At a recent SCBWI conference in Spokane, WA, Kendra Marcus of BookStop Literary Agency emphasized that picture book editors are looking for books for the toddler set and books with curriculum connections. If you've committed yourself to writing in this genre, including curriculum tie-ins is something to consider. But what if you're not a teacher? What if you haven't been in a kindergarten or first grade classroom for awhile? Here's an example of a link I found that you may also find useful. This website offers a Teacher's Guide for preschool teachers. With research, you can learn what teachers are teaching in the classroom and weave those elements into the stories you write.
The first writing conference I attended was the SCBWI conference in Seattle, WA. I was excited, and terrified. I rode the train to the big city by myself and jumped on a bus that (I hoped) would take me to Bellevue. It did and after walking around the same block 2 or 3 times, I asked someone how to get to my hotel.
I was so nervous stepping into the conference hall the next morning. But what surprised me the most, was that the room was NOT filled with published authors snubbing me. Everyone was friendly and I even met someone I still keep in touch with 4 years later. In fact, I'll see her today at the Oregon SCBWI conference!
If you've never attended a writing conference, the thought of signing up can be scary. Sometimes it's hard to take the first step. But the IE SCBWI Conference in September is not something to be afraid of. The region is full of friendly, welcoming writers at all levels in their careers. So go ahead, sign-up before June 15th to get the Early Bird discount.
For tips of conference preparedness, check out this blog post on Guide to Literary Agents.
If you're wondering, "What's a Picture Book with a good hook?" Then pick up John Perry's first published PB, The Book that Eats People. Illustrated by Mark Fearing. I can't imagine a kid or an adult walking by this book and not stopping to pick it up. And that's the hook. It's the something that gets someone to buy your book. But this book is more than a book. It's a danger to society! It even has its own website. What hooks you as a PB buyer? If I'm just browsing the shelves at the bookstore, the first thing that draws me to a picture book is the art. Then, I read the title. If I'm interested, I'll read the first page. And if I have to keep turning, I'm hooked. Mark Fearing's cover illustration for The Book That Eats People caught my eye. It reminded me of the big red monster that chases Bugs Bunny around. And of course I'm intrigued by the title. A book that eats people? Do tell! And when the story begins with a warning, I just have to read on. John Perry's hook is his dark, unique idea. But there are lots of hooks out there. Tying into a holiday, building around a concept like counting, colors, or ABC's can work too. Kids that love dinos, fire trucks, princesses, or ballerinas, will be hooked by books about dinos, fire trucks, princesses or ballerinas. The key is making your hook unique. If your having trouble coming up with a fresh idea for a hook, try combining them. How about a fire truck driving dinosaur? Hmmmmm . . .
Registration for the Inland Empire SCBWI Conference is OPEN! Check the website to download a printable brochure and registration form. Early bird prices are available through June 15th. Register early for your best chance at a critique from a children's book editor or literary agent!
I recently picked up Frankie Works the Night Shift at my local library and was impressed by Lisa Westberg Peters' newest picture book. The text of this story is less than 150 words. We often see low word count books from author/illustrators, but how did Lisa do it? I just had to know! Lisa was kind enough to answer some questions for me, and I'm happy to share them with other aspiring PB writers here on my blog.
RH: Editors are requesting low word counts, but oftentimes writers wonder if their manuscript will be understood without adding a lot of art/illustration notes. Could you tell us how you conveyed your vision of this story to your editor?
LWP: For a picture book writer who wants the art to tell part of the story, it can be a tricky journey from manuscript to published book. With this particular manuscript, I inserted art directions throughout. For example, the text says, "He cleans two counters." In parenthesis, it said "skids across the counters and pushes everything off." I wanted the text to convey straight, janitor-like tasks for the cat and the art to convey the opposite idea, that is, chaos. I thought kids would enjoy the dissonance.
It's risky to write this way because you don't know whether everyone down the line, from editor to art director to illustrator, will carry out what you had in mind. But that's true anyway -- as a picture book writer, you never really know how the book will turn out.
I try very hard not to stray into territory that's strictly illustrator territory. I have no business dictating what color the cat should be unless the color of the cat is critical to the story. In this case, it wasn't. You can't believe how many of my friends and family said, "Hey, didn't the illustrator know that the real Frankie was a gray tabby cat?" Who cares? On the other hand, the dissonance between words and art was critical to my vision of the story. I needed to communicate that.
RH: The illustrations and text work in perfect harmony in Frankie Works the Night Shift. Typically, writers and illustrators work separately on a book. Was this the case for you and Jennifer Taylor?
JWP: Yes, Jennifer and I worked separately. We did not collaborate. However, it's typical for the editor to convey and filter any communications between illustrator and author. That was true in this case as well.
I got a chance to meet Jennifer and her husband, Jeff, this spring. They came to St. Paul for a book-signing. It's clear to me that she's a brilliant photographer. I can't begin to describe how hard she worked to achieve the effect she did. I love the art -- it's very contemporary, mischievous, and full of detail that will offer kids new discoveries with each reading.
RH: Which came first, an idea to write a counting book or an idea to write about a cat that works the night shift?
JWP: Our own cat, Frankie, was always busier at night than during the day. It was during the night that he got into the trash, hunted down mice in the basement,
There are many different ways to add repetition to your story. You may choose to have a character repeat a specific phrase. You can structure the telling of your story around a specific pattern. You can repeat an action your character takes. Or, like Ms. Downey, you can use repetition to emphasize something important. In The Flea's Sneeze, Lynn Downey uses repetition to set the stage. She emphasizes the peaceful, sleeping barnyard setting by successfully repeating a rhyming, rhythmical phrase. There's just one little problem. Someone isn't sleeping! The repeating stanza is interrupted the smallest of creatures, a tiny flea with a head cold. And we just know he's going to cause some trouble! when the flea finally breaks the silence (and tension) with a big sneeze, the peaceful barnyard jumps to attention. Ms. Downey ends the book with the same repeating pattern, but like any good picture book author, she doesn't forget the twist! Look at some of your favorite picture books that include repetition and try adding some to a story of your own. 
Repetition is common in picture books,. It's a great way to get readers and those being read to, involved in your story. It establishes pattern. Repetition can add humor, "How goes the work? Quack." It can calm and sooth, "Goodnight, room. Goodnight, moon." And it can help kids learn to read, "I do not like them, Sam I am."
A Blog Tour with Author, Alison Formento
A little over a month ago, my critique partner and friend, Alison Formento's first picture book was released. This Tree Counts is a wonderful book to read in celebration of Earth Day. In honor of this important holiday, Alison is doing a blog tour and FREE book give-away this week. Yesterday, Alison visited Jody Jensen Shaffer's blog and tomorrow, she'll stop by Mona Pease's Live Journal.
RH: Welcome, Alison! In your interview with Jody yesterday, you mentioned that a tree inspired you to write This Tree Counts. Could you tell us a little bit about this tree? What else inspires you as a writer?
AF: There's a huge Oak tree with a wind-twisted trunk that leans across a stream in a nearby nature preserve where I like to walk. Whenever I see it, I'm always amazed by the way it continues to grow, almost sideways, and wondered what this tree would say if it could talk. I was also affected and saddened by the sight of bulldozers leveling an apple orchard to build a strip mall a few miles from my home. The orchard was over a hundred years old and for the builder, those trees no longer mattered. It inspired me to write how all trees count, in so many ways.
I'm inspired by everything. I know that's a broad statement, but ideas for new stories can originate from something as small as a shell on a beach, an article I read in the newspaper, or attending a special event like watching fireworks over the Statue of Liberty. Inspiration always comes from children, too—my own included. My goal is to connect with young readers, so I do my best to think like a kid when working on a new story.
RH: Could you tell us how This Tree Counts can be used in the classroom?
AF: THIS TREE COUNTS! is a counting book with an environmental theme. It encourages the discovery of the connection between plants, animals and people. A free downloadable Teacher's Guide is available on my website and it's full of springtime, Earth Day, Arbor Day, and several fun "green" activities, as well as links to other kid-friendly environmental sites. Another message that teachers can use from my book is how a small seed can become a tree, just like a tiny idea can grow into something bigger, like a poem, or story. I hope that my book encourages a class
Many aspiring picture book writers would love to have a career as successful as Margie Palatini's. But as aspiring writers, what can we learn from the many books she has on the shelves? Margie has a noticeable, notable style to her picture books. I checked out a large stack of her work, and discovered . . . Ms. Palatini is a wordsmith.
Less than 1,000. No more than 750. Try to stay around 500.
This is what editors want to see, picture book stories writ en as tightly as possible.
But making sure those words are playful and fun is also important. If you'd like to see how an expert does it, check out Margie Palatini's books today!
The brochure is printed, so it must be official!
The Inland Empire SCBWI conference, "Step in the Write Direction," will be held September 18, 2010. As conference publicist , I am thrilled to announce this year's event will be held at the MAC, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Washington.
Featured Speakers include, Kate Sullivan, Editor with Poppy and Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Kendra Marcus, Agent with BookStop Literary, Author/Illustrator, Terry Sloat, and Picture Book Author, Deb Lund.
Early Bird registration is May 1 - June 15. Please visit the Inland Empire's website after May 1st to print out your registration form. Members will receive their copy by mail prior to May 1st.
Please check this blog each month for conference updates and interviews with featured speakers!
From the author's bio on the back flap of Drop Dead: Babette Cole has written and illustrated many "one of a kind" children's books. One of a kind is right. Babette tackles difficult subjects like death, divorce and where do babies come from, with humor, honesty and a "life isn't always rainbows and butterflies" attitude. In her book, Drop Dead, we celebrate the life of two old wriklies. When they reflect on their imminent demise, the message is straight-forward. No tears are shed, death is just a part of life. (And then you're recycled.) The Un-Wedding, takes a similar approach on divorce. Two people have grown apart and they argue every day. The solution is simple and to the point. An un-wedding is held and everyone is happy, especially the kids. Mommy Laid An Egg is another uncomfortable subject done with humor and some seriously hilarious illustrations. If you haven't read this one, it's worth a look. What did I learn from reading Babette Cole? Kids need books about life, real life. Not just dancing ponies and talking dump trucks. Sometimes there isn't a happy ending. Writing about difficult subjects isn't easy. I greatly admire her ability to tell these stories without focusing on 'lessons to be learned' and without talking down to her readers.
The Poets.org website has a great feature that allows you to learn a little bit about poetry in your home state. If you go to their website, click Poetry Near You at the top, then Poetry Map, you can select your state to discover fun facts about poetry in your area. Here is Washington State's page. It even offers links to small local publishers and literary journals that accept poetry submissions. Check it out!
Inside the Slidy Diner by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Jamie Zollars, was published in 2008 by Tricycle Press. I checked this book out to learn more about the books Tricycle currently publishes. If you're interested in working with a specific publisher, it's important to read books from their list. You'll gain a sense of their interests and know whether or not your manuscript is a good fit. With a publisher's picture book list, one thing I like to do is read the titles and write down the subject or general theme the book covers. This gives me an overall feel for their interests. I wasn't really sure what Slidy Diner was about, but after reading it, I discovered the theme was, EWWWW! Kids love to be grossed out and Inside the Slidy Diner delivers! The setting is mysterious, the supporting cast of characters is spooky, and the food is Blech! Laurel Snyder taught me that Tricycle looks for unique stories with lots of kid appeal. And she reminded me that kids love to laugh at disgusting stuff.
April is National Poetry Month. How will you celebrate?
For inspiration, head to the National Poetry Month website and sign up for Poem-A-Day.
Picture book writing is a form of poetry, even if you don't write in rhyme. The words should be carefully chosen. The sentences should have rhythm. The story should evoke emotion. If you have a manuscript that seems a little flat, work on it this month. Read it out loud. Tickle the reader's tongue and the listener's ear with words that POP! Roll your story along with a rhythmic beat. Perfect the ending with a surprising twist to bring out the intended emotion.
Two picture books that I recently picked up at the library taught me a bit about story endings. A successful picture book needs to emotionally connect with the reader. This usually comes at the end of the story, when everything comes together and makes the reader say "Awww," or "Ah-Ha!" or "Ha-Ha-Ha!" The main character achieves their goal. In, Zinnia and Dot by Lisa Campbell Ernst, two main characters (a couple of mother hens) fight for the last egg in the henhouse. Having two MC's work against each other builds tension and the reader's curiosity. How will these ladies solve their unsolvable problem? Well, I'm not one to give away a great ending, so you'll have to find out for yourself! Amy Axelrod ends her story, My Last Chance Brother, in a clever way. Max's older brother Gordon is driving Max crazy. So Max uses his birthday wish to turn Gordon into Bug Boy. Max just has to get through the day, and tomorrow, all his problems will be solved. On each page we learn that Gordon truly is THE most annoying brother in the world and we want him to become Bug Boy too. What happens to Gordon and Max? Read Amy's book to find out. You won't be disappointed! And that's what I learned while reading—Ernst and Axelrod.
For me, ending are tough to write. We usually know from the start what the inevitable outcome should be, but working in that emotional surprise our readers aren't expecting isn't easy!
Tedd Arnold is an Author/Illustrator of more than 30 picture books for kids. I checked out 2 of Tedd's books from the library last week, No More Water in the Tub published in 1995, and Parts, published in 1997. Reading these two books taught me that authors and illustrators evolve. If you covered up the author's name at the bottom of these two books, you may think they were created by two different people, but Tedd wrote and illustrated both. The picture style and story-telling are noticeably different. If you read Tedd's biography on Scholastic (which I linked to above) you'll discover No More Water in the Tub was his second book. The art inside is amazing and reminds me of Chris Van Allsburg's style. The story itself, while creative and adventurous, is a higher in word count and would probably be a tough sell today for a non-illustrating author. In Parts, Tedd comes into his own googly-eyed style. The word count drops way down and the humor jumps way up. The character's problem is unique and his flying sweat beads and eye-popping expressions really let us know how he's feeling. Tedd carries on this style in his career today with his latest picture book characters, Green Wilma and Fly Guy. As authors and/or illustrators, we're evolving and improving each time we sit down to work on our craft. And that's what I learned from reading—Tedd Arnold.
Lauren Child is a well known picture book author and illustrator. If you don't recognize her by name, you're probably familiar with her distinct characters that grace picture book covers on display at your bookstore. I recently picked-up two of her books, Snow is my Favorite and my Best, and The Pesky Rat. Something that stood out for me in Snow, was the voice of her characters, Charlie and Lola. Oftentimes, picture books are written in 3rd person with an adult voice that appeals to children. But in Lauren's book, Lola's older sister Charlie tells the story. Both characters have true, genuine voices. I've read more than one picture book manuscript where the author uses baby talk to capture a child's voice. This usually doesn't work. If you're trying to tell a story with a young voice, check out Lauren Child's Snow is my Favorite and my Best to see how it can be done successfully. The Pesky Rat is basically a "new pet" story. But Lauren adds a twist on every page. These twists add humor and bring something original to the Picture Book shelves. Reading, A Pesky Rat confirms my belief that you can take a common idea children are familiar with, twist the character, the setting, the action your MC takes and especially the ending to create a creative, unique story kids and parents will love to share. And that's what I learned while reading—Lauren Child.
I'm very excited to be on the small planning committee for this year's Inland Empire SCBWI Conference in Spokane, Washington. I'm in charge of promotion, so I will post occasional updates here.
2009 was my first year in attendance at the IE conference. I have been to the Oregon conference in Portland and the Western Washington conference in Seattle. The Inland Empire is a smaller region, but it's packed with talented writers committed to keeping the region strong by encouraging participation and supporting writers at all levels.
Planning for the 2010 conference is underway. There is talk of an exciting new venue change, plans for an editor AND an agent, and presentations that will take each attendee one step further in their writing career. If you're an illustrator, a writer of picture books, middle-grade or YA or if you're just starting out, there will be something for you.
Mark your calendars for September 18th, and start filling those piggy banks. Registration brochures will be available in the spring!
2009 is coming to an end. It was a great year for books of all shapes and sizes, but here are three lists of the best Picture Books that came out this year.
Amazon Editor's Picks
Readings.com
Publisher's Weekly
Congrats to you and a big thanks to Tara for hosting!!!
Yay! And I just love that badge. It was designed by James Burks who is illustrating Tara's first PB, The Monstore!