Sharon Skinner's Blog, page 9

Sharon Skinner – Rocket Shoes is featured in the HBS Author’s Spotlight Showcase

The HBS Author’s Spotlight SHOWCASES Rocket Shoes, a hardcover picture book for every kid who wants to fly.

Don’t Forget: Sharon will be at the Tucson Festival of Books 2018

University of Arizona Campus – March 10 – 11, 2018 – 9:30am to 5:30pm

See appearance schedule for specific times and locations.

 

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Sharon’s Rocket Shoes Blast Off Tour begins October 14

Celebrate the release of Sharon A Skinner New Children’s Book, Rocket Shoes, from Sterling Publishing. The supporting Author tour is set to cross several states and events, all of which we are listing here.

About Rocket Shoes:

Like all children, José dreams of flying. So he works hard to buy a pair of rocket shoes that let him jet into the atmosphere. But all those spins, kicks, and airborne tricks cause such a ruckus around town that the mayor bans the shoes and shuts down the factory. Then, one day, during a terrible snowstorm, José hears a cry: his neighbor’s in danger—and he can only help her if he puts on the shoes. Will José dare to break the rules and save the day?

The Tour Begins October 14th with the following events:

10/14 10am- Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe, AZ [FB Event]

12/9 Time TBA- Mysterious Galaxy Books, San Diego, CA

12/16 Time TBA- Barnes & Noble, Henderson, NV

This post will be updated with additional dates and times as they are confirmed. Check Sharon’s Author Facebook Page for pictures and messages from the events.

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Sharon’s 2017 Book Release Schedule, July Update

Hello, Fans in the land of Sharon.

Your friendly Webmaster here with a quick update on new book releases from your favorite Author. While she is paneling it up at the SCBWI Conference in Los Angeles this weekend, we wanted to share the new releases for Sharon that have been announced. 2017 has been a BUSY year to say the least, with the titles below being just the start of a very productive run that should extend well into 2018. Details on each book have been added to new pages for the projects, and we’ll be adding more details as they become available. Here you go…

Collars and Curses (Brick Cave Books, May 2017)

Read the description, then order the book, seriously, this is a whole new side of Sharon that will leave you feeling great with her strong storytelling and great character development.

 

 

Rocket Shoes (Sterling Children’s Publishing, October 2017)

A rhyming story for every kid who wants to fly—and wonders when it’s okay to break the rules. Sterling promotes this as for young readers, but we are pretty sure regardless of your age you’re gonna want a copy of this book for your shelves.

It’s a great 2017 for fans of Sharon’s writing, and we hope you’ll get copies of these great new titles and share the love!

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My 2017 Writing Year, So Far: Panels, Presentations & Publication

My 2017 writing year has already been a whirl of fabulous  writing events and appearances.

Sharon Skinner Book Appearance

January was a super busy month. Lots of travel and teaching/presenting. As you know, I taught a half-day workshop at the ASU Virginia G Piper Center for Creative Writing.

I also spent some time last month in my role as SCBWI Arizona Regional Advisor working with the Arizona Region event planning team and helped to facilitate a sold-out Picture Book workshop in Tucson presented by two fabulous author illustrators, Tanja Bauerle and Michael Hale.

Thanks to phenomenal Conference Director Erin Quinn, the third weekend of the month took me to San Diego for the fabulous 33rd Annual SDSU Writers Conference. The weather was unusually cloudy and rainy while I was there, but it went almost unnoticed because I was so engaged with the incredible conference faculty and participants.

I was thoroughly moved by Sherrilyn Kenyon’s profound writing journey (Love her Chronicles of Nick series.), encouraged by J.A. Jance’s experience (And she sings!), amazed by Jonathan Maberry’s incredible mentorship with some of SpecFic writing’s greatest stars (So jelly!), and entertained by R.L. Stine’s humorous side (Yes, he’s not just a creepy horror guy.).

I met and spoke with so many passionate writers and swapped tales with some seriously interesting (read: ex law enforcers from a couple of alphabet agencies) people. (Thank goodness for the statute of limitations. LOL).

I presented two Picture Book workshops and two Middle-Grade (MG) workshops. I also had the privilege of participating in a Middle-Grade/Young Adult panel with Jonathan Maberry and R.L. Stine. What a blast that was!

MG/YA Panel: Maberry, Skinner, Stine 2017 SDSU Writers Conference. Photo Credit: Andrea Rittschof

Other good stuff in January included turning in the final revision of my new YA Urban Fantasy, Collars & Curses and finishing the first draft of the collaborative project I am writing with J.A. Giunta, currently titled Supernal Dawn.

And then there was the cover reveal of the Brick Cave SciFi Anthology, FUTUREWORDS, which includes my short story, Sacrilege. Can’t wait for this to be out! You can pre-order your copy by clicking on the cover photo:

New Release! Includes my SciFi short, Sacrilege.

Onward and forward with my 2017 writing year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A New Year of Writing and Teaching

My new year of writing and teaching is off to a great start. On January 6th, I signed an agreement with the Arizona State Library Association to become the 2017 Summer Writer in Residence at Scottsdale Public Library. I will be providing a series of six creative writing workshops and will also have office hours at the library where writers can schedule appointments to discuss their writing.

On Saturday, January 14th, I spent the morning presenting to a talented group of writers at the fabulous ASU Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. I had a great time and, as always, learned as I taught. A huge shout out to the ASU staff for recruiting me and for being so welcoming.

ASU Virginia G. Piper Creative Writing Center

I am nearing completion of final edits on the YA Urban Fantasy, am finishing first-draft of my collaborative project with J.A. Giunta and am looking forward to seeing my short story in the Brick Cave SciFi Anthology slated to be released by spring. Over the next few months, I can focus in on finishing the third book of the Healer’s Trilogy, which also finally has a working title: The Exile’s Gift.

This coming weekend, January 20-22, 2017, I am presenting at the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference. I will be doing four sessions and a panel with Jonathan Maberry and R.L. Stine. This is going to be fun!

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Picture Book (Part 3): Conference Critiques and the Cinderella Dream

So, back to writing picture books, Conference Critiques (and the Cinderella Dream).

I submitted my PB ms for a critique at the 2015 SCBWI Summer Conference, knowing full well that the true purpose of submitting for critique critiques is to get professional level feedback on the work. However, like many authors and illustrators, deep in my heart, I hoped for the Cinderella dream. You know, the one where the glass slipper fits so perfectly, the assigned agent/editor makes an immediate offer of representation/publication. Yeah. That’s the one.

 

Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci, Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)

 When I arrived in LA and opened my registration package, I discovered I had been assigned a critique slot with none other than my top agent. My first thought was, “Darn, her agency has already rejected the manuscript. There goes my Cinderella dream.” My second thought was, “At least I know I’ll get a really good critique from someone I respect and admire. So, that’s a win.”

 

Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella by Shirley Hughes

 When I stepped into the room for my critique, I was excited. But when I sat down and heard what my dream agent had to say, I became ecstatic. I took in her notes and comments on the strengths and weaknesses of the work. To hear that she loved the story and the character and the rhyme scheme, truly made my day. But the icing on the cake was to be told that, if I wasn’t already agented, she wanted to represent the book. It felt as if the glass slipper had slid onto my foot. A perfect fit!

 

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie (Author), Ed Young (Illustrator)

After my initial joy, I realized that full-disclosure required I tell her another agent at her agency had rejected the project earlier in the year. She assured me that just because they worked for the same agency, didn’t mean they had to like the same things. And she liked this book.

 

The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo, Ruth Heller (Illustrator)

Of course, there were still revisions to be made, based on her feedback and notes. But I left there in an ecstatic daze, at the amazing gift the universe had handed me. Intent on not wasting it, I let the notes sit with me through the rest of the conference. I tried not really focusing too much on them, letting them simmer on the back-burner of my subconscious churn until I could get home and work on the ms in earnest.

 

Bubba, The Cowboy Prince by Helen Ketteman, James Warhola (Illustrator)

Once home, I turned my full attention to the work of revising the ms. I focused on strengthening the manuscript and tightening the text. As I worked, I found additional spots where I felt I could improve.

 

 The Rough-Face Girl  by Rafe Martin, David Shannon

After a few weeks, I felt I had addressed not only the areas of concern the agent had pointed out, but also a couple of items that had jumped out at me along the way. I sent off the revised ms, with hope in my heart that I had done what was needed. Then, I waited to hear whether or not the agent was happy with the new draft.

 

Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella by Susan Lowell

 Yeehaw! She was.

 Watch for future post:  Writing Picture Books Part 4-Agented Submissions

 

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Picture Book (Part 2): Submitting the MS or I think it’s done, I think it’s done!

Submitting the manuscript is always a big step in the publication journey. It’s as true for submitting picture book manuscripts as anything else.

After two years of writing, revising, re-visioning, asking for feedback from other picture book authors, and more rewriting, I finally had a PB ms (Picture Book manuscript) I was proud of. I envisioned having my picture book appear on in book stores and libraries and being read to smiling children, everywhere. Of course, to accomplish this, I needed to take the next big step and submit my PB ms to agents and/or editors.

A Classic Picture Book: The little Engine that Could by Watty Piper

 In anticipation of the submission process, I had already made a list of my top ten agents. I’d made another list of my top ten editors. Following directions and providing exactly what is specified is rule number one of querying/submitting. So, with hope in my heart, I went online to pull up each agent’s and editor’s submission requirements. Sadly, I discovered that my number one agent was closed to submissions.

Best Frints in the Whole Universe by Antoinette Portis

For some reason, this gave me pause. Normally, I would have simply moved on to the next agent on the list, but I found that I had really had my heart set on this agent. After some consideration, I realized that this agency felt also right for me. So, I looked to see what other agents might be taking clients. Sadly, the answer was, none. One ray of hope peeked out at me, though, as the website stated that one of the agents (also someone I knew I could work with) would be open to submissions in January. It was late in the year and I thought, why not wait and submit to the agency I really wanted to work with. So, I waited.

Blue on Blue Beautifully written by Dianne White and Illustrated by Beth Krommes

On January 1, 2015, I mailed off my PB ms. Then, I went back to working on revisions for the novel I was writing. (I am always working on the next project.) After six weeks with no word, I went back online, only to discover the agent’s list had not opened in January, after all. With some embarrassment, I emailed the agent to explain what had happened. I apologize for having jumped the gun. She was very kind and stated that, while she had not received the submission for some reason, she would be willing to take a look at the ms if I wished to send it via email.

No brainer for me. I sent it in. And, again, I waited.

Found by Salina Yoon

I didn’t have to wait long. However, her response was a very kind rejection in which she stated it wasn’t really for her. She suggested I look at my work in dummy format to ensure the structure was solid and would fit one of the standard layouts.

Another Classic Picture Book and One of my Favorites Growing up: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Written by Beatrix Potter, Illustration by Cyndy Szekeres

I thanked her and did as she suggested. I toyed with both the 32- and 40-page layouts. I had done this before, but not with as much attention on structure and page placement. Suddenly, the relationship between the story structure and page layout started to click in ways it hadn’t before. I also sought and received additional feedback from a friend, who is an amazing PB mentor. By now, I was feeling pretty good about the book, but it was already late spring. Things were gearing up for the SCBWI LA conference.

I decided it would be worth the wait to submit the ms for a critique in LA where I knew I would get valuable feedback on the project. This would help me to polish my story and ensure I would be submitting the best possible work when I began targeting the rest of the agents and editors on my list.

Waiting by Kevin Henkes

So, I shipped my fledgling picture book manuscript off to be critiqued. And, once more, I waited.

(To be continued in a future blog, tentatively titled, Conference Critiques and the Cinderella Dream.)

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Payson Book Festival 2016

We spent last Saturday at the Payson Book Festival. It was a very well-run event. The organizers and volunteers were awesome and we had a good time meeting new readers and getting to know some new Arizona authors, as well.

All set up and ready for the day to begin.

As usual with an author, a Story Monster lurked nearby.

How Much Glitter Does One Woman Need?

Assorted examples of  glitter & sparkly stuff passed along.

I like glitter as much as the next person. I also like sparkly, colorful objects. I especially like making stuff, including stuff made out of glittery, sparkling materials. However, at some point there needs to be some limit to the amount of crafting and sewing supplies one attempts to keep at hand. Especially, as one’s crafting/sewing foci evolve.

Recently, we replaced the last of the old windows in the house. These final two windows both happen to live in rooms belonging to me: my office and my sewing/craft room. A lot of things needed to be moved and /or dismantled in order to accommodate the installers.

 Once the windows were replaced and the window sills tiled (see previous Window Sill Tiling post), I was determined not to put anything back into the sewing/craft space until I had a chance to sort through it. After all, I have been sewing and crafting and costuming for, um, a while now. In that time, I have collected a great deal of stuff, much of which I really have no need for. I also don’t really have room for all of it. Not to mention that having excess stuff I don’t use makes it difficult to organize (and often find) the stuff I do want or need for a given project.

Yes, I am a border-line hoarder, especially when it comes to sewing and craft materials. Craft and sewing stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann love me! But (wonders never cease) I was actually ready to let go of some stuff.

Great. I had a plan. And author appearances, and deadlines, and volunteer work. Time passed. Meanwhile, my library was filled with piles of stuff that glared at me every time I went in there. Finally, things calmed down enough for me to take a stab at turning my craft mountain into a molehill (to usurp a cliché). It took most of a day, but I managed to reduce my stockpile by two bags and a good sized box of stuff.

Crafting supplies & paint ready for re-homing.

In the process, I reorganized my craft storage bins and I can now label them, so I know where things are. Including my glitter and sparklies. I also discovered that I had somehow collected a huge pile of glitter and sparkly stuff. (See small sample above.) I mean, the kind of heap that makes one ask, “What in the world was I thinking?” and “How much glitter does one woman need?”

My Crafting/Sewing Supplies: Reorganized.

Oh, did I happen to mention that everything I moved for the window install was just one third of my sewing and craft area/stuff? Yup. I need to work on the rest of the room next.

Crafting/Sewing Room: Still some work to do.

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Recent Appearances Recap: Cirque du Livre and #PCC2016

Cirque du Livre 2016: First Page Panel with Tom Leveen

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Here is a quick recent appearances recap. First, I attended the Cirque du Livre Writers Conference in Mesa, where I presented on with Alan Black, Deena Remiel, and Tom Leveen on topics that included creating antagonists readers love to hate, the best path forward on your publishing journey, and my process for developing a strong reader pitch. I also co-presented a first page read panel with Tom Leveen, where we gave on the spot critiques to writers. Of course, I also attended some great sessions on dialogue (Tom Leveen and Bruce Davis) and marketing (Deena Remiel and Alan Black) to name a few.

The Fabulous BrickCave Staff: Jenn LaBuz, Claudia Romero and Amber Gallagher.

Cirque was a blast. Everyone learned and laughed and had a great time. Much collegiate camaraderie was shared. Overall it was a very positive and rewarding experience. In a fantastic turn of events, I was basically scouted and recruited to teach classes for the ASU Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. Stay tuned for more about that, as we nail down the details.

Steampunk Writing panel with Gini Koch & Beth Cato, moderated by Edward Pulley.

Immediately on the heels of Cirque came the multi-headed fantabulous beast known as Phoenix ComiCon where I had five panels, including one on writing Steampink with Gini Koch and Beth Cato, wonderfully moderated by Edward Pulley. I also had the opportunity to present with a diverse group of panelists, including Mark Rude, Ryan Dalton, Tim Shafer, Brenda Cranson, Cassandra Van Valkenburg, Na’amah Segal, Anita Marie Abundis, Jonathan Elliott & Cynthia Randall. This year, my panels covered a diverse range of topics, including Urban Fantasy, writing from the female perspective, King Arthur in contemporary lit, magic, middle school and YA fiction, and, of course, Steampunk.

Tried to get a book blurb from this guy, but he was too far gone in the throes of an ether binge.

It was another huge year at PCC. The fans showed a lot of love and new readers were excited abut the books, as well. I had more than one person buy The Healer’s Legacy and begin reading it, then return for The Matriarch’s Devise before the Con was even over. Or, as in one case, to have a family member pick up the second book as a birthday gift.

I sure didn’t expect these guys!

As much as I love meeting and talking with my wonderful readers, I have to confess these events take a lot of energy and time. I haven’t written anything but this blog post in nearly a week. So, I am happy to get this posted and move back into focusing on my writing projects.

With Cirque du Livre Organizer & Publisher, Bob Nelson.

In addition to my other roles and responsibilities, I recently assumed the position of Regional Advisor for the Society of Childrens’ Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in Arizona. Over the next few weeks, you can find me working with a group of wonderful SCBWI Arizona members and volunteers to provide programming for our Arizona region. Many of these events will be open to both members and nonmembers. You can check out those upcoming events here.

And remember, my upcoming appearances are always posted here.

Till next time, may you always find the perfect words for all you wish to say.

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