Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Cleopatra Rules - The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen

As you have read, I am a nut for nonfiction and I had been waiting for the release of Cleopatra Rules!  The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen for some time.  Fellow blogger Vicky Alvear Shecter took bits of boring history and wove it into an exciting book about Cleopatra. I have been to Egypt more than once and consider myself an amateur historian of the pharaohs, but Vicky surprised me again and again with new information and tells her story with such humor that both kids and adults will love this book.

SCBWI Summer Conference 2010 - Confessions of a First Time Faculty Member

Some dreams, like a rainbow after a storm, just happen. Others, like getting on the faculty of the SCBWI conference, happen after many years of hope and perseverance.

I have sent in proposals for workshops over the last couple of years without results, so I was surprised and pleased when I received the email in April that my latest proposal had been accepted and I would be teaching a workshop at this year's summer conference.

On Thursday night before the conference I was delighted to attend the faculty dinner at the Plaza. Nervous, but knowing a few faculty members, I mingled with the crowd. We all introduced ourselves and said a few words before dinner. (I talked about my workshop and mentioned that I love the costume contest.) I ended up at a table with M.T. Anderson. I was glad I had read his National Book Award winner, Octavian Nothing. It was fascinating to discuss the ending of the book with him. Arthur Levine, Lisa Yee, Kathleen Duey, and various other editors, art directors and illustrators were also at my table. I felt as if I had arrived! Everyone was charming and interested in my opinions, making me feel as though I wasn’t just a minion; I was one of the club.

SCBWI costume contest 2010 - Heart & Soul

Well, it's red again this year. I always wait to hear the theme before I start working on my costume for the SCBWI National Conference's big Saturday night party. This year the theme is Heart & Soul.  I love this contest, whether I win or lose. It gives me and my buddies, Greg Trine and Yuki Yoshino, a chance to dress up and feed our inner hams.  I  look at the event as my performance art piece of the year. I've been working on our costumes since April. This is one of the many bags of red stuff that I've purchased. I thought maybe I would tone it down this year due to me being on the faculty, but after a quick poll on Face Book I decided to be my usual goofy self.

Sid Fleischman 1920-2010

Today I mourn a legend.  I met Sid Fleischman several times over the years and attended many of his workshops at the Summer Conferences.  He was warm, funny, generous and kind, and also immensely talented. In his honor I am rerunning this post from August 2007.  Good-Bye Sid, we'll all miss you.

Talk about inspirations...you're looking at them.  Three Newberys. Three!

Newbery winners Susan Patron, Sid Fleischman and Linda Sue Park have written some of my favorite children's stories, The Higher Power of Lucky, The Whipping Boy and A Single Shard.  So pushy little me saw them talking at the SCBWI National and asked for a photo. They were so gracious. Susan and Linda Sue agreed to be interviewed for the blog later. I didn't have the nerve to ask Sid, but I will. I printed out this photo and stuck it next to my computer with the phrase, "Dream Big!"

I'm sorry to say that I never got that interview with Sid, but my buddy Barbara Bietz did interview him last year. Check it out today at her blog, (http://www.barbarabbookblog.blogspot.com/

SCBWI Winter Conference 2010

I've been to about 12 Summer Conferences but this was my first Winter Conference in New York City and it was great fun.  I passed on the Friday optional round table critique with an agent or editor since I already have both, but I heard great things about it from several authors who not only got great suggestions but a few notes saying "Send this to me" from editors. Lin Oliver and Steve Mooser MC'd much of the procedings with touching and hilarious speeches from Libba Bray, Jacqueline Woodson, Peter Sis and Jim Benton.  Susan Raab gave the low down of what's selling, Sheldon Fogelman talked career choices and Jane Yolen gave a detail twenty writer/illustrator tips.
The break out session with editors were not only helpful but several allowed limited time submissions for queries and manuscripts if you attended the conference.  I hung out with some of my buddies from the Southern Regions and had a few Blog fans approach me. One of the biggest thrills for me was seeing CWIM 2010, that I have an article in, sold in the bookshop. All and all a great time for a cold weekend in the city.

V/SB SCBWI Cyber Promotion Retreat

The weekend of January 8th I had the opportunity to attend an SCBWI Cyber Promotion Retreat with other published kidlit authors. The weekend was full of information on social media, networking and putting together a formidable cyber arsenal. On the last day, before we said our good-byes, I asked participants to tell me what they had learned. You might learn something, too, from this short vlog.

SCBWI - Costume Contest - 2009

I love this party--the Saturday Night SCBWI Ball at the National Conference. Not only do I get the privilege of creating performance art, I get to act goofy with my friends. For the past few years, Greg Trine (Melvin Beederman Series), illustrator Yuki Yoshino and I dress up, dance and try to win the costume contest. We always give everyone else stiff competition.  This year we came in 2nd place with our Mother Goose and the Goosettes costumes. Here we are pictured with Lin Oliver, executive director of the SCBWI.

SCBWI Summer Conference 2009 - Inspiration, Motivation and Hard Truths

Like all years, the 2009 SCBWI Summer Conference was loaded with inspiring speakers. Sherman Alexie's keynote got a standing ovation and brought tears to the audience. He ended with a story of the power of books and reminded us to never underestimate what our books can do for others. Kathleen Duey ended the conference with her speech on the family of the SCBWI and how we should embrace it.

Many of the workshops had practical tools to go forward for both the published and unpublished. Alice Pope spoke on "Practical On-line Promotion" while Karen Cushman gave detailed instruction on research.

But one thing differed from all the other conferences in the past.  Again and again, authors and editors stressed the importance of having an agent in these hard economic times. With less houses accepting unsolicited manuscripts, no extra employees to speak of and lists being cut way back, it is imperative to have a good editorial agent.

The SCBWI did a great job with on-line tweeting and a conference blog, http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com.  Check it out if you didn't attend the conference to get detailed information on what you missed.

SCBWI Costume Contest '09: Blue Moon Ball!

It's that time of year again where I get a chance to do performance art at the SCBWI National Costume contest.  Here's a short video on how I made my costume "Mother Goose."

SCBWI Costume Contest '09: Blue Moon Ball!

Well, it's blue this year. I always wait to hear the theme before I start working on my costume for the SCBWI National Conference's big Saturday night party. I love this contest, wether I win or lose. It gives me and my buddies, Greg Trine and Yuki Yoshino, a chance to dress up and feed our inner hams. I try to keep with the Kidlit theme, and I also look at the event as performance art. I've been working on our costumes since April. This is one of the many bags of blue stuff that I've purchased. This year I'm learning to carve foam.

Congratulations to Eloise Freeman & Yuki Yoshino

Kudos to my writing buddies and former classmates Eloise Freeman and Yuki Yoshino for winning honorable mention in the picture book categories at L.A. Writer's Day in April.  I met both of them in a children's writing class back in 1994 and we've all taken this fabulous writer's journey together. Eloise's winning non-fiction picture book, Sophie's Journey, is about an orphaned orangutan. Yuki's picture book, Wrong Way Sam, is about a wacky bird in flight school.

What book are you reading now? SCBWI Writer's Day L.A. 2009

Last week I attended SCBWI Writer's Day L.A. with my new video camera.  For a different take on the day, I asked some authors and illustrators to tell me what book they were reading. Here's the short video.

SCBWI Santa Barbara Mission Picturebook Retreat

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a weekend picture book retreat with four acquiring editors at the old Mission in Santa Barbara. Kate Fletcher of Candlewick led my core group and I received a helpful 20-minute critique. On Sunday, Kathy Landwher of Peachtree and Ruta Rimas of Balzer & Bray gave helpful insights on two of my first pages and others at the retreat had critiques from Lisa Graff of FS&G. What a great SCBWI event this was. Here's a quick YouTube piece I did of the weekend.

Four Editors, a Mission, and Twinkies - SCBWI Picture Book Retreat '09

Hats off to our local SCBWI RA, Alexis O'Neill, for putting on a fabulous picture book retreat at the Santa Barbara Mission last weekend: workshops on manuscripts, first pages, poetry and word dummies, and two nights of partying with four back east editors (who were loving the 80 degree weather, by the way).  A big thank you to all the editors--Ruta Rimas, Kathy Landwher, Kate Fletcher, and Lisa Graff--for their kindness, generosity, and inspiration. I plan a Youtube piece about the weekend soon.

SCBWI Ventura/Santa Barbara Writer's Day

Here's a little YouTube piece I produced on Ventura/Santa Barbara SCBWI Writers' Day.

SCBWI National Conference - August 2008

The SCBWI National conference is always a blast.  Workshops, networking with authors, agents, illustrators and editors makes for an amazing few days.  With my handy camera I documented my days at the SCBWI.  Enjoy this short slide show.

The Making of the Red Geisha

Every summer I do my performance piece of the year for the SCBWI National Conference costume contest. This year I worked on the piece for three months. I am always asked "How do you create your costume?" This year I did a YouTube piece on the making of the Red Geisha. Enjoy!

Kite Tales - SCBWI Mary Flowers on contracts

When I go to any SCBWI conference I usually pick up the info and sometimes blog about it.  Last L.A. Writer's Day I was asked to report on a professional workshop about contracts run by attorney Mary Flowers.  The article is in the Summer's edition of Kite Tales, It is on page 8 and here's the link, http://www.scbwisocal.org/kitetales/2008/KTSummer08.pdf

Sue Alexander

All of us in the SCBWI community mourn the great loss of one of our founding members, author, Sue Alexander, who  passed away suddenly last week. Sue was a sweetheart and a pit bull mixed into one.  She worked hard for the SCBWI to keep the quality of children's literature at the highest standard.  I personally appreciated all the professional workshops she developed for different conferences and I will miss that carrot top munchkin who encouraged the best from all of us.  My prayers go out to her family and to her SCBWI family as well.

SCBWI Costume Party 2008 - Paint the town red!

It's that time of year again.  Time to work on my costume for the SCBWI National conference in August.  This is the one performance art piece that I do a year.  Red just happens to be my favorite color and this costume just happens to be my favorite "FUN" art.  Which is always a bonus.  These are the ingredients and by August my masterpiece will be fully cooked!

SCBWI Writer's Day L.A. 2008

I thought I would try my hand at YouTube.  Here's my little slide show of SCBWI L.A.Writer's Day.

Steve Mooser

Steve Mooser, children's book author and President of the SCBWI is seen here holding my little Rushmore.  Charming, encouraging and fun, Steve is always a pleasure to be with.  He works tirelessly for the SCBWI and we are very lucky to have him. At L.A. Writer's Day last year, Steve had this cool multi-lens camera  that takes 3-D pictures.  He snapped one of Joan Bauer and me. He gave me the photo at the national conference in August.  It is pinned on one of my studio bulletin boards so I can look at it everyday.  What a guy!  The SCBWI Rocks!!

Ventura/Santa Barbara Writer's Day 2007

Alexis O'Neill organized a fun filled Writer's Day with inspiring speeches by Newbery Winner, Susan Patron, editors Reka Simonsen, Kendra Levin, and art director, Tim Gillner.   The competition in the writing contest is always fierce.  So, I was stoked that my unpublished manuscript, What Lincoln Saw, the story of the building of the Lincoln Memorial, told by the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, won Special Mention in the picture book category!

The road to publication - SCBWI

Everyone wants to write for kids.  Whether I am at a black-tie dinner or walking on the beach I am cornered by the potential authors to be.  I feel like the bearer of bad news dispelling their usual misconceptions of fame, fortune and speed of publication.
But I do offer hope by suggesting they join the SCBWI.  I am a writer because of this fabulous organization.  This is a photo of folders from Writers Days, retreats, National confrences, writing classes, novel retreats that I attended over the many years.  And these are just the ones I saved!

SCBWI National Conference - One of my favorite parts!

I know I should be blogging about the inspiring speakers, the motivating workshops and the amazing camaraderie at the SCBWI National Conference, but the last question asked when I interview is "What is your favorite dessert?"  You're looking at mine.  The Rushmore Kid is really the Cupcake Kid! Every year they have a dessert bar for the autograph party at the end of the conference.  I squealed at the mountains of cupcakes offered up.  I ate two on the spot and took one back to my room and ate it for breakfast.  My buddy, photographer Sabina Rascol, did an impromptu photo shoot in front of my treasures.  I had to remember to first wipe the icing off my sugar buzzed face.

SCBWI Silvery Moon Ball Winners!

You are looking at the winners of the Silvery Moon Ball costume contest.  Greg Trine, Me and Yuki Yoshino.  I was determined to win and delighted that my buddies agreed to play along.  The party lasted into the night
with authors, illustrators, editors and agents.
I managed to get a picture with my former editor Mark Mc Veigh, art director Laurent Linn, Newbery winner, Linda Sue Park, who also dressed up, the Disco Mermaids, John Green, Roxyanne Young and many of my local author friends.  Check out the photos by Alexis O'Neill on the following page for all the goofiness that is the wonderful SCBWI.

Silvery Moon Ball-Art for Art Sake

There is nothing like a glue gun, rhinestones and silver glitter to get the creative  juices flowing.  I love the  masquerade ball at the SCBWI National Conference each year because it is so much fun. And it gives me the opportunity to be 12 years old all over again.
Performance Art is the ultimate Art for Art's Sake.
It's one night to take art into bad theater and no one cares. 
I'm practicing balancing this wig on my head.  It's like wearing a watermelon!

The Silvery Moon Ball - SCBWI National Conference

I have attended ten SCBWI National Conferences.  They are the best!  They're inspiring, informative and fun. I am known for my goofy costumes, which I adore making and love wearing.  I am a ham at heart and this is sort of an art performance piece.  Also I have a reputation to uphold.  This year is the Silvery Moon Ball and these are some of the ingredents for my costume.......More photos later. 

The Quest for Mermaids Gold

You've got to love those Disco Mermaids.
They had a contest last week for a scholarship to the SCBWI National Conference.  Man that's some chunk of change!  No requirements, no word count, just give them 13 reasons why you want the scholarship.  I savor a writing contest.  It is a creative avenue for me to just have a blast and write a story.  The Goddess of Contests didn't smile down on me, so no scholarship.   But I had so much fun writing it I thought I would post my losing entry.

 
                    The Knight of the Silvery Moon

A post had been sent to all the scribes in the kingdom, a contest of wit and craft for the prize of Mermaid’s Gold.  It was a scholarly quest for thirteen reasons to prove to the King and the two Queens one’s worth to attend a four-day tournament of all writers in the land. The winner would become a Knight of the Silvery Moon.

contests

I'm big into contests, especially writing, art and costume contests (I love that one). Over the years I have entered around 50 various SCBWI events.  From the beginning, I lost everything I entered, because my writing was...well, it stunk.  

At left is a bookmark I did for a contest for the LA metro line.  My friend Yuki wrote a poem for the center.  We didn't even get a nod.

L. A. Writer's Day 2007

Writer's Day in Los Angeles is always a blast and this year was no exception.

Arthur A. Levine Book editor,
Cheryl Klein, entertained and informed us, by writing and photo illustrating a picture book.  With 5 different drafts, she showed us the problems with the manuscript and how the rewrites solved the problems.  I have never seen an editor laugh so much and have such fun as she charmed us all.  I just wanted to hug her.

Teacher of the year

Congratulations to our own SCBWI member Yuki Yoshino for being named Walt Disney Elementary School Teacher of the Year! 

Yuki and I have been friends for many years and have taken this journey with the SCBWI together.  I have been impressed with her total dedication, devotion and self sacrifice for her students.  She is one amazing teacher.

Congratulations Again!

Goofy children's book authors

I am a writer because of the SCBWI.  I know I repeat this on a continual basis, but it is the most wonderful organization.  Where else can you belong and the competition not only roots for your success, but also helps you to become even more successful.  But the heart of it all is the spirit of children’s book writers.  Forever 12, part of a gang of kids, all we want to do is have some fun. Here  I am  with  the  disco  mermaids  at  the  Jade  ball  in 2006.  Eve  Porinchack  is  in  my  writer's  group.  We all live in this goofy world of children’s literature.

Book to recommend:  Montmorency, Thief, Liar and Gentleman by Eleanor Updale.
This is some fun YA.  A convict in 18-century London learns manners, thievery and the art of disguise in prison.  He is rescued from this drudgery by a well-meaning physician who had saved his life.  He takes on a new role as gentleman and scholar as he keeps a double life as thief and servant.  It is a rags to riches tale and you can’t help but cheer for this character. 

Golden Kite Awards

The golden kite  awards came out last week.  Like all awards I love to see a exceptional book I've read get recognized. Team Moon won the nonfiction honor.  This is one exciting piece of nonfiction.  Catherine Thimmesh weaved a great story of hope, worries and teamwork of the Appollo 11 landing. The layout of this book is fabulous.  It has a scrap book kind of feel that brings you into the story even more.


Congratulations to all the winners of the golden kite awards.

Out of the slush pile

L.A. is the home of the SCBWI.  So for 35 years they’ve been educating, promoting and encouraging the writing of children’s literature.  I’ve been lucky enough to live here. 

When I am asked by a newbie what can they do to be successful? I comment that more SCBWI events that you attend, the quicker you’ll be published.  It is almost like being in the minor leagues.

My moment came at a Santa Barbara/Ventura Writer’s day in 2005 when an editor critique my manuscript and asked to acquire it.  I live near Santa Barbara now, and our regional advisory, is author Alexis O'Neill.  She is remarkable.  Not only do I adore her picture books, Recess Queen in particular, I am grateful for her passion to encourage children’s writer’s through workshops, retreats and smoozes. 

Critiquenic/scbwi

I have crossed over to the promised land of published or in my case under contract writers since I was asked by Heather Tomlinson to lead a group at the SCBWI/Ventura critiquenic held at Adventures for Kids book store last Sunday.  Here she is with Jody Ficks Shapiro. 

    I have been to tons of these events before as I worked out kinks, visited friends and brought home inspiration to rewrite my books.

    The amazing Alexis O'Neill open the day and Jody read the opening page from Susan Patron's book The Higher Power of Lucky.   We all had a good  gripe  about thee word!

    It was a big turnout and we broke into 5 separate groups.  It was wonderful seeing old friends, meeting new ones and listening to stories that I have heard evolve over the years.  The SCBWI Rocks and it was a fun day for all.  Jody, who use to own Adventures for Kids, showed me her F & G's for her new book.  But I  want to recommend her first picture book,  Up up it's Apple picking time.

Promotion Retreat 07

SCBWI Writer’s Day, Conferences, smoozes, retreats, critiquenic, you name them I’ve been to them all, many times. Always the wantabee apprentice, but now with my book deal I crossed over to the promise land.

This last January I attended the professional children’s writer retreat in Santa Barbara hosted by the amazing Alexis O’Neill, RA extraordinaire.  A weekend dedicated to promotion, marketing and sales held at the most unjaded place the monastery attached to the mission.  Complete with monks and Friars. Out of the 20 attendees, beside me, only one other just had a contract, the rest had multiple books.  I was awed by the talent in the room from poet, Joan Graham to non-fiction writer June Behrens.  I cornered June and we had a mutual squeal about good stories based in history. But what did my heart good was to see other writers that I started out had also crossed over with stories I had critiqued in writing classes many years ago. Greg Trine with his series of Melvin Beederman super hero,
and my writing buddy Barbara Bietz and her wonderful book, “Like a Maccabee.” The whole weekend had a slumber party feel to it.