Tuesday 12 x 12: Kirsti Call

21. May 2013 · 16 comments

The Raindrop Who Couldn't FallIt seems I have quite a bit in common with today’s Tuesday 12 x 12 author, Kirsti Call! I, too, have kept a journal as long as I can remember and still find old poems I wrote to my parents tucked away in memory boxes in my mom’s basement. But now that we’re adults, there is one significant difference — Kirsti has managed to pursue her passion for writing, get a contract for her first picture book (coming in October 2013!) and be an active member of the 12 x 12 community all while raising 5 children! It is that kind of passion and dedication that inspires me and keeps me going. Please welcome Kirsti!

I love to write. I love the feel of a pen moving smoothly across paper. I love the sound of the words in my head. I love how each word combines to create something completely unique. I love how a good story has the power to change lives. 

I remember as a 3 year old, sitting next to my dad as he wrote his dissertation. I listened to the clacking of the typewriter, and sat up straight with my pen and paper, excited to be writing too! I started my first journal when I was 5, dictating my words to my helpful mom.  And when I was 8, I wrote my first poem. I still remember the sound of my mom’s voice, filled with laughter and pride as she read these words:

“My mother’s smile is the best. 

She smiles at every guest.

And yet the while I know that I,

have almost all the rest!” 

That was the year I wrote novellas about horses, kids, fairies and magical boots in my childish script. Even then I knew that I was a writer. I won essay contests and published articles and poetry in my school newspaper. And when I wasn’t writing, I was immersed in a book. 

But somehow getting married and having 5 children distracted me. Two years ago, in a rare moment of quiet, I realized how much I missed writing! At the time, my oldest child was 9 and my youngest was 6 months.  I spent my days playing with them, reading to them, and telling them stories. 

Picture books were a perfect fit for me! I began writing down some of the stories that I’d told my kids. I joined a critique group. I learned about revising and submitting. I went to my first ever SCBWI conference. I received dozens of rejection letters. And finally, I got a contract for one of my stories. This was it, I was going to be an author! 

The excitement of the contract was slightly dampened when I realized that my publisher could and would change my words whether I agreed with it or not. And despite multiple submissions, no one else wanted any of my other stories! 

So when I discovered 12×12 I was thrilled! Here was a way for me to be accountable for writing and revising a manuscript every month. Since January, I’ve doubled my number of stories and revised my other stories like crazy. I’ve met my incredibly talented and supportive critique partner. I’ve become part of a community of writers who get me! Just knowing that other 12x12ers are creating as I create makes me smile. And somehow I know that together, our love of writing will produce powerful stories that change children’s lives.

Kirsti Call writes picture books and dabbles in middle grade fiction.  She is a marriage and family therapist and mother of 5 delightful children who help her invent imaginative stories.  Find out more about her upcoming book, The Raindrop Who Couldn’t Fall at www.kirsticall.com

Categories: 12 x 12, Children's Books, Goals, Guest Blogging, Picture Books, Publishing, SCBWI, Works in Progress, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

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How I Got My Agent: Pat Miller

09. May 2013 · 51 comments

PatMiller_3907_4x5

Today I am ecstatic to bring you a different kind of “How I Got My Agent” story. This one is special because it is the first, of hopefully many, success stories of authors finding agents through 12 x 12. Once again I was moved to tears by a member’s expression of what 12 x 12 has done for her confidence, her writing and her career. I can honestly say the only time I’ve ever been more pleased to announce that someone signed with an agent is when it was me! Without further ado, congratulations to Pat Miller, who recently signed with Stephen Fraser of Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency! May there be many more 12 x 12 participants who come after you! :-)

I began my writing career out of green-eyed jealousy in 1994 with a magazine article. (That’s another story.) I mostly wrote for school librarians. I reconnected with children’s writing, thanks to Tara Lazar’s Picture Book Idea Month challenge, in November 2012. Tara mentioned Julie Hedlund’s upcoming 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge. Perhaps it was the timing, perhaps the financial investment, but I decided to commit. Here’s how 12 x 12 has made 2013 my luckiest writing year.

ENCOURAGEMENT I began reading other people’s work and submitting my own in the 250 Words Forum. I had done more than six months of research on the sea captain who invented the hole in the doughnut. Now I felt encouraged to stop researching and start writing.

COMPANIONSHIP The 12 x 12 Facebook page peopled my writing space with amiable fellow writers. I was surrounded by their hopes and encouraged by their work. My difficulties were theirs–I wasn’t alone. I began showing up at my desk every morning at 7:00, feeling the invisible but warm company of kindred spirits.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS Is a particular conference worth the money? Which writing books are most helpful? How does one format a picture book? The 12×12 group reminds me of a trampoline—throw out a question and within hours, answers bounce up from all over! When I asked if anyone had experience with making book trailers, Julie connected me with Katie Davis. I’ll be joining her Video Idiot Boot Campin May.

RESOURCES Members often suggest sites, blogs, and resources that inspire and educate. Lori Degman told us about a site called Rate Your Story. Over the next couple of months, I submitted three stories. My Stone Soup variant rated a 7, The Hole Story of the Doughnut earned a 3, and Lone Star, Lone Star convinced someone to give it a 1. Encouraged, I sent Lone Star out to several regional publishers.

EXPERT HELP I committed to bringing my Hole Story to completion. I returned to Rate your Story to peruse their list of editors for hire. From a list of heavy hitters, I chose Jill Esbaum, author of 11 picture books and former instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature. She helped me revise my story, and with high hopes, I submitted it to the Highlights Fiction Contest.

I had more than 200 pages of research on my doughnut inventor. In February I began to feel a book was necessary. But where to begin? What to include? What to leave out? On January 23, Elaine Kearns recommended Dear Editor.com, where you send in questions to editor Deborah Halverson. Deborah’s answer to my questions appeared the next day. I began the book.

NEW DIRECTIONS In mid-January, Janie Reinart posted a site about building one’s author platform. Reading it convinced me I needed to learn about using social media to promote my work. In a marvelous coincidence, another member recommended marketing magician Rivka Kawano. On January 28, I took her three-hour online seminar called “Author Success in 2013”. It was so helpful that I signed for her twelve week course,  Author’s Marketing Class.

CRITIQUE GROUP In early February, Laura Carpenter posted on the forum’s Critique Connect that she wanted to form a group. Lickety-split, nine of us joined her from seven states and Canada—my first critique group! Soon the stories began to fly, as well as posts about our vacations, our discouragements, and our delight in the group.

SHARED SUCCESSES  We participated in the voting for Janie Reinart’s book, Love You More Than You Know, nominated for Best Cleveland Book of 2013. And she won! Tracey Cox shared news of the debut of her cleverly named Arachnabet: An Alphabet of Spiders. Cheryl Lawton Malone nearly won the March Madness Poetry Match with her poem, “Autocorrect”. The success of any of us gave us all hope.

ACCESS TO AGENTS In January, Emma Walton Hamilton taught us to write query letters and posted her analysis of 40 queries submitted by 12x12ers. In February, Stephen Fraser of the Jennifer de Chiara Literary Agency became the first of 11 monthly agents willing to look at our work and make suggestions.

By mid-February, The Hole Story of the Doughnut had been through numerous revisions and shaped up as a picture book biography. I crafted my e-query based on Emma’s advice. I followed it with the manuscript that had been through my critique group, Rate Your Story, Jill Esbaum, and Kathi Appelt, the Newbery-honor winner whose critique I won at a local SCBWI auction. With a small prayer, I hit “send” and off went my manuscript to Stephen Fraser.

A REALIZED DREAM Julie sent out interview and biographic information on Stephen Fraser when he stepped up to be our first agent reader. He sounded experienced, passionate, and kind. Just the kind of agent I would like if I had one. He amazed all of us by turning our stories around in three days or less. And he liked my story. Could I make some changes and resubmit? The day after April Fool’s Day, Stephen called me and offered to represent The Hole Story. I tried not to squeal like a pre-teen at a Bieber concert. He patiently answered my questions and said his contract would be in the mail. HIS CONTRACT WOULD BE IN THE MAIL! I was fizzy with joy, thrilled to have an agent, and very aware of how much I owe to Julie Hedlund and  the writers of 12 x 12. Thanks to them, my nineteen-year career became an overnight success.

Pat Miller is the author of 20 professional books and more than 200 articles for school librarians. Her first children’s book, Substitute Groundhog, garnered 32 rejection letters before publication by Albert Whitman. It was named a Junior Library Guild selection. Find out more at www.patmillerbooks.com.

Categories: 12 x 12, Agents, Authors, Books, Children's Books, Creativity, Goals, Guest Blogging, How I Got My Agent, PiBoIdMo, Picture Book Month, Picture Books, Publishing, Queries, SCBWI, Social Media, Video Idiot Boot Camp, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Writers Need Video – Not Just for Book Trailers!

06. May 2013 · 7 comments

First, let me tell you that I am a VERY recent convert to the notion that authors need videos. I went kicking and screaming into video for all the same reasons you might be objecting. No time, no money, for one. But also, I’m a writer. I’m not a visual person. I didn’t even like to WATCH videos much less create them.

Then I saw this quote from literary agent Rachelle Gardner’s blog. Technically the post was about Pinterest, but it applies to video too. “As a writer, you may be more attuned to words than visuals. You may not be a YouTube fan, and you prefer to read a written blog post rather than watch a vlog. But the rest of the world – your readers – isn’t like you. They enjoy pictures as well as words (or more than words).”

Lucky for me, just when I wanted to learn video, Katie Davis asked me to beta-test her latest online course, Video Idiot Boot Camp. I’m telling you, I went from knowing NOTHING to being able to create all different kinds of videos in a matter of weeks. And you know what? I’ve found I LOVE making videos! It’s a brand-new creative outlet for me, and I’ve discovered that making videos is just telling stories in a different medium.

Now the course is officially launched so YOU can learn to make videos too. I know firsthand that to get just one professional video created costs, at a minimum, $200, and more often $500+. So this course is a great deal. In fact, I’m now so passionate about what I learned I’m helping Katie promote the course.* What better way to do that then to share a video testimonial with you. I hope you enjoy it! If so, check out my YouTube channel too! :-)

If you decide to sign up and use my link, I get a referral. So if you do, thanks!

Categories: Agents, Authors, Books, Children's Books, Creativity, Picture Books, Publishing, Social Media, Video Idiot Boot Camp, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Jean Reidy: May 12 x 12 Featured Author

01. May 2013 · 154 comments

Jean Reidy photo

For those of you who have not met our May featured author, Jean Reidy, you are in for SUCH a treat! I met Jean a few years ago at the Rocky Mountain SCBWI conference and I fell in love, not just with her books but with her. She is warm, funny, generous, and an amazing writer. She spends a great deal of her time giving back to the writing community and to the children we serve. She’s been a major source of inspiration for me as my career has grown over the years.

What’s more, at the RMC-SCBWI conference last year, Jean gave the single best talk I’ve ever heard on the craft of writing picture books. You guys know I am a total conference junkie, so that says a lot. So I shouldn’t have been surprised when I opened her guest post and found myself salivating over how meaty and useful it is. Seriously, it’s like ribs cooked so perfectly that the meat is falling off the bone in hunks. You’ll see. I expect everyone to bookmark this, print it up, and save for permanent future reference. AND, one lucky 12 x 12 member will win a picture book critique from her! Please welcome Jean!

DOES YOUR PICTURE BOOK PREMISE HAVE POWER?

Every once in a while, one of my editors throws me a bone. Not just any old bone, but a big beautiful “our kids’ list needs a book about ‘community’” hambone. When that happens, all other Milk-Bones – I mean, ideas, are pushed aside and I chase after that hambone idea with the gusto of a golden retriever. That’s how my latest picture book ALL THROUGH MY TOWN came to be.

But that’s only every once in a while.

Most often, I’m juggling 5-6 or 11-12 of my “own” picture book ideas. Ideas that come to me on a daily basis from any number of encounters – real or imaginary. Ideas that have survived their initial honeymoon period of inspiration during which I spew thoughts onto scrap paper as recklessly as an unobstructed sneeze.

Even though I have a dreamy cast of critique buddies, rarely do they say, “Jean, work on this project NOW!” or “Shelve this for a while – like forever.” So there I am, bouncing from project to project, wondering which, if any, will earn an editor’s love.

It can be hard to do the hard work without knowing if a particular idea could sell. So how do I decide which idea deserves more attention? How do I choose which manuscript rises to the top of the heap and warrants more focus?

I’ve developed a checklist – a simple list of  “yes/no” questions – to test the strength of my picture book ideas. While I’ve used the tool as a quick assessment of an individual idea, I’ve also used it for comparing several ideas across the board, sorting the strong from the weak, if you will. I don’t claim this as the one-and-only, use-this-or-fail-in-the-worst-possible-way, definitive checklist, but it’s one that’s worked for me.

Since the tool involves evaluating my own work, honesty is the key. The questions are not meant to cause argument or critique of the questions themselves. But they are meant to trigger thought, brainstorming and, perhaps, discussion. And when I find myself challenging the importance or validity of one of the answers to these questions, it’s often a sign that I’m getting defensive of a picture book idea that won’t yet cut it in the market.

Certainly the list could be maneuvered and complicated with weights applied to questions based on current market preferences. Or if you’re really into analytics and need a way to further procrastinate, rate your answers 1 through 5 rather than “yes” or “no” and see where that leads you.

But for now, I like to keep it simple and just tally up my “Yeses.” You can bet, when a “No” answer pops up, I explore what it would take in my picture book to turn it around. So far, my little list has steered me in the right direction.  I hope it will help you too.

So without further adieu …

10 POWER PREMISE QUESTIONS

  1. Will a kid like it? (Is it part of a kid’s world – real or imaginary? Is it relatable?)
  2. Is it a completely fresh idea OR a new twist on an evergreen topic?
  3. Is it a story book or a concept book or something in between? (LIGHT UP THE NIGHT is something in between. It’s a cumulative verse about earth, space and a kid’s sense of place. Which brings me to my next question …)
  4. Can it be summarized in 1-2 sentences? (Try starting with “What happens when …?” or by answering “What’s the point?”)
  5. Does it have a commercial hook? (We’re talking “high concept” or out of the ordinary. Does your premise take a risk? Not all picture books have a strong hook, but it’s something I’m always aware of. One of my newer ideas recently jumped to the top of my “to-write” list largely because of its hook.)
  6. Is it highly visual? (Can you imagine 14 + scenes coming from your story?)
  7. Does it convey an emotional truth? (Chris Crutcher calls this that “head nod” moment. Does your premise have that?)
  8. Has it been done before? (Did you research your premise in the market? How is yours different?)
  9. Does the idea lend itself to fun, imaginative or innovative use of language?
  10. Does it have a compelling title? (Yes, titles often change during the publication process, but why pass up your first opportunity to catch an editor’s eye?)

By honestly running each of my ideas through this gauntlet of questions, I not only find the one idea that deserves my time and attention, but I clearly see red flags where my other ideas might be weak or need fleshing out.

Let me close by saying, I’m a huge believer in Julie’s 12X12 challenge. I learn volumes about the art of picture book writing every time I sit down to write a new picture book. But in case you need further convincing, here’s my plug for writing 12 picture books this year.

12 Reasons to Keep 12 Picture Books Percolating

  1. A portfolio of many projects keeps one project from becoming too precious. And it’s hard to remain objective when one project receives all your time and attention.
  2. You never know which muse will sing to you. Today it might be picture book #5. Tomorrow it might be #8.
  3. You banish writers’ block by hopping from project to project.
  4. Projects stay fresh as you take time between them and, hence, between reads.
  5. One project might inform another. You might cannibalize picture book #9 to make #10 better.
  6. When a project is rejected, other potentially winning projects-in-progress help soothe the pain.
  7. You always have a manuscript ready for your critique group.
  8. You get ALL your ideas out there. Like in a brainstorm, sometimes it’s the 5th, 10th, or 12th idea that hits the mark. You might just have to work through the good, the bad and the ugly to get to the GREAT.
  9. You never know which project will resonate with a given agent or editor – it’s often not what you think. And editors are often looking for projects to match various illustrators – you don’t want to be one-dimensional.
  10. Getting agent representation for picture book authors is tough, but you increase your chances if you have several projects to offer.
  11. Trends come and go. You’ll always want to look beyond what’s currently “hot.” Multiple projects improve the odds that you’re looking toward fresh ideas.
  12. You’ll have 11 more options when an editor asks, “What else you got?”

Julie, thanks for having me. And best of luck to all my fellow picture book writers in the 12X12 challenge.

Jean Reidy has been told that a naughty little kid lurks somewhere inside her – and she takes that as a high compliment. She writes from her home in Greenwood Village, Colorado where she lives with her husband, Mike. She has four children and hoards of nieces and nephews who provide her endless inspiration. In addition to her books for children, Jean’s articles have appeared in over fifty publications.

 

Categories: 12 x 12, 12 x 12 Featured Author, Authors, Friendship, Giveaway, Goals, Picture Books, Publishing, Rhyming, SCBWI, Works in Progress, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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David L. Harrison, April 12 x 12 Featured Author

01. April 2013 · 115 comments
Highlights Foundation

David Harrison (far right) at the Highlights Foundation Poetry Workshop

April is celebrated as being the beginning of spring, but for writers, it’s also the beginning of poetry month. So I arranged a special treat for you this month. Our featured author, David Harrison, is the author of more than 100 books, many of which are collections of poetry.

I had the amazing good fortune of meeting David and working with him last year at the Highlights Foundation Poetry for All workshop. He is humble, gracious, funny, and ferociously talented. It was an honor to learn from him, and I wanted to bring that experience to you.

David was generous enough to fit me into his very busy schedule with a Skype interview, which I intended to take 20-30 minutes. We ended up on that call for an HOUR!

One tragedy is that, despite testing the call recorder to make sure it was working (the test worked just fine), the rest of the interview ended up with still, frozen images of us. I certainly didn’t want to make you stare at us like that for the duration of the interview, so I added photos to accompany specific topics during our talk. I’ve divided the interview into seven parts according to theme. This way you can enjoy them in stages if you don’t have time to watch them all at once.

One caveat: In some cases the videos might seem to end abruptly, but that’s because we didn’t break the conversation up into themes – I did that separately. Any parts that don’t come across as well as they should are entirely my error and not David’s.

David has very generously offered to give away one critique to a lucky 12 x 12 winner. Having worked with him, I know how phenomenal his feedback is. THANK YOU again to David for giving so much of your time and talent. Welcome!

In case the formatting doesn’t come through categorizing the videos, here is the order of the videos by topic.

  1. Part I: Introduction and Reading Your Work Aloud
  2. Part 2: David’s Writing Journey
  3. Part 3: Importance of Theme in Children’s Poetry
  4. Part 4: Impact Common Core State Standards
  5. Part 5: e-Publishing for Poetry Collections
  6. Part 6: Writing Rhyming Picture Books vs. Poetry
  7. Part 7: Final Words of Wisdom 

Part I: Introduction and Reading Your Work Aloud

Part 2: David’s Writing Journey

Part 3: Importance of Theme in Children’s Poetry

Part 4: Impact Common Core State Standards

Part 5: e-Publishing for Poetry Collections

Part 6: Writing Rhyming Picture Books vs. Poetry

Part 7: Final Words of Wisdom

Categories: 12 x 12 Featured Author, Authors, Children's Books, Creativity, Digital Publishing, Friendship, Giveaway, Goals, Picture Books, Poetry, Publishing, Rhyming, Self Publishing, Works in Progress, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Susan Hawk – 12 x 12 April Agent

30. March 2013 · 14 comments

Susan Hawk of The Bent Agency (TBA) will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 members in April.

Susan-Hawk-photo4I’m pleased to introduce you to Susan today. Although I have not met her personally, she graciously accepted the invitation to be a 12 x 12 featured agent immediately after I sent it, and I’ve heard nothing but great things about her from clients and fellow agents.

A little bit about Susan from The Bent Agency website:

I come to TBA from Children’s Book Marketing, where I worked for over 15 years, most recently as the Marketing Director at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, and previous to that as the Library Marketing Director at Penguin Young Readers Group. I was lucky to be involved in many different books during that time ranging from Eric Carle’s Baby Bear, Baby Bear to Betsy Partridge’s This Land Was Made for You and Me, to Nancy Werlin’s Black Mirror, as well as the work of Mary E Pearson, Richard Peck and Joan Bauer.

While at Penguin, I also worked for a time in Dutton Editorial, acquiring projects for that list. My favorite part of that time was being able to read new submissions — finding something wonderful and imagining where it can go was thrilling to me then and remains so now.

I handle books for children exclusively: picture books, chapter books, middle grade and YA, fiction and non-fiction. In non-fiction I’m looking for books that relate to kid’s daily lives and their concerns with the world. In picture books, I’m looking particularly for author-illustrators, succinct but expressive texts, and characters as indelible as my childhood favorites Ferdinand, Madeline, George and Martha.

I asked Susan what she is looking for in the picture book market these days, and she sent me this response:
“I really like texts that are funny or evocative. I like quirky things too. And I’m definitely looking for non-fiction.” Some recent picture book favorites are:

I Want My Hat Back, by Jon Klassen

Me…Jane, by Patrick McDonnell

House Held Up By Trees, by Ted Kooser

Interrupting Chicken, by David Ezra Stein

All the World, by Liz Garton Scanlon

The Hello, Goodbye Window, by Norton Juster

This Moose Belongs to Me, by Oliver Jeffers

Balloons Over Broadway, by Melissa Sweet

The Day-Glo Brothers, by Chris Barton

Show Way, by Jacqueline Woodson

Full 12 x 12 submission guidelines and requirements for Susan will be posted in the Submission Station section of the 12 x 12 Membership Forum, accessible to Little GOLDen Book members by 2:00 p.m. EST on March 31st. In the meantime, here are some links with more information about Susan.
Good Luck!
Susan’s profile on the TBA website
Agent Susan Hawk Talks Picture Books – Heather Ayris Burnell’s Blog
Categories: 12 x 12, Agents, Children's Books, Goals, Picture Books, Publishing, Queries, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

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Robyn Hood Black is Hosting Me for Poetry Friday!

14. March 2013 · 2 comments

You may recall meeting my friend, author/illustrator/poet/artist Robyn Hood Black last November shortly after she opened her literary-themed Etsy shop. Well today Robyn has turned the tables and interviewed me for her Poetry Friday post. We talked mostly about the writing and creation process for A Troop is a Group of Monkeys which is, at the end of the day, a poem as well as a storyapp. But she asked some seriously awesome questions, so I encourage you all to go over there and check out both the post and her lovely blog.

MMPoetryAlso, DO NOT MISS the March Madness Poetry 2013 competition. Robyn and several 12 x 12 members are participating. Voting for the first round is closing soon. There is some serious talent among this year’s “authletes.” I had a blast reading and voting on them yesterday.

 

Categories: 12 x 12, A Troop is a Group of Monkeys, Apps, Authors, Children's Books, Creativity, Digital Publishing, Friendship, Guest Blogging, Picture Books, Poetry, Publishing, Rhyming, Storybook Apps, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Tricia Lawrence – 12 x 12 March Agent

27. February 2013 · 10 comments

Tricia LawrenceTricia Lawrence of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency (EMLA) will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 members in March.

I have never met Tricia in person, but that will soon change because she will be in both Bologna AND NJ-SCBWI! I will say that I’ve been impressed with her thoughtfulness and responses in every email exchange I’ve had with her. Plus, when she started at EMLA it was as a social media strategist – how cool is that? I’m sure her clients benefit tremendously from having an agent with marketing and promotion know-how.

Prior to joining EMLA, Tricia spent 17 years of working as a developmental and production-based copyeditor (from kids book to college textbooks).

As an associate-agent at EMLA, Tricia looks for picture books that “look at the world in a unique and unusual way, with characters that are alive both on and off the page.” When I asked her to share any insights into what she is looking for in PBs these days, this is what she said:

“With PB manuscripts, I am looking for an experience, all the questions I have are positive, not coming from confusion, but from “Oh, I love this; can I have more?” A really strong voice is a huge plus. What Anastasia Suen calls “picture writing” so that you can read it and then see it in both pictures and words, without massive and painful effort. 
 
Not very specific, but I’m really looking for something amazing (isn’t everybody!) with strong character, specific word choice, playful or sweet, with that wonderful hook that takes me in an unexpected turn.”
Full submission guidelines and requirements for Tricia will be posted in the Submission Station section of the 12 x 12 Membership Forum, accessible to Little GOLDen Book members by 2:00 p.m. EST on February 28. In the meantime, here are some links with more information about Tricia.
Good Luck!
Tricia’s profile on the EMLA website
Cynsations interview featuring both Erin and Tricia discussing social media for authors
Mother. Write. (Repeat). Author-Agent Interview
Profile on The Write Path
Interview on Forever Rewriting
Categories: 12 x 12, Agents, Picture Books, Publishing, Queries, Social Media, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

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How I Got My Agent: Julie Hedlund

26. February 2013 · 291 comments

2012-07-28 at 11-37-43By now I supposed you’ve guessed what the “huge news” is that I alluded to in this week’s Gratitude Sunday post. There are no words to describe how ecstatic I am to announce that, as of yesterday, I am now represented by Erzsi Deak of Hen & Ink Literary.

To celebrate, I am giving away the spreadsheet I’ve kept these past few years of agents who represent picture books. How can you win? Easy! Leave a comment on this post before midnight EST today and it’s yours!! Share with your friends. Everybody is a winner, just like the rubber duckie game at the fair. :-)

I was just thinking the other day how this series had been neglected for a while and I should find someone to post. Little did I know I would be given the opportunity to turn the tables and interview myself! *gleeful dancing* So here goes…

Julie, how long had you been writing before seeking an agent, and what made you decide it was time to look for one? What kind of research did you do before submitting?I

I began writing for children in 2006 when my daughter was three and my son an infant. I attended my first regional SCBWI conference in 2007 and quickly fired off a submission I was sure would be accepted (the very first completed book I’d written which, after many substantial revisions, was published last week as A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS). Big mistake. Rookie mistake. A few months later, I attended the National SCBWI conference in New York. I learned so much at that conference, but the biggest lesson was how “new” I was and how much I had yet to learn.

I put a moratorium on submissions for a full year while I learned everything I could about the craft of writing picture books and the children’s publishing industry. I began submitting again at the beginning of 2010 once I felt I had a foundation beneath my writing.

I knew I wanted an agent for several reasons. To take over the submissions process, definitely, but mostly to have a partner in what is an emotional, complicated, ever-changing career path. I’ve always felt working with an agent, as opposed to submitting to many editors, would help me navigate my career, make the best decisions and, quite frankly, make it less scary!

I did most of my research online, scouring blogs and websites and compiling the information into the aforesaid spreadsheet. Eventually I began targeting conferences where my top-choice agents were speaking so I could meet them in person. I was fortunate enough to meet Erzsi last March at the Bologna Book Fair. (I did so much research I ended up writing an ebook on submissions, which you can get for free if you sign up for my mailing list)

The dreaded questions: How many queries?  How many rejections?

I was chicken careful and strategic about my submissions, only sending a few queries out at a time and one manuscript at a time. I would then reflect on the feedback I got (or not) and generally use it to make further revisions before querying the same manuscript again. So I didn’t get too many rejections, although some of the ones I did get were painful indeed.

It’s a tough market for picture books. Was it difficult to find an agent who wanted to represent an author-only focusing solely on picture books? How did you know your agent was “the one?”

Yes, it was difficult. Yet, agents are still seeking picture book clients. I was surprised by how easily I filled my roster of participating agents for 12 x 12, for example. I think agents are understandably quite discerning about taking on picture book clients, but they are taking them.

I first met Erzsi at the SCBWI booth at the Bologna Book Fair last year. I had a 20 minute pitch appointment and we spent the first 10 minutes chatting with great excitement and fascination about all the changes in going on in publishing. Finally, I said, “Wait! I better talk to you about my work or we’re going to run out of time.”

I sent her one of my manuscripts and she offered encouragement and suggestions for revision, which I made over time. In the meantime, I was busy working on other projects, attending more conferences, learning more craft and immersing myself in digital publishing in the form of storybook apps.

Given the trajectory my career had taken in the months since I first submitted to Erzsi, I was committed to finding an agent who would embrace digital publishing. I knew Erzsi to be forward-thinking in this area because one of my good friends, Sarah Towle, is her client and has only published digitally thus far. I also appreciated her global view, which is one I share (hence, the upcoming whirlwind European tour).

I also wanted an agent who would provide editorial feedback on manuscripts and have the patience to help me get it “just right” before submitting. I knew from the thoughtful and in-depth comments I received from Erzsi both times I submitted to her that she was indeed that type of agent.

Finally, when we talked on the phone about the contract, I was reminded of how much I enjoy talking to her. Yes, choosing an agent is a business decision, but I think if you’re going to be working side by side with a person for years, it’s a great bonus if, in addition to trusting their instincts and valuing their expertise, you can enjoy that person’s company .

Has your writing process changed since signing with an agent?

Since we just signed yesterday, I don’t know yet! :-)

What advice would you give to picture book writers looking for agents today?

  • Always put your craft first. Always. Hold off on submitting until you are confident in your craft.
  • Remember that no writing is ever wasted. I didn’t believe this at all when I started. I would roll my eyes, convinced I was the exception to the rule – that everything I wrote would be publishable. Boy was I wrong. Then I went through a period where I was so disheartened I was convinced everything I wrote was terrible (some of it was) and thus a waste of time. Neither turned out to be true. Everything you write will make you a better writer. Be glad for each and every piece of writing because you never know when you might be able to resurrect something – even if it’s just a kernel of an idea – from an old manuscript.
  • Do not be afraid to submit to the same agent more than once. I went through two rounds of submissions with Erzsi before she took me on. Another agent I met at the RMC-SCBWI conference this fall, Karen Grencik, said this in her speech: “A no today is not a no forever.” In the span of a year, you will grow as a writer. Even if you’ve received a rejection from an agent in the past, if you have a new manuscript you think would be a good fit for him/her – go for it!
  • Make personal connections whenever possible. Try not to be a wallflower at conferences or other events when you have a chance to meet agents. They are there to meet you! But be a real person. Have a normal conversation. When you go to query them, remind them of the connection you made. If you aren’t able to make in-person connections, do your research before querying to find out their tastes, their background, something about their lives. Never, ever send a form letter.

What’s up next/what are you working on now?

Well, I just submitted the final (I hope) manuscript for the second of the three apps I’m publishing with Little Bahalia this year. It felt a little surreal (and wonderful) after spending so much time with TROOP. I have yet to write the third but I’m itching to get going…

I have another yet-to-be-announced publishing project I’m excited about for this year, and of course, I hope to revise one of my PB manuscripts into something “just right” that Erzsi could take out on submission before the end of the year.

Lastly, I started working on my first chapter book, intended to be one of a trilogy. Writing in longer form is new for me, and I’m loving the challenge and excitement!

Annie Leibowitz, Vanity Fair

Annie Leibowitz, Vanity Fair

I am now going to ask myself the question I asked Tara Lazar at the end of her interview in this series. I took contention with her answer and am relieved I can now give my own, far more appropriate response:

Johnny Depp or Ryan Reynolds?

Hello??!!?? Johnny Depp all the way my friends! Even though I was shocked to find Tara had chosen neither of the two, ever since then it’s clear she sides with Ryan Reynolds. Yes, he has the rippled abs, but does he have those eyes or that bone structure? (although I could live without the scarf) I think not!

My apologies to my male readers, but it just had to be said!

 

Categories: A Troop is a Group of Monkeys, Agents, Digital Publishing, Goals, How I Got My Agent, Picture Books, Publishing, Queries, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Gratitude Sunday 106

17. February 2013 · 31 comments
It's Here! It's Here!

It’s Here! It’s Here!

You know, I had a whole long list of things I was grateful for this week, not the least of which was getting to see Katie Davis this week, but I’m so wound up right now I can’t see straight much less write a coherent post! Why?

Because A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS was published on the iTunes store today!!!

I am a published author – for real.

I could write 1000 posts and not be able to fully express my gratitude to the many, many people who have helped me along the way to making that statement. At the very least, however, I must thank Stacey Williams-Ng at Little Bahalia Publishing for loving my story as much as I did and for bringing her creative genius to the project, to Pamela Baron for the gorgeous illustrations and to Tim McCanna for the catchy, addictive tune.

The making of this app was a team effort, and that team includes all of my friends, family and colleagues who have put up with me through cheers and tears and everything in between.

Okay, I realize this is starting to sound like an Oscars speech so I’ll stop now before the music starts shooing me offstage.

THANK YOU!!

Categories: A Troop is a Group of Monkeys, Apps, Children's Books, Digital Publishing, ebooks, Family, Friendship, Gratitude Sunday, Picture Books, Storybook Apps, Writing · Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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