What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday, I attended an IEP meeting in my new role as Lead Teacher for our Hearing Itinerant program. As we were completing the paperwork, people asked questions about what forms to use and what to write. There was one form I'd never used before and they all looked to me, wanting to know what to do. Since I've only been lead teacher for two months, I was able to say - "I don't know, I've never done this form before." without fear of consequences. I figure I've got until after winter break to use the "I'm new at this" excuse.

But then it hit me - so I said it out loud - god forbid I don't blurt out every thought in my head - "They appointed me the lead but I'm just an itinerant teacher - I have no special skills or knowledge to be the Lead!" Which is completely true! Luckily, it was a great group at the meeting and we got the paperwork done and everyone left happy.

I was just thinking about this again and it reminded me of when I won the Cheerios contest and got the book contract. After the news got out, I started being asked for my opinion on all aspects of the writing/publishing process from both writer friends and writer strangers. I was even asked to speak at our local SCBWI group about my experiences with the contest, publishing...

At the meeting, after explaining that I'd only had 1 1/2 beers with dinner (I didn't want to start rumors about being a drunk) I told the group - some of whom were waiting to hear from a knowledgeable, about-to-be-published author - I said, "I'm just a writer like all of you and six months ago I was a writer who'd never gotten a positive response in all the years I'd been submitting my work!"

So, what's my point? My point is, I'm amazed how giving someone a new title - "Lead Teacher" "Contest Winner" "Published Author" - it instantly changes the way people perceive you and the expectations they have of you. It's crazy, isn't it? Has this happened to anyone else?

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Got My F&Gs!

I got my F&Gs (say it slowly) for 1 ZANY ZOO in the mail yesterday! What are F&Gs? They're the actual printing of the book but they're not bound, just Folded and Gathered (thus - F&Gs). But it has the cover and endpapers and the pages printed back to back so it looks just like the real thing!

I think I'm going to tell my students about it next week and read it to them. I hadn't told them anything about it because, without the actual book to look at, it would be hard for them to get really get it. Hopefully, they'll love the book or I'll be crushed!

John Lennon's Birthday

My sister and I went to Strawberry Field in Central Park last night to see if anything was happening in honor of John Lennon's birthday. We found a group of musicians playing Lennon songs, surrounded by people of all ages singing along. It was great! Here's a clip of one of the songs my sister took on her iPhone.

S Is For Story by Esther Hershenhorn & Zachary Pullen

I saw the amazing Esther Hershenhorn at our monthly SCBWI meeting in Vernon Hills. She spoke about her journey from first idea to publication of her new book S Is For Story: A Writer's Alphabet published by Sleeping Bear Press. There are so many levels to this wonderful book and the illustrations by Zachary Pullen are phenomenal!

Check out Esther's website and blog and Zachary's website and blog!

Debut Authors - Get In CWIM

I found this on Alice's CWIM Blog. Hurry - the deadline is October 8th!

Official Call for Debut Authors for the 2011 CWIM...

I'm looking for debut author and illustrators who'd like to be interviewed for my "First Books" feature in 2011 CWIM.

If you are interested in being featured in First Books, here are the rules and guidelines:

1. Email me at alice.pope@fwmedia.com, subject line "First Books."
2. Tell me about your debut book including the title, publisher, genre and approximate publication date.
3. The book must be available in some form by November (so it can be read before you're interviewed).
4. A cover image must be available by January 2010 (because I don't want to feature a book without showing the cover).
5. Please include links to your website or blog if you have one.
6. No self-published books please.
7. Tell me something fun/interesting/exciting/unusual/inspiring about you/your book/your path to publication.
8. E-mails must be received by October 8th.
9. I'll be in touch with those I've chosen by the October 30th; otherwise you likely will not hear from me--I simply don't have time to contact everyone, although I wish I could. (I may acknowledge receipt of emails, however, depending on how busy I am and/or how much I do or do not feel like doing other work.)
10. Debut authors not chosen to be featured in First Books could be chosen as Debut Authors of the Month which will be resurrected on this blog starting January 2010!