Here are a few samples--
Thursday, October 01, 2009
WHAT I'M UP TO
I'm working on an autobiography in graphic novel form - THE YEAR I MOVED TO NYC (if anyone has a better title idea, let me know).
Here are a few samples--
Here are a few samples--
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
descriptions come to life
Coming from a picturebook background, I struggle with writing description. I often tell students how after sending in my first draft of The Year of the Dog my editor(Alvina!) sent it back to me with the note, "You need to add at least 2-4 descriptions on each page." This was because I hadn't written ANY. In picturebooks, there are always illustrations so I never had to write description before. Now, I had to learn.
And one of authors I studied was, of course, Lucy Maud Montgomery. Even if you don't like the Anne books, you should have the deepest respect for her ability to create beautiful images from words. And, while visiting PEI (see all about my travels on my blog!) my admiration for her only increased. So much of what she had written was exactly like the land around me.
From the red earth,
to the mirroring water,
the sapphire blue gulfs, 
and the silver and gold light:
And one of authors I studied was, of course, Lucy Maud Montgomery. Even if you don't like the Anne books, you should have the deepest respect for her ability to create beautiful images from words. And, while visiting PEI (see all about my travels on my blog!) my admiration for her only increased. So much of what she had written was exactly like the land around me.
From the red earth,
to the placid animals,
(Squatchie & I dubbed this the "oreo cow")
to the mirroring water,
the sapphire blue gulfs, 
and the silver and gold light:
"The sun had set some time since, but the landscape was still clear in the mellow afterlight. To the west a dark church spire rose up against a marigold sky. Below was a little valley and beyond a long, gently-rising slope with snug farmsteads scattered along it."-LM Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Desmond jacket painting
Thanks again everyone for your input on the back jacket sketch in last week's post. Here is the version we decided on, and the front cover too. In the end we thought it made sense for Gloria to be on the opposite side of the fence as Desmond, as though she is tiptoeing up to the fence looking for him...
Banned Books Week
In case you didn't know, September 26 to October 3 is Banned Books Week!
Check out the First Amendment First Aid Kit at Random House here. It includes a list of banned books (including Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret for which Judy Blume was called a communist and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory among others- crazy), information on how to discuss banned books with kids, and strategies for booksellers, librarians, and teachers to support free speech.
From the site:
"We should never take for granted our freedom to read. Case in point: four library board members in West Bend, Wisconsin, lost their jobs this year when they tried to keep young adult books on the YA shelves where they belong, rather than on the adult shelves, with warning labels affixed. Read more here on CNN."
PS. Pass it on! Random House will send a free banned or challenged book (while supplies last) to anyone who posts the graphic or blogs about Banned Books Week. Tell them about it at firstamendment@randomhouse.com.
Yay for free speech and free books too!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Observations about mainstream publishing
Last week I read this insightful, sobering insider look at publishing here by Daniel Menaker, former Executive Editor-in-Chief of Random House. His experience is with adult publishing, and I do view children's book publishing as a happier world, but his is still an authentic view of publishing in general. Especially true is how negative a culture it can be. For example:
I'm often disappointed that our acquisitions team doesn't get more excited about projects. Sometimes it seems that the best praise we can get is "I liked it fine" or "I would be okay if we published it." Hardly glowing endorsements. True, when those rare moments come along where everyone gets excited about a project, it's wonderful, but people seem to be more critical than ever. It's a tough business.
More negativity:
*Sigh.* So true. And the following observation is something I particularly agree with:
Anyway, read the column. It's fascinating. And I'm glad I'm not as jaded so far in my career--I still see many more pros than cons. But it's good to recognize the challenges in the hopes that maybe aspects of the business can change.
You're more likely to be "right" if you express doubts about a proposal's or a manuscript's prospects than if you support it with enthusiasm.
I'm often disappointed that our acquisitions team doesn't get more excited about projects. Sometimes it seems that the best praise we can get is "I liked it fine" or "I would be okay if we published it." Hardly glowing endorsements. True, when those rare moments come along where everyone gets excited about a project, it's wonderful, but people seem to be more critical than ever. It's a tough business.
More negativity:
And this is only the beginning of the negativities that editors must face. Barnes & Noble doesn't like the title. Borders doesn't like the jacket. The author's uncle Joe doesn't like the jacket. The writer doesn't like the page layout and design. Your boss tells you the flap copy for a book about a serial killer is too "down." The hardcover didn't sell well enough for the company to put out a paperback. The book has to wait a list or two to be published. Kirkus hates the book. Another writer gets angry at you for even asking for a quote. The Times isn't going to review the book. And so on.
*Sigh.* So true. And the following observation is something I particularly agree with:
It's my strong impression that most of the really profitable books for most publishers still come from the mid-list -- "surprise" big hits with small or medium advances, such as that memoir by a self-described racial "mutt" of a junior senator from Chicago. Somehow, by luck or word of mouth, these books navigate around the rocks and reefs upon which most of their fleet -- even sturdy vessels -- founder.
Anyway, read the column. It's fascinating. And I'm glad I'm not as jaded so far in my career--I still see many more pros than cons. But it's good to recognize the challenges in the hopes that maybe aspects of the business can change.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Money (not what you think)
One of my early memories is of staying home from school sick, counting my money. I took it out of its container -- a round pink suitcase that was perhaps a doll's vanity case -- and arranged it into little piles on my bed, counting the coins with great satisfaction. The shiney round nickels were especially solid and satisfying.
I hadn't thought of this in years, until yesterday when I was counting my babysitting money. I remembered the clicking sound of those nickels and the feeling of miserly pleasure the stacks gave me. It's a feeling I hadn't had since then.
For soon after I had counted my money, my mother opened a savings account for me: $14 and something cents. I felt a pang of vivid LOSS -- to me, that money was gone. I had a blue savings book, with little stamped numbers like library due-date stamps whenever I put money into it --but it didn't ever seem like real money. Those stacks of coins did. (I learned just the opposite of what my mother, a careful saver herself, was trying to teach me!)
Maybe one reason I'm saving now (after I counted my babysitting money I walked to the bank to deposit almost all of it, with a GREAT feeling of satisfaction and pride!) is that I get paid in cash. When I spend or save cash, it's very obvious that I'm spending or saving -- when I used credit cards, especially when clicking online, it wasn't.
For most of my life, I've been irresponsible with money, spending it freely when I had it and even (until I stopped having credit cards) when I didn't. There is such a feeling of relief and solid satisfaction in living within my means that I want to write something about it. I'm not sure what -- maybe this blog post is enough! But I'm also thinking about writing a picture book about money, showing what it is (more complicated than it seems: it doesn't exist unless a lot of people believe in it) and trying to make it real for kids -- and I guess myself. When you think about it, what IS money? I think it's unreal to a lot of people besides me: and when it stops seeming real to people who control large sums, we all get into a big mess. But the financial meltdown won't be in the kids' book -- except maybe in a silly, exaggerated way.
In the meantime, I'll keep counting those strange green pieces of paper and putting them into the bank, thinking about this book, too....and Grace-of-Green-Gables, I know you will say "Finish Cassy first!" and I will (I'm up to page 103!) but I can write this pretty quickly, I think, once I decide what I want to say.
I hadn't thought of this in years, until yesterday when I was counting my babysitting money. I remembered the clicking sound of those nickels and the feeling of miserly pleasure the stacks gave me. It's a feeling I hadn't had since then.
For soon after I had counted my money, my mother opened a savings account for me: $14 and something cents. I felt a pang of vivid LOSS -- to me, that money was gone. I had a blue savings book, with little stamped numbers like library due-date stamps whenever I put money into it --but it didn't ever seem like real money. Those stacks of coins did. (I learned just the opposite of what my mother, a careful saver herself, was trying to teach me!)
Maybe one reason I'm saving now (after I counted my babysitting money I walked to the bank to deposit almost all of it, with a GREAT feeling of satisfaction and pride!) is that I get paid in cash. When I spend or save cash, it's very obvious that I'm spending or saving -- when I used credit cards, especially when clicking online, it wasn't.
For most of my life, I've been irresponsible with money, spending it freely when I had it and even (until I stopped having credit cards) when I didn't. There is such a feeling of relief and solid satisfaction in living within my means that I want to write something about it. I'm not sure what -- maybe this blog post is enough! But I'm also thinking about writing a picture book about money, showing what it is (more complicated than it seems: it doesn't exist unless a lot of people believe in it) and trying to make it real for kids -- and I guess myself. When you think about it, what IS money? I think it's unreal to a lot of people besides me: and when it stops seeming real to people who control large sums, we all get into a big mess. But the financial meltdown won't be in the kids' book -- except maybe in a silly, exaggerated way.
In the meantime, I'll keep counting those strange green pieces of paper and putting them into the bank, thinking about this book, too....and Grace-of-Green-Gables, I know you will say "Finish Cassy first!" and I will (I'm up to page 103!) but I can write this pretty quickly, I think, once I decide what I want to say.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Ciao Bella Chocolate Sorbet by Elaine Equi
A couple of weeks ago, Grace Lin and I had breakfast at Henrietta’s Table in Harvard Square. After we ate, we headed over to Curious George & Friends. After browsing through the new picture books on display at the front of the store, I checked out the poetry section—where I found a wonderful anthology, Poem in Your Pocket. The book includes an introduction by U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan. How had I missed the publication of the book earlier this year?????
Quoting from Ryan’s introduction: A poem in your pocket is different. The whole way it works is different. In a way, you can’t spend a poem even if you want to. As opposed to money—which seems intent upon getting out of your pocket as though it were a feral animal—a poem settles in. When I say “pocket” here, I mean “mind.” A poem settles into your mind.
I haven’t read all of the poems in Poem in Your Pocket yet. Today, I’m sharing a poem by Elaine Equi that I found in the book--a poem that settled into MY mind...maybe because I LOVE chocolate so much.
Ciao Bella Chocolate Sorbet
has a dense
chewy
water to chocolate
ratio
as if a whole
devil’s food cake
were dissolved
in each scoop.
Delivers Elvis-like
indulgence
for only 120 calories.
You can read the rest of the poem here. You’ll have to scroll down—it’s the third poem on the page.
At Wild Rose Reader, I have A Poem for Banned Books Week. It’s a revised version of Book Talk 2007, a poem I wrote more than two years ago.
At Political Verses, I have Dirty Dancing with the Stars: A Poem about Tom DeLay.
Susan Taylor Brown is doing the Poetry Friday Roundup this week.
From the book’s description at the website of The Academy of American Poets: Published in conjunction with the Academy of American Poets, Poem in Your Pocket enables you to select a poem you love, neatly tear it out from the book, and then carry it with you all day to read, be inspired by, and share with coworkers, family, and friends. This innovative format features 200 poems from Shakespeare to Sexton, cleverly organized by theme.
In the introduction, Ryan talks about having money in your pocket, looking at all the things you could buy with it, eventually purchasing something, and feeling a sense of dissatisfaction—of wanting to trade more money for more goods—because “the new goes off the new…”
Quoting from Ryan’s introduction: A poem in your pocket is different. The whole way it works is different. In a way, you can’t spend a poem even if you want to. As opposed to money—which seems intent upon getting out of your pocket as though it were a feral animal—a poem settles in. When I say “pocket” here, I mean “mind.” A poem settles into your mind.
I haven’t read all of the poems in Poem in Your Pocket yet. Today, I’m sharing a poem by Elaine Equi that I found in the book--a poem that settled into MY mind...maybe because I LOVE chocolate so much.
Ciao Bella Chocolate Sorbet
has a dense
chewy
water to chocolate
ratio
as if a whole
devil’s food cake
were dissolved
in each scoop.
Delivers Elvis-like
indulgence
for only 120 calories.
You can read the rest of the poem here. You’ll have to scroll down—it’s the third poem on the page.
********************
At Wild Rose Reader, I have A Poem for Banned Books Week. It’s a revised version of Book Talk 2007, a poem I wrote more than two years ago.
At Political Verses, I have Dirty Dancing with the Stars: A Poem about Tom DeLay.
Susan Taylor Brown is doing the Poetry Friday Roundup this week.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
vacation
Every since I was 12 years old, I've loved the Anne of Green Gables books. Since then, I've dreamed of visiting Prince Edward Island, home of Anne...er Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of the said books. Of course,in the past, whenever I offered PEI as a vacation destination most looked at me with blank stares. Why go to PEI when there were choices like Vegas, Cape Cod, Paris or China? It looked like my dream to go to PEI would go unfulfilled.
Until now! Today I am off for my first (and probably only, as I don't think I will ever be able to cajole anyone to go with me again) PEI vacation. Grace of Green Gables, here I come!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Lots of Glorias
So the front cover for Disappearing Desmond came pretty quickly, the below sketch was your favorite version, Knopf's favorite, and mine too!
But for some reason it took me awhile to nail down the back jacket. Desmond's new friend in the story, Gloria, is peering over the fence at Desmond... here are some of my zillion different attempts to get her pose and gestures right:
Which one do you like the best?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Take a break!
As I mentioned in a past post, it's been a particularly hectic summer, and as a reward for/respite from the stress, the editorial group took off a few hours early last Friday for an outing. And where did we go? I'll give you five clues:
Perhaps you've guessed it? We went to the High Line! Faithful readers of this blog, and fans of Peter Brown's The Curious Garden, will recognize this amazing public space. This was only my second trip to the High Line--my first was at night, and it was just as lovely, and a much different feel:
If you're in the New York area, be sure to check it out.
After our stroll on the High Line, we made our way to the roof deck of the bar Brass Monkey for drinks and work gossip. And now it's back to the grind. But no matter how busy one is, a break is always necessary and can do wonders to the spirits. I was talking to an author friend at brunch yesterday about what we do to relax--she records a ton of TV shows and takes a chunk of time to watch them all at once. I love reading my Entertainment Weekly and watching reality television. How do you all veg out when you're stressed and need a break?
Perhaps you've guessed it? We went to the High Line! Faithful readers of this blog, and fans of Peter Brown's The Curious Garden, will recognize this amazing public space. This was only my second trip to the High Line--my first was at night, and it was just as lovely, and a much different feel:
If you're in the New York area, be sure to check it out.After our stroll on the High Line, we made our way to the roof deck of the bar Brass Monkey for drinks and work gossip. And now it's back to the grind. But no matter how busy one is, a break is always necessary and can do wonders to the spirits. I was talking to an author friend at brunch yesterday about what we do to relax--she records a ton of TV shows and takes a chunk of time to watch them all at once. I love reading my Entertainment Weekly and watching reality television. How do you all veg out when you're stressed and need a break?
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Facts and fiction
I once read a historical fiction series that concluded abruptly at the end of the third book (6 had been advertised and planned). The author explained in a brief note:
"Having been compelled by history to kill off my favorite character," he said (I've always loved that line!), he couldn't go on with the series.
This is kind of happening to me-- I'm writing a novel about a niece of Jane Austen's. Her mother dies, and I just don't want to go on and on about that. It (like early death in real life!) is a shock and completely interrupts the story, that's unavoidable in both cases.....but I don't want it to take over the story, either.
In books that are all fiction, people just leave out these kinds of things--which is probably why, although ALL of Jane Austen's brothers lost their first wives to death, this never happens in any of her books (lots of things happen in my book, though, that she would never include --we go to places she didn't). Just as most novels of the period never include children dieing and they did, often -- the only one I can think of that includes it is BARRY LYNDON; and I never read it, just saw the movie....anyway I want this book to be true, but I want it to be a novel with form and shape and A GOOD STORY, too.
So what I've done is let the mother die, have the child react, then skip ahead in time, to when it's just sort of underneath everything but not dominating Cassy's consciousness. What do you think? Can you do that in a kid's book?
Well, I HAVE done it, and what I should do is just give myself permission--but it would help to know what other people think about that choice.
"Having been compelled by history to kill off my favorite character," he said (I've always loved that line!), he couldn't go on with the series.
This is kind of happening to me-- I'm writing a novel about a niece of Jane Austen's. Her mother dies, and I just don't want to go on and on about that. It (like early death in real life!) is a shock and completely interrupts the story, that's unavoidable in both cases.....but I don't want it to take over the story, either.
In books that are all fiction, people just leave out these kinds of things--which is probably why, although ALL of Jane Austen's brothers lost their first wives to death, this never happens in any of her books (lots of things happen in my book, though, that she would never include --we go to places she didn't). Just as most novels of the period never include children dieing and they did, often -- the only one I can think of that includes it is BARRY LYNDON; and I never read it, just saw the movie....anyway I want this book to be true, but I want it to be a novel with form and shape and A GOOD STORY, too.
So what I've done is let the mother die, have the child react, then skip ahead in time, to when it's just sort of underneath everything but not dominating Cassy's consciousness. What do you think? Can you do that in a kid's book?
Well, I HAVE done it, and what I should do is just give myself permission--but it would help to know what other people think about that choice.
Friday, September 18, 2009
crappy sketches
I'm sure you've seen other sketches by the group members for their books... but I don't think you've ever seen mine. Well here's one for you:
Pretty crappy, eh? I do as little as possible--that's my admission. The reason is 1) I don't want to waste time 2) I want to stay inspired for the finish and 3) I like to surprise myself while painting. If I do a sketch that's too polished I"ll lose all of that. I also sometimes see artist's sketches and think they're better than the finishes! That's a scary thing.
meghan
Pretty crappy, eh? I do as little as possible--that's my admission. The reason is 1) I don't want to waste time 2) I want to stay inspired for the finish and 3) I like to surprise myself while painting. If I do a sketch that's too polished I"ll lose all of that. I also sometimes see artist's sketches and think they're better than the finishes! That's a scary thing.
meghan
Language Lessons by Alexandra Teague
I’m happy that contemporary poetry is available online at a number of different websites. Here are some of my favorite sites where you’ll find quality poetry on the Internet: The Poetry Foundation, The Academy of American Poets, Favorite Poem Project, Poetry 180, American Life in Poetry.
Today, I have a poem from American Life in Poetry, an initiative of Ted Kooser, the 2004-2006 Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress.
Language Lessons
by Alexandra Teague
The carpet in the kindergarten room
was alphabet blocks; all of us fidgeting
on bright, primary letters. On the shelf
sat that week's inflatable sound. The th
was shaped like a tooth. We sang
about brushing up and down, practiced
exhaling while touching our tongues
to our teeth.
You can read the rest of the poem here.
by Alexandra Teague
The carpet in the kindergarten room
was alphabet blocks; all of us fidgeting
on bright, primary letters. On the shelf
sat that week's inflatable sound. The th
was shaped like a tooth. We sang
about brushing up and down, practiced
exhaling while touching our tongues
to our teeth.
You can read the rest of the poem here.
********************
At Wild Rose Reader, I have some personal poetry news—and I talk about posting original poems at my blog in Blogging My Poetry.
The Poetry Friday Roundup is at Becky’s Book Reviews.
The Poetry Friday Roundup is at Becky’s Book Reviews.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
September Auction
This painting is on auction NOW! Auction ends tomorrow!
BID NOW!
url:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-PAINTING-by-Childrens-Book-Author-GRACE-LIN_W0QQitemZ220480486915QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArt_Paintings?hash=item3355a93e03&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Chat with me!
I'm offering Skype talks! It is September which means school is in, so I thought as part of my book's birthday (it's three months old! I remember when it was just a small ARC. sigh!) that (as well as the download-able activity book and event kit) I would offer free, virtual visits!If your group ends up collectively purchasing 10 or more copies of WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, I would be happy to schedule a free 15 minute question and answer Skype call with your readers. Perfect for after school book groups and mother-daughter book clubs! Contact: gracelin.manager@gmail.com
Anna also offers Skype visits as well! (I didn't join the Skype Author network because I'm not sure if I want to offer Skype visits indefinitely. But it's a great roster there!) We BRGs are sooo cutting edge.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Brooklyn Book Festival
This weekend, Grace and I attended the wedding of our former roommate, Jon. Grace, Jon, and I lived together for three years in Somerville, MA--in fact, this was where I was living ten years ago when I got my start in Publishing. Jon and his now-wife Loretta had their wedding ceremony on a train. A moving train, in fact! They made their grand entrance on the front of the train:
And then there was a lunch reception on a lovely, scenic (if at times a bit shaky), old-timey train ride:
Long-time readers of my personal blog may remember the creative way Jon and Loretta got engaged last year, which I posted about here. So adorable. They are the bestest couple.
And then yesterday Grace and I booked it (pun intended) down from Boston to New York for the Brooklyn Book Festival. I was moderating a panel titled "Love and Longing." The official description: How far will you go for love and how far will love go for you? Ned Vizzini (Be More Chill), Aimee Friedman (Sea Change) and Anna Godbersen (The Luxe) reveal very different approaches to succeeding in love as they read and discuss their books.
I thought it was a pretty fun panel, and loved the insights and perspectives of the three authors, who answered questions such as, "How do you think the dynamics of teen relationships have changed since your teen years, if at all?" (Ned: they haven't changed; Aimee and Anna: except for social networking!) and "Who are your favorite literary couples?" Ned: Edward and Bella!; Aimee: Romeo and Juliet; Anna: Elizabeth and Darcy). They discussed how their first loves and past relationships creep into their writing, and talked about the theme of forbidden love and why it's so popular with teens. And of course they all said so much more which I'm too exhausted to record here.
The panel ended on a bit of an odd note, with the last question from the audience asking them to define love. "What is love?" I wanted to break out in song but resisted. What is love? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more...
They signed books after the talk:
At 3:30 Grace was at the Target Children's area reading both The Ugly Vegetables, and then an excerpt from Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.
Despite all of the distractions going on during the fair, the kids were actually very attentive to both, and even asked extremely smart questions that showed that they had actually been listening! Impressive.
All in all, it was a beautiful day, lovely weather, and I saw a lot of familiar and friendly faces and made new friends. It was my first time there, and I think I'll have to make it an annual event. Hope to see you all there next year!
And then there was a lunch reception on a lovely, scenic (if at times a bit shaky), old-timey train ride:
Long-time readers of my personal blog may remember the creative way Jon and Loretta got engaged last year, which I posted about here. So adorable. They are the bestest couple.And then yesterday Grace and I booked it (pun intended) down from Boston to New York for the Brooklyn Book Festival. I was moderating a panel titled "Love and Longing." The official description: How far will you go for love and how far will love go for you? Ned Vizzini (Be More Chill), Aimee Friedman (Sea Change) and Anna Godbersen (The Luxe) reveal very different approaches to succeeding in love as they read and discuss their books.
I thought it was a pretty fun panel, and loved the insights and perspectives of the three authors, who answered questions such as, "How do you think the dynamics of teen relationships have changed since your teen years, if at all?" (Ned: they haven't changed; Aimee and Anna: except for social networking!) and "Who are your favorite literary couples?" Ned: Edward and Bella!; Aimee: Romeo and Juliet; Anna: Elizabeth and Darcy). They discussed how their first loves and past relationships creep into their writing, and talked about the theme of forbidden love and why it's so popular with teens. And of course they all said so much more which I'm too exhausted to record here.The panel ended on a bit of an odd note, with the last question from the audience asking them to define love. "What is love?" I wanted to break out in song but resisted. What is love? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more...
They signed books after the talk:
At 3:30 Grace was at the Target Children's area reading both The Ugly Vegetables, and then an excerpt from Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.
Despite all of the distractions going on during the fair, the kids were actually very attentive to both, and even asked extremely smart questions that showed that they had actually been listening! Impressive.All in all, it was a beautiful day, lovely weather, and I saw a lot of familiar and friendly faces and made new friends. It was my first time there, and I think I'll have to make it an annual event. Hope to see you all there next year!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Creationists Work to Keep a Movie about Darwin from Being Screened in the US
Here's a post at Wild Rose Reader that you might find interesting: Creationists Work to Keep a Movie about Darwin from Being Screened in the US. The post includes a video trailer of Creation, the movie about Darwin, and links to an article in the Telegraph (UK) and a post at Jonathan Turley's blog.
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