My Publishing Process: The Journey Continues

Now that the kids are out of school it seems that things haven't really slowed down much. I spent three hours at the car dealer Tuesday, ventured to the beach to support a school fundraiser on Wednesday, attended a summer PTO board meeting (I blinked and found myself as next year's PTO secretary) on Thursday, spent one entire day doing critiques for my local group, HB Critters, and revising a picture book on Friday... and then went to the meeting last night. Whew! What a week!

Meanwhile, in the crevices of my spare time, I've managed to narrow my sights on two publishers that are "for sure" submissions. One publisher printed a book that I connected with so well, that I ordered the book on Amazon that morning, after only hearing only one stanza. Iggy Peck, Architect is one of the most gifted picture books I've ever read. Not only did I connect with it, it challenged me to want to write more and better. After emailing Andrea to let her know about my discovery, she so graciously shared with me some of her favorite authors. The next day, I quickly packed up my three kids and was off to the library. I came home with eighteen picture books of my own... besides what the kids picked out. I learned that Lisa Wheeler is one of my new heroes. Just as Iggy Peck challenged me, I found myself in the middle of the library reading Lisa's Sixteen Cows, and with tears in my eyes I realizing that there are others out there who speak my language; the language of word play in rhyme! Mathematically arranged in perfect meter and rhyme, I've found my new text books... and it's back to college for me!

Since most publishers ask picture book writers to submit the entire manuscript with a cover letter, I didn't anticipate having to do a query for this book. Then, I realized that one of the two publishers I've decided to sub to requires a query before submitting. As a perfectionist, summing up my picture book in one page terrifies me. How can I sum up a 580 word rhyming picture book in one page without just telling the whole story? Thus, another adventure... query crafting research.

I still have several publishers to look into, so I'm not done with the research and narrowing process yet. As my file box sits filled with folders at my feet, neatly organized alphabetically by publishing house, I realize that this writing thing is much more than just... well... writing. The writing business is much more in depth than I'd ever imagined. Thankfully, I love a challenge and the process of learning!

And speaking of... I'm doubly thankful that I have a wonderful friend and mentor in Brenda Sturgis, an award winning author and poet. She's taken me under her talented wing and is molding me into a best seller... Yay Brenda! Thank you - Thank you... a thousand times, thank you!!!!

Now, I'm off to the beautiful Huntington Beach sand, where we'll do important things like laugh, eat hot dogs and get sand in places I won't mention here.

Thanks for sharing my journey,

Jenni

(Photo by NinaOA)

Father's Day Fun

Coffee started Daddy’s Day.
The kids all passed out gifts.
They took turns watching Daddy, Awe,
then kissed his face in shifts.

We took a ride in Go Carts – VROOM!
A curvy, swervey chase.
Then all at once we saw a blur.
Yes, Daddy won the race.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL!!!

Jenni

(Photo by mynameisshara at www.flickr.com)

Making Boogie Knights

Lisa Wheeler and Mark Siegel collaborate to make Boogie Knights, an exciting picture book in verse. As I build my library of talented picture books in rhyme, I'm finding that they are much more than entertaining. As an aspiring author, they are uplifting and enlightening.

I found this great video on Youtube and thought I'd post it. I love watching artists share how their work came about, especially when you see and hear the excitement they have for their work... It's contagious!

Enjoy... I'm off to revise...

Jenni

I Dare You!

I dare you to check into Cynthea Liu's Take the Dare challenge. This challenge honors a Title I elementary school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where the poverty level, gang violence, and crime has infiltrated the community. Please take a look by going here.

I DARE YOU to make a difference for these kids!

Jenni

The Publishing Process of My First Manuscript

I’ve been on blogging hiatus lately (as you all know). The good news is that I’ve been using my time wisely. In addition to the kids’ active last week of school (which ends next Wednesday – woo hoo!) and all the other super fast-paced things us mommies do, I’ve been working hard at researching publishing houses to submit my first manuscript to.

You might think, “What’s the big deal? Just look up the biggest and best children’s industry publishers and send it out!” or, “Send it to them all.” But the truth is, that is what many writers do and THAT is why the “slush piles” at the publishing houses are so big. The manuscript must fit with not only the publisher, but the editor to a ‘T’.

Since I’ve finished my 680 word manuscript after volumes and volumes of revisions and critiques, here is a quick recap of what I’ve been working on:

I began searching for publishers that would represent my picture book perfectly... This is when the real work began. I thought the writing was the work... That was actually the FUN part! Let’s just say it’s a fortunate thing that I happen to love research. This is certainly no quick and easy task.

I began this process by checking the publishers section of my CWIM (Children’s Writer’s & Illustrators Market) and checking at a glance if they appear to be a good fit for my story (Do they do picture books? Are they accepting manuscripts? Do you have to have an agent to sub? etc...). Additionally, I checked the publishers of some of my favorite picture books.

I’m currently at about forty publishers (or so) who have made the first cut. My goal is to get down to about 5 or so (give or take) who I feel could FALL IN LOVE with my protagonist and his amazing journey... oh, and all those other amusing characters surrounding him.

How do I do that? I have to do an in-depth research of each publisher. First, I have to see which ones have printed picture books similar to mine. They don’t have to have the same story line... and none will, but they do need to represent funny rhyming picture books told in amazingly perfect rhyme and meter, just like mine!

***grin***

I’ll do my best to keep you up to date with my researching process and all that it entails.

Still coming in the near future...
Leaving a Legacy of Love (part 3)
Agent’s Day Recap (Part 2)

Until then... happy reading and writing!

Sincerely,

Jenni Bielicki

(photos by Ron Caglia and tassiesim on www.flickr.com)

My Newest Favorite - CROCODADDY

I love it when I find a new favorite picture book! My four-year-old and I took a trip to our local Barnes and Noble yesterday and discovered Crocodaddy, written by Kim Norman and illustrated by David Walker.

As every good picture book should be, this is a perfect partnership between words and pictures. Crocodaddy is the kind of story that will bring grins and giggles to children and adults everywhere. I know this from first hand experience as I plopped down on the bookstore floor, my daughter jumped in my lap and we enjoyed our first Crocodaddy journey!

This adorable rhythmically rhyming picture book tells the tale of the kind of fun every child would love to have with Daddy... especially when he’s CROCODADDY.

Pick up your copy today, just in time for Father’s Day, at Barnes and Noble online or visit your local book store. And don’t forget to visit Kim Norman’s website to explore more of her delightful picture books.

Disclosure!

Dear Brian:
I apologize in advance for the Father’s Day gift spoiler. But then again, the REAL gift will be snuggling and reading with our baby croc.

Sincerely,

Jenni