Nancy I. Sanders's Blog, page 85

Let’s Celebrate Picture Books!

Earlier this year I led a 4 month picture book mentoring group in my home. We were a small group with just 5 members and each of us was a published author with a couple members of our group having over 100 books published.

Our commitment? To read 5 current picture books each week for a total of 80 books by the end of the 4 months, and to write one new picture book each month for a total of 4 new picture books. Each time we met, we discussed the best of the best picture books we’d read and then critiqued each other’s new picture book manuscript.

Wow. I was AMAZED at how I grew as a picture book writer! I produced some of the best writing I’d ever done. Seriously. In fact, I sent one of these picture book manuscripts to my agent and she replied that it was the “perfect” story!

I know there are lots of great online groups where we as writers are challenged to WRITE picture books.

But I discovered that when I took the time to READ volumes of new picture books as well, my skills as a picture book writer improved as never before.

So, to celebrate summer and reading and sunshiny days relaxing at the beach or by the pool immersed in a good book, I decided to host a picture book celebration here on my blog all summer long!

If you want to join in the celebration, there are 3 basic things you can do hop on board:

1. READ picture books

2. WRITE picture books

3. POST about picture books on your website, blog, twitter, facebook, or other social network you’re already plugged into

If you want to be part of the celebration, you can even sign up on a list I’m creating for everyone to see so we can visit each other’s sites…all summer long! Just post a comment here today with the URL of your site and I’ll add your blog to this list with links to everyone’s site.

Also, you won’t want to miss each of these posts about picture books here on my blog in the days and weeks ahead, so subscribe today to follow my blog to get it delivered in your e-mail all summer long. Here’s just a peek at what I plan to post:

* Book reviews of awesomely good picture books to read this summer to help improve your picture book writing skills

* An amazing TRUE story about a picture book writer who just got signed with an agent and landed a great contract for her picture book from a big publishing house.

* Lots and lots of tips on how to READ picture books to help you grow as a writer

* Lots and lots of tips for writing picture books

* Worksheets to help you write picture books that will catch an editor’s or agent’s eye

* Exercises and fun assignments to help you write brand new picture books that rock!

Author Interview: Angela Ackerman

Meet Author Angela Ackerman!

Blog: The Bookshelf Muse

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.halli...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngelaAckerman

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/angelaackerman/

Bio:

Angela Ackerman is a Canadian who writes on the darker side of Middle Grade and Young Adult. A strong supporter of writers helping writers, she blogs at the award winning resource, The Bookshelf Muse and is co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression. Angela is represented by Jill Corcoran of The Herman Agency.

Featured Book:

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression

by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression is a writer’s best friend, helping to navigate the difficult terrain of showing character emotion. This brainstorming tool explores seventy-five emotions and provides a large selection of body language, internal sensations, actions and thoughts associated with each. Written in an easy-to-navigate list format, readers can draw inspiration from character cues that range in intensity to match any emotional moment. The Emotion Thesaurus also tackles common emotion-related writing problems and provides methods to overcome them.

Q: Describe the journey you’ve taken to write and launch this book.

A: The Emotion Thesaurus originally started as a conversation my blog partner Becca Puglisi and I had with a few other writers at an online critique site. All of us were struggling with description because our characters were always shrugging, smiling, rolling their eyes and frowning. From there, Becca and I started to create lists of what else characters might do while experiencing a certain emotion, which we then posted on our blog, The Bookshelf Muse. We discovered other writers also needed help in this area, and the Emotion Thesaurus entries became so popular, we received a flood of emails asking us to turn them into a book. It took a few years to make it happen, but we finally did it!

Q: What inspired you the most to write this book?

A: For me, I wanted to share what I had learned, and ‘pay-it-forward.’ So many people have helped me develop into a stronger writer, and I wanted to pass it on. All of us who write need support at some point. This book is my opportunity to help other writers become more confident in an area of craft that they struggle with.

Q: Share tips on working with an agent such as how you acquired an agent and how the relationship works.

A: I have been with my agent for a few years now (Jill Corcoran) but ironically, she was not a part of this project. When I first started looking into publishing The Emotion Thesaurus, I realized that to get the guide out to those who needed it, self-publishing would be my best option. As a writer trying to break into the traditional industry with my fiction, I know how long it can take. Someone had pirated our content at one point, and so this reinforced the need to get the book out there quickly. Jill understood my concern and completely supported this self publishing venture.

Q: What one word of advice would you like to give about how maintaining a blog can benefit a writer?

A: The Bookshelf Muse has allowed us to form relationships with many talented, amazing people, and I’m so grateful for that. There are two things a writer needs to build a successful blog and sustain it–be passionate and be genuine. People come to our blog and read our content because they see who we are and what we’re about in every post. Both Becca and I have a passion for connecting and helping others, and we pour that passion into our blog. This ensures that we’re never struggling with what to write about, or see blogging as a chore or inconvenience. An author doesn’t need to blog about writing, either…follow your interests and passions, and readers will come.

Picture Book Rubric

Writer’s Notebook Worksheets: Picture Book Rubric

When I read over picture books, I like to read them for pleasure. But then I also like to study them and analyze them and try to understand what works and what doesn’t.

To help me evaluate published picture books, I developed a picture book rubric that I fill out. It’s amazing how filling in this rubric helps me then self-edit my own picture book manuscripts to make them shine!

To download a copy of your very own PICTURE BOOK RUBRIC, visit the site of my writing buddies, Writing According to Humphrey and Friends. Click on the link for the PICTURE BOOK RUBRIC, download it, print it out and add it to your personal writer’s notebook. I like to keep several blank rubrics in my writer’s notebook. I also keep the collection of rubrics I’ve filled out for different picture books I’ve read. Since I started using this rubric several months ago I have nearly 100 completed ones in my writer’s notebook in a section I have marked with a tab for Picture Book Rubrics! This helps me keep track of each picture book I read.

Here’s how to fill in the rubric:

* At the top, rate the picture book. A 5 star rating means it’s tops and definitely a book you want to study and use as an example to help improve your own manuscripts.

* Fill in the title of the book so you can file these rubrics alphabetically in your writer’s notebook.

* Write down the author’s and illustrator’s name so that you can look for more picture books by your favorite writer or artist.

* Include the date of the copyright as well as the name the copyright is under. A more current date, especially within the last 2 years, means that it’s a good indication of what is being published in today’s current market for picture books. If the copyright is under the author’s name, that means the rights belong to an author and was probably offered a royalty-based contract. If the copyright is under the publisher’s name, that means the rights belong to the publisher and the author was probably paid a one time fee.

* Be sure to write down the publisher and list any awards you know of. If you like this book, you can visit the publisher’s website and explore their site for potential book ideas to submit to them.

* On the top right write down the date you read the picture book.

* Include a short summary inside the box. Practice writing a 1-sentence summary of each picture book you read and it will help when you’re writing a pitch for your picture book manuscript!

*Opening Page: The opening page often works with the cover in a picture book, so answer Y for yes or N for no for each item on the list to note if it is accomplished in either the cover or opening page.

* Main Character: The main character is very important in a picture book. Learn to evaluate how the author develops the MC.

*Plot: Some picture books have predictable plots such as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie which goes full circle and ends back at the beginning. Others use a story arc that has a set up, a conflicting middle, and a resolution. Some editors prefer one type of plot over another. Evaluate the type your story has to better understand that particular publisher’s likes and dislikes.

*Craft: Study the craft and techniques the author used and mark your observations here. If a story is commercial, it means it could have toys or other products to sell with it.

For the optional section, feel free to write your evaluation on the back to have more room. Identify the book’s universal theme, or underlying theme that every kid can identify with such as losing a first tooth or moving to a new house. Also note if it has a fresh and original slant on this universal theme such as featuring a shark who loses its first tooth of 100. You can also jot down any thoughts you want to remember about this book.

Periodical Chart

Periodical Chart

When you’re trying to study magazines or other periodicals to decide which ones you’d like to submit to, it helps to fill in a chart so you can see in one quick glance information about such things as which rights which magazines purchase and how much they pay.

Every so often, I like to hold a writer’s mini-retreat my myself or gather with a group of writing friends and read through my writer’s market guides. As I find the names of magazines that interest me, I write down the title of each on my Periodical Chart as well as other information such as the URL of their website and the target age of their readers.

Then I keep this chart handy in a file folder inside a pocket folder where I keep samples of magazines as well as other notes about ideas, queries, and manuscripts I’d like to submit.

To download a copy of your very own PERIODICAL CHART, visit the site of my writing buddies, Writing According to Humphrey and Friends. Click on the link for the PERIODICAL CHART, download it, print it out and add it to your personal writer’s notebook.

Here’s what to fill in on the chart:

Periodical: Title of magazine

Editor: Name of editor in the department you’re interested in

E-mail: E-mail of this editor

Website: Magazine’s home site

Query: Note if they accept unsolicited queries or not

Circulation: Write down how many subscriptions they have (this info is usually on the masthead and shows how many people your article will reach)

Target Age: the age of the readers whether adults or kids

Features: List specific features you’re interested in writing for this particular magazine such as recipes or puzzles or main articles

Terms: The rights they purchase

Payment: How much they pay

Notes: Anything else you want to remember at a quick glance

Thanks for Joining My Book Launch Party

I want to thank each and every one of you who joined me in the journey to celebrate the release of my newest book, Frederick Douglass for Kids! It truly felt like a party even though we were all celebrating on different parts of the globe.

It was a joy to have you on board.

And today, I’ve got some winners to announce! I wish I could have just given a prize to each one of you who followed along to help me celebrate! And in fact, so many people left so many wonderful comments and encouraging words that I decided to choose two…yes TWO…winners of each contest.

The two winners of the free critique of your picture book OR first 5 pages of your manuscript are:

Donna McDine

Abby Beal

Hip hip hooray! Congratulations!!!!

And the two winners of the free critique of the last page of your manuscript are:

Annalisa Hall

Beth MacKinney

Congratulations to you, too!!!

Just e-mail me at jeffandnancys@gmail.com with your manuscript and I’ll critique it and send it back with encouraging tips on how to make it shine.

And…get ready for some fun! I’ve got some great things in store for all of you picture book writers this summer here on my blog. Starting next week, we’re going to celebrate the love of picture books all through the sunshiny days of summer…so be sure to stop on by and join in the adventure. Better yet, sign up to follow my blog so you won’t miss a single post!

Book Launch Party: Frederick Douglass for Kids

Welcome back to my book launch party to celebrate the release of my newest book, Frederick Douglass for Kids!

LET’S PARTY!

Today’s stop on my virtual Book Launch Party is taking place at the great site of author Billie Williams of Printed Words.

Visit Billie’s site today to learn more about Frederick Douglass and what it’s like to be on the go as a children’s author.

PRIZES

Today’s contest is the final chance to win a free critique of your picture book OR the first 5 pages of your manuscript. For about 10 years I was an editor with a professional manuscript critique service and since then I’ve helped judge contests (both local and national) for SCBWI as well as do manuscript critiques for various writing conferences I teach at. I love to help writers polish their manuscripts!

Just post a comment here today to say hi, or answer the question below and I’ll put your name in the hat today for another chance to win the prize. (A winner will be announced on Monday, June 18 here on my blog.)

Question:

Have you ever visited our nation’s capital or your state capital? Who did you learn about during that trip that impacted our country in their era?

ABOUT FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Here on my blog during the book launch party, I’m sharing photographs I took with my husband Jeff as we traveled through the eastern states where Frederick Douglass once lived. Today’s the last day of my celebration, so I wanted to share about the visit we had at Cedar Hill, the final home of Frederick Douglass in Washington DC.

When Jeff and I arrived at the beautiful estate, we were welcomed by two rocking chairs on the front entrance. Jeff and I sat down and experienced what it was like for Douglass and his wife to sit here on warm summer evenings, overlooking the capital of the United States.

Braden Paynter was the park ranger who graciously helped us on our visit and led us inside the house to take photographs in between tours. Thanks, Braden!

Wow! The desk of Frederick Douglass is still there, just as in the famous photograph I’d seen in so many of my research books that I used to write my own book, Frederick Douglass for Kids. The only thing missing was Frederick Douglass himself. You can view the original photograph by clicking here to visit the book’s official website.

And his books! Frederick Douglass rose from slavery to become a famous man of letters. He loved to read! He loved to write! He loved to speak! His amazing personal collection of books is still here at Cedar Hill, many of them in these bookshelves.

Before we left, Jeff and I visited the museum bookstore where we saw this life-sized statue of Frederick Douglass.

Sigh…our amazing 2-week photo-research tour had come to an end.

But for me as a writer, it was just the beginning. We flew back home to southern CA and I started writing a new book on Frederick Douglass that includes photos never before published together in one book, 21 historical activities, and fresh insight on the life and character of this true American Hero.

You can purchase this book today to read yourself, read to a child, or give to a favorite teacher, educator, or friend. It’s available on Amazon.

Book Launch Party: Frederick Douglass for Kids

Welcome back to my book launch party to celebrate the release of my newest book, Frederick Douglass for Kids!

LET’S PARTY!

Today’s stop on my virtual Book Launch Party is taking place at the informative site of Fay Levow of Launch Pad Publishing.

Visit Faye’s site today to learn more about Frederick Douglass and tips on how you can write for the exciting genre of Creative Nonfiction.

PRIZES

Today’s contest is a another chance to win a free critique of your picture book OR the first 5 pages of your manuscript. For about 10 years I was an editor with a professional manuscript critique service and since then I’ve helped judge contests (both local and national) for SCBWI as well as do manuscript critiques for various writing conferences I teach at. I love to help writers polish their manuscripts!

Just post a comment here today to say hi, or answer the question below and I’ll put your name in the hat today for another chance to win the prize. (A winner will be announced on Monday, June 18 here on my blog.)

Question:

Have you ever visited our nation’s capital or your state capital? Who did you learn about during that trip that impacted our country in their era?

About Frederick Douglass

Here on my blog during the book launch party, I’m sharing photographs I took with my husband Jeff and our son Ben as we traveled through the eastern states where Frederick Douglass once lived.

One of the cities we visited was Washington, D.C. Frederick Douglass and his family lived here for many years.

After the Civil War was over, Douglass was appointed to a number of important positions by various presidents. He and his wife Anna moved here to this house from Rochester, New York.

This was the church that Douglass and Anna attended in DC, the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church. What a special visit we had walking through the rooms, looking at the beautiful stained glass windows, and seeing the sanctuary. We discovered that Frederick Douglass even had his own pew that he sat in, marked with a plaque, and we got to sit there too. Wow! Talk about amazing…to be able to actually sit where this influential man once sat in church.

This is a pair of beautiful candlesticks that Douglass gave to this church when he was a member. They were currently under repair, as was most of the building. After all, this building was here in the day of Frederick Douglass and he lived 150 years ago in the Civil War era!

We also visited the White House. During the Civil War, Douglass came here twice…once to ask President Lincoln for equal rights for black troops (remember the movie, Glory?) The second time, Lincoln invited Douglass to come to give advice toward the end of the war.

Each step we took in DC were amazing new discoveries about this great man. We took lots of photographs that were able to be included in the actual book, Frederick Douglass for Kids.

Book Launch Party: Frederick Douglass for Kids

Welcome back to my book launch party to celebrate the release of my newest book, Frederick Douglass for Kids!

LET’S PARTY!

Today’s stop on my virtual Book Launch Party is taking place at Karen Cioffi’s resourceful site for authors, Writing and Marketing.

Visit Karen’s site today to learn more about Frederick Douglass and how educators can use my book in their classrooms.

PRIZES

Today’s contest is a chance JUST FOR TODAY to win a free critique of the very last page of your manuscript.

Here’s what to do to get your name in the hat today for a chance to win the prize. (A winner will be announced on Monday, June 18 here on my blog.)

Visit Goodreads and read portions of the book in their Google preview. Then post a 5-star review of Frederick Douglass for Kids at Goodreads!

Visit Amazon and read portions of the book in their “Look inside the book” feature. Then post a 5-star review of Frederick Douglass for Kids on Amazon!

Just post one or both 5-star reviews and e-mail me at jeffandnancys@gmail.com to let me know. I’ll put your name in the hat for a chance to win a free critique of your manuscript’s last page.

(And if you already posted a 5-star review before today, just give my book a “shout out” on your social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter and e-mail to let me know. I’ll put your name in the hat for today’s prize, too!)

I know I have some readers around the world in different timezones, so just e-mail me when you read this and I’ll put your name in the hat. I’ll announce this winner on Monday, June 18. Join the fun and don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to get a free critique AND help spread the news about this important new book.

About Frederick Douglass

Here on my blog during the book launch party, I’m sharing photographs I took with my husband Jeff and our son Ben as we traveled through the eastern states where Frederick Douglass once lived.

Before we left Philadelphia, we drove through the streets looking for Chestnutt Street to get the above photograph. Here in an important parade that Frederick Douglass was voted to join to represent the citizens of his home town, Rochester, New York, he was reunited with the family of his former master. It was a time he never forgot!

After Philadelphia and New York, my family and I headed up to Boston for the first time ever!!!! I couldn’t wait to visit Faneuil Hall where so much history has taken place in our nation.

I had first written about Faneuil Hall in my book, America’s Black Founders. Many important events took place there during the era of the American Revolution.

Frederick Douglass also left his mark here as a famous orator speaking at Faneiul Hall. This was just one of the many places he spoke to packed crowds eager to hear his every word. I tell more about this in my book. Boston was truly an exciting place to visit, especially to learn more about the time Douglass spent in this historic city that has always been a seedbed of freedom in America.

Book Launch Party: Frederick Douglass for Kids

Welcome back to my book launch party to celebrate the release of my newest book, Frederick Douglass for Kids!

LET’S PARTY!

Today’s stop on my virtual Book Launch Party is taking place at the site Write What Inspires You, hosted by children’s author Donna McDine.

Visit Donna’s site today to learn more about Frederick Douglass and what a typical day looks like for me as a children’s writer.

PRIZES

Today’s contest is a chance to win a free critique of your picture book OR the first 5 pages of your manuscript. For about 10 years I was an editor with a professional manuscript critique service and since then I’ve helped judge contests (both local and national) for SCBWI as well as do manuscript critiques for various writing conferences I teach at. I love to help writers polish their manuscripts!

Just post a comment here today to say hi, or answer the question below and I’ll put your name in the hat today for another chance to win the prize. (A winner will be announced on Monday, June 18 here on my blog.)

Question:

If you’re a writer, what’s a typical day like for you?

Or if you’re not a writer, what did you learn about writing today?

About Frederick Douglass

Here on my blog during the book launch party, I’m sharing photographs I took with my husband Jeff and our son Ben as we traveled through the eastern states where Frederick Douglass once lived.

In the middle of our carefully planned trip, a sudden change of plans occurred that freed up a whole day. We decided to take advantage of the change and headed to New Bedford, Massachusetts, the city Frederick and Anna chose to live in after he escaped from slavery. It ended up being a highlight of our trip! We were able to join a ranger-led tour and learned many things we hadn’t known before. Here, in this picture above, you can see an example of a “sailor’s protection papers” similar to the ones Frederick Douglass borrowed and carried as part of his disguise to pretend he was a sailor traveling freely through the states.

In the photo above, you can see a view of the docks where Frederick tried to find work as a caulker. This is how this street looks today.

Here is a photograph, our ranger showed us of what this same street and docks looked like back in the days when Frederick Douglass lived in New Bedford.

We were excited to learn that William Carney who was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Civil War and who was depicted in the movie Glory, had come from New Bedford with the 54th Massachusetts! In the photo above you see a sign commemorating this.

And finally, the greatest highlight of all during this day was to find this amazing mural painted on a wall! I took several close-ups of this mural and these photographs became some of the main ones in my book. You can see these photos as well as others that have never before been published in a book about this great man when you purchase Frederick Douglass for Kids.

This definitely was a trip of a lifetime. I’m glad this unexpected opportunity came up! And thanks for sharing in the journey.

Book Launch Party: Frederick Douglass for Kids

Welcome back to my book launch party to celebrate the release of my newest book, Frederick Douglass for Kids!

LET’S PARTY!

Today’s stop on my virtual Book Launch Party is taking place at the site Writing Tips Blog, hosted by my cyberspace friend, Irene Roth.

Visit Irene’s site to learn more about Frederick Douglass and how I got the idea to write about him!

PRIZES

Today I’m announcing two different winners!

The winner of the set of free autographed bookmarks for my new book, Frederick Douglass for Kids is…

Beth MacKinney!

Congratulations! Please send me an e-mail with your street address and I’ll get those bookmarks in the mail!

And our second winner is for your first page of your manuscript. This winner is:

Diane Kress Hower

Wahoo!!!! Please send me an e-mail with the first page of your manuscript and I’ll critique it and send it back to you. You may e-mail me at: jeffandnancys@gmail.com

Thanks everyone for joining in the fun and celebrating along with this book launch party.

Today we’re starting a new contest…a chance to win a free critique of your picture book OR the first 5 pages of your manuscript.

Just post a comment here today to say hi, or answer the question below and I’ll put your name in the hat today for a chance to win the prize. (A winner will be announced on Monday, June 18 here on my blog.)

Question:

When Frederick Douglass escaped to freedom, he took a giant step forward to change his dreams into reality. What steps are you taking to make your own personal dreams and goals a reality?

About Frederick Douglass

Here on my blog during the book launch party, I’m sharing photographs I took with my husband Jeff and our son Ben as we traveled through the eastern states where Frederick Douglass once lived.

When Douglass escaped from slavery, he traveled from the slave state of Maryland on up north to the free state of Pennsylvania and then up to New York City. It was not safe for any fugitive slave, however, even in the free states because a slave catcher might recognize them, capture them, and take them back to their owners. It was here at this corner that members of New York City’s Underground Railroad helped Frederick by hiding him until Anna could come and meet him and they could be married.

Here’s the historic plaque commemorating this important event. (Just click on the picture if you want to see it up close and read what it says.) Little did these great freedom fighters who hid Douglass know that they were helping someone who would one day become the most famous freedom fighter in America during the years leading up to the Civil War! You can learn more about why he was so famous in my new book, Frederick Douglass for Kids. Buy it today on Amazon!