Welcome to Tuesday Debut, everyone!

We have another author debuting on her book birthday today, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Dana and IF MY HAIR HAD A VOICE!

Let’s jump right in and check it out! 😊

Title: If My Hair Had a Voice
Author: Dana Marie Miroballi
Illustrator: Patricia Grannum
Publishing House: Beaming Books
Date of Publication: May 28, 2024
Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction with nonfiction backmatter.
Age range of your book: The publisher says ages 3-8. I would say 5-9

If My Hair Had a Voice follows a young girl as she learns to love her natural hair both through her grandmother’s inspirational words and by researching a history project about the cultural significance and African origins of afro-textured hairstyles. Backmatter explores the history of each hairstyle featured in the book.

SUSANNA: Welcome, Dana! Thank you so much for joining us today! We’re excited to hear about your journey to publication! Where did the idea for this book come from?

DANA: The story started as a poem I wrote in 2020 while reading about Madam C. J. Walker. In the early 1900s, she developed hair products for afro-textured hair and devised a grooming system that included straightening hair with a metal hot comb. I started reflecting on my experience of growing up straightening my hair and then embracing my natural hair in my late 20s. The poem was in the first person but didn’t have a character or narrative.  

SUSANNA: How long did it take you to write this book?

DANA: I didn’t start developing it into a full story with a narrative until late 2021. I worked on it sporadically until I decided to enter it in the 2022 PBParty contest hosted by Mindy Alyse Weiss. That’s when I really started to shape it into something I could submit. I work full-time and have two young children, so I just wrote whenever and wherever I could. I love Google Docs because I can easily access my files from any device.

SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?

DANA: I revised a lot while getting the manuscript ready for PBParty in 2022, but the most substantial revisions occurred after the manuscript was acquired. There were two major revisions that each occurred after receiving editorial notes. After that, we made small revisions as the illustrations developed. As for my process, I usually have tons of notes spread out on my desk and multiple Google Docs for different versions of a story. I don’t delete older revisions of a manuscript, but I take breaks from revising at times so that I can revisit with fresh eyes. Then I make a copy of the last draft and label it with the current date before starting again. You never know when you might decide to reincorporate something from an older draft.

Dana in her work space

SUSANNA: When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?

DANA: I wasn’t sure if it was quite ready, but I was on a deadline for the contest submission window, so I did my best and crossed my fingers.

 SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?

DANA: I received a few agent and editor requests to submit during the 2022 PBParty contest showcase. Thankfully, an editor with Beaming Books loved the story. I originally connected with my agent Ammi-Joan Paquette when I was a 2021 PBParty finalist for a different story. She decided to take me on after the 2022 contest. She later submitted my 2021 story to an editor, and that book is coming out in 2025.

SUSANNA: Wow! That’s terrific! How long after you found out about your book going to acquisitions (if you did) or after you submitted were you told it was a “yes”?

DANA: I received a deal memo within a month of submitting.

SUSANNA: When did you get “the call”, which these days is more likely to be “the email”?  (best moment ever! 😊) and how did you celebrate?

DANA: I found out via email while in Florida for Spring Break with my family. It was the perfect time to celebrate. My husband and I left the kids with grandparents for a couple of days and had a holiday in St. Augustine. There was lots of champagne. 

SUSANNA: That sounds amazing! 😊 How long was it between getting your offer and getting your contract to sign?

DANA: About 6 months.

SUSANNA: Was the contract what you expected in terms of advance, royalty percentage, publication timeline, author copies etc.?

DANA: I was very happy with my advance amount and everything else. The contract looked fine, but I’m thankful that I signed with an experienced agent who could review it and negotiate some of the rights.

SUSANNA: Can you tell us a little about the editorial process?

DANA: There were two major rounds of revision for the story. The narrative changed, but the heart of the story stayed the same. The editorial process helped me figure out how to best develop the plot and incorporate the nonfiction elements to make the story enjoyable, educational, and different from other picture books that celebrate natural hair. It was an interesting process because I worked with two different editors. There were times that I felt worried about which direction to take, but it all worked out. The original submission was 406 words, the first revision was 639 words, and the final manuscript was about 875 words without the backmatter. The backmatter development took a good deal of time because I had to do research, find photo references, and then write the text in a succinct manner.

SUSANNA: What was your experience of the illustration process like?

DANA: The illustration process was pretty cool. Patricia did an amazing job bringing the story to life. I didn’t include art notes in the original manuscript. I’ve heard repeatedly in classes and webinars that editors and art directors don’t like art notes, so I didn’t expect to have any input. I’m glad that Beaming Books allowed me to be involved and wanted to stay true to my vision. The editor consulted with me regarding how I imagined the scenes. Then I was able to review digital sketches and provide notes. At times, the editor asked for my opinion about specific elements, like how to depict the main character doing research about afro-textured hair.

text copyright Dana Miroballi 2024, illustration copyright Patricia Grannum 2024, Beaming Books

text copyright Dana Miroballi 2024, illustration copyright Patricia Grannum 2024, Beaming Books

text copyright Dana Miroballi 2024, illustration copyright Patricia Grannum 2024, Beaming Books

SUSANNA: Did you get to see advance reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, etc? What was that like?

DANA: I’ve seen a couple of reviews so far. One is in the May/June issue of Foreward Reviews, and another will be in the School Library Journal’s June issue. I’m so happy that it’s been well received so far.

SUSANNA: How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?

DANA: It took about two years. I received the offer in April 2022. When they first arrived, Beaming Books sent one advance copy in February 2024, and my full boxes came in April. I’m not sure how many were printed.

SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion has your publisher done for this book?

DANA: I’m grateful for the marketing and promotional support I’ve gotten from Beaming Books. They did a promotional campaign with If My Hair Had a Voice and a book titled My Divine Natural Hair, which was released through Broadleaf Books, another imprint of 1517 Media. The campaign included sending the book to social media influencers. They have also submitted the book for reviews, advertised on social media and Publishers Weekly, and helped me set up a book release at my local bookstore.

SUSANNA: Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.

DANA: Beaming Books provided some illustrations from the book for marketing materials. I made postcards, bookmarks, and stickers. I’ve been advertising on social media when I can, but it does take a lot of time. I also commissioned an educational guide that Beaming Books then designed. I paid fellow picture book author Ryan Bani Tahmaseb to create an educator guide. We are in the same debut group. The guide has activities for teachers developed around the book. He created the copy, and I provided that to Beaming Books and they designed the look of the educator’s guide. 

https://ms.beamingbooks.com/downloads/BB/IfMyHairHadAVoice_EducatorsGuide.pdf

SUSANNA: That is a nice guide! How long was it between the time you started writing seriously and the time you sold your first picture book?

DANA: It took about two years. I’ve loved to write ever since I was a kid, but I never thought I’d be able to become a published author. When the COVID lockdown started in March 2020, I was able to devote more time to writing and started taking online picture book writing classes and entering contests. I sold my first book in 2022. I’m surprised it happened so quickly.

SUSANNA: What is the most important/helpful thing you learned on your way to publication? (Or what is your most helpful piece of advice for up and coming writers?)

DANA: Find your writing community. The writing friends, critique partners, and connections I’ve made over the past few years have taught me so much and kept me inspired. I met many of them through online courses and social media. I also suggest watching any webinars you can find by Pat Zietlow Miller and exploring the BookEnds Literary Agency’s YouTube channel.

SUSANNA: Great advice, Dana, thank you! Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?

DANA: I’m still in shock that I made it to this moment. Thank you

SUSANNA: Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in this series and paying it forward to other writers, Dana! We so appreciate you taking the time to come share you knowledge and experience with us, and wish you all the best with this and future titles!

Readers, if you have questions for Dana, please post them in the comments below and if she has time I’m sure she’ll respond!

Author Dana Miroballi

FB & Twitter: shesthebear
Instagram: noshesthebear

Patricia Grannum (illustrator) – FB: numythology  Instagram: artbypg ·                                
Beaming Books – FB: BeamingBooksPublishing Twitter & Instagram: beamingbooksmn

You may purchase Dana’s book at:
(all links below are book-specific)

Indiebound/Bookshop.org
Amazon
Barnes&Noble

We can help our debut authors successfully launch their careers by:

– purchasing their books

– recommending their books to friends and family

– recommending their books to our children’s teachers and librarians

– recommending their books to our local libraries and bookstores

– suggesting them as visiting authors at our children’s schools and our local libraries

– sharing their books on social media

– reviewing their books on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and other sites where people go to learn about books.

Thank you all for stopping by to read today!  Have a lovely, inspiration-filled Tuesday!  Maybe today is the day you’ll write your debut picture book 😊

Missed any previous Tuesday Debuts?  Check them out HERE!