It’s a hot, hot Monday in June, so what better way to spend the day then on a cool porch, in a shady hammock, or in the air-conditioned library with an iced beverage, your writing implements, and the prompt for Mix ‘n’ Match Week #5?!
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini is a 7 week writing challenge for anyone who needs a little boost, a little inspiration, or a little encouragement to get writing. . . or maybe just a little fun!
You get to write your own story, enjoy and be entertained by everyone else’s stories, and get yourself in the running for some awesome prizes (please see the end of the blog post for a list of all the prize goodies which continues to grow!)
To be eligible for the prize drawing you must enter all 7 weeks.
For a full description of the challenge, to read the Week #1 entries, or to add your Week #1 entry, please go HERE (Week #1)
To read the Week #2 entries or add your Week #2 entry, please go HERE (Week #2)
To read the Week #3 entries or add your Week #3 entry, please go HERE (Week #3)
To read the Week #4 entries or add your Week #4 entry, please go HERE (Week #4)
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Prompt #5 for Week of June 7:
So far we’ve played with character needs/goals, writing a cumulative story, a picture prompt with random words and a secret, and turning songs into stories with themes! 😊 This week, we’re going to have fun with concepts!
Kids have a lot to learn about the world, and picture books can be education disguised as entertainment 😊. Think Z IS FOR MOOSE by Kelly Bingham, MOUSE PAINT by Ellen Stoll Walsh, and ROUND IS A TORTILLA by Roseanne Thong.
For this week’s challenge, choose a concept from Column A and a setting from Column B and write a 100 word concept story for kids in which you utilize the setting to show your concept.
Column A – Concept
Column B – Setting
Shapes
Halloween
Colors
Beach
Numbers/Counting
Farm
Alphabet
School
Time
Car Trip
Place/Location (in, on, above, under, around, through, etc.)
Circus
Emotions
City or Country
Seasons
Amusement Park or County Fair
Weather
Supermarket
Stories can rhyme or not – totally up to you!
You can go under or over 100 words if you want to – also totally up to you! – 100 is a guideline
If you’re deeply inspired by a concept or a setting that isn’t included you’re welcome to use it, just please say what it is at the top of your entry – the purpose here is inspiration and to get you writing!
For simplicity’s sake (and to aid skimming readers who might be interested in a particular thing) please say which concept and setting you’re using at the top of your entry along with your name, word count, and title if you have one.
Can’t wait to see what amazing, creative things you guys come up with this week!
So come join the fun! Get some writing done! Encourage your kids (or students) to give it a try! Or just have a good time together reading what other folks have written!
Ready, set, WRITE! 😊
(And remember, for full details on the 7 week challenge you can check HERE)
When it comes time for prizes, names of all those who complete the challenge will be drawn randomly and matched with prizes drawn randomly until we run out! 😊
Please join me in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazone, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, suggesting them for school visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
⭐️ Picture Book MS Critique from Jen Raudenbush, agented writer of picture books, middle grade, and poetry. (Represented by Natascha Morris of The Tobias Literary Agency)
Jen Raudenbush
⭐️ 30 minute Zoom chat about anything industry related (manuscript, query letter, best practices for querying) with Becky Scharnhorst, amazing author of MY SCHOOL STINKS (Philomel Books, July 6, 2021)
⭐️Picture Book Manuscript Critique with Audio Recording by author and poet Sarah Meade Sarah will do a written critique of your manuscript and include an audio recording of her first read-through of the manuscript. The audio recording is to help the author hear how the story flows and/or where a new reader may stumble when reading aloud.
It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, so get out your list-making utensils, whatever they might be (iphone note, broken crayon and old ATM receipt, whatever 😊), and prepare for a trip to the library! There are sure to be any number of books shared this week you’ll want to check out.
I’m sharing one that was a huge favorite with my kids, back in the last millennium when they were little 😊 I hope you like it!
Title: The Baby Blue Cat Who Said No Written & Illustrated By: Ainslie Pryor Re-issue March 1988, Viking Juvenile, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-7
Themes/Topics: behavior (contrariness), humor
Opening: “Have you heard the story of the Baby Blue Cat who said No? Once there was a Mama Cat and her four baby cats. Baby Orange Cat, Baby White Cat, Baby Striped Cat, and Baby Blue Cat. Mama Cat loved all of her baby cats very much.“
Brief Synopsis: Baby Orange Cat, Baby White Cat and Baby Striped Cat all behave the way little kittens should, but Baby Blue Cat is feeling ornery. No matter what his Mama asks, he says, “No!” But when he pushes his Mama too far, he apologizes and behaves… until his contrariness gets the better of him again 😊
Links To Resources: Teaching Children A VocabularyFor Emotions; make cards with different emotions pictured and/or written – e.g. a smiley face and/or HAPPY – and play emotion charades by letting kids pick a card and act out the emotions for the rest of the class or family and see if the observers can guess; talk about behavior – have you ever refused to do something just to be difficult? Do you sometimes do bad things and then feel sorry? Talk about how to say you’re sorry – resource HERE.
Why I Like This Book: The language is fun to read aloud. (Years later, we still use the phrase “and here’s your delicious cupcake, YUM YUM” 😊 ) The line drawings are cute and engaging (right down to the smile on the fish sandwich 😊) But mostly, anyone who has ever spent 3 minutes around a toddler will recognize and appreciate Baby Blue Cat’s desire to have some control, and some opportunity to be independent of his mother and siblings. As I mentioned above, he’s naughty, but when he goes too far he’s genuinely remorseful. Mama Cat loves her baby cats very much, and it is clear that Baby Blue Cat loves his Mama Cat too 😊
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do at our house! 😊
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Today our debut-ess is sharing her road to publication with a book that is perfect for summer!
If you’ve ever spent time at the beach, you’ve undoubtedly had a face-off with a seagull over some item in your picnic! We once had a seagull carry off a whole bag of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on Nantucket 😊
Please join me in welcoming Michelle Vattula as we find out all about how she got published!
The Stalking Seagulls written by Michelle Vattula Illustrated by T.L. Derby MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing Release date April 20, 2021 Fiction, ages 3-10
A battle between boy and bird with an outcome neither one anticipates.
SUSANNA: Where did the idea for this book come from?
MICHELLE: When writing, I pull my inspiration primarily from what I know and feel. The Stalking Seagulls was inspired while we were visiting my parents in Florida. We arrived at the beach and when lunch time approached, so did the seagulls. They were quite relentless, but they never got our sandwich. After that experience, the initial idea of a battle between boy and bird came to me. I will tell anyone who wants to be an author, write what you know.
SUSANNA: What makes your book different from other published picture books?
MICHELLE: One very special aspect of my book is that my publisher, MacLaren-Cochrane, publishes them in dyslexie (dyslexic font) which is a typeface that helps enhance the ease of reading for individuals with dyslexia, but can be read by anyone. There is certainly a gap in literacy for children with dyslexia and printing picture books in dyslexie is a step in the right direction.
SUSANNA: That is fascinating! As someone who used to work with dyslexic students, I know how important it is to make reading as accessible as possible, so it’s wonderful to see publishers making this effort. How long did it take you to write this book?
MICHELLE: One of the best things I did for my writing career was to join the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). This organization gave me the want and desire to write. I went to my first SCBWI conference in Pittsburgh and was hooked from that moment on. I began writing The Stalking Seagulls soon after that conference in late 2015, early 2016. The manuscript itself flowed easily. I think my biggest hurdle was that I wanted to “tell” everything. As an inexperienced writer, at the time, I was very wordy and was not allowing for the illustrations to help the story along. That is where my fabulous critique groups, who I met at the SCBWI conference, really helped me. It was completed and out on submission in a year and a half. I have to give a lot of credit to my husband, Sami, who allowed me to sit in front of my computer undisturbed or watched the boys when I would go out for my critique groups. By the time I arrived home the kids would already be in bed. I would then continue writing from the critiques I received that night. Having someone so supportive was truly a game changer for me.
SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?
MICHELLE: Wow, this is a great question. As I stated earlier, I utilize my critique groups, even for the simplest of questions. I had and still have 3 active critique groups, and have had individual CP’s in the past. This particular story went through no less than 50 revisions. Some revisions were small and easy, while others changed the tone and direction of the manuscript. I would often read it to my kids friends to see where they laughed and what they didn’t understand. If I ever got stuck, I put the manuscript away for a while so I can look at it with fresh eyes down the road.
Michelle’s writing buddies 😊
SUSANNA: When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
MICHELLE: When I realized that the ending was “perfect” (in my opinion, lol), the rest of the story truly fell into place. Ultimately, I find, when I can find a satisfying ending, the writing becomes easier since I already know where the story is going.
SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?
MICHELLE: At the point of initial submissions, I was querying agents. This process can be so daunting because I researched each agent effectively. I needed to know what they wanted, what they didn’t and the best way to query them. Each agent is different, which certainly makes querying harder. I received a lot of rejections, but I was also receiving some genuine interest as well. Knowing that the interest was there, I decided to submit to publishing companies that would accept unsolicited and/or unagented manuscripts. This too was a long process, mostly due to the research needed to be done on each publishing company. I found MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing, queried my manuscript and received a response after 6 weeks. We set up a phone “interview” and the editor offered me a contract.
During this past year I was lucky enough to connect and sign with a great agent T.J. Kirsch @ JCHLiterary.
SUSANNA: 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”?
MICHELLE: Because I went directly through the publisher, I did not have to wait for yes, they told me right away.
SUSANNA: When did you get “the call”, which these days is more likely to be “the email”? (Best moment ever! ☺)
MICHELLE: I queried the manuscript in late July and received a contact in early September, so it was about 6 weeks. When I received the email that MCP was interested in the story, I read the email, shut my computer screen, smiled a big goofy smile and ran to tell my husband. It was like I won the lottery.
Michelle’s support and inspiration!
SUSANNA: How long was it between getting your offer and getting your contract to sign?
MICHELLE: I signed the contract within a week or so of receiving the contract.
SUSANNA: How did you celebrate signing your contract? (If you care to share ☺)
MICHELLE: I believe, after lots of hugs and phone calls/texts to loved ones, we went out to dinner.
SUSANNA: Was the contract what you expected in terms of advance, royalty percentage, publication timeline, author copies etc.?
MICHELLE: MCP is a small independent publisher which changes some of the process that is usually discussed regarding larger publishing houses. I did not receive an advance on this book, but my royalties are higher than the standard 5%. I get a significant discount when I purchase my book, but do not receive free copies. Overall, the contract was pretty standard and not many changes needed to be made before signing it.
SUSANNA: Can you tell us a little about the editorial process?
MICHELLE: The Stalking Seagulls had gone through so many rounds of revisions prior to receiving a contract, that there was not too much that needed to be changed. I did go back and add more alliteration and some wording changes, but they did not expect much to be changed.
SUSANNA: What was your experience of the illustration process like?
MICHELLE: I was very fortunate to be involved in the illustration process. My editor provided me with various styles of sketches from different illustrators and I was able to choose the style I felt fit the story the best. My editor definitely valued my thoughts and opinions regarding the style and continued to send me examples until I found the perfect one. After the initial sketches were done, I did get to see the proofs, via attachments, and I was allowed to give my thoughts regarding the page layouts and details when the book was in its final stages. I am so thankful that I was allowed to be part of this process since most writers do not see or know the vision the illustrator has taken until the very end.
As for art notes, I did include them in my initial manuscript. I believe that they helped the illustrator see my vision throughout the story. Certain pages/spreads needed a hint as to what I wanted to see. I am an advocate for art notes. Here is an example of one I used.
“Incoming!” [Art note-Alec feigns throwing this sandwich, then hides his sandwich behind his back.] (Spread below is the resulting illustration)
SUSANNA: How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?
MICHELLE: The Stalking Seagulls was released on April 20th 2021. I received my first in hand copy April 25th. MCP is a POD(print on demand), thus when the orders come in, the book is printed.
SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion has your publisher done for this book?
MICHELLE: My publisher has made sure that my book is accessible on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Waterstone and every book retailer online.
SUSANNA: Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.
MICHELLE: I have done all the marketing and promotion for The Stalking Seagulls. I started with making my own website (www.michellevattula.com). Once I was given the ISBN number and release date, I made a sell sheet. I physically went to our local bookstores and shops in other states to promote my book. I have done a podcast, interviews, blogs and media postings on instagram, twitter and facebook. Promoting your book is a constant, non-stop job. Since the book focuses on seagulls at the beach, I have researched bookstores along the most popular beach destinations and sent them a personal email with my sell sheet in hopes it would spark interest to carry my book in their store. I have contacted my hometown newspaper, The Erie Times, and they wrote a beautiful article on my book (https://amp.goerie.com/amp/5096158001). I have also contacted local schools regarding school visits, whenever those will be allowed again. My next step is to contact aviaries, local and national, to see if I can get my book in their gift shops. I am not the best in marketing plans, so I contacted my local SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). This organization is a free services that help match a retired executive with your small business needs, and for me that was marketing. I am continuously seeking out interviews, bloggers and reviewers for my book as well. It can be a daunting and never ending job.
SUSANNA: How long was it between the time you started writing seriously and the time you sold your first picture book?
MICHELLE: I have been writing for over 20 years. I am a licenced Speech-Language Pathologist and practiced for over 15 years in the gereatric population. In 2015 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and my life was put on hold for a year. When I was cleared and ready to go back to work, my heart was telling me something different. I told my husband that I wanted to follow my dream and become a children’s book writer and he told me that’s what I should do. So, I became serious about my writing and immersed myself into the publishing world in 2015. I signed my contract for The Stalking Seagulls 2 years later in 2017.
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?)
MICHELLE: First, One thing I would tell any new writer, make sure you find a critique group that you feel comfortable with and trust their opinions. Having a critique group or critique partner is crucial to help your book in the right direction. Second, write what you know or feel. Lastly, expect a hard road with rejections and critiques you might not like, but cherish the little triumphs, the wonderful people you meet along the way and never give up on your dreams, they will come true with hard work, perseverance and patience.
SUSANNA: What great advice! Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?
MICHELLE: The publishing world can be an unexpected one. My book was to be released, initially, in 2019, but was pushed back for a long time (COVID didn’t help) It took almost 3 years to get it released. There were some issues from the illustration aspect. It was frustrating, but certainly worth the wait. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to your agent or editor. This is your book and the last thing you want is to lose sleep because you didn’t ask a question that is important to you. Even though you get a book deal, a release date and you have prepared everything you possibly could have, things still go wrong. My friends went to the local Barnes & Noble to buy my book and when they found it, all the pages were blank. I couldn’t believe it, there was my book on the shelves of B&N and they didn’t have any pictures!!! Thankfully the problem was remedied, but what a way to bring my head out of the clouds.
SUSANNA: Thank you so much for taking the time to join us and share your experience with us, Michelle! We so appreciate the opportunity to learn from you and wish you all the best with this and future titles!
Readers, if you have questions for Michelle, please post them in the comments below and if she has time I’m sure she’ll respond!
I know it’s Memorial Day and many of you are busy with family celebrations, parades, and honoring those who have done so much for all of us.
But in case you also have the day off and a little free time. . .
. . .let’s have some Mix ‘n’ Match fun because it’s time for Week #4!
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini is a 7 week writing challenge for anyone who needs a little boost, a little inspiration, or a little encouragement to get writing. . . or maybe just a little fun!
You get to write your own story, enjoy and be entertained by everyone else’s stories, and get yourself in the running for some awesome prizes (please see the end of the blog post for a list of all the prize goodies which continues to grow!)
To be eligible for the prize drawing you must enter all 7 weeks.
For a full description of the challenge, to read the Week #1 entries, or to add your Week #1 entry, please go HERE (Week #1)
To read the Week #2 entries or add your Week #2 entry, please go HERE (Week #2)
To read the Week #3 entries or add your Week #3 entry, please go HERE (Week #3)
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Prompt #4 for Week of May 31:
So far we’ve played with character needs/goals, writing a cumulative story, and a picture prompt with random words and a secret! This week we’re going to have some musical fun with themes! 😊
Choose a song from Column A, a theme from Column B, and an important item from Column C (optional.) Write a 100 word story for kids where your version of the song tells a story that shows your chosen theme (including your important item if you wish!) You may use the original song opening if you like, but you are not required to (just make it obvious in your writing and/or identify which song you’re using along with your title and word count), and if rhyming isn’t your thing you can write in prose as long as it’s still clear which song you’re working with. You may add or subtract characters (e.g. Bob and Joe rowed their boat gently down the stream), change the destination (e.g. Row, row, row your boat up the mountainside), change the type of action (e.g. Row, row, row your boat wildly down the stream) etc… Anything you like! Have fun with it! (For examples in kidlit, see Iza Trapani’s extended nursery rhyme songs.)
Column A – Song
Column B – Theme
Column C – Important Item (optional)
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
It’s important to try new things
Necklace
The Itsy Bitsy (Eensie Weensie) Spider
Even when you’re bad, you’re still loved
Teddy bear
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
It’s important to stay true to yourself
Blackberries
Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?
Just because it looks good doesn’t mean it is
Pink Blankie
The Bear Went Over The Mountain
If you work together you can solve a problem
Story book
Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush
You don’t have to be big to stand up for yourself
Map
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
Friends should always stick together
Tractor
Jack And Jill
Believe in yourself and you can achieve your dreams
Moon
Rock-A-Bye Baby
If you don’t succeed the first time, try again
Daisy
Post your story in the comment section below! (If for some reason you have trouble posting, you may use the contact form to email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you.)
Stories can rhyme or not – totally up to you!
You can go under or over 100 words if you want to – also totally up to you! – 100 is a guideline
If you’re deeply inspired by a theme that isn’t included you’re welcome to use it, just please say what it is at the top of your entry – the purpose here is inspiration and to get you writing!
For simplicity’s sake (and to aid skimming readers who might be interested in a particular thing) please say which song, theme (and important item if you choose to use one) you’re using at the top of your entry along with your name, word count, and title if you have one.
I am SO looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with! You continue to knock my socks off with your creativity every week!!!
Now come join the fun! Get some writing done! Encourage your kids (or students) to give it a try! Or just have a good time together reading what other folks have written!
Ready, set, WRITE! 😊
(And remember, for full details on the 7 week challenge you can check HERE)
When it comes time for prizes, names of all those who complete the challenge will be drawn randomly and matched with prizes drawn randomly until we run out! 😊
Please join me in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazone, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, suggesting them for school visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
⭐️ Picture Book MS Critique from Jen Raudenbush, agented writer of picture books, middle grade, and poetry. (Represented by Natascha Morris of The Tobias Literary Agency)
Jen Raudenbush
⭐️ 30 minute Zoom chat about anything industry related (manuscript, query letter, best practices for querying) with Becky Scharnhorst, amazing author of MY SCHOOL STINKS (Philomel Books, July 6, 2021)
⭐️Picture Book Manuscript Critique with Audio Recording by author and poet Sarah Meade Sarah will do a written critique of your manuscript and include an audio recording of her first read-through of the manuscript. The audio recording is to help the author hear how the story flows and/or where a new reader may stumble when reading aloud.
And that means it’s a perfect time for today’s Perfect Picture Book and a hike!!! (Something I’m always up for 😊)
Title: The Hike
Written & Illustrated By: Alison Farrell
Publisher: Chronicle Books, October 2019, informational fiction
Suitable For Ages: publisher says 3-5, but there’s a lot of information that would appeal to older kids
Themes/Topics: nature, hiking, cooperation, group activities
text and illustration copyright Alison Farrell 2019, Chronicle Books
Opening: “We are going on a hike.”
text and illustration copyright Alison Farrell 2019, Chronicle Books
Brief Synopsis: Three friends and their dog set off on a hike, noticing a lot about nature and having adventures along the way.
text and illustration copyright Alison Farrell 2019, Chronicle Books
Links To Resources: The whole book is a resource – Wren’s notes throughout, and several pages at the end of the story devoted only to her notes and pictures – so there are a lot of resources to be found right there. Take a nature walk. Make your own nature notebook/sketchbook and write and draw the things you see. Go for a hike with your family. How To Make A Nature Journal/Notebook; Video: How To Make A Leaf Collage
text and illustration copyright Alison Farrell 2019, Chronicle Books
Why I Like This Book: I find this book so appealing! The story text is quite simple (hence the 3-5 age range.) But the art is full of birds, animals, plants, and all kinds of other things found in nature that you might see on a hike – tons of little details for young readers to look at and learn about. One of the children in the story, Wren, keeps a sketchbook and draws little pictures and jots down interesting facts. The kids have to follow the trail, using a map (and I love that it’s an actual map and not GPS on a phone!) The kids look like they’re having so much fun outdoors together, doing something real, physically active, and educational as well as entertaining. By the time they get home, the stars are coming out and the art includes phases of the moon and constellations. It’s really just all around delightful!
text and illustration copyright Alison Farrell 2019, Chronicle Books
(from the back matter)
text and illustration copyright Alison Farrell 2019, Chronicle Books
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊 Go for a hike! 😊
Today I have Dr. De Soto by William Steig on the brain because yes, you guessed it, I have to go to the dentist. I don’t know about you, but this is the first time I’ve been since covid. I am not looking forward to it!
I’m sorry to admit I have a long history of bad behavior with dentists, starting with my first visit at age 5 when I bit the dentist hard enough to draw blood and my mom was told in no uncertain terms never to bring me back! As a result, I had to go to a “children’s specialist” the primary benefit of which was that it made my siblings jealous 😊
Probably I should write a story about something to do with teeth!
But while I think on that, we should all help ourselves to Something Chocolate, because that makes everything better, don’t you agree? Even the dentist!
For our Something Chocolate today I have finally found it – the perfect chocolate breakfast item – No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cups! It’s like an oatmeal cupcake with chocolate! Easy, delicious, portable, and most of all, CHOCOLATE! 😊
I mean really. Does breakfast get any better than that? 😊
Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Caitlin who says, “I suffer from an anxiety disorder and when I was a kid I was afraid of almost everything. This story is inspired by my own experiences in the hope it will help kids cope with their fears. You can find my online portfolio here:https://ckhan8.myportfolio.com/“
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Lucy And The Fear Monsters
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-7)
The Pitch: Lucy’s fears are terribly inconvenient. She clings to the edge of the pool, holds tight to the first monkey bar, and hangs back at the petting zoo. Lucy takes to art and draws her fears as monsters scaring her away from diving in the pool, swinging on the monkey bars, and petting large animals. Then her fear monsters start showing up in real life trembling with fright and begging for Lucy’s help. Lucy must help her fear monsters cope with the very same anxieties she faces herself before they follow her around indefinitely.
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest. If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Caitlin improve her pitch. Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome. (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful. I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)
Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks! For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above. There are openings in May, so you could get your pitch up as early as next week for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!
Caitlin is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to having my dentist visit over! 🦷🦷🦷 😈
Each week, I really love getting to showcase a brand new author and her/his first-ever picture book. It’s such a huge accomplishment to get published, and it’s a real treat to get to share in the celebration! But I especially love getting to introduce a debut author who has been a devoted follower of this blog, taken the time to help other writers on Would You Read It Wednesdays, participated in multiple writing contests here, and taken my class – in short, someone I have seen working hard on her craft and whom I now have the pleasure of introducing as a newly published picture book author when all that hard work has paid off! So without further ado, please welcome Jenny Buchet as she shares her journey to publication with LITTLE MEDUDA’S HAIR DO-LEMMA!
Title: Little Medusa’s Hair Do-Lemma Author: Jennifer Buchet Illustrator: Cassie Chancy Published By: Clear Fork Publishing, 2021 Fiction, Age Range: 4-8
Synopsis: Little Medusa is the first Gorgon who doesn’t enjoy having her best serpentine friend wriggle through her hair. She finds herself torn between following family customs and keeping herself and her best serpentine friend happy. In fact, Little Medusa begins doubting if she even wants to scare anyone to stone with a stare!
SUSANNA:Welcome, Jenny! Thank you so much for joining us today! Where did the idea for this book come from?
JENNY:Little Medusa’s Hair Do-Lemma origins are woven betwixt 3Ls. The library, the laundry room, and my daughter’s long (tangled) locks!
After seeing a reptile show at my library, I was intrigued with snakes. Smitten, but not enough to purchase one, I began writing a funny snake story. A month later in the laundry room, I was sorting clothes and revising sentences. Deep in thought about girls and snakes, my own little girl skipped in with very tangled hair. I found myself facing a real-life Little Medusa!
Oh.
Oh!!
Little Medusa….snakes….hair…scaring things to stone with a stare… I put aside my original tale (and the socks!) and dove into the mythology of Medusa.
SUSANNA: How long did it take you to write this book?
JENNY: The first draft came quickly yet the revisions took months! The story went through several iterations, from swapping Little Medusa’s biggest challenge to revealing how she solves the issue by herself. Not to mention that making one of the world’s best known super-villains into something kid-friendly takes hard work!
Thanks to my critique partners continued feedback, I pinpointed the strongest version that not only had heart, but also humor and a unique twist. Two years and ~60 drafts later, I felt submission-ready.
Jenny’s writing buddy, Luna, being a goof-dog
SUSANNA: When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
JENNY: I knew Little Medusa was ready for submission because I couldn’t write it any better. I’d done my writing homework and then some. Pacing and page turns? Check. Rising incidents? Check. Humor? Yup. Feeling for the characters? Check. Strong ending? Checkity-check.
But before I submitted, I knew I had to write that golden query letter and pitch. Thanks to your Would You Read It Wednesdays, I received invaluable feedback on my pitch!
SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?
JENNY: I subbed Little Medusa to agents for almost a year. After several wonderful “champagne rejections” from agents, where I was close but not close enough, I researched several independent publishers.
SUSANNA: When did you get “the call”? (Best moment ever! 😊)
JENNY: Within a month after submitting to those independent publishers, I received my first “yes.”The long dry spell was finally over!
SUSANNA: How did you celebrate signing your contract?
JENNY: I’m pretty sure I screamed with delight at the offer and enjoyed a lovely bottle of bubbly with family and friends! I’m not sure I ever came down from Cloud 9, but I did make sure to check and verify all contract minutia. Once all signatures were in, we had another bottle of bubbly—or maybe two!
Then it was back to work. (Yup, you think your story is perfect when you start submitting, but trust me, your stories will be tweaked and tweaked again before final printing!)
SUSANNA: Can you tell us a little about the editorial process?
JENNY: An editor’s role is to make your story stronger; more kid-friendly and /or marketable. Although I thought my work was pretty perfect, my editor felt it needed a bit more “heart.” Rather enigmatic, no?! So we talked and shared ideas, and I revised a bit more, crafting an even better tale.
SUSANNA: What was your experience of the illustration process like?
JENNY: The overall experience was rather collaborative. It took almost a year between signing and acquiring an illustrator, which was a lot longer than I ever imagined. Plus, I was super nervous that I might not like the illustrator’s ideas and I had no idea if I could, or should, say anything.
Fortunately, Cassie Chancy’s work is simply beautiful! From the first round of pencil sketches, I knew I was blessed with an extraordinary illustrator! I stepped back and gave Cassie room to work, answering questions whenever she had them.
During the proofing rounds, I shared my thoughts and any edits with both Cassie and our art director. I’m not a design expert, but I have worked in print before, so if I had an idea, I respectively shared with the team. I’m so happy that everyone worked so well together and we were all open to give and take.
Sneak peek at the interior illustration text copyright Jennifer Buchet 2021, illustration copyright Cassie Chancy 2021 Clear Fork Publishing
SUSANNA: Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.
JENNY: As with many independent publishing companies, the brunt of the marketing falls to the author. Plus, I’m launching in the (hopefully) tale end of a pandemic, which is challenging. So I have to be creative. Although I’m not able to do in-store events or book fairs during the initial launch, I have other marketing ideas extending through the fall. For instance, I’m visiting with several bloggers such as yourself, planning a summer contest & giveaway, and relying on a wonderful network of fellow authors to help provide reviews to Goodreads & Amazon.
SUSANNA: How long was it between the time you started writing seriously and the time you sold your first picture book?
JENNY: I thought I’d have my first book published two years ago; I had no idea it could take so long! It’s a bit embarrassing to admit that I’ve been a part of three different debut groups but on the plus side, I’ve made lots of wonderful new friends and I’m blessed with their support to this day.
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?)
JENNY: These tips truly resonated for me when I started out:
Tip 1: Invest your time and money into kidlit writing classes. You are worth it! I learned so much in one magical month with Making Picture Book Magic!
Tip 2: Join a group of other kidlit writers. You’ll need their support, whether it’s an editorial eye or a boost after yet another rejection. Kidlit peeps understand other writers!
Tip 3: Read a ton of picture books and…. take it to the next level by typing out that story. Study the page turns. Note the path of the arc. Read it aloud.
SUSANNA:Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?
JENNY: Wishing on stars and casting dandelion dreams is fine, as long as you have the work to back you up. Because it’s all about getting the “write” story in front of the right person at the right time.
And if anyone has any questions, please comment below, or shoot me an email. I’m always happy to chat kidlit!
SUSANNA: Jenny, thank you so much for joining us today and taking the time to share your experience. We so appreciate it! And I know I speak for everyone when I wish you the very best of luck with this and future titles!
Author Jennifer Buchet (who loves visiting local farms 😊)
Jennifer Buchet is an award-winning author, pre-kindergarten educator and self-proclaimed foodie. Her kid lit career officially started in 2011, writing for Cricket Media. Today, she is a feature contributor for Faces magazine while also creating new picture books and chapter books, many which feature mouth-watering meals and even a few cute, twisty serpents.
LITTLE MEDUSA’S HAIR DO-LEMMA (Clear Fork Publishing) launches May 2021.
Forget the dishes in the sink, the pile of work in your inbox, and the fact that it’s your mother-in-law’s birthday on Thursday and you still haven’t thought of a good present!
It’s time to Mix ‘n’ Match your way to a new story! 😊
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini is a 7 week writing challenge for anyone who needs a little boost, a little inspiration, or a little encouragement to get writing. . . or maybe just a little fun!
You get to write your own story, enjoy and be entertained by everyone else’s stories, and get yourself in the running for some awesome prizes (please see the end of the blog post for a list of all the prize goodies which continues to grow!)
To be eligible for the prize drawing you must enter all 7 weeks.
For a full description of the challenge, to read the Week #1 entries, or to add your Week #1 entry, please go HERE (Week #1)
To read the Week #2 entries or add your Week #2 entry, please go HERE (Week #2)
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Prompt #3 for Week of May 24:
So far we’ve played with character needs/goals, and with writing a cumulative story. This week we’re going to play with a picture prompt, 3 random words. . . and a secret!
Here’s the picture, drawn by the incredibly talented Julie Rowan-Zoch (author/illustrator of I’M A HARE, SO THERE! HMH Books For Young Readers 2021, and illustrator of LOUIS by Tom Lichtenheld HMH October 2020!) and used with her permission for your writing fun 😊 (Thank you, Julie!!! 💕)
illustration copyright Julie Rowan-Zoch 2021 used by permission, all rights reserved
And here are random words! Choose one from Column A, one from Column B, and one from Column C.
Column A
Column B
Column C
raindrops
picnic
strawberry tart
nest
rope swing
pond
cherry tree
mistake
bucket/pail
unicorn
lost
tantrum
bridge
spring
admire
But wait! There’s a twist! One of the characters has a secret! Which character? What secret? And how does it impact the story? You will probably want to think up your own secret, but in case anyone needs an idea, here are a few suggestions:
-took something that didn’t belong to them -hid something on purpose -told someone something that wasn’t true -doesn’t want to play hide ‘n’ seek (or duck, duck, goose, or musical chairs, or tag, or. . .) -only wants to play hide ‘n’ seek (or duck, duck, goose, or musical chairs, or tag, or. . .) -is allergic to acorns -wants to invite someone to their birthday party (or for a sleepover, or. . .) -is afraid of dogs (or cats, or bicycles, or bees, or swimming, or. . .) and doesn’t want anyone else to know -plans to bake a surprise cake for someone -has a special present for someone -isn’t telling someone something they should -secretly really likes someone -secretly doesn’t like someone -is getting something they know everyone will love
Write a 100 word story for kids about the pictured characters, using three random words and giving one of the characters a secret which you incorporate into the story, and post your in the comment section below! (If for some reason you have trouble posting, you may use the contact form to email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you.)
Stories can rhyme or not – totally up to you!
You can go under or over 100 words if you want to – also totally up to you! – 100 is a guideline
If you’re deeply inspired by random words that are not on the list you can use them instead – the purpose here is inspiration and to get you writing!
For simplicity’s sake (and to aid skimming readers who might be interested in a particular thing) please say which random words you’re using you’re using at the top of your entry along with your name, word count, and title if you have one.
I am SO looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with! There have been so many amazingly creative, clever, fun, and entertaining stories written so far!!!
Now come join the fun! Get some writing done! Encourage your kids (or students) to give it a try! Or just have a good time together reading what other folks have written!
Ready, set, WRITE! 😊
(And remember, for full details on the 7 week challenge you can check HERE)
When it comes time for prizes, names of all those who complete the challenge will be drawn randomly and matched with prizes drawn randomly until we run out! 😊
Please join me in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazone, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, suggesting them for school visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
⭐️ Picture Book MS Critique from Jen Raudenbush, agented writer of picture books, middle grade, and poetry. (Represented by Natascha Morris of The Tobias Literary Agency)
Jen Raudenbush
⭐️ 30 minute Zoom chat about anything industry related (manuscript, query letter, best practices for querying) with Becky Scharnhorst, amazing author of MY SCHOOL STINKS (Philomel Books, July 6, 2021)
⭐️Picture Book Manuscript Critique with Audio Recording by author and poet Sarah Meade Sarah will do a written critique of your manuscript and include an audio recording of her first read-through of the manuscript. The audio recording is to help the author hear how the story flows and/or where a new reader may stumble when reading aloud.
text and illustration copyright T. L. McBeth 2020, Henry Holt
Brief Synopsis: Randy knows he’s a beautiful horse―everyone says so. From his flowing mane to his long, elegant legs, to his perfect smile that lights up the sky! But while on a grand adventure, he catches sight of himself and suddenly he’s not so sure…
text and illustration copyright T. L. McBeth 2020, Henry Holt
text and illustration copyright T. L. McBeth 2020, Henry Holt
Why I Like This Book: I love the creativity and imagination of the child drawing Randy and then sending him on an adventure, and the humor of Randy’s responses to having to deal with the situations he’s put in (cleaning up the mess when the child makes him a great chef, pulling himself out of the crevasse (which is actually the spine of the book), dragging his thirsty self along when he ends up in the desert. His whole vision of himself is based on the child’s initial description of him as beautiful and the mom’s agreement, so when he sees his reflection he is taken aback, suddenly unsure of himself. But unconditional love wins out and Randy understands that to his child creator (and therefore to himself) he truly is beautiful. This is a delightful book that will have kids laughing out loud, but also empathizing with Randy’s moment of self-doubt. . . because we’ve all been there.
text and illustration copyright T. L. McBeth 2020, Henry Holt
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Hurray! It’s Would You Read It Wednesday once again!
And speaking of reading, if you haven’t had a chance to read the stories that have been posted in the Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Challenge so far, hop on over and enjoy! There are so many – clever, entertaining, and fun! (I mean, stories with titles like A Horse For Hermit Crab and There Was A Mean Cowboy Who Lassoed A Bee really make you want to read them, speaking of Would You Read It!) And if you’re inspired to join in and write some of your own, even better! Check out Week #1 and Week #2!
And since you’ll probably need something to snack on while you’re reading and/or writing Mix ‘n’ Match stories, how about a little Something Chocolate? I’m thinking Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake, because that sounds like breakfast, right? 😊
YUM! We’re going to definitely need a glass of milk or a cup of coffee with THAT! 😊
Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Sandy who says, “I am a retired teacher and came to admire the undervalued turkey vulture while teaching sixth-grade life science. Simon Soars has been floating around in my head for years and has finally landed on paper.”
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: Simon Soars
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 7-11)
The Pitch: Simon, a timid turkey vulture, is teased by the blue jays at Aviary Academy because he eats formerly living earth creatures (F.L.E.C.) and he looks peculiar. Despite the jawing of the jays, Simon has an impeccable sense of smell and his teachers hoot over his accomplishments. When the teasing and taunting become too much, he hatches a plan. Simon neglects his “clean-up crew” responsibilities to rachet up the rank fetid funkiness in order to prove his worth. The birds are atwitter and beg Simon to resume his duties. With some negotiations, F.L.E.C. is no longer, “Blech!” and Simon’s confidence soars. He moves up in the pecking order and the air is foul no more.
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest. If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Sandy improve her pitch. Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome. (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful. I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)
Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks! For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above. There are openings in June, so you could get your pitch up pretty soon for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!
Sandy is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to seeing what kind of fun I can think up for next week’s Mix ‘n’ Match prompt! I think I’ve got an idea. . . 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
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