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I wish I were one of those freelancers with a perfectly organized office. I long for a clear desk and floor space that doesn’t require fancy footwork to get around. I spend hours looking at organized offices on flickr — and dreaming.

Recently I noticed how much the clutter was getting to me. I have plenty of file drawers, and it cracked me up to discover that well over half of them are empty, while every horizontal surface is covered with papers and books. I first went through all my books and sold a bunch of them on amazon.com. I ended up selling enough to cover the cost of a Nikon D40 digital SLR  for an upcoming trip! What I couldn’t sell, I gave away to my public library for their annual book sale. Then every day, I picked a square foot of horizontal surface and got rid of everything on it. If it was something I wanted to keep, it went into a file folder. Some stuff I gave away on freecycle or Craigslist. Seventy-five percent of the stuff was paper, though, and it ended up in recycling. I had a dozen or so cables, adapters, and chargers sitting around, so I figured out what they belonged to, then labeled them with my trusty Brother P-touch labeler and put them in a (labeled) drawer. Then I attacked my e-mail and set up folders and filters to help me process communications efficiently.

My office still needs quite a bit of work, but here’s something amazing: yet again, whenever I go on a major clutter purge, I end up getting a ton of assignments. I’ve gotten $5K in work over the last week alone! (That’s NOT a normal week for me, let me assure you.) It’s almost as if you’ve got to make room for the work you want on your desk. I don’t think there’s anything magical or woo-woo going on here — what happened in my case is that I was able to jump on a few opportunities faster because I could actually SEE them. When I bought the camera, I was able to tell one editor I could include high-res photos with a story, which made it an easier sell.

So if things are a little slow and your office is kind of messy or your systems are falling apart, do a little purging and streamlining. Clean off your desk, make room on your hard-drive, get rid of books or equipment you don’t use that much and see if the work starts to flow in. I’m not nearly done with my office, so I’m eager to see if I can get a couple more $5K (or $10K) weeks before I’m done. [db]

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HCI, the publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, is looking for contributions for the following new books:

The Ultimate Dog Lover

The Ultimate Cat Lover

The Ultimate Horse Lover

Democrat’s Soul

Republican’s Soul

Check out the websites for info on deadlines, compensation, etc. [lf]

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A day or so ago, Linda posted a notice about our second meeting of Way North Writers, a group for New England writers to network and share leads, inspiration and advice. I’m happy to say that we have a wonderful coach coming to lead us through a workshop on clarifying our dreams and achieving goals in the new year. Star Dargin, a Mass.-based speaker, consultant and coach, will  lead this workshop.

Star has partnered as a coach, facilitator and consultant with many leaders, executives, managers, and business owners in all phases of personal and professional growth. Recently, she’s been coaching writers and also consults for a publishing company. In her consulting practice, she has found creative ways to blend her coaching, teaching, and management skills to great success. When giving feedback, clients frequently express appreciation for her direct style that gets to the heart of the matter quickly.

She has had her own consulting practice since 1996. Prior to that she was in leadership positions at a number of high-tech companies. For more on Star, see her Web site: http://www.stardar.com/index.htm

Meeting: January 10, 7 p.m. at the home of Linda Formichelli in Concord, N.H.

Cost: $12

If you’d like to join us, please send me an email: [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there.

Elaine Appleton Grant

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Esme Raji Codell is an author and certified readiologist. I first learned about Esme, a young urban teacher with big dreams in her acclaimed memoir, EDUCATING ESME. Years later, I began reading her children’s books, and was delighted when an advance reader copy of VIVE LE PARIS arrived in my mailbox for review. I was immediately pulled into the story, promptly took off my reviewer hat, curled up in a chair and savoured every page. When I learned the book was awarded the Sydney Taylor Honor Award for “outstanding contribution to Jewish Literature,” I was not surprised!

Esme is passionate about books, literacy, and children. I am thrilled beyond measure that she was willing to share her thoughts and insights on my blog.

VIVE LA PARIS is about the relationship of an urban African American girl, and her piano teacher, a holocaust survivor. What was the inspiration for writing a story about the connecting of diverse cultures?

When I was teaching the fifth grade in Chicago to an inner-city classroom of about thirty five kids, I read aloud a book called Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, about children and the Danish resistance during WWII. It was very indirect as to the particulars of the Nazi threat, and none of these children were Jewish or had any prior knowledge of the Holocaust. I was happy to skirt around the atrocities. When the book inspired more probing questions, I answered with the academic equivalent to “Go ask your father,” which is, “go to the library.”

Well, one day, I saw one of my students writing and crying so hard that tears were falling on the page. When I went to see, she was making a word search with words like NAZI AND CREMATORIUM. It turned out that she DID go to the library, and making this word search was her was of processing this information that she had found. I realized that I had chickened out, but I needed something to help me, as a teacher. I needed a book that spoke to all children, especially inner-city children who fight their own wars and injustices every day. I wanted a book that spoke to children now, who are so inundated with media, with images of Rwanda and 9/11 and the Asian tsunami and images from Katrina. So I wrote VIVE LA PARIS specifically from a diverse cultural point of view because I hoped it would be useful in reaching kids from all kinds of backgrounds as a springboard for a larger discussion: how do we deal with the bullies of the world? And, how does history repeat itself, in big ways and in small ways? These questions belong to all cultures. The book can be looked at in this context, but lots of kids also enjoy the straightforward tension of the plot; the idea of a fifth grade girl bullying an eighth grade boy is a big problem, and Paris, the boy’s sister, just gets madder and madder and madder. I think a lot of kids can relate to the idea of an escalating situation, and the desire to solve things peacefully...and just how hard that can be.

VIVE LA PARIS is a companion novel for another book I wrote, SAHARA SPECIAL. Characters appear in both books, so kids who enjoyed SAHARA can see their old friends again, but I was very careful to make sure each book stands on its own. You don’t have to read one to enjoy the other.

Paris, the main character in the book, had no previous knowledge of the Holocaust. Do you think today’s children are lacking exposure to the struggles of previous generations?

I think there’s a fine line between teaching kids the struggles of past generations and discouraging them with the incredible inhumane episodes that recur again and again in the world invented by grown-ups. But in answer to your question, yes, I think generally children could afford to know more about what previous generations have contributed to the present, but then again, I think everyone could afford to know more. I hope history would be approached with a sense of gratitude for what has been sacrificed and endured to arrive at this moment, and with some optimism about the future. Since most history is traditionally taught within a contextual timeline of war, this requires some conscientious effort.

Did you do a lot of research or is VIVE LA PARIS based on personal knowledge and experiences?

I was already well versed in the events of the Holocaust, though lots of facts were checked and re-checked. I did read up a lot on the entertainer Josephine Baker who is referenced in the novel. She really did lead an incredible life, working for the Resistance and dedicating so much of her personal life to the celebration of diversity. But most of VIVE LA PARIS is inspired by my own family, neighbors, children I have taught. There’s no fiction that isn’t born out of a seed of truth.

In HANUKKAH SHMANUKKAH! (Hyperion, 2005), a Jewish version A Christmas Carol, you explore a different historical aspect of the Jewish experience, including the use of humor and Yiddish words. Like Vive La Paris, this story also seems to bridge gaps between generations and communities. Do you see this an a significant theme in your writing?

Gosh, good questions, Barbara! I guess everything about me goes into my books. I grew up in a diverse multicultural neighborhood, and a lot of colloquial Yiddish was used in my home. I had a strong identification as an American, and felt like all American history was my history, including African-American history, which I learned a lot about at home and at school. I was surprised as an adult with the idea that history could belong to one group and not another. Since all the cultures in America, in my mind, should come together in a sense of belonging here, I suppose that shows through in my work.

You began your career as a teacher. Did you always want to write books?
I wanted to be a baseball umpire growing up, and then I wanted to be a scientist, but through it all I always wrote books, diaries. Short stories, articles, poems...sometimes to publish, sometimes not. I have been writing since I was able. It has always been part of who I am, not who I ever wanted to become. I always remind children that being a writer means writing, whether or not you get published, and whatever age you are.

Did your experiences as a teacher inspire your stories?

Oh, yes. Absolutely. Virtually all of my books have something to do with school, and all of my books start with something I want to share with children. I am always conscious of how my book might be used in a classroom, and I always try to write things that are fun to read aloud, since that is the most beneficial classroom approach.

I think I’m obsessed with school because it’s such an ephemeral time. Every school story is also a ghost story, because children change out of their former selves into adults. When I teach, I feel so lucky, I get to experience people during this precious, fleeting time, to know them so early in their own experience of living...and here they are, in this strange place, together: a school. It’s the stuff of great literature!

You have written many books in a variety of genres. Do you have a favorite genre?

I like writing non-fiction best, because I like observing better than having make things up. Inventing a whole fictional universe is exhausting, and requires more choices than a Libra like me can handle. Though I do try.

What are you working on now?

I have three picture books from Greenwillow on the horizon. I am also planning on launching a podcast soon that celebrates the joys of reading and the wonderful work of other authors and illustrators.

What do you like to read?

I like to read children’s books, because they are fast-paced and usually funnier than literature for adults. Realistic fiction and picture books are my favorite genre, though I’ll give anything a go for a few chapters. When I was a child, comic books were my favorite thing to read.

What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween, Johnny Appleseed’s birthday (September 26th) and my son’s birthday.

Do you have hobbies besides writing?

Well, my husband says eating is not a hobby, but I do love everything to do with food: cooking, reading food magazines, trying new restaurants. I love to spend my time listening to music, dancing and singing (usually in the privacy of my own apartment). I am also a rabid collector (I like robots, old Fisher Price toys, anything to do with fairy tales, Halloween collectibles and of course, children’s books and videos), a sloppy but bountiful urban gardener, and I like to plan parties, make puppet shows, blog about my favorite books at www.planetesme.blogspot.com and read aloud. My very favorite thing to do is spend time with friends and family, and make sure they know I love them.

Do you have any pets?

We have two sugar gliders named Amelia and Philippe. They are very old and fat marsupials with a lot of personality. Definitely part of the family.

Can you share a few fun facts about you?

One of my first things I ever had published was a movie review in a newspaper when I was seven years old.
When I was a teenager, I had 200 penpals and often skipped school to write letters to them.
I worked as a doughnut finisher for Dunkin’ Doughnuts. I like their French Cruller and Strawberry Frosted best.
I secretly would like to run a museum, or have a radio show.

Esme, it had been a delight! Thanks for stopping by!

To learn more about Esme, check out her web site at www.PlanetEsme.com
Be a part of the PlanetEsme Plan! www.planetesme.blogpot.com

WANTED: Short, funny, true stories recounting the “misadventures” from weddings/honeymoons, pregnancy/childbirth, or the baby/toddler years for an upcoming series of “Diary” anthologies to be published in book form by Meadowbrook Press.

Angela Wiechmann
Senior Editor
Meadowbrook Press
5451 Smetana Drive
Minnetonka MN 55343
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 800-338-2232 x. 117
Fax: 952-930-1940

Diary Submission Guidelines

STORY LENGTH: Up to 800 words

PAYMENT: For selected stories, we’ll pay the following one-time fees. (Word counts refer to final edited versions.)

$50 for 100 words or less
$75 for 101–250 words
$100 for 251–500 words
$125 for 501–800 words

RIGHTS REQUIRED: Non-exclusive worldwide rights in all languages. Author retains copyright to story.

FORMAT: Stories must be submitted electronically. A story may be typed in the body of an e-mail or sent as an attached Microsoft Word document.

E-MAIL TO: [email protected] with subject line “Diary submission.” Please indicate the submission category: wedding/honeymoon, pregnancy/childbirth, or the baby/toddler years.

DEADLINE: September 1, 2007

We’re looking for tightly written stories featuring one specific incident with a clear humorous focus. For samples of stories that fit our vision for this series, please e-mail a request to [email protected] with subject line “Diary Samples”. Please do not submit stories that are interesting/enlightening/touching but not funny. Such stories are outside the scope of this project. [lf]

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Note to media: This is a last chance opportunity since the closing date for stories fast approaches. Writers, columnists, reporters and all media employees encouraged to submit and share their stories. We appreciate excellent stories and skilled writers very, very much.

Contact: Teri Peluso (954) 418-0844 or email [email protected]

Please feel free to print or report in whole or part. Deadline: July 1, 2007

Chicken Soup for the Wine Lovers Soul - Do You Have a Story?

Every wine lover has a story to tell about the best glass of wine, when he or she found that special vintage bottle or how much fun it was that afternoon they all went wine tasting through Napa Valley, California and any of the other burgeoning wine producing regions of the United States. Some people have great stories to share about what happened as a result of that shared glass of wine…

Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking for the very best true, heat-warming, insightful and powerfully moving stories about how wine has affected your life. It could be about wine tasting, wine making, and its meaning and uses in all cultures.

The authors of the New York Times Bestselling book series, Chicken Soup for the Soul are currently seeking stories to include in Chicken Soup for the Wine Lovers Soul. If you have a story about relationships or events that include wine, Chicken Soup for the Wine Lovers Soul wants to hear from you.

What makes a good Chicken Soup for the Soul story?

Chicken Soup stories inspire, uplift and genuinely touch people. They are filled with vivid images, leaving the reader with a feeling of being “there” — in the story — with the people involved. A Chicken Soup story may make the reader laugh out loud, reach for a Kleenex, or give the reader food for thought, but all Chicken Soup stories create emotion rather than simply describing it.

If you have a great story and would like to be included in Chicken Soup for the Wine Lovers Soul please send your stories to: [email protected] (either as an attachment or simply pasted into the body of the message). You can also send in stories by:

Mail: Wine Lovers Story Submissions
3201 SW 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Fax: (954) 418-0844

Please keep copies as we are unable to return materials. Story Format should be 500-1000 words, non-fiction. Previously published material is accepted, but please provide information on where the story has been published when you submit the piece.

For each story selected in the book, a 50 word biography will be included about the author. Writers of stories accepted for final publication will receive their choice of $200 or thirteen (13) complimentary copies of the book (a $207 retail value), per story published. Writers of published poems will receive $50 upon publication. There are no limits to the number of submissions. Stories must be received no later than July 1, 2007. [lf]

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