Something to Crow About!

I can't believe I wrote all about my new editor, Marissa Moss, and my new agent, Karen Grencik, and I forgot to talk about my new book, COCK-A-DOODLE OOPS!

About two years ago, I came up with the idea for a "boy who cried wolf" story, but with a rooster instead of a boy.  That story morphed into one about a rooster who goes on vacation, leaving the other farm animals to wake the farmer.  The problem is . . .

                   Farmer McPeeper's a very deep sleeper,

                   Not even an earthquake could shake him.

                   A poke or a pinch wouldn't budge him an inch,

                   'Cause only his rooster could wake him!

Throughout the week, different animals try to wake the farmer, but with no success  . . .

                      "I know that I'm quiet, but I'd like to try it -      

                      here goes," said a shy little sheep.

                      Her "cock-a-doodle baaa" didn't travel too faaa

                      In fact, she made barely a peep.

Finally, Rooster comes back and the animals are certain he will wake the farmer at last.  However . . .

                      Rooster coughed and sputtered; he wheezed and muttered

                      "There's something I think you should know.

                      The damp ocean breeze made me sniffle and sneeze.

                      My voice is so weak, I can't crow!"

Though disappointed, the animals put their heads together and devise a clever way to wake up the farmer.  There's a surprise twist at the end so I'm going to leave you hanging here - sorry!

Back to my book deal . . .  

COCK-A-DOODLE OOPS! will be illustrated by the amazingly talented, Ashley Wolff!  It will be published by Creston Books  in fall, 2014. It seems like an eternity away but I know, from my experience with 1 Zany Zoo, how quickly those two years will go!

I'll keep you posted on the book's development and will definitely let you know when it's released!!

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Friends, Foxes & Fate . . .

I am a firm believer in fate!  I do believe there are simple coincidences but I think, sometimes, people are destined to cross paths and impact each other's lives.   Here's the story of three people, whom I believe, were destined to meet and the series of events that helped make it happen.

This past May, I co-hosted a writer's conference and our speakers were the founders of SCBWI, Lin Oliver and Steve Mooser!  At dinner, the night before the conference, Lin gave me the name of a literary agency she thought would be a good fit for me and I typed it into my phone.  Two weeks later, I looked at my notes, but I couldn't make sense of them (tip - never type notes into your phone without wearing your reading glasses).  That same night, I read a blog interview with a writer-friend of mine, Brenda Sturgis, and her agent, Karen Grencik.  I was very impressed with Karen, so I went on the agency's website to read more about her.  The agency name, Red Fox Literary, seemed familiar, then it hit me - it was the same agency Lin had suggested!  I had just recently parted with my previous agent and I was not ready to contact them, so I put it on the back burner.

One month later, I attended a writer's retreat, Words in the Woods, where I met Marissa Moss, founder and editor-in-cheif of Creston Books.  (I wrote a post about the retreat, and an incident with Marissa, on June, 25th.)  A few weeks later, I submitted one of my manuscripts to Creston Books and Marissa offered to publish it!

Fast forward to the beginning of August, when I attended the SCBWI annual conference in LA.  While there, I decided it was time to look for an agent again.  On the last day of the conference, I got on the hotel elevator and there was Karen Grencik!  I introduced myself and Karen told me to contact her after the conference.

Two days later, I emailed Karen and told her about the manuscript I had sold to Marissa and sent her my other manuscripts to read.  After a long phone conversation, Karen offered to represent me and I happily accepted!  Shortly after that, Karen told me how she and her business partner, Abigail Samoun, began their conversation, about forming their own agency, at a party.  And, who was the host of that party?  

Wait for it . . .   Wait for it . . . 

Marissa Moss!!

And, if all that weren't enough to convince you we were fated to work together, take a look at my business card.  I ordered them long before I met Karen - I chose this design partly because of the fox in my book, 1 Zany Zoo.  

     Coincidence?  You tell me!!

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