I have heard Erica Silverman speak many times at SCBWI events. Her Cowgirl Kate series has been a favorite of mine for years. In January, I attended a fabulous Cyber Promotion Retreat and met Erica. We hung out and discovered that we have the same editor, the wonderful Steve Meltzer at Dutton. I am so pleased that my new buddy, Erica Silverman, agreed to give me an interview. (Photo by Sonya Sones)
When and why did you start writing for children?
Well, about 100 years ago (psychological time), I was taking creative writing classes in college, writing poetry and short stories, but hadn’t given a thought to writing for children. I wrote my first picture book at that time -- a silly story about my cat -- to entertain children at a school where I volunteered. But it didn’t occur to me to write children’s books for publication. I was stuck on the idea of writing for adults.
Some time later, I was struggling with an inner demon that was urging me to give up writing altogether when I happened upon a tiny ad in Writer magazine for the SCBW summer conference (there was no “I” for illustrators back then). It was only a few weeks away. My heartbeat quickened. I knew something important -- life changing -- was about to happen.
When the conference began, I sat riveted, listening to one speaker after another. I cried. I knew I’d found my home. These were the kinds of books -- books that explore the feelings of childhood -- that were inside me, trying to get out. I went home and read all the how-to books I could find. I took classes. I read and analyzed children’s books. I wrote bad manuscripts and collected rejections. I got into a critique group. I was on my way.
What advice can you give to a published author?
Don’t measure success by the marketplace. There are going to be ups and downs, so think long term. It’s not about one book. It’s about a lifetime of writing. Work on the next book. Practice your craft. Love the process.
What is one of your favorite children’s books that you'd like to recommend?
Sue Alexander’s book Nadia the Willful remains one of my all time favorites. In lyrical language, it shows the healing power of sharing our stories and honoring our grief. It’s a perfect example of how to write on a difficult topic for children in a reassuring and empowering way. It has a strong message without being didactic; the theme emerges from the character’s truth. In the midst of her pain, Nadia finds her courage and her voice.
What are you working on now?
My 6th Cowgirl Kate book, Spring Babies, is coming out this spring and I’m working on launching it. One thing this means is that I'm learning how to make book trailers -- and I have to say that you, Tina, have been wonderfully helpful and generous, sharing your expertise with me on this. Thank you! In terms of writing... I’m finishing up revisions for a Hanukkah picture book for Simon & Schuster. I'm working on a novel about a Jewish partisan during WWII based on the life experiences of a friend whom I spent years interviewing. And as always, I have a number of messy drafts of picture books and early readers, none of which is formed enough to be able to talk about. I nurture many seeds at once, and wait to see what will grow.
What is your favorite dessert and why?
Dark chocolate with almonds and cherries. It's simple, requires no cooking and it's health food.
Biography - Erica Silverman
Erica Silverman is the author of over twenty picture books and early readers, including Big Pumpkin, a perennial Halloween favorite; Don’t Fidget a Feather, winner of the California Young Reader Medal; Sholom’s Treasure: How Sholom Aleichem Became a Writer, winner of the 2006 Sydney Taylor Award; and the Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa early reader series, the first of which was named a 2006 Theodore (Seuss) Geisel Honor Book for Beginning Readers.
Born and raised in New York City, Silverman moved to Los Angeles where she graduated from UCLA. In addition to writing children’s books, she taught English as a Second Language to adults for 14 years before getting a Masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University and becoming a librarian with the Los Angeles Public Library. She speaks at schools, libraries, and conferences about the joys and challenges of the writing process, writing picture books and early readers, finding inspiration in folklore, and the pleasure and importance of reading. Her forthcoming books include: Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Spring Babies (illus Betsy Lewin); and Liberty’s Voice, the Story of Emma Lazarus (illus Stacey Schuett).
Visit Erica's website: www.ericasilverman.com
WATCH FOR COWGIRL KATE AND COCOA #6: SPRING BABIES
Read: Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa #5: Horse in the House (HMH)
SLJ says: "...well paced and perfect for readers who are between picture books and chapter books."
I love the part where Erica says, when attending her first SCBWI(I) conference, "I knew I'd found my home." I felt exactly the same way! Erica is a terrific writer. Thanks for this interview.
Posted by: Alexis | July 20, 2010 at 08:19 AM
I LOVE Erica's books and look forward to her upcoming titles!Thanks for giving us a sneak peek!
Posted by: Barbara Bietz | July 15, 2010 at 02:28 PM