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I started blogging in 2009, and in those first few months befriended the wonderful Natalie Bahm. Natalie and I quickly bonded: we both write middle grade, both like a mix of classic, literary, and contemporary novels, both signed with our agents around the same time, and both are mamas. We became critique partners. She helped me with MAY B. and I helped her with THE SECRET UNDERGROUND.
Twelve-year-old Ally is the only witness to a bank robbery in her small town. Unable to block out the memory of the robbers, a notorious gang known as the Gauze Men, Ally joins her little brother and a bunch of neighborhood boys digging a hole in her backyard. Only the hole isn't just a hole - it's a massive set of tunnels snaking beneath the neighborhood and heading for an abandoned steel mill. Ally is old enough to know the danger, but she reasons spending time with sixth-grade heartthrob Paul is more fun than sitting at home with her worries. And dangerous it is - none of the kids' parents realize the tunnels exist, but the Gauze Men might. What kid doesn't imagine digging a hole and discovering something amazing? Natalie Bahm opens a world of adventure and intrigue for readers of The Secret Underground.
- Caroline Starr Rose, author of May B.
But there's more to the story: Natalie has decided to donate 100% of the profits from this book to baby Jayden and his family.
Please consider visiting the following sites to learn more about Natalie, Jayden, and THE SECRET UNDERGROUND:
It is truly amazing what Natalie is doing for baby Jayden and I have and will continue to show my support for such an amazing cause, I wish more people in life will take a stand for others, even strangers maybe our world will be a better place.
This is such an amazing story! How cool that Natalie is doing this for Jayden and his family. And how cool that you were part of the critique process, Caroline!
No worries. Blogger seems to be duplicating comments, which makes a person want to delete. I'm thrilled to be a part of this launch, this fun book, and this wonderful cause.
Enter to win bookmarks from each of the following titles by leaving a comment and your email below. There will be multiple winners this month (until I run out of bookmarks). The contest closes Wednesday, 9-14.
With a Name Like Love -- Tess Hilmo New to Binder, Arkansas, Ollie refuses to condemn a down and out family and with her preacher-father stands for truth in this atmospheric To Kill a Mockingbird for the middle-grade set.
My Very Unfairy Tale Life -- Anna Staniszewski Fixing problems for uncooperative unicorns and being bossed around by a candy-popping gnome has Jenny fed up with her life as an adventurer in this utterly original, funny middle-grade spoof.
Vanished -- Sheela Chari
8 Comments on One Sentence Debut Reviews: Middle-Grade Edition, last added: 9/7/2011
That's a difficult task- one-sentence summaries! I find it hard to do even about my own book. And you didn't even resort to "this book is about"! A good exercise for students and the books from their summer (fun) reading.
There are a lot of book blogs devoted to young adult novels, but not many I've found that focus only on middle grade.
That why I'm so excited to share that I've been invited to be a part of Project Mayhem, a blog devoted to all things middle grade. The blog is headed up by NIGHTSHADE CITY author, Hilary Wagner, and includes authors Rose Cooper, Timothy Power, Dee Garreston, Jen K. Bloom, Dawn Lairamore, and Marissa Burt, as well as fellow new additions Michael Michell and Yahong Chi.
Click over to read my first post, which ran yesterday.
Congrats Caroline. I agree there aren't too many out there. But Shannon Messenger often does a marvelous middle grade Monday feature where she discusses a middle grade book and there are usually links. http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/
And there's Middle Grade Ninja http://middlegradeninja.blogspot.com/
Project Mayhem is fantastic!! Best of luck. I've focused most of my blog toward YA; however, I'm trying to spread the wealth a bit and discuss more MG, too. Even picture books seeing how I'm writing those now too. So much going on!!
Wonderful! I follow Mixed Up Files but I didn't know about the others. I will stalk those too! I agree, there is a shortage of middle-grade sites and I really love middle grade.
I'm hoping to make my blog more middle grade heavy in the coming months...such an untapped market of readers there...people who really love reading and need good books in their hands. Congrats on your participation in MAYHEM...looking forward to checking it out!
Oh, Caroline, I ADORE The Ballad of Lucy Whipple. One of my all-time favorites. Nobody ever mentions it anymore, so thank you.
I would add Moon Over Manifest to your list. It's definitely MG and historical (with parallel stories from 1936 and 1918) and has a female lead. My favorite MG from 2010 (even before it won the Newbery!).
Oh, I loved Riding Freedom. Pam Munoz Ryan is one of my favorite authors. Her writing appears simple, but the sense of place is so strong. And what a fabulous character - she was one tough cookie!
Maude March is wonderful! So is the sequel--Maude March on the Run. I wish there were a third! So, I suppose I wish I'd read these when I was a kid. But really, who says adults can't enjoy kid's books. If it's a really good book, shouldn't it stand the test of aging?
Connie, agreed! If I'd found these books as a girl, though (and it would have been impossible with all but one -- four were written when I was an adult), it would have made those early reading days that much richer.
As I read a whole lot of mid-grade now, I agree that a great book is a great book, no matter the reader's age.
That's sad. I think it says something about the tight times libraries are facing. And as people face all their economic struggles, they are using the libraries more. So they need to keep buying new books. Yikes.
I've just finished my copyedits for MAY B. and will spend this week on acknowledgements.
I'm waiting to receive my next round of edits from Agent Michelle, this time for CAN'T BREAK US, a mid-grade contemporary novel about a girls' club.
I'm a few weeks in on the Gitano research I abandoned last February, which will eventually lead to another verse novel. This piece is already intimidating me on many levels (more on that later this week).
I haven't yet learned how to stop starting sentences with I.
What are you working on right now?
18 Comments on What Are You Working On?, last added: 10/26/2010
I'm working on a 10-minute play to be entered a a local contest. The topic for all entries is death and dying.I'm so far going the existential route inspired by a quote from Waiting for Godot "Hand in hand off the Eiffel Tour." Family says I'm being too dark.
That's funny, Caroline. My crit group just told me yesterday that I start too many paragraphs in my MG novel with the word "I."
But it's in first person! It's so natural, you don't realize you're doing it. So now I'm slogging back through six chapters I'd already revised and looking for more creative ways to narrate without starting nearly every paragraph with I.
Wow, you are busy! But yes, that must be so amazing (and intimidating) to finally get to write those acknowledgements! If your editor will let you, I always so more is better than less with acknowledgements. At least for me - I'd be afraid to leave someone out.
Oh, man! I'm so scattered in my writing right now. I need to crank out a second draft of a YA HF but a shiny new MG won't leave me be so I'm reaserching those. Then there's a rewrite and two nonfictions I'm working on.... It's all good though, because it's keeping my mind off the fact that another book is being read by agents as in now.
It's a bad habit I can't seem to break, either. In fact, in my verse novel, my editor caught a lot of "I stacks" -- phrases starting with I stacked one on top of the other. It's so good to have a knowledgeable set of eyes improving my writing.
I am desperately trying to finish my current WIP, which is the sequel to my first book. I'm at the point where I'm beginning to hate it :( I need to be done! At least with the first draft.
The Elevensies are a group of 85 (!) middle-grade and young adult authors debuting next year. Our primarily goal is to support one another through the publication process. Members may be as active as they choose and can participate in web chats, weekly check ins, post questions, success, stories, cover art, etc.
Here's our official mission statement:
"The Elevensies is a Live Journal community of YA and Middle Grade authors whose first books come out in 2011. It's a place to hang out, make friends and share the journey to publication with each other, with fellow writers, and with interested readers. Sharing and support are key to all we do. Although we are not a marketing group, we will host several features on our blog aimed at sharing our stories and offering advice and inspiration to aspiring authors. We also will host two to three bigger activities throughout 2011 aimed at connecting our books with readers and supporting those who work with teens and tweens. Elevensies is opt-in and free of dues, and members participate as much or as little as they like. Mostly, we're in this to have fun and to help one another make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime debut experience. "
While some of the posts at our Live Journal account are private (discussions only between us), some are open to the public.
Ask an Elevensie: learn first-hand about our publishing experiences
I love me some Elevensies! Just saying. Reading Ruta's BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY right now... so many 2011 to look forward to --- including yours, missy! (Did I just call you missy? Yes. Yes I did. It's the Alabama in me.) So excited for all of you!
We're reading through The Chronicles of Narnia for our family read aloud and have decided to approach the series chronologically instead of in the order it was written (meaning we've started with THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW instead of THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE). I love the little asides CS Lewis throws into his writing. Here are a few I've savored so far:
"Children have one kind of silliness, as you know, and grown-ups have another kind. At this moment Uncle Andrew was beginning to be silly in a very grown-up way. Now that the Witch was no longer in the same room with him he was quickly forgetting how she had frightened him and thinking more and more of her wonderful beauty."
"We must now go back a bit and explain what the whole scene had looked like from Uncle Andrew's point of view It had not made at all the same impression on him a on the Cabby and the children. For what you see and hear depends on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are."
"And the longer and more beautiful the Lion sang, the harder Uncle Andrew tried to make himself believe that he could hear nothing but roaring. Now the trouble about trying make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed."
Poor Uncle Andrew! I'm so glad his perspective is included in these stories.
What bits of wisdom have you gleaned from your recent reads?
14 Comments on Wisdom from THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW, last added: 9/17/2010
That kind of author intrusion has gone out of style, but the Narnia books do it well. I was trying to read the Princess and The Goblin to my kids but I had to stop because of the pages and pages of author intrusion that didn't add to the story at all! I was losing them.
Absolutely has gone out of favor. Still, I love it. And funnily enough, I've carried a Princess and the Goblin aside in my head for years (being at peace about being misunderstood)
Absolutely has gone out of favor. Still, I love it. And funnily enough, I've carried a Princess and the Goblin aside in my head for years (being at peace about being misunderstood)
Absolutely has gone out of favor. Still, I love it. And funnily enough, I've carried a Princess and the Goblin aside in my head for years (being at peace about being misunderstood)
Absolutely has gone out of favor. Still, I love it. And funnily enough, I've carried a Princess and the Goblin aside in my head for years (being at peace about being misunderstood)
Oh, this brings back memories. We also did Narnia as a read aloud and we also started with The Magician's Nephew.
The book I had to stop reading aloud was The Mysterious Island. It was one of my favorite books when I was a kid, but reading aloud? Pages and pages of description and language that is way out of style.
We read the Little House books by lantern light every night. Oh man! What fun that was.
Too funny. We just finished the Narina series, again. My ten-year old daughter really liked the insights about "silly adults." Good conversation starter.
However, by THE LAST BATTLE, she (and I) tired of the "if you've never had fruit from there, I can't describe it to you. It's so much better than any in any other world" (paraphrasing here). She was upset that he didn't even try. Thank you Writer's Workshop!
Still, I've read the entire series many times in different life phases (childhood, college, pregnancy, and now parenthood) and each time was a unique experience.
Thank you, Sally, for the suggestion of The Wildgerking Trilogy. We'll check them out.
That's my favorite Narnia book! I love the Princess and the Goblin, too. You can find the sequels on Project Gutenburg, too, you know! Also, all the Oz books.
I've been reading Clockwork Angels, which is written in third person. I usually write in first person, so I'm trying to figure out how she makes third so intimate. Trying to read critically, but the pacing is too good, so I'm flying through it instead.
Great conversation, everyone! Sally, thanks for the read aloud suggestions. I love finding new books that work well aloud.
I'm surprised how many of us have read The Princess and The Goblin. At the Back of the North Wind has been sitting on my shelf for years. I need to get to it.
For those of you who don't know, Tere just signed with an agent. Congrats again, Tere!
I think my favorite Narnia is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
I can't wait to read those books with my sons. In a few years hopefully. It's interesting how certain styles go out or come in, but a great book is a great book no matter what.
C.S. Lewis has such a way of making things so clear and poignant. I particularly love The Screwtape Letters, (even though they aren't necessarily for kids!)
I'm currently reading "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" and though it's not such a warm-fuzzy book, I'm gleaning all sorts of wisdom for it.
In honor of Darcy Pattison's Random Acts of Publicity Week, I want to share with you LIVVIE OWEN LIVED HERE, a book I discovered last month.
This is Sarah Dooley's debut novel about an autistic girl and her family. The writing is compassionate and spot on -- it's very evident Sarah is a special education teacher who knows children well.
I think I found Sarah by clicking on someone else's followers (like Elana Johnson suggests here). It just so happened to be the day she posted her trailer for LIVVIE.
I ordered a copy immediately.
What book have you recently discovered? Spread the word below!
I like the random acts of publicity idea! And I read through your post about having been blogging for a year. Congrats! A lot has happened! I know you quit your teacher's job to focus on your writing. Sometime you'll have to tell us if it was worth it. So many authors say, "Don't quit your day job." With still months before the release of your book, are you feeling financial pressure to return back to the classroom? It would make for an interesting post to hear your answers!
Thanks for telling about this book. I haven't tried it, but I'd like to.
I recently read a book about an autistic boy...or, it didn't say so maybe he had aspergers syndrome...and I loved it. It's called The Reinvention of Edison Thomas. Give it a try.
I won a copy of Livvie Owens Lived Here last month and read it over a weekend. The trailer has almost a sinister feel to it, which is not what this book is about at all.
I wrote a review for Livvie on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7742396-livvie-owen-lived-here) that includes the reasons why I thought this was a great book.
I have only read Calpurnia, but I enjoyed it. I felt like I was truly transported to another place in time. I'll have to look up the other title. I love comparing covers. Such beautiful artwork.
Yep, totally noticed! And the writing style in both is kind of rambling, with lots of outdoor scenes... did you notice in The Water Seeker how she kinda breaks the kidlit rule of close 3rd person by jumping into a lot of characters' heads? And LOTS of adult characters. Love it when writers break the "rules"!!
Whoa. That's strange. Cool post! I sorta had in mind some hands holding an apple for my (future) book cover... I'm sure no one else has taken that one!
Rosslyn, thank you! What a great link! I have a few of these books and have read others. So interesting (and discouraging) to see the same images used over and over.
Is May B a novel verse? If it is cool. To join, I'll need some kind of list of verse novels. I don't even know where to look. Do you have any suggestions?
I want to sign up! I meant to the other day, but got waylaid by lots of life happening. But yes! I have a few novels in verse already on my TBR list, so I will bump them to the very top and add a few more. I'm so excited!! And I hope I win your ARC!!! eeek!
Amy http://alsonnichsen.blogspot.com
P.S. I will blog about this next week. Is that okay? I'm out of town for most of this week, so probably won't get a chance right away.
Several of you have asked for more agent-related posts, so here goes:
What does the revision process look like when you're working with an agent?
Every agent/author relationship is different, of course. Agents who describe themselves as "editorial" will expect more re-writes before submission than those who are less so. Revision work can vary from agent to agent, from author to author, and from manuscript to manuscript.
When my agent offered representation with my mid-grade historical novel-in-verse, the re-writes she asked for were minor:
several more poems with a light emotional tone to intersperse between the heavier ones
placing each poem on its own page for more, as she said, "visual heft."
some minor line edits
One reason I think my revision work was so minor is because of the newer, stronger ending I had finished just weeks before sending Michelle my manuscript (thanks again, for all your insight, Natalie). MAY B. went on submission less than a month after securing representation.
What about my other manuscripts?
Over Christmas, Michelle asked me to send along other stories I'd written. I picked two other mid-grades and two picture books. Two weeks ago, she sent back an overview of each. Guess what? They all need work, some of them a lot.
The lovely thing is she thinks they all have potential. The challenge is to get them to where they need to be. I am focusing on my chick-lit mid-grade at present, upping the tension and trying to work in some of her suggestions. Will I take them all? Nope. Even with all her ideas, she has reminded me to follow my heart for the piece. My job is to make sure my heart is on the track that will make this story most successful.
I've fiddled with some scenes, deleting some and adding new ones. This week I'm going to outline, chapter by chapter, pointing out eliminated scenes and building on new ideas. Michelle can then read this over and give me further feedback.
I love how involved she is with my work. I love that this is a group effort.
Would you like to sign with an agent who considers herself editorial? For those of you under respresentation, what has your revision experience been?
16 Comments on Revision With an Agent, last added: 1/29/2010
Actually, an editorial agent sounds like a dream come true. I love feedback and having someone to answer to for deadlines and revisions would help me get writing done instead of watching old episodes of Lost. ;)
Thank you for letting us have a peek into your world! I'd work with an editorial agent... as long as it was my vision they were trying to exploit, not their own. Like Michelle told you... "follow your heart for the piece". Sounds like you have a keeper. :D
Caroline--Thanks for sharing part of your journey with us. I would guess having an editorial agent would lessen the editor revisions. Best wishes on MAY B.
Thank you for sharing this, Caroline. I hope I will always continue to grow as a writer, but I know that's not possible in a vacuum. I would love to have an editorial agent. Feedback is invaluable - anything that that will strengthen my writing.
Your writing was so tight, it doesn't surprise me at all that the manuscript needed so little work. My experience was similar. Sara had a couple ideas to strengthen the story overall (and they were all right on), but she didn't do a detailed line edit. I think this was mostly because I'd had excellent beta readers. I'm a messy writer (my grammar and punctuation are way less than perfect), but all of that had been taken care of before.
Thanks for sharing. I've never worked with an agent (hopefully someday) so am completely naive, and didn't realize they could play such an active role in the writing/revision process. Yours sounds like a keeper!
Natalie, your opinion means so much. I really trust you as a reader. And have a fabulous weekend.
Hannah, thanks for stopping by! I don't know if I originally realized how much influence an agent could have on a writer's work, either. It's very empowering to know someone else is helping me to put my best foot forward.
Caroline - so happy you are working on a novel in verse! Leaving Gee's Bend started out as a novel in verse, but my agent didn't think she could sell it. So I rewrote in prose (which was COMPLETELY rewriting). But I lovelovelove novels in verse and snap them up as soon as I see 'em.
My agent is an editorial one too. When she read The Mockingbirds, she called me and we talked for 45 minutes through her notes and feedback and her critiques made everything stronger and tighter and ready for sale!
Caroline, I would absolutely LOVE to have an editorial agent, especially one who's also worked on the publishing side. I think this type of agent would be invaluable as a final reader of the manuscript before it goes out to the publishing houses.
It's been wonderful to be on a blog vacation this past week. I've spent some time thinking through where I'd like to head with my posts this upcoming year. I've also taken a bit of time to write a few drafts I'll be able to use in the weeks to come.
This morning, though, I decided to stop by and post my favorite reads of 2009. No ranking here, just a rough look at the order in which I read.
MG/YA
Peak
Rules
Chasing Lincoln's Killer
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
The Mysterious Benedict Society
A Drowned Maiden's Hair
Schooled
Love, Aubrey
The Hunger Games
Graceling
Adult Titles
The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, aged 37 3/4
the Crimson Petal and the White
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
The Secret History
The Kitchen Boy
A Southern Family
A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison
The Shadow of the Wind
Opal: A Life of Enchantment, Mystery, and Madness
Cordelia Underwood (haven't finished yet, but deserves to be here!)
What books have you enjoyed this past year?
19 Comments on Favorite Books of 2009, last added: 1/1/2010
Great choices! I've enjoyed so many books this year...it would be hard to list them all. I've really enjoyed Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, The Pact by Jodi Picoult, Light on Snow by Anita Shreve...and tons more :)
Mmmhmmm... The Shadow of the Wind... yup.. Curious Incident... yep... I shall have to add the others to my "to be read" list since we both seem to have such wonderful taste in books! :)
Great list, Caroline! A few that I've enjoyed this past year are Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon, When you reach me by Rebecca Stead, Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia, and When the whistle blows by Fran Cannon Slayton. And there are a few on your list that I'm hoping to get around to in 2010.
Like Tamika, reading is definitely a fave pasttime!
I've needed some new YA reads, Caroline! I think the only one from your list that I've read is The Hunger Games (which I loved). I also really liked The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
Some of the other's I enjoyed this year were: Suzanne Collin's MG series, Gregor the Overlander The Percy Jackson series The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peal Pie Society The Maze Runner The Uglies series The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
I don't know how When You Reach Me didn't make it onto my list. I like to keep records of what I read (I have a fun little book journal), and somehow I never wrote it down.
The Help is under my bed, another book in my ever-growing pile.
Ooh, how exciting, I get to be someone's 100th follower. :)
Great list. Loved The Secret History--definitely one to make you think about afterward. ANd I have Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Hunger Games in by to be read pile, so glad to hear they are good. :)
I'm into reading YA now since that's what I'm writing. A few of my favorites that I read this year are: Catching Fire, Hush Hush, Wings, Graceling, The Mortal Instruments series, and The Forest of Hands and Teeth.
I think it would be best to talk to you in person by phone. I am an attorney and represented 2 different families. Also, I have several boks on the subject.
I've read Shadow of the Wind, too. I'm surprised by how many of us read that one. Other favorites include: Catching Fire and The Maze Runner (duh!), sequels to The Ranger's Apprentice, The Last Apprentice, Septimus Heap and The Alchemyst series.
Interesting choices! I like Peak but the ending seemed a little too cliche for me. I'm reading Silver Phoenix right now. I just finished Carpe Diem and loved it.
My guest today is Canadian children's author Simon Rose. His novels include The Doomsday Mask, The Heretic's Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Clone Conspiracy, The Sorcerer's Letterbox, and The Alchemist's Portrait. He's also a contributing author to The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume One and founded the almost legendary networking group Children's Authors and Illustrators on Facebook. Here's what Simon has to say about his work. CA: Welcome, Simon. Let's begin by learning a little about your books. SR: My books are in the science fiction and fantasy genre for middle grades, around ages eight to twelve. You can see full details of each of them, including excerpts and synopses (and you can even listen to recording of my readings) at the Books page at simon-rose.com. The Alchemist's Portrait is a time-travel story, in which Matthew journeys through the centuries using magical paintings which act as doorways into the past, in order to save the world from the clutches of an evil alchemist. The Sorcerer's Letterbox, another time-travel tale, is based on the famous mystery of the Princes in the Tower about Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York, who were supposedly murdered on the orders of Richard III in 1483. The Clone Conspiracy is a science fiction thriller involving clandestine laboratories and secret experiments, while The Emerald Curse, based on my own reading of comic books while growing up, concerns Sam's adventures in a bizarre, and at times deadly, superhero universe. The Heretic's Tomb is set in the medieval period once again, this time during the Black Death in 1349. My latest novel, The Doomsday Mask, was published in the spring. It's once again for ages 8–12 and in the science fiction and fantasy genre. It's a fast-paced adventure about ancient civilizations, mysterious artifacts, and shadowy secret societies.
CA: How long have you been writing books for children?
SR: One of the best things about writing for kids is that I can write about the kinds of things that fascinated me when I was young. Stories can be very imaginative if they are for children, which makes writing them so much fun. And, of course, in science fiction or fantasy, more or less anything you can imagine is possible, as you craft stories involving ancient mysteries, the unexplained, the paranormal, science fiction, time travel, parallel universes, alternate realities, weird and wonderful characters, and a multitude of "what if" scenarios. Once I had children of my own, I came into contact with children's books again for the first time in many years. Picture books initially, of course, but then early chapter books and novels. When I decided to try my hand at writing novels and stories, I found myself drawn to the types of things I used to read as a child. I read lots of science fiction, as well fantasy writers and ghost stories while growing up. I also read a tremendous number of comic books, in which the stories took me across the universe, into strange dimensions, into the land of the Norse gods or had me swinging from the New York rooftops. At high school, I studied a lot of history and have retained my interest in the subject up to the present day. I also read voraciously on ancient civilizations, mysteries, the supernatural, and the unexplained.
CA: Do you offer school and library visits?
SR: Yes, I offer a wide range of presentations, workshops, and author-in-residence programs for schools and libraries. I cover such topics as where ideas come from, story structure, editing and revision, character development, time-travel stories, history, and research. You can learn more about them here and I offer study guidesfor all the books. I also conduct virtual author visitsvia video using the Skype network, and you can get some idea of how it works from my videos on YouTube.
SR: I have another completed novel on a paranormal theme which I am seeking a home for, if there are any interested editors and publishers reading this. I'm working on a number of editing projects for other writers, have numerous projects of my own for future novels, and I am collaborating on several picture books with a local illustrator. In addition to novel writing, I offer copywriting services for business, such as editorial content for websites. I have a few of those types of projects, as well as upcoming articles for magazines and online publications on a wide variety of topics, such as the articles written for Dark Roasted Blendon a bewildering variety of incredible and fantastic topics You can search or my articles on the Dark Roasted Blend home page. I'm also involved in a large local event set for the fall called the Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference.
CA: Any advice for aspiring children’s writers?
SR: Writing is in some ways the easy part. It can be a very long process not only to write a book, but also to get it published. A book is a marathon measured in years rather than weeks or months. Don’t be afraid to revise and revise over and over again. Most authors go through many revisions before their work reaches its final format. Remember, too, that your book will never be to everyone’s taste, so don’t be discouraged. A firm belief in your own success is often what’s necessary. After all, if you don’t believe in your book, how can you expect other people to? Read as much as you can and write as often as you can. Keep an ideas file, even if it’s only a name, title, sentence, or an entire outline for a novel. You never know when you might get another piece of the puzzle, perhaps years later. You also mustn’t forget the marketing. You may produce the greatest book ever written. However, no one else is going to see it if your book doesn’t become known to potential readers. Be visible as an author. Do as many readings, signings, and personal appearances as you can. Get your name out there and hopefully the rest will follow. Especially for newly published authors, books don’t sell themselves and need a lot of help.
CA: Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
SR: Autographed copies of my books are always available from me directly, but they are also available at all the usual places such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and many other places online — and details can be found for each book here. You can also easily order any of the novels from your local bookstore if they don't have copies on the shelf. You can stay up-to-date with me and my work by visiting my author siteand blog, connecting as a friend on Facebook, joining Children's Authors and Illustrators on Facebook or my own groups for each of the novels or following me Twitter.
I'm proud to announce the release of Book Four in the award-winning series, "Cynthia's Attic" will be released by Quake(Echelon Imprint) DEC 2009! Buy the first three books on Amazon and pre-order "The Magician's Castle." Echelon Press
0 Comments on Simon Rose - Author, Writer, Presenter as of 9/21/2009 8:43:00 AM
I sat in the car while my son was at his piano lesson, finishing When You Reach Me. It was beautiful. I have to confess, I can over-hype books (how can't you when you've connected with something amazing?), so I'm going to hold back and leave it there.
There is another obvious comparison. Those who've read it I'm sure saw it, too. I don't want to come out and say which book some of the circumstances mirror because the title alone will give a big chunk of When You Reach Me's plot away. Let's just say it was recently made into a movie. TTW. That's as much as you'll get.
Okay, one more thing. I can't just leave it there. Those of you who read know that Miranda, the main character, carries around a copy of A Wrinkle in Time. Was I the only kid in America not to enjoy this book?
3 Comments on Just Finished Reading, last added: 9/11/2009
I keep hearing about this book. How perfect it is. I think it's a sign I need to pick it up tomorrow at the bookstore. And I loved TTW (the book). Didn't see the movie.
I loved TTW, too. I can't imagine how the movie would work, with such a non-linear storyline. In the book, you have a sense of time, age, and location. How does that work visually, when age and place are blurred?
That's actually why I never saw Atonement. I wasn't sure how that surprise ending would translate to the screen.
Ever since my second-grade disappointment with The Secret of NIMH, I've been hesitant when it comes to movie versions of books.
Caroline, thanks so much for stopping by my blog, for commenting, and for your wonderful thoughts about LM Montgomery. I can't believe I haven't read her journals yet. I plan to purchase them immediately. I've only read bits in pieces in other works. Thank you for the suggestion! And, ug, I'm sorry to say I didn't connect with a Wrinkle in Time either.
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Twelve-year-old Ally is the only witness to a bank robbery in her small town. Unable to block out the memory of the robbers, a notorious gang known as the Gauze Men, Ally joins her little brother and a bunch of neighborhood boys digging a hole in her backyard.
11 Comments on Fast Five: Books I Wish I'd Read as a Kid, last added: 2/3/2011
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It is truly amazing what Natalie is doing for baby Jayden and I have and will continue to show my support for such an amazing cause, I wish more people in life will take a stand for others, even strangers maybe our world will be a better place.
LOL. Not quite sure how I managed to delete my other comment. What I said was THANK YOU, Caroline!!! Your love and support have meant so much to me.
This is such an amazing story! How cool that Natalie is doing this for Jayden and his family. And how cool that you were part of the critique process, Caroline!
No worries. Blogger seems to be duplicating comments, which makes a person want to delete. I'm thrilled to be a part of this launch, this fun book, and this wonderful cause.
Well said!
She's pretty special.
You have touched my heart.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
So moving that she would write a book to help a baby that she's never met!
Caroline, how wonderful that you were privileged to read Natalie's book in its early stages.
I've never heard of an author donating 100% of the profits before this. Natalie is such a giving person and this is a truly inspiring story.
Marybelle, you're my winner! I'll email you privately.