Category: children’s authors

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A Wonderful Website for Children’s Authors

Robyn Opie–Author, Children’s Books (an Australian author with more than 70 books to her credit) has a great website for children’s authors. She offers numerous how-to articles on writing children’s stories from picture books to YA. In her online Writing Tips, she shows all the ways to “make your story sparkle.” I especially liked her article, “How to Edit Your Children’s Book.” She explained all the ingredients for writing a winning story– pace, word choice, transitions, endings, and more. And in her presentation on “Plotting a Children’s Book,” she provides a plot map–a visual on how she plots her stories. Another of my favorites was her article, “Creating Ideas for Children’s Books.” Ms. Opie explains the way to never run out of story ideas is to be always on the lookout for them–open to new possibilities at every turn in your everyday life. It means “thinking and behaving as a writer” in every moment.

Ms. Opie’s site was chosen as one of Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for 2008. You can learn more about her at this YouTube interview. She offers online writing courses, as well.

And for more writing helps, visit my TIPS FOR WRITERS.
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Interview with Mary Jean Kelso

Yesterday, artist & illustrator K.C. Snider, was featured and told of her work with THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL and ANDY AND THE ALBINO HORSE series. Today, the author of these books–Mary Jean Kelso–welcomes us into her world of words.

Interview with Mary Jean Kelso

BY MAYRA CALVANI

Mary Jean, do you consider yourself to be a born writer?



Yes. From the time I was able to pick up a piece of paper and a pencil. I spent a lot of years not knowing that was the direction I was going, so I trained as an administrative assistant and fortunately became a very fast typist!



Tell us about THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL. What was your inspiration for it?

The Christmas Angel was a piece I made into “mini” books about 1 inch by 3 inches and totally “hand made.” I did it because kids were wanting to buy books when I did a signing, and the parents didn’t want to spend $6.95 for a book. So, I sold “mini” books for $1 just so the kids could get them. Then I found, since it was Christmas time, adults were buying 24 at a time. They wanted to include them in their Christmas cards. So, I knew the story was a hit.

Tell us about your children’s books.

K.C. Snider illustrated the first, The Christmas Angel. She is also illustrating the sequel (One Family’s Christmas) and the Andy and the Albino Horse series. We are both very excited about our work with Guardian Angel Publishing.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If yes, how did you “cure” it?

Yes! How I cured it was to stop listening to all the people that were telling me “how” to write. I was looking at hard and fast rules I was afraid to break, and until I became honest and wrote what I wanted to the way I wanted to write it I wasted a lot of time worrying if I was doing it right.

Are you a disciplined writer? What is your working style? Do you like to outline and plot ahead, or are you more of a stream-of-consciousness writer?

I’m a steam-of-consciousness writer. I like the surprise when the story takes a turn. I like getting the excitement the first time like the reader does. I will go through the rough draft and list the chapters and put down a sentence that describes what it is basically about just to make sure I’m tracking properly. I tend to do a lot of rewrites and have fun with the things that “pop” up to add.

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your works?



I have a website and an author’s page at AuthorsDen.



What are you working on now?

I am a multi-genre writer. I write for a newspaper, write for adults and YA as well as for children. Right now I am working on my Homesteader series — #4. #3 is due out in May so the editing starts in a couple of months. I am working with K.C. Snider in the sense that we teleconference on the illustrations for the next several books for GAP and trying to keep up with the newspaper as well as doing signings as often as possible.

Where are your children’s books available?

My books are available at Guardian Angel Publishing, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and a lot of gift shops.

What advice would you offer aspiring writers?

Listen to your own voice. Only you know how you want to write the book and what works for you.

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A Contest for Kids & A Contest for Children’s Authors

Please check out these fun contests:

To celebrate her new release of The Gollywhopper Games (HarperCollins/ Greenwillow) , Jody Feldman is holding a contest for kids from 8-15 years old and a drawing for authors and others. Kids who send in the correct solution to the puzzle posted at the Contests link at http://www.gollywhoppergames.com/ can win a Nintendo DS Lite or The Gollywhopper Games T-shirt. And if you post this info on a blog or pass it along to a family with age-eligible children or to an elementary or middle school teacher, you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of The Gollywhopper Games and a T-shirt. But you’ll need to let her know you’ve done so by sending in an email at mailto:jody@jodyfeldman.com to enter.

CHEERIOS CONTEST
Spoonfuls of Stories
This contest is looking for children’s authors who have not been previously published. The deadline for entering is July 15, 2008. Win $5,000 and the chance to have your story published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Look for the official rules at the Cheerios website.

Ready! Set! Start writing!!!

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Today’s Guest–Cecil Paplinskie


Stopping by today is author & illustrator, Cecil Paplinskie, who illustrated my story “BF’s & Butterflies,” in the current edition of STORIES FOR CHILDREN MAGAZINE.

Welcome, Cecil. It sounds like you’ve moved around some in your lifetime. Could you give us a quick overview of your life and how your travels have impacted your art & writing?

I was born in the Philippines. When I was little all I wanted to do was draw. I got a scholarship and at age 19, graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts majoring in Advertising. I was lucky; my first job was as an artist for an export company. I would design a theme, angel cows for example. I would then illustrate 20-30 poses of the angel cow doing different things. Then out of these drawings I would do the prototype by sculpting the design. It was fun. The company would join international gift shows, and they would send the artists to look at trends. I got to travel and work with people from all over.

Then I was offered work in China, decided to give it a try, and was there for two years. When I got back, I wanted to get into graphic designing. Computers were starting to be the thing, and I had a feeling that pretty soon things would be done through computers instead of the traditional hand-drawn art that I was used to. I got a contract to be a graphic designer in Taiwan. Although the job wasn’t quite suited for me, I stayed there for a year.

After that, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. However, I got lucky and was hired to do part-time illustrating for a children’s magazine owned by an American. I loved it, and I wanted to pursue a career in that field. So when the German Institute of Technology offered a workshop for children’s book writing and illustrating, I took it.

However, my new love for children’s book art had to be put on hold due to personal reasons. Eventually, I ended up in Canada where I met my husband and got married. I worked as a graphic designer in Toronto. When my first child was born, my husband and I thought it was best that we raise our kids in the country. I put my illustrating career on hold for the time being and instead funneled my creative talent into handmade crafts which I marketed. About year ago, I decided to return to my art. For an entire year I made sample artworks, compiled my best work and started writing. I created the illustrations and designed a website. Now I’m excited to be promoting myself and my work.

I love the ballet kitty in her tutu on your website. The kitty illustration has the single word “Dream” incorporated into the picture. What are your professional dreams? Are your dreams part of your motivation?

Very much so. I would love to have a published picture book which I wrote and illustrated someday.
What is the most fun part of the creative process?
When everything is done, and I see how good the finished product is. That to me is the most fun part.
What is your typical illustrator’s day like?
I’m a stay at home mom with a two year old and a seven-year-old. My working hours are during the baby’s naptime in the afternoon and from 10-3 during the day. Just like any other job, I work seven hours a day.
Describe your working environment.
Crazy and messy.
From your portfolio, I see that you use a variety of methods for creating your art from computer enhanced images to more formal paintings and also black and white drawings. Do you prefer one over the other? How do you determine what type of artwork you will use for a particular story?
It depends on what the author will ask for. Everyone, it seems, likes how I draw children.
What tips would you offer to others just beginning their career writing and illustrating children’s literature?
I myself am restarting my career. One thing that I am is persistent and hard working. It doesn’t hurt that I love what I’m doing.
What project are you working on now? Or what projects are pending?

I am working with self-published authors, Dionne Winters on her story, Frightful Things and Creepy Ones coming out soon and Zayre Ferrers’ Charlene’s Halloween Party.
I was selected to illustrate one of the stories for Gumboot Books in conjunction with Rotary International and their Literacy Foundation. These are collected stories from authors and illustrators around the world, celebrating different UN holidays.
That project seems a perfect fit for you, Cecil, with your own international background. Thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m sure we’ll see more of your delightful work in the years to come.

To view samples of Cecilia’s work go to her website and to STORIES FOR CHILDREN Magazine, “BF”s & Butterflies.”
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Interview with JODY FELDMAN

Author of The Gollywhopper Games, HarperCollins, 2008.
Greenwillow
ISBN: 0061214507
320 pages
Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to catch a quick lunch with author Jody Feldman, whose new book—THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES—has just been nominated for the American Library Association’s 2009 Best Books for Young Adults.

Jody was on her way to a school visit and feeling in a bit of a whirl from her busy personal life and recent book promotion events which have offered numerous travel opportunities.

As we munched on our Asian-flavored entrees, I asked if she knew that THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES was being considered for the YALSA list.

“I had no idea,” she said. “The book is listed by my publisher for ages 10-14. I guess that makes it borderline young adult.” She explained that she’d been in total shock for at least 10 minutes when she first heard the news.

“How has your life changed since your book has come out?” I asked.

“I’ve not been able to write,” she said immediately. “I’ve been spending more time on publicity, but I’m really looking forward to getting back to writing.” She told me of her new plan to write every morning and leave her afternoons open for publicity work.

When I asked her what had been the most fun and exciting part of her book’s release, Jody said, “Being here and seeing it all happen—the whole bundle of going through what a regular author does. Holding the book in my hand. Getting that connection with the kids. The sense of fulfillment.”

Jody has waited a long time for her well-deserved fulfillment. The idea for THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES first entered her mind nearly 20 years ago as she overheard an unhappy child in the school library trying to find another book with the same feel as Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. She became determined to create a book for adventure-minded young readers. Readers who like puzzles and games and quick-witted contests.

THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES’ journey to print was itself a great adventure—not for the weak of heart. Jody wrote and rewrote the story; she submitted it and received rejection after rejection. She put the story away for a long time, until finally she joined an online writers’ group and began revamping the story yet again. When she finally found an interested agent, Jennie Dunham of Dunham Literary, Jody still had to wait another three years before an editor, Virginia Duncan, at HarperCollins’ Greenwillow imprint ultimately perceived THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES’ great potential and helped Jody shape it into the amazing story it is today.

Currently, Jody is working on a new middle grade/young adult book with another seventh-grade boy main character. The book will border on the fantastical—“like you might experience in dreams,” she said.

As we wrapped up our lunch, I asked, ”What advice do you have for writers?”

“If you don’t really, really want to do it (write), don’t do it! Find something else.” She explained how determined writers have to be. “Willing to get down on their knees and scrub the floor sometimes”—knowing that there will be lots of hard work involved in the publishing process. It’s not the glamorous lifestyle so often portrayed in the media.

“And a writer needs to be open to knowledge from wherever you can get it,” Jody said. She likes to listen to kids and adults, to those who like and don’t like her stories. She explained that using all this information can help her write a better story.

I said my goodbyes to Jody as she refilled her to-go cup, fueling up for her school visit in just 15 minutes. She seemed a bit harried but quite happy with her new role as successful children’s author.

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Muse It Up

Today I’m offering a review of Lea Schizas’ book, ASSAULTING A WRITER’S THINKING, as well as the opportunity to receive the Ebook FREE! Look for the details following the review.

ASSAULTING A WRITER’S THINKING by Lea Schizas

In this humorous motivational how-to Ebook for beginning (or reluctant) writers, Lea Schizas—award-winning author and editor—tells it like it is. No holds barred. She de-mystifies the writing life and provides real insights into the profession.

· Chapter 1: Explains many of the “roller coaster” ups and downs inherent for those who choose to weld the pen.
· Chapter 2: Offers numerous suggestions for seeing story ideas everywhere—even in a dresser drawer. A great bonus in this chapter, especially for children authors, is a list of questions which helps the writer enter back into the childhood mode.
· Chapter 3: Provides tips on finding a critique group and emphasizes the importance of doing so.
· Chapter 4: Advises writers to use research material to create more than one story and submit stories and articles to various magazines and publishers to increase market presence.
· Chapter 5: Encourages writers to keep plugging away despite rejections and failures—to keep believing.
· Chapter 6: Reiterates the need for writers to be as professional as possible by setting (and meeting) goals, maintaining a writing schedule, networking, and following publishers’ guidelines.
· Chapter 7: Emphasizes the rallying cry to “Keep at it!”
· Chapter 8: Lists a variety of links for writing-related associations, agents, editors, publishing houses, and much more.
· Bonus Chapter from her full-length book on writing: Muse It Up. If this first chapter is any indication, the book must be jam-packed with hands-on helps and encouragement for beginning authors. This one chapter alone provides a wealth of suggestions to motivate any reluctant writer.

Here is more information on Lea Schizas:

Author of the award-winning Young Adult Fantasy Novel
THE ROCK OF REALM

Co-author & Editor of THE MUSE ON WRITING
http://leaschizasauthor.tripod.com Email: museitupeditor@yahoo.ca

Lea Schizas is an award-winning author/editor, a short story competition winner,
living in Montreal with her husband Jimmy and their five children. She describes herself
as “finally woke up after a 23-year self-induced coma taking care of the family, and
re-discovered my passion for writing.”

She is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of two Writer’s Digest 101 Top Writing
Sites of 2005 & 2006 and recipients of the Preditors and Editors Most Useful Writing
Sites Award: Apollo’s Lyre, an online writer’s Zine: http://www.apollos-lyre.com and
the online writing critique community The MuseItUp Club,
http://museitupclub.tripod.com/

-Founder of The Muse Online Writers Conference,
http://www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/
-Founder of The Muse Marquee, http://themusemarquee.tripod.com
-Founder of The Muse Book Reviews, http://themusebookreviews.tripod.com
-Co-founder of Coffee Cramp eZine http://coffeecrampmagazine.tripod.com
-Reviewer for the award-winning site AllBooksReviews.com
-copy editor for Double Dragon Publishing

You can read more of Lea’s bio and accomplishments at: http://leaschizaseditor.tripod.com/

To receive your FREE copy of ASSAULTING A WRITER’S THINKING, send me an email via the Contact section here on my website.
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BLOG FEST for Children’s Writers

Be sure to stop by Lea Schizas’ BLOG FEST at The Writing Jungle http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com/

Starting the week of March 29, she is hosting a large group of children’s writers. They’ll be sharing snippets of their stories and characters as well as tips on writing.You won’t want to miss it. Plus, there will be prizes awarded to some of the lucky visitors who post comments. I’ll be stopping in at the Blog Fest…why not join me!

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Meet JENNIFER GLADEN

Meet JENNIFER GLADEN—teacher, mom, and children’s author.
Her first children’s picture book, A Star in the Night, will be released this summer by Guardian Angel Publishing. http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/
Do you consider yourself to be a born writer?
Yes! Even as a child, I could always be found writing something. I wrote stories and poems for my teachers. I wrote in my journal every day. In short, it’s always been a part of my life. Growing up, I was a quiet little girl. Writing was my way of communicating with the world.

Did you always want to be a writer?
I sure did! It wasn’t until I took a few courses at the Institute of Children’s Literature that I realized this was something I really could do. I’m grateful that I chose to follow my dream. If I didn’t, I’d be missing out on the greatest career in the world!

Tell us about your children’s books.
My first children’s book, A Star in the Night, will be published by Guardian Angel Publishing sometime this summer. It is a Christmas themed eBook about a boy, Andy, going home on Christmas Eve. Andy, accompanied by a shimmering star, encounters three experiences, which change his view of Christmas forever.

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your works?
Yes. My official website is http://www.jennifergladen.com/.You can also find me on my blogs: http://jgladen.blogspot.com/ andhttp://jengladensmusingswordpress.com/.

How has being a teacher helped you with your writing career?
Teaching helped me with my writing in many ways. It’s the best research a writer could have. I interacted with children every day. I saw what problems they were dealing with, how they reacted to it, what was important to them. Also, I have worked as an after school leader at the Free Library of Philadelphia. There, I helped students with homework and designed a craft once a week. That has helped me get to know children of all age levels. I’ve worked with Kindergartners through eighth graders.

My educational training helps me keep my characters real for fiction. I’m more in tune with what situations would apply to certain ages. I’ve learned how to “make learning fun,” which I hope carries over in my nonfiction pieces.

How do you find time for your writing?
When I get up in the morning, I throw on a pot of coffee. It helps me wake up. After the girls are at school, I begin my day as early as possible. My toddler is still home with me. So I know the earlier I start, the more I’m likely to get done.

Most of the time, I have to demand my writing time. Especially when all three kids are home. It sounds harsh, but it also helps the kids learn boundaries. They’re learning that Mom needs the computer, printer and her whole office at certain times of the day. Of course, there are always interruptions—anything from picking the kids up at school—to having a medical emergency. In fact, the little things that make me leave my desk (making lunches, reading a story to my toddler, letting the dog out) force me to take mini breaks. Otherwise, I know I’d barrel through the day without stopping. However, I try not to waste any moments. Ideas sneak up on me when I’m walking and driving, so I started carrying around a mini notebook.

When my husband has off from work, he knows he has full supervision of the kids. These are my “power writing” days. I try to get as much done as possible because it’s less likely I’ll be interrupted.

What are you working on now?
My current project is a picture book about a little girl, Olivia, who needs a liver transplant and her brave journey to get it. While many children are wondering if they’ll learn to ride a bike, Olivia is wondering when that life-saving transplant will happen. We see the struggles and complex feelings in which she deals with daily.http://jengladensmusingswordpress.com/.

This book was inspired by my own daughter who needed a liver transplant. When I looked for good books to read to her, I saw nothing which could help a child of her age cope with this situation. “There should be a book about this,” I complained to my husband. Voila—Olivia was born.

What advice would you offer aspiring writers?
My advice to aspiring writers is to stick with it. Be persistent in your dream. Don’t give up in the face of rejections. Just pick up your manuscripts, dust it off, revise (yes – for the umpteenth time) and send it out elsewhere.This is your dream and your goal. The only one who can assure your success is you.

-original Interview by Mayra Calvani, http://www.mayrassecretbookcase.com/
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Peachy Weekend

I (and a group of local children’s authors) spent a great time last weekend in historic Hermann, Missouri–a scenic wine town along the Missouri River. http://www.hermannmissouri.com/ We stayed at Captain Wohlt’s Inn where innkeeper, Mat Wilkins took special care of all us. http://www.captainwohltinn.com/
Senior Editor, Lisa Mathews, joined our company and provided us with many interesting insights into children’s literature. http://www.peachtree-online.com/info.aspx

Here’s her explanation of STORY STRUCTURE:

1. Act I: Setup—here is the mood/tone, hook, catalyst, antagonist (which can be a situation as well as a person), the intro to the MC/personality, the issue which will lead to the turning point—conflict must come right away. There does not have to be a great deal of setting and character analysis right at first. It’s more important to have action with a purpose which propels the story
2. By the end of Act I, there should be a problem/turning point (a challenge revealed)
3. Act II—problem intensifies/ a barrier/ complication
4. Character has a temporary triumph
5. New info (a reversal) leads to more problems/ and perhaps a deadline looms
6. Dark Moment—the MC fails (or seems to) and the goal seems even farther away
7. Another turning point—the MC has to make a decision
8. Act III—the final obstacle (MC is pushed to her limit)
9. Climax—she faces the obstacle
10. Resolution

Lisa also spoke of a STEP OUTLINE for help in writing a story.
In this type of outline, a phrase/sentence for each chapter provides a very brief outline of the story and shows the story arc. I was encouraged to hear her explain this concept because it is basically what I do when developing a story. It provides a very loose framework that allows me to know where I’m going—which helps eliminates writer’s block—but it is so basic that it also encourages me to be creative with each new scene. I usually don’t know exactly how the scene will play out or what the characters will say or do. I think it helps keep the story fresh.

The two Peachtree books at the top are by my writer friends, Kristen Nitz and Jeanie Ransom, who also attended the weekend retreat. Here are their websites where you can find out more about them: http://www.kwnitz.com/ http://www.jeanieransom.com/

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New Writer Helps

becoming a children's author

Today I’m offering a couple writer helps:

The first is a new book from children’s author and WEE ONES magazine editor, Jennifer Reed–BECOMING A CHILDREN’S AUTHOR, illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier.
http://www.lulu.com/content/2040679

This book provides 200 + pages of information on what it takes to write and sell stories and nonfiction for the children’s book and magazine market.
But that’s not all. It also has online resources for reference: websites on grammar, creating a bibliography, writer support groups, writing websites, and more!
This children’s author and magazine editor has 15 years experience in the industry and has published over 20 children’s books


The next offering is an article written by Jan Fields of THE INSTITUTE OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE. In this article she offers advice for dealing with publishers.

Balancing Business and Emotion by Jan Fields http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws06/business.shtml
Online links are also provided, such as this very helpful site:
Preditors and Editors http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/

So if you want to improve your odds for being a successful children’s author, these two sources would be a good starting point.