How to not only survive co-writing, but use it to your best advantage.
https://writersrumpus.com/2016/04/22/how-to-survive-co-writing/
The
Teaching Authors are pleased to present an interview and book give-away with our friend,
Sarah Campbell. On a personal note, I met Sarah when she came to my very first book signing in our shared hometown, Jackson, Mississippi. Sarah and I got to know each other pretty well that day, given the number of people who did
not attend the signing!
Over the years, I have had the pleasure of observing Sarah at work with her elementary school students. Their joy in the act of creating, and pride in their completed writing is a direct result of one very fine teaching author.
Sarah is not only a gifted teacher; she is an award-winning author as well. Her first book,
Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator is a Geisel Honor Book.
A former journalist, Sarah is the mother of three sons, which she and her husband are raising in Jackson, Mississippi
Her new book,
Growing Patterns, is set for release next month. To celebrate both Sarah's appearance on
Teaching Authors, as well as the publication of her new book, we are giving away an autographed copy of
Growing Patterns. To enter the drawing, see the instructions at the end of this post.
How did you become a Teaching Author? When my first son was born, I left full-time journalism and took a part-time job teaching a journalism class and advising the student newspaper at a liberal arts college. After my third son was born (three-and-a-half years later) I wanted to use the little time I had for my professional self to write--not teach. At the time, I was writing magazine articles and corporate communication pieces.
When my third son went to school, I ventured into the classroom again, this time as a volunteer at my sons' elementary school. I was in the midst of transforming myself into a writer for the children's market. Whenever the students embarked on an interesting unit, I would turn up at school with lots of books (mainly from the public library) on the topic. Both the students and I read and read. I also photographed their class
Exciting news at OUP! James McPherson has won the The Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. The award recognizes and honors the lifetime contributions of a living author for a body of work dedicated to enriching the understanding of American military history including military affairs.
Echoing all of our feelings Niko Pfund, Vice President and Publisher, Oxford University Press said, “Oxford University Press warmly congratulates Jim McPherson on his receipt of the first Pritzker Military Library Lifetime Achievement in Military Literature Award. Few scholars more consistently combine first-rate scholarship with accessible historical writing, and few authors are more of a pleasure to publish. We are delighted that so richly deserving a writer and thinker has been chosen to inaugurate this prestigious award.”
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By: LAURIE WALLMARK,
on 6/24/2016
By: Carmela Martino and 5 other authors,
on 2/22/2010
By: Rebecca,
on 7/17/2007
Great interview! I am inspired by the idea of using photographs that I take to illustrate a picture book (thereby becoming an author-illustrator)!
My 7-year-old daughter can't get enough of Lindsey Vonn right now. I'd like to see a book filled with photos of her skiing. :)
Scotti,
How great that Sarah's interview has inspired you. I'll be interested in what you choose for a subject. Best of luck.
Mary ann
Michelle,
Your daughter has great taste! Lindsay Vonn is exactly who I was thinking of when I was thinking of contest ideas. Just the image of her slamming down a mountain...well, I think it would be terrific. Not only is Lindsay a great athlete, she is an example of some one who perseveres despite pain, injury and disappointment.
MA
I think the women's 4 x 100 relay team of 1968 deserve a picture book biography. Runners were: Margaret Bailes, Barbara Ferrell, Mildrette Netter, and Wyomia Tyus. I should check into what's available in archival photographs.
I'm glad others are getting inspired to do photo-illustrated books. I think they're great! (but then I would.)
Thanks for having me, Mary Ann, and other teaching authors. I love your blog.
Kids are so lucky today-to have books like Growing Patterns on the Fibonacci sequence! I'd never heard of it till I was all grown up (and working as a sub teacher in a 7th grade math classroom!)
As for interesting Olympic athletes, I'd put pen to paper to write Apolo Ohno's story. Or maybe that's just me thinking like a 7th grader :-)
Great interview, Mary Ann, and I can't wait to see the book, Sarah!
I'd toss in a vote for Apolo - and maybe for the young Japanese pairs skater who left her home and country to train with a particular coach - in Russia,
I think? Mary Ann, you probably know the story!
What an amazing website you've provided! As an aspiring children's author, I was thrilled to read of it in the 2010 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, and couldn't get to my computer fast enough to check it out. Thanks for your generosity and willingness to offer guidance to "n00bs" !
One of the newer Olympic sports deserving of some non-fiction coverage is "Curling". Not only is this sport do-able by children who are not particularly athletic, it also has the distinct honor of being "new & weird" (always a winner with kids). Perhaps an NF children's book on the "First American Olympic Curling Team" (with separate chapters for the 2010 men's and 2010 women's team USA members) would be just the ticket.
Thanks again for sharing your expertise!
~M~
Sarah, we're honored to have you here on TeachingAuthors. And I enjoyed watching the trailer for GROWING PATTERNS on your blog.
Lots of great entries for our contest already. But, M, if you want to be entered in our contest, you need to provide an email address--there isn't one listed on your StrictlyTopSecret profile.
Good luck, everyone!
Sarah,
Your suggestion of the 1968 4 x100 women's relay team is excellent. Of the four women mentioned, the only I know is Wyomia Tyus. This sounds like four women who need to be celebrated, for sure!
MA
Robin,
Of course I know the name of Japanese pairs skater who left her country so she could work with a renowned Russian pairs coach. Her name was Yuko Kawaguchi. Since she renounced her Japanese citizenship for Russian and competes on their Olympic team, her name has been Russianized (if that's a word)Yuko Kavaguti. (I am not a walking Wikipedia...my daughter competes in figure skating, so we know this stuff.
I have to go with Shaun White--watching his runs on the half-pipe brought out all my motherly protective instincts as he flew several stories up in the air for each trick. Add to that the fact that he was skateboarding as a four-year-old, and I think we've got a great biography for middle grade reluctant readers.
Here are some photos of his gold medal runs:
http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-photos/shaun-white-of-the-united-states--snowboard_282826g208204-o239838-qH.html#photoScrollHref
Also--I'm very excited that my eight-year-old mathematician/scientist has a book on Fibonacci numbers to check out. A kid can only memorize pi to so many digits before he needs to move on, you know?
I am not eligible for this contest, but I can't resist adding my two cents...I am a fan of the Boys on Blades--Apollo Ohno, Shani Davis, and Evan Lysacek!
Me, too, especially Evan Lysacek, since he is a local boy who's made the big time!
Nice interview. I'm looking forward to seeing the book!
I'll cast my vote for Debi Thomas, African American figure skater back in 1988 who went on to become a doctor. She was inducted into the Figure Skaters Hall of Fame in 2000.
Awesome interview, as always, ladies! No need to enter me. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.
Doraine,
I can't believe I forgot Debbie Thomas. When she lost the gold to Katerina Witt in '88 (the Battle of the Carmens) my winter was ruined!
It's great to read all these wonderful story ideas...keep'em coming! You have until Saturday.
I'm going back a ways and say Mark Spitz would be an interesting subject for a book. I remember watching him win all of his medals and it was awesome.
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com
Michelle Kwan is at the top of the list... :)
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/02/growing-patterns.html
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Hey Mary Ann,
I suggested that 1968 team because I met and got to know Mildrette Netter (and her daughter, Gyra) when I was in junior high. I've kept it in the back of my mind (file).
Sarah
My nieces would love one about Lindsey Vonn.
Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com
Luge ~ Anne Abernathy. I just read a short little ditty about her. Interesting.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I'd like to see one about alpine skier Bode Miller, because he's from my home state (it would be really popular at my library). To my knowledge, the only biography written about him is geared toward adults. Now that he's won his first gold medal, maybe a photo biography is more likely..
Great interview--I love the idea of using paper frames to focus on a writing topic. I might trek through our snow drifts and try it myself!
Here are two ideas for Olympian biographies: Peggy Fleming and Mark Spitz. I guess I'm revealing my age..
buffy AT buffysilverman.com