Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Booklist review of Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose..

I am loving this published author thing.  Dutton/Dial has had my book for seven years and now I get to enjoy the release.  Here's a brief quote from the Booklist review from Daniel Krauss...okay, I am squealing!

"...the step-by-step (it was a long process) descriptions of planning and dynamiting are fascinating, and Comport’s realistic illustrations of the various bridges and slings built all along the famous sculptures are eye-opening and reveal the project’s dizzying scope. Perfect for history units, this is a great piece of work about a great piece of work."

A Nugget from Laura McGee Kvasnosky

from the collected notes of Barbara Jean Hicks

It was a pleasure hearing one of my favorite early reader authors, Laura McGee Kvasnosky, speak at the annual children’s literature conference at Western Washington University in early 2012. Laura writes the delightful Zelda and Ivy stories, a gentle chapter book series about two fox sisters who find adventure in the everyday. It turns out Laura draws (literally!) from her own childhood for these adventures, and she led us in a really great exercise to help us access memories from our childhood lives to inspire and inform our writing.

Suzanne Morgan Williams - Interview Tip of the Day

Suzanne Morgan Williams  is one of my favorite SCBWI RA's, and I have known her for many years. She is the talented author of eleven books, including her successful novel Bull Rider. Her new book, "Chinese Daughters: Women Who Shaped Chinese History," is a fascinating look at Chinese women from the Shang Dynasty to the present day.  At the winter conference in New York, I had an opportunity to ask Suzanne for a Tip of the Day about interviewing.

A Nugget from Gary D. Schmidt

from the collected notes of
Barbara Jean Hicks

I’ve rarely heard a writer speak with such heart and deep-down truth as Gary D. Schmidt (http://www.hmhbooks.com/schmidt/) did at the annual children’s literature conference at Western Washington University in early 2012. Gary is the author of two Newberry Honor middle grade novels, The Wednesday Wars and Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, as well as several other middle grade books. His thoughtful commentary left a deep impression.

50 Marketing Tips for under 50 bucks

This post has been reprinted again and again but it has dynamite information by Penny C. Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc.

1) Buy your domain name as soon as you have a title for your book. You can get domain names for as little as $8.95. Tip: When buying a domain always try to get a .com and stay away from hyphens, i.e. penny-sansevieri.com - surfers rarely remember to insert hyphens.

2) Head on over to Blogger.com or Wordpress.com and start your very own blog (you can add it to your Web site later).

3) Set up an event at your neighborhood bookstore. Do an event and not a signing, book signings are boring!

What Publishers Want in a Children's Book - Part Two - Barbara Jean Hicks

What Publishers Want in a Children’s Book:
An Editorial Perspective, Part 2

from the collected notes of children's author
Barbara Jean Hicks

As children’s writers, our stories need to appeal to several audiences. We’ve already looked at the needs of the Child Audience. Last week and this week we’re looking at the needs of the Publisher Audience.

A manuscript that appeals to children’s book editors tells a compelling story, has a distinct vision, has emotional impact and uses language effectively.

Consider the following questions that address the final four characteristics publishers are dying to see in a manuscript. How does your work in progress meet these needs? The quotes come directly from ediotrs at a variety of houses. Again, a reminder: the answers to these questions make an excellent basis for a query letter!

Sue Fleece - Writing Tip of the Day

I met Children's author Sue Fleece at the SCBWI Summer Conference and she agreed to give us a Writing Tip of the Day.

What Publishers Want in a Children's Book - Part One - Barbara Jean Hicks

What Publishers Want in a Children’s Book:
An Editorial Perspective, Part 1

from the collected notes of children's author
Barbara Jean Hicks

As children’s writers, our stories need to appeal to several audiences. The last two Fridays we looked at the needs of the Child Audience. This week and next we’ll look at the needs of the Publisher Audience.

Over the years I’ve been writing for children, I’ve heard many editors speak about what publishing houses are looking for in a children’s book. The bottom line, of course, is that houses want books that will make them money! What kind of book does that? After analyzing the comments from a slew of editors from seven major houses, I’ve come up with eight characteristics editors are looking for to take a book to market. Following are the first four; check in again next Friday for the final four.

Ann Whitford Paul - Poetry Tip of the Day

In honor of National Poetry Month, it's time to celebrate poets!  The poet Ann Whitford Paul has been part of my SCBWI family for many years. Talented, generous and kind, Ann is inspiring to read and a joy to hang out with. I tracked her down at an SCBWI conference and had her give us a Poetry Tip of the Day.