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If you’re an aspiring picture book author and you watched Celebrity Apprentice last night, you may have some [gross] misconceptions about what it takes to get a picture book published.

• “I know my ABC’s and my 123′s” is not a “genius” rhyme worthy of victory. Send an unimaginative, unoriginal rhyme like that to an editor and you’ll receive a form rejection…if they even bother sending a rejection.
• What the groups presented were first drafts written in a few hours. Do not send a first draft to be considered for publication.
• If a book is conceived by Dionne Warwick and written by Star Jones, by all means, let them take the credit.
• Donald said he’d publish the men’s book. But it will not be published without a lot of revision and editor input, because again, it’s a first draft that relies on simple, common rhymes.
• A picture book based on LaToya and the Jackson family? Do. Not. Go. There.
• “Just be yourself” is not too sophisticated a theme for a picture book–and both teams exhibited this theme, not just the women. Many successful picture books use this theme: Peggy Rathman’s RUBY THE COPYCAT, Audrey Penn’s SASSAFRAS, Kevin Henke’s CHRYSANTHEMUM, Helen Lester’s TACKY THE PENGUIN. I could go on and on…

There were many opportunities for snarky comments during the show, but here I’m going to focus on the positive:

• Margery Cuyler looked fabulous.
• I caught a glimpse of Pam Calvert’s PRINCESS PEEPERS!
• In this age of pumped-up puckers, Lisa Rinna had a lip REDUCTION.

MARSHALL CAVENDISH CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHER FEATURED ON NBC’S THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE

Tarrytown, NY (March 8, 2011) – Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books, an imprint of Marshall Cavendish Corporation, announced today that Margery Cuyler, Publisher of the imprint, will be featured on an episode of NBC’s alternative series, “The Celebrity Apprentice,” airing March 13th (9/10 PM ET/PT).

In the episode, the star-studded cast featuring celebrities such as Gary Busey and La Toya Jackson will split into two teams and engage themselves in one of the most prominent niches in the book publishing industry – children’s literature. Both teams will author an original children’s picture book to help raise money for charity. Their works will be evaluated by actress Robin Holly and by Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books publisher Margery Cuyler.

The winning celebrity team will present their charity with a check. Last season, “The Celebrity Apprentice” raised over $1.25 million dollars for charity.

“The Celebrity Apprentice” is produced by Mark Burnett Productions in association with Trump Productions LLC. Mark Burnett, Donald Trump, Eden Gaha and Page Feldman are executive producers. Nancy Gunn is the co-executive producer.

Marshall Cavendish Corp. is a leading North American publisher of encyclopedias, nonfiction series, young adult and children’s books.  And we love Margery here in New Jersey.  We’ll definitely be watching.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy