Staying Motivated with Mindy Alyse Weiss

Today we sit down with children’s book extraordinaire, Mindy Alyse Weiss, and discuss how to stay motivated through the writing and revising process. In addition to writing funny, heartfelt picture books and middle grade novels, Mindy fosters community as the host of PBParty. 

Could you describe what #PBParty is and how it began?

PBParty started seven years ago, before I had the pleasure of joining as co-host. Authors Michelle Hauck and Sharon Chriscoe decided there wasn’t enough out there for picture books so they created an annual contest. The first year, they allowed a small amount of entries (I think it was a hundred or so) and it filled up in minutes! After that, they realized their contest was in such huge demand, they needed to allow more entries. Writers e-mailed the first fifty words of their picture books along with a query. Michelle and Sharon chose a diverse variety of the strongest entries to share with a few agents and editors in the final showcase. Through the years, they’d narrow it down from a few hundred to around 20 finalists and then agents and editors would request the full (and sometimes additional manuscripts) from the ones that caught their attention. 

How did you get involved?

In 2019, they asked if I wanted to participate and I said “Oh my gosh! It sounds like so much fun!” It kind of blew up. That year we had over 800 entries, allowing 2 per person. We eventually had to narrow it down to 1 entry per person because we only had a week to read all of them. With 1 entry per person, we received 526 entries this year.

What is it like being in charge of all those authors’ submissions?

It’s amazing! It makes you see from the agent’s side of the desk, which is such a gift. When you start out you think, “This is a maybe. This is a maybe,” and all of a sudden you’re thinking “Nope! We’ve seen something stronger, or more unique.” It really shows how some rise to the top and others sink to the bottom. There’s so much in the middle—making the final choices is incredibly hard. This year, we narrowed it down to 30 finalists. 

It’s interesting to see trends—March was full of chickens, worms, zombies, dragons, unicorns, and mermaids. They’re all popular children’s topics—but the amount of submissions with them makes them battle even more for a spot. 

We also have an Illustration Showcase that I launched my first year after talking to a talented illustrator who said he’d enter…but I’d never seen his work before. I thought “it’s so competitive with the writing finalists that if I see a gorgeous illustration, it’ll be hard to turn it down.” It’s become an important part of our final showcase. Agents and editors seem to love browsing for talented author/illustrators—and we love celebrating all the requests and offers. 

PBParty has been a huge hit! So many talented writers and author/illustrators have received agents and editors through this process. Last year, one entry had 18 requests! And at least eight finalists received offers, which is so exciting. I can’t wait to see all the 2021 entries in March!

How does it feel to be a central point in helping people connect with agents?

It fulfills me so much. Things like this are my sunshine, especially during COVID. 

I love celebrating successes. It’s incredible to fall in love with entries, happy dance when they make it into the final round or Illustration Showcase…then cheer for each request. I’m probably on the edge of my seat, squealing as much as the finalists—I want them ALL to succeed! 

Could you speak to how creating community helps with motivation as a writer?

During the PBParty contest in March, we’d have daily prompts that gave participants the opportunity to chat, answer questions, share tips, cheers, and support. When the contest ended, the PBParty chats always did. But in March, the pandemic hit and I tweeted “I’m so sad. I don’t want this to end.” They agreed and I said “Do you want me to keep asking questions?”

I played around with different questions and people were so encouraging. The next thing I knew, we were doing Motivation Monday. That’s when you make your goals for the week. Then, there’s Celebration Sunday. It’s so important to celebrate along your journey. People think “I want an agent,” “I want book sales” or “I want awards.” It helps to sit and make small goals you can accomplish. I love having some easy goals because you never want to go through a whole week thinking “I’ve accomplished nothing.” This way, you can turn around and realize you’ve checked so many things off your list. Challenge yourself to do at least one thing each week that you’re not so sure you can do. Hopefully you can!

Seven months ago, I realized I hadn’t written a new picture book in 2020. That’s unusual for me. I’d been revising, but I hadn’t written anything new. I was online and some other picture book writers were saying “I haven’t been able to write in the pandemic.” So I said “Let’s write a picture book! How’s Thursday?”

This morphed into an amazing, motivating monthly event called the PBParty New Draft Challenge & Critique Train. You can flesh out ideas and plot ahead of time, then write, write, write on challenge day—you have 24 hours to write a new PB draft (EST). Then, you shout “DONE” on Twitter and add your name to the Critique Train Google doc. You receive a critique from the person above you, and give a critique to the person below you. You can send any picture book you need feedback on. Fresh eyes are such a gift—and I love seeing new friendships and critique partners form through this, too! In October, around 50 new picture books were born during the challenge. I can’t wait to cheer for all the new PB drafts during the December 17th challenge! 

I’m grateful to the picture book communities that have motivated me—and it’s so fulfilling to add my contribution to the kidlit community. I love how we support each other, help motivate each other, and celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!

This would turn into a novel if I share them all, but here are a few that I love participating in:

Storystorm with Tara Lazar is every January. The goal is to come up with at least one idea (in any genre) per day and there are inspiring daily blog posts and tons of prizes…including the chance to have an agent look over your favorite ideas and tell you which seem like the strongest. This is where I get most, if not all, of the ideas I use for an entire year!  

I also love the 12x12PB Challenge with Julie Hedlund. The goal is to write/revise a picture book every month. It’s a supportive community with an active forum and Facebook group, a critique area, monthly webinars, and a post to celebrate good news each month. 

Justin Colón, runs PBChat which is another amazing community with Twitter chats. He also has a free, three month mentorship program each summer. There’s huge competition to get in with all the big name authors and illustrators who participate and an agent/editor showcase for the finalists to display their work after the mentorship ends. 

What advice would you share with aspiring writers?

Enjoy the journey. So many people only have their eye on agents and publication and that won’t get you anywhere alone. Don’t be in such a rush because the learning curve is huge. It’s so much better to learn how to do deep revisions before you’re on deadline with an agent or an editor. Take as many workshops and classes as you can. Critique groups are an absolute must. 

When you write a new picture book a month, you lose that “this has to be perfect” mindset. You can play around with new styles. Feeling like you have to be perfect bogs you down. Challenges help you let go of all the rules swirling around your head and write. There’s plenty of time to revise later…but you can’t revise a blank page. 

Sometimes when things are going on in your life, you can’t write certain things. Don’t push yourself to write anything that pulls you down, particularly during a pandemic. You can always put work aside, switch to some writing that makes you smile and come back to it when you’re ready. Even if you’re busy or not sure you can write, do your best to write something every day. Set a timer for ten minutes (half an hour is great if you can swing it) and write. Don’t let writing slip out of your life because once you do, it can be difficult to get back into it. Keep it as part of your routine, but make it work for you.

All around me, I have motivational sayings. Every year, Julie Hedlund does a webinar series leading up to the holidays and she does something that I love and make part of my life now. Think of a word that you want for the year. The first year I was having a very tough year and my first thought was “survive.” And then I thought no, that is not going to be my word of the year and I switched that to “thrive.” The next year was “believe” and that was the year I got my amazing agent, Joyce Sweeney, and became part of The Seymour Agency family. Now I’m looking forward to this next year and I might borrow a word from a friend that is so perfect “bloom” but there’s another word I’m considering (take one look at my website and you’ll see why): “sparkle.” 

Don't Miss Out on
The December PBParty New Draft Challenge & Critique Train!

About Mindy Alyse Weiss:

Mindy Alyse Weiss is a glitter-loving kid at heart who loves viewing the world through a child’s eyes. Writing, reading, and hanging out with other book-loving people is her air. She’s written many humorous picture books and middle grade novels, but also enjoys tapping into the challenging parts of her life so she can spread sunshine and hope. 

Her heartfelt picture book manuscript, Mason’s Greatest Trick, won 5th place in the Writer’s Digest Competition and helped her receive a 12x12 PB scholarship. She’s had several pieces published in Highlights magazine, is the SCBWI FL Critique Group Coordinator and Free Meeting Facilitator, an Administrator on the SCBWI Blueboard, a founding member and Administrator on the From the Mixed-Up Files…of Middle-Grade Authors blog and host of the PBParty chats, challenge, and annual contest.  Mindy lives in Florida with her husband, two daughters, and rescue dog and cat. She adores animals and would adopt every homeless one if she could. She also loves chatting with other book-loving people on Twitter and Facebook…and seeing their adorable pet photos! She’s thrilled to be represented by Joyce Sweeney.

Website: https://mindyalyseweiss.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindyAlyseWeiss

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindyAlyseWeiss

The Call with Matt Tesoriero

My call story is filled Drama! Drama! Drama! I was honored to have been selected as a mentee with #PBChat. I polished, edited and re-worded three manuscripts with my mentors At the end of the mentorship program, we were given another amazing opportunity to post the first 50 words in an exclusive pre-vetted agent's/editor's micro site along with the other finalists. Weeks past without a single bite. Then miracles of all miracles I got a request for the full manuscript from an agent! Within 30 days she asked for an R&R...and R....More drama! The agent had not yet been announced so the 3rd R was to reveal her identity. Soon, the pandemic took over the world and was consumed by making sure my family was safe while dealing with a family emergency. THAT's when I got the email, offering me representation. I had been dreaming about this day for a long time and when it finally came to fruition, I was too distracted to even respond. Amazing how in life when you're not looking, wonderful things come to YOU! Today, I've signed with the amazing Joyce Sweeney. Identify revealed! And am on submission. OH, how I love DRAMA!

About Matt Tesoriero:

I make a delicious, spicy meatball!

I was born into a large Italian-American family where we talk and listen at the same time. Big hugs and loud conversations are in my DNA. I grew up in rural Upstate New York, but we didn’t milk any cows.  We preferred frolicking in open cornfields and swimming in the cold waters of the Finger Lakes. I’ve lived in Boston, London, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale and just relocated to Orlando with my partner. I love Dunkin Donuts coffee.  It provides the magical juice I use to write. I’m a certified Spinning Instructor and enjoy seeing my riders flourish and grow.

With twelve nieces and nephews as my audience, I made up silly stories to entertain them. I wanted to be their favorite uncle. One of them told me, “Uncle Matty, you should write these stories down.” So I have. I always remember a day when I was volunteering as a teacher’s aide in a first grade class. I read “The Giving Tree” to the children. I remember how moved they were and how the story made me cry. That’s my goal as a writer: to create children’s stories with heart. To inspire, enlighten and entertain. I always root for the underdog and characters who feel different. PAVE. THAT. ROAD!

Twitter: @Matt_Tesoriero

Instagram: @MattTesoriero_Author

Curiouser and Curiouser with Kyan Howland

Kyan Howland - Repped by Joyce Sweeney

Curiouser and Curiouser

Since being a child, I’ve felt how stories permeate the atmosphere.

Being a sensory synesthetic I wake every day to taste, listen, breathe, feel, and see everyday stories come and go. I worked decades as a hospice nurse witnessing those final moments, holding hundreds of stories with my heart, hearing both adventure and regret.

I’m especially curious about what others call mistakes. Like Miles Davis, I believe they can be music as you choose the next note and moment. As a writer and relentless editor, I’ve struggled with perfection but never let it keep me from making up homemade songs as a child died. I enjoy taking a few favorites and putting them to a new song on my guitar, like the one I did for a three year old called Oopsa' Daisy Dinosaur.  

And so when another mistake happened where the convertible top ordered was the wrong color, I went with it and made the most of it. Having a sandy top rather than black, demanded a blue car rather than silver. So with the help of friends I dipped my car deep sea blue. Then we added images of mermaids and ideas from stories and songs I wrote and put them all over my new art car. This has sparked much dialogue in parking lots as families ask about the rainbow hive or the phrase ‘slow is the new fast” uttered by the purple turtle on the bumper.

I believe taking time to be curious doesn’t kill the cat, whoever came up with that metaphor missed alot. As my blue cat Vega nestles beside me, she would agree, be curious and find the magic in the moment, which has never been more important at this time on the planet.

About Kylan Howland:

Kyan is an award-winning Singer/Songwriter and Author.  Her love of instruments from handspan to acoustic guitar, and her four octave voice make for an incredible reading and keynote.  Studying with Bobby McFerrin and earning her Masters in Creative Writing, she innovates with word and sound.  Westside Voice wrote “she enchanted both young and old”.  

She created the Lullaby Club online, where her stories, songs, and ASMR relax the whole family.  Her social media LIVES reach thousands and she’s been featured on Public Radio, as well as being a popular artist-in-residence at schools, hospitals, and conferences.  She painted her blue convertible with magical images from her stories and songs with the help of friends, and is beloved as the singing nurse.  

Having worked hospice and behavioral health, she knows the edge where a child jumps from a window and a grandmother reveals her secret cinnamon bun recipe with her last breath.   Her own NDE gave her a love life to cloud nine and a bravery to advocate for the planet and LGBTQ community.   

She lives on the shores of a great lake with her cat Vega, and they both turn mermaid on Saturdays, because life is too brief and beautiful, not to! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secretmermaidstuff

Email: secretmermaidstuff432@gmail.com

Instagram: @kyanmermaid

Twitter: @MermaidKyan

The Call with Kaitlyn Sanchez

So for me, the call was the icing on the cake because the response to my query was what truly got me. 

The first line that Joyce sent me was something I've always hoped for but never thought would happen. 

She wrote: "OMG I LOVE this!" 

I immediately knew Joyce was for me because that is EXACTLY how I would react to something I loved. 

Our call was mainly there to confirm how on the same page we are and have a little fun getting to know each other better.

I know everyone says this, but it's extra true for me. I am incredibly lucky that Joyce took a chance on me. The story I sent her was a new style for me. She said she can take me on if I could do that again. A tall order and something she knew wasn't easy, but it was fair and honest (two top priorities for me). She told to think "outrageous"—that's my style (something I wasn't aware of before). Lo and behold, I sat down after that conversation, and outrageous story ideas just poured out of me. I sent one draft to her and the whole outrageous ideas document (which was longer than you'd expect) and she loved it! On our call she couldn't wait to talk about which iseas she loved the most. That passion for my ideas and connection to my work, that's what I've been waiting for, hoping for, and can't believe I've found.

I didn't realize the story I queried Joyce with showed my trir writing voice until Joyce took the time to encourage me. Now I've written two other stories like it, and they just flowed out. My critique partners keep saying they love the voice, and I fondly thank them and tell them, "Joyce found my voice." (As a rhymer, this saying makes me extra happy).

A big shout out to the amazing woman who connected me to Joyce: Mindy Alyse Weiss. 

Thank you Seymour Agency, thank you Mindy, and thank you Joyce for believing in me and seeing me, and helping my dreams come true.

About Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez: 

Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez is a writer of humorous picture books and an active member of SCBWI. She's a proud finalist  from the 2019 Picture Book Party event. Kaitlyn is the co-creator and co-host of the many contests including: the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy, and Kidlit Zombie Week. Kaitlyn is also an associate literary agent, helping writers achieve their dreams of publication. 

She was born, raised, and has always stayed in California's Central Valley, where she lives with her family and teaches junior high school math. When Kaitlyn isn't writing, teaching, or agenting, you can find her eating cookies, laughing with her hilarious family, or out on the soccer field, but you'll never find her cleaning. She would definitely rather be sucked into a vacuum than use it!

Website: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/

Twitter: @KaitlynLeann17 

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/KaitlynLeann17/  

The Call with Melody Dean Dimick

After Joyce Sweeney and I met at a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference in Miami, she became my content editor. Through her wise guidance, I found my voice and a traditional PAL publisher,Taylor and Seale Publishing. At a subsequent SCBWI conference in Orlando, Joyce bestowed one of her coveted Magic Bean Ceremonies on me. We continued working together. She knew I was seeking an agent, and she loved my novel in verse. Joyce suggested I submit What Lies Beneath to her.

                

About Melody Dean Dimick:

Melody Dean Dimick is an award-winning author, the president of the Florida Writers Foundation—a not-for-profit organization promoting literacy—and a member of the Florida Writers Association (FWA), the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Daytona Writers Guild, the Florida State Poets Association, and the Florida Authors and Publishers Association. She draws on her experiences teaching at Northern Adirondack Central School and the State University of New York at Plattsburgh to write YA fiction and poetry. Dimick leads the Lake Helen Villa Writers.

Nine of Melody’s short works appear in (FWA) collections. Both her Backpack Blues and What Lies Beneath won First Place in the unpublished general category of the Florida Writers Association’s Royal Palm Literary Awards. Blame and Backpack Blues: Ignite the Fire Within won Daytona Writers Guild Excellence in Arts awards. Taylor and Seale recently published Ain’t It a Shame, a three-act play based on Backpack Blues: Ignite the Fire Within. Her poem, “Ysobel Gomez,” captured Second Place in an FWA Royal Palm contest. Her No Parents Allowed is a semi-finalist for this year’s RPLA Young Adult Novel of the Year.

Other books by Melody Dean Dimick include Silent Screams, Sinister Silence, Cat Girl, No Parents Allowed, and the three-act play Ain’t It a Shame. She is represented by Joyce Sweeney, literary agent with The Seymour Agency.

Melody conducts poetry workshops, served as a speaker on the First Books Panel at a Miami SCBWI conference, participated in a panel discussion at the Museum of Arts & Sciences as part of the Volusia County National Endowment for the Arts NEA Big Read, visits and speaks for writers’ groups and at schools and libraries. She has conducted workshops at conferences in Altamonte Springs/Orlando, and Port Charlotte. Local radio host, Mary Flynn interviewed Melody and her husband, Barry, on Orlando’s 1520 WBZW. To learn more about Melody and her books, readers can follow her blog under: My News at https://www.melodydeandimick.com/.

In her spare time, Melody loves to read, play pickleball with her husband, Barry, attend and judge poetry slams, and play pinochle with her son and his wife.

Receiving the “Email” From The Seymour Agency

Once I noticed an agent’s message in my email, I pre-judged it. My first reaction assumed the worst. Ok, who can I query next? To my surprise, Marisa’s response was better than I anticipated. Not only did she ask if my manuscript was still available—it brought a smile to her face, she wanted to know more, and wished her mother could have read it to her when she was a child. Not many more details needed, she had me at “it brought a smile to my face!”

After celebrating the news with my family, I informed Marisa that my manuscript was definitely still available. Subsequent emails with Marisa demonstrated that her personality matched mine. Her outlook on the world mirrored mine and we had even tackled similar topics in our earlier writings. One of the sayings that rings true with me is to think outside the box. Marisa counters with the idea of ‘no box.” Forget about the box. Initially, without context, I didn’t understand what that meant. Now I support her version of that idea, and I am onboard—literally and figuratively. I appreciate how Marisa and Nicole are receptive to the variety of “no box” ideas and suggestions I offer regarding my manuscripts. 

A friendly Zoom meeting with Marisa and Nicole finally sealed the deal. The more I interact with Marisa, Nicole, and various other agency members, like Joyce and Julie, the more I am convinced that The Seymour Agency is the right agency for my manuscripts. The personnel and clients are a kind, congenial group who work as a team for the best outcomes. 

I am honored to be represented by The Seymour Agency, and if you become a Seymour client— 

celebrate! You’ll be in great hands!

About Bethanie Baker Henderson

  

Bethanie writes cozy fictional and biographical picture books. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and works with youth in her church and school district. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and a concentration in English from Columbia University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. She enjoys learning about new underwater discoveries, especially the mysteries in the deep sea. Bethanie lives with her husband, two remarkable daughters and their cat in eastern PA. 

Connect with her on her website at www.WhenReadingMatters.com, on Twitter @bbakerhenderson and on Facebook at Bethanie Baker Henderson Author.                             

The Call with Jill Watson

I met Joyce Sweeney at Florida SCBWI meetings and through a writing course of hers I'd taken. In 2019, she edited THE MAGNIFICENT ROLLING ROXIE before I sent it out to agents. Afterwards, she always checked in to offer encouragement and ask how my submissions were going. She really loved my book, and was rooting for me! Joyce was the first one I hugged after I won my SCBWI Rising Kite Award in January 2020, and I ran across the ballroom to do it. I felt like she was in it with me 100%, and I wanted to share that moment with her. 

At 7:15 one morning, Joyce sent me a text. "Could you please send me the full again, along with your query?" The address she gave was at The Seymour Agency. She was their newest agent!

Needless to say, I woke up fast. I laughed, I cried, I danced around on my roller skates. There is no better agent I could have in my corner than Joyce Sweeney!

BIO:

Jill Watson started her career as Associate Editor of True Confessions magazine. (Don't ask if the stories were real, she'll never tell.) After three years, plot twist! Jill moved over to the production end of publishing, where she managed Graphic Design departments at CBS, USA TODAY and a mutual funds company. She was also Type Consultant on fanzines for Amblin' Entertainment. Fun!

Every chance she got, Jill danced on her roller skates and in her cowboy boots. She appeared on several TV shows, as well as in a Top 10 Country Music video. All this, without the ability to hear the music well.

In 2017, Jill gave up the 9-to-whenever-o’clock life to concentrate on writing. Her first middle grade book, THE MAGNIFICENT ROLLING ROXIE, won a Rising Kite Award from SCBWI in 2020.

When she's not writing, Jill still dances on her skates. She also raises butterflies in her Florida garden and feeds two bunnies who visit every day. Jill is a member of SCBWI and the Central Park Dance Skaters Association. She’s represented by Joyce Sweeney. 

CONNECT WITH JILL:

jillwatsonwrites.com

https://twitter.com/jill_watson326

https://www.facebook.com/jill.watson.3557/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-watson-3013736/