MY WRITING JOURNEY
My first attempt to become a published author was when I lived in Branson, MO and danced & sang for the country music celebrity Mel Tillis. I submitted a book proposal to a publisher for a guidebook for Branson and happily received a response in which they expressed interest and asked for...my book proposal. "That WAS my book proposal!" I didn't know how to proceed. It was before the internet and before google, so I had used a book from the library as a reference for how to submit to a publisher. Instead of pursuing it further, I let it go, thinking I was out of my league.
Throughout the years I continued writing, mainly just for fun, but in the back of my mind I always dreamed about being a published author.
When I worked at the Venetian in Las Vegas as an opera singer, every day I was surrounded by extremely creative people - singers, pianists, composers, gymnasts - and together we vowed to work on creative projects we'd been putting off. This led to my creating my blog, which gave me a reason to write every week. It was a great creative exercise.
Around the same time, I began writing a novel about my Mom's life. Every day I took my dog George to the dog park and then we'd sit outside at Starbucks where I'd write with George on my lap. I wrote my whole book that way. I highly suggest this method!
Then somehow I heard of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) at the same time I had been thinking about writing children's picture books. After attempting a novel, the idea of writing a picture book, in which the entire plot was there right in front of me in just two pages of text, was very comforting and more achievable in my mind. Immediately ideas began pouring from me for all types of picture books.
I went to my first SCBWI annual conference in Los Angeles, went to breakout sessions and listened to the keynote speakers, from topics such as query letters to crafting a great opening sentence. Finally, I had found the place where I would find the answers I needed. Suddenly my dream was attainable. Actually attainable. I just had to do the work and put in the time.
For the next few years, I attended every local SCBWI event I could, I joined a critique group, and I continued going to the annual conference in LA. I still didn't have an agent, but I kept trying - kept learning - and felt that eventually it would happen if I just kept at it.
Strangely, it was Twitter that lead to my getting an agent. I had reached the stage in my submission process in which I spent most of my time researching agents, trying to learn about them to determine which of my books they might like. I joined Twitter, followed tons of authors and editors, and entered their world...at least on twitter. Finally an agent mentioned they were looking for a picture book that was exactly what I had, so I queried her and mentioned that I had seen her comment on Twitter. That led to her offering me representation. I didn't accept right away; instead, I did what is recommended and let all agents who had not yet responded to my queries know that I had received an offer. And several responded to my notice. One response was an offer from my current agent, John Rudolph. I immediately liked his demeanor, knowledge, and ideas for my work. And I was so excited to begin the next step in my writing career.
So now, I shift gears. I no longer have to research agents or stalk them on twitter. I can focus on my writing and what is to come. Yea!
Throughout the years I continued writing, mainly just for fun, but in the back of my mind I always dreamed about being a published author.
When I worked at the Venetian in Las Vegas as an opera singer, every day I was surrounded by extremely creative people - singers, pianists, composers, gymnasts - and together we vowed to work on creative projects we'd been putting off. This led to my creating my blog, which gave me a reason to write every week. It was a great creative exercise.
Around the same time, I began writing a novel about my Mom's life. Every day I took my dog George to the dog park and then we'd sit outside at Starbucks where I'd write with George on my lap. I wrote my whole book that way. I highly suggest this method!
Then somehow I heard of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) at the same time I had been thinking about writing children's picture books. After attempting a novel, the idea of writing a picture book, in which the entire plot was there right in front of me in just two pages of text, was very comforting and more achievable in my mind. Immediately ideas began pouring from me for all types of picture books.
I went to my first SCBWI annual conference in Los Angeles, went to breakout sessions and listened to the keynote speakers, from topics such as query letters to crafting a great opening sentence. Finally, I had found the place where I would find the answers I needed. Suddenly my dream was attainable. Actually attainable. I just had to do the work and put in the time.
For the next few years, I attended every local SCBWI event I could, I joined a critique group, and I continued going to the annual conference in LA. I still didn't have an agent, but I kept trying - kept learning - and felt that eventually it would happen if I just kept at it.
Strangely, it was Twitter that lead to my getting an agent. I had reached the stage in my submission process in which I spent most of my time researching agents, trying to learn about them to determine which of my books they might like. I joined Twitter, followed tons of authors and editors, and entered their world...at least on twitter. Finally an agent mentioned they were looking for a picture book that was exactly what I had, so I queried her and mentioned that I had seen her comment on Twitter. That led to her offering me representation. I didn't accept right away; instead, I did what is recommended and let all agents who had not yet responded to my queries know that I had received an offer. And several responded to my notice. One response was an offer from my current agent, John Rudolph. I immediately liked his demeanor, knowledge, and ideas for my work. And I was so excited to begin the next step in my writing career.
So now, I shift gears. I no longer have to research agents or stalk them on twitter. I can focus on my writing and what is to come. Yea!
Resources for aspiring authors
This is a list of resources that have helped me in my writing journey. I help they help you in yours!
The Society of Children's Book WRiters and Illustrators
If you want to write children's books of any type, you simply must be a member of this organization. The annual membership fee is small and worth every penny.
PUBLISHERS MARKETPLACE
This website was very helpful when researching agents. You must subscribe to this website to access the complete information, but it is worth it.
manuscriptwishlist.com
Here you can search by agents, by editors, or by genre. Such a great tool!
WRITERS DIGEST
This site offers classes on various aspects of writing. They can be pricey but possibly helpful. I subscribed to Chuck Sambuchino's free email newsletter and often received notifications regarding new agents seeking submissions.
