Michelle Hauck's Blog, page 24
April 10, 2017
Query Kombat 2017
It's coming....
The Battle Begins
Can your query survive?
Query Kombat Tournament Calendar:
Submission Window: May 17th - 19th
First round revealed: May 26th
Round 1: June 2nd - 5th
Agent round: June 7th -10th
Round 2: June 14th - 16th
Round 3: June 20st - 22nd
Round 4: June 24th - 25th
Round 5: June 27th -28th
Round 6: June 30th -July 1st
Contest Mission: To showcase the work of diverse and talented novelists, while providing a learning environment that unites the writing community through knowledge, kindness, and a little friendly kompetition.
April 5, 2017
March 2017 PBParty Agent Round
Once again I really enjoyed this contest. As always the entries just blew Sharon and I away. They are beyond adorable, heart touching, hilarious, sweet and informative. And Picture Book authors are by far the kindest and most polite people! I don't know about Sharon, but I felt like I was in the middle of a group love hug on twitter all week. Something we all need in these difficult times.
Commenting on entries is for agents only. If you'd like to cheer or rave about a favorite, please hop over to twitter at the hashtag #PBParty. The party continues there as we celebrate and support our fellow writers.
I tried to squeeze all the entries onto the front of my blog, agents. But you might double check and use the Blog Archive to make sure you don't miss any. They are numbered from one to 27!
Thanks to everyone who entered. Stay tuned to the blog or sign up for my newsletter for future contests.
Note: If you want your entry taken down after the agent round, I'll need a reminder. Please email the contest address or ask me on twitter.
PBParty #1: HERBIE: A YOUNG SEAGULL SOARS, Fiction
Title: Herbie: A Young Seagull SoarsGenre: FictionWord Count: 620
Query:
Dear Agent:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my 620-word manuscript, HERBIE: A YOUNG SEAGULL SOARS, geared for ages four through eight.
Herbie is a seagull born without part of one wing. He struggles to keep up with the flock in a harrowing storm. Ultimately, his challenge becomes an asset, and he saves his flock from hunger. His bravery leads a bully to see him in a new light. This suspenseful tale shows the power of believing in yourself and that character is independent of physical attributes. Children who feel different in some way will relate to Herbie’s struggles and his triumph.
I am an active member of SCBWI and the 12 x 12 picture book challenge. I am committed to sharing this story and engaging in marketing opportunities that can bring this tale to many readers. I have other completed manuscripts available, if you are interested.
Many thanks for your time reviewing and considering this piece.
First 50 words:
When Herbie was born, it was a magical day for his parents. They nuzzled him lovingly with their beaks. Herbie was born without part of his right wing, which reminded his parents that each baby gull is unique and special.
Herbie often worried, Will I be able to keep up with the flock when we migrate?
PBParty #2: SHE LOOKED UP, Biography
Title: SHE LOOKED UPGenre: PB Biography Word Count: 690 (+400 back matter)
Query:
Dear Agent,
In 1830, men dominated astronomy, but 12-year-old Maria Mitchell wasn’t content to stay behind. She wanted to explore her universe—all of it. Sick of looking down at her sewing, she dreamed, studied, questioned, and looked up. After years of traveling the sky with her telescope, she discovered a new comet and made history.
SHE LOOKED UP is the 690-word biography of Maria Mitchell, the first American woman to be a professional astronomer. It focuses primarily on Maria's childhood. Maria's story has not been published as a picture book biography, though comps include Maria’s Comet by Deborah Hopkinson (1999), a fictionalized account. This story about a curious girl persevering in science will appeal to readers of Ada Twist, Scientist(Andrea Beaty); Summer Birds (Margarita Engle); and The Most Magnificent Thing (Ashley Spires).
As a freelancer, I write academic passages for elementary students. My work has been bought by Highlights for Children.
Thank you for considering my manuscript.
First 50 Words:
A comet is a chunk of ice and dustzooming through space.From far away, a comet is a streak of light. From the roof of Maria’s house, a comet was a tiny smudge. So how did Maria discover a new comet, named just for her? She looked up and up and didn’t stop.
Query:
Dear Agent,
In 1830, men dominated astronomy, but 12-year-old Maria Mitchell wasn’t content to stay behind. She wanted to explore her universe—all of it. Sick of looking down at her sewing, she dreamed, studied, questioned, and looked up. After years of traveling the sky with her telescope, she discovered a new comet and made history.
SHE LOOKED UP is the 690-word biography of Maria Mitchell, the first American woman to be a professional astronomer. It focuses primarily on Maria's childhood. Maria's story has not been published as a picture book biography, though comps include Maria’s Comet by Deborah Hopkinson (1999), a fictionalized account. This story about a curious girl persevering in science will appeal to readers of Ada Twist, Scientist(Andrea Beaty); Summer Birds (Margarita Engle); and The Most Magnificent Thing (Ashley Spires).
As a freelancer, I write academic passages for elementary students. My work has been bought by Highlights for Children.
Thank you for considering my manuscript.
First 50 Words:
A comet is a chunk of ice and dustzooming through space.From far away, a comet is a streak of light. From the roof of Maria’s house, a comet was a tiny smudge. So how did Maria discover a new comet, named just for her? She looked up and up and didn’t stop.
PBParty #3: SUPER OLD, Humorous Chapter Book
Title: Super OldGenre: Humorous Chapter BookWord Count: 7400Query:
Dear Agents:
Eight-year-old Benjamin Maxwell’s principal thinks Ben’s overactive imagination gets him into too much trouble. That is why instead of a thank you for saving the school from a devastating fire, Ben receives a lecture the difference between a flame in the cafeteria’s kitchen and the lunch lady’s new orange hair color, which doesn't warrant pulling the fire alarm. In Ben’s defense, they both looked an awful lot alike.
For his efforts, Ben receives a five-day suspension where he stays with his mom who runs an elderly care facility from their home. To pass the time, Ben spends his days reading old comic books because anything is better than helping with the old men. The only super things about them are their super absorbent diapers. Except the more Ben reads, the more he finds similarities between the old men and the superheroes from the comic books. He’s soon convinced that his mother runs a home for retired superheroes.
When Mom doesn’t return from running errands, Ben rallies the heroes to save her. But when they shuffle into the middle of a bank robbery, Ben and his superheroes must spring into action to save the day. But after the robbers hold them hostage, Ben worries they might not be retired superheroes after all; they may just be two old men in a dangerous situation. However, you don’t always need superpowers to be a superhero, sometimes guts, determination, and dumb luck will do the trick.
SUPER OLD is the first in a proposed chapter book series complete at 7,400 words. If Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine were Captain Underpants’ sidekick, you would have Super Old.
First 100 Words:
It was the forty-second day of third grade, and the forty-fifth time Benjamin Maxwell sat in the same seat waiting for Principal Shears to give him the lecture that he did yesterday and the forty-three times before that.
“Your overactive imagination is going to get you into trouble someday, Benjamin,” Mr. Shears said.
“But I saw a fire,” Ben said
“Did you?” Mr. Shears raised an eyebrow.
It was orange; he knew that for sure.
It was hot; he was pretty sure.
And it moved quickly through the kitchen.
“You can’t pull the fire alarm just because the lunch lady colored her hair orange.”
Dear Agents:
Eight-year-old Benjamin Maxwell’s principal thinks Ben’s overactive imagination gets him into too much trouble. That is why instead of a thank you for saving the school from a devastating fire, Ben receives a lecture the difference between a flame in the cafeteria’s kitchen and the lunch lady’s new orange hair color, which doesn't warrant pulling the fire alarm. In Ben’s defense, they both looked an awful lot alike.
For his efforts, Ben receives a five-day suspension where he stays with his mom who runs an elderly care facility from their home. To pass the time, Ben spends his days reading old comic books because anything is better than helping with the old men. The only super things about them are their super absorbent diapers. Except the more Ben reads, the more he finds similarities between the old men and the superheroes from the comic books. He’s soon convinced that his mother runs a home for retired superheroes.
When Mom doesn’t return from running errands, Ben rallies the heroes to save her. But when they shuffle into the middle of a bank robbery, Ben and his superheroes must spring into action to save the day. But after the robbers hold them hostage, Ben worries they might not be retired superheroes after all; they may just be two old men in a dangerous situation. However, you don’t always need superpowers to be a superhero, sometimes guts, determination, and dumb luck will do the trick.
SUPER OLD is the first in a proposed chapter book series complete at 7,400 words. If Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine were Captain Underpants’ sidekick, you would have Super Old.
First 100 Words:
It was the forty-second day of third grade, and the forty-fifth time Benjamin Maxwell sat in the same seat waiting for Principal Shears to give him the lecture that he did yesterday and the forty-three times before that.
“Your overactive imagination is going to get you into trouble someday, Benjamin,” Mr. Shears said.
“But I saw a fire,” Ben said
“Did you?” Mr. Shears raised an eyebrow.
It was orange; he knew that for sure.
It was hot; he was pretty sure.
And it moved quickly through the kitchen.
“You can’t pull the fire alarm just because the lunch lady colored her hair orange.”
PBParty #4: TULIP'S GARDEN, Character Driven
Title: TULIP’S GARDEN
Genre: Character driven picture book
Word Count: 290
Query:
Dear Michelle and Sharon,
With a fabulous flower name (and a fabulous flower bedspread and a fabulous flower lunchbox), Tulip just knows she will be a fabulous gardener. But for some reason, even though Tulip gives her seeds buckets of water, extra special lights, and super snuggly blankets, the stubborn seeds refuse to grow. Tulip has had it! She puts her garden into time-out. Then just when Tulip is ready to cross gardener off her list of possible careers FOREVER, Tulip spies a little something that changes everything in TULIP’S GARDEN, a 290-word picture book. Kids who love the OLIVIA and BETTY BUNNY books will be thrilled to meet Tulip.
I was recently selected for a picture book writing mentorship with Laura Gehl through Writing With the Stars. I received a B.A. in journalism and women’s and gender studies from the University of Oregon. I am an active member of the SCBWI, 12 X 12, and ReFoReMo. My work has appeared in Midwifery Today.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
First 50 Words:
Tulip LOVED flowers. She had a flower name, a flower bedspread, and a flower lunchbox.Tulip couldn’t wait to plant her very own garden right next to Daddy’s garden.Daddy sprinkled flower seeds in a neat little row.“Less is more, Love Bug,” Daddy said.“More is better,” Tulip said.
PBParty #5: A FORMULA FOR A FRIEND, STEM Fiction
Title: A FORMULA FOR FRIENDGenre: STEM Fiction Picture BookWord Count: 590
Query:
Dear PBParty Agents,
My picture book, A FORMULA FOR FRIEND, might be a good fit for your list. In 590 words, it is equal parts quirky and sweet like Sophie’s Squash and This Plus That with a math angle that is perfect for celebrating STEM.
Numbers are Millie’s favorite, but when she realizes that even mathematicians can’t balance on the seesaw alone, she sets out to find the perfect formula for friendship.
I am a former elementary school teacher and reading specialist, as well as a West Chester University Writing Fellow. I am an active member of SCBWI, Julie Hedlund’s 12X12 Challenge, and multiple critique groups. Two of my picture books have placed in the 2015 and 2016 SCBWI Carolinas Writing and Illustrating Contest (first and second place). I participated in the 2015 Rutgers One on One Conference (RUCCL) and I was selected for the Writing With the Stars Mentorship program.
I have many other manuscripts to share with you upon request.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
First 50 Words:
Millie adored math. She loved sharp-edged sevens and fat bellied zeros.She loved rulers straight as lollipop sticks. She loved how every problem had a perfectly balanced solution. But sometimes,Millie didn’t feel balanced at all.Millie needed a friend.She opened her notebook and slipped on her pencil grip.
Query:
Dear PBParty Agents,
My picture book, A FORMULA FOR FRIEND, might be a good fit for your list. In 590 words, it is equal parts quirky and sweet like Sophie’s Squash and This Plus That with a math angle that is perfect for celebrating STEM.
Numbers are Millie’s favorite, but when she realizes that even mathematicians can’t balance on the seesaw alone, she sets out to find the perfect formula for friendship.
I am a former elementary school teacher and reading specialist, as well as a West Chester University Writing Fellow. I am an active member of SCBWI, Julie Hedlund’s 12X12 Challenge, and multiple critique groups. Two of my picture books have placed in the 2015 and 2016 SCBWI Carolinas Writing and Illustrating Contest (first and second place). I participated in the 2015 Rutgers One on One Conference (RUCCL) and I was selected for the Writing With the Stars Mentorship program.
I have many other manuscripts to share with you upon request.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
First 50 Words:
Millie adored math. She loved sharp-edged sevens and fat bellied zeros.She loved rulers straight as lollipop sticks. She loved how every problem had a perfectly balanced solution. But sometimes,Millie didn’t feel balanced at all.Millie needed a friend.She opened her notebook and slipped on her pencil grip.
PBParty #6: MY LOST FRIEND, Immigration Issues
Title: My Lost Friend
Genre: Picture Book Immigration issues
Word Count: 570
Query:
Dear Michelle and Sharon:
I am grateful that picture books, such as Lailah’s Lunch Box, focus on the separateness that can be felt because of cultural differences. However, few books deal with the current immigration issues faced by children living in the U.S. Thus I am sending My Lost Friend, my 571-word picture book manuscript.
Worried by Hassan’s sudden absence from school, a boy hopes to locate his classmate. Determining to maintain their friendship, he enlists his mom’s help and becomes more aware of challenges faced by immigrants.
A Rochester city school teacher for thirty years, I grew in my desire for disenfranchised people’s voices to be heard and honored. I began writing picture books hoping to raise awareness about and understanding of children whose experiences may not be mainstream. Therefore I joined SCBWI, Rochester Area Children’s Writers and Illustrators (RACWI), Rochester’s own literary center, Writers and Books, and enrolled in on-line classes to help me with this transition. I have other manuscripts available, several including children who use wheelchairs.
Because of the timeliness of this text, I may submit to other publishers. Thank you for your time and for providing this opportunity. Below you will find the manuscript for My Lost Friend.50 Words:
MY LOST FRIEND
One day my friend, Hassan, was absent from school.When I told Mom, she said, “He probably has a cold.” “No, the teacher asked me where he is. That means no one called.” Hassan came from far away. His stepped from a plane at Kennedy Airport. He could read no English.
Genre: Picture Book Immigration issues
Word Count: 570
Query:
Dear Michelle and Sharon:
I am grateful that picture books, such as Lailah’s Lunch Box, focus on the separateness that can be felt because of cultural differences. However, few books deal with the current immigration issues faced by children living in the U.S. Thus I am sending My Lost Friend, my 571-word picture book manuscript.
Worried by Hassan’s sudden absence from school, a boy hopes to locate his classmate. Determining to maintain their friendship, he enlists his mom’s help and becomes more aware of challenges faced by immigrants.
A Rochester city school teacher for thirty years, I grew in my desire for disenfranchised people’s voices to be heard and honored. I began writing picture books hoping to raise awareness about and understanding of children whose experiences may not be mainstream. Therefore I joined SCBWI, Rochester Area Children’s Writers and Illustrators (RACWI), Rochester’s own literary center, Writers and Books, and enrolled in on-line classes to help me with this transition. I have other manuscripts available, several including children who use wheelchairs.
Because of the timeliness of this text, I may submit to other publishers. Thank you for your time and for providing this opportunity. Below you will find the manuscript for My Lost Friend.50 Words:
MY LOST FRIEND
One day my friend, Hassan, was absent from school.When I told Mom, she said, “He probably has a cold.” “No, the teacher asked me where he is. That means no one called.” Hassan came from far away. His stepped from a plane at Kennedy Airport. He could read no English.
PBParty #7: NORA SUPER SPY, Chapter Book
Title: NORA SUPER SPYGenre: Chapter Book (Disability)Word Count: 6,600 words
Query:
Dear Michelle and Sharon,
NORA SUPER SPY follows the journey of Nora, a spunky, hard-of-hearing Australian who loves playing Detective Spies.
Eight-year-old Nora is desperate for a spy partner, but she’s the new-kid-in-town and she really doesn’t like meeting new people. She never knows how they’re going to act, or what they’re going to say. PLUS, even though her hearing aids are an awesome pink color, they don’t make her hearing perfect. Thank goodness for solo spying! When her treasured spy book goes missing, Nora will do whatever it takes to find it- even if that means questioning people.
First stop is next-door. Here, Nora meets Sophie. Sophie is the same age and loves playing spies. She is quickly cleared from the suspect list. And even though she twirls-while-she-talks (which drives Nora’s ears crazy!), the pair soon become friends and spy partners. Before long, they strike another suspect off the list, add a member to their spy team, and stake out a suspicious local bully.
The accidental discovery of her treasured spy book, in the yard of one of her new spy friends, rocks Nora’s world. She must decide whether to stay friends with a thief and liar or go back to spying alone.
NORA SUPER SPY is a 6,600-word chapter book for grades 1-4, with series potential. It will appeal to fans of Annie Barrows and Sara Pennypacker, and provides a complement to diverse titles such as the graphic novel El Deafo by Cece Bell.
I am a member of the SCBWI. I have completed The Newberry Library’s Writing For Children course as well as Chapter Book Blueprint. In my former career, I worked as a Family Physician in Australia.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
First 100 words:
In Australia, my spy base was a gum tree. But now that we live in Chicago it's going to be the giant oak tree in the backyard of our new house. That's okay. Tree climbing is tricky. But I'm good at it, and I'm not a quitter.
I'm all settled on a high branch with my pink spy book in my lap. I carefully adjust one of my hearing aids and then lift my binoculars to my eyes with one hand.
I focus on a house down the street. A boy is sitting on the porch.
Query:
Dear Michelle and Sharon,
NORA SUPER SPY follows the journey of Nora, a spunky, hard-of-hearing Australian who loves playing Detective Spies.
Eight-year-old Nora is desperate for a spy partner, but she’s the new-kid-in-town and she really doesn’t like meeting new people. She never knows how they’re going to act, or what they’re going to say. PLUS, even though her hearing aids are an awesome pink color, they don’t make her hearing perfect. Thank goodness for solo spying! When her treasured spy book goes missing, Nora will do whatever it takes to find it- even if that means questioning people.
First stop is next-door. Here, Nora meets Sophie. Sophie is the same age and loves playing spies. She is quickly cleared from the suspect list. And even though she twirls-while-she-talks (which drives Nora’s ears crazy!), the pair soon become friends and spy partners. Before long, they strike another suspect off the list, add a member to their spy team, and stake out a suspicious local bully.
The accidental discovery of her treasured spy book, in the yard of one of her new spy friends, rocks Nora’s world. She must decide whether to stay friends with a thief and liar or go back to spying alone.
NORA SUPER SPY is a 6,600-word chapter book for grades 1-4, with series potential. It will appeal to fans of Annie Barrows and Sara Pennypacker, and provides a complement to diverse titles such as the graphic novel El Deafo by Cece Bell.
I am a member of the SCBWI. I have completed The Newberry Library’s Writing For Children course as well as Chapter Book Blueprint. In my former career, I worked as a Family Physician in Australia.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
First 100 words:
In Australia, my spy base was a gum tree. But now that we live in Chicago it's going to be the giant oak tree in the backyard of our new house. That's okay. Tree climbing is tricky. But I'm good at it, and I'm not a quitter.
I'm all settled on a high branch with my pink spy book in my lap. I carefully adjust one of my hearing aids and then lift my binoculars to my eyes with one hand.
I focus on a house down the street. A boy is sitting on the porch.
PBParty #8: GRACIE GOES GLAMPING, Humorous
Title: GRACIE GOES GLAMPING
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Word Count: 500Query:
Dear Michelle and Sharon,
I would like to submit my 500-word picture book, GRACIE GOES GLAMPING, for your consideration.
Gracie is not the biggest fan of the outdoors, but she is a fan of looking good to feel good. So when her parents announce a family camping trip, Gracie brings her fabulous flair to the scene, setting up a glamorous tent and opening an organic spa. Everything is going great until she attracts a swarm of mosquitoes with her perfume. It finally takes an unexpected trip into a muddy lake for Gracie to reconsider her feelings about what defines beauty.
An earlier version of GRACIE GOES GLAMPING won the editor-judged picture book manuscript contest at the SCBWI 2016 Regional Midwest Conference. In addition to serving as the Social Media Coordinator for the Illinois SCBWI Region, I am also a third-year participant in the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge and an Editorial Assistant for Literary Mama. My work has been published in 2017 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, Chicago Review of Books, Chicago Parent, PoemMemoirStory, Hey Baby, and Jenny, among others.
I appreciate your time and consideration.
First 50 Words:
Gracie looked over her packing list.
Sequined sandals? Check.
Perfume? Check.
"Gracie, this is a camping trip," Mom said.
Fabulous tent? Check.
"We'll be outdoors," Dad added.
Twinkle lights? Check.
"In nature," Mom stressed.
Floppy sun hat? Check.
"When you look good, you feel good!" Gracie said. She twirled in her shimmery skirt.
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Word Count: 500Query:
Dear Michelle and Sharon,
I would like to submit my 500-word picture book, GRACIE GOES GLAMPING, for your consideration.
Gracie is not the biggest fan of the outdoors, but she is a fan of looking good to feel good. So when her parents announce a family camping trip, Gracie brings her fabulous flair to the scene, setting up a glamorous tent and opening an organic spa. Everything is going great until she attracts a swarm of mosquitoes with her perfume. It finally takes an unexpected trip into a muddy lake for Gracie to reconsider her feelings about what defines beauty.
An earlier version of GRACIE GOES GLAMPING won the editor-judged picture book manuscript contest at the SCBWI 2016 Regional Midwest Conference. In addition to serving as the Social Media Coordinator for the Illinois SCBWI Region, I am also a third-year participant in the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge and an Editorial Assistant for Literary Mama. My work has been published in 2017 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, Chicago Review of Books, Chicago Parent, PoemMemoirStory, Hey Baby, and Jenny, among others.
I appreciate your time and consideration.
First 50 Words:
Gracie looked over her packing list.
Sequined sandals? Check.
Perfume? Check.
"Gracie, this is a camping trip," Mom said.
Fabulous tent? Check.
"We'll be outdoors," Dad added.
Twinkle lights? Check.
"In nature," Mom stressed.
Floppy sun hat? Check.
"When you look good, you feel good!" Gracie said. She twirled in her shimmery skirt.
