A writing friend told me that she once scored a book deal after touring a publishing house and being told by her tour guide what the publisher was looking for in children’s books. I doubt this happens much since most book publishers are in New York and not all of them give tours, but any opportunity a writer has to network with publishers can’t hurt.
I was fortunate to be able to visit one of my publishers, Royal Fireworks Press, in New York this summer. The press had purchased and published three of my books after discovering my work in the slush pile. (Submissions that come to a publisher without the aid of an agent or any special contact are said to “go through the slush pile.”) After I’d sold each book, I spoke with the staff over the telephone and through e-mails, but until this summer, I had never met any of the staff in person. Tom Kemnitz, the president of the company, spoke with me in his office for about an hour and gave me a tour of the plant, showing me the book publishing process.
It Tom Kemnitz and Ronica Stromberg at Royal Fireworks Press, the publisher of her books A Shadow in the Dark, Living It Up to Live It Down, and The Glass Inheritance.
I enjoyed seeing the inner workings of a small press and having the chance to speak about the market for my own books. And Tom did give me some good tips, one of which would be helpful to anyone considering submitting to this publisher: Royal Fireworks Press is no longer publishing much science fiction. The press primarily publishes nonfiction, but in the fiction line, the acquisitions team is mainly seeking historical fiction.
Today, I am so happy to interview Ronica Stromberg, author of A Shadow in the Dark, which I featured in yesterday’s “Tuesday Tales.” Don’t forget you can leave a comment on this blog post or yesterday’s for a chance to win this tween (which is basically younger YA) mystery book with Christian themes. For more information on the other themes and plot of the book, please see yesterday’s post. You can leave a comment on either post for a chance to win the book. The winner will be chosen on Friday, February 26 at 11:55 p.m. (CST).
So, on to the interview. . .
Margo: Ronica, thanks so much for joining us today. I found your book refreshing and full of things that tweens would love. You have three books published by Royal Fireworks Press, including A Shadow in the Dark. Please tell us a little about Royal Fireworks Press and why their books are good for the school or home school market.
Ronica: Royal Fireworks Press produces fiction that can be used in the classroom and for enrichment, as well as for pure pleasure. It targets gifted and talented children and home schoolers. Many of the publisher’s novels are “edutainment,” books that engage children in a core area of the curriculum–such as history, science, or math–through story. These books offer inquisitive children something beyond the standard fare.
Royal Fireworks Press also recognizes that many parents and home schoolers seek wholesome reads for their children. The publisher is careful about the language, situations, and values portrayed in its books.
The publisher gives discounts to teachers when they buy classroom sets of 20 or more books. Anyone can order books online from Royal Fireworks Press at http://rfwp.com and receive a 20 percent discount. For my latest books, the direct link is: http://rfwp.com/series96.htm.
Margo: I’m so glad you shared information about Royal Fireworks Press and “edutainment.” Many of my readers who are parents/teachers and are also writers can use that information–and maybe submit some of their own work to the publisher. A Shadow in the Dark is part of the Kirsten Hart series. Can you give us a glimpse into this series and how it will be useful for educators and parents?
Ronica: A Shadow in the Dark and Living It Up to Live It Down are the first two books in a series about one teen girl’s journey of faith. Readers are given a rare peek into the lives of young teens to whom faith really matters. This book and its sequel, Living It Up to Live It Down, could be used in reading groups of middle schoolers or teens interested in discussing faith and other teen issues. (Questions are posted on my site at http://ronicastromberg.wordpress.com/questions-for-book-groups/.)
The books also fits with the multicultural curriculum in public schools. Recognizing diversity and building tolerance are key goals of multicultural curricula, and religion is undeniably a part of that diversity. In our own country, Christianity has tremendously influenced our culture and still does. These books can help students understand Christianity, the main religious influence on our society, and build tolerance.
Margo: I love that there are all these parent/child book club groups popping up and that you provided questions to help th
It’s time for another book giveaway contest! Please leave a comment below for the author or about the book or simply, “Pick me!” And tune in tomorrow, author Ronica Stromberg is here to talk about her book and her writing career. You can leave a comment there, too, for another chance to win a copy of A Shadow in the Dark from Royal Fireworks Press.
*Tween novel, contemporary inspirational fiction
*12-year-old girl as main character
*Rating: A Shadow in the Dark will keep you turning the page to find out what is going on in the new country neighborhood where Kirsten has moved.
Short, short summary: Kirsten moves to the country with her mom and brother when her parents separate, and she is looking for a friend. A young neighbor boy tells her there’s a girl about Kirsten’s age, living in a nearby farmhouse. But when Kirsten goes to meet her, an old woman opens the door and says she lives there alone. Soon, Kirsten befriends the granddaughter of a neighbor, whose name is Gail, and draws her into the mystery, too. One day, Gail and Kirsten even see small dresses for a girl hanging on the old woman’s clothesline, and they think they see a shadowy figure at the front window of the house. While Gail and Kirsten are trying to figure out this mystery and are quickly becoming friends, Gail is also sharing information with Kirsten about her Christian faith, including inviting her to help at Bible School.
To order this book for $7.99, visit Royal Fireworks Press: http://rfwp.com/series96.htm#900
So, what do I do with this book:
1. Mystery books are GREAT for this age group because kids can try to solve the mystery right along with the main characters. Ask students or your children what they would do if they thought an old woman in their neighborhood was hiding a girl. How would they solve the problem? Also, ask them to predict what they think is going on and what clues the author is providing to them. These make great journal writing prompts to assign while kids are reading A Shadow in the Dark.
2. If you home school or teach at a Christian school, then this is the perfect book to discuss the Christian themes present in the story. Why does Kirsten struggle with faith? Why doesn’t she want to go back to Bible School? How does Gail talk to her? How does Gail show her what being a Christian is all about? Your students or your children have probably been in situations like Gail and/or Kirsten. How did they handle these situations? What can they learn from the characters in this book? Again, these are great journal writing prompts, and then the answers can be discussed.
3. Down syndrome is also introduced in this book. Do students know what this is? Most probably will or have at least met someone with Down syndrome. This book give students and children a great opportunity to find out more about this chromosomal disorder and to understand people with it. The National Down Syndrome Society website is a great place to start.
Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win this book!