In any discussion on how to be a children’s book author, questions naturally focus on the beginning of the journey—how to get started, how to get an agent, how to get published. Rarer is a focus on what it takes to be successful after that first book. That was exactly what author and editor David Levithan (Love Is the Higher Law) and his fellow panelists were challenged to explore at a panel discussion in New York City this past Monday. Titled “Crafting a Career as a Children’s or Young Adult Author—Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” the panel was presented by the PEN American Center’s Children’s Book Committee.
Levithan, who moderated the panel, was joined by authors Jane O’Connor, Richard Peck, Marilyn Singer, and Brian Floca. As the evening began and each of the panelists discussed their early days as writers, it quickly became clear that
they had something in common—at the beginning, none of them actually knew what they wanted to do. “I was all over the map,” said Floca. And if he’d had his way after college, he said, he would have had his college newspaper comic strip syndicated. That love of cartooning led to a class at the Rhode Island School of Design, where a teacher introduced him to an author who needed some illustrations. The author turned out to be Avi, and the result was City of Light, City of Dark. But even after that early success, Floca said he had a hard time finding his own style. It wasn’t until he began putting his skill set as a history major to use writing nonfiction that he said, “I found my voice.”
Like Floca, Jane O’Connor had some trouble figuring out what she wanted to do after college. “I loved the ’60s,” she said, “because you were supposed to not know what you wanted to do. And I had no burning desire to do anything.” Her first job after graduation was as an assistant at a small, family-owned children’s book publisher. “If the job had been editing cookbooks, I would have spent the next 30 years trying out recipes.” But as her career as an editor progressed, eventually taking her to Penguin, she began writing her own books, inspired in part by her children.
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 2/4/2010
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Big Quarter For HarperCollins
By Jim Milliot — Publishers Weekly, 2/2/2010 3:16:00 PM
HarperCollins’ bet on Sarah Palin paid off over the holidays as Going Rogue helped to drive sales for the publisher in the quarter ended December 31. Total revenue in the period rose 25%, to $381 million, and operating profits jumped to $65 million from $23 million. Comparisons were helped by the fact that the fourth quarter in calendar 2008 was one of the worst at HC in several years, with revenue falling 25% and profits plunging 66%. Despite the turnaround, CEO Brian Murray said he remained cautious about prospects for the year. “I’m still worried about retail, and consumer spending in general,” Murray said.
The improved results in the most recent quarter put sales and earnings close to where they were at the end of the 2007 holiday season. Last year’s poor fourth quarter was followed by a significant downsizing at HC a little over one year ago. Among other actions, the Collins division was integrated back into the general books group and Brenda Bowen’s imprint was closed. HC said the increase in profits was driven by higher revenue, improved margins on sales and lower costs.
In addition to Rogue, which has 2.8 million copies in print, other titles that did well in the quarter included Where the Wild Things Are, which benefited from the release of the movie, The Vampire Diaries, The Lacuna, Pirate Latitudes, SuperFreakonomics and Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas. E-book sales continued to do well and accounted for about 5% of adult sales in the quarter.
For the first half of fiscal 2010, revenue at HC was up 11%, to $691 million, and operating income jumped over 200% to $85 million
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 1/28/2010
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Make A New Ending!
I read a quote once, I’m not sure who the author was, but the impact was great:
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
How smart is that? I recalled that quote when I received two query rejections via email last night. One I knew I was going to get rejected. He is a well known agent and doesn’t do Children’s BUT he does Young Adult so I thought I’d take a chance…
The other one rejected my query, not my submission. Next!
So, today’s lesson: OPTIMISM!!
Even though I’ve faced Agent rejection on a few of the queries and submissions I’ve sent, I’m going to be enthusiastic and optimistic about what is in store for me and my future as an emerging author!
Each day I will wake up I will:
ENTHUSIASTICALLY look forward to checking my email and postal mail. (rejections AND acceptions arrive that way!)
ENTHUSIASTICALLY look forward to writing a little bit more in my book!
ENTHUSIASTICALLY learn from those willing to teach me!
And ENTHUSIASTICALLY look forward to taking care of myself, my kids, my husband and my home.
The words are written. The public is waiting.
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 1/26/2010
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So THAT’S Why They Make The Big Bucks!
I’ve read time and time again that once you feel your MS is ready then it’s time to recheck it. Once you’ve done that, you need to pass it onto someone else to edit, and perhaps someone else after that. Once that is complete, it’s time to work on it some more.
(Sound exhausting? This should be an Olympic event!)
So what do I do? I do all the above: I review, rewrite, revise and then get ready to send off and before I hit the send button…viola! I find an error! Whew! Am I glad I had my fresh blue eyes on today! (they sure beat the tired red ones!)
I love advice from experienced editors/agents/publishers. Sure they get a bad rap sometimes but it’s like a really good coach: They make you run, they make you puke, but they help you get that scholarship!
Here’s me tipping my student hat to all the teachers out there!
The words are written. The public is waiting.
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 1/15/2010
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GOOD CENSUS INFORMATION TO PASS ALONG
2010 Census to Begin
WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a
victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census
is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households
across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information
about every person living at each address including name, age, gender,
race, and other relevant data.
The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census
worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a
handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice.
Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their
questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into
your home.
** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address
information.
Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information
to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. . Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as
a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.
The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit
card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for
that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are
supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 12/30/2009
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ONE OF LIFE’S GREAT LESSONS
My publishing journey has me on a mission! But, like anyone else on a mission, we all fall into wells sometimes and it’s difficult to climb back out. One of my recent setbacks made me think of a story I heard once about a donkey and his determination. Enjoy:
One of Life’s Great Lessons
One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well.
The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Exasperated, he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down.A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.
He would shake it off and take a step up..
As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well, and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.
Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 12/21/2009
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Not For The Faint Of Heart!
I’ve been compiling a list of literary agents that accept children’s book submissions. Sometimes I get so excited over one I think will be a perfect match for my work and then, SQUISH! They only accept submissions from ‘published authors’. Phooey. That’s ok. I’ll have to hit them up later when I am published.
I see that many agents only accept queries first, some a query with the first few pages of the book, some want the entire book plus a cover letter…whew! My brow glistens with sweat at the work that lies ahead of me. I’m not fainthearted…I will prevail! And thank goodness I’m organized!
The words are written. The public is waiting.
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 12/17/2009
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THICK SKINNED…LIKE A T-REX?
Ouch. Rejection letters sting…a lot. I received my first of three (which ain’t bad) literary agent ka-pow! letters and decided that it’s not ME they’re rejecting. They’re rejecting the query. Heck, they haven’t even read my work yet. So it’s the query.
My query.
But this is business. And in this business agents are looking for a query that will make them want to read my work and work that will make them money. And ultimately me money.
It’s re-draft time.
The words are written. The public is waiting.
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 12/15/2009
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UPDATING MY TWITTER ACCOUNT
Yesterday, before the madness of the day had a chance to creep up on me, I decided to visit my desolate and cob webbed Twitter account. It showed that I was following 23 people and 12 people were following me. I puffed out my chest. I had 12 followers! Following what…I still have no idea. (BUT I WILL!!)
According to my networking coach, Scott Magers, (www.scottmagers.com) I am to surround myself with like minded individuals and industry related individuals. I found a website that showed some authors who Twitted? Tweeted? and I began to click and follow. There’s a lot!
I then specifically googled Young Adult and children’s authors on Twitter and really narrowed my selection. After I added all that I could for the day I checked my account and I am, as of today, now following 182 people and am being followed by 25. Not a scary thing at all! Time to go tweet.
The words are written. The public is waiting.
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 12/14/2009
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FOLLOW THE TWEETING CROWD
I realize Social Media Marketing includes Twitter amongst many other things. I can’t conjure up the memory of when chat rooms stopped and Twitter began. Maybe it’s like when pagers stopped and cell phones began.
(I remember having a pager– it was blue–though I don’t remember throwing it away. I probably still have it somewhere in a box labeled, ‘MY STUFF’. I wonder if it still even works? NO! Move on!!)
It amazes me how far and how fast we’ve come in our ability to communicate with one another. Ecommerce is so abundant!
A few years ago, when I first started thinking about publishing my work, the most desireable method of query or manuscript submission was via ’snail’ mail.
Just the other day I was able to click the ’send’ button on my laptop and viola! My query was magically whisked away to an editors inbox. Amazing!
I’m on board with Twitter. I realize that there are some individuals who aren’t. My aunt, for instance, declared that she “just will not do the Twitter thing”. And that’s OK. I’ll stick to e-mailing her.
If having an active Twitter account will help me move up the Social Media ladder, I say, “Move over old school chat rooms! I have a puddy tat to tweet with!”
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 12/13/2009
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SELF PUBLISH OR PUBLISHING HOUSE?
I have been hearing a lot of different opinions on whether I should use a literary agent or just self publish.
One hand says that using an agent will get me more exposure and launch my writing career faster and further…
The other hand says that self publishing will allow me to hold on to my precious rights as an author and creator of the work…
What to do?
I will need to investigate and do my research. Every good writer is familiar with research. I’m going to have to roll up my sleeves and get a little dirty. This is a major step I’m taking. I’m willing to let the public read my work and even make a life out of it.
BIP BAM BOP! Why not? I’ve spent the majority of my life being creative, spent the majority of my life storytelling, spent the majority of my life making others laugh (or eek! my poor mom scream)…
The words are written. The public is waiting.
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By: Tamie Wolford (Gonzalez) ,
on 11/8/2009
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HALLOWEEN FUN
Our house loves Halloween. It’s not for the love of ghouls or goblins…we can do without those. It’s for the creativity within us (me) and the one day of the year that we (I) get to let loose and just dress my family up MY way. I’m not into blood or gore or guts. I think people who insist on donning themselves in gore are lacking in creativity. They are running alongside mediocrity and the mundane.
I’m always looking to include my entire family in my Halloween design. We’ve been all over the board from 3 blind Mice to teeth (and their Tooth Fairy) to a Royal Flush. This year, we were Pacman, Ms. Pacman and the ghosts. We had a lot of fun and made a lot of people laugh.
That is EXACTLY what it is all about.
(pics to follow. they won’t upload for some reason)
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It used to be that the only adults who read young adult literature were those who had a vested interest — teachers or librarians or parents who either needed or wanted to keep an eye on developing readers’ tastes.But increasingly, adults are reading YA books with no ulterior motives. Attracted by well-written, fast-paced and engaging stories that span the gamut of genres and subjects, such readers have mainstreamed a niche long derided as just for kids.
You know the old saying, “Even the walls have ears”? Well, now they really do. It’s called the “Social Media Wall”. And though it has the ability to launch your career faster than someone can say, 
Have you ever read a novel and then thought to yourself, “I totally could have written that better!” or “Man! How did they get published when mine’s WAAAY better than theirs?!”
Penguin Young Readers Group in the U.S. and Hodder & Stoughton in the U.K. announced today that they will be publishing bestselling author John Grisham’s first series of books for children. The middle-grade series will focus on 13-year-old Theodore Boone, a legal whiz kid. In the first book, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, Theo gets caught up in a high-profile murder trial in his town. It’s scheduled to be released by Dutton Children’s Books on May 25, and on June 10 by Hodder in the U.K. The second book, as yet untitled, is scheduled for release in 2011.
