Childrens Writers chat

Guests: Michele Coppola, formerly at S&S and now at Clarion, and Julie Strauss-Gabel, also of Clarion.

Tuesdays

9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT), Writers Workshop

Children's Writers chat - writers and illustrators of children's books meet for specific topics and special guest speakers, moderated by HOST WRTR WBABE & HOST WRTR CGaley, with HOST WRTR sUe & HOST WRTR Neely (Greeters).

<HTML>CWC log 10-26-99

Date: 10/26/99

Guest speakers: Michele Coppola, formerly at S&S and now at Clarion, and Julie

Strauss-Gabel, also of Clarion.

CWC Log 10-26-99

WriterBabe: Tonight I'm delighted to welcome a returning guest and a new

one:

WriterBabe: Michele Coppola, formerly at S&S and now at Clarion, and Julie

Strauss-Gabel, also of

WriterBabe: Clarion.

WriterBabe: Hiya, gals!

North110: Hi there!

WriterBabe: Before I hit you with questions, would you like to make any

opening remarks? GA

North110: We're ready for questions

WriterBabe: LOL. Okay.

WriterBabe: I'll start with Michele.

WriterBabe: What, if any, difference is there between the books you're

acquiring for Clarion as opposed

WriterBabe: to the ones you acquired at S&S?

WriterBabe: I think we'd like to know a bit about small houses vs. big ones.

GA

North110: In terms of my interests, they haven't changed--I'm still looking

for good books for toddler

North110: as well as fresh, funny middle grade fiction. The advantage

North110: of a smaller house is that I can--hopefully--sign up more new

writers.GA

WriterBabe: As you said, one of your specialities is the young picture book.

WriterBabe: What makes a good p.b.? Please talk about PLOT! GA

North110: In terms of young picture books, I think the story has to relate

to a toddler's real life

North110: experience. I'm looking for stories that deal with different

North110: aspects of their emotional development ie independence vs.

security,

North110: learning through play, etc. GA

Neely f: (If your IMs are not turned on, I can not send you a greeting.)

WriterBabe: Could you talk a bit about plot, Michele? Then I have some

questions for Julie. GA

North110: I like stories with strong beginnings, middles and endings. I like

it when the problem is

North110: specified right away--you dont' want to waste words in a picture

book!GA

WriterBabe: You feel that there are some pretty thin or limp p.b.s out

there? GA

North110: I think that many people feel they have to sacrifice story for

simplicity in young picture

North110: books. I think you can have both! GA

WriterBabe: Thanks, Michele.

WriterBabe: Julie, among other things, you're interested in s.f. and

fantasy.

WriterBabe: With the huge success of Harry Potter for Scholastic, what can

seriously compete in the

WriterBabe: marketplace with that?

WriterBabe: What advice can you offer to fantasy and s.f. writers? GA

North110: Well, before Harry Potter there were many successful books and

series in the fantasy genre

North110: books that I would certainly consider enduring classics and

personal childhood favorites

North110: there is something special about (really exceptionally written)

fantasy that speaks to young

North110: readers that endures - there may not be room for HP wannabes in

the market

North110: but I think there will always be a place for great stories that

speak to children

North110: I think that sometimes fantasy can achieve that in ways more

conventional pieces cannot

North110: GA

WriterBabe: Wow, that was marvelously articulate, Julie!

North110: thanks :)

WriterBabe: Do you have any caveats or tips to give writers of these genres?

GA

North110: Well, similar to Michele's admonition about picture books - I

think that the conventions of

North110: fantasy writing can be so familiar (almost cliche) that you have

to

North110: be extra careful to develop plot and character without falling

back

North110: on familiar territory - unoriginal territory - that's why I think

it's so hard to write

North110: it well GA

WriterBabe: Good advice.

WriterBabe: Julie, you're also interested in unique non-fiction. Please

elaborate on that.

WriterBabe: What subjects are fertile ground for exploration? What hasn't

been done before? GA

North110: Well, Clarion has always been known for our strong nonfiction list

North110: and I have been lucky enough to work on a lot of these books

North110: But really fascinating nonfiction, in my opinion, takes on topics

that are not only

North110: unique - people, events, etc. that haen't been explored - but also

subjects

North110: that really speak to the emotional needs of kids as much as

fiction does

North110: subjects that inspire and answer life questions

North110: Michele adds that there is also a need for science for toddlers

North110: that is more play-oriented

North110: And, one more thing, I think that as school curriculums are

changing and the arts are being

North110: sacrified - people should not be afraid to look at people and

events in these areas as well

North110: as more history-oriented projects (which, I think, tend to

dominate the field)

North110: GA

WriterBabe: You two are terrific! You've given us much to think about.

WriterBabe: I want to ask one more head-'em-off-at-the-pass question, then

open this to the audience.

WriterBabe: Lots of folks here worry about cover letters (not queries--cover

letters accompanying a

WriterBabe: manuscript). What do you want to see in a cover letter? GA

North110: Let me just say that we had a suspicion that this might come up :)

WriterBabe: LOL. I wonder why? :->

North110: We agree that what really needs to speak for your work is your

work - the manuscript itself

North110: We often return to the cover letter, looking for more personal

info.

North110: But I don't think that either one of us really feels the need, or

is lured, by a pitch

North110: Personally (Julie) I'd prefer a clean, very professional cover

letter than anything else

North110: But do include any writing credentials and if you're writing

nonfiction tell us about your

North110: research - esp. if your book is the only one of its kind

North110: If it's a nonfiction proposal, it is important to tell us where

you're going with the

North110: project if it's not complete

North110: We also agree about a few things we don't want to see:

North110: Pages and pages of marketing suggestions (and toy tie-in ideas)

North110: and scheduling demands - like, publish this by Christmas '99

Boro1burs: has anyone ever read Sleepy, it's a short story by Anton Checof

North110: Also, while we enjoy them, personal photos aren't necessary

North110: And be sure to call ahead and confirm that the editor is still at

the house, his/her title,

North110: and name spelling

North110: GA

CGaley: (Borolburs, we're in protocol. Please wait to be called on! :-))

Boro1burs: sorry

WriterBabe: Don't you want to know the writer's astrological sign? ;-)

WriterBabe: Thanks for your terrific answers.

WriterBabe: And now, gang, it's your turn.

CarolynB34: ?

WriterBabe: Type ? or !

North110: Only if you're a taurus or a libra - otherwise, no

North110: GA

WriterBabe: Ooh, I feel privileged, being a Libra myself.

Jgregers: ?

WriterBabe: Carolyn, you're up first.

CarolynB34: Regarding manuscripts that you are strongly considering for

publication but you

CarolynB34: ultimately reject, can you identify one or more major flaws

CarolynB34: you find that prevents you from publishing them? GA

North110: In general? Or is the question if we strive to send this

information to the author?

North110: GA

CarolynB34: In general

CarolynB34: not what the author is told -- just your thought process

North110: sometimes characters aren't well developed, the story/plot has

flaws

CarolynB34: !

North110: sometimes it;s a matter of timing, or the market, if there are

similar projects, or we just

North110: did something very similar and the project might not stand out in

that sea

North110: GA

CarolynB34: can marketability alone sink an otherwise great story?

WriterBabe: Good question, Carolyn.

North110: Not a great story, no - but sometimes even good, solid, stories

lack a spark that would

North110: really make it worth fighting for

North110: BUT at Clarion we really are editorially driven - but AS EDITORS,

we still have to consider

RoxyanneY: ?

RosaPearI: ?

MaryCronk: ?

North110: the market - not just for the house, but for the success of your

project

North110: GA

WriterBabe: Jg, you're next.

Jgregers: How do you describe voice? Or a compelling voice? One compelling

enough to publish?

CarolynB34: thanks!

North110: A good voice is part of having a good character - it's knowing who

that person is, it's that

North110: voice that is the reader's lifeline to the rest of the book

North110: Voice is the way writer's distinguish who they are - their

distinct mark on the story

North110: GA

WriterBabe: Your answers are terrific.

Inkdot100: ?

WriterBabe: Roxy, go ahead.

RoxyanneY: Could you expand on your comment about science for toddlers?

Maybe an example? My daughter

RoxyanneY: and I made ice cubes yesterday in dolphin-shaped trays. Is that

what you mean by play-like?

RoxyanneY: GA

Writes4kdz: ?

North110: Yes! There are a lot of good science books out there but most of

them are too complicated/

North110: advanced for this age group. And toddlers learn so much through

play. GA

WriterBabe: Rosa, you're up next.

RosaPearI: Is it difficult for a new author to get published in this genre?

RosaPearI: /ga

North110: Do you mean young picture books?GA

RoxyanneY: Thank you [and I won't pitch that with the obvious toy icetray

tie-in. :) ]

WriterBabe: LOL

RosaPearI: actually both, I entertain my grandson (1) and my own (7-8-14)

RosaPearI: /ga

North110: Which genre? GA (Sorry to be confused)

RosaPearI: P.B and fiction for elementary

North110: If you have a good story to tell, it will get noticed!GA

RosaPearI: thank you /ga

WriterBabe: Mary, your turn.

MaryCronk: Is there much room or call for middle-grade realistic fiction

right now?(that's not humor)GA

WriterRoss: ?

North110: Yes, again if it's a strong story, it will stand out. I (Michele)

happen to be particularly

North110: interested in humor for this age group.GA

MaryCronk: what about non-humorous?

MaryCronk: GA

North110: Sure, if it's well written and unusual.GA

WriterBabe: Ink, fire away.

Inkdot100: How do you decide which books in your list you 'get behind' in

terms of promotion? In what

Inkdot100: way do reviews matter?

Inkdot100: GA

North110: Clarion prides itself on supporting its backlist and supporting

authors

North110: We try to make sure that our frontlist goes out to every key

reviewer/journal/etc - and get

North110: behind our projects.

North110: We don't let books get ignored or die - but there's never the

decision to really push some

North110: books at the expense of others - we try to get them all out there

North110: GA

Inkdot100: OK, thanks.

WriterBabe: Writes4, go ahead.

Writes4kdz: Since Clarion is editorial driven, how much of finished product

do you have to see in a ms?

Writes4kdz: 90% there?

Writes4kdz: GA

North110: Do you mean if we want to see a complete ms submitted? Or do you

mean does it need to be

North110: near perfect at the time of submission? GA

Writes4kdz: How near perfect?

North110: Near perfect enough that we get a sense of your skill as a writer

and a storyteller

North110: we all pride ourselves on working with authors and editing

manuscripts - and things always

North110: change, evolve, get edited over time after they're accepted

North110: but we still want to see your best work - we need to see how well

you write

North110: GA

Writes4kdz: Thank you!

WriterBabe: WRoss, you're next.

WriterRoss: When you take on a manuscript, where do you begin your work as

its editor? What do you love

WriterRoss: about your roles as editors? Thanks.

North110: My work begins the moment I see your manuscript. The fun begins

once I can see something--

North110: and then it's a matter of talking to the author to see if their

vision matches mine. I don't

Neely f: %^%^%^%^ 5 MINUTE WARNING %%^%%^

North110: like reading manuscripts nearly as much as I like talking about

them with my writers and

North110: working out solutions.GA

WriterBabe: (Who's speaking--Michele or Julie, or both?)

WriterRoss: Visions and voices. Thanks, Michelle and Julie.

North110: that happened to be Michele - but we've been sharing - sorry

WriterRoss: Sharing a common voice and vision. :>

WriterBabe: Thanks.

WriterRoss: Thanks-- all done.

WriterBabe: The queue's empty. Any other questions, folks?

MaryCronk: ?

Writes4kdz: ?

WriterBabe: Mary, go ahead.

RoxyanneY: ?

MaryCronk: thoughts on simultaneous subs??

North110: I think we both feel that simultaneous is okay to the slush pile

North110: but if you're targeting an editor, better to send out one at a

time, with a deadline if you

North110: like . . . If you're sending something to us that you're telling

us is perfect

North110: for our tastes and our needs - but note that it also went to 5

other people

North110: for whom it would always be "perfect" it doesn't make sense

North110: GA

WriterBabe: Well, it could be perfect for everyone? LOL

WriterBabe: Writes4, go ahead.

Writes4kdz: How full are your lists now? Also, what's the response time for

Clarion right now?

Writes4kdz: GA

North110: We're probably acquiring for 2001 and beyond right now

North110: and we're always looking at things, of course . . .

North110: As for response time, it varies by editor and depends on lots of

things

North110: Time of year, etc. For example, we're in a short season now, and

less able to read

North110: as much/as quickly as we might be able to at a slower time of the

year

North110: GA

Writes4kdz: Is there a better time of year to submit than others?

Writes4kdz: GA

North110: It depends on the house, but I think that fall/winter tends to be

busier in most places

North110: it's like back to school - summer can be slower (but not too

slow!)

North110: But don't send us stuff next summer - we're both getting married

in August

North110: GA

WriterBabe: Every season is busy as far as I can see. ;-)

WriterBabe: LOL, Michele and Julie--and mazel tov, as my mom would say.

WriterBabe: Roxy, last question.

RoxyanneY: What's your dream submission? What would you love to see on your

desk tomorrow? ga

Writes4kdz: Aug. 15th bride here. (12 years ago ; )

Writes4kdz: thanks!

WriterRoss: (You know, I've noticed a lot of people in publishing marry in

August.) []

North110: Summer Fridays Marilyn

North110: whoops - wrong person! Sorry!

WriterBabe: LOL

North110: Julie: The next Winnie the Pooh

WriterBabe: Talking animals, Julie?

North110: But, seriously, something that really gets under my skin, touches

me and

North110: makes me feel as excited about reading that mansucript as I

North110: did when reading my fav books as a kid

North110: Something that takes me back and forget who and where I am -

North110: I felt that way when I read HOLES, btw.

North110: Marilyn, you know I want to reach those 11-13 year old girls, so

give me the next ARE YOU

Neely f: ^*^*^**^*^** -5 MINUTE WARNING *^**^*^* LOL

North110: THERE GOD, IT'S ME MARGARET! (Michele)GA

RoxyanneY: Excellent, thank you both, and best wishes on your weddings.

North110: thanks

WriterBabe: That does it for time, folks. Julie and Michele, any final

remarks? GA

North110: Give us those dream submissions!GA

Writes4kdz: I have it Michele!

Writes4kdz: : )

WriterBabe: Thank you both for being such truly wonderful guests!

MaryCronk: Thanks so much, Michele & Julie! Really appreciate you being

here

North110: Anytime

BOEDEN: Excellent workshop! Marilyn, terrific questions. You have the knack.

WriterBabe: A huge round of applause, folks!

TEs angel: Thank you, Michele and Julie! Good luck with your wedding

plans... Thanks, Marilyn!

Pete n Gun: Thanks Michele and Julie. Thanks Marilyn, Chuck, Donna, Sue,

and others. Great guests.

BOEDEN: Wonderful direct answers Guests. THANK YOU!

CarolynB34: thanks so much -- great chat!

WriterBabe: ;-) Sue

LindaRyter: Thanks!

BOEDEN: Thanks Workshop crew, Donna Chuck. Happy writing all. Nighty night.

Lizbooks: Thanks! You were both super!

MJAlso: Thanks, Michelle and Julie. Great chat!

RPYaman: Thanks Julie and Michele. Great workshop!

BOEDEN: Ü

Julisari: Thank you Julie and Michele!!!!!!!!!

Writes4kdz: Whoop Whoop! Thank you.

Neely f: ()()()()()()( Clapping )()()()()()

Jgregers: Hi Sue!

>>

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