There are two things I look forward to on Wednesdays -- a new Modern Family episode and a fresh podcast from Katie Davis's Brain Burps About Books. Episodes provide industry information, book reviews, marketing tips from Dianne de Las Casas and enough inspiration that I feel like I've attended a mini-conference.
So far in 2012, I've learned about Julie Hedlund's blog, Write Up My Life, and her innovative picture book challenge 12x12 in 2012. (Have you written your January picture book? I have!)
I learned about creating picture books from editor, Emma Dryden. Oh, and check out the popovers the size of one's head!
In a previous episode, I discovered a new favorite author -- Erica Perl -- and her hilarious book, When Life Gives You O.J.
From Katie's weekly podcast, I also learned how much author Nancy Werlin makes per year. There was the interview with Newbery winners Linda Sue Park and Rebecca Stead. Let's not forget the episodes about school visit tips, how to make a book trailer and Bruce Coville's harrowing escape from Egypt.
2. Did you read this interview with Marla Frazee? She's one of my favorite illustrators. And Mrs. Biddlebox is one of my favorite books that she illustrated. (She mentions it during the interview.)
In the interview, Ms. Frazee shares hard-earned wisdom that applies to both illustrators and writers.
3. Agent Jill Corcoran offers rock-solid advice in her blog post: What Makes a Book Sell?. This post offers a great reminder of what we need to keep in mind when we write the next book . . . and how to begin writing the next book. Thanks, Jill!
Onto the super news . . .
1. In addition to the starred Kirkus review for Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen: “This tale will have readers cheering for the resilient, resourceful Olivia,” Publisher's Weekly just released a fabulous review of Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen: ". . . this tender, triumphant novel . . ."
With these lovely reviews coming in, Ken Jennings' blurb on the back cover and my Jeopardy!-obsessed, 84-year-old dad's whole-hearted endorsement, I can't wait for Olivia to make her way into the world on March 13th!
2. On Goodreads, a school librarian in Illinois, Mrs. B, posted this review of How to Survive Middle School: "I definitely expect this to appear on the Rebecca Caudill list in the next 2-3 years . . . I read it because a 6th grade girl brought it back in and said it was the best book she ever read."
Well, a few days ago, an e-mail (that landed in my spam folder!) began with one of my favorite words: "Congratulations!"
The Illinois State Reading List for grades 4-8! Could you hear me whooping and hollering at your house? I sure was loud enough. Our dogs heard me!
Five years worth of books are considered for this list. A dedicated committee of hard-working professionals narrow the choices down to 50 books. Finally, the committee meets at the end of January and selects the 20 books that will appear on the list.
Mrs. B, from Goodreads, I'm so glad your sweet prediction for my book came true.
I leave you with a quote from the late author Rebecca Caudill, for whom the award is named:
“The first essential in any book is that it have something significant to say --a book that leaves the reader with bigger ideas than when he began reading - that stimulates his thinking, stretches his mind, deepens his feelings. A good book sticks to your ribs.” -- Rebecca Caudill
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.
