Book Birthday Blog with Lynn Baldwin

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Lynn Baldwin on the release of My Backyard Used to Be

 

 

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

I read Lesa Cline-Ransome’s Before She Was Harriet and knew that I wanted to write something in a similar, “going backwards” structure. I tried several stories, but none worked in that format. One day, I was in my backyard and remembered that a neighbor had mentioned how our neighborhood used to be a farm…and that was the spark I needed!

What inspires you to write? 

I’ve always loved to read and really enjoyed reading picture books with my teenage son when he was younger. The idea of creating something that other parents can share with their children is truly special to me. 

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

I hope kids realize that their backyards (or wherever they play) is “theirs” only for a while and that it needs to be taken care of so that someone else can enjoy it in the future. I also think it’s fun for kids to think about the history of their own backyards. 

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

I’m doing a launch event at Schuler Books Ann Arbor on September 27 and would love to see any local kidlit friends there. I also plan to do school visits. I’m lucky because Tilbury House is supporting me in the marketing of this book. 

What's next for you?

I have some other stories out with editors, so fingers crossed I have more good news to share soon! 

More about the book . . . 

Hit rewind on the view out your backdoor as this story zips back in time, showing readers how people, lifestyles, and land have changed over time. My Backyard Used to Be makes history feel current and accessible to young readers—and encourages them to discover what their own backyard used to be. 

Published by: Tilbury House Publishers 

More about the author . . . 

Lynn Baldwin is a picture book author who lives in Ann Arbor with her husband and teenage son. She writes in a purple office with a “Create with Joy” sign on her deck surrounded by trees. She loves being outdoors – whether exploring the world or in her own backyard. She is a long-time SCBWI Michigan member and the Critique Group Coordinator for SCBWI Michigan. 

@lynnbaldwinwrites on BlueSky and Instagram

 

 

Critique Carousel Spotlight: Lynn Baldwin

 

How a Diligent Children's Book Writer Landed an Agent, Editor, and Book Deal: Lynn Baldwin and the Critique Carousel 1, 2, and 3

 

You mentioned a purple office with a “Create with Joy” poster. Still there?

Yes, I love to decorate my office with things that inspire me. A recent addition is a purchase from this year’s Ann Arbor Art Fair. I bought the letters Y-E-S made out of books to remind myself that I will get some YESes in this industry of NOs. I love to travel, so I also display flags of all the countries I’ve visited.

What does it take to build a website like yours? What’s it like maintaining it?

This is a timely question as I just had my website redesigned by a company that a lot of other picture book authors use. Prior to this, I’d built a pretty amateurish site by myself. But, with my debut picture book coming out next year, I thought it was time to take it to the next level. I’m thrilled with the result!

You were a children’s book writer without an agent, and then the Critique Carousel happened. What made you want to pursue an agent when you did?

I’d been trying to find an agent for YEARS! Throughout my journey, several agents expressed interest and requested more work, but this never translated into a “yes.” When I had the offer of publication, I figured this was a great time to try again, and I was thrilled when my strategy was successful!

My story really highlights that it’s such a subjective industry and that it’s always a matter of the “right person at the right time.” Over the years, I’d participated in quite a few conferences, workshops, webinars, contests and pitch parties that came with submission opportunities to agents or editors, as well as submitting to agents when they were open. 

I was starting to wonder if I’d ever be an agented or published writer! But, with the encouragement of my critique partners and other writing friends, I kept going. I’d encourage anyone who’s in my situation to keep trying – you never know when you might find the right person at the right time for your story.

The first hint of the Critique Carousel appeared in June of 2022. Did you participate in that first-time gamble?

I did, and I had a really helpful critique from an agent. I really like the story I submitted that year but am STILL reworking it!

The next Carousel had a different faculty. Did you hop on the Carousel again?

Last year’s Critique Carousel was pivotal in my quest to become a published picture book author. When I received my feedback from editor Sarah Rockett, I immediately noticed that she had a lot of positive feedback and thought the story was very marketable.

Later that day, I found a third page of the critique on my office floor with a note I’d almost missed: Sarah said she’d love for me to submit the story to her!

That was in October or November of last year and I signed the contract with Tilbury House Publishers in June 2024. I was more familiar with Sleeping Bear than Tilbury House but have since learned that they are sister imprints under the Cherry Lake Publishing umbrella.

How did you choose your agent?

When I had the email with the book offer from Tilbury House, I immediately contacted a number of agents – some who had that story, some who had other stories of mine and some I hadn’t submitted to recently. I received some immediate “thanks but no thanks” and didn’t hear at all from at least a third of the agents. 

A few expressed interest and I decided that Jen Newens of Martin Literary Management was the best fit for me after talking to her and a few of her clients.

Family glacier hike Norway from summer 2024

What’s new from you?

My debut picture book, MY BACKYARD USED TO BE, is scheduled to be published by Tilbury House Publishers in fall 2025. Also, I’ll soon be out on submission with a new story for the first time, so I’m very excited about both!

Are you planning to mount up again for another carousel spin this year?

Definitely!

 

Charlie Barshaw has been with SCBWI-MI since 2009. He's also participated in both previous Carousels and gotten wonderful feedback. He's happy writing about other writer's successes. However, he's just about at the point of jumping into the submission trenches.

Also, in 2014 he co-chaired an SCBWI-MI conference at Mackinac Island, with such luminous faculty as editor Arthur Levine, editor Christy Ottaviano, author Candace Fleming, her husband and illustrator Eric Rohmann, and author/illustrator Laurie Keller.

There's a good possibility that one or more of those superstars will consent to an interview. Candace says, "I remember that conference like it was yesterday.  It was a terrific event."

If you've got some Mackinac memories, email me at cjbarshaw523@aol.com.

SCBWI Marvelous Midwest Moments

Our SCBWI-MI listserv has been all abuzz about the recent Marvelous Midwest Multi-Region Conference held in Naperville, Illinois. Our members expressed gratitude and appreciation for the organizers' hard work as well as praise for the thoughtful and motivating key-notes and breakout sessions. Two SCBWI members offered to share their takeaways, and we have lots of photos thanks to Angela Verges and Dave Stricklen.
Enjoy!

Lynn Baldwin, an SCBWI-MI member from Ann Arbor, writes:

What a Marvelous Weekend!

SCBWI’s Marvelous Midwest Conference certainly lived up to its name. It was a marvelous weekend of networking, learning and being inspired by a great line-up of authors, illustrators, editors, agents and other kidlit industry experts.

While it would be hard to summarize everything seen, heard and learned, here are some key take-aways:

Community: Our own RAs and conference co-chairs, Leslie Helakoski and Carrie Pearson, kicked off the event with an inspiring presentation that cleverly used the titles of children’s books to convey the idea that we’re on this journey together.

I certainly felt the community as I reconnected with old friends and met some new ones, including some wildly creative people at the Friday evening social who were dressed for the theme of let’s go to the fair (think cows, balloon vendors, baking contest participants and more!) Everyone I spoke with – from newbies to multi-published authors – was kind, engaging and eager to share experiences.

Creativity: Beyond the creativity of the costumes, there was a general sense of creativity in the air that came from being surrounded by so many like-minded people. We were also treated to the visual creativity of the illustrator community whose artwork was on display for all to enjoy.

Today’s children’s book market is open to creativity in terms of book topics and formats, according to librarian and Kirkus reviewer Betsy Bird. In her keynote, she spoke of today as a “new golden age” in children’s literature. She and fellow librarian Travis Jonker expanded on the topic of creativity in their fascinating breakout session on “picture books outside the boundaries.”

Opportunity: Our opportunity as authors and illustrators isn’t just to sell books. We also have the chance to right some ingrained wrongs.  Many speakers, including a diversity panel representing multiple facets of the industry, spoke of the importance of making sure that ALL kids have books in which they can see themselves. We learned that the industry is making strides to better represent diverse voices but that there’s still a long way to go.

Author Jack Cheng gave an inspiring presentation about the role of children’s books in reducing violence against women and girls. He spoke of the need to write books that move beyond stereotypical representations of boys and men and about how important it is for boys to read books starring girls. (Jack made his presentation available online for everyone to read and share. Don't miss this one: https://jackcheng.com/the-enchanted-rose.)

Beauty: In one of the most hopeful breakout sessions I attended, agent Stephen Fraser spoke of our role as writers and illustrators in countering the toxic negativity found in today’s world and bringing beauty and kindness to children. He said that creating books for kids is a “joy and a privilege.” Several other speakers reinforced the idea that children’s books can have a lifelong impact on the reader, certainly a beautiful thought.

Lynn Baldwin is a picture book writer on the path to publication. When not writing, she enjoys traveling, studying/speaking foreign languages and being active outside. Lynn lives with her husband and son in Ann Arbor. Learn more at www.lynnbaldwinbooks.com.

MaryAtkinson, an SCBWI New England member from Maine writes:

A New Englander Goes to the Marvelous Midwest

Have you ever thought of attending an SCBWI conference outside of your region? This year, instead of attending my local New England conference, I decided to shake things up and go the Marvelous Midwest. 

I’d looked through the schedule and seen that there were many faculty presenting that I’d never heard before. I could catch up with friends from Vermont College whom I seldom see. And I was super impressed with the wide variety of sessions— from writing from the heart to revision techniques and developing secondary characters; from photoshop tips for illustrators to how to make a pop-up book; panels on diversity, self-publishing, and what agents want; keynotes both inspiring and informative.

I found a direct flight from Portland, Maine (where I live) to Chicago, took a quick ride to Naperville, and there I was. I knew immediately when I entered the hotel and registered that I’d made a good decision. We attendees were well taken care of from the start. The Marvelous Midwest volunteers made the conference run smoothly and efficiently. Thank you!

Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. Conversations popped up on elevators, at the dinner table, in the hallways between sessions. I soon wished I could’ve cloned myself to attend everything and meet more people.

There’s something about leaving home and traveling to a new place that recharges my batteries and makes me see my work as a writer in a new light.

I left with renewed energy and a notebook full of things to do (consider those secondary characters, experiment with a different POV, pump up my social media), and contact information from lots of new friends. I discovered many new-to-me authors and illustrators to follow.

So thank you, Marvelous Midwesterners. I’ll be keeping an eye out for your next conference!

Mary Atkinson is the author or Owl Girl, Tillie Heart and Soul, and Mario’s Notebook. You can learn more about her at www.maryatkinson.net.

Coming up on the Mitten Blog 

Tips for Painless Self-Promotion, Ask the Editor, Book Birthday celebrations, a new Featured Illustrator, and more!

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