If you have a moment, view the Slate online magazine slide show on the history of American children's book illustrations, based on Timothy G. Young's book, Drawn To Enchant. The slide show does mention African American illustrators and books, including the 1982 book, Jake and Honeybunch Go to Heaven by Margot Zemach.
Thanks to the blog 100 Scope Notes for the lead!
This isn't going to be easy.
I'm moving.
No no no no no! I'm not moving from New York. That won't happen for a good year and a half, if ever.
No, I'm talking about Fuse #8. It's moving. I thought about waiting to tell you this until the day in question, but I figured it might be a better idea to let you know ASAP. We've had some fun times together here on Blogger, haven't we? The pageantry. The fact that Blogger will randomly, and for no apparently reason, shut down when you least expect it. The random nature of the comment selection. But for all that, I'm going to miss the old place.
You see, School Library Journal expressed an interest in the old Fuse. So they offered the following: Appear on their website and do exactly the same thing I'm doing now but with pay. Negotiations were made. They're going to lift all my archives and put them on their site. I retain the right to leave them insofar as I give them a month's notice (and vice-versa). When I leave, the posts I've made are my own, though they have the right to use them however they please.
There is, however, a requirement. Hold onto your seats now. To appear on their blog I must write...
... drumroll please ...
THREE POSTS A WEEK.
I don't know if I can handle that kind of pressure.
So basically I'm going to get paid to do exactly what I'm doing now, but on a website which may raise my visibility. Here's a FAQ or two, though you can definitely pummel me in the comment section if you like (and I'm certain you do like).
Q: You say they're not going to touch your content. Really? Even if you wrote a scathing expose of SLJ? Even if you wrote reviews that contradicted the ones written in the magazine?
A: Actually, SLJ informed me that they'd prefer that I contradict them in my reviews. They want a variety of opinions on their site. As for scathing exposes, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I write on the news and nothing is going to affect what I do or do not comment on.
Q: So the blog is going to look exactly the same as it does now?
A: Oh... uh. Um. About that. Okay, so here's the deal. We're switching from Blogger to Wordpress, so that'll change things right there. And of course, there won't be a banner (which is fine since it's out-of-date with the whole review a day mention). There will be a picture of my mug with every post. And this, in turn, will affect my posts because, quite frankly, as much as I love my mug, I don't really want to see it over and over and over, five times a day. So I might start consolidating my pieces a little. And, most importantly, there are my links to consider. At this moment in time, I can't create any for the side of my blog. However, I have been assured that in time they'll find a way to allow us to modify our links. When that happens I'll reinstate everything. It'll just take a little time.
Q: You've sold out, old man! You're going to have ads on your site, won't you? Won't you?
A: (Old man?) Yeah. There will be ads. SLJ ads for books n' stuff. There are worse ads to have and I've never found the SLJ ads to be intrusive. So that's too bad but there's nothing to be done. Hopefully you won't find them distracting.
Q: What's to stop people from thinking that your reviews of books are the official stance of SLJ?
A: Nothing. SLJ and I talked about this. There's bound to be confusion and complaints, but that's life. If they don't mind, I don't mind.
Q: Oh, bloody hell. Am I going to have to change your URL on my website?
A: Probably you will if you have a RSS feed or LiveJournal link. For those of you who link from blogs and websites, I've been told that SLJ will link the site in such a way that Fuse #8 will immediately redirect clicks to the new site. We'll see how that goes.
Q: When will this happen?
A: Early June. The end is near.
Q: I don't like this. I fear change.
A: So do I, sweetie. Don't worry. We'll just have to see how it goes.
SLJ knows a great blogger when they see one!
Congrats on your news. Please be sure to remind us of the forwarding address when the time comes.
Best wishes on the Move! We'll follow you!
Best,
Kyra
author, Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria
Congratulations! And when you have the new address & new RSS feed, let us know.
Oh, congrats! That's great news! Really, it's a sign that The Man is taking bloggers seriously, which is a nice thing amid the raging debates and whatnot.
I am a HUGE Wordpress fan, btw. I think you'll love it more than Blogger once you get to know it.
Congratulations, rock star.
But what about the children?! Dear God, won't somebody think of the children?!
Hey, I think it's a great thing, Fuse. A big congrats to you! You certainly have earned it. And I hope they're paying you what you're worth. And a kudos to SLJ for hiring the best of the best. I've been very impressed by their move into technology. They, of all journals, have used it to their advantage and ours.
I don't think you have to worry. Not many of us resist change, I think :)
hey, Betsy. Congratulations! That's great news--and such a nice compliment to your talents! (WordPress makes such handsome blogs, too.)
Wow! Congrats! You're going to be famous!!!!
One question that you didn't ask/answer: can you still post irrelevant material? I'd miss it dearly if you didn't!
One more question: can you share some of this money with us, your loyal readers? All I really want is enough money to buy some ice cream every other day. And a pony. I’ve never had one and it’s really not fair that I"ve been deprived.
meghan
It was bound to happen--this serious validation stuff. Congratulations! Of course, we'll read you where you write. And maybe with only three days a week, I will actually get more work done.
BUT-- will they let you keep that slight smart-alecky edge we all know and love?
Plus the Mom's poems--make that part of the deal.
Relieved that you aren't ending it all, like Miss Snark.
Next comes the bidding war over your five-book series with film rights optioned before you write the third chapter of Book One. Proud of you, Fuse, and glad that your faithful service to children's literature and your delectable voice are being duly recognized -- and renumerated. WAHOO!
Oh man, for a second there when you said you'd have to write three posts a week I thought you meant ONLY three! THAT would never do! Aside from that, it all sounds great -- congrats to you in your new paying gig! May the extra shekels buy you many cupcakes!
-Laini :-)
I knew when I met you, "This girl is destined for greatness - such wit - such charm - such great appreciation for the bizarre."
If selling out is getting paid to do what you love, then we're all in BIG trouble.
Congrats!
alan
Aw. Thanks guys. And have no fear. Fuse 8 isn't Fuse 8 without completely wacked out material. Like I say, they touch nothing. Nothing at all.
Note to self: Send Meghan a pony.
Congrats!! As long as you can still post all the same great material, I'm happy for you!
And who wouldn't want to be paid to keep doing what they're doing when they're already doin' it?
Congratulations! I'm very happy for you. One thing: will SLJ own your content, or will you maintain the rights?
Fuse,
So excited for you. One of our little maggots has grown up and is ready to leave the coop:-)
You are living proof that success is possible through blogging.
Will you still work at the library?
Congratulations! I'm so excited for you. That's huge news. May it bring you many, many more readers. :)
Congrats! Can't wait to read it once you move to Wordpress. :-)
I own my material but they have permission to use in any way, shape, or form they prefer. And yes, I'll keep working in the library. It's not a ton o' moolah. Just a nice little monthly tidbit.
"Place yourself before the Unknown" as Réné Char used to say - something tells me that the quality of fuse #8 will transfer just fine - congratulations and good luck!
Congrats! We will follow you, too. Always.
All right, Fuse! You are such an effen rock star, but then we all knew that.
But you'd better be true to your word. If we sense any toning down of the personality, expect to see a parade of people coming into the Donnell to have a "chat." We don't hold no truck with no personality tamperin'. Got it?
bcc: SLJ
Kudos on the sell-out! I, for one, always advise people to go after the money. I fully expect to see Fuse action figures and bobble-head dolls any day now.
By the way, we use Word Press and love it. Also, question: Does this mean you'll review YA titles, too, from now on? Not that you need to or ever did need to (your posts are perfectly satisfying as is), but just curious, since SLJ covers them all.
Fabulous news!
High five, Fuse! Only for you would I dare to change....
We're all comin' over for your house-warming party, you know!
Barbara
Maybe you can answer this question, which pops up from time to time:
Are there any benefits to starting a blog?
Congratulations, Fuse! You earned it.
- Jay
Change is good. Congrats!
You don't want to see your photo over and over again? Couldn't you insist on that nude pic you almost sent in to Playboy? Then SLJ might not require it. :-)
Maybe they'll change that photo rule with time. (Can you tell, I'm a fan of the short posts, lots in a day!) The rule that your photo must be on every post seems a little wacky. Why can't they just put your photo on the blog, instead of with every post? (It's not newsprint, where we look for certain headshots to immediately know what we want to read, and what we want to skip. If'we've headed to your blog, we already know where we are and what we want to read!)
Good luck. Thanks for the early notice. This will all be exciting.
Hey, mazal tov! I fear change as much as the next person but it is the greatest of the great that you'll be getting paid to blog. I was getting a little worried that it might start to wear on you eventually, and then what would I do without my fix?
Dude, this is the coolest thing ever! Congrats!
Woo hooo!!! That's wonderful news.
Just a thought-- you might ask them about getting to have "guest bloggers" on the site. It would relieve pressure on the 3x-a-week posting rule, especially if you hit a rough patch at work, or get sick, or something like that...
I did a daily blog for Jewcy.com for 7 months, and "guest bloggers" saved me many a time.
In any case, CONGRATS!
xoLaurel Snyder
http://kidliterary.blogspot.com
Congrats, Betsy! Look forward to the "new" site.
;~}
Mazel tov! Sounds like fun! Continue the good work and show the rest of the kidlit world that this blogging thing isn't just some hobby to be triffled with!
Congrats, Fuse, and welcome! I look forward to standing with you under that big "Reed Business" umbrella. We can huddle together and commiserate about seeing our smiling photos at the start of every post.
Congratulations Miz Bird, your star is a-shining!
-Susan
Selling out is seriously underrated.
Total congrats and lots of love.
I guess being a B-list blogger just wasn't enough?
Congrats!
Congratulations!
Congratulations, Betsy! That's great news. It shows the SLJ knows a good thing when they see it. For you, I will even change my bookmarks. Bask in the fun of the whole thing!
Um . . . wow. This is an outpouring of love I did not expect. I'm deeply flattered and touched. You realize, however, that this encourages me to get even wackier. To start reporting on the garbage leavings of Tamora Pierce, the apple cores of Jane Yolen, and the discarded credit card receipts of Jon Scieszka.
But seriously, thank you. For the record, I'm going to keep reviewing just children's stuff since it makes my life easier. But maybe I'll work in more YA news. Dunno. Oh! And about the guest blogging, I am DEFINITELY going to consider that. I've even already gotten some offers from potential guests. This will come in useful when I high-tail it to Stratford in Ontario this summer. Stay tuned...
Congratulations Betsy! You really deserve it.
Best,
Tracy
yay for going over to the dark side of school libraries! i read the SLJ blogs anyway, so double yay for not having change bookmarks. oh, and hopefully HM/WoCL was part of the negotiations?
congrats, congrats, congrats.
~bryn
Oo! Oo! Bobble-head dolls!
What wonderful news. I am so happy for you. Fantastic! Have blog, will follow.
Sweet deal!
Congrats! So cool.
Congrats! Lovely news, indeed.
Do what you love, do it well, and eventually someone will start to pay you for it. Congratulations!
I've often thought you deserve to be paid for all the services you render (on your blog, of course). How nice for you!
Two questions:
1) Will you still be able to say things like "bloody hell?"
2) Will you still accept unsolicited submissions? ;-)
Congratulations, Betsy. Couldn't have happened to a sweeter gal (er...old man).
Fabulous! Mazelest of tovs (really it should be tovest of mazels).
I'll miss your terrifically thorough links, but it's good to hear that you'll be able to put them back up in some form eventually.
OMG! Wow! Wow! OMG!
More like that. Way to go!
I was JUST thinking the other day that it's a real pain to have to search BOTH SLJ and Fuse#8 when I'm evaluating a book for purchase.
Now I'll start thinking that it's a real pain to have to share a bathroom with the rest of my family. Think another will magically appear?
Yay for you! What wonderful news - I'm sure SLJ will be thrilled with you, and I know that your faithful readers will follow.
Belated ditto from the cheap seats! Deserved, fantastic, big win, wonderful, etc. Particularly etc!
I'm so late in commenting that it's all been said already, so I'll just add my congratulations to the pile of good wishes. Good for you, Fuse!
Congratulations! May it be a smooth and fun move.
Congrats! I've been wondering since way back when we "clinked" cupcakes to say Happy One Year Anniversary to Fuse. I thought it was a great idea then. I think it's a fantastic idea now.
is someone going to (copy)edit your blog entries?
Oh no. No no no no no no no. Lord help them if they did. No, it's hands off. Just me and my blog, as per usual.
Does this mean Cybils will lose you? Waaaah.
Congrats to you on the new gig. Well deserved and about time.
This is definitely great news! No accusations of selling out here--I agree with MotherReader!
We'll get to keep pestering you with comments, won't we?
Congrats! What a wonderful opportunity for you!