I have just returned from my first meeting with the San Antonio chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and I am PUMPED! This group is so accomplished. I thought I was a big-shot being a finalist in this book contest, but one lady had just come back from the Ukraine where she shared her published book with school-kids there because her book is set there. Another has just had her second book published and is having a book signing in October. The leader of the group is a full-time jewelery-maker and write articles for Beads magazine. On, and on, and on...
This is good. It lets me see that there are people in my immediate surroundings who are making it as writers and illustrators, and inspires me to keep trying. I've signed up to be in a critique group that meets once a month, so I must produce!
We had a critique session at the meeting today, and got such good feedback, that I've good new ideas and a new direction to take Dillon and Blue that will make it more marketable, I'm sure of it! I had gotten bogged down and disappointed with the rejection letters.
Writing and illustrating can be lonely pursuits. Everything I've read says not to show rough drafts to family and friends because they'll be too kind, and immediately like it. Now I have an objective group of peers to share my ideas with, and it gives me new energy. I even met a women from Puerto Rico whom I might collaborate with on an idea that I've stored away for a year or two. She could be invaluable at filling in Hispanic traditions and cultures that I don't even pretend to know enough to write about, but would like to include in the story.
Refreshing. New vitality. I can't wait to get started!
Saturday 22 September 2007
Sunday 16 September 2007
Vote for Jack!
My picture book, A Pumpkin Named Jack, is a finalist in the nationwide 3rd Annual ABC’s Children’s Picture Book Competition. The winner is chosen by internet vote. You can help me win!
Please go to http://www.abcbookcompetition.org/ between September 16 and midnight of September 30 and vote. You can vote up to ten times from the same IP address, once per day. If you have a website or blog, add the link and instructions to vote for A Pumpkin Named Jack by Beth Cooper. Or, if you know a Kindergarten, First or Second-grade teacher or Elementary School librarian, please ask them to spread the word to their students and parents. The winner will be announced on October 8.
On the website, you will find each finalist’s story accompanied by a piece of sample artwork done by a chosen artist. In this case, I am both author and illustrator of A Pumpkin Named Jack. Scroll to the bottom of the story, click “Vote,” and follow the instructions.
This is a real opportunity for me as an unpublished author. According to The Book Connection, which sponsors the contest, only three of 12,000 manuscripts sent to publishing companies are ever published. The winner of the competition will receive a royalty contract and 1000 books to sell. If I win, I will happily come to your school or library to present the published story and sign copies.
On the website, you will find each finalist’s story accompanied by a piece of sample artwork done by a chosen artist. In this case, I am both author and illustrator of A Pumpkin Named Jack. Scroll to the bottom of the story, click “Vote,” and follow the instructions.
This is a real opportunity for me as an unpublished author. According to The Book Connection, which sponsors the contest, only three of 12,000 manuscripts sent to publishing companies are ever published. The winner of the competition will receive a royalty contract and 1000 books to sell. If I win, I will happily come to your school or library to present the published story and sign copies.
Friday 14 September 2007
Plugged In
While we lived in England, I subscribed to a really excellent enewsletter by Jan Fields called Children's Writers Enews, but was unable to take advantage of the online Forums or Chats because of the time difference. Now that we're back in the States, I have the chance to take advantage of them and really get plugged in again with writers around the country. No person is an island, and I don't want my ideas to get stale or run dry. I need like-minded people to inspire and encourage me.
One of the essential tools for a children's writer is the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, a who's-who directory with so much information packed inside. Mine is out of date. Since Jan offered to put me in a drawing if I mentioned Kid Magazine Writers, another great source of information, I'm shamelessly promoting it here. It's a win-win situation. Go to www.kidmagwriters.com to see what I mean. There's so much to know about the business of writing for kids, not to mention the craft. Being at the right place at the right time with a well-researched plan for a good manuscript makes all the difference. Otherwise, you never get noticed.
One of the essential tools for a children's writer is the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, a who's-who directory with so much information packed inside. Mine is out of date. Since Jan offered to put me in a drawing if I mentioned Kid Magazine Writers, another great source of information, I'm shamelessly promoting it here. It's a win-win situation. Go to www.kidmagwriters.com to see what I mean. There's so much to know about the business of writing for kids, not to mention the craft. Being at the right place at the right time with a well-researched plan for a good manuscript makes all the difference. Otherwise, you never get noticed.
Thursday 13 September 2007
Getting Better All the Time
While I can't say that Brendan is making any more male friends, except for the fact that he's observing them and bringing home funny stories, the females are starting to notice my handsome son.
Last week when Brendan was waiting (alone) for the first period bell to ring, a group of girls approached (they always seem to travel in packs) and asked him his name. He said, "Brendan." They said, "Cool name," and left.
I just found out that there will be a school dance on October 26, for which they need chaperones. Evidently, the girls are already angling for dates. One girl, sitting next to Brendan after school waiting in the parent pick-up line, casually mentioned that two boys had already asked her to the dance, but they were weird. She wanted someone who wasn't weird to ask her. (Hint, hint!) Today, this girl, who's name has escaped Brendan so far, asked him if he would like to go to the dance with her. He said, "I don't know."
Scintilating conversations, huh? To his credit, he didn't run away scream, "No, way!" like I half-expected he would do. But now I wonder if he's trying to figure out how to back out gracefully because he doesn't want to go to the dance or he doesn't want to go with her.
I would love to be a fly on the wall for this one. Maybe I'll volunteer just in case he decides to go. BTW - should an 11-yearl-old be taking a date to the dance?!
Last week when Brendan was waiting (alone) for the first period bell to ring, a group of girls approached (they always seem to travel in packs) and asked him his name. He said, "Brendan." They said, "Cool name," and left.
I just found out that there will be a school dance on October 26, for which they need chaperones. Evidently, the girls are already angling for dates. One girl, sitting next to Brendan after school waiting in the parent pick-up line, casually mentioned that two boys had already asked her to the dance, but they were weird. She wanted someone who wasn't weird to ask her. (Hint, hint!) Today, this girl, who's name has escaped Brendan so far, asked him if he would like to go to the dance with her. He said, "I don't know."
Scintilating conversations, huh? To his credit, he didn't run away scream, "No, way!" like I half-expected he would do. But now I wonder if he's trying to figure out how to back out gracefully because he doesn't want to go to the dance or he doesn't want to go with her.
I would love to be a fly on the wall for this one. Maybe I'll volunteer just in case he decides to go. BTW - should an 11-yearl-old be taking a date to the dance?!
Thursday 6 September 2007
Moral Dilemma
Moms, sound off on this one.
Brendan is a very conscientious boy. He's especially sensitive these last few weeks because of the start of school. I could tell something was wrong after school yesterday, but he didn't let it out until this morning. The school run is his favorite time for backseat confessions. I think it's because he doesn't have to look me in the eye.
What was the problem? Brendan had graded his own paper on a History exercise. He realized after he reported his grade and the teacher had entered it into the computer that there were two other questions that should have been counted wrong. This teacher is know for being tough, even mean, and I think Brendan had just recently heard the "If you get caught cheating, you can be expelled from school" speech.
So his dilemma was whether to tell this mean lady who might chew his head off or just drop it.
UGH! What's Mom to do? Grades are a new thing to him. British school doesn't stress grades at all. This was one in-class grade, one amongst many and my first instinct was to forget about it. But he was really worried. What would you do?
Well, I didn't tell him what he should do. I just laid out his options. I told him that the honest thing to do was to tell the teacher that he'd made a mistake and take the punishment, whatever that might be. The other option was to do nothing, let it go. I have a feeling that this teacher is really not as mean as she seems. She's put on her first-week-of-school face to enforce discipline. I think that if he confessed, she'd either say it was okay and not change the grade in the system, or at worst, change the grade. Of course, I don't know the lady. She could take the hard-nose approach and say that this is strike one and if he messes up again, he'll be in trouble.
It will be interesting to see which path he takes. I have a feeling his conscience won't let him forget about it, but if he has to confess to Ms. Meanie, he may just let it be. Stay tuned.
Brendan is a very conscientious boy. He's especially sensitive these last few weeks because of the start of school. I could tell something was wrong after school yesterday, but he didn't let it out until this morning. The school run is his favorite time for backseat confessions. I think it's because he doesn't have to look me in the eye.
What was the problem? Brendan had graded his own paper on a History exercise. He realized after he reported his grade and the teacher had entered it into the computer that there were two other questions that should have been counted wrong. This teacher is know for being tough, even mean, and I think Brendan had just recently heard the "If you get caught cheating, you can be expelled from school" speech.
So his dilemma was whether to tell this mean lady who might chew his head off or just drop it.
UGH! What's Mom to do? Grades are a new thing to him. British school doesn't stress grades at all. This was one in-class grade, one amongst many and my first instinct was to forget about it. But he was really worried. What would you do?
Well, I didn't tell him what he should do. I just laid out his options. I told him that the honest thing to do was to tell the teacher that he'd made a mistake and take the punishment, whatever that might be. The other option was to do nothing, let it go. I have a feeling that this teacher is really not as mean as she seems. She's put on her first-week-of-school face to enforce discipline. I think that if he confessed, she'd either say it was okay and not change the grade in the system, or at worst, change the grade. Of course, I don't know the lady. She could take the hard-nose approach and say that this is strike one and if he messes up again, he'll be in trouble.
It will be interesting to see which path he takes. I have a feeling his conscience won't let him forget about it, but if he has to confess to Ms. Meanie, he may just let it be. Stay tuned.
Wednesday 5 September 2007
Meet Jack
I got approval to use the image that you'll see on the competition site on my own blog. I just had to show it to you. I'm really happy with the way he turned out. He's a real character with real expression. This is not the entire image - justa teaser so you'll go to www. ABCbookcompetition.org and vote. If I win, I'll have four more unique pumpkin characters, the farmer, his wife, his daughter, his grandson and a pig to create. I'm very excited about the possibilities, so please help make this a reality. Go vote between 16 and 30 September.
I'll remind you again as the time gets closer.
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