The past 5 months, I've had some late nights and long weekends writing and revising and re-revising DEATH BY TOILET PAPER.
Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of hitting "SEND." My agent, Tina Wexler, responded with an e-mail that every writer dreams of -- praise so generous it made me tear up. Twice.
Now, I'll work with my editor, Michelle Poploff, and the awesome team at Random House to make this the best book possible. I can't wait for its release next year!
I've been doing lots more than writing and revising these past five months.
There have been oodles of school visits, including the week I spent in Fort Worth, TX with incredible hosts, extraordinary students and . . . Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Eager Briscoe Elementary students
I've traveled the country virtually doing tons of Skype visits, like this one with 6th grade students in VA . . .
Thanks, Ms. Buchanan, for sharing your FUNderful students with me.
I've received lovely notes from students, including these thank you letters from Mr. Schu's students in IL and Ms. Luchie's students in ME from World Read Aloud Day.
Thank You Notes from Mr. Schu's students. (Dogs not included.)
Teddy guarding the thank you notes from Ms. Luchie's students. (Thanks, Teddy!)
I created a fun OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN quiz for Random Buzzers that includes trivia and a chance for kids to earn Buzz Bucks and "buy" books with them. Check it out!
Recently, I spoke at a luncheon with Jim Cummings. He spent a year in Africa with no running water or electricity and counts it as the best of his life. Jim has created an amazing project -- KIJANA EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE -- which connects children across cultures, provides educational spaces, puts books into kids' hands in Kenya and more.
There are great "thank you" gifts for even the smallest donation. Won't you take a moment to donate? I just did. Kijana Lwanda Maktaba Campaign. HERE'S WHAT I'LL BE DOING THROUGH THE END OF APRIL . . .
1. APRIL IS FOR AUTHORS -- Saturday, April 27th at Palm Beach Gardens High School, 25 authors from around the country will give presentations, participate in panel discussions and sign books at this FREE event from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. This is a wonderful annual event. If you live in or near Palm Beach County, FL, be sure to stop by this Saturday.
2. I'll be attending the 26th annual CONFERENCE ON CHILDREN'S LITERATURE in Ft. Lauderdale Friday. I had spoken there a few years ago. This time, I'm going to enjoy a great lineup of speakers, including the Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Walter Dean Myers. Can't wait!
3. And I'll be doing THREE days of local school visits.
I'm excited about each of these visits, but especially about the last one because . . . Thanks to the generosity of Kids in Need, Books in Deed, a nonprofit organization, every one of the students I'll be speaking to at this Title I school has been given a copy of one of my books. A brand new book to keep. (Something I never had growing up.)
I can't tell you what it feels like to present to a group of low-income students who ask how they can get a copy of a book, only to be told there are no copies for them. Kids in Need, Books in Deed is a great organization, and I've already made a donation to thank them for the important work they do here in Florida, getting books into kids' hands in conjunction with author visits.
After the whirlwind of activity the past 5 months and what's on the horizon for the remainder of April, I'm pretty sure on May 1st, you'll find me here . . .
I'm delighted to announce the sale of my new middle grade novel, DEATH BY TOILET PAPER, to Michelle Poploff, Vice President and Executive Editor at Delacorte Press/Random House Children's Books.
Michelle Poploff
I'm forever grateful to my agent, Tina Wexler, at ICM Partners for helping me find the story I was trying to tell and selling it to a wonderful editor.
Tina Wexler
I've worked on versions of this story for years, and it's going to be a DOOZY!!!
Here's the announcement from PublishersMarketplace: Donna Gephart's DEATH BY TOILET PAPER, about a contest-crazed seventh-grade boy whose attempts to save his family from eviction result in battling a bully, keeping a difficult promise and creating a wedding gown made entirely from toilet paper for his zany zeyde to wear.
Publication of DEATH BY TOILET PAPER is slated for FALL 2014.
And in other good book news: OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN comes out in paperback March 2013 -- in time to celebrate Jeopardy's! 50th anniversary and Alex Trebek's 30th anniversary as host.
When hubby had a business trip to New York, I tagged along. We spent our first day enjoying Central Park.
Nerds in Central Park!
Everything was in bloom.
Then we geeked out Times Square, taking in the lights and sights. Had the best vegetarian burgers at Ted's Montana Grill. The next morning, our friend Elysa drove from Connecticut to spend the morning with us. She helped us get half-priced tickets for Memphis.
Our lovely friend, Elysa.
After Elysa left, an hour before the show, the lens popped out of my glasses. We ran to the nearest Lens Crafters, where the person repaired my glasses, then we grabbed a bite and hustled to the theater. Made it there in plenty of time to stand in the longest women's bathroom line ever. And still was on time for the show!
After the fun musical, we strolled around Rockefeller Center and watched the ice skaters. (Last time I was there with Elysa, they cleared the ice, and a man skated onto the ice to a woman and proposed to her.)
Hubby and I saw many landmarks, including this one . . .
That evening found us in Rizolli Bookstore. This is what an independent bookstore used to be . . . and should be still. What a joy! I stood in the children's section and got all weepy, feeling so grateful to be part of this wonderful field.
Monday found me in the lobby of our hotel, meeting a teacher (with whom I've only corresponded) and her daughter.
Tracy Smith and her lovely daughter, Victoria.
They treated me to breakfast at Carnegie Deli. We had a lovely time getting to know each other. I found out that Victoria plays drums, and they have a great shelter dog . . . just like we do.
When they headed to the American Museum of Natural History, I walked in the opposite direction to a meeting at Scholastic. I knew I was in the right place when my name badge had Clifford, the Big Red Dog on it.
Lauren Tarshis, editor of Storyworks and Scope magazines, author and mother of four. Aka: Superwoman!
Lauren introduced me to the magazine group and the people who choose the books for Scholastic's book fairs and clubs. Then she treated me to a lovely lunch at the Scholastic cafe.
On the way out, I said so-long to Clifford the Big Red Dog, who stands guard near the front desk.
Then I began the looooong trek back from SoHo to Mid-town. Despite the cold weather, I vastly prefer walking to taking a cab.
Of course, along the way, I stopped in The Strand Bookstore. And Books of Wonder, where I had the impossible decision of buying one of their amazing cupcakes or browsing the books. I choose the books. And I'm glad I did because manager, Scott, ended up chatting with me for half an hour about our shared love for children's literature and the amazing events they are prepping for this weekend. Then, of course, I bought a book!
To continue my nerd love for New York City, I stopped in the New York Public Library. In the main reading room, I sat and gazed up at the paintings of clouds on the ornate ceiling, grateful to be in that hallowed space.
Hubby and I enjoyed a lovely dinner with my agent and her family.
The next morning, I met the talented woman who edited all three of my novels -- Stephanie Elliott. She has left Random House, so I was happy to reconnect with her and her adorable daughter and stroll through Central Park and catch up.
Stephanie Elliott
Then off to lunch at Cognac, a great French restaurant, with my agent and wonderful new editor, Michelle Poploff, who took over the torch of Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen and worked hard to give it the best start she could. I look forward to working on future books with Michelle.
Michelle Poploff, Vice President, Executive Editor at Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers (Random House)
Tina Wexler, Senior Agent with International Creative Management
My last meeting was with my publicist, Paul Samuelson. Besides sharing great ideas, Paul and I discovered we spent our childhoods at different branches of the same library system -- The Free Library of Philadelphia. Who knows how many enthusiastic book nerds that library system helped create?!
Donna, Elvis and publicist, Paul Samuelson.
One of the may things I learned during this trip is that children's book publishing companies retain a sense of fun in the workplace and are filled with dedicated professionals, who are passionate about producing and promoting children's literature.
Hubby and I spent our last night in New York revisiting Rizolli Bookstore and buying several books and EATING! After a big dinner, we treated ourselves to dessert of crepes, hot chocolate, etc. And headed home, full of sights, sounds, nerdy book love and FOOD!
To read Ken Jennings' (Jeopardy! champ) quote about Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen or to get a FREE reader's guide or to challenge yourself with some fun trivia, click HERE, then hit the Olivia Bean tab.
Two years ago, when How to Survive Middle School came out, I was up to my eyeballs in work and dressed like a homeless person when two friends arrived with amazing surprises. Read about it here.
This year, I worked like crazy the weeks leading up to today, so I could enjoy the day. It's not every day your book lands on bookstore shelves across the country!
My talented author friend Maria Padian reminded me yesterday of the brilliant chapter in Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird, where she talks about publication. I re-read it last night. (By the way, Maria's gripping, glorious bookJERSEY TOMATOES ARE THE BESTis also celebrating a book birthday today -- the paperback release. If you haven't read it yet, treat yourself!)
So, what happens when a book is released?
Nothing.
That's right. Absolutely nothing. There are no parades, fireworks or marching bands to mark the day.
Unless . . .
You have the most wonderful friends and family!
Two years ago, this is how I celebrated my book's release.
Today, my dear friend, Sandra, stopped by to deliver these . . .
Sandra owns a local music school, Jupiter Academy of Music. She's forever doing wonderful things for the community, including creating the Grace Notes Foundation, to provide music education for children who can't afford it. Love that lady!
Sandra Baran
Later, my friend Holly and I are having a quiet lunch to celebrate my book's birthday and her actual birthday. Then hubby is taking me and the boys out for a fun dinner. Can't wait!
So, I'm going to enjoy my book's birthday for the same reason I enjoy every day -- my wonderful friends and family.
Thank you!
With love,
Donna (and Olivia)
Update:
And from my wonderful friend, Holly: Lunch out and these carrot cupcakes with citrus cream cheese frosting and a specially designed Olivia Bean card . . .
When I came home, I found these waiting for me . . .
Thank you, uber-amazing agent, Tina Wexler! Olivia LOVES her birthday balloons!
I'm having more fun today celebrating Olivia's book birthday than I have celebrating my own birthdays! Thanks so much for all the cards, gifts, kind words, hugs, emails, etc. You sure know how to make a girl feel special!
Hubby and sons just took me out to Howley's -- a fun diner in West Palm Beach.
Forty years ago, Lin Oliver and Steve Mooser, noticed something was missing -- a community of children's book writers (and eventually, illustrators) who support, educate and inspire one another.
Here's an homage to my favorite community on the planet:
40 REASONS I LOVE S.C.B.W.I.
DREAMS COME TRUE . . .
1. I connected with my uber-agent, Tina Wexler, from International Creative Management through the S.C.B.W.I. message board.
2. Jay Asher's dreams came true. Did you know that before Jay became a best-selling author, he won S.C.B.W.I. creative writing contests and grants with his funny, clever entries?
3. Bruce Hale, author of the popular Chet Gecko series, met his agent, Steven Malk, at the S.C.B.W.I. conference in L.A. in 1998. (That's the same year that Steven Malk connected with Sonya Sones and acquired her fabulous novel in verse, Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy.)
4. Debbie Ridpath Ohi, illustrator and writer, exuberantly shares how S.C.B.W.I. made her dreams come true in this YouTube video:
5. With international reach and local critique groups, S.C.B.W.I. is helping make dreams come true every day.
RAISING THE BAR . . .
6. Thanks to the standards, education and support of this organization, the quality of children's literature has increased exponentially.
7. If writers or illustrators are members of S.C.B.W.I., an agent/editor/art director knows they have taken at least one giant step toward professionalism.
8. It's good to have the combined muscle and companionship of a huge, world-wide organization. It makes one feel less alone in an inherently lonely profession.
9. With master classes by Tomie dePaola and Richard Peck, one can't help but improve one's craft. (I shared the Richard Peck DVD with our local critique group, and it was a big hit. "Pass the popcorn, please.")
11. The year I was nominated for the Sue Alexander Award, I'd never felt so much validation. Thank you!
12. Speaking of opportunities, in an effort to recognize an often ignored genre of children's literature, S.C.B.W.I. created the Sid Fleischman Humor Award.
14. S.C.B.W.I. flew me to L.A. to accept the award. You'd think I'd be nervous giving a speech in front of 1,000 people, but they were my people. My community of children's book lovers. And it turned out that surrounded by my community and my friends and family, I had the best weekend of my life.
Me, Hubby, Agent, Tina Wexler, friend, Riley Roam in L.A., August 2009
15. There are so many grants, awards, etc. available. Did you know that Ruta Sepetys's novel, Between Shades of Gray, is now a New York Times best-seller and has received 4 starred reviews . . . and in 2007, Ruta won an SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grant?
16. Three years before that, Cynthia Lord won a Work-in-Progress Grant. She went on to write several books: Touch Blue, Hot Rod Hamster, Happy Birthday Hamster and her Newbery-honor-winning book, Rules.
17. Which grant or award will have YOUR name on it?
NATIONAL CONFERENCES . . .
18. I had the great pleasure of attending the national summer conference in L.A. three times -- 2001, 2005 and 2009. And I hope to get there this year, too. Don't forget the New York conference, January 27th - 29th!
19. At the conference in 2009, I met amazing people like Karen Cushman, Ellen Hopkins, Varian Johnson and Mary Hershey. The authors, illustrators, editors and agents are all so accessible at these conferences!
Karen Cushman
Ellen Hopkins
Varian Johnson
Mary Hershey
20. I remember hearing Sherman Alexie's opening talk and thinking, "Well, I could leave right now and I've gotten so much out of this conference." But of course, there was more. Much more!
21. Dove Bars. Yeah, S.C.B.W.I. is like that. Served those delicious treats between sessions.
22. And crazy, wild parties. The D.J. at the party I attended said, "Who knew children's book authors and illustrators were such a wild bunch?" Hadn't he ever read Where the Wild Things Are? The wild things are at S.C.B.W.I. conference parties!
Dan Santat and others get wild at the 40 Winks Pajama Party in L.A.
LOCAL CONFERENCES . . .
23. While S.C.B.W.I. has a global reach, it's the local component that gives members access to great resources, like critique groups, meet-ups and conferences. (Check out regional events here.)
24. I floundered for years after I moved from Philadelphia to South Florida. Where were my people? More than a decade ago, Linda Bernfeld, Saundra Rubiera and a group of dynamic volunteers put on an amazing conference with excellent speakers in a school cafeteria -- serving lunch and dessert -- all for $35. I had found my tribe.
25. I've gone to nearly every annual Florida conference since, watching it grow and flourish.
26. It was at the regional conference that Sid Fleischman reached over and touched my arm and said, "That was a fantastic speech you gave." Sid Fleischman! I'm so, so grateful I got to meet this kind, gentle and generous man.
Me and Sid Fleischman, 2008
27. It was at the FL regional conference that I heard Linda Sue Park talk about story structure -- point of view, showing, not telling, first person vs. third person, etc. (If you want to hear Linda Sue Park and Rebecca Stead talk about winning the Newbery Medal and other stuff, check out Katie Davis's Brain Burps Podcast.)
28. I had the good fortune of attending a workshop about character building with the late, great Paula Danziger. I share Paula's gem when I teach my quirky character workshop: "What is your character hiding in his/her closet?"
29. I've presented at regional conferences in New England, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida. Each has its own flavor and vibe. Hard-working regional advisers and volunteers make it all happen.
GIVING BACK . . .
30. The Bulletin is brimming with information, articles and great artwork. You can contribute articles and artwork to The Bulletin.
32. Want to help bring an author to a school that can't afford an author visit? Consider donating to the Amber Brown Grant.
33. Want to help fund a scholarship for someone to attend one of the summer or winter conferences? Consider honoring someone by donating in his/her name to the Tribute Fund.
34. More than a decade ago, I joined the West Palm Beach critique group run by the magnificent Sylvia Andrews.
Sylvia with author, Sharon Creech at Books & Books
35. When Sylvia asked Linda Marlow and me to run our own S.C.B.W.I. critique group in the Palm Beach Gardens, we said, "Yes!" Seven years later, our group of compassionate, talented writers and artists is still going strong . . .
Laura, Amy, Ruth, Linda, Donna, Becca, Sylvia, Riley (Not shown: Dan, Kelly, Stephen King, Gail, Amy, Ann, Carmen, Felice, J.K. Rowling, Janice, Jennifer, James Patterson, Maryann and Peggy)
36. Linda Marlow and I volunteered to drive speakers to the FL regional conference. We picked up Arthur Levine -- author and publisher -- a real mensch. He asked about my new book -- How to Survive Middle School -- and I told him how my Jewish main character wanted to the the next Jon Stewart, but first had to survive 6th grade. Arthur invited me to speak at the BK Book Festival he helps put on every year to benefit his synagogue and local bookstore, Watchung Booksellers. I combined the event with a couple school visits and had a great time!
Arthur Levine, Margo Sage-EL (owner of Watchung Booksellers) and me
37. When people tell me they want to write or illustrate books for children, I tell them five letters that might change their lives . . . "S.C.B.W.I."
COMMUNITY . . .
38. S.C.B.W.I. is the most generous community I know of. Steve and Lin began that spirit of generosity, of living and learning and passing it on. Now, thousands of people around the world continue that tradition of providing help and hope.
39. I've left every conference I've ever attended (both international and regional) with at least one new friend. (Hi, Margie, Lisa, Melinda, Gail, Carole, Katie, Ena, Paul . . . )
40. The wonderful people I've met through my local S.C.B.W.I. critique groups are among the most precious in my life. They enrich my life daily.
Sylvia, Dan, me, Linda and Riley celebrating my first book's release
These 40 reasons don't begin to cover how grateful I am for Lin and Steve and the amazing community that is S.C.B.W.I. I hope this organization continues to grow and flourish, because while those initials may be difficult to pronounce, they are filled with magic.
My agent, Tina Wexler, was savvy enough to tell me those 400 pages were terrible. Actually, she was kind enough to say, "I think you should put this one away and write another book."
She was right, of course.
But there was no way I could write another book just then. My heart was in a chokehold. Our youngest son had just started middle school. One of 1,200 kids, he suffered mightily. He hated himself and got into all manner of trouble. I remembered that our older son had similar heart-breaking episodes at that age. In fact, I remembered when I suffered the humiliations of acne, unrequited love and discomfort in one's own skin during those awkward years.
I could write about those feelings, I thought. Maybe a character could write a book about how to survive middle school. Or better yet, create funny videos that end up on YouTube.
I infused those intense feelings into a book I titled: How to Survive Middle School Without Getting Your Head Flushed, Deal with an Ex-best Friend, um, Girls and a Heart-breaking Hamster. Thank goodness my publisher shortened the title!
My editor told me this territory has been covered before, so I'd better work hard to make my book different. I worked hard. She sent me several rounds of revisions until I got it right.
Still, when starred reviews came in, I was stunned. I'd never gotten a starred review.
Similarly, when I got the e-mail telling me that my book landed on the Texas Lone Star Reading List, I was shocked. I'd never appeared on a state reading list. Last week, I found out How to Survive Middle School will be on the New York state reading list, too. Then came inclusion on the Bank Street Children's Books best books of the year list.
Yowza! Checking my e-mail had become thrilling.
I'd been invited to speak at schools and literary events all over the country, like the BK Book Festival, coordinated by the awesome Arthur Levine. (Check out his new picture book, Monday is One Day.)
I learned that Scholastic bought the right to include my book in its fall book fairs and book club. And How to Survive Middle School will be featured in their author video that students across the country view before attending their school's book fair.
I received e-mails from children and adults that have made my day, week, month! Lily sent me a photo of the Jewish apple cake she and her mother made from the recipe in the back of my book.
When one sends a book into the world, one never knows what will happen. Usually what happens is a big pile of nothing.
So I'm delighted about all the wonderful that's happened in the first year of How to Survive Middle School. I'm glad most of all that it's made a difference to some young readers, that they learned they weren't alone in their feelings and struggles to survive those turbulent middle school years. I'm happy some young people learned that things get better.
Things certainly got better for our son. And the cool thing about all this is that some of the money I earn from this book will go to paying tuition for him to attend a phenomenal private high school in our area next year.
And I'm thrilled to announce that on my book's birthday -- April 13th -- How to Survive Middle School will go into its 6th printing.
So, happy birthday book. Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life. And don't forget that next year you'll have a sibling -- Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen will come into the world early in 2012. I hope she receives a reception half as lovely as you've had.
I'd have posted this on my book's actual birthday, but next week I'll be in PA, speaking at this conference then visiting family and friends.
When I return, I'll share photos from my adventures.
3. Tina Wexler -- Ways to Impress and Agent (I'm grateful to call Tina my agent and my friend. She'll return to I.C.M., International Creative Management, in January, after her maternity leave.)
Tina Wexler did not try to sell the first book I'd sent to her. But she was intrigued by another project I mentioned in my query letter. Tina helped me refine and sell that project. Then another. And another. Since we connected through the SCBWI message boards in 2005, Tina has helped me sell three novels to Random House and a picture book to Holiday House.
As an agent, she's wicked savvy at all aspects of her job. As a friend, she's warm and wonderful and wise.
Tina has generously stopped by to teach us 6-1/2 ways to impress an agent.
Tina Wexler is an agent at ICM, predominately interested in middle grade/YA fiction and adult non-fiction. Upcoming client releases include WHO STOLE MONA LISA? by Ruthie Knapp (illustrated by Jill McElmurry), PAST MIDNIGHT by Mara Purnhagen, PENNY DREADFUL by Laurel Snyder (with drawings by Abigail Halpin), and THE RENDERING by Joel Naftali. Tina currently serves on the board of the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature and is an active member of SCBWI. Hailing from Southern Maine, she lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two persnickety cats.
6-1/2 WAYS TO IMPRESS AN AGENT . . .
1. Write a really amazing query. Which is to say: take your time, try describing your work multiple ways until you find the best approach, read successful queries online and have as many people as possible read yours so that you’re certain it makes sense and is a shiny apple.
2.Demonstrate knowledge of their list. This doesn’t mean you have to read every book they’ve ever sold--I leave that job to my mom--but by showing them you know a bit about who they represent, you’re telling agents you’ve done your research on who to query.
3.Do your research on who to query.
4.Write a really amazing manuscript. Which is to say: take your time, put your work through multiple revisions, read published works in your genre, and consider joining a critique group or finding a writing partner whom you trust who can help make your manuscript a shiny apple.
5.Be nice. Agents, like most everyone, want to work with people who are personable. This does not, however, mean “Fawn over the agent” or “Send a bushel of apples to the agent.”
6.Don’t ask the agent, “Why all this apple talk?” because if you’ve read HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL, you already know it’s because she’s daydreaming about Bubbe’s Jewish Apple Cake. But do ask other questions you may have. Be a part of the conversation. Agents want critical thinkers who take this getting-published thing seriously.
6 ½) Take this getting-published thing seriously. There’s plenty of fun to be had, but remember, thisis a business, not a hobby or a get-rich-quick scheme. Agents want hard workers, writers dedicated to their craft who view getting published as the first step of a long journey, writers whom they will want to be with on that journey.
I've been away, visiting family and friends here and here.
But I'm back . . . with WONDERFUL news:
Grace Maccarone from Holiday House has acquired my first picture book -- GO BE WONDERFUL!
Here's the blurb from PublishersMarketplace: Donna Gephart's GO BE WONDERFUL, a humorous and heartwarming first-day-of-school story in which a little girl realizes she's wonderful even when she seems to be doing everything wrong, to Grace Maccarone at Holiday House, by Tina Wexler at ICM (World).
I'm delighted to work with Grace. This was the first sentence of her introductory e-mail to me: "I just want to let you know how much I love, love, love Go Be Wonderful." And I just love, love, love the idea of working with Grace. I know I'll learn a lot from her, and her passion and enthusiasm for what she does is contagious.
The book is about parents' hopes and dreams for their children. It's also about being yourself, making mistakes and still being wonderful.
A million thanks to my WONDERFUL agent for making the match. (Stay tuned to this blog because Tina Wexler's funny 6 1/2 list will be featured early next week.)
