Gennifer Choldenko

I am a huge fan of Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko.  She wrote one of my favorite books of all time, Al Capone does My Shirts.  I love, love, love this story. If you haven't read it, buy it today.  It has the best one word ending.  So needless to say I was thrilled that she agreed to answer a few questions.

What is the most valuable advice you can give to a newly published writer?

I have two pieces of advice:  one for the writer and the other for the “newly published” part of the equation.

At BEA I heard Marcus Zusak, the author of THE BOOK THIEF speak. He said (I’m paraphrasing here) he’s not a genius.  He just works really hard.  I’m much less of a genius than Marcus Zusak is, so I have to work even harder than he does.  He also said he tries to put a little jewel on every page.  I loved that.  And when you read THE BOOK THIEF you see his words glittering on every page – what a terrific book!  I think the more time you spend writing and revising your work -- with your tuchis (anyone know how to spell tuchis?) in the chair and the internet turned off -- the better your work will be.   

As far as promotion goes, work on your public speaking and put yourself out there. The more you get out there, the more opportunities for promotion will come your way.  Then when it’s time to launch your second book, try to figure out what worked and what didn’t and make your plan accordingly.  It’s essential to promote your books, but it’s just as important to budget your time.  Make certain to give yourself as much writing time as you possibly can.  Writing time is not blogging time, by the way.  Blogging is part of promotion.      




What is one of your favorite children’s books that you'd like to recommend?

HOLES by Louis Sachar.  I love that novel because it’s a great read, fabulously funny and wildly creative.   


What is your favorite dessert and why?

I am the original cookie monster.  My favorite cookies are crunchy chocolate or peanut butter or coconut oatmeal.  I also adore artichokes.


Can you give us a scoop on your new work?

I have two new books out in September.  IF A TREE FALLS AT LUNCH PERIOD and LOUDER, LILI, illustrated by SD Schindler. I think LOUDER, LILI is the best picture book I’ve written to date. And IF A TREE FALLS AT LUNCH PERIOD is certainly my funniest, most-compelling novel.  I’m very excited about both books, but I’m terrified too.  When new books are launched I feel like I need one of those iron suits they wear at Chernobyl.  Though I write fiction, my characters are very real to me and it’s terrifying to send them out in the world naked this way.

I will be busy promoting this fall.  I will be giving readings in Florida, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, San Jose, Napa and Solano Counties, LA and many other places. Luckily, for me I love to write on airplanes.


Gennifer Choldenko’s first novel, Notes From a Liar and Her Dog, was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and a California Book Award winner. Her second novel, Al Capone Does My Shirts, was a Newbery Honor Book and a School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Al Capone Does My Shirts was short-listed for the Carnegie in the United Kingdom and has been on the New York Times, Booksense, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. Gennifer’s novels have been translated into 11 languages. Her new picture book, How to Make Friends with a Giant (illustrated by Amy Walrod), was published in July 2006     

Comments

[Barbara Bietz]

Tina,

Wow! One of my favorite authors - thanks for sharing this! I can't wait to hear all about the conference!

BB

[Olivia B.]

Al Capone Does My Shirts sounded like a boring book. i got really into it after a few days of reading it! Now i luv da book!! Have a SUPER DE DUPER day Gennifer!

[Patricia Cruzan]

Gennifer,

I appreciate what you said about budgeting your time. It's not always easy to balance all the parts of the writer's life.

Thank you, Tina, for sharing other people's thoughts with us.