A Twitter #PBPitch Success Story with Ronna Mandel!

 By Maggie Apostolis

Was writing a lifelong dream or something you sort of fell upon?

I recall first being enamored when taking high school and college short story and playwriting classes. I also began composing essays. After I studied abroad in Paris and London, all I wanted to do was travel writing. In fact, I actually toured the country in one of my jobs giving educational seminars on travel to Russia, Eastern Europe, India and Europe. Writing speeches was such fun! When my husband, daughter and I moved to Frankfurt and then London, I took classes, joined critique groups and began writing short stories and entering contests. I also began writing an adult murder mystery. That all changed to writing for children after I had my own children and LA Parent magazine, where  I worked when I moved back from living overseas, asked me to begin a blog and review children’s books.

Did school/education have a positive or negative impact on your writing?

I originally thought I wanted to major in art and become a set designer for theater, but once at university I changed my mind. My university had a strong English department and the classes I took prompted me to create an interdisciplinary major called Media Production and Writing. I thought I would write for television but never did. Fortunately, as a result of several creative jobs post college, (publicity in publishing, advertising and then travel) I’ve ultimately found my passion in writing for children. So in this roundabout answer, I’d say yes, my education had a positive impact since I’ve been in writing jobs ever since graduating.

Who is your favorite author?

To be honest, I can’t name just one favorite. Each time I read and love a book, that’s my current fave. There are many kidlit authors whose writing I admire including Sandra Boynton, Tammi Sauer, Marla Frazee, Jane Yolen, Kelly Starling Lyons, Ryan T. Higgins, Josh Funk, Jon Klassen, Andrea J. Loney, Carole B. Weatherford, Tara Lazar, Jerry Craft, Alexis O’Neill and tons more!!

Who or what is your biggest influence when it comes to the work you produce?

My own life experiences and those of my family constantly influence my writing. Whether I’m writing about special needs, bullying, fitting in, or Jewish culture, there is usually something I can tie to my childhood, my parenting experiences, travel and life overseas, as well as the ever-changing world around me.

What do you want to see change about the literary world?

I’d like to see more works from BIPOC authors and illustrators. It’s starting though. I see that as a reviewer which is terrific. That being said, I’d also like to see books by Jewish authors sharing non-stereo-typical experiences across the board and the same for disabled, LGBTQIA and neurodiverse authors and illustrators.

If your reader could know one fun fact about you or one of your character’s, what would you want to share?

I’m ambidextrous and I play a mean air guitar.

How have you witnessed your work change over the years as a writer?

My writing improves with every course I take and every book I read.

How do you cope with writer’s block?

I think I really don’t cope with it. I ignore it. That’s why deadlines are so good. When I don’t feel the creativity flowing, I often do non-writing things like arts and crafts (I love decoupage and papier mache), listen to my favorite radio podcasts or go for a walk.

Where is your favorite place to write?

One of my favorite places to write is the main branch of the Pasadena library. Being surrounded by warm wooden décor, studious people, and thousands of books is so calming and inspiring. I also like to write with a group of kidlit who used to meet at a café weekly prior to the pandemic. I cannot wait to return there.

Wrap up question that I like to ask all writers; what is the one piece of advice you want to offer to aspiring authors and writers?

I’m laughing because I still consider myself an aspiring author since I’m not published yet. My advice is to feed your creativity by feeding your soul. Do the things that spark joy and likely this will also spark stories. Maybe that’s a walk along the beach, walking the dog, or a walk through a museum. I never know when or where an idea will strike me, but if I’m relaxed and feeling good, chances are my brain is more open to new things.

Was this your first Twitter pitch event? How many have you done?

The Twitter pitch event, #PBPitch, that I participated in this past February was maybe my fourth  or fifth. But it was only the second time I pitched my Onion manuscript which you liked. 

Is there any advice you would give to people participating in the future?

If people want to join a Twitter pitch event, my advice would be to visit the website of the person who hosts the event and read the instructions carefully. I see so many people who don’t follow the rules. Next I would type the Pitch Event hashtag into Twitter to get an idea of what a typical pitch is for picture books (in my case), middle grade and so on since not everyone deletes their pitch when the event ends. Look for ones with one or more hearts (likes) to see the qualities of a successful pitch. Lastly I recommend writing several different versions of the pitch and asking critique partners for feedback. It doesn’t hurt to also do a test run without really tweeting it to make sure you don’t have too many characters. Since 280 is the limit, be sure that includes space for required hashtags. Book titles are not required and neither are comps and could take up room. 

By the way, there are probably more than a dozen different type of Twitter pitch events throughout the year whether that’s DVPit, faith pitch, dark pitch, Pitmad, and pitch events for scifi + fantasy, romance, lgbtqn and more!

Thanks, Ronna!

*** Connect with Ronna ***

Twitter: @RonnaWriter

Instagram: @goodreadswithronna

The Call with Steve Hickner

Before I sent out my agent queries, I braced myself for the tidal wave of expected rejections. I’ve worked in the entertainment industry for a long time and I knew first-hand what the chances of success would be like. In fact, right outside my office was the assistant to one of DreamWorks development executives, so I had a front row seat to the battlefield of disappointed faces. My point is, I figured that Charlie Bucket had a better chance of finding a Golden Ticket than I did in getting an agent.

The closest thing that I can compare to sending out agent queries is when those rats will hit that lever repeatedly in the hopes that it might deliver a treat. Well, one day, I sent out a few queries and I got a request for a full manuscript.

Cue heavenly choir: a full manuscript.

I told myself, don’t get too excited. I’m sure the studio with Pluto Nash felt they had something at the time. (“My god, we have Eddie Murphy!”)

Not long after I sent the manuscript, I got an email from Lynnette saying that she liked the material and wanted to discuss possible representation. I was thrilled, and vowed on the spot to never again mock Sally Field for saying, “You like me, you really like me.”

I have to confess, the details of the phone call are all a blur now, but one thing about it stood out: Lynnette struck me as a wonderful person. She really loved books, loved telling stories, and most importantly, she cared about people. I know selling books is a crazy pie-in-the-sky pipe dream, but having someone along with you on the journey makes it worthwhile.  

Even now, I am grateful for the countless hours I spent scouring manuscript wish list to find the right agents to send my material to. Because all that work led me to getting that phone call from Lynnette Novak and working with the Seymour Agency. 

To all of them, I am—and will be—forever grateful. 

One more thing, if this is needs to be edited, nuked of adverbs, and spell checked, then that’s another reason why I need Lynnette Novak. 

About Steve Hickner: 

Steve Hickner has worked at many of the fabled studios in animation: DreamWorks, Disney, Amblimation, Aardman, Hanna-Barbera and Filmation.  His extensive career includes experience with both the production and artistic sides of the process, serving as Producer on such films as:  American Tail II: Fievel Goes West, We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story, and Balto.  His director credits include Bee Movie and The Prince of Egypt.   In addition, he has contributed to such feature films as Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, The Little Mermaid, The Great Mouse Detective, Madagascar, Shrek Forever After, Peabody and Sherman and Home.  His television credits include the childhood favorite, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Steve has contributed to theme park and location-based entertainment projects in China, Dubai, London, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hollywood.  He recently collaborated with Steven Spielberg to write and direct the Comcast sphere film, The Power of I. He has been a guest speaker at many colleges and universities, film festivals and animation events.  He is the author of Animating Your Career, and Animation Rules!  

Twitter:  @HicknerSteve

Instagram: @stevehickner1

Website: stevehickner.com

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 Carol Coven Grannick

It was just another pandemic day. I planned to be busy with marketing and PR-related planning and doing after my morning cardio walk, stretches, and breakfast. But first, during an early hour of the morning, I had my coffee, checked emails, and noticed an interview with a new agent on "The Mixed-Up Files..." blog. I opened it, prepared for the usual description of wishlist requests that would have nothing to do with what I wrote. I felt a slow "zing" meander through my body as I read, "Lyrical picture books and novels in verse" (huh? really?) and a little statement indicating the kind of positive attitude and emotional resilience I write in my columns and guest blog posts. I finished the interview and looked up Joyce Sweeney at Twitter. "I'm not accepting submissions." Okay. I'm respectful of what people say. Ten or twenty years ago, I would have shrugged, felt sad for a few minutes, then moved on. On this day, though, well into my writing journey and feeling pretty comfortable with who I am and what I write, I decided to email Joyce. With respect for her statement about being closed to submissions, I let her know that I'd never seen such a good match, and that I'd appreciate it if she would consider my work once she reopened to submissions. And I meant it. I just wanted to connect, and respect the limit that was presented. Shortly after (I mean, a few minutes), I received a lovely email from Joyce: "I like your style, Carol—please send me your best work." I felt so immediately comfortable that I conveyed that my "best" work involved several different types of picture books, listed them, and asked her to choose. She did. She loved it, and asked for more...and then more...until I'd sent almost all my ready-to-go file of varied-subject, varied-voice picture books. She read, we talked, we signed. I have never felt so relaxed and comfortable with an agent. I trust her to care for my work and help me guide it in the right direction as necessary. As a longtime children's writer with a debut novel-in verse this September (2020), and poetry for the very young in a number of the children's magazines, I feel a freedom to refocus even more energy on my writing, since my written and revised work is in the best of hands.

About Carol Coven Grannick:

Carol Coven Grannick is an author, poet, and chronicler. Her poetry and fiction for young children has appeared or is forthcoming in numerous magazines, including Hello, Babybug, Highlights, Ladybug, and Cricket. She is a regular columnist for the Illinois SCBWI Prairie Wind, reporter for Cynthia Leitich Smith's award-winning blog, Cynsations, and a member of the GROG blog. Her awards include: Finalist, 2014 Katherine Paterson Award at Hunger Mountain (VCFA) Honorable Mention, 2018, Sydney Taylor Manuscript Competition Ragdale Foundation Writing Residency, 2016 Illinois Arts Council Grant, 2019. She is a member of The Society for Children's Writers and Illustrators and The Chicago Writers Association. She looks forward to many conversations with young readers about REENI'S TURN.

Website: https://carolcovengrannick.com

What Should the Next Five Years of Disability in Publishing Look Like?

 By Madison Parrotta

Disability often remains the afterthought when it comes to diversity in publishing. Although more disabled authors are being represented and published, the numbers are still very low. And even though you may see more books than ever with disabled characters, it doesn’t necessarily mean that those books are Own Voices.

Lillie Lainoff is the founder of Disability in Kidlit and an advocate for disabled writers of all kinds. Her debut, One for All, will be published in Winter 2022 with Farrar, Straus and Giroux. She obviously wants to see more disabled stories by disabled authors in the coming years—so many more that she can’t read them all—but there’s much more when it comes to disability diversity. 

Here is Lillie’s wishlist for more disability inclusion in publishing:

• An end to traditional gatekeeping and a change to the structure of publishing. Most authors and publishing professionals know that the industry is made up of cis, straight, white, nondisabled women. There may be more diversity when it comes to internships and entry level jobs, but there needs to be an overhaul of more disabled workers in all facets of publishing and agenting, and especially in the higher roles. Getting disabled professionals to that level will involve figuring out why they’re not in these positions now. Is it because acquisition meetings aren’t accessible? Is it because they need to work remotely? Or maybe the salaries are too low? 

• Disability representation in more genres. Right now, most disability representation is in contemporary MG and YA, though not all are #OwnVoices. While these are obviously great genres, the kids who are reading those stories have few stories to grow into as they get older and become adults, and the lack of disability diversity in other MG/YA sub-genres (and other adult genres like Science Fiction/Fantasy and Historical) does a disservice to all disabled readers. In addition, Lillie would like to see the eradication of sicklit and inspiration porn, as well as characters who are physically disabled and have mental illnesses and multiple disabilities.

• An end to publishers using marketing and/or readership as an excuse to not buy disabled books. 20% of the US population is disabled, so there is definitely a wide readership. In addition, many disabled people read! When it comes to marketing, there’s not much research being done in terms of disabled readers or disabled books, and it’s difficult to have a market without that. But there is a shift happening, albeit slowly. 

About Lillie Lainoff:

Lillie Lainoff received her B.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing and distinction within the major from Yale University. She currently lives in Norwich, and is getting her MA in Creative Writing Prose Fiction from the University of East Anglia.

Her fiction, non-fiction, and poetry has been featured in The LA Review, The Washington Post Outlook, Today’s Parent, via the Disability Visibility Project, Washington City Paper, and The Yale Daily News, amongst other places. She’s received recognition from Glimmer Train and The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and won the 2019 LA Review Literary Award for Short Fiction. She was a featured Rooted in Rights disability activist, and is the founder of Disabled Kidlit Writers (FB).

As an undergraduate, Lillie was a member of Yale’s Varsity Fencing team. As a senior, she was one of the first physically disabled athletes to individually qualify for any NCAA Championship event, and helped her team to an end-of-season 10th place ranking by the National Coaches Poll. She still fences competitively and coaches. In 2017, she was named a recipient of the inaugural Spirit of Sport award by the US Fencing Association.

Website: http://www.lillielainoff.com/

Twitter: @lillielainoff

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

Instagram: @lillielainoff

Lillie Lainoff is represented by Jennifer Wills.

The Importance of Horror in Kidlit with Hannah Kates

By Madison Parrotta

Of the many genres in Kidlit, horror is one that tends to be tiptoed around, especially for middle grade books. Author Hannah Kates, however, shines a light on horror through her writing, and deems horror to not only be entertaining, but important for kids and teens alike. She names herself the “author of strange tales,” even though as a kid, she was easily spooked by everything and couldn’t watch scary movies.

Ironically, this fear got her started with writing horror for kids. As a kid, she one day came home to find that her hamster had had babies and then ate them, which made for a terrifying experience. This later inspired her work as an adult, and this was when she discovered that kids like scary books, even though horror is an underrated genre.

Even so, the common tropes of the horror genre are known to nearly everyone—vampires and werewolves. They’re not just made-up creatures from out of the blue, but they come from fear. Vampires are representative of the fear of consumption, while werewolves invoke a fear of all the changes that come with puberty. What one can glean from all this is that horror can teach lessons, especially to children.

According to Hannah, the most important thing that horror can teach is that fear isn’t necessarily a negative emotion. What is scary for kids and adults alike is usually things that don’t make sense, but when horror characters face their fears and survive, they are the ones who are in charge and have power. When kids see themselves represented in an MG or YA book, they realize they too can survive their own struggles.

In Hannah’s words, “Life can often be frightening, confusing, and bring turmoil without any explanation or reason. Scary stories prove to us that we can make it through. We can be heroes, we can find help, and we can actualize these experiences/the second and third-order consequences they have in our lives.”

About Hannah Kates:

Hannah Kates ran away to join the circus at a very young age. Aside from being an author, she also considers herself a professional adventurer and has chalked up misadventures everywhere from the streets of Mumbai to the ranks of the French Foreign Legion. If she's not skulking around cemeteries, you can find her running for ridiculous distances, having tea with her corgi, Bilbo Handsomepants, or playing honky-tonk piano.

Website: https://authorhannahkates.com/

Twitter: @hannahkates1

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