Debbie Ridpath Ohi's Blog, page 38
November 5, 2016
November 4, 2016
Late Bloomer Profile: Andrea Zuill and her debut picture book, WOLF CAMP (Schwartz & Wade)
I met Andrea Zuill through the SCBWI Mentorship Program. Andrea was chosen for the program in 2011. She is SO much fun, with a wonderfully quirky sense of humor. I was VERY excited for Andrea when she got her first book contract! And with a prestigious publishing imprint like Schwartz & Wade!
Andrea was 53 when her first picture book WOLF CAMP debuted earlier this year. Drawing had always been a constant for her from an early age, and she started painting in oils when she got older. Andrea's work was carried in galleries in California, Texas and NY. Eventually she opened an Etsy store and sold prints of her cute, quirky characters. Andrea says that almost immediately, she got comments from people saying how her images looked like they were from children's books.
She was taking an art class from Lori Mitchell, and Lori encouraged her to give children's books a try. Andrea joined her local SCBWI and took a class from Joy Chu on how to create book dummies. She got her agent, Erzsi Deak of Hen & Ink Literary Agency, after winning a Mentorship Program Award at her first SCBWI conference. You can read more about Andrea's background in this Kidlit411.com interview.
Find out more about Andrea and her work at her website, on Twitter at @AndreaZuill.
Read about WOLF CAMP on the Penguin Random House website.
Q. Was WOLF CAMP the first book project you tried to get published? If not, how many others were there?
Wolf Camp wasn't my first story I tried to get published. I had one other story that was floating out there. Two years after Wolf Camp sold, that first story found a home.
I'm not sure how many rejections my stories have had. My agent, Erzsi Deak / Hen & Ink Literary Studio, submits for me. The feedback I get from her is a general idea of how my stories are received and what problems seemed to be universal with my dummy. I suspect I've had hundreds of rejections.
Q. How did WOLF CAMP get published?
I always though of myself as an illustrator but my agent, Erzsi Deak, asked me to give writing a try. I did have a blog that I wrote articles for but the writing was free formed, stream on consciousness, punctuation-be-damned kind of writing. Again my agent pointed out that I wrote quite a bit about my dog, Homer, and that maybe I should write a story featuring him.
On my blog, I explored thoughts about Homer camping, Homer at Christmas and Homer stealing toys from small children. The article my agent liked most was one I wrote about Homer going to a camp run by wolves.
So I put together a rather loose dummy on that topic. When I mean loose I mean drawings, jokes and very little actual story. I couldn't believe it when she told me it sold.
Schwartz & Wade at that point took my hand and carefully help me make Wolf Camp become a real story. It took me a full two years to get Wolf Camp into shape. It still seems weird that I have a real life book published and out in the world!
Q. You said it took a full two years to get WOLF CAMP into shape. What was the process like? Was it what you expected?
Creating Wolf Camp and working with Schwartz & Wade taught me how to write a picture book. I had taken classes but having to produce a real book forced me to put everything I learned into action. All I had with my original dummy for Wolf Camp was the idea and a bunch of jokes. There was no clear story. Schwartz & Wade helped me to connect all the jokes and form a cohesive tale.
A lot of working on Wolf Camp was me reworking my dummy, sending it to my editors, them sending it back with notes. Their notes tended to say things like "This doesn't make sense." "This part of the story is too slow (or too fast)." "Need to be funnier." These comments might seem vague but your editor is not getting paid to write your story for you. After the dummy went back and forth many times we ended up with a real story.
This was my first time working with editors. I learned how they help gently guide you without pushing their ideas on you. The last rewrite I did was on the second half of the book . My editor said that is was weak and not quite as funny. I approached it in a relaxed manner, took my time and when needed I'd set it aside to let the story digest in my mind. I slowed my pace down and stopped trying to force the story so much. I know that sometimes you don't have the luxury of time but I did with Wolf Camp so I learned to take advantage of it.
Since Wolf Camp I've created three more stories, two of which have sold. I'm much more secure in my story writing/art abilities and my dummies show it. Both of my latest books only needed minor changes to their original dummies before I could start on the final book. This doesn't mean I still don't struggle but I just have a much better idea of what I'm doing.
Q. What’s next on your plate?
I have two books that will be published through Sterling Publishing. The first one I just finished. It's called Dance is for Everyone and is about a possibly dangerous alligator decides to join a dance class. The second book I just signed the contract on. The story is an emotional roller coaster ride featuring the relationship between two sister snails. This one is based on me and my little sister who had the audacity to be extremely cute when she was little.
Q. What advice do you have for children’s book writers and illustrators who are trying to get published?
1. Don't start out trying to be totally unique and breaking all the rules. Sure, it might of work for someone else but it's a tough row to hoe just starting out. Give yourself a break and take it slow.
2. Try to improve your taste level in writing & artwork. If you think you're already a fantastic writer/artist, and there's no need improvement, then you're just not going to get anywhere. It might sound weird but the best writers/artists I know always feel a little dissatisfied with their work.
3. Get to know people in your field and show them the best of YOU.
4. Always lend a helping hand.
5. Leave your ego at the door.
6. Submit like crazy and take in all the critiques people give you. It's not all going to be helpful but it should be honored.
7. Keep learning by taking classes, getting critiques and talking to industry people.
8. Remember that with most people it takes years of trying to get their first story published. It took me two years to get anyone interested in any of my books but don't be surprised that it might take even longer than that.
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Did you get your first children's book published (with a traditional print publisher) when you were 50 or older? If you're interested in being featured in my Late Bloomer series on Inkygirl: Please let me know!
For more interviews, see my Inkygirl Interview Archive.
November 2, 2016
Quarks, Aerospace Engineering & Advice For Young Writers: Three Questions with children's book author Ruth Spiro
Ruth Spiro is the author of the Baby Loves Science series, published by Charlesbridge. Her debut picture book, Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist won awards from Writer’s Digest and Willamette Writers, and was a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year. Ruth’s articles and stories have appeared in FamilyFun, CHILD, and The Writer, and also in popular anthologies, notably The Right Words at the Right Time (Vol. II), edited by Marlo Thomas, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul titles. She lives in suburban Chicago. You can find Ruth at RuthSpiro.com, on Twitter at @ruthspiro, on Instagram at @ruthspiro and on Facebook.
BABY LOVES AEROSPACE ENGINEERING!
Author: Ruth Spiro
Illustrator by Irene Chan
Charlesbridge Publishing (October 2016)
Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering! explores the basics of flight – from birds, to planes and rockets – and ties it all to baby’s world. Beautiful, visually stimulating illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage baby’s sense of wonder.
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BABY LOVES QUARKS!
Author: Ruth Spiro
Illustrator: Irene Chan
Charlesbridge Publishing (October 2016)
Baby Loves Quarks! explores the basics of particle physics and chemistry – quarks, protons, neutrons, atoms and molecules – and ties it all to baby’s world. Accurate enough to satisfy an expert, yet simple enough for baby.
From Debbie: I was lucky enough to meet Ruth Spiro at Nerd Camp earlier this year. I love her enthusiasm and love for sharing books with young readers. Ruth kindly agreed to answer Three Questions for me:
Q. Could you please take a photo of something in your office and tell us the story behind it?
When I first began writing for children, my two daughters were young and I was immersed in a world of picture books, sand toys, ballet lessons, and new “best friends” every day. Ideas and inspiration swirled around me like fireflies on a summer night. But as time went on, my girls grew out of this stage and I no longer had that personal window into the world I was writing about.
Of course, having kids in your home isn’t a prerequisite for writing children’s books! With or without kids, most writers are very good at accessing memories from their own childhoods as inspiration. But sometimes I need something more tangible to help shake loose the cobwebs.
The minute I saw this t-shirt at a rummage sale I was immediately transported back to that child’s world. Something about the colors and the design made me happy, and even though it wouldn’t fit anyone in my house, I bought it. Now it’s hanging in my office so I’m always reminded of who I’m writing for – a child who still believes in the tooth fairy, needs a hand to hold when she crosses the street, and looks forward to bubble baths and bedtime stories. When it comes to fashion there are no rules, and her favorite color is “All of them!”
Fashion may change, but the universal truths of childhood remain constant. Employ the tools that help YOU connect emotionally with those truths, and the result will be timeless stories that resonate with little readers.
Q. What advice do you have for young writers?
When I speak at schools, I love to surprise students by telling them about the many careers that involve writing. They know that as an author I write books, but they may not be aware that the ability to write is important in other fields, too.
For example:
The back of your cereal box? A writer wrote that.
A song on the radio? That, too.
Your favorite TV show? Board game directions? Museum exhibits?
Writer, writer, writer.
We’re everywhere!
So even if you don’t think you want to be a writer, aim to write well. Writing is all about communicating – ideas, information, entertainment – and the more effectively we’re able to make ourselves understood, the more successful we are in relating to other people.
If you do want to be a writer, challenge yourself by trying something new:
Are the instructions for a board game confusing?
Rewrite them in a way that makes sense.
Are you a member of a sports, dance, or robotics team?
Write an article about your team and send it to your local newspaper.
Do you have a favorite book?
Write a letter to the author and explain why it’s so great!
Write that letter not because you have to do it for school, but because your thoughts and opinions are important and we want to hear them. When a reader tells us that our words meant something to them, that they understand themselves (or someone else) better because they read our story, we know our hard work has made a difference. That’s what writing is all about.
Q. What are you excited about right now?
The Baby Loves Science series will be adding two new titles in 2017 – Baby Loves Thermodynamics! and Baby Loves Quantum Physics! I recently saw Irene Chan’s sketches and they’re adorable!
I’m also thrilled to share big news of another new picture book series forthcoming from Penguin/Dial, Made by Maxine. Inspired by her trusty companion and muse, a pet goldfish, Maxine is determined to make the world a better place, one crazy contraption at a time. The first of three books is scheduled for spring, 2018. Illustrator Holly Hatam has a bold, unique style that really makes Maxine jump off the page and I’m excited to share intrepid Maxine with young readers!
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For more interviews, see my Inkygirl Interview Archive.
October 28, 2016
October 25, 2016
THE SECRET LIFE OF LINCOLN JONES by Wendelin Van Draanen (Knopf)
I recently read THE SECRET LIFE OF LINCOLN JONES by Wendelin Van Draanen, which launches today from Knopf Books For Young Readers. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator is 11-year-old Lincoln, who keeps secrets in his notebook. His voice is fresh, funny and I love how he sees the world.
One of his secrets: In the afternoons, Lincoln hangs out at Brookside, a home for people with memory loss and dementia where his mother works. Something else I loved about this story: how Lincoln's observations about his mom and "the crazies" (residents of the home) gradually changes as his understanding deepens.
Unlike many books whose characters include those with dementia, THE SECRET LIFE OF LINCOLN JONES isn't about a beloved relative of the main character who has dementia. Nothing wrong with that approach, of course, but sometimes it can make a book too sad/heavy for some young (and not-so-young) readers. THE SECRET LIFE OF LINCOLN JONES, on the other hand, is laugh-aloud funny in many bits and is much more about family, friendships and coming-of-age.
It is SO well-written. Love the language. Love how Lincoln's quirky observations about the people around him are often infused with both humor and compassion.
This would be a great book for any young person who has relatives starting to experience dementia, but who doesn't want a heavy and potentially depressing story. The focus is on the characters and story, NOT the issue of dementia, and especially about Lincoln's coming-of-age.
SO many wonderful, moving moments.
- Like when Lincoln realizes that every person at Brookside had his or her own story, a life before they developed dementia.
- Like when Lincoln realizes how hard his Mom is working for him, and the challenges that she is facing. "More than any of the heroes in my stories, more than any other person I'd ever known, Ma was brave. Truly brave." Which makes him understand that he can be brave, too.
THE SECRET LIFE OF LINCOLN JONES launches today, and I highly recommend it.
More info about the book on RandomHouse.com.
More about author Wendelin Van Draanen.
October 23, 2016
October 22, 2016
I'm on the faculty at the SCBWI Winter Conference in 2017!
When I attended my first regular SCBWI conference back in 2009, I was super-nervous about meeting people. Would anyone talk to me? Would they like me? Would the costs of the flight and hotel and meals etc. be worth it? Would I ever get published?
If I could tell my younger self that I'd be on the faculty of one of the national SCBWI conferences eight years later AND have a nice number of books published with my name on the cover, I would have scoffed and then vowed to stop drinking so much coffee.
VERY EXCITED.
I'll be participating in the Illustrators' Intensive on the Friday; you can see the schedule (including my name, woohoooo!) on the SCBWI Conference website.
The main SCBWI-NYC conference webpage is here. Registration opens on Oct. 25 at 10 am PDT!
October 21, 2016
Comic: Vampire Readers
Thanks to my friend Kelly Light for the caption!
October 18, 2016
October 17, 2016
My two fav. things in life are libraries & bicycles. Both move people forward without wasting anything. - P. Golkin
In celebration of Ontario Public Library Week, here's one of my favourite quotes about libraries, from Peter Golkin.
Click the image above or this link for a free, print-ready version.
