A writing friend told me that she once scored a book deal after touring a publishing house and being told by her tour guide what the publisher was looking for in children’s books. I doubt this happens much since most book publishers are in New York and not all of them give tours, but any opportunity a writer has to network with publishers can’t hurt.
I was fortunate to be able to visit one of my publishers, Royal Fireworks Press, in New York this summer. The press had purchased and published three of my books after discovering my work in the slush pile. (Submissions that come to a publisher without the aid of an agent or any special contact are said to “go through the slush pile.”) After I’d sold each book, I spoke with the staff over the telephone and through e-mails, but until this summer, I had never met any of the staff in person. Tom Kemnitz, the president of the company, spoke with me in his office for about an hour and gave me a tour of the plant, showing me the book publishing process.
It Tom Kemnitz and Ronica Stromberg at Royal Fireworks Press, the publisher of her books A Shadow in the Dark, Living It Up to Live It Down, and The Glass Inheritance.
I enjoyed seeing the inner workings of a small press and having the chance to speak about the market for my own books. And Tom did give me some good tips, one of which would be helpful to anyone considering submitting to this publisher: Royal Fireworks Press is no longer publishing much science fiction. The press primarily publishes nonfiction, but in the fiction line, the acquisitions team is mainly seeking historical fiction.
Today, I am so happy to interview Ronica Stromberg, author of A Shadow in the Dark, which I featured in yesterday’s “Tuesday Tales.” Don’t forget you can leave a comment on this blog post or yesterday’s for a chance to win this tween (which is basically younger YA) mystery book with Christian themes. For more information on the other themes and plot of the book, please see yesterday’s post. You can leave a comment on either post for a chance to win the book. The winner will be chosen on Friday, February 26 at 11:55 p.m. (CST).
So, on to the interview. . .
Margo: Ronica, thanks so much for joining us today. I found your book refreshing and full of things that tweens would love. You have three books published by Royal Fireworks Press, including A Shadow in the Dark. Please tell us a little about Royal Fireworks Press and why their books are good for the school or home school market.
Ronica: Royal Fireworks Press produces fiction that can be used in the classroom and for enrichment, as well as for pure pleasure. It targets gifted and talented children and home schoolers. Many of the publisher’s novels are “edutainment,” books that engage children in a core area of the curriculum–such as history, science, or math–through story. These books offer inquisitive children something beyond the standard fare.
Royal Fireworks Press also recognizes that many parents and home schoolers seek wholesome reads for their children. The publisher is careful about the language, situations, and values portrayed in its books.
The publisher gives discounts to teachers when they buy classroom sets of 20 or more books. Anyone can order books online from Royal Fireworks Press at http://rfwp.com and receive a 20 percent discount. For my latest books, the direct link is: http://rfwp.com/series96.htm.
Margo: I’m so glad you shared information about Royal Fireworks Press and “edutainment.” Many of my readers who are parents/teachers and are also writers can use that information–and maybe submit some of their own work to the publisher. A Shadow in the Dark is part of the Kirsten Hart series. Can you give us a glimpse into this series and how it will be useful for educators and parents?
Ronica: A Shadow in the Dark and Living It Up to Live It Down are the first two books in a series about one teen girl’s journey of faith. Readers are given a rare peek into the lives of young teens to whom faith really matters. This book and its sequel, Living It Up to Live It Down, could be used in reading groups of middle schoolers or teens interested in discussing faith and other teen issues. (Questions are posted on my site at http://ronicastromberg.wordpress.com/questions-for-book-groups/.)
The books also fits with the multicultural curriculum in public schools. Recognizing diversity and building tolerance are key goals of multicultural curricula, and religion is undeniably a part of that diversity. In our own country, Christianity has tremendously influenced our culture and still does. These books can help students understand Christianity, the main religious influence on our society, and build tolerance.
Margo: I love that there are all these parent/child book club groups popping up and that you provided questions to help th
It’s time for another book giveaway contest! Please leave a comment below for the author or about the book or simply, “Pick me!” And tune in tomorrow, author Ronica Stromberg is here to talk about her book and her writing career. You can leave a comment there, too, for another chance to win a copy of A Shadow in the Dark from Royal Fireworks Press.
*Tween novel, contemporary inspirational fiction
*12-year-old girl as main character
*Rating: A Shadow in the Dark will keep you turning the page to find out what is going on in the new country neighborhood where Kirsten has moved.
Short, short summary: Kirsten moves to the country with her mom and brother when her parents separate, and she is looking for a friend. A young neighbor boy tells her there’s a girl about Kirsten’s age, living in a nearby farmhouse. But when Kirsten goes to meet her, an old woman opens the door and says she lives there alone. Soon, Kirsten befriends the granddaughter of a neighbor, whose name is Gail, and draws her into the mystery, too. One day, Gail and Kirsten even see small dresses for a girl hanging on the old woman’s clothesline, and they think they see a shadowy figure at the front window of the house. While Gail and Kirsten are trying to figure out this mystery and are quickly becoming friends, Gail is also sharing information with Kirsten about her Christian faith, including inviting her to help at Bible School.
To order this book for $7.99, visit Royal Fireworks Press: http://rfwp.com/series96.htm#900
So, what do I do with this book:
1. Mystery books are GREAT for this age group because kids can try to solve the mystery right along with the main characters. Ask students or your children what they would do if they thought an old woman in their neighborhood was hiding a girl. How would they solve the problem? Also, ask them to predict what they think is going on and what clues the author is providing to them. These make great journal writing prompts to assign while kids are reading A Shadow in the Dark.
2. If you home school or teach at a Christian school, then this is the perfect book to discuss the Christian themes present in the story. Why does Kirsten struggle with faith? Why doesn’t she want to go back to Bible School? How does Gail talk to her? How does Gail show her what being a Christian is all about? Your students or your children have probably been in situations like Gail and/or Kirsten. How did they handle these situations? What can they learn from the characters in this book? Again, these are great journal writing prompts, and then the answers can be discussed.
3. Down syndrome is also introduced in this book. Do students know what this is? Most probably will or have at least met someone with Down syndrome. This book give students and children a great opportunity to find out more about this chromosomal disorder and to understand people with it. The National Down Syndrome Society website is a great place to start.
Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win this book!
As a child I loved to read about animals (Bambi, White Fang, My Friend Flicka), and mysteries (The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew). I also loved to read about real people (Little House on the Prairie books). I even read Tom Sawyer. I find my taste in books hasn't changed much. I read books for adults of course, but I still love cozy mysteries, autobiographies, and sometimes, books about animals. I even read the Harry Potter books.....all of them.
Mary Jean Kelso wrote:
I don't remember having favorites until I was probably in fourth or fifth grade. Then, Nancy Drew became collectible to me. I still have some of the original books. Not many as I didn't have much disposable money. However, I thought so highly of them I shellacked the bindings of some.
You can see the influence in my Goodbye Is Forever YA mystery novel.
My latest Children's PB was One Family's Christmas but the 3rd Andy book is due to release this winter. Andy and Spirit in the Big Rescue. http://www.amazon.com/Familys-Christmas-Mary-Jean-Kelso/dp/1935137050/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231525191&sr=1-1
Ronica Stromberg, Author of The Time-for-bed Angel wrote:
My favorite book as a child was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, followed by The Borrowers. These were pre-Harry Potter days, and there didn't seem to be much fantasy . . . or maybe I just wasn't able to find it as a child.
The Time-for-bed Angel follows the adventures of a guardian angel of a rambunctious little boy who refuses to go to bed. The story can be comforting and reassuring for small children that they are loved and watched over at all times--even in the dark.
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Bed-Angel-Ronica-Stromberg/dp/0825478154/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231520358&sr=1-1
I'm hoping Ronica will tell me what she enjoys reading today. When I hear from her I will add it to this post.
In the meantime....What did you like to read as a child? Have your tastes changed?
The Time-for-Bed Angel
written by Ronica Stromberg
illustrated by Kristina Stephenson
Lion Hudson
ISBN: 978-0-7459-6073-9
Copyright 2008
Picture book, Hardback, 32 pages
The Time-for-Bed Angel is a sweet, cute children's book about a little naughty boy and the guardian angel who keeps a watch over him until it's time for bed.
Our little protagonist can't stay still as he goes about the house performing his mischevious antics. Of course, the time-for-bed angel follows him around, trying to persuade him to bed. The job of a guardian angel can be quite exhausting at times, especially when it comes to putting little boys to sleep!
The illustrations are fun, colorful and expressive, bringing the story to life. The story itself has very little text and is aimed at the youngest audience (2-6). The book has a calming tone, making this a very nice book to read at bedtime. It also evokes a feeling of love and security in children.
--by Mayra Calvani
This review originally appeared on Armchair Interviews
I read a lot of Nancy Drew, Lloyd Alexander's fantasy series, C.S. Lewis, and, of course, Walter Farley's wonderful horse stories. I also read about swashbuckler's on the high seas, "Half Magic" (several times), "Island of the Blue Dolphin" (loved it), and so on.
I find that I still read plenty of fantasy, and read lots of bestsellers.
I read more non-fiction now that I ever did in the past. My reading habits tend to run in phases, I guess. As a kid I loved fantasy novels until I hit my sci-fi and horror phase as a pre-teen.
I don't think my tastes in books has changed all that much. I still like to read YA and midgrade books. The one thing I'd say has changed is that now I read about how to write and market my books.
Joy Delgado
http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com
http://goingbeyondreading.blogspot.com/
Bobbsey Twins, absolutely! Then later, there was Edgar Allen Poe, Sherlock Holmes (I wasn't much of a Nancy Drew girl), everything by Madeleine L'Engle ... then Ii into sci-fi/fantasy. I've loved mysteries throughout the years, though.
My comment re: today's books for children (particularly teens): They seem a whole lot darker.
I read my sister's Bobbsey Twins.
I now read a lot of mystery/suspense. But I also read YA -- Harry Potter, Percy Jackson series, even the Twilight books. And I like "different" books like Geek Love and The Time Traveler's Wife.
http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com
I just love your posts! This one in particular, because I have an entire shelf of Newberry Award winners that I bought from ebay - this year!- and am reading them with as much relish as when I was 12. =)
Well, my tastes have changed -- I guess that's unavoidable, given that the experiences I've had since I was a child. However, it's a lot of fun to revisit books from childhood and read them with the eyes of an adult.
For example, I'm now rereading Charlotte's Web with my daughter. I never noticed how incredibly dark it is, with such hard won wisdom. The line from chapter three about Wilbur's exchanging an hour of freedom for a bucket of slop is just devastating.