I'm a PiBoIdMo 2010 Winner!

I did it! I am an official PiBoIdMo 2010 SINNER! Oops, I mean WINNER!


Inner Critic: Yeah, you and hundreds of others. Nice Freudian slip there, by the way.


Hundreds of other kindred souls!

Inner Critic: Hundreds of others who are either (a) already published or (b) will certainly be published before the likes of you.

Stop that! Firsly, people don't actually use the phrase "the likes of you" in conversation. Only in pulp fiction. Secondly, suuure, technically we may be in competition, but to be honest I don't think of it that way. Picture Book Authors, be they published or aspiring like myself are a rare, sweet, and nutty breed. We go ga-ga over wordplay. Silly over alliteration. We share a love of children, a fascination with human emotions and we live together in the land of imagination. We care. We're also at least 50% off our rockers, and we like it that way!

Inner Critic: No forced rhyme!

Agh! What does rhyme have to do with anything? Was I talking about rhyme? Don't you have someplace to be?!

Thanks to PiBoIdMo hostess Tara Lazar, her amazing guest posters (Wow!), the fantastic line-up of rock star agents (Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary Agency, Kelly Sonnack of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc., and Joanna Volpe of Nancy Coffey Literary and Media Representation) who will be offering their thoughts in the form of three grand prizes to be announced in a few days - fingers crossed.

To my fellow Picture Book peeps, specifically fellow PiBoIdMo 2010 winners, CONGRATULATIONS! Let's continue to support, encourage and elevate each other with our successes, be they minor or earth-shakingly major, well into 2011 and beyond! :D

Calling All Picture Book Lovers!

Hi, everyone! My name is Christie Wild and I'm happy to be visiting you today. Heather invited me to do a guest post on her blog about my experience with The Institute of Children's Literature (ICL). As many of you know, she is taking the ever-popular Intensive Picture Book Workshop by Anastasia Suen (pronounced 'soon'). I may take that class in the future, but today's post is based on a different writing program. I just signed up to take my second class through ICL. It may seem like I'm advertising for them, but I'm not. They are a for-real organization with professional instructors (editors and published authors). Lots of great freebies on their website, too. Kristi Holl is the blogger for Writer's First Aid, a Medicine Chest of Hope. Her blog has well over 30,000 RSS subscribers. She is a graduate of ICL (and is now an instructor there) and has gone on to publish over 35 books and hundreds of magazine articles and short stories. She says that ICL is the only formal writing instruction she ever had.

I took the first course right out of high school and finished it during college, where I majored in Creative Writing. My instructor back then was Cindy Savage. The course was very comprehensive and informative. I wrote a lot of teen romance short stories back then. Cindy was very encouraging and gave great critiques. That was for the Writing for Children and Teenagers course.

The one I'm enrolled in right now is called Writing & Selling Children's Books, An Advanced Writing Program for Selected Students. ICL's promise is that they will help you develop a manuscript ready for submission. The course I'm in right now will help you complete one long book, or two to three short ones (picture books). So of course I'm going the picture book route. There are nine assignments and you have two years to complete the course. It costs $707. My current instructor is Clara Gillow Clark. The assignments go about like this:

1. letter about goals plus three ideas


2. book idea in summary form


3. 1st book


4. 2nd book


5. revise 1st book


6. revise 2nd book


7. revise 1st book again and propose a 3rd


8. revise 2nd book again and a draft of 3rd


9. all revisions requested and cover/query letters, outlines, resumes, etc.

I'm excited-beyond-Santa excited! :D If any of you have specific questions, just ask. I'll be happy to try to answer them.

Oh, and over at WRITE WILD, my own personal blog, I'm having a GREAT giveaway contest to celebrate my taking this course AND to celebrate my 100 followers! I am giving away TWO copies of the market guide published by ICL. One 2011 issue, and one 2010 issue of Book Markets for Children's Writers. If you think you know your picture books, go comment on my blog post for 11-5-10. And come back on the 6th for an interview with Tara Lazar, the creator of PiBoIdMo!

Thanks for having me! See you around the blogosphere! And good luck in my contest...

Capstone Connect Share and Win Contest!

Fans of Capstone books will want to head over to Capstone Connect and enter their Share and Win Contest. Snippet below...

"...tell us about your favorite experience with Capstone books and you could win a $250 Capstone gift certificate. Yep, that’s $250 in Capstone books! Simply share your stories with us in the comments section of this post. Contest runs Nov. 1 through Nov. 14, 2010..." via Capstone Connect

Anastasia Suen at Frisco Reads 2010

While Facebooking on Monday when I should have been writing, I caught a little blurb from Anastasia Suen about Frisco Reads 2010, where she would be in attendance signing books and emanating greatness. My words, not hers, although that would have been pretty funny. I quickly concluded that I simply had to be there. Broken toe or non, how many chances does one get to meet Anastasia Suen frente a frente? I recently completed Part 1 of her Intensive Picture Book Writing Workshop, and will be starting Part 2 on the third of November. I wanted to meet my teacher in person.

Granted, I was a bit nervous. I wasn't sure if I should be subjecting my poor little toe to so much walking, and harbored a fear that my three year old son Joe would spot something shiny and irresistible, take off across the parking lot to fetch it, and that I wouldn't be able to chase him. History has also taught me that I'd probably babble to Anastasia about hairless monkeys and toddler poop, and that she'd be justified in barring me from future workshops.

Thankfully, everything turned out fine. Anastasia recalled that I'd mentioned my gimpy toe once or twice or thrice, and I rewarded her attentiveness to detail by wriggling a stinky foot in her face. Then, my usually ebullient Joe got down on all fours and scurried under her table. Even that didn't phase her. I probably should have allowed him a minute to adjust to the crowded, noisy cafeteria before approaching Anastasia, but I didn't want to chance missing her book signing. Joe recovered in time to wave her a proper bye-bye, and was back his normal cheerful self within minutes, thanks to the golden belly of Rosie the Therapy Dog.

Cover of Hamster Chase (Easy-to-Read, Puffin)

Anastasia was great. She didn't even whack me over the head for hovering when she spoke to a fan and her two adorable near-tween sons, who obviously hold Anastasia in Rock Star status (as they should). Seems in my intentness to coaxing Joe from under her table, I neglected to ask Anastasia to sign HAMSTER CHASE for Lily as well. When I finally did, she was kind enough to comply.

Below is a picture of the lot of us. Anastasia is the normal one standing on her own two feet. For some reason, I thought it would be a better idea to kneel and keep my hands on Joe in case he got any notions about scooting under the table again.

Cover of Red Light, Green Light

That night at bedtime, I was sifting through Joe's library books, asking him which he wanted to read, when he announced: "RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT!" I attempted to explain that it was a very special book, written and signed by Ms. Anastasia Suen herself, and that it was resting in a place of honor on my bookshelf and therefore not touchable by live people without kidskin gloves. But he made the puppy face, so I unshelved the object of his desire and we enjoyed it together. Joe's favorite part was the robot towards the end. "He's telling the cars where to go!" And then, "How did he get there?"

Ahh, good times. :D Thanks, Anastasia!

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

PETE THE CAT: I LOVE MY WHITE SHOES
by Eric Litwin (aka Mr. Eric)
Art by James Dean
First Harper Collins Edition, 2010

I fell in love with PETE THE CAT: I LOVE MY WHITE SHOES at first sight. I spotted it on the "new books" shelf at my local library and was reaching for it when a helpful librarian entered the scene.

"Oh, kids love that book!" And then she was heading my way, a trail of tossed chairs in her wake. "It's a big favorite for story time. There's even a song that goes along with it. As you can see, we don't have it in the book anymore, but you can listen on the internet."

Then Joe, who is usually more interested in his fellow library urchins than in scouting out new books, reached up from my blind spot and swiped the book from me.

"Look at his shoes!" He pointed and laughed at Pete the Cat.

Joe loves the book because it's fun. I love it because it's fun, and because of it's laid-back message of not getting riled up about things that don't really matter. Kids get to explore colors and music. What's not to like?

Summary: Pete the cat loved his white shoes, and even had a song for them, but one day he stepped in a big pile of...???

Theme: It's all good.

Additional Activities:

• View photos of my son Joe, 3, showing off one of his favorite books...
  
  
  


• Visit EricLitwin.com. Be sure not to miss the pictures and videos sections! (links at the top of the page)


• Check out http://petethecat.com/


• Have your kids draw pictures of Pete the Cat wearing their own shoe creations. (If you do, please photograph, upload and post a link in the comments section!)


• Watch this dynamic school performance of PETE THE CAT by author Eric Litwin, illustrator James Dean, and a friendly fellow on guitar, and sing along with your kids! (Link provided with permission of Mr. Eric.)

PiBoIdMo 2010!

PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month, November) 2010 is almost here! This will be my first year of participation, and I'm so stoked I'm shaking my fanny like a Schnauzer.

If you are also a picture book writer, be sure to stop by Tara Lazar's blog Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) and check out her PiBoIdMo 2010 Information Section. I promise you will be flabbergasted and subsequently delighted by the list of guest bloggers and literary agents she's lined up.

To quote Tara...

"The concept is to create 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. You don’t have to write a manuscript. You don’t need potential best-seller ideas."

If that's not enough to entice you, Tara also says...

"Writers who complete the 30-ideas-in-30-days challenge will be eligible for prizes: feedback from a literary agent, original sketches by picture book illustrators, jewelry and who knows what else. (If you’d like to donate a prize to PiBoIdMo 2010, please contact me at tarawrites [at] yahoo [dot] com.)"

Tara Lazar is the author of THE MONSTORE, "opening in your town in Summer 2013 from Aladdin/Simon & Schuster".

Additional Activities:

• Pick up your own PiBoIdMo 2010 badge!


• Follow Tara Lazar on Twitter @TaraLazar.


• Follow Tara Lazar at JacketFlap


• Check out Frolicking through Cyberspace: The Unread - Interview With Tara Lazar


• Scroll through Simon & Schuster's Children's Books "Coming Soon"


• Read about The Erin Murphy Literary Agency and Tara Lazar's Literary Agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette

Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems

Image via Wikipedia

KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO: A Case of Mistaken Identity
by Mo Willems
Hyperion, 2007

Summary: Trixie is excited to share her one-of-a-kind Knuffle Bunny at school for the very first time. When she does, she is shocked and dismayed upon discovering that her classmate Sonja also has a Knuffle Bunny. It isn’t until the Knuffle Bunnies are inadvertently switched, and an early-morning bunny exchange has come to pass, that Trixie realizes how much she and Sonja have in common, and the two become very first best friends.

Themes:

• What is special is not diminished by its lack of uniqueness. The holding dear of common objects, and one might extrapolate loves, goals, ideas, values, etc., should not serve to divide, but to unite.


• I also see the Knuffle Bunnies as proxies for the girls themselves.


• Possible underlying message about firsts – how special they are, and how a first gone wrong can turn into a different first gone right.

Mother-Approved: Mo Willems is one of my favorite picture book writers. And Knuffle Bunny Too, the second book in the Knuffle Bunny trilogy, is no disappointment. In a mere 374 words, Mo has managed to usher me through a wide range of emotions. I snickered, I held my breath, I felt warm inside.

Father-Approved: Dennis gets a kick out of the Knuffle Bunny books as well.

Kid-Approved: Both Joe, my three year old, and Lily, my two year old, loved this book. Sometimes Lily comes up to me and says, "Knuffle Bunny!" for no apparent reason.

*********

Additional Activities:

• KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO Study Guide


• KNUFFLE BUNNY Teacher's Guide (.pdf)


• KNUFFLE BUNNY activities for the kids


• Mo's October Appearances


• Have your child pretend she is taking her own lovey to school for show and tell.


• Look at zee cute bunnies...

Please feel free to add your suggestions for additional activities below. :)

Winding Down the Knuffle Bunny Trilogy « TWO WRITING TEACHERS

Image via Wikipedia

Here's a good post from "Two Writing Teachers" on what we can learn from Mo Willems's Knuffle Bunny Trilogy, one of my absolute favorites...

"There are quite a few things we can teach students about the qualities of good writing from Knuffle Bunny Free. Three things I’ve identified are:"

via Winding Down the Knuffle Bunny Trilogy « TWO WRITING TEACHERS.

Picture Book Writing + Twitter = #pblitchat

Image by your neighborhood librarian via Flickr

If you're interested in authoring Children's Picture Books, and chatting with other like-minded folks, I highly recommend that you take advantage of #pblitchat, a weekly chat co-convened by friendly Aussies Karen Collum (@KarenCollum), and Kat Apel (@KatApel).

For details, including chat transcripts, check out:

Picture Books Only: Home of #pblitchat

New home for #pblitchat!

Karen Collum is happy to add you to the #pblitchat news & info mailing list. Just drop her a line: pblitchat@bigpond.com

You may also search twitter for #pblitchat, and add it to your saved searches for easy reference.

Child1st Publications Releases New Series of Children's Photo Books for Visual Learners

I'm curious to explore Eli's Books. This is the first series of picture books I've seen that uses photographs instead of illustrations.

I love that Child1st takes into account that there are different types of learners. Eli's Books are geared towards visual learners.

An excerpt taken from the press release:

"Child1st Publications recently released the first books in a series of picture books designed to model healthy physical activity and family relationships.

Lincolnton, NC, May 16, 2010 -- According to the publisher's webpage for Eli's Books, the photo picture books "model an environment that is nurturing to a child as he develops in body, mind and spirit. In our busy society, technology often replaces active outdoor play, social interaction with peers, and time with parents as they impart life skills. Rich experiences such as these enable children to develop in harmony with their unique design." The books, written by Jeanette Gray, and photographed by Elizabeth Gray Earl, center on one main character named Eli, a very young boy that is constantly exploring the world around him. Several of the titles are about seasons, while others include a day of cookie-making with grandma, an afternoon of exploring sounds and making music, and a time when Eli learns about self control while feeling particularly cross. The series currently contains 8 titles, but Child1st is planning to publish more in the future."

• @child1st on twitter

• @eli_books on twitter

• Child-1st Publications Facebook Page

Crafting & Selling Your Picture Book: Writer's Digest Live Webinar

I will be attending the Writer's Digest University "Crafting & Selling Your Picture Book" Live Webinar, and I hope to see you there!

Info: June 10th at 1pm Eastern, 90 minutes, $49
Hint: Although supposedly expired, I received a 10% discount by applying the coupon code: Writers10

Details from WritersDigest.com:

Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for 1 year.

Description

As simple as it is to read and enjoy a good picture book, it is deceptively difficult to write one. In this session, you'll learn the basics of picture book structure, how to match image with story, and how the pacing of a picture book can drive the story and create a satisfying reading experience—and create a picture book that might catch the eye of a publisher!

What you'll learn:

• Misconceptions about picture books


• Beginner's mistakes and how to avoid them


• The structure of a picture book—including the importance of page count, page turns, and dummies


• How to craft a story that has the visual appeal a picture book needs


• How publishers evaluate picture books


• How publishers match picture books with illustrators


• Resources for picture book authors, including insider's tips on how to find out which topics are in particular demand

How does the critique work?
All writers are invited to submit a rough draft of one picture book manuscript. Instructions on how to submit your work are sent after you officially register. All registrants are guaranteed a critique during the live event or afterward via e-mail.

Speakers
Award-winning author, Tracey Dils, author of You Can Write Children's Books, is the author of more than 25 picture and novelty books. Tracey has also held a publisher/editorial positions at several major children's publishing houses.
Who should attend?

• Beginning writers


• Anyone aspiring to write for children


• Writers who have experience in other genres who want to enter the picture book market


• Writers who want an insider's view of how publishers make decisions

How does the webinar work?
The live audio is delivered over your telephone or computer speakers. The Power Point presentations and desktop or document sharing are presented over the Internet. This is like a talk-radio program with visuals on the Web. You'll be able to have a live Q&A chat with the speakers.

What equipment do I need?
All you need is a computer. You will be able to view the slides and listen to the audio over the computer speakers. However, if you are on wireless we recommend you listen to the audio over a phone line as VOIP technology is not as stable on a wireless connection.

When you log into the webinar, your computer will be taken through a brief configuration check and will let you know if you're missing any software. So be sure to login to the event at least 5 minutes before it starts.

2010 Children’s Festival of Reading – Knoxville

Oh, wow! Look at the great authors appearing at the 2010 Children's Festival of Reading in Knoxville, Tennessee, including one of my son Joe's very favorites - Jack Gantos!

Per the Knox County Public Library website:

The 2010 Children's Festival of Reading will be on May 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make sure to come prepared for all sorts of fantastic fun! There'll be great authors and illustrators, storytellers, musicians, magicians, a mad scientist with crazy water experiments, a hayride, fun craft projects and even a giant inflatable!

It's Not All Flowers and Sausages

Be sure to check out the Picture Book Reading Extravoganza 2010 at It's Not All Flowers and Sausages!

Per Mrs. Mimi, It's Not All Flowers and Sausages is:

"... a blog for TEACHERS WHO ROCK and are frustrated by the day to day drama that gets in the way of our interactions with children. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but sometimes a girl has gotta vent..."

Mrs. Mimi is workiing down the "Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results" from SchoolLibraryJournal.com, and sharing her learned and enthusiastic opinions with us. What a fabulous idea, and what a wonderful resource. Thanks, Mrs. Mimi!

• Mrs. Mimi at Facebook

• @MrsMimiTeaches at twitter

New picture book deal for Tara Lazar!

Be sure to check out Tara Lazar's post The New Deal! over at Writing for Kids (While Raising Them). Congratulations, Tara, on THE MONSTORE! Well deserved, Tara. You've shown us that the dream is alive!

Tara Lazar on twitter @taralazar
Tara Lazar at JacketFlap

• Tara Lazar is represented by The Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

• Her book deal was done with Emily Lawrence at Aladdin/Simon & Schuster.

The Nine Lives of Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos

It's official! My three year old son Joe is a fool for Rotten Ralph! He adores him and his rotten ways.

Amazon Product Description: Poor Rotten Ralph. His health just isn't what it used to be. Thanks to his rotten ways, he's down to the very last of his nine lives! One more slip and he'll be gone forever, warns the vet. Sarah, Ralph's doting owner, is fiercely determined to keep her cat safe. But how much coddling can Ralph take before he has to do something totally and utterly rotten? In this ninth tale about the most delightfully disobedient cat in town, being naughty has never looked so good to Rotten Ralph. But then again, after a hard day's rotten work, neither does the warmth and safety of Sarah's lap!

Author: Jack Gantos
Illustrator: Nicole Rubel
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (April 20, 2009) - Submission Guidelines
Publisher Jack Gantos is presently associated with: Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers "As of January 2010, Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, in compliance with The Macmillan Children's Publishing Group's policy, does not accept unsolicited manuscripts.  We recommend finding a literary agent to represent you and your work. "