Barry Manilow and Book Signings?

The other night I sat down with a cup of vanilla coffee and began flipping through the channels. Lo and behold, what did I find but a Barry Manilow special on PBS. It's no secret I like Barry Manilow. His music has inspired nostaligia, dreams, and romance. But let me tell you, when he sang Copa Cabana, I wanted to gag. His thrusty moves were totally out of place, and when he contorted his face to "feel" the music, he looked like he'd eaten a moldy zucchini.

Now don't get me wrong--I still love me my Manilow, but I realized quickly I prefer to hear his music rather than see it. How does this fit into book signings, you ask? Let me explain:

When a writer delves into the world of book signings and school visits, she has to know her book. She's got to be prepared to speak about it and to answer questions that may come her way. In addition to this, the writer must be very, very conscious of how she chooses to present herself. For instance, when I do presentations and signings for my picture book, if I walk into a room somber-faced and overly serious, what are my chances attendees will want to buy my book? Likely they'll be looking for the exit before I've gotten through the title page. However, if I walk into the room, aware of my surroundings and the people around me, and if I am chipper and upbeat and genuinely friendly, I'll likely see a much more successful visit or signing.

Body language and how we present ourselves as writers matters. It's true, we write in solitary confinement much of the time. But when that manuscript becomes a bouncing baby book, it's game face time.

The next time you arrange a signing or a visit, make sure you don't leave the audience wondering if YOU'VE eaten a moldy zucchini. And the next time you attend a writing event for someone else, pay attention to their body language, their choice of words, and how they choose to relate. What would you include in your own presentations? What would you steer away from?

After my Barry Manilow epiphany, I've determined I'll leave the hip swinging to someone else and if I really really want to look like I'm "feeling" my book, I'll make sure to try out my face in the mirror before leaving home. :)

On Networking

Writers typically lead a solitary lifestyle. After all, it's not easy to think up memorable characters and scenes if someone's chatting in your ear. Sometimes, that solidarity gets to be too much. Sometimes, you just need to get out.

I met with a writing friend today. She's writing an amazing memoir. For two hours, we sipped chai lattes and talked about our works-in-progress. It was exhilarating. When writers meet and talk, it's as if the world of ideas opens up again. I came home today from my meeting feeling inspired and itching to get busy writing.

If you're new to writing, you may feel apprehensive about approaching other writers--don't! Everyone is a "newbie" at some point, and most writers are more than willing to spend a few hours helping out a new friend. If you don't know where to start, consider joining SCBWI (www.scbwi.org). With a wealth of resources, the SCBWI is a wonderful place for children's writers to connect and gain feedback and insight about the world of writing.

Networking isn't an option for writers. Though it's not always about who you know, publishing is a small world, and the more you know, and the more contacts you can make, the better.

Happy writing!

Writing updates and book covers!

The past few months have been busy! I've been doing quite a bit of freelancing, including fact-checking and writing for a new greeting card publisher. I also took on an editing job for a children's publisher--fun!

It looks like my upcoming books are coming along nicely. I've seen the cover art for three of the four books I have coming out in 2008. Would you like a sneak peek?

Book Covers

Nothing makes a book feel quite so real as a shiny, lovely, FINISHED book cover. And here's a secret...the inside illustrations are just as beautiful! The book comes out in February.

The MFA Dilemma

Ahhhh...if only life's choices were laid out in front of us. But they're not. Sometimes the path we've foraged for ourselves takes a curvy turn when we least expect it. In my case, this dilemma came later than expected, when I found myself debating which graduate degree to pursue.

The decision to pursue an MFA Creative Writing is not an easy one. Especially if your goal is to teach upon graduation, there's much to be considered. I recently spoke to the head of creative writing at a local university. Here's what she had to say:

You guessed it--job prospects for MFA Creative Writing graduates aren't strong. In fact, they're weak. This is because the number of Creative Writing programs has soared in recent years, leaving staggering numbers of graduates and very few open positions. However, this doesn't mean finding a job is impossible. Having publication credits is vital to finding employment. Without them, your chances are slim to none. Also, although full-time and tenured positions are difficult to come by, adjunct (part time) positions can be somewhat easier to secure.

Many schools consider their alumni for positions first. Some schools, however, do not. Know the school you're going to. Research these things and ask questions. Find out who the faculty is. What have they published? Does the program offer a low-residency option?

There is a difference between an MA Creative Writing and an MFA Creative Writing. The MFA holds more weight, much like a Ph.D. degree--definitely ask questions, and if you have a choice, go for the MFA. In many schools, you'll be hired first.

Career choices are difficult at best. School choices are equally puzzling. My advice? Do your homework. Don't jump on the first school you find with a Google search. Make your decision carefully, write your heart out, then face the job market with optimism. Who knows--with a whole lot of work and a little luck, you may find yourself with the job of your dreams. If not, there's always waitressing... :)

It's a Book!

I cannot describe the feeling that occurs when what you've written suddenly becomes a book. Sure, I had imagined what the illustrations might look like for my picture book, T'was the Day Before Zoo Day, but a few weeks ago, when the initial sketches arrived in my inbox, I felt elated....ecstatic...happy beyond words. Ben Hodson, illustrator extraordinaire (and my new best friend--even though he doesn't technically know it--or me for that matter), took my text and created lively, whimsical, enchanting drawings. I cannot wait for the next e-mail to arrive, to see what he's done with color. Will the illustrations be bold, vibrant, or soft? Will they pop off the page or subtly capture a smile across my face? I cannot wait to find out.

In related news, I received an e-mail today from my publisher. It looks like my book will be released in February, 2008. February is a good month. It's my mother's birthday month and the month of love--so the way I figure it, that's a good sign...soon I'll be planning a book launch, and signings, and readings, and...it will be busy and exciting and frightening all at the same time.

Stay tuned for more updates. Until then, check out my publisher's website here.

The Writing Life

It's never easy to start something new. Whether that "something" is a new career, a move to a different state, or perhaps even just a change in your breakfast routine, breaking out of your comfort zone can be a challenge.

When I decided to pursue writing full-time, I had no idea what I wanted to do. Sure, I knew I wanted to write books for kids, but I knew that wouldn't pay the bills. I'd need to freelance. But where? And how? My fear alone nearly stopped me in my tracks. I was left with two choices. One, I could throw in the towel before I'd begun. I could let my fear rule my head and start looking for a traditional 9 to 5. But I didn't want that. My kids were small and I wanted to be home with them--and I wanted to write. So I opted for another choice. I put myself out there. I learned. I messed up. I learned some more. Eventually, I learned where to find job boards. I learned how to search the job boards. And then I wrote a letter to a startup newspaper. They liked my ideas and published my article. That article led to a monthly column about family life. I didn't receive pay for this, but I built a resume, and that experience helped land me paying gigs.

At the same time, I started seriously pursuing my book writing. I wrote many, many bad manuscripts and sent them out in a rush. Those mistakes led to one rejection after another. But again, I didn't give up. I read. I learned. And finally, I learned to submit manuscripts the right way.

Over the past few years, many things have happened in my writing life. I've diversified myself and gotten jobs I never thought I was qualified to do. I've had a fiction picture book accepted for publication, and have six non-fiction books coming out in 2008 as well. How did I do this, you wonder? I made contacts. I sent my resume and writing samples to educational publishers, and I waited, following up as often as necessary without becoming a pest. And finally, the door has opened. How long it will stay open will depend on my level of effort, and yes, just a little luck. But I'm no longer stuck, wondering where to turn. I'm now proud to call myself a writer and an editor--though if I say it out loud, I still blush.

Life as a writer can be frustrating. It can be frightening when you don't know where to turn or how to get where you want to be. The important thing is to never give up. "Fake it until you make it," many writer friends have told me. And so I did. And it paid off. It can pay off for you, too. I hope you'll keep reading. I promise to keep writing.