Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Abelard and the Bad-Weather, Why-Bother Blues - Barbara Jean Hicks

Have you ever written a story that you just couldn't seem to sell to anyone but loved anyway? I can't even tell you how many years ago I started work on a story about a boy named Abelard, his Gran-Daddy Gill, and a cake that tasted like summer. At one point, Knopf had the manuscript for six months and seemed very interested; the art directors, my editor told me, were "salivating over it." Very exciting--but in the end, Knopf said "no." Then Random House (London) had it for months on end and even commissioned several artists to do sample illustrations. But again, in the end, RHUK said "no" as well. By that time, so much time had passed, and the picture book market seemed in such disarray, that I stopped shopping it.

Then I learned how to publish my out-of-print romance novels as ebooks and started to think, "Why not Abelard?"

Kate Fletcher - Candlewick - Summer Editor Archives

A favorite post from 2009:

Kate Fletcher was my core group editor at the Santa Barbara Mission retreat in January.  She was funny, kind and gave great feedback on everyone's picture book manuscripts.  I also had the opportunity to hang out with her at the Saturday night party and discuss our favorite books of the year.  I am so pleased to interview Kate Fletcher.

When and why did you start editing for children?

After I completed the Columbia Publishing Course in 2003, I interviewed with the President and Publisher at Candlewick Press. Visiting the office and learning more about Candlewick made me want to be a part of creating books for children.

Writer to Writer: Wallow Awhile, then Have Some Fun! - Barbara Jean Hicks

I woke up in a funk this morning. I had such plans for the summer! And here the summer is almost gone...

I was going to be in my new house by September, with two housemates to help me pay the mortgage. (It was going to be DARLING, of course.)

I was going to revive at least two of my out-of-print novels as e-books by the end of August. (They were going to be Kindle and Nook best sellers...)

I was going to spend a lot of time hiking and biking and exploring the Pacific Northwest. (Wow, would I be in great physical shape!)

I was going to work out my brain every day, too, maybe learn another language, or do those online puzzles that are supposed to keep your mind sharp, or at least re-read a couple of the classics.

Editor Katherine Tegen - Floating on Mama's Song Blog Tour - Summer Editors Archives

 

A favorite post from 2010:

I am happy to be on one of the stops for the Floating on Mama's Song Blog Tour.  The lyrical picture book by Laura Lacámara, with illustrations by Yuyi Morales, is a beautiful tale.  A single mother is lifted off the ground by her songs.  I was lucky to get the book's editor, Katherine Tegen, to give me an interview about why she acquired the book, the state of promotion and, of course, her favorite dessert. 

What qualities in the manuscript Floating on Mama’s Song intrigued you enough to acquire it?

I have a special desire to publish Latina talent, perhaps because I am part Hispanic myself.  I grew up hearing the stories of my grandmother who was from Puerto Rico, stories that depicted a rich culture that was kind of magical, and so very different from my suburban American life.

Noticing the Details - Barbara Jean Hicks

Until my new housemate moved in with me a month ago, I thought I was good at noticing the details. Now I wonder if I live mostly with my head in the clouds, so focused on my inner voices I'm oblivious to what's going on around me! "Did you see that?" is one of her most common questions. My most common response: "See what?"

Writers need to notice the details. It's important that we hone our observation skills so we can translate life into words, and those words can be translated back into life in our readers' minds. That's what makes fiction such a powerful form of communication--truer in some ways, I've often said, than nonfiction, because it conveys so much more than just the facts. The details we choose to express in our writing communicate more than mere images, too, visual or otherwise: emotions, states of mind, perspectives, philosophies of life.... Entire worlds.

Editor - Steve Meltzer - Summer Editors Archives

A Favorite Post from 2007

When Stephanie Owens Lurie, President and Publisher of Dutton Children's Books, e-mailed me that my editor had left the house and she had assigned me a new one, I must admit I was a little nervous.  I'd heard countless stories of orphan books that never saw the light of day.  But I had no reason to worry, and I want to publicly thank Stephanie for giving me the wonderful Steve Meltzer as my new editor.  Steve is attentive, creative and just a blast to work with.  I am delighted that he agreed to be interviewed for the blog.

When and why did you become a children’s book editor?

The bigger question is when did I enter the wonderful world of publishing. That was in 1985 when I started as an inventory analyst for a book club. I went from there into educational sales and then became an editor in 1999.

Keeping Promises - Barbara Jean Hicks

I thought about skipping my regular Friday blog post for today. I have company from out of town. School starts soon and I have much to do to get ready for it. My new house, in the middle of remodeling, requires an overload of physical and mental energy. My mom's health is failing and I try hard to spend time with her every day. I provide transportation for her and my sister and housemate as well and I have to juggle my schedule every day to make sure I get them all where they need to be.

In fact, I’m under such pressure trying to balance all the different parts of my life that I’ve canceled the September Highlights workshop I’ve been looking forward to teaching for over a year. That hurt--but I couldn't see another way.

But writing for the blog is fun. And I promised Tina I’d have a post for her every Friday. I’m the kind of person who keeps my promises, right?

Editor Julie Amper - All the World's a Stage - Summer Editor Archives

This summer I'm re-posting favorite posts from my editor interview archives. Here is  a great one with Julie Amper.

My good buddy, prolific author Gretchen Woelfle, has come out with a new book, All the World's a Stage, a novel in five acts. She was kind enough to introduce me to her Holiday House editor, Julie Amper, who agreed to give an interview for the blog.

Gretchen Woelfe’s All the World’s a Stage is a novel in five acts.  What challenges do you face marketing and promoting this book?

As an editor, I leave the marketing and promoting of our list to our marketing department. I can only assume that one of the major challenges is the sheer number of titles published each year and the struggle to garner attention for any one book. Traditionally, historical fiction requires some niche marketing and certainly ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE suggests strong classroom appeal as well.

First Lines Novels In Verse - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the bookshelves of
Children’s Author Barbara Jean Hicks

This week I’m reading novels in verse to prepare for the Highlights workshop I’ll be teaching in September. Do you recognize these first lines from volumes in my library? The first person who posts a comment with all the titles and authors correct gets a free, autographed copy of one of my own picture books, The Secret Life of Walter Kitty, illustrated by the fabulous Dan Santat. Good luck!

 Who wrote the following first lines, and for what book?

1) It was Saturday night at our restaurant, Golden Palace, the only Chinese restaurant in our town outside Richmond.

2) A scribe does much more than just copy words.

3) Our living room is cozied up with laughter.

4) Most people just call me Sophie (which is the nameon my birth certificate), or Sof, or sometimes Sofa.

5) As summer wheat came ripe, so did I, born at home, on the kitchen floor.