Meet Your Neighbors: SCBWI-MI Member Blogs by Charlie Barshaw

Recently at the Lansing Area Shop Talk, Ann Finkelstein and I hosted a meeting about blogs, our favorites, and something we took away from a post.

Many of the blogs we brought up were aimed at writing in general, like Writer Unboxed.

Some offered Kid’s literature, but focused mainly on book reviews: Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast and The Jean Little Library are two of the finest examples.

So, I googled “Kid’s Book Blogs,” thinking I’d be lucky to find a few. Second entry (the first was an advertisement) yielded this website, KidLitoSphere Central with hundreds of choices. Who, really, knew?

Easily you could spend your whole day investigating other people’s words instead of writing your own. However, in that massive list, I failed to find some local favorites from some of our own SCBWI-MI members.

So, check out a few of our homegrown talents:

Frog on a Dime by Vicky Lorencen. This blog covers the pitfalls and potential of kid’s book writing.

Jumping the Candlestick by Debbie Diesen. Best-selling author of “The Pout-Pout Fish” series, Debbie interviews Michigan authors.

Janice Broyles recently interviewed Regional Advisors Leslie Helakoski and Carrie Pearson. Be sure to check out her Monday Meet-ups.

ReaderKidz by Debbie Gonzalez. Debbie reviews children’s picture books and sometimes interviews their authors.

Words and Pixels by Ann Finkelstein. Ann’s a brilliant photographer and a master of craft, and her blog reflects her passions.

Literary Rambles by Natalie Aguirre and Casey McCormick. This is the blog to read to investigate agents in the Kid Lit world.

Shutta Crum. This venerable author’s blog has “Best of” lists and interviews with authors.

Nancy Shaw. Her blog tends to have Baaab the Sheep in the photos.

Sensibility and Sense by Patti Richards uncovers the nuances of writing children’s literature.

Sandy Carlson’s blog explores her Michigan historical roots.

The Blob Blog by Amy Nielander uses shapes to inspire characters in your head.

Erin Brown Conroy's blog is for entrepreneurs and creatives.

Buffy’s Blog by Buffy Silverman offers nature photos and poetry.

And finally Kristen Remenar’s blog evaluates early childhood literacy and the early stages of authorhood.

These are only a few that came to mind between Ann Finkelstein and myself. If I’ve failed to mention your favorite blog, please add it in the comments section. Check out some of your Michigan neighbors in the blogosphere.

Charlie Barshaw has entered pieces in the upcoming Wild Wild Mid-West manuscript contest, the annual SCBWI WIP grant, and the Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award. He's also co-chairing the novel track for the SCBWI-MI Fall Retreat with David Stricklen. So I guess it's okay that he hasn't completed revising his MG or finished the first draft of his YA.

  

Thanks for the round-up, Charlie! Coming up on the Mitten blog: an Illustrator Interview, a Writer Spotlight, and Charlie will be back to share his take-aways from the SCBWI Wild, Wild Midwest Conference!

Have a great weekend!
Kristin Lenz

Making the Rounds at MRA by Barbara Rebbeck

I park my car in the Washington lot at Cobo Hall and begin the trek, and I mean trek, across the first floor to register as a featured speaker for the MRA Conference in Detroit. I am a Reading All-Star, here to present the story of my journey from classroom teacher to author of my YA novel, NOLA Gals. My trek is interrupted constantly by teens also here for a cheerleading competition. They cavort and leap and shout in their skimpy costumes, waiting to be called to perform. I pray for that kind of energy as I trudge, loaded down with equipment and books.

I reach Room 140A, almost to the Detroit River and am warmly greeted and given instructions how to get back to the room I will present in. You guessed it. It is all the way back, almost to the parking lot. But determined, I cross through the cheering girls again, up two escalators and see my room at last. I set up my equipment and finish just as a techie arrives to help. All is well. The audience arrives and I begin. A very small audience as I have drawn the 4 p.m. crowd, the Happy-Hour yawners. But they are attentive, and one man is interested in having his community theater support a play adaptation of my novel. That could work.

The next morning I am back very early for a book-signing in the Grand Ballroom Book Exhibit. Four of us have drawn this too-early 8 a.m. slot so we amuse ourselves by swapping stories and travel tales as few signatures are needed.

Next up is the Author Breakfast. Early enthusiastic literary fans await. Besides myself, author Jan Cheripko sits at my table. We talk books over breakfast with our teachers and then stand as each author is introduced one by one. The most authors ever they say are here.  Each teacher receives a signed copy of our table books, and we pose for photos. It is fun to feel the excitement teachers have to be around so many authors. And they are even happier to learn I will visit their schools for free!

The General Session speaker is Matt De La Pena who recently won the Newbery Award for his picture book, Last Stop on Market Street. He speaks very movingly about the power of literacy and creativity in the lives of children and young adults, especially those “on the wrong side of the tracks.”

At 3 p.m. I’m up to speak again and once again I find my room, a different one, way across the center. This is a huge place. More cheerleaders, three teens who boom rap music, clearing the way around them, and two escalator rides later, I find the room and set up. I have revised for this presentation, mostly so I could cut the equipment for the long walk. I have twice as many people today and will be formally introduced by a board member. The book exhibit is now closed, and I have also toted copies of my book that failed to sell there. I have been told to sell them myself at this session. Again, I make my offer to work in schools and teachers take my card.

All in all, it was an honor to be a part of the celebration of the MRA’s 60^th anniversary.

Barbara J. Rebbeck is the author of the YA novel, NOLA Gals which has been recognized as a finalist for the IAN Award, a semi-finalist for the Kindle Book Award, and is now shortlisted for the Drunken Druid Award. (Honest! It’s an Irish award.) She is writer-in-residence for both Waterford Schools and the Beverly Hills Academy. Learn more at www.nolagals.com

Mark your calendars! Barb will be at Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor on June 11th, 3:00pm.

Featured Illustrator Lori Taylor

MEET LORI TAYLOR



This questionnaire goes back to a popular parlor game in the early 1900s. Marcel Proust filled it out twice. Some of our questions were altered from the original to gain more insight into the hearts and minds of our illustrators. We hope you enjoy this way of getting to know everybody.

1. Your present state of mind?

   
Alert, busy yet pleased. Too much coffee?

2. What do you do best? 

Laugh. Be a clown, sometimes unintentionally.

3. Where would you like to live?

 

In the north woods, in Baba Yaga’s house—the one on chicken legs with skulls in the yard. Hey wait, that’s a lot like where I live now. Our hen coop is on stilts and we are surrounded by pines, owls, and skulls.

4. Your favorite color?

 

Chartreuse and sometimes Indigo. Favorite colors vary year to year. Still in Indigo mode. Or no, chartreuse. Don’t ask me to paint your house.

5. Three of your own illustrations

6. Your music?
 

Ecclectic mix of Carlos Nakai flute music, Tori Amos, Lady Gaga, 90s alternative rock.

7. Your biggest achievement?
 

Being selected artist-in-residence for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Three weeks exploring and doing art in the national park being treated like a queen. OK, thinking I was a queen.

8. Your biggest mistake?
 

Not backing up my files. I accidentally had a desktop folder get deleted that contained 20+ years of art and photo files, research, and the book dummy. Back up, people. Do it NOW!

9. Your favorite children's book when you were a child?
 

The Whispering Rabbit and Other Stories, by Margaret Wise Brown. I still have it.

10. Your main character trait?
 

I’m a playful, but fierce. I like to think I am mighty and can do anything.

11. What do you appreciate most in a friend?
 

Honesty! Being real and funny. Real funny.

12. What mistakes are you most willing to forgive?
 

Most things. Just don’t mess with my kids and grandkids.

13. Your favorite children's book hero?
 

Pippi Longstocking. And Paddington.

14. What moves you forward?
 

The excitement of creating a story or illustration.

15. What holds you back?
 

People grabbing my arms and saying, “Wait! Hold on there, Missy.” Which is good when I’m near cliff edges. But maybe fear of not getting something just right.

16. Your dream of happiness?
 

Drawing and writing, living in the woods, play with grandkids, have lots of books, travel around in a camper, and have someone call and say, “Hey, we need you to create this (fill in the blank).” I guess I have all that now.

17. The painter/illustrator you admire most?
 

Emily Carr, for her powerful, colorful, stylized, emotional nature pieces. She lived in the north woods, traveled in a camper, painting and writing with her animals—Hey, I think I have become Emily Carr, except I don’t have a monkey—but we do have two rescued beagles who act like monkeys.

18. What super power would you like to have?
 

The ability to run fast and jump high. I can do neither.

19. Your motto?
 

Dance with Life. I CAN dance. 

20. Your social media?
 

http://www.loritaylorart.com

https://twitter.com/LoriTaylorArts

 

Hugs and Hurrahs

Spring isn’t the only thing that’s “bustin’ out all over!” You Michkidders have been busier than bees since our last issue of Hugs and Hurrahs. And we’re as bouncy as bunnies and delighted as ducklings to celebrate all of your amazing news. We hope you enjoy this overflowing basket of publishing goodness. Congratulations to all of you!  

Hats off to RaeChell Garrett who recently signed with agent Sarah LaPolla of the Bradford Literary Agency. RaeChell’s debut contemporary YA novel will go out on submission in May. So proud of you RaeChell! 

Buffy Silverman learned about all kinds of engine-driven vehicles while writing six titles in Lerner Publishing's How Vehicles Work series, published in February. The titles included: How Do Big Rigs Work? How Do Trains Work? How Do Formula One Race Cars Work? How Do Monster Trucks Work? How Do Tanks Work? How Do Fire Trucks Work? It’s a standing ovation for you Buffy!

We’re happy dancing with PJ Lyons whose new book, God Is Watching over You, illustrated by Tim Warnes, was released by ZonderKidz on March 1, 2016.

Big applause for Sue Thoms, whose board book, JONAH AND THE BIG FISH, illustrated by Naoko Stoop, released on March 1 by Sterling Publishing. Sue is also currently working on a book of bedtime prayers for ZonderKidz. 

Kelly Barson’s newest YA contemporary novel, CHARLOTTE CUTS IT OUT, releases from Viking (Penguin Random House) on April 5. Three cheers for you Kelly!

Lisa Wheeler recently sold a book called Babies Can Sleep Anywhere to Abrams' Appleseed Books. It's a young book that explores animal environments. The illustrator and release date are yet to be announced. You’re awesome Lisa!  

Lori Eslick has an illustration coming out in the July/August 2016 issue of Cricket Magazine to accompany the story, A HOME IN THE GROUND. Fabulous news Lori!   

A huge round of applause for Lisa Rose, whose debut picture book, SHMULIK PAINTS THE TOWN, was the number #1 new release for mid-East children's books and Jewish children's books in January. Lisa also celebrated her book launch on March 13 at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Lisa read and signed her book, and the children in the audience made book-related art projects and enjoyed colorful cupcakes, that could have been painted by Ezra himself. So proud of you Lisa! 

Janet Heller will read her book, The Passover Surprise and lead a creative writing workshop at the Congregation of Moses in Kalamazoo on Sunday March 27, 2016 at 10 a.m. The workshop will be followed by a brunch and book signing. In February, Janet participated in “Artfactory: Poems about Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo History.” The event was held at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and featured local writers reading poems about all things Kalamazoo. Awesome news Janet!

On March 8, the School Library Journal Blog, Scope Notes, featured, Instagramming an Author Visit: Ruth McNally Barshaw. The post documented one of Ruth’s recent school visits entirely in captioned photos. You are a rock star Ruth! (Photo Credit: Travis Jonker)

Congratulations to Matt Faulkner who was the recipient of the 2016 Michigan Reading Association’s Gwen Frostic Award. Matt writes, “It is truly an honor to join this list of past recipients: Gloria Whalen, Wendy Anderson Halperin, Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, Shirley Nietzel, Patricia Polacco, Margaret Willey, Ryan Hipp, Gary Schmidt, Kelly DiPucchio, and Christopher Paul Curtis.” The New York Times also recently reviewed Matt’s book, ELIZABETH STARTED ALL THE TROUBLE, in its round up of kids books. You can read the review here: 

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/09/books/review/09-bookshelf-women-making-history.html?_r=1

You make us proud Matt!

Three cheers to Sarah Miller whose middle-grade nonfiction, THE BORDEN MURDERS: LIZZIE BORDON AND THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY, was released in January from Schwartz and Wade Books. Sarah also recently sold her book, THE Dionne Quintuplets, to Random House/Schwartz & Wade Books. The Dionne Quintuplets, is a YA narrative nonfiction book about the world's first recorded set of surviving quintuplets who rose to fame in Canada in the 1930s. Publication is scheduled for fall 2018. We’re giving you a standing ovation Sarah!

Shandra Trent recently celebrated the release of her new book, GIDDY-UP BUCKAROOS! with a book launch at Nicolas Books in Ann Arbor. So happy for you Shandra!

Hats off to Monica Harris, who recently sold 3 pieces to the Data Recognition Corporation of Michigan and 2 pieces to the Data Recognition Corporation of Nebraska. Way to go Monica!   

Leslie Helakoski (one of our fearless leaders) sold a picture book to Sterling Publishing called, Hoot and Honk, for both text and illustration. The book is about an owlet and a gosling that end up in each other's nests, and is due out next spring. You’re awesome Leslie!

Neal Levin has been busy these last few months! His poem, Cavemanners, was published in the November/December issue of Spider, and his short story, Messy Messages, was published in the November 2015 issue of Highlights For Children. Cricket Media also chose Cavemanners as an Editor's Pick as one of the Best Stories of 2015 from their family of literary magazines. Neal Levin's short story, The True Meaning of Hannah Berger, won an Honorable Mention in the 84th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition, and his poem, Warm Welcome, was published in the March 2016 issue of Highlights. You are amazing Neal! 

Phew! I think that’s everything! I just have to take this opportunity to say what an honor it is to read and report on all the happy happenings among our amazing SCBWI Mitten family. Your stories inspire me and give all of us the courage to keep on keeping on. Thank you so much for sharing!

Send all your publishing news to Patti Richards, pgwrites5@gmail.com  

Bikers for Books: Rev Up for Reading

As soon as I learned about Bikers for Books, I knew I wanted to interview them for our SCBWI-MI blog. Badge Velasquez and his wife Kendra took time from their very busy schedules (they both work full-time jobs in addition to running Bikers For Books) to answer my questions. Read on to learn more about this grassroots Michigan organization that's making a huge impact.

How did Bikers for Books get started, and how has it grown since then?
Bikers for Books started in 2013 as a result of a local school reaching out for what seemed to be a small and simple request. The “biker” community in general is a very generous group of people. The pairing of 2 things, a love for motorcycles and a passion for literacy prompted the formation of the Bikers for Books program. Bikers in this area were thirsty for a local homegrown charity to call their own.

In the past 3 years we have been to over 35 different schools and seen over 15,000 kids. In the beginning it was not easy; schools were apprehensive about our presence and what we had to say to the kids. However, within the first few months of existence the doors were opened at many schools requesting our program.

What's next? What are your goals going forward? What do you hope to accomplish?
The possibilities for “what’s next” is a wide open and open-ended question. We are so passionate and dedicated to our program. Ideas and goals fill the spaces in our minds constantly. We are being guest speakers for the first time at the Michigan Reading Association, we have purchased a mobile book delivery unit, we have obtained small free-standing libraries, and we’ve partnered with local authors to send them to schools to help motivate kids.

Looking in the future we would love to have an actual location where people and kids can gather for free tutoring or the use of free resources. We also see ourselves hopefully spreading the word nationally, starting other chapters across the country.

What achievements are you most proud of?
One of our greatest accomplishments lies in our followers, supporters, and our Bikers for Books family. Our organization is proof that a group of people with a shared passion and goal can accomplish great things and make a difference in our community. The backbone of our group consists of common everyday people working together to help spread the word of hope to our youth.

What has been challenging or surprising about your experience so far?
Honestly, the growth and success of the organization in such a short time had been amazing.  But, early on it proved a little challenging getting people to take us seriously and get them to believe in our cause.

Throughout the last 3 years we have been surprised at the condition of some of the schools, their libraries, and their lack of adequate reading materials. It has been a real eye-opener at how little money is actually needed to make an impact.

What can others do to help your organization?
It is so easy to help… GET INVOLVED any way you can. Please like us on Facebook, share what we do with others, join us at an event, and lastly make contributions whenever you can. You don’t have to be a biker to be a part of our group, you need to have a passion for reading and the desire to make an impact in our schools.

Look for Badge Velasquez at MRA this weekend!

Learn more about Bikers for Books at their website, follow them on Facebook, and meet them at the Michigan Reading Association annual conference in Detroit this weekend!





















Coming up on the Mitten blog:

Hugs and Hurrahs! Only a few more days to send your good news to Patti Richards. Email her at pgwrites5@gmail.com by Sunday, March 20th.

On April 1st, Nina Goebel will reveal our new blog banner created by our new Featured Illustrator!

Have a great weekend,
Kristin

Four Fears Float Away at SCBWI’s NYC Conference by Lindsey McDivitt

This year I was the lucky winner of Shutta Crum’s tuition scholarship to the SCBWI conference in NYC. Did I tell you that I almost didn’t apply? In fact, I submitted my application at the eleventh hour. Literally. At eleven p.m., an hour before the midnight deadline, I pushed send on the email. My fears and anxieties almost stopped me. 

Was I ready? It felt like a big step. Despite attending numerous other fabulous SCBWI conferences I’d never signed up for a national conference. The current seemed to be carrying me in that direction, but I was intimidated and I almost let the opportunity go by. I’m so glad I didn’t, and I’m here to tell you—I stayed afloat. I survived, perhaps even thrived, and I certainly had fun!

Another fear involved navigating the depths of New York City. I lived for many years in Minneapolis/St. Paul so I’m not truly a small town girl, but NYC did scare me a bit. Carrie Pearson, our regional co-RA, mentioned an inexpensive bus from LaGuardia airport to within a block of the hotel. The tide turned for me—I began to think perhaps I could tackle the Big Apple. Transportation was a non-issue in reality and finding food a cinch. The food court for Grand Central Station was right next door to the hotel. (When I spotted pastries not seen since Germany I was hooked!)

Swimming with the big fish was also intimidating to this pre-published author. The halls teamed with big name editors, authors and agents. Would I find friendly faces in that sea of humanity? But I found it was similar to sailors far from home—encounters with anyone from the same part of the world felt welcoming. Ahoy there! Fellow picture book writer?! Non-fiction writer?! Michigander! Minnesotan! The Saturday evening Gala was anchored by tables labeled with states and countries. Meeting someone in the same boat became as easy as sprinkling this post with nautical terms.

Wondering if I’d sink or swim in the critique sessions also stirred up my nerves. I’d signed up for the Friday roundtables. Two opportunities to read 500 words of my manuscript to eight table-mates and an editor or literary agent. Two opportunities to feel like schools of minnows churned my innards. But overall it was a good experience. Although the agent preferred YA to picture books, the editor did like my manuscript. And as I suspected she shared her email with our group—allowing us to submit one manuscript to her. But only for eight weeks. Words to the wise—group critiques did feel a bit like jumping off the deep end. Do your homework and have a manuscript truly submission ready before signing up.

Sure I was just a little fish in a big, big pond, but WOW was it a treat to listen to some of those BIG fish inspire us! Rita Williams-Garcia, Rainbow Rowell, Jacquelyn Mitchard, William Joyce and Gary D. Schmidt, a fellow Michigander! I’m fired up to go the distance now and I’m so grateful to Shutta, and also the Michigan SCBWI chapter for my airfare. Thank you also to Carrie Pearson and Leslie Helakoski for the advice and support—you were lifesavers! So next year—when you hear the news, take the bait! Sign up for a chance at Shutta’s scholarship ASAP.

Lindsey McDivitt is an Ann Arbor based writer formerly from Minnesota. She writes both fiction and non-fiction picture books and is especially fond of picture book biographies. Lindsey reviews Positive Aging picture books on her blog at www.a-is-for-aging.com. You can also find Lindsey on Twitter and Facebook, as well as A is for Aging on Facebook.

Pssst, want to know a secret? An editor just sent one of Lindsey's picture book manuscripts to the acquisition committee. We're cheering you on, Lindsey, and looking forward to hearing news of your book contract! 

Coming up on the Mitten blog: Hugs and Hurrahs! To be included, please send your good news to Patti Richards at pgwrites5@gmail.com by March 20th.

On the Scene in 2016, and What To Do While Waiting by Wendy BooydeGraaff

When I first signed my contract with Ripple Grove Press, one of the hardest things I had to do was wait. There was waiting to find out who would illustrate the picture book (Bryan Langdo), then there was waiting to see some of the preliminary sketches, and waiting to see the final art and cover, and waiting for my advance copies and the launch date.

Of course, I’ve kept busy writing and marketing—all the things I’ve read to do and all the things author friends have encouraged me to do—but one of the best things I did was find a group of other debut picture book authors and illustrators.

There are 51 of us in a private Facebook group where we share our experiences, ask for advice and cheer each other on. While we are officially a 2016 group, some had launch dates that, surprisingly, moved them into 2015. Some have had setbacks that are pushing their debuts into 2017. Some of us post all the time and some of us rarely post. That’s okay. This group is about community and shared experience, and each member can choose their own level of participation.

Out of that group, we made a public blog: On the Scene in 2016. Here we celebrate our books and ideas with the world. We…

• introduce ourselves in three scenes (follow this link for a list of introduction posts)
• celebrate launches
• give information about our picture book debuts based on voluntary surveys
• create sentences from the sixteenth word in each of our books (called “The Sixteenth Word Series,” featuring wonky illustrations)
• welcome your comments

I hope you’ll stop by and visit us. I also hope that when you get that book contract, you join a debut group, and if there isn’t one that fits what you need, create it.

Wendy BooydeGraaff’s picture book debut, SALAD PIE, illustrated by Bryan Langdo, and published by Ripple Grove Press, is available March 1, 2016, wherever books are sold (or you can preorder it on Barnes and Noble, Amazon or IndieBound). Please visit her at wendybooydegraaff.com where you can ask a question. 

The 2016 picture book debut authors and illustrators are on Pinterest, Goodreads, and on the blog. If you’ve got your first picture book coming out in 2016, it’s not too late to join the group.







Coming up on the Mitten blog: Take-aways from the SCBWI New York conference and another round of Hugs and Hurrahs. To be included, please send your good news to Patti Richards at pgwrites5@gmail.com by March 20th.

Are you following the SCBWI-MI Facebook page? Please "like" the page to help our chapter reach its goal of 500 followers. In addition to the listserv, it's one of the best ways to stay up to date with news from our chapter, including conference updates.

Have a great weekend!
Kristin