  Moreover, taking classes can give birth to new ideas or give direction to your work.  Although classes involve a little more effort (and money), the payoffs are worth it.  Re-writing stories and studying magazines is a little like doing homework, but the results may just spark ideas to explore and to write about.

    

These five ideas work for me, but the bottom line is to discover what works for you.  What can you do to jump-start your creativity engine?