Book Birthday Blog with Lisa Wheeler

 

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators. 

 

Congratulations to Lisa Wheeler on the release of Baby Shower

 

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

Since 2019, I’ve had many baby showers to attend or purchase gifts for. I always give a basket of books—both mine and books written by others. I mentioned wanting a perfect book to give for baby showers and a family member said, “Ummm, maybe you should write it?” So I did! 

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

I just want them to share in the joy of a bouncing new arrival. I also hope they begin reading to their babies in utero. I wrote this in rhyme and matched meter to mood by making it bouncy, like a baby!  

According to your website, you had many "no thanks" for your manuscript submissions before receiving your first "yes". What advice do you have for creatives to weather the submission rejections?

To quote Tim Allen in Galaxy Quest: “Never give up. Never surrender!” (Yeah, I’m a sci-fi nerd.)

It can be a long, lonely road. But that’s why we joined SCBWI-Michigan, right? To find our people. If you work hard, do the revisions, put in the time researching your craft and learning from others, your work can’t help but get better. While I cannot guarantee anyone publication success, I can say with full confidence that your writing will be much improved and who knows where that will lead. 

What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

I think the hardest part was coming up with, then discarding all the various ‘types’ of baby personalities in the book. I have daring babies, trendy babies, happy and cooing babies. But as I was writing, I ‘d made this very long list of attributes and had to cut many of them for length.

What are your marketing plans for the book?

Well, this for one. Ha-ha!

I also got to share with a few groups I spoke to this summer. Since this is a book for babies, the appeal has to be for adults who make the purchase. I haven't quite figured out how to market a 'baby' book yet.

A little bit about the book . . .

In this very young picture book, a literal shower of babies falls to Earth with their unique personalities and style. Why did they come? To meet their families, of course!     

A little bit about the author . . .

Award-winning author, Lisa Wheeler is passionate about children’s books. “I love everything about them, including the smell!” She’s written over 50 picture books in prose and rhyme, an easy reader series, four books of poems, and creative nonfiction for the very young. “As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a rhymer. Wordplay excites me!” Lisa's newest books are Baby Shower, My First Dino-Football, Basketball and Soccer, and Someone Builds the Dream. Lisa is a local author from, Addison, Michigan. Check out her website at https://www.lisawheelerbooks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lisawheelerchildrensbooks

Instagram: @littlelisais6
Twitter: @LisaWheelerbook