I was hoping to get this posted yesterday, but with baseball/softball/whatever stuff going on in my life, I didn't get a chance. However, I'm here now....
I'm hoping the WOW for this week has future applications for me since I have less than 3 months until LA!
So this week's WOW is: JUBILANT!
Jubliant: adj. - Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.
Now I have had jubliant times that had nothing to do with writing. In fact, I've had quite the opposite experience in many cases - especially when I see that dreaded manilla envelope in the mailbox - but I can tell you the jubliant times I've had related to my writing are the reasons why I'm still writing now.
- Hearing the happiness in my Grandma's voice when I explained to her Grandma's Secret was written for her.
- Getting my first magazine acceptance from Boys' Quest (even though it was going to be 5 years before my article would be published).
- Listening to whoops and hollers my 6th grade class gave me last year every time the teacher told them I was reading to them...and having those same kids come up to me every other day to ask me, "Are you reading to us today Mrs. Aikins?"
- Receiving such a favorable response from an agent last year about Sophia with her telling me, "This was my favorite manuscript of the conference!" - Even though things didn't pan out.
There are many more instances I could tell you, but it is Saturday night and I do have a manuscript to polish for LA...
So I hope you all have a jubliant night and fabulous weekend!
Hi all!!
I can't believe the last time I posted I was in LA and getting prepared for the start of the LA SCBWI conference . . . and now here I am, nearly 3 weeks later, and SO much has happened since then.
To start, the conference was exhausting, exhilarating, and brought things that were incredibly comforting and amazingly unexpected. And in the end I received a rejection, an acceptance, and had a potentially life-altering meeting.
1. The rejection - Unfortunately the agent I had Cat with decided not to represent me. When I received this, I had very mixed feelings. Although I was disappointed the agent didn't accept or understand my style, ultimately I believe this happened for a reason (more explanation at point #3).
2. The acceptance - Ironically, on the heels of my rejection, I received word from a magazine I had submitted to in April, and the news was good! My short story, Watercolor Walls, will be published in the October issue of Sparkle magazine!! YAY!!
3. The life-altering meeting - On the first day of the conference, I found out my critique of Sophia was with another well-respected agent who I had heard wonderful things about. Our meeting was on Friday, and what an exciting meeting it was. Not just because she raved about Sophia and "got" her . . . but because for the first time, I met someone (whether agent, editor, etc.) who I felt truly comfortable with. She was enthusiastic, helpful and very classy. After I informed her about the other agent who had Cat, she wished me luck and told me she would love for me to submit Sophia to her. So . . . I emailed the other agent, received my rejection, and subsequently (with fingers crossed) submitted Sophia to the agent from the conference . . .
Did you catch all that? lol!
Couple that with the fact my day job started on Monday (in addition to all 3 of my kids starting school), which helped make the past 3 weeks just disappear completely.
However, now that life seems to calming down (or at least starting into a routine), I will be back on my schedule of updating 2 to 3 times a week - complete with my Friday WOW's. Thankfully!!
Hope all you have a great new school year, and I'll see you Friday!! :)
Remember my crazy-canceled/delayed flight from DFW to LAX? ( previous post) Well . . . there's more.
You see, at first, when I got on the original (canceled flight) I was supposed to have a window seat. I ADORE window seats (despite the bathroom dilemma) I like the view and I like having a surface to lay my head and snooze. What can I say? A moving plane is like a rocking cradle to me.
Anyway . . .
I approached my coveted window seat. I saw a man, a woman then and baby. A cute, friggin' baby sucking on a pacifier (in my seat). uggggghhhhh!!!!
"Would you mind switching seats with me?" said the man.
Crap! Now I'll be sitting in the Hell-of-all-middle-seats! "Of course. It's no problem." If only I was the angel in my thoughts like I was the angel of my words.
I would've been a heartless soul to refuse. I couldn't. The angel of words won. The angel of thoughts repeatedly stabbed the back of my eyeballs.
So. I settled in between a nice woman and a young lad several rows back. (in the middle seat)
I blew up my inflatable travel pillow. Adjusted my i-pod. (in the middle seat) Did I mention middle seat?
The nice woman next to me snapped her head in my general direction and said, "Stop it!"
Stop it?
OK. So, I wondered if maybe Critter was up to some of his Critter-tricks. He's a bit ornery, you know.
But then she says (in the most adorable Texas twang) "I'm so sorry, hon. I'm not talkin' to you. My son is traveling with me and he's pokin' me from behind."
awwwwww! She was so adorable! I wanted to pinch her cheeks! But I didn't. I have some self control, don't cha'know.
"That's funny stuff." I replied. Truly relieved that I wasn't sitting next to a stuffity'uppity window-seater, and thankful for the comedy relief. I liked this woman from the very start.
But then, the flight was canceled.
We reboarded 3 (or more) hours later.
I sat next to the nice lady with the Texas Twang once more. But that was OK, because I already liked her.
We giggled at the loud-mouth braggard sitting in the row in front of us. What can I say? We were loopy from the plane delays and flight changes. We must've been easily amused.
I liked her, even though I didn't know her. We talked, but about nothing in particular. Simply pleasant company.
Fast forward to the hotel. . . .
I'm standing in line to check into my room for the SCBWI LA conference and who do I see? It's the nice lady with the twang from the plane.
"Oh!" She said, "If I had known you were coming here, you could've shared a cab with me and my son!"
Nice! Such a nice lady. Wow! We were at the same conference. How amazing. What a small world.
Fast forward once more to the next morning:
. . . I'm sitting in the opening session of the conference. The faculty of SCBWI is introducing themselves on stage.
Who do I see introduce herself as one of the faculty authors? You guessed it!!!! The nice lady with the twang, the one who sat next to me on the plane and whispered "stop it!" in my general direction (although not directed to me)
We spoke several times throughout the conference. Her name is Jill S. Alexander (BTW) She's sweet as pie. I swear, children's literature people are the nicest people on the whole entire earth!
Consequently, I bought her book, The Sweetheart of Prospect County, and I read it in 2 nights. That's a big deal, seeing that I read it during the conference. They keep you going at conferences like this, so it was no easy feat to stay up in order to read a book. However, I read Jill's book. I laughed. I cried. I stayed up way later than I should have. As a matter of fact, I bought a book for myself and I bought an extra to use as a book giveaway, here! On my blog! Might I dub Jill as the Swe
Our flight was early. Critter is coffee-mad. Can you imagine drinking a cup full of coffee that is 98% of your height? But critter did it. And it paid off. (Critter likes mocha) We had no idea what was ahead that was about to challenge Critter's energy level.
Our connection in Dallas was delayed as a result of mechanical difficulties. Annoying and yet, I prefer delays over crashing. Crazy. I know. I'm weird that way.
Three hours, two cups of coffee, 8 1/4 cranky employees, two tram rides and three gate changes later . . . we were on our way to LA. Seriously . . . picture 150 people being herded through an airport, parting escalators Exodus-like, complaining that our time was being inconvenienced as opposed to risking our lives in a plane crash.
You might think people would be cranky during a circumstance such as that. No need to worry. Critter saved the day. He pulled his guitar out of his backpack and led the entire flight in rounds of campfire songs and bad 80's ballads and supervised line-dances.
Everyone agreed. It was the best flight they had ever taken. Some airline employees were ready to quit their jobs and join a circus. But Critter's enthusiasm reminded them of what was really important in life and dubbed it as the best work-day EVER!!!!
Yay, Critter saved the day!
Foam board is truly amazing. Isn't it?
Critter was pretty tuckered out after all of that rabble-rousing. He needed to kick back when we finally checked in. Here's a picture of Critter chillin' with his i-pod. (He likes Toby Mac)
This is Critter chillin' on our balcony.
More Critter in LA stories to come . . . .
I was too busy to make it out to LA for the SCBWI Conference, but Publishers Weekly reports that Rubin Pfeffer from East West Literary Agency stunned the audience in his keynote speech at the SCBWI conference last weekend. He urged the organization to transform itself into an ebook publisher as it approaches its 40th year.
Pfeffer, an industry veteran whose career has spanned long terms at Macmillan, Harcourt, Pearson, and Simon & Schuster, is now a partner in the East West Literary Agency. His speech, which focused on the concept of a “Community of Children’s Content Creators” in the digital publishing world, started off by clarifying that while his talk was a call to action, “This is not instead of, but in addition to.”
Pfeffer then posed the question, “What does it mean to be relevant in the digital age?” Publishers have been forced to reorganize in ways no one could have imagined when the SCBWI was founded in 1971, he said; today’s challenges include high advances, and the costs of shipping, warehousing inventory, and returns. Every area of publishing has been affected by the new technologies, but especially the retail component, in his opinion. The chains are scrambling to stay alive, Amazon and other e-retailers are now among the most successful accounts for publishers, ebooks are outselling print hardcovers “and trending toward outselling paperbacks,” he said, “and the answers now lie in the hands of booksellers and readers.”
As for e-readers, Pfeffer was even more forceful. “Device manufacturers are becoming e-publishers with original, exclusive material published just for the Kindle, Nook, and iPad,” he said. Pfeffer cited the economics that authors may anticipate today amid ever-changing contractual agreements. Using a $10 paperback and an ebook of equal price as examples, he explained that an author represented by an agent receives 80 cents per book in paperback royalties and $1.75 for an ebook edition. When rights are held by the author in partnership with an ebook publisher, the royalties—on the low side—are $3.50. Pfeffer, who is dubious about self-publishing because of the inherent risk of lackluster editing, copyediting, design, and production, told the audience, “We should applaud publishers for their new strategies, and embrace alternate publishing options for greater opportunities and possibilities.”
Pfeffer did state that none of this designates the end of the book, and that “digital is an additional option, not a replacement for a printed book.” Quoting Michael Edwards, CEO of Borders, he told the audience that “it’s important to understand what’s driving the rise of ebooks in the first place is the strong-as-ever desire of consumers to read books, in one form or another. After all, what’s a device without content? As [they] make it easier for consumers to enjoy books, they’ll buy more titles, and read them more quickly.”
Turning to directly address Lin Oliver and Stephen Mooser of the SCBWI, Pfeffer delivered what seemed to be the key point of his speech. “At a time like this, perhaps SCBWI should become an e-publisher. Let us stay relevant and seize opportunities within the changing industries that flow all around us.” Emphasizing the ability of digital technology to “teach, show, demonstrate, move information and deliver it in the most effective manner,” he urged SCBWI members to “be innovative in creating great quality content that can exploit the visual opportunities. Look at the iPad as a dry sponge, thirsty for great content to exercise its multimedia capabilities.” In conclusion, he recommended that the org
I'm back from my world travels! Well, okay, it was only Los Angeles and Chicago, but I'm back!
The SCBWI conference in Los Angeles was wonderful, amazing, absolutely fantabulous! I spent four days going to workshops on craft and listening to wise and insightful keynote speakers, many of who were v. v. funny. Life doesn't get any better than that!
On Thursday, 19 ljers went out to dinner. Lovely and talented ladies, each and every one.
* * * * *
Lin Oliver, Goddess of SCBWI, is so funny! When she gets the giggles, look out! You can't help but giggle along. Bruce Coville is an amazing speaker, full of energy and passion. Susan Patron ended the conference with warmth and heart. All of the editors, agents, authors and illustrators there were so willing to share their wisdom and act as tour guides on this incredible journey. I'm feeling thankful for that warmth and generosity.
* * * * *
For more posts about the conference, check out Kidlit_Central, a new blog spot featuring the HOTTEST children’s publishing news, reviews, entertainment and more—by and about those involved with children’s literature in and around the Central U.S. Featured states include: Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. (They are currently closed to new contributing bloggers, but you can add the community as a friend to keep up on all the news from the Central U.S.)
More later, but for your viewing pleasure . . . .
The LJ dinner at Carmine's:
Paint The Town Red Party:
Setting up, the view from my balcony
Doesn't Jay Asher make a great Elvis? Next to him is Bridget Zinn, Me, Pam Beres, Ann Bausum and um, someone named Naomi?
Pam Beres, Peggy Tromblay, Caldecott-winning illustrator David Diaz, Me and Ann Bausum
Rumor has it this was none other than Verla Kay! (with Carolyn Crimi)
Me and Carolyn Crimi, one of my favorite pb authors
Fun, fun, fun!
General pics:
Tammi Sauer, Me, Flat Lisa (Lisa Albert) and Peggy Tromblay at the wine and cheese reception
Me and Lisa Wheeler, another of my favorite pb authors
The day me, Pam, Peggy and Ann all got a mysterious memo to wear black and white.
Ann, Bridget, Peggy, Pam, Me and Kate Blackwell celebrating Ann's Golden Kite and Kate's pb being nominated for a Sue Alexander Award!
By: Rebecca,
on 12/21/2007
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To celebrate the holidays we asked some of our favorite people in publishing what their favorite book was. Let us know in the comments what your favorite book is and be sure to check back throughout the week for more “favorites”.
Greg Galant is the publisher and CEO of Newsgroper.
The Power Broker by Robert Caro is my favorite book, even if weighted on a per page basis. This 1,336 page biography of Robert Moses is an insightful portrayal of power and New York. Caro contends that Moses was the most powerful non-elected official in American history who built modern day New York – for better or worse. (more…)
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Glad to see someone displaying how cordial fellow Southerners can be. Great story. Could've used this lady when I was stuck in Lima Int'l for 24 hours.
theBrad (verla tag)
www.facebook.com/bradmouth
Mooo!
What a great stroy! I've had a few of these Serendipitous meetings, and you're right. Children's writer's are the nicest people. Once, after listening to katherine Paterson speak We ended up on the same elevator. Not once but twice, trying to get out of the building. She was so nice. And I was so speechless! I'm enjoying your blog.
It is amazing! And Critter leads the life, doesn't he?
Brad, thnx for stopping by! :0D
Ian, very well put.
Hey Shelley! that's really cool!
PJ, I know, I'm so jealous of a piece of foam board. ;0)
That is an awesome story. I'm always amazed at those folks that travel all of the time on planes. They must either have a really good sense of humor be horribly grumpy, because man, there are some crazy passengers overhead. And cool ones.
Check In To The ROUS Motel!