Mackinac Island Conference 2014

Horses and fudge, big names, plein air, abandoned bra, and a slurpee brain freeze: The Mackinac Island SCBWI-MI fall conference 2014

by Charlie Barshaw

"I was fortunate enough to be Co-Chair of the 2014 Mackinac Island conference." 

That's how I started my email to author Candace Fleming, who signs her emails "Candy." I know this because Candy wrote back and said,  "I remember that conference like it was yesterday.  It was a terrific event."

photo courtesy Anita Pazner

It's the tenth year anniversary, 2014-2024. The other conference I co-chaired was at a convent in Kalamazoo the year before, was limited to 40 writers, and was a live-in, weekend-long workshop/boot camp.

The Mackinac Island conference was going to be an extravagant affair. We had a bigger enrollment, as many people as could book a room at the Mission Point hotel or a nearby B&B. Also, we had an "in" because my co-chair, Anita Pazner, knew some island people.

And because it was unique Mackinac Island, the co-RA's Leslie Helakoski and Carrie Pearson decided to swing for the fences. We brought in the premier editor of Scholastic, Arthur Levine. We invited local author/illustrator Laurie Keller  and asked her to bring along her famous editor Christy Ottaviano. And we brought author Candace Fleming and author/illustrator Eric Rohmann in because they were partners and children's book pros separately and together.

Leslie Helakoski, Arthur Levine, Christy Ottaviano

So, the cool faculty, cool destination conference happened in September 2014. The faculty got there somehow (Candace and Eric from Chicago-area, Arthur and Christy from NY-area). They all completed the last leg of their trip on a ferry, because (absent helicopter, snowmobile or sled dogs and thick Great Lakes ice) that's the only way to get there.

Everyone had to schlep their stuff from the dock to their room in the Mission Point hotel, or take a carriage/wagon or rent a bike. The place smelled of fudge and horse manure, in a good way.

During the previous Mackinac Island conference (in 2011) master illustrator Matt Faulkner conducted a weekend-long illustrator contest and intensive boot camp. It happened inside a window-less Quonset hut, and the poor artists didn't get to enjoy the island nearly as much as the writers.

Lori Eslick

So this time, they figured to do art outside, and had master plein air watercolor artist Lori Eslick do painting out in nature, which is more or less what plein air means.

Also, butterflies!

Perhaps the thorniest Mackinac issue is that Island memories blend together. SCBWI-MI had two conferences there in 2011 and 2014, and the Michigan Reading Association also held conferences there a number of times. Many of these remembrances and photos are of Mackinac Island, but maybe not from 2014. I'll do my darndest to keep them straight.

I've heard from Candace and Arthur. He says his memories are "blurry." Candace Fleming, though, says "she remembers it like yesterday". Most people, myself included, are somewhere in-between. 

So far, I've gotten some responses:

Mackinac Island Questions (to Ed Spicer):

 

What do you remember about the trip to Mackinac Island, and/or the return trip home?

I remember being in a constant state of anxiety because I was presenting to a group of people that I admire, including several who were and still are close friends. I wanted my presentation to be thoughtful and useful and interesting and was so worried I would fall short, antacid pills were consumed. 

Equally memorable was the fact that when Ann and I were unpacking for the weekend, Ann found a black bra behind the dresser. I suggested to Ann that we hang it in the room and use it for a hammock. Needless to say it did not fit and we tossed it (but not until we shared it and offered it to several others—no takers). However Ruth Barshaw preserved this memory for the ages!

And finally on a very windy afternoon I did a video interview with Ruth and Matt Faulkner and Kristen Remenar. This was Kristen’s debut picture book and her beloved Matt was working on the illustrations. The video does not have the best audio (wind is such a brat) and it may still exist on YouTube, but right now I remember this lovely time with dear friends as if it were yesterday!

 

Had you been to Mackinac Island before? What was your initial impression?

Not only did SCBWI use Mackinac Island for conferences but so did the Michigan Reading Association. I’ve been there several times. It’s a beautiful spot and no cars!

 

Any of the presenters or presentations leave an indelible mark on you?

Every time I meet with book creators my life is changed for the better. I think this was the conference in which Debbie Diesen did a poetry program that was great. Ann and Debbie also really bonded. A bunch of us had dinner at the Pink Pony and laughed a healing and healthy hard laugh all night long. We were with our crew and life felt good.

 

Did you get a chance to sightsee? What did you seek out? What did you stumble upon?

Kris Remenar, Ann Perrigo, me, Matt Faulkner, Ruth McNally Barshaw, Ed Spicer trespassing

Of course we visited the gorgeous public library and we did weasel our way into the Grand Hotel for drinks and heavenly views of the water. 

 

What sticks out in your memories when you think of the 2014 Mackinac Island conference?

This was before the pandemic and before the really ugly, divisive political world of today. I loved working with my first graders. I loved my committee work. I loved my growing group of smart, kind, funny friends. This conference felt divine. The mood was hopeful and filled with kindness and laughter.

 

What was your biggest surprise?

That black bra was HUGE!

From Ruth's sketchbook

 

 

What was your role with the conference? What kind of prep work did you have to do? How did it go?

I was a keynote speaker and I had to wait until the very end to give my talk. Of course I wrote and rewrote and tweaked and obsessed and panicked MANY times before I got up to speak (as is the case EVERY time I present). I remember feeling good with how it went and I received several compliments from a good number of people). So I guess it went well! Fun conference! 

While author Vicky Lorencen sent this along:

Like a Slurpee-induced brain freeze

Painful memories of a conference past

By Vicky Lorencen

I had nearly withdrawn the last fudge-stained reminder of the SCBWI-MI 2014 Fall Conference from my memory bank when that Mr. Barshaw demanded I recollect one of the most excruciating three weeks of my tender literary life. (Pardon? It was three days. Really? Hmm.) Anyway, thanks a lot, Chuck.

photo courtesy Ed Spicer

To those of you who missed the 2014 conference on Mackinac Island, you can cancel your FOMO. I mean, I wish I’d missed out! All in all, it was H-E-double hockey sticks on a land lump surrounded by water, blue skies and puffy clouds. Claustrophobic. That’s what I was. Be glad you didn't have to endure it.

And let’s get this out of the way. The speakers? All boars. (What’s that? I mean bores (most likely).) Presenters like Candice Fleming, Arthur Levine, Christy Ottaviano, and Eric Rohmann—every last one of ‘em—were dripping with condensation. (What now? Yes, yes, I meant condescension.) But it was in that witty, smart, warm-hearted, I’m-here-because-I-love-children’s-books-and-the-people-who-create-them sort of way. Yikes. You know the type.

The attendees? Um. Too welcoming and friendly if you ask me (and I believe you did). Most offered far more hugs and smiles than absolutely necessary. And, who knows why, but the conference organizers gave us big blobs of time for long chats, brainstorming and creativity. Madness! Yes, I took advantage of their gift (but only to be polite, you understand).

By the time the whole Alcatrazesque weekend came to a welcome halt, my brain had that uncomfortable, post-Thanksgiving feeling. (And no, milk chocolate pecan fudge squares had nothing to do with it.) It was induced by all the encouragement and insights I had to stuff in it. But again, out of my overt sense of politeness, I will extend another BIG thank to everyone who helped to plan, oversee and execute this very special conference, which is to say, 72-hour nightmare. I’m afraid (as in deeply concerned) I’ll always remember it as one of the best worst weekends I'd had in a long time.

P.S. Are you happy now, Charlie?

The answer is YES.

We're going to gather memories and photos, and hear from some of the truly stellar producers of children's books. If you have photos or memories you're willing to shares email me at cjbarshaw523@aol.com

Watch this space.

 

Anita and Charlie
retro

Charlie Barshaw conducts children's book author and illustrator interviews for The Mitten. In 2014, he co-chaired an SCBWI-MI conference on Mackinac Island with Anita Pazner.

Book Birthday Blog with Tara Michener

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Tara Michener on the release of I Am Not My Meltdown

 

 

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

I am constantly talking to kids and adults about meltdowns in my everyday life. As a mental health therapist that seeks to bring healing and understanding to the lives of families it is important to normalize that sometimes we may have issues with behavior. I find that telling stories is the best way to communicate and educate while entertaining this is how I came up the idea behind I Am Not My Meltdown.

What inspires you to write? 

My surroundings inspire me to write. I see children that seek both representation and validation. I see teachers and librarians looking for resources that will serve their communities and I understand that it is important to write what you know in order to make a difference. 

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

I hope that my readers will see themselves in this book and find hope and understanding. My goal is to create opportunities to build both empathy and emotional regulation while being entertained and soothed.

What was the most difficult part of writing the book? 

I did not see any difficulty in creating this narrative. I am constantly asked how to help young people with their emotions and this was the perfect way to answer and uplift so in some ways the difficulty lies in it being overdue. 

What's next for you and where can we find your book? 

I am working on more literary works and programs that create pathways for children to understand their feelings and to gain healthy information in regards to coping. My book is available wherever books are sold.

More about the book . . .

Melt-downs are common but solutions are too. This book serves as a pathway to educate and entertain. Kids sometimes feel like they are a problem because they are having a problem...in I Am Not My Meltdown feelings are normalized and solutions for regulation are introduced to kids so at the earliest level they can understand how to cope.

Publisher: Author House

More about the author . . . 

Tara Michener is the author of 8 children's books that are focused on social-emotional development. Her time is divided between writing and operating her counseling private practice which also serves as a hub for wellness, yoga and outreach programs for schools and organizations. She loves junk journaling, educating on mental health and Twizzlers and Diet Coke. Her favorite people are her hubistrator, Jason Michener and her son Cannon. She lives in Michigan where the apples are delicious and the winters are cold.

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tara.michener?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taramichener/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tara.michener/

 

 

Book Birthday Blog with Kate Rietema

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Kate Rietema on the release of All the Babies: A First Book About Adoption

 

This is your second book release this year. What are some unique challenges of multiple releases and how do you stay organized?

I’m very grateful that both books are with the same publisher, B&H Kids! They created joint marketing materials so I can promote the books together, which is really helpful. Pitching myself as a guest for podcasts and speaking events was also easier as both books are written from my experiences with foster care and adoption. It feels less like multiple releases, and more like one extended release.
 
To stay organized, I keep a running to-do list on my “monthly goals” document.  

 

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

After we adopted our daughter, I became mildly obsessed searching for the “just right” book about adoption. I found several ok options, but I couldn’t find the gentle introduction to adoption I was looking for—so one day, I wrote it. But this book isn’t just for adopted children! It’s an important book for any child that may have a friend, classmate, or relative who is adopted. One day, my daughter came home from kindergarten in a stormy huff because a classmate wouldn’t believe she was adopted. The classmate reasoned that she didn’t “look” adopted. And I don’t fault this classmate; my daughter’s skin tone matches mine, and this was probably in contrast to his previous experiences with adoptees. So, I’m excited to have a book that celebrates the unique realities of adoption: children can be adopted as babies or big kids, they can be adopted from close by or far away, they can be part of big families or small families; and the illustrations show that children might look similar to their parents, or they might look different.  

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

My daughter lights up whenever she reads a story about a child who was adopted. “Hey, that’s just like me!” she’ll say. For my daughter, seeing her own experience represented in stories boosts her sense of belonging. That’s what I hope this book does for kids. I hope it lets them see a reflection of their own story. I hope it makes them feel understood, celebrated, and loved.  

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it? 

My book is available online at Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com, Walmart, and in many local Christian book stores.

Some things I’ve done to get ready for my release:

• Updated my website
• Created a book trailer with my youngest daughter, see it  here
• Joined a picture book launch group, #PBbuds24
• Set up some book signings and story times
•  Reserved a table at the Michigan Association of Christian Schools Conference to promote school visits 
• Worked with my publisher to create printable bonus material, secure endorsements, send out advanced copies for review, and promote on social media

What's next for you? 

I’m thrilled to share about my non-fiction picture book coming next summer with Tilbury House, illustrated by Ash Roy! Cheetahs Return to India: The True Story of Aasha and Pavan tells the groundbreaking story of how cheetahs were recently reintroduced to India after becoming regionally extinct in 1952. It’s a beautiful story of a bold step in cheetah conservation. 

More about the book . . . 

All the Babies: A First Book About Adoption is a celebration of uniqueness, highlighting eleven babies who represent aspects of being adopted that might make a child feel different from their siblings or peers. Using fun language and simple sentences, this board book lays an important foundation for future conversations about adoption, diversity, and belonging. No matter how kids enter their families, they are made and loved by God—forever and always. 

Publisher: B&H Kids

More about the author . . . 

Kate Rietema and her husband live in West Michigan where they operate a beautiful family campground. They have five forever-children through birth and adoption and have cared for many more in their eleven years as licensed foster parents. Kate is the author of When God Makes Scribbles Beautiful, a picture book about finding hope when hard things happen. In her free time, she works as a nurse, volunteers at her county jail, and hobbies as an amateur potter.

You can find more about my books at https://www.katerietema.com/ and follow me on socials:

Twitter/X: @katerietema

Facebook:  Kate Rietema - Children's Author

Instagram: katerietema

 

Book Birthday Blog with R.Aveen

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to R.Aveen on the release of Animal Listeners: The Awakening of Quinby Clark

 

 

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

I was thinking about how people would probably be kinder to animals if they could understand what they were saying. Then I imagined a tween getting that ability in our world and the experiences she would have discovering a secret society of people that could speak with animals. The story grew from there.

What inspires you to write?

I want to make a difference in the world, and I feel like writing is my way to do that. I love animals and wish people would be kinder to them, so writing is my method to try to help make that happen. 

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

That animals are important, individual beings just like us, and they deserve our kindness and respect. I particularly hope this story encourages people to adopt dogs and cats from shelters rather than buying from breeders. And I hope it gives the reader appreciation and respect for bats, how amazing they are and the important roles they play in our ecosystem.

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

I plan to contact all the animal loving people I can, including social media groups, businesses and individuals.
 
The ebook is available through most online stores, and the paperback can be purchased directly through Amazon, or requested through bookstores. My website has a link to the different places it is available. https://www.animallisteners.com/

 

 

What's next for you?

I would like to write the next book in the series. On her summer holidays, Quinby travels with the school to California, and encounters local animals there – opening up another world of animal adventures to readers.

More about the book . . .

Kind-hearted Quinby Clark is stuck living with her horrible family in an ordinary suburb of Sydney, Australia, until the day she starts talking with birds and is invited to a mysterious boarding school for children who can speak with animals.
 
Thrust into the secret society of Animal Listeners, Quinby discovers she can speak with more animals than anyone else – a fact the school asks her to keep hidden to protect them all from covert factions. After Quinby is wrongfully accused of causing trouble, she and her new friends must prove her innocence while rescuing precious animals. The world desperately needs her extraordinary Abilities, but will Quinby even survive the school year?
 
A Young Adult contemporary fantasy novel for anyone who loves animals. Join Quinby as she explores the magic of the Animal Listener community hidden within our own world, at a boarding school nestled in the Australian bush by a sandy beach. Meet awesome animals from wild kangaroos, koalas and dolphins, to the school family of bossy cats and loveable pigs. An adventure for the whole family.

Publisher: Animal Listeners Press

More about the author . . .

R.Aveen is an Australian from Sydney who currently lives in Northern Michigan, USA, with her husband and two cats.

She came up with the idea for this book when still in Australia and chose the south coast locale as it wasn't too far from where she was living. However, she started writing the novel in 2020 when already residing in America, which made taking research trips exceedingly difficult. She mostly used memories and the wonders of the internet – luckily, she enjoys doing research.

R.Aveen loves animals, reading, nature, bushwalking, the beach, movies, hanging out with friends, travelling and eating delicious vegan food.
This is her debut novel.

Email: r.aveen@animallisteners.com 

Website: https://www.animallisteners.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AnimalListeners/

X: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fby_raveen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_raveen/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@by_raveen

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@by_raveen 

 

 

Writer Spotlight: Rhonda Gowler Greene

Junior year, Miami Florida, the 3 P's,

TV interview, and godmother: prolific writer Rhonda Gowler Greene 

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet Rhonda Gowler Greene, a picture book pro who has authored dozens of titles.

 

Junior year, high school

Uprooting from your life and home and friends right before your Senior year in high school had to be frustrating and lonely. Yet you would go on to college there and finish summa cum laude and meet your future-husband. You turned a sad, unsettling challenge into positive life experience. How?

My dad took a new job in northern Kentucky when I was 16. We (mom, dad, older brother, me) had always lived in Illinois. I did NOT want to move. I was active in band (1st chair oboe), National Honor Society (treasurer), Girls’ Athletic Assoc., etc. When we drove off, I left a boyfriend standing in the front yard. During the entire 5-hour drive to KY (Florence), I cried.

My family soon got involved in a church where I met my future husband, Gary. I kept my grades up in my new school, went to college one year (Georgetown in KY), then got married. (Gary had just graduated from UK.) I transferred to NKU, graduated, then got an elementary learning disabilities teaching job.

Things worked out, I think, because I had my heart set on 4 goals- college, teach, get married, have kids. My goals were the same no matter where I lived. In high school, I worried- HOW would I fit it all in?! Then, I did it within 14 years (and 4 kids to boot– boy, boy, girl, boy in 7 years). Back then, a 5th goal never entered my head- How would I write children’s books too? I’m so happy that’s what I’m doing now!

You went all in on education. You earned summa cum laude for your elementary reading disabilities training, and earned a Master’s at Xavier for Media. Why leave Education when you were obviously so good at it?

I enjoyed teaching and especially helping kids who had trouble learning to read, but I wanted to be home with my own kids when they were young. I didn’t want any regrets about missing their first steps, first words, etc. Gary had a good job, so I was lucky and didn’t need to work outside the home.

My Master’s is in Educational Media. I switched gears to become a school librarian. But by the time all my kids were in school, I got serious about writing and getting published. I was submitting stories and getting good comments from editors, so I pursued my passion of writing instead of becoming a school librarian/media specialist.

You read a lot of books to your kids. I suspect, even in those early days, your bookshelves were starting to fill up. You mentioned favorite authors of yours that I was unfamiliar with: (Joyce Sidman, Mary Ann Hoberman and Alice Schertle) Why were their works so important to you?

fave books

Yes, I read and read and read to my kids! And, yes, my bookshelves were starting to overflow.

I consider these authors some of the best children’s poets. They’re masters at playing with words. I did read Mary Ann Hoberman’s A House is a House for Me to my kids, but most of the works by these 3 authors I studied later, after my kids were a bit older. I still study them. They’re like mentor texts. I think studying great kids’ poetry books helps with writing picture books because they’re so lyrical and tightly written.
Joyce Sidman’s Red Sings from Treetops is my favorite children’s poetry book. And the art? Gorgeous! Pamela Zagarenski is my favorite children’s book illustrator. Those crowns and wheels she puts in her art fascinate me!

Alice Schertle is known for her bestselling Little Blue Truck series. I really like her All You Need for a Snowman and All You Need for a Beach too. They’re perfectly written.

That magnificent home library you speak of; do you winnow down the books periodically, or just add more bookshelves?

For a long time, I’d just add more shelves, but I have been winnowing. I’ve donated books to my local library. Too, I give books to my four young grandkids (though their houses are also filled to the brim with books!) Last year, I discovered Bookstock, which supports literacy programs in the metro Detroit area. I’ve given boxes of books to them and plan to give more.

I just re-read the excellent book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. It motivates me to sort through all my books, papers, etc. so my kids won’t have to. The process is slow-going, though, because I’d rather be reading or writing!

Colmar, France Christmas market

Where have you traveled? Where do you still want to go?

Gary and I have been fortunate to travel quite a bit, mostly in Europe. When our kids were growing up, Gary traveled overseas A LOT for work. (He was head of international tax for Guardian Industries, which makes glass for buildings all over the world. We moved to MI in 1983, when he started working for Guardian.) I told him when empty nest rolled around, I wanted to join him on trips. So, we did that for several years, usually every fall near our anniversary. He’d fly to Europe for business, then I’d fly over a few days later. We continued making a fall trip even after he retired.

Gary’s been to more countries than I have, and ones all over the world. I’ve been to 19 European countries. Covid put a halt to our trips though.

This October 5th is our 50th wedding anniversary. (Hard to believe!) We’re planning a celebration trip a bit closer to home, in Canada. I looked up what city is most European in North America. Quebec City. Maybe it will feel like we’re in Europe!

 Hill Top- Beatrix Potter home,
Lake District, England

I’d like to re-visit places. I especially love The Netherlands, Ireland, England, Switzerland (Alps), and Austria. Portugal is pretty cool too! I LOVE cathedrals, castles, classical music concerts (in Vienna), and European Christmas markets. If you ever get the chance to go to European Christmas markets, DO! They. Are. Amazing.

You’ve got lots of school visit experience. Do you remember your first visit ever?

I do. I was kind of nervous, but it went great! It was in March, 1998, at Elwell Elementary in Belleville, Michigan. I did 2 large-group sessions in the gym. Some teachers remarked afterward they were surprised it was my first time. They thought the presentations went really well. I think the principal got my name from a newspaper article the previous fall announcing my first 2 books. A few years later, I was booked there again.

How far have you traveled for a school visit?

Miami, FL, 2015. My NO PIRATES ALLOWED! SAID LIBRARY LOU was nominated for reading awards in 4 states – FL, NE, KS, and AR. I was contacted to speak that year in FL and NE. I kind of lump those trips together because they were for my pirate book, both pretty far, and the same year. Once booked to speak, I emailed lots of schools saying I’d be in their state and asked if there was interest in an author visit. I got several responses, which led to a week of school visits in both FL and NE. Gary flew with me. We traveled all over both states and met SO many wonderful people! I presented 19x in FL and 17x in NE. Phew!

The visit in Miami was at the only Pre-K/K school where I presented in FL. The others were at elementary schools. It was KLA Academy-Brickall, a private Reggio Emilia Approach school. I was given a tour. Wow, it was incredible! I’d never seen a school quite like it. I presented to classes, then signed stacks of my pirate book.

Too, just want to mention a 2012 visit… It was where I taught- Goodridge Elementary in Hebron, KY (just south of Cincinnati). That was special!

I travel with Ruth on school visits, and it’s a lot of work for me and her. Do you usually visit schools alone, or do you have a support group?

Northville, MI school visit

For 20 years, I visited schools by myself. I never had a support group, but I do have a great support guy now. 😊 Gary’s retired, so he goes with me. He’s a BIG help! I take lots of things to schools! He unloads/loads our car and gets my powerpoint set up. Sometimes I wonder how I used to do it all myself.

A few times when going alone, I had to drive through really bad snowstorms to get to and from schools. Scary! I like having Gary with me now!

What are some of your favorite topics to present to an audience?

How I get ideas

How very hard it is to get published

So many rejections

Miami, KLA Academy- Brickall

Don’t give up

How a picture book is made - idea to hard copy

Mentor texts

Good writing

You had two books accepted for publication before you landed an agent. How were you able to sell your own manuscripts?

With persistence. I did my homework and researched regarding what children’s books certain publishers were publishing. I also researched which editors worked at certain houses. I used 2 resources (no Internet then)- the annual Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market and the lists of editors and agents SCBWI provided. Too, I read and read picture books and compared my writing to them. I started submitting stories. And accumulating rejections.

At first, I was sending my stories to the top editors. Then, I realized the editors listed ‘lower,’ like assistant or associate, were looking to move up. After my story BARNYARD SONG had been rejected 6x, I submitted it to an assistant editor at Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, Ana Cerro. She read it from the slush pile, asked for a revision, I revised, and she bought it! My first sale! She also bought 2 more stories within the next few years. (BARNYARD SONG came out in 1997. In 2004, it won the first-ever Michigan Reads One State One Children’s Book award.)

My second story that sold, WHEN A LINE BENDS…A SHAPE BEGINS, was one of my hardest to sell. In various revisions, it was turned down 23x! I kept getting good comments and requests for revisions. I’d revise and revise for specific editors, then they’d reject it. Finally—it sold to Houghton Mifflin (editor Margaret Raymo), 3 months after I sold BARNYARD SONG.

Technically, I sold 3 manuscripts on my own. My third was THE STABLE WHERE JESUS WAS BORN (released 1999, still in print). It was rejected 18x in various revisions. I was mostly submitting it to religious houses, but I tried Ana Cerro at S&S. She asked for a major revision, which I did. Too, by then I was querying agents. 

MI Reads event, Brighton Library, holding a goat

One day when I got home from getting groceries, I had 2 phone messages. The first was Ana saying she wanted to buy STABLE. The second was Marilyn Marlow at Curtis Brown saying she’d take me on as a client. That was a happy-dance day! Marilyn negotiated my STABLE contract.

You had 220 rejections in three and a half years before you sold your first stories. You mention the 3 Ps (Passion, Perseverance and Patience). You must have had a boatload of each to keep going. How did you keep going?

What kept me going was encouraging notes on my manuscripts from editors. They’d often say maybe a particular story didn’t fit their list, but they liked my writing and would I send something else. For my SHAPE manuscript, one time I got a 2-page editorial letter suggesting revisions, but with no guarantee to buy it (R&R- Revise and Resubmit). I worked SO hard and did all the revisions. It was rejected. But my manuscript was stronger.

If I’m ever asked to revise, I do. At that point, I have the attention of an editor! It still happens to me a lot—revise, then rejection. But I always have hope and do an editor’s requested revisions. My revised manuscript will then sometimes sell to a different editor down the road. 

SUPERGRAN book launch, 2023

That’s what happened with SUPERGRAN (2023). An editor at Chronicle said she’d look at my story again if I did a major revision. She gave suggestions. I did all the revisions. But then she left publishing altogether. Eventually, I sold that stronger revised manuscript to Sleeping Bear Press.

You received a minor in music/piano. Do you till play? Does your love of music ever spill over into your love of books?

I do still play, but just for enjoyment. Yes, for sure, my love of music spills over. In 2021, Little Bee published my THIS MAGICAL, MUSICAL NIGHT, about a night at the symphony. I got the idea during a DSO concert. I worked crazy hard on it, for months, trying to get every word just right. I even wove some Italian musical terms into the text.

One of my absolute favorite picture books is Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin (1995) by Lloyd Moss. School Library Journal gave my book a starred review and compared it to Zin! (… “a 21st-century update of Lloyd Moss’s virtuoso Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, this really is a magical, musical book” ...). WOW, that meant so much to me! And they named it a Best Book of 2021. 

Too, Kirkus gave it a star. I feel like my writing in it is some of my best. Of course, James Rey Sanchez’s bright, bold art adds much to the success of the book too!

After my editor (Brett Duquette) bought it, he shared that he’s a NY Philharmonic season ticket holder. The story was rejected a few times, but in the end, I think it was matched with the perfect editor! It’s also been translated into French. Recently, Brett emailed saying the book is being published in a low-cost edition for Bernie’s Book Bank, a non-profit literacy organization based in Chicago. Bernie’s is giving out 20,000 free copies to families this October. Nice!

 ‘The Splash’ local TV interview

You were so composed for your TV interview, even more so than the young man asking the questions. Is your public speaking acumen from practice, or are you naturally composed in front of an audience?

In December 2016, the local West Bloomfield cable channel person asked me to come in for an interview for their segment ‘The Splash.’ I’m glad you thought I looked so composed. I was nervous! I tried to keep smiling. I think I got more relaxed the longer it went.

I don’t practice much for school visits. I’ve done so many, I think I could do one in my sleep! For keynotes for adults, I DO practice. I work and work on a talk for weeks, come up with 200-300 powerpoint slides, then practice aloud. And I time myself. 

The largest group I’ve spoken to was around 800 teachers. For that talk, I was asked to speak 70 minutes! What?! I practiced and PRACTICED. It went great! (And when I looked at the little clock in the podium? 70 minutes!) But, phew, I was glad when it was over. 

For the TV interview, I didn’t know what the questions would be, so I couldn’t practice. But I was glad when it was over too!

early cover

Ruth calls you the “Godmother” of her ELLIE McDOODLE DIARIES series. You were leading a peer critique group for her first conference, and you identified an essay she wrote about her father’s yearly military exercises in Grayling as a middle-grade novel. Eighteen months later, that’s what the essay became. Surely there are other authors who have benefitted from your kidlit expertise.

Wow, thank you for mentioning this. I wasn’t even aware I’m the ‘godmother’ of Ruth’s fantastic book series! I’m honored!

I hope I’ve helped other authors on their writing journeys. I’ve critiqued lots and lots of manuscripts over the years (and have had wonderful critiques on my own work from other children’s authors). Twenty years ago (yikes, time flies!), I was the picture book mentor for SCBWI-MI. My mentee was Shanda Trent. She’s a great writer! A couple of her stories I critiqued were Farmers’ Market Day and Giddy-Up Buckaroos!. We were thrilled when they sold and became books!

What’s next for Rhonda Gowler Greene?

I have 2 picture books under contract— IF YOU WANT TO SEE A NARWHAL (Little Brown, Fall 2026) and THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIN (Bloomsbury, Fall 2027).

with agent, Elizabeth Harding, her office in NYC

I’m especially excited about NARWHAL (illustrator- Xin Li). Margaret Raymo is the editor. The last time she bought a manuscript from me was 1995! (WHEN A LINE BENDS… 1997; still in print) NARWHAL is the first story I’ve sold not in rhyme, though it’s written very lyrically. When I sent it to my agent, Elizabeth Harding (Curtis Brown), she said it was the best writing I’d ever done. Really?! I’ve been with her 21 years (was with Marilyn 7 before she passed away; Elizabeth was her assistant). That made me think maybe I shouldn’t have been writing in rhyme all this time! I love writing in rhyme though.

TRAIN is part of a 3-book contract I got in 2012 through my only manuscript auction. Exciting! Four publishers- Holt, Walker, Random House, Houghton Mifflin- were bidding (for a month!). I went with Walker. (They sent flowers!) BUT- not long after, Bloomsbury took over Walker and my editor, Emily Easton, lost her job. I didn’t know if my story would even be published.

I’ve had a big turnover of editors (6) at Bloomsbury. My contract states one of the books will be about a train. I’ve written a train story for 5 of those editors, each wanting something totally different. Then, what would usually happen? The editor would move to another house and abandon my story! 

Bloomsbury flowers after book auction

My latest Bloomsbury editor, Alex(andria) Borbollo, asked for an R&R of my Halloween train manuscript. I revised for 6 weeks, resubmitted, and 7 months later she accepted it. Hooray! The first book, PUSH! DIG! SCOOP! (title change from the original auction title of OVER BY THE DIRT PILE), was released in 2016. The second, LET’S GO ABC, THINGS THAT GO FROM A TO Z, came out in 2017. The contract and these 3 books will have been chugging along from 2012 to 2027—15 years!

I’m so grateful to still be selling manuscripts. My first 2 sales were 29 years ago! I think it’s even harder now to sell a story. Over the years, I’ve been published with 12 houses and worked with 20 editors. It’s been a wild ride. TRAIN will be my 33rd picture book. Currently, I have 6 more stories circulating at publishers. Fingers crossed!

I wish everyone the very best of luck in their writing, illustrating, and publishing journeys!

Website: rhondagowlergreene.com
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