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Tracking my Transformation from "Ms. Nobody" to "Published Author"
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On last week, children's author, Alice Faye Duncan visited a college class at the University of Memphis to speak about writing books for children. Instead of reading one of her books, she gave each college student a signed copy of her poem, America's First Lady. She hopes to sell this poetic manuscript and biography to a New York Publisher. I thought the poem worthy of appearing here on my blog. Enjoy!
America's First Lady
(by Alice Faye Duncan)
Born in Chicago
The Southside
Euclid Street
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson
Frasier and Marian’s daughter
Craig’s baby sister
Hand raised high in school
Speaking the Queen’s English
A+ on every paper
Sonatas on her piano
Sometimes a lowdown blues
Children teased Michelle
Called her ugly names
Said…Who does she think she is?
Talking all smart and stuff!
Said…Who does she think she is?
Straight A’s up and down her card!
Said…Who does she think she is?
Tall as a tree!
Words can cut like stone
Pride pushes back the tears
Courage makes shoulders square
Michelle defended herself
Said…I don’t think…I KNOW…I’m smart!
Then silence
No rebuttal
Case closed
No hard feelings
Success the best revenge!
Michelle Obama
Tower of light
America’s First Lady!
My blogspot has been neglected. Wanna know why? I've been writing picture book manuscripts and editing WALKING THE DOG, my chapter book for children. In the process something very exciting happened to me recently. This week I received two GOOD rejection letters. Did you think there could be such a thing? Good Rejection! Well, this week I experienced it for myself. Linda Pratt at the Sheldon Fogelman Literary Agency said that my chapter book has "so much of the right stuff." More than anything, it's funny. She commented that Fitzhugh's interaction with friends and neighbors is a hoot! Pratt also encouraged me to share more of my work with her. As for my picture book manuscripts I submitted one directly to an editor at Simon and Schuster. She wrote back this week to say that it is "great!." HOWEVER, the picture book market is rotten right now. Perhaps when the economy improves, Simon and Schuster will be able to purchase a picture book project that speaks about Jazz Music in the 1930's. This is what the editor wrote in her letter. How do you think these two notices made me feel? Even without a contract offer, I was walking on clouds because this week, an agent and an editor gave me hope. I was rejected but not irrevocabaly denied. And that's GOOD NEWS!
As an aspiring writer I have been greatly taken up with rejection letters and new writing projects. So on Saturday I decided to step back from it all, look around and see what other writers in my city are doing. In celebration of Black History Month, I found one children's author reading her books at the Public Library. I expect to conduct author visits myself, so I went to see a real professional in action. It was great! Lots of children were there. They came in a variety of shades. Black, white and otherwise. The author opened up her reading with an interactive song. The children danced and sang. The joy of goofiness and delight was on each face. Then the author stated her purpose for visiting the library and sharing with the children. She explained that her presentation was in celebration of heritage and Black History Month. Instantly, a little boy about 4 years old raises his flailing hand. He wants very much to say something to the author. She asks him to speak and he matter-of-factly responds, "but I'm not black!" So the little boy was not black as the color of a piano key. But his racial identify by virture of his very present mama and daddy, was black. The little boy extended his two tanned arms. "I'm white! See!" All the grown folk and the children laughed. His parents laughed too. No doubt they would hold that family discussion during the drive home. The author giggled. She responded with an "OK!" And moved on to read her book. It was an awkward, innocent moment. As an aspiring literary figure, it is a moment that gave me clarity. I make a new declaration today. Whatever I write should be composed with purpose. Be it humorous or dramatic and wrenching, all of my words should ultimately...inspire appreciation, pride and love for self. From this very moment, I dedicate all my writing talents to a little boy named DJ. May you never be ashamed, NEVER!
A creative mind is a terrible thing to waste. I refuse to let mine atrophy like a paralyzed muscle. So as I wait on a book deal for WALKING THE DOG, I am giving birth to new books. I thought of creating a super hero for middle schoolers. Then SOMETHING (old folks call it the Holy Ghost) led me to an idea for a Young Adult Novel. The working title is called, CHINK EYES. I would tell you the plot but it is yet whole. All the involved storylines are working themselves out in the recesses of my mind. I will however share the first several sentences....My name is Giselle Dawn Parker. I am my mother's namesake. I am my father's greatest regret. He does not love me. He did not love my mother. Rejected and denied for three years, she gave Bertram Lee her body under the cover of night. In motel rooms. In the back seat of his brand new red Trans AM. Nobody saw. But everybody knew. My mother, Giselle Dawn Parker was in love with Coach Lee. It all started when she was seventeen. A senior at Tech High. Mother was a local track star with Olympic promise. Bertram Lee was tweny-five. The son of Wong and Juanita Lee. Three generations removed from a Chinese Laundry in Cleveland Mississippi. Six generations removed from an unknown slave plantation. Bertram Lee. Sun-kissed. Curly black hair. Six feet tall. A power point guard. State basketball champion. But my father was not good enough to go pro. So he took advantage of college. Earned a degree in physical education and graduated from Tennessee State. As years go and I grow into my own me, I write my history down. No matter how much it hurts, I listen to Cousin Noble's slurred speech and the evidence found during his "detective work". I write down everything. I let George-Wallace and Anthoni Cleopatra tell me about life with my mother just like they remember it. Her story is my story and it's not all black and white or gray. My story is yellow, tan and brown. To keep from going crazy, I tell it to my friends. I talk it out. I can't let rejection kill me, like it did my mother. I have to release and let go of the pain. I have to express my truth. Sometimes I have to shout. I wish my father loved me! Brown skin, long legs, kinky hair, chink eyes and all. I wish my father loved me. Please share your thoughts. Where do you think this story is headed? I suspect it will be a tale of cowardice, courage and redemption.
I've said it before and I will say it again. As an aspiring author it is important to learn how to wait. For six weeks I have been hunting and waiting on an agent's response. I am waiting on Penquin editor, Stacey Barney, to share her thoughts about
WALKING THE DOG. Recently, I applied for a Tennessee Arts Commission Grant so I am also waiting to hear if the state will award me one of the $5000 prizes. They have ten to give away. Hey! Who couldn't use $5000 in this tight economy? In advance I am making plans as to how I will spend the money. Right off the bat I think I will contribute $500 to Caritas Village. They help the neighbors and children living in Memphis' Binghampton area. Onie Johns is the coordinator there. She has organized art, dance and wellness workshops for the community. Caritas also houses a cafe that serves gourmet sandwiches and homemade soups. Yum! If a hungry soul stumbles into the cafe without money they are allowed to eat. Many non-profit organizations use Caritas as a meeting place. The walls are covered with art by Frank D. Robinson, Jr. and Darlene Newman. There are an abundance of books in the cafe for your leisure reading. There are an assortment of board games too. Know what? In a season of peril and darkness, Caritas is a light. So as I move through this day I pray to win that art sweepstakes! Read more about Caritas Village at the link below.
http://www.memphismagazine.com/gyrobase/Magazine/Content?oid=oid%3A34061
I am in a quandary. I let a particular editor read my manuscript. From her professional vantage point she thought WALKING THE DOG was comical and completely relatable. However, she did not see it as a contender with books like JUNIE B. JONES and CLEMENTINE. Now, I love Junie B. and Clementine. They are a hoot! However, my book was not written to be a contender with these texts. WALKING THE DOG revolves around Fitzhugh Edmund "Big Main" Davis. He is a fat fourth grader full of tenacity and grit. He is smart but doesn't want to be perceived as anyone's "Big-Butt-Brainiac!" I wrote this book to inspire reading and academic excellence among inner-city youth who are often taunted because of their genius. The October 2008 issue of NEA TODAY reports that kids like Big Main don't raise their hands in class. They don't answer questions or they pretend to be dumb because peers often tease them and accuse them of "acting white." As a writer I decided to attack this illness with my creativity. It shouldn't hurt to be smart. Such a self-defeating psychology should not exist. How did it even get to be this way? It doesn't really matter now. I AM the antidote!
By:
A.E. Anderson,
on 1/2/2009
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Darlene Newman is a young Memphis illustrator who has developed and refined her artistic style over the years. She gets better and better with time. And right now, her work remains affordable. But if you wait another year or so, your 9 to 5 won't allow you to purchase her larger pieces. As a children's author I am especially taken with her illustrations that make some comment about education. I have always believed that she would make a great illustrator for children's books. Her work is innocent and playful but also contemplative. You can view some of Darlene's work at
http://www.thepinkroomstudio.com/. She's never expressed an interest in illustrating book covers and books for children but I'm sure in time she will be discovered by some editor in the industry. What city do you live in and who are some of your favorite local artists? Here in Memphis I am a Darlene Newman fan. I own pieces by Frank D. Robinson, Morris Howard, Carl Moore and Wiley Henry. I am also a big George Hunt fan too. But I can hardly afford to look at his work. George Hunt is WAY out of my reach when it comes to affordability. But one day, my "change" is gonna come and I WILL buy me a George Hunt too!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2009 will be divine for each and everyone who believes in the power of their own creativity. We were born to be creative! And the marvelous thing about writing is that you can actually earn money from your inspired endeavors. You should know that I purchased that new car! So, I am praying for WALKING THE DOG to hit in 2009. I am praying for it to sell. If not, of course my job at the Post Office will suffice. But, to obtain an agent and perhaps receive a 3-book contract would be such a boost to my ego. It would validate me. At last I will be able to say, "I am a writer!" And I will have a check stub to prove it! I don't know how much money I can expect to make from my chapter book. Do you? How much do publishers pay? It's an economic melt down everywhere. Let me know. Every little bit helps! Right? And besides that, when we earn money we are able to bless others and share our good. That's what I like best about the green stuff. It allows me to be a blessing to others. So, in 2009 I WANT TO SEE THE MONEY! Yes I do! Keep me in your prayers.
By:
A.E. Anderson,
on 12/20/2008
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Whatever you do don't buy a Volkswagen made in Mexico. Those things are lemons! You will stay in the Volkswagen service department. Your intimacy with them will be so frequent you will begin to think the service techs are your cousins. I just had to get this off my chest. I bought one recently and had to ditch it. I don't know what I will buy next. I am thinking about a Honda Accord Coup EX. Interest rates are low. Maybe I can get a deal. As for writing I am in the process of editing my first draft of WALKING THE DOG. I am also waiting for Jamie Chilton with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency to give me her thoughts about my first draft. We will see what happens. In the meantime have a very Merry Christmas! Buy books for the holidays. Several publishing companies are downsizing. Holt for Young Readers has released several editors and so has Farrar, Straus and Giroux. But there is hope. Children are still being born and they need new and inspiring books. So, write on! Write on!
Ok, I finished writing my first chapter book for young children. I call it WALKING THE DOG. Its about a little boy who starts a dog walking service that turns disastrous. Well, I let accomplished writer friends read it for constructive editorial comments and remarks. I took their remarks and polished the manuscript. I then let one of Memphis' celebrated novelists and educators read my story. He doesn't write for children. Adult short stories are his specialty. However, I respect him greatly. He is a master of fiction. And guess what? He suggested MORE changes. As far as I am concerned, editing hurts! It is grueling but so necessary. Editing increases your chances of getting published. Most writers realize early on that the editing process is where real writing takes place. Respect the process! As my teacher friends say, "lean into the discomfort!" I equate the editing process with wearing braces on your teeth. Child, it hurts like the dickens wearing those ugly things. But when the process is complete? Beautiful!
I woke up this morning thinking about my plight. I need a literary agent to represent my manuscript, WALKING THE DOG. It is a 10,000 word chapter book for ages 7 - 11. If I could have any agent in the world it would be someone who understands my work. Believes in my work and will comb the coasts until they find a publishing house worthy and suited for my creation. Last week I sent my manuscript to the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. I wait patiently for their response. Over the years I have shopped my work with Andrea Brown many times and they always answer in a timely manner. They have been kind enough to read my every submission. I pray that they will treat my latest manuscript with the same consideration. I'll keep you posted as things unfold. Meanwhile, share your agent stories with me. And, if you have suggestions or other agents to recommend, please do so. In the meantime, carry on with your creative pursuits like your life depends on it...because it does. Some of you (like me) are waiting for that shining moment when your creative efforts and the coins earned from them will supercede your salary at the Post Office. But until then, carry that mail, lift that bale and denounce your doubt. You are a writer!
My book is about Fitzhugh "Big Main" Davis. He is a fat 4th grader from South Memphis. Big Main lives with his grandmother who is a retired cook. They are not poor but a cook's pension does not go a long way. So, he takes it upon himself to earn money with his new dog walking service. He lands one client. That's Brutus, a large and destructive Great Dane. You know the drill! The walking service turns diastrous. Instead of making money, Big Main ends up with a debt that must be paid. Brutus destroys Ms. Beryl Miller's rose bushes. She is old, cranky and walks on a walker. Her favorite TV show is Wheel of Fortune. Ms. Miller wants her money! Ugh! What will Big Main do? As a chapter book (10,000 words) I will still need illustrations. It is not my job as a writer to find an illustrator. However, if I could pick an illustrator of my choice I would pick Robb Armstrong for his comic strip style. I would pick Shadra Strickland if using pencil or pen as a medium. I would pick Kadir Nelson if using acrylics and realistic forms. And if I had the opportunity to discover new talent I would select Morris Howard from Memphis. His major focus is portraits but I believe he is the making of a great book illustrator as well. If you are writing picture books identify ideal illustrators. However, leave it up to the editors. Like you, they want what is best for your book. They will not stir you in the wrong direction. And as the wheel continues to spin, YOU WILL get that Kadir Nelson cover. I'm praying I will! In the mean time, share your illustrator search with me. Or, the horror and hell of your search. I knew this artist who agreed to do a picture book. The publisher paid him. He never finished the book and to the writer's great distress and grief it was 4 years before the book was published and illustrated by a second artist. Share your stories.
Who am I? My name is A.E. Anderson. I am a children's author who is about to break into print just as soon as I find an agent and publisher. When I was a college student I always dreamed of becoming a writer. Like Eudora Welty I was born in the South. I've got Southern Roots.
Sometimes they are nappy but always Southern. Before my grandparents moved to Memphis they lived along Highway 64 in Eads, TN. The Anderson Family owned farmland in Eads. As a child I loved to ride from South Memphis to the country. Couldn't wait to eat my Aunt B's BBQ goat meat sandwiches. But God deliver me from Aunt Erma's house! Her bathroom was a woodshed in a field and this was the early 80's. You did not ask for my pedigree. I'm just trying to say that having roots in the rural South qualifies me to be a Southern Writer. However, I never thought it was possible until four months ago. I started writing a children's novel called WALKING THE DOG. It is about this fat black kid named Fitzhugh Edmund Davis, Jr. He's a kid for the New Millennium. He's urban, smart and full of self-doubt. I couldn't shake this story. I had to tell it. I finished WALKING THE DOG this November. Now I am in pursuit of an agent and an editor. This blog will track my journey in finding both. It will track the path I take from "Ms. Nobody" to "Published Author". I will tell you about the submission process. The rejection. The editing process. I will tell you about people's reaction and criticism to my story. At the same time I want to hear about your writing and submission process. Let's encourage one another as we master the art of manipulating words and breaking into print. Keep one thing in mind as we share this journey. Good writing rises to the top!
Funny. My son has a huge problem with being referred to as Black. He says, "I'm brown." Though because I'm darker than him, he claims I am Black. Kids!