Well, folks, I don’t want to brag, but I think it’s fair to say I took holding stuff to a whole new level at the video shoot on Monday.
I held a light AND a dimmer switch AT THE SAME TIME!
I know.
It boggles the mind.
Next time I say I can’t multi-task, please remind me of my obvious talent in that area. I know it will be a great comfort to me 🙂
Speaking of talent (like how smoothly I segued?) it is my pleasure to announce the winner of the December/January Pitch Pick!
And the winner is…
BETH!!! with her pitch for Tomboy Rules: Blossoms Are Always Prepared!
Congratulations on a wonderful pitch, Beth! It is already in editor Erin Molta’s inbox, so I’m sure you will hear from her shortly 🙂
And congratulations as well to our other 4 pitchers – Rena, Joy, Kirsten, and Stacy – for their terrific pitches! Great work, everyone!
I’m feeling a little calorically depleted after all that cheering, and I think we all know the best way to deal with that… 🙂 Something Chocolate, anyone?
Even though it’s morning here, somewhere in the world it’s later than that, so today our Something Chocolate shall be chocolate soup – perfect for any meal… or snack…! 🙂
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| From the Soup Chick (recipe included) |
Today’s pitch comes to us from Julie G. With her background in pediatric nursing, Julie Anne Grasso spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them in The Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy. After participating in Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo in 2013, Julie has been furiously developing her picture book manuscripts. She lives in Melbourne Australia with her husband Danny and their little elf Giselle.
You can find her around the web at:
Website: www.julieannegrassobooks.com
Blog: http://www.whenigrowupiwannawriteakidsbook.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Anne-Grasso-books/287496411357122
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jujuberry37
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Diary Of A Slinky Kid
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 3-6)
The Pitch: Herman wishes he was just like everyone else, but as his mum points out, “There’s no escaping your genes.” Sure, he has the right number of fingers and toes, but when all the other kids are gazing at their belly buttons during gym class, Herman is hiding his coil shaped middle section under his t shirt.
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
Julie is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to telling you that coincidentally I am a guest on Julie’s blog today. And look at that! I just told you! So there wasn’t a very long build up of anticipation. But I hope you will have a build up of anticipation between right now this very second and when you click over to Julie’s blog to visit and say hi and see what tomfoolery we are up to over there! 🙂
Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Julie,
I'd definitely read it. I like the title. BUT, I get the feeling this book is going to be front heavy, meaning it has too much background before you reach the problem. I need to know more about the daring rescue during a normal day. What is the problem at school that Herman faces for which he is uniquely qualified to solve?
Thanks so much for your perspective, Joy – I'm sure Julie will find it helpful!
Thank you so much for your thoughts for Julie and your helpful rewording of the pitch, Stacy! And oh boy… I can hold a donut while I eat it, but you're right – couldn't do it for someone else 🙂
Mud 🙂
This sounds great! I LOVE Chocolate Soup (or at least, the idea of it)! 😉
Great pitch Ms. Grasso! I like the idea of it, but how does Herman save the day? 😉
I would read it. I like the suggestions below about getting the problem out there right away. That said, having a slinky tummy is a hilarious, and unusual super power. So much fun! Good luck with it.
Is chocolate soup hot cocoa or melted chocolate ice cream? Looks good.
I would read the story about slinky boy, who comes from a long line of slinkys or slinkies (lose the apostrophe). I'm not sure I like the phrase slinky status. I think pitch focuses too much on his emotions/self-esteem, rather than the action.
Here's my 2 cents:
Herman is a slinky. He hides the part of his body that doesn't look the same as the other kids because he just wants to fit in. But when xxx happens, he springs into action and xxx (however he saves the day)
Cute way to show it's okay to be different! Susanna, hope you didn't strain any muscles in your new endeavor. hehehehe
I would read it as well. Only concern I had – how did he keep the coils from showing through his clothes and bending too much. Such a fun idea tho.
You're right, Julie! As long as the process takes, the current hubbub over Diary of a Wimpy Kid would have subsided and your title would then be a clever take on it. Smart! 🙂
Woohoo…extra helping of chocolate soup! 😀
Yes, I would definitely read this. When I read “Herman comes from a long line of slinkies,” I was hooked. An illustrator will have a field day with this one!
LOL thanks so much Jill, that's the hope, he he, so glad you could stop by…
Great point Bev. I picture him wearing a puffer jacket, and wearing very low hanging pants, hehe. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Thanks Belinda, the slinky status has been mentioned before, I will trim it and thanks for the apostrophe pick up, I loathe them, he he, they never go where I want them to….Cheers
Thanks Erik, I will be sure to elaborate more on the action….Thanks for stopping by, he he….
Great points Joy, I am not just amending my pitch but manuscript to so this is very helpful. Thanks for stopping by…
I'm late as in Friday “technically” late. Congratulations Beth!
So late I'm not reading any other comments…
Herman has the right number of fingers and toes, but he's different {and doesn't like it??} as he comes from a long line of slinkys. When another day at school turns into a daring rescue mission {who/what is he trying to rescue}, Herman reluctantly reveals his slinky status to save the day. {Does he realize he's comfortable in his own skin/slinky middle/?}
I'm the queen of failed pitches, but wondering if it can be tightened up. I really like the “right number of fingers and toes” because it immediately gave me a “normal” image and then it's like whoa – he's a slinky? Also not certain about the mother's role throughout the story. She seems like a main character in the pitch. Is slinky a trademarked toy?
And, I'm a yes. I also love the name Herman! 🙂
Thank you so much for your thoughts for Julie, Stacy! You know there's no such thing as late around here – help is help whenever it arrives 🙂
Thanks so much for chiming in for Julie, Jill!
Thanks so much for your helpful thoughts for Julie, Bev! 🙂
Excellent two cents, Keila! Thanks for pitching them in. And thank you for inquiring after my well-being. I'm happy to report that although I was a little tired after such exertion, there was no permanent damage 🙂
I think either will of, Belinda – any form of chocolate and cream works for me 🙂 Thanks so much for your thoughts for Julie!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts for Julie, Genevieve – it does make for an entertaining-sounding story, doesn't it? 🙂
My sister and I used to make our own chocolate soup by stirring chocolate ice cream around in a bowl until it was soupy. Then we would pretend it was our medicine and administer it to each other by the (very large) spoonful 🙂 Thanks for you thoughts for Ms. Grasso, Erik!