Jeannine Norris - Children's Author

SCBWI NY CONFERENCE

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:41:00 +0000

The annual Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference in NYC will take place at the end of January. Only two more weeks for early registration. This meeting is chock-full of editors, agents and established children's authors. This is your chance to have your manuscript critiqued, rub elbows with the "go to" folks in the industry and get inspired! Check out the SCBWI website for registration information and the terrific faculty.

Everybody is a winner!

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:56:00 +0000

Lots of excitement in the schools, with the raffle for a gift certificate to Trappe Book Center. Eligible students must visit my website and complete a Q & A. On the day of the author visit, the fun begins! Students already know a lot about my writing and hands are in the air, eager to answer questions. School visits are a blast!

A Mamistad Winner!

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Mamistad moms Priscilla and Tricia are the winners of the Tonight You Are My Baby: Mary's Christmas Gift contest! Thanks to all the mamis who entered the contest and joined in with lovely comments. Special thanks to Cynthia for coordinating the grand event! If you are interested in buying a book, it's available at http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ and many independent book stores. May you all have a wonderful Christmas with your little ones, and may 2010 be filled with blessings for all!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, MAMISTAD!

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:58:00 +0000

Such fun! The replies from the Mamis are flying in and everyone is trying to guess the magic number to win a signed copy of Tonight You Are My Baby. Will you be the lucky one? Scroll below this post and click "comments". Leave a note and your guess. Tonight You Are My Baby: Mary's Christmas Gift is the perfect gift to give yourself. Snuggle with your little one and read of the oldest love story - a mother and her baby.

School Visits Galore!

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:07:00 +0000

Wow! This has been a month of fun school visits. I'm meeting new friends at schools every day until December 22nd. Each school has been organized, welcoming and gracious. The kids are full of fantastic questions. Talk about high-tech and well-read! The fun doesn't end there - each school has generously presented me with a donation to our foundation, At Least Kids. This is a shining example of kids helping kids - in the spirit of the season. Fantastic!

Mamistad "Mother and Friend"

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:32:00 +0000

Another great giveaway! MAMISTAD is a fantastic group designed to bring first-time pregnant women together to share the struggles, joys and beauty of motherhood. In Spanish, Mami means "mommy" and Amistand means "friendship". This support network places moms together in a circle of friends to share their journey of motherhood together. MAMISTAD is offering a chance to win a signed copy of Tonight You Are My Baby. The perfect book for this wonderful group of women! You must be a member of MAMISTAD, leave a comment on my blog, and guess the secret number. The two closest guesses will win. One will be a signed copy of the book. Good luck to all!

Interview and Book Give Away

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:11:00 +0000

Check out Clara Gillow Clark's fantastic blog - and it's not just fantastic because she interviewed me for the December 1st entry. Clara has great guests and terrific information. She writes historical fiction for kids ages 10 and up. I'm in awe of anyone who can write historical fiction. I think it's fascinating, but the research alone is monumental. Clara and I became friendly through Twitter. Just goes to show that social networking can certainly be valuable, and also introduce you to new friends. If you leave a comment on the blog, you are eligible in a raffle for a signed copy of Tonight You Are My Baby: Mary's Christmas Gift.

Perfect Holiday Gift For Writers!

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:58:00 +0000

If you are an aspiring author or already a published author, add this fabulous item to your wish list. Bill Quain, Ph.D, is the author of 17 books. He has sold 2.3 million copies in 20 languages - now, that's success! In addition to being a best-selling author, Dr. Quain is obviously a terrific marketer. He is also in the business of creating marketing programs for authors who want to sell more books. And he can help those that would like to publish a book. We all know in today's world, successful authors must be successful marketers. Gone are the days writers could hide in the attic, alone with their thoughts. Just reading this blog, demonstrates the importance of marketing, web presence and name recognition. Check out the creative packages that Dr. Quain is offering for the holidays. Print and leave the list where your secret Santa will find it! Or treat yourself ! With all the books Dr. Quain will help you sell, you can treat your loved ones to something special too!

What Is Your Voice?

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:40:00 +0000

The awesome Tara Lazar continues to inspire us with her blog, Writing For Children While Raising Them. As this is National Picture Book Idea Month (affectionately called NaPiBoIdMo), Tara's blog is chock-full of great information from guest bloggers. (see below). Recent posts include inspiration through volunteer work, whistle while you write and the idea catcher. To up the ante, Tara has also arranged for three agents to critique the winners in the grand prize raffle. Wow! Check out the fantastic agents on her blog. And while you are there, check out my stint as guest blogger with my title, "Do You Hear Voices?". Happy writing!

PiBoIdMo

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Hear ye! Hear ye! Picture book writers! November is Picture Book Idea Month on Tara Lazar's blog, and she has a fantastic line-up of picture book authors who are sharing their secrets. Guest bloggers include Karma Wilson (Bear Snores On), Tammy Sauer (Cowboy Camp, Chicken Dance), and a host of others. Tips include: how to find ideas, where is the voice, and other tasty tidbits that will keep you inspired. I'm guest blogging on November 19th, so be sure to tune in. Happy writing to all!

Katharine Paterson, Author

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:58:00 +0000

"I like to write about people whom the world neglects or forgets. I've known so many brave people that most of the world would count as nothing. I love to give them their due." - Katherine Paterson, author

Wow! Talk about inspiration! From The Institute of Children's Literature, a fantastic interview with Katharine Paterson. Katherine won the Newbery Medal for two of her books: Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved. She also won an Honor Book Newbery Medal for The Great Gilly Hopkins.

The entire interview is delightful, as it seems Ms. Paterson is herself. But to have the noble goal of writing about people that would otherwise be forgotten, is outstanding. Ms. Paterson draws upon her experience of her son's childhood friend in Bridge to Terabithia, and her time as a foster parent in The Great Gilly Hopkins. She gives hope to the struggling writer, as she wrote while she was raising four children under the age of five!

As with many writers, her children gave her the inspiration to write. Asked about her busy years as a young mother struggling to find free time she notes, "But I've always maintained that the people who took away my time were the same ones who gave me something to say. If I had to chose between those four and my books. There would be no contest. The children would win hands down."

Bravo to Katharine Paterson. Check out the interview - it will make your day!

Care to Query?

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Mary Kole, Associate Editor at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, has a fantastic post on Overthinking the Query. Mary explains that the query is to tell her about your idea and make her care. This isn't the time for fancy marketing or gimmicks. In another post, she outlines the bare bones of the query. If the query seems too complicated - it is. Check out Mary's blog for her query contest. She'll post the best query and what makes it work. Deadline is October 31st. Care to query?

Wrtie a Novel in a Month?

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:38:00 +0000

This November is the tenth anniversary of National Novel Writing Month. Affectionately called "NaNoWriMo", writers in every genre hope to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Have a great idea, but can't seem to find the time? A few scribbled notes stuck in your desk drawer? This is your inspiration!

"Thirty days and nights of literary abandon " is the quote on the official NaNoWriMo website. Join your peers as you write furiously into the night. Need just a tad more inspiration? Ann Gonzalez wrote her debut novel, Running for My Life, during Nanowrimo 2007.

Ready, set, go!

Highlights Magazine - Current Needs

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Highlights Magazine for Children just released its list of current needs. This magazine is a great publishing credit for writers. Highlights has a current circulation of over 2 million , which places it as the largest paid subcription, general interest magazine for children. That means a lot of folks will read your article! Interested in writing a non-fiction piece for Highlights? Be prepared for lots of homework. The editors demand high-quality pieces, and this requires expert reviews of your article, quotes, a thorough bibliography (not internet sources). And you may likely be asked for revisions. I had one article acquired by Highlights, and another currently under revision. It's not an easy process, but the result? A better article with a tight focus and an interesting twist for kids. Highlights pays well, upon acquistion of the manuscript. A bonus -other publications may have permission from Highlights to use the article, and the author receives additional royalties. Check out the Highlights list of current needs and good luck!

Query Letters - are you telling too much?

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:27:00 +0000

Ah, the query letter. How tempted we are to jam the entire book into a query letter. How can we possibly resist? YOU MUST RESIST! The query letter is meant to give the editor/agent a brief overview of your book and what makes it different than the hundreds of others they have seen with the same plot. Consider it your one-minute elevator pitch. If you are telling too much in the query, you have not practiced your pitch. Impress the editor/agent with your brevity and ability to write succinctly. If you query letter just won't stop telling, they will assume that your manuscript just won't stop telling either. Check out this article from Query Shark for a great example.

Authorless Book Tours?

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:49:00 +0000

An interesting article recently appeared in Business Week titled, Kid-Friendly Book Tours (Author Not Included). The article cites that some publishers are still doing the tours, promoting the books, but leaving the authors at home. The tours focus on the characters in the book, with the thought that they attract children more than the author. Random House launched the authorless tour six years ago. Barbara Park's wildly successful Junie B. Jones series was promoted in the Stupid Smelly Bus Tour.(an actress posing as Junie B.) This summer, Amulet Books took an ice cream truck to 31 city libraries. The publicity was for Jeff Kinney's latest book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Publishers note that the bus tours cost more than author readings, but sales are better. Increased book sales + more time to stay home and write? Sounds like an interesting proposition.....

Where do all the used books go?

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:16:00 +0000

If you are reading an author's blog, chances are you are a bibliophile. You buy books, lots of them, and collect them. Many of us have jammed bookshelves that can't possibly fit one more book. Some books are like old friends, you simply can't bear to part with them. But with other books, you might be willing to help find a good home. Where to donate? Well, your local library may be happy to accept, and sell the books for a few dollars. Definitely a bargain for the next reader - particularly if it's a hardback, and you are supporting a local resource. If the library doesn't accept donations, not to fret, there are plenty of other opportunities for books in good condition:

http://www.readertoreader.org/ brings books to needy schools and libraries across the US

http://www.booksbeyondborders.com/ pays shipping costs to developing countries

http://www.operationpaperback.org/ send books to American troops overseas

So, feel free to read on, my friends. Just remember to pass along!

Who Needs a Running Buddy? You Do!

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Need to clear your head after a long day of writing? The Rx for me is often a long run. The fresh air, exercise and change of scenery often inspire me and get the creative juices flowing. Most of my writer/runner friends are nervous about hitting the trails without a partner. For many, the buddy system makes us accountable and feels safer. If you have a big dog like mine (a former pound hound), a running buddy is ready to go at a moment's notice. But for those runners who long for a furry bodyguard, the answer is as close as your local animal shelter.

In the October issue of Runner's World magazine, a terrific piece titled "Pace A Pooch" highlights SPCA and human societies with running programs. Runners have a buddy, and the workouts help the dogs find a new home. Overweight dogs lose lbs. and increased exercise often means less behavioral problems. Runners can pick up a dog for each mile, or train one friend to go the distance. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Programs currently exist in Seattle http://www.getfitwithfido.org/, Washington D.C. http://www.washhumane.org/ and Tulsa http://www.tulsaspca.org/ or contact your local animal shelter (enter zip code at http://www.pets911.com/.

Not in love anymore?

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Via Twitter, I recently came across a very funny article titled, "You Aren't The Book I Married Anymore" by Courtney Summers. The article makes the analogy that the relationship with your manuscript is like a marriage.

Oh, those glorious first weeks/months. The giddiness of new ideas, fresh pages, the "I can't get you out of my mind" feeling. The endless possibilities. Aren't we all thrilled with our new manuscripts? You can't wait to make the introductions. Everybody will love him...I mean "it", the book. You want to spend all your time together.

But, alas, like all relationships this one needs work to remain healthy. Very slowly, you begin to notice flaws. Things with the manuscript all not all good. Sure, you can deny it for a while, but what about those characters that need more development? The dialogue is not quite its best. Really, what makes this book different from the others? You beg the manuscript to cooperate. Change for the sake of your relationship. The honeymoon is over. This relationship needs work.

Now comes the hard part. Revising, commitment, editing. The willingness to admit that some parts aren't working, but you are open to change. For the sake of the relationship. You two can get through this together - and walk the I am published bookstore aisles in wedded bliss.

Back to School? Good idea(s) !

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:32:00 +0000

For many of us, "back to school" means more writing time. Summer nourishes our soul, and allows a break from demanding schedules. Everything is more relaxed - and our writing often languishes also. But back to school means fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils and new ideas. This time of year is full of ideas for a manuscript. Publishers are always on the lookout for new back- to -school books. Observe your kids, listen to their conversations. What concerns/fears/excitement can you hear? Chances are, your kids are not the only ones talking about these issues. New kid in the school? Scary teacher? Lunchroom food fight? Someone change over the summer? Funny bus driver? New principal? Electing class president? Don't have school age children yourself? Remember how you felt as a child. The butterflies in the stomach and the anticipation. If you need more ideas, borrow a friend who has young children. Treat her to a cup of coffee at the local coffeehouse. Now she has more time too!

If your critique group always tells you the manuscript is perfect - RUN!

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:25:00 +0000

I often write about the importance of critique groups, and the valuable effect on one's writing. A SCBWI New Jersey group put their writerly heads together and blogged their Top 10 Tips For A Great Critique Group. The list included tips such as

Go positive before going negative - choose several good aspects of the manuscripts before showcasing the negatives. For example, great concept, distinct voice, puts the reader in the scene. No one likes to first hear a laundry list of what is wrong with the manuscript.

Show respect for other's work - realize that the heart/soul of a writer goes into their manuscript. It can be intimidating to release one's work into the hands of others. As we are all writers in a crit group, each person can empathize.

If your crit group is always telling you the manuscript is perfect - RUN! - This is my favorite tip. Even if you are J.K. Rowlings, there is always room for improvement in a first draft. As the writer, we become so wrapped in our own work that we often fail to see the big picture. This is especially true for rhyming picture books. We make the meter work for us. It's only when we give it to others that we see it in a new light. Realize that this is your first draft and when you develop a thick skin, you will thank your group. As I always tell my group, "I would much rather hear it from you than an editor."

To the Top Ten List, I would like to add A Sense of Humor. We have a lot of laughs in our group, and it makes us all look forward to meeting. Writing is a solitary pursuit, and full of rejection, but that doesn't mean we have to lose our humor. Our group laughs about our first drafts, making meter rhyme and the absurdity of picture books. We laugh at our ourselves, and the difficult pursuit we have chosen. A good laugh cements the bond between you all and eases the sting of how much work lies ahead.

I'm frequently asked how one writes a publishable picture book. My answer, always, is join a critique group. If you belong already, hooray! Take the top 10 list to your next meeting. If you don't belong, join or start a group. And make this Top Ten List - first on your list.

Tonight You Are My Baby: Mary's Christmas Gift

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:42:00 +0000

SCBWI LA Conference: Yes, You Can Attend!

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:01:00 +0000

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators has two fabulous conferences each year. Winter finds SCBWI in NYC and summer finds SCBWI in LA. The meetings are chock-full of agents/editors/authors and INSPIRATION! Wish you were there? Well, so do I, but we can feel the excitement and gather valuable information through the SCBWI Team Blog. Don't miss the chance to visit the blog and the fantastic team that attended various sessions. You'll feel as if you are sitting right in the front row. Thanks to all!

Back from Vacation

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Returning to blogging after two weeks of R & R, but mostly fun times with family. Stay tuned for a post about the SCBWI LA conference, with lots of valuable info.

Bedtime, Kittens and Grandparents - Oh My! Picture Book Topics to Avoid.

jeannine@jeanninenorris.com (Jeannine Norris) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Author Darcy Pattison has a great article on "Picture Book Topics to Avoid". Dial editor, Liz Waniewski spoke on this topic at an SCBWI Arkansas conference in 2007. Darcy asked Liz to update the list for 2009. Lucky for all of us - she did. Liz W. states that these topics aren't necessarily bad topics. It's simply that your writing must rise above the competition to be noticed - and ultimately acquired. Be aware that other children's book editors are probably seeing the same topics in their slush pile. Hoping to get noticed? Avoid these topics and write about something unusual. On a personal note, I'm delighted to see that Christmas stories and barnyard tales have dropped from the list. Good news for me, as Tonight You Are My Baby is a Christmas book and currently under editorial consideration is a barnyard tale! What to do if, like me, your topic is also on the popular topics list? Give it a twist, end with the unexpected, surprise the reader, give it a new voice. Put your creative hat on!