picture books – Page 12 – Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow!

February 23, 2014February 24, 2014

Duly Represented

I sold my first (and only) picture book manuscript a few years ago. Upon learning the news of the sale, I was, of course, ecstatic.

I was also exhausted, for I braved about a jillion rejections before that long-coveted contract arrived. I soon began to wonder just how dogged I would need to be before I could hope to get a second contract. After all, I’m not as dogged as I used to be; I’m getting to an age where I need to start scheduling naptime.

So late last summer I did a little soul searching and decided that I needed help. I stopped relentlessly sending manuscripts to publishers and started relentlessly sending manuscripts to agents.

I am delighted to report that my efforts were not in vain. I just signed with the wonderful Natalie Lakosil of The Bradford Literary Agency!

I knew right from the start that Natalie would be a great person to have in my corner. Not only has she sold more than her fair share of picture books, but also she has the power to subdue tigers!

Can you believe that? I couldn’t even get my pet rat to stop gnawing the ottoman.

Oh, sure, the spooning tigers thing is cool and all, but can Natalie provide me with some good feedback on the manuscripts I sent her?

I am pleased to report that the answer is a big fat “yes.” I am amazed by how perceptive and insightful her comments are. I am revising and tweaking my stories as we speak.

In other words, my previously scheduled naptime is gonna have to wait.

What are you waiting for? Check out Natalie’s blog! She’s cool.

November 8, 2013

I’m a Guest!

Thanks to the lovely and talented Tara Lazar, I am a PiBoIdMo guest blogger!

For those not in the know, PiBoIdMo stands for Picture Book Idea Month, and it’s kind of a big deal. To say that I am honored would be a gross understament.

So head on over to Tara’s place and read what I gotta say, OK? I’ll be your best friend!

November 3, 2013November 4, 2013

Win My Book! Woo!

November 28th is just around the corner! That means I gotta get out there and plug my book!

SARAH GIVES THANKS is a picture book biography about Sarah Josepha Hale, the celebrated magazine editress who, in the mid-19th century, led a grassroots movement to turn Thanksgiving into a national holiday. You can learn a bit more about my book and read the reviews here.

Wanna win a free copy? You DO? Awesome!

But you’re in the wrong place.

Head on over to Vanessa Chapman’s blog. She interviewed me last week (and, as you’ll see, took a few liberties with Photoshop). Leave a comment on or before November 6, and you will be entered in a random drawing to win your very own copy of SARAH!

Can I hear a WOO?

By the way, while there, you might want to follow Vanessa’s blog. Vanessa is one of the best bloggers I know.

GOOD LUCK!

Oh, and if you’re one of those people who never wins any contests, you can always just buy a copy of SARAH GIVES THANKS. By doing so, you can put some loose change into a writer’s pocket. Wouldn’t that be a nice thing to do?

Answer: Yes, yes it would.