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One of the first things I tell everyone is they need to network, get out there and meet people.  This is the reason I started doing the Summer Networking Dinners with agents and editors.  Well, today I have good news and proof that attending dinners and events where you get to interact with Publishing industry professionals does work.  Author/illustrator Tracey Berglund just signed a contract for representation with Stephen Fraser from the Jennifer De Chiara agency. 

Here is the story explained by Tracey:

I attended the Cafe Centro Agent and Editor dinner in July, because Stephen was going to the dinner and I had a short list of agents I admired and he was at the very top. I had not prepared any marketing sound bites to share that evening and the room was very noisy so I felt a bit intimidated, but fortunately I was seated next to Christina Turgeau and other really nice people, so I enjoyed my dinner and some great conversations. Stephen Fraser was sitting opposite me, but the table was very wide so he felt far away. I remember thinking that he had an open and inquisitive face and a charming bowtie.

Luckily, at some point I reached over to his side of the table for a breadstick, he caught my eye and complimented me on my dress! I had just returned from a trip to India and bought it because it had radiant peacock colors which reminded me of a story I’ve been working on. Before I knew it Steve and I were deep in conversation about travel, favorite cities-his is Paris, mine Rio de Janeiro; subways, and a gamut of other things. When the dinner was over I gave Stephen some printed samples of my art and told him how pleased I was to meet him.

A few days later I sent him a thank you note and asked if I could send him some of my stories. He kindly said yes, and over the next few months we kept in touch via email. I sent him several manuscripts, more of my illustration and one completed picture book dummy. He praised my art and sense of story arc. A few weeks later he wrote and mentioned that he kept thinking about one of my stories. He asked if he could have some time to think about it a bit more. Naturally I said yes.

Several weeks ago I attended SCBWI’s agent event and; Steve was one of the three agents speaking. I went over to say hello afterwards and waited patiently as Steve conversed with other enthusiastic writers. Steve was friendly and we chatted a bit. Once again, he complimented what I was wearing which was a T shirt with an illustration of a some characters from one of my stories.

A few days later, I was standing on the platform waiting for a F train and read his email offering to represent. I was so happy and said yes and sent him a photo had just taken with my iphone of a bunch of pigeons in front of my corner deli going wild over some cheese crackers. Instead of saying how odd and incongrous that was, he kindly wrote, “Thanks for the cool photo!” I am very honored to be able to call him my agent.

Tracey we are all happy for you and you are right Stephen is such a nice man and a wonderful agent.

Buffalo artist, teacher and illustrator Jane Marinsky published her first children’s book with esteemed publisher David R. Godine three years ago. With a text by her daughter, Goat-Faced Girl was a great success, earning strong reviews. Godine has just released Marinsky’s second book, Just Perfect, for which she has provided both text and illustrations.

Talking Leaves on Elmwood Avenue will host a book signing for the new book on Sunday, December 2, at 1 pm. The event is free; anyone wishing to have a book signed must purchase it from Talking Leaves, as an act of respect and support for the author and the bookstore hosting the signing.

http://www.marinskyillustration.com/  Jane, Good Luck with the book!

Another great thing I found out this week is that Karen Belli who reads by blog, took the time and submit to the 2012 Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest that she noticed on this blog and guess what? She won Honorable Mention. 

Having someone recognizes you this way can be just the boast you need to continue down that road to publication, so keep that in mind future for contests.  Congratulations! Karen.  Thanks for letting us know.

Tip: Always check out the contest before sending something in.  Each contest likes different levels of writing.  If your writing is humorous, it might not be good for a heavy literary magazine.  Take a few minutes to see.  It will save you money and rejection.

Terry Jennings’ book, Gopher to the Rescue, A Volcano Recovery Story (Sylvan Dell, 2012) was named Outstanding Science Tradebook for Students K-12 by the National Science Teachers’ Association and Children’s Book Council. Terry says, “I’m thrilled. I’ll even get to put little gold seals on the books.”

Here’s the Amazon link. This follows the release, earlier this month, of her other book, The Women’s Liberation Movement, 1960-1990, (Mason Crest, 2013) a wonderful history of women’s fight for equality and an explanation of why it took  forty years from the time women finally got the vote until we began fighting for equality.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy