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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Oh The Places You’ll Go

When Miranda Paul, founder of Rate Your Story, asked me to write about the benefits of attending conferences and workshops, I thought I'd post it here too.  I figured it would be easy to write - after all, I’ve been to a zillion of them (a slight exaggeration)!  I love going to conferences but, until I sat down to write this post, I never really thought about why. So, I thought back to the different conferences I’d attended, from my local SCBWI monthly meeting to our statewide full-day conference to the SCBWI LA four day mega-conference, and thought about what I had gained from them.  

Below, I’ve listed the benefits of attending conferences, based on my experiences. I don’t want to rate their importance (it will vary depending on the conference), so I’ve put them in alphabetical order by title.  I've just returned from the 41st Annual SCBWI LA Conference and I can honestly say, I experienced every one of these things while there.  Read more about the conference happenings on the SCBWI Conference Blog.

Are You My Mother? 

I go to conferences to find an editor or agent who will be a perfect fit for me and my stories. Don’t be shy - introduce yourself - put yourself out there. Most editors and agents I’ve met at conferences have been very kind and open to meeting attendees - just make sure you’re not trying to strike up a conversation while they’re on the way to their session or the washroom! One perk of most conferences is, it allows you to jump over the slush pile and submit directly to the speakers! ** 

Caps For Sale
I go to conferences to learn how to market my books. In addition to gaining tips from successful marketers, at some events, you can display and/or sell your books. 

Curious George 
I go to conferences to learn more about different genres. I signed up for Sonya Sones’ Novel in Verse intensive at this year’s LA conference, even though I’d never read one before. In preparation, I read some novels in verse - both by Sonya and other authors. I loved the genre so much, I’m working on my own novel in verse now! (I really tried to find a way of writing that without so many “novel in verse” but I couldn’t - sorry!) 


50 Shades of Grey 
I’ll save that for another post :-) 


George and Martha 
I go to conferences to meet other writers, many of whom have and will become close friends. Some have also become wonderful critique partners and great resources and supports. Hopefully, they’d say the same about me :-) There’s nothing like spending extended periods of time, from several hours to several days, with people who understand your passion for writing. Writing can be very isolating, so get out there and mingle! 

The Giving Tree 
I go to conferences to learn from others and to help others. One thing I’ve learned is that children’s writers and illustrators are some of the most generous, giving people I’ve ever met! Just look at what SCBWI founders, Lin Oliver and Steve Mooser, have created for their fellow artists!


Harold and the Purple Crayon 
As a writer, I typically attend conference sessions about writing, but getting an illustrator’s side of the story can be extremely insightful and helpful! So, when choosing which sessions to attend, don’t write-off (pun intended) sessions about illustration.


How the Grinch Stole Christmas 
I go to conferences for the professional critiques. The feedback is not always positive, but I’ve found value in every critique I’ve had - good or bad. Whether it’s a written critique or a face-to-face, remember the comments are one person’s opinion - think them through thoroughly (how’s that for alliteration?) before making changes based on their comments.


The Little Engine That Could 
I go to conferences to motivate myself to keep going. Most speakers will take you down their personal road to publication. I have been inspired by their successes and encouraged by their perseverance in the face of rejection.


Not a Box 
I go to conferences to improve my craft and to remind myself to think outside the box and put my own spin on the stories I write. I can’t tell you the number of new story ideas, or twists to my works in progress I’ve come up with while listening to speakers at conferences.
So, there you have it - my reasons for attending conferences and workshops. I’m sure there are others that I didn’t think of so ask your friends why they attend them. Even if you only get a fraction of these things out of a conference, it will be well worth it! 

**  As I was in the process of putting together this post, I received an email from an editor I had met at a writing retreat.  She made an offer to publish my picture book story!  

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Summer Shorts & Sweets with Susanna Hill

My writer friend, Susanna Hill, started a new series called Summer Shorts & Sweets.  Every week, she's posting a new challenge to write something - you guessed it - short & sweet.



This week's challenge is to choose four numbers from 1 - 10 and then select the corresponding Character, Setting, Time & Situation. 


It was a lot of fun - go to her site to do it for yourselves!I'd love for you to share your stories here!!

Here are the selections I had to work with.  It's supposed to be 50 - 100 words but I used 145.

1 - A pirate who likes to sing
9 - The moon
5 - Sitting down to breakfast
7 - Someone’s pride has been injured

There once was a pirate who sailed on the sea,
And secretly wished he could join the show Glee.

He longed to meet Rachel, Mercedes and Quinn,
To sing with Santana and Artie and Finn.

He said, to himself, with a hearty Yo-ho,
“By hook or by crook I will get on that show!”

He sat down to breakfast and charted his route,
Then sailed to LA - with nary a doubt.

He practiced his songs by the light of the moon,
And saw, by the stars, he’d reach Hollywood soon.

He followed his map on his Glee expedition
Then burst through the gates to perform his audition.

He sang about jewels and parrots and gold,
But he was rejected, “You’re simply too old!”

Although he was hurt that they told him to “stuff it”,
He sailed off in search of the great Jimmy Buffet!

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I'm an Oxymoron - Emphasis on Moron!

Yesterday, I was beating myself up for being too chicken to share my book trailer with ten people and today, I'm asking an unknown number of people (more than ten, that's for sure) to go to No Water River, Renee LaTulippe's amazing blog, to watch me read a poem I wrote!  Anyone with half a brain would surely think that the first would be much less frightening than the second - right?  Thus the post title :-)

I discovered No Water River during Poetry month and have been a huge fan ever since!  So, when Renee emailed, asking if I would do a video poem, I agreed immediately.  It wasn't until I actually thought it through that I realized what I had committed to!  I couldn't back out on my promise, so I bit the bullet and did it.  


Of course, I waited until the last minute to make the video - the day before I needed to submit it.  I did my first take and OMG was I overly animated!  I was embarrassed watching it by myself.  I did a second take and I was just a drop more animated than the wall.  If this were The Three Bears, I'd say the third and final take was just right.  Sadly, this is not a fairy tale so, the video I submitted is somewhere between manic looney tune and zombie (minus the rotting flesh). 

                  

So, with all the confidence I can muster - and with no regrets - I'm inviting you to watch my video and read my interview at No Water River.  While you're over there, check out the other poets reading their work - they're terrific!

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