Guest Post: How to Feature Your Book in a Video Trailer! by Jo Ann Kairys

I've received a lot of questions about how I made the video trailer for Sunbelievable, so I thought I'd describe the steps I used to create and share it. Video trailers are a great way to promote books 24/7! The steps may appear somewhat linear, but it's more a back-and-forth, fluid process between one step and another. If you have an idea for the "gestalt" of the video, go with your instinct for starters.


1. Write the script. Since trailers are generally less than 2 minutes, there's a lot to pack in. Some of the free video creation software programs (mentioned below) allow only a 60 second video for free, but that may be just the right amount of time for your trailer. Mine is just under 2 minutes. What impression do you want to make that will entice viewers to read your book? It isn't necessary to "tell" the story, per se. A good, crisp script highlights the essential story elements and builds interest quickly. Notice that I used very few words and let the images do the "talking." It helped to read the script to willing listeners who offered constructive feedback. I wanted the first sentence of my script to draw attention in sync with the images and sound. Once the script is drafted, you can always revise it after adding graphics and music.


2. Select graphics and images. I used illustrations from Sunbelievable for the video, since I created them and own the raw files. However, there are free sources for good quality images. Depending on the overall look and feel you want to achieve, search Google or Bing for free photos and artwork. Make certain your selections are copyright- and royalty free. Another source is iStock Photo for a library of high quality, royalty free stock photography and images. Though not a free source, there are pricing options and millions of images. I added digital elements from scrapbooking kits I purchased online. For my video, one source was StudioGraphics.

I have no formal training as an artist, but discovered how to create illustrations in Photoshop. The process involves blending my own (original) photographs with digital elements sold online. Be sure to check the company's policies on “commercial use rights” for digital artwork, as some require a license. I went a step further and obtained written permission from individual artists via signed contractual agreement.



3. Choose music. I was fortunate to have a talented young musician, Jeffrey DiLucca at MrFilmScore, create an original score for my trailer. After I completed Steps #1 and #2, we sat together and looked at the sequence of images. We thought through the musical accompaniment -- style, rhythm, pace -- that would complement the image layout. If you don't have a musician handy, a fantastic source for music is 300Monks where you can find royalty-free music to suit any type of trailer -- from children's books to documentaries. Another source is Creative Commons that allows you to legally use "some rights reserved" music, movies, images and other content -- all free.


4. Create the trailer. Putting it all together is challenging, but if you've worked your way through Steps #1-3, you're ready to make the trailer a reality. I used a sophisticated software program purchased from Photodex ProShow Producer. I'd been doing some promotional videos for different types of companies and found the software well-suited to those particular needs. But, there are free video creation programs that produce very good quality trailers. For MAC users, iMovie is built-in software that's easy to navigate. PC users have access to Windows Movie Maker with many video capabilities. Other free sources are available. Check out these 5 great sites: Animoto, Stupeflix, Muvee Cloud, FlixTime, and Masher. Each has its own unique features and options, including upgrades and music.


5. Share it. YouTube is one of the most popular online communication sites, allowing users to upload and make videos available to the public -- for free. You can post videos to your own "channel," embed them on your blog, and share with others (great PR/marketing!). There are other video upload sites, but since YouTube is owned by Google, you'll get more traffic by posting your video there. Maximize YouTube exposure even more by writing a strong description of the video, tagging it appropriately, and linking to your blog and social media sites!

It took me about 5 hours to create my trailer. The hardest part was squeezing it all into 1:53 minutes. Because I already had the book's illustrations to use, I didn't spend upfront time images or music. However, if you plan on doing one or more videos, it may be worth the effort to explore the website resources mentioned above. Another option is paying someone to make the video for you, if you have the budget.


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Jo Ann Kairys is the co-author and co-illustrator of Sunbelievable—a Mom’s Choice Gold Medal 2012 award winning children’s picture book and 2 First Place Royal Dragonfly 2012 Awards for Illustration.

Website: http://www.storyquestbooks.com

Blog: http://www.storyquestbooks.com/blog

Facebook: http://facebook.com/StoryQuestBooks

Guest Post: How to Foster the Love of Arts in Your Children by John Conlow

It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Our children can see that beauty more readily if we simply open the door of creativity to them! Through the following activities, any child can be shown how art can be used to express themselves. It can be as simple as a forming a ball of clay, or as complicated as mastering the art of printmaking.

1. Visual Art

Visual art is sculpting, painting, printmaking and drawing. However, not everything has to be made with the finest materials. For instance, if your child wants to sculpt, don’t worry about getting clay. Instead, use paper mache, play dough, or even wire. For smaller children, playing with home-made play dough can be a great start. Simply combine 1 cup of flour, ½ cup of salt, 2 tbsp of cream of tartar and 2 tbsp. of oil. Mix until all the ingredients are well-blended. You can also add small amounts of food coloring!

For a simple paper mache project, you will need newspaper strips. You will also need a form. For this, you can use a balloon, cardboard, toilet paper tubes or paper towel rolls. Take your objects and put them into the shape that you desire. You can use masking tape to hold your objects in place. Then, tear lots of strips of newspapers. This is going to be your clay. The paper-mache paste recipe is one part flour to two parts water. Make sure you stir out any lumps. Then, add 2 tablespoons of salt, as this will prevent molding.

Take one strip at a time of your newspaper and dip it into your paste. Lift your paper out and slide it through your fingers to remove the excess paste. Take the strip and place it onto your form. Press gently to make it lie smoothly. Repeat this step, laying strips over your form. You will need to let this dry for approximately twenty-four hours. Once your paper is completely dry, you can begin to decorate. You can also cut your paper-mache ball into two parts if you wish to make masks!



 
2. Performance Art

The performing arts are music, dance and theatre. To open the door to performing arts, make up simple plays. Let your children take their favorite book and act it out. Give each member of the family a role to play. You can add music for interpretive dance. Search the closets for some costumes! You can make sock puppets and use them for plays. Grab a few socks, button, ribbons, and some paint to create creatures from a story. Teach your kids your favorite songs to introduce them to music! Or, consider buying a recorder, whistle or other simple musical instrument.

It doesn’t cost a lot of money to create art with your children. As you can see, lots of the items described can be found in the cupboard, drawer or closet. You don’t have to be Da Vinci to create art and instill the love for it with your children. Just use your imagination.


John Conlow likes to write about parenting and saving money at www.creditreport.org.

Updates from a Whirlwind of a Week!

I hope you all had a happy Friday! After an exhausting day spent in the real world, I promptly collapsed into deep slumber. I did very little posting, but here are some updates for those of you who are interested:

Pending Book Reviews: I will be reviewing several books this weekend that have been submitted over the last month or so. I typically prefer to do them in batches--it just helps me focus on them a bit better. I will email the authors when I have posted to Amazon and Goodreads, as well as provide the dates they will be featured on this blog.

NaPiBoWriWee 2012 Update: This challenge has been one of this week's highlights for me. I am right on schedule and story ideas are a-flowin'! On day 3, I wrote about the joys of a toddler who has the flu, and last night I penned a silly take on the big sister-little sister relationship. Who knows what today will bring? Come back for more updates!

Sketch the Story! Contest: I am grateful to those who took the time to enter my first contest or share the information with someone else. Stay tuned for judging next week!

Author Interviews: Look forward to some great author interviews to run over the next several weeks as part of The Writer's Block series. I am scheduling run dates today and will be notifying authors who have submitted completed interviews. Read some of the more popular posts and take a look back through the archives. You might even recognize a name or two. Maybe you will be featured next?

Thank you so much for your support! I started Raychelle Writes on July 13, 2011. In the time since the inaugural post, my blog has creeped over 13,000 page views and has 67 members! We have conducted over 75 author interviews since January of this year, hosted several guest bloggers, helped promote a few Kickstarter projects, and even reviewed a few children's books. I have many, many ideas for new content, but I would like to hear from you. What do you want to see on Raychelle Writes?


Okay, I have papers to grade (I'm a homeschooler), a guest blog to write, and four articles to crank out (for the "day job") on top of some illustration work and everything listed above. Gotta' run!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

Smart Girls Like You: Sneak Peek!

(Smart Girls: Able to complete tall piles of homework in a single hour!)

(School supplies are a must-have accessory!)

(Surely this sort of thing never happens in a classroom!)

Since I am close to completion, I thought that I would share a few illustrations from the 5th book in my "Like You" series, Smart Girls Like You. This book and its companion, Smart Boys Like You, will be released this summer in time for back-to-school. Enjoy!

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Update! I already have Day #3's manuscript in the can, more or less. I have committed to trying a different theme each day. So far, I have written about a moody baby, a hungry bird, and a sick toddler. Who knows where tomorrow will take me? This challenge has been a great creative departure from my current projects and I am having a ball! Who else is taking the NaPiBoWriWee 2012 challenge?


Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

Book Marketing: Why I Gave Up Trying to Build a Big Social Media Following

This is a fantastic post. I've learned that quality over quantity reigns supreme. If the point of social media use is to network, then it does me no good to play the "Follow Back" game with online personas that have nothing to do with what I am trying to accomplish. Social media is time consuming, so I try to be strategic in my approach to it. I share information, promote projects and people I believe in, and let relationships build organically. I like a tight circle of people who matter as opposed to a big circle of those who don't. Well done, Mr. Miller.

The full post appears on Joanna Penn's "The Creative Penn" at http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/05/02/book-marketing-giving-up-social-media/


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Problems with Building a Social Media Following
First, building a following consumes lots of time.

Social media guru Chris Brogan recommends a minimum of two hours a day. Think of J.R.R. Tolkien, who taught full time and hung out with his family after work, writing books after his children went to bed. Had he spent those two hours blogging and Tweeting, we may have never read The Lord of the Rings.


Second, there’s no proof that building a large following can work for every author.

Granted, it works for some authors, but that’s not the proof we need. Compare social media to the California gold rush. Had I lived in New England in 1849 and read regular newspaper reports of people striking it rich, I’d need better evidence to warrant selling the farm and moving west. I’d want to know, “out of the last thousand people who made the move, what percentage struck it rich?” If eight out of ten, I might move. If one out of 1,000, I’d keep the farm. But that’s precisely the statistical information we lack concerning authors trying to build social media followings.


Third, when I studied low profile authors who sold a lot of books, I found very few taking this approach.
When authors reported on book marketing forums, “Twitter works for me,” I’d ask, “How many books are you selling as a result?” Typically, they sheepishly replied “a few” or clarified that they were defining “success” in terms of how many people they drew to their blogs through Twitter.


Read the full post here: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/05/02/book-marketing-giving-up-social-media/


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NaPiBoWriWee Update!
Yesterday, I wrote my first of 7 picture books for this challenge. Already, I am tired of meaningful, warm and fuzzy stories. Today, I am going for something silly and fun with no lessons--maybe even rude and irrelevant. Time to shake things up! Won't you join me?

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Sketch the Story! Contest

Deadline for entries is Friday, May 4, 2012! Enter my illustrator's contest today! Details here!

Why Are Published Authors So Busy?

In her blog post, "Life As A Published Author", literary agent Rachelle Gardner addresses why signing a publishing contract means more work, more responsibility, more challenges, and added pressure. So much for the limelight, glitz, and glamour--life on the other side requires that you roll up your sleeves and really get down to business. But, I bet that the rewards are worth the sacrifice! Read on and then decide for yourself.

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Life As A Published Author

This week I’m answering questions from readers, and today I’m responding to Megan, who was curious about why published authors always talk about being so busy. What’s taking up so much of their time? Megan’s trying to decide if she’s really ready to take on everything publication would entail, since her life is pretty full already.

I think Megan’s smart to consider this. Sometimes the dream of finally being a “published author” is different from the reality. So here are a few hints.

Life is going to get harder, not easier. There will be so much to do that you never really thought about. The minute that publishing deal is done, you might begin receiving requests from the publisher. Do you have a video we can show our sales reps? Can you send us your thoughts on cover design? Do you have any other ideas for your book title? And that’s just the beginning.

You’ll be busier than you can imagine. If you’re contracted for multiple books, consider that 18 months from now, you may be simultaneously trying to promote book #1, edit book #2, and write book #3. All on top of your current job and family responsibilities.

The writing itself can be more challenging. This may be the first time you’ve written under contract and under deadline, especially in book-length works. If you’ve always written on your own schedule, with no one to please but yourself, it could be a rude awakening.

The necessity for marketing can be daunting. You already know you’ll need to be doing everything you can to engage your tribe, using social networking and anything else at your disposal. Around the time of a book release, the time commitment can be overwhelming.

Did you get an advance? Staring at a blank screen is a totally different thing when people have already paid you money for words you haven’t written yet.

Are you ready for the pressure? Are you ready for the demands on your time and energy? What are you doing to prepare yourself for your dream coming true?

What does the “dream”of being a published author look like for you?

Read the original post here: http://www.rachellegardner.com/2012/05/life-as-a-published-author/
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Don't forget! National Picture Book Writing Week (NaPiBoWriWee 2012) starts today. The challenge is to write 7 picture books in 7 days! I'm in! Are you?

Sketch the Story! Contest deadline for entry is Friday, May 4, 2012. Details here!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

The Writer's Block Interviews: Roseanne Kurstedt

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work. How did you become an author?

I live in a New Jersey suburb with my two boys, husband, and dog Dorothy. I love to play tennis but really only play in the summer. I also enjoy skiing and photography. I grew up in New York and went to college at Tufts University in Massachusetts. I’ve had quite a few jobs. I’ve been a waitress, hostess, bartender, and encyclopedia sales person (yes, you read that correctly). My more professional jobs have been in advertising and schools. I was a print media specialist at Young and Rubicam and I taught 4-6th grade in NYC. I’ve lived in Hong Kong and while there, helped start Hong Kong Academy Primary School, where I was the Director of Curriculum. I have a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and I am currently an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University. Throughout all that learning and traveling, I always wrote. I’ve actually been writing since I was a child. My college essays were excerpts from my journal and one of the first presents my husband gave me, which was also one of the best, was a beautiful leather bound writing notebook.


2) Do you gravitate toward specific genres in your writing? Who is your ideal reader?

I guess I gravitate to personal narrative or memoir as all my books stem from real life experiences, like a childhood memory or just something that happened in the course of life with my family. Since I write picture books, my audience is both adults and children. I want the adults to delight in the story as much as the children. After all, it’s the adults who are reading and re-reading the books the children choose. I think my ideal reader is someone who appreciates words and language, celebrates childhood and the joys of being a kid, but also values simple, quiet stories of family.


3) Tell us about Teaching Writing with Picture Books as Models (Scholastic, 2000). What will readers learn from it?

Teaching Writing with Picture Books as Models was one of the first professional books for teachers solely dedicated to discussing using picture books as a way to support students’ writing development. Picture books are so accessible to students since they parallel what students own writing looks like. Therefore it’s natural to use picture books to demonstrate various craft strategies, voice, and story elements. The book is very user friendly and illustrates how teachers might introduce picture books into their own writing curriculum to support student growth and an appreciation for language and the written word.


4) Who or what inspired your newest book, And I Thought About You?

And I Thought About You was inspired by a bedtime routine my son and I created while we lived in Hong Kong. Every night, after reading books together, we would talk about what we had done that day. After sharing what we did, we’d say “and I thought about you.” Even though the events of our day would typically change the one constant was that we were in each other’s thoughts throughout the day.


5) Describe your road(s) to publication. Was the approach for your new book much different than that of your current work?

The road to publication has been a long one. I initially sent the manuscript to some traditional publishers – and while there was significant interest – one publisher even had me do some re-writes – but in the end they passed. Another publisher loved it and held onto it for over a year and then passed as well. I really didn’t want to self publish so I just put it away. Then one afternoon while sitting in my neighbor Lisa’s backyard, she shared with me her passion for art. I told her about my passion for writing children’s books and she agreed to illustrate And I Thought About You.

After three years, a new baby, and many changes on the job front, Lisa completed the illustrations. The publishing market had changed quite a bit with smaller hybrid publishing companies popping up. So we decided to do some research and that’s how we found Mascot Books. They are similar to a traditional publisher (it’s not print on demand) but we own the books that are printed. Mascot Books provides editorial and design services, as well as some marketing. It’s really been great to work with them.

This process was drastically different than the road to publishing Teaching Writing with Picture Books as Models. For that book, I had a meeting with some editors at Scholastic and presented the idea. They loved it and gave us a contract (I co-authored the book with my colleague Maria Koutras). Then, we wrote the book. Working with Scholastic was also a great experience. I still keep in touch with my editor and we even work on some projects together.


6) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

We’ve been promoting our book by attending Book Festivals, sending press releases to various local papers, scheduling book signings and school visits, and sending review copies to various magazines, blogs, and organizations. Our publisher also does some promoting through their channels as well. Since the book has just come out – not sure which has worked best.


7) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

My favorite children’s book authors are Libba Moore Gray, Patricia Polacco, Patricia MacLachlan, and Peter Reynolds. On my reading list is the Hunger Games and The Distant Hours by Kate Morton. One of my favorite books is Kate Morton’s Forgotten Garden.


8) When you are not writing, how do you spend your time? Describe a typical day in your life.

When I’m not writing I’m doing work for my local school board, spending time with my children and husband or playing with my dog. I don’t really have a typical day since I wear so many different hats. Sometimes I have meetings at 8:00 am and other times I stay in my sweatpants all day writing, marketing, reading, or catching up on my favorite TV shows. When I’m teaching a class at Fordham University in New York City, I go into the city at least once a week. I grade assignments and plan for subsequent classes during the semesters I teach. I also do project work for Educational Publishing companies so when I’m working on a project, I’m often doing research or writing. I try to go to the gym 3 times a week and in the summer I play a lot of tennis.


9) What projects do you have in the works?

I have a few manuscripts I’m working on. One I’m hoping will be a series is centered on a curiously inquisitive boy who seems to get himself into precarious situations.


10) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Find time to write. Find time to talk with other writers. Participate in writing and reading groups. Don’t give up. Live life to the fullest – I find that’s when I’m most inspired.


 Author Bio

I am a former teacher and currently an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University. I've written a professional book for teachers titled Teaching Writing With Picture Books as Models (Scholastic, 2000), as well as write professional development guides that support teachers growth and learning. I helped start Hong Kong Academy, an international school in Hong Kong, and I am the founder of Writers Experience, a summer writing workshop for children ages 7-11. Additionally, I am a School Board Member for my local school district.

Website: rlkurstedt.com

Twitter: @AndIThoughtAbU

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AndIThoughtAboutYou

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Book Review: And I Thought About You 

Roseanne Kurstedt took a daily ritual with her son and turned it into the delightful children's story, And I Thought About You. I have been a working mom, a homeschooling mom, a student/mom, and a work-from-home mom. I have always cherished the time that my daughter and I spend "catching up" even when I have been working only 1 room away from her. Rosanne's story resonates with me--loudly. It matters not whether a mom works outside the home or is a stay-at-home mom. Her job as a mother never ends. There are no days off, sick time, financial compensation, etc. Mothers have a never-ending connection with their children, so it is not unusual that they think of their children often.

Throughout the story, the author juxtaposes the working mother's daily activities against what she believes her son is doing. At the end of the day, they recap. And I Thought About You is a story of unconditional love and it teaches us how every mother is capable of giving it. It is well-illustrated capturing the essence of the story well.

And I Thought About You is a great read that working moms and children should share and emulate.

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NaPiBoWriWee 2012: 7 Picture Books in 7 Days! I'm In! Are You?

National Picture Book Writing Week was founded by author Paula Yoo. Starting on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, new and veteran children's picture book authors will accept the challenge to write one picture book per day for 7 days. I am thrilled to be participating in my first NaPiBoWriWee and I invite you to join the fun! You can get all of the details on Paula Yoo's website.

So, forget about editing spelling mistakes, poor grammar, and lousy mechanics. Throw caution to the wind and let your imagination fly! Write the stories you always wanted to read as a child. It's NaPiBoWriWee! Are you in? Game on!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

Illustrator's Contest: Sketch the Story!

Welcome to my very first contest! As a budding author/illustrator, I am always fascinated by the creative process that turns a manuscript into a picture book. For my "Like You" series (still in-progress), I created these logos and then assigned each character a title in the series:

Smart Girl, Rich Girl, Little Girl, Best Friend, Fit Girl

Rich Boy, Smart Boy, Little Boy, Best Friend, Fit Boy

I followed that up with some character development, wrote the manuscripts, and let the pictures tell the stories. These books are more educational and instructional, so a lot of my visual translations are quite literal. Other stories that I have written/am working on lean toward more imaginative and creative interpretations. While I am having some fun with this, I thought that I would give my fellow illustrators an opportunity to share their talent and possibly showcase their work.


The contest rules are simple. In your head, answer the following questions:

1) Who is this little girl?

2) Where is she running to or who is she running from? What is the story here?

Then, on paper or your computer or your iPad, create your own rendition of this character in an action scene that answers these questions. Feel free to change the facial expression, dress colors, jewelry, shoes, and hair accessories. You may add hats and props, background scenery, and other characters, if you like.

Email your submission as a jpeg file with a 3-line blurb summarizing your creation. Also include a short bio, link to your portfolio, and a head shot. If you are on Facebook, send me a  friend request, so that I can tag you on your entry photo. All entries will be posted on my Facebook page. Voting will begin on Monday, May 7th and end on Friday, May 11, 2012. 


DEADLINE for SUBMISSIONS: 
Friday, May 4, 2012

Prizes: The three entries with the highest numbers of votes ("Likes") will be featured on my blog and Facebook page.

First Place: Full 10-question artist interview, 7-illustration portfolio, bio, contact information including links your to social media sites.

Runner-Up: Abbreviated 7-question artist interview, 5-illustration portfolio, contact information including links your to social media sites.
 
Honorable Mention: Abbreviated 5-question artist interview, 3-illustration portfolio, contact information including links your to social media sites.


I am looking for imaginative and whimsical artwork. Have fun with this challenge! Feel free to pose questions in the comments below.



Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

The Writer's Block Interviews: Lois Lowry

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

I have two homes, one n Massachusetts and one in Maine, where I spend summers. In both places I have a room where I work. I think its important for a writer to have a private and individual space.


2) At what point did you know that writing was what you were meant to do?

I knew form the time I was eight or nine that I wanted to be a writer.


3) Describe your body of work. Do you gravitate toward specific genres in your writing?

I have written 40 books for young people and they have varied in genre from fantasy to humor to realism to historical. I like doing different kind of things.


4) My daughter is a huge fan of your Anastasia Krupnik series and the Sam Krupnik series. Who or what inspired you to write it?

I had four children and I have four grandchildren as well. So I have had plenty of kids to observe and to know. But in addition to that I think Anastasia and Sam also reflect my own young self and my little brother.


5) Please share your most recent projects.

I have just completed a novel called SON, which is #4 following THE GIVER, turning the trilogy into a quartet. SON will be published in the fall of 2012.


6) As an established and successful author, do you promote your work differently now than you did in your earlier days? What methods have worked best for you?

I don't think much about promotion. I have had the same publisher for thirty five years and they take care of promotion. I'm happy to make public appearances and to do signings, but it is the publisher who sets those things up.


7) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

I like Ian MacEwan and I am also a fan of many of the Scandinavian mystery writers, Jo Nesbo for one. I have just finished reading (and liking) a book called THE SNOW CHILD.


8) Should books ever be censored? Why or why not? Please weigh-in on this ongoing debate.

No. Freedom of speech (and of writing) is one of the basic freedoms of our country and our constitution. Censorship has always been part of totalitarian regimes, It is to be feared.


9) When you are not writing, how do you spend your time?

I read, go to movies, travel, spend time with grandchildren.


10) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

They should spend less time talking about writing and more time sitting alone in a room and doing it.


Author Bio

Born in Honolulu, writer Lois Lowry spent her early childhood in Pennsylvania, teenage years in Tokyo and New York, and was educated at Brown University and the University of Southern Maine. Mother of four and grandmother of four, she now divides her time between Cambridge, Massachusetts and an 18th century farm in Maine. She has received the National Jewish Book Award, the Boston Globe Horn Book Award, the Mark Twain Award, two Newbery Medals, the Golden Kite Award, and the Margaret Edwards Award, given by the American Library Association for Lifetime Achievement. She has twice been the United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal.

Website: http://www.loislowry.com

The Writer's Block Interviews: Derrick Barnes

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

I am a 1) husband, 2) father, 3) and a pretty decent children's book author. I work and live smack dead in the middle of the country in Kansas City, MO. I have a BA in Marketing from the greatest historically Black college/university in the country; Jackson State University. I became the first Black man, in the history of Hallmark Cards, in 1999, to be hired as a copywriter. I have currently 8 published children's literature titles in print.

2) How did you become an author? What do you want your legacy to be?

While working at Hallmark, in 2002, I landed a literary agent by the name of Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency; there was an illustrator at Hallmark who was represented by Regina. He gave me her information, I sent her a collection of short stories I was working on at the time, and we agreed on a contract some weeks afterwards. Maybe a month or two after that she landed my first two books deals with an African American imprint created by Scholastic (Just For You). Stop, Drop, and Chill and the Low Down Bad Day Blues were released in the spring of 2004.

I take my responsibility as an artist extremely serious. I want my body of work to exist long after I'm gone as a catalog of children's literature that inspired children of all races, nationalities, and walks of life.

3) Describe your body of work. Do you gravitate toward specific genres in your writing?

Before I began a new project, I always scour the landscape and take note of the characters, voices, and stories that are not being represented or told. I always try to create beautiful, realistic, perfectly flawed characters of color. I write for all age ranges but seem to gravitate more towards middle school readers more often.

4) My daughter is a huge fan of your Ruby and the Booker Boys series.  (She has me reading them now!) Who or what inspired these stories? How does your latest release, We Could Be Brothers, compare to the Ruby series and other books that you have written?

Bless you and your amazingly brilliant daughter. She has great literary taste. The series was initially named The Booker Boys. It starred the three Booker boys, narrated by Tyner Booker and they grew up in a single parent household. After shopping it to numerous publishing houses and being turned down, I put the series to the side for a couple of years. Even after adding a dad and a precocious little sister named Ruby, we still couldn't get it sold. My wife suggested that I pull the series back out, but this time make the little sister the main character. I did. and the rest is history. After rewriting the manuscripts and offering it to Scholastic, we ending up signing a four book deal with them.

We Could Be Brothers was my first hardcover release and my first attempt at middle grade literature. WCBB is essentially a three day conversation between two African-American boys ages, 12 and 13, that come from two different socioeconomic backgrounds and family structures.One comes from a single parent household, and has a ton of responsibility . The other comes form an upper middle class family, and his father is a daily, active, positive influence on his life. After having a conversation with my eldest son about how most of his friends don't live with both of their parents, more specifically without their fathers, I became very interested in how those daily conversations are conducted. How does having a dad and not having one dictate those conversations, how they see each other, and the world around them. The title came from a conversation the two main characters had about the dreaded "N" word. Pacino Clapton asks Robeson Battlefield, "If I can't call you my #igga, then what will I call you when I see you in the hallway?" Robeson responds, "Brother. We Could Be Brothers."

5) What kinds of challenges (if any) in the publishing industry do you face as a person of color writing about people of color?

There are a multitude of things that frustrate me from different entities in this industry. But I guess if you polled most authors, their complaints and beefs would be about the same: not enough support from the publisher, not enough support from particular media outlets, not enough retail/trade support from a particular demographic. But the truth is, as in any other industry, no one knows your audience better than you do. You have to go after the readers. Its really not the publisher's, or radio and television personality's job, per se, to push your books. It's all up to you. I try not to complain, just keep writing, keep working hard and reaching out to as many people as possible. I'm an eternal optimist. I wake up every morning and believe something good is going to happen. Every single day. That's God.

6) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

Max out Facebook, Twitter, YouTube. Reach out to blogs and websites that are frequented by my target audiences. I pinpoint school districts, randomly, and email a form email I created, aimed at reading teachers, and media specialists/librarians, and principals.

7) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

Langston Hughes is huge. Walter Dean Myers is the truth. R. L. Stine. Malcolm Gladwell. Toni Morrison. And surprisingly, Chuck Palahniuk. I read a ton of autobiographical books. Checking out Amiri Baraka now.


8) Please tell us about your blog, “My Four Sons”, on MyBrownBaby.com. How does your family inspire you?

My wife and sons are everything to me. They inspire every single action that I take. They motivate me to be a better father and husband. I want them to look up to me, to be proud of me. I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be a part of the lives of these five amazing human beings.

MyBrownBaby gave me an opportunity to write about the day in/day out adventures of being the dad of the Mighty-Mighty-Mighty-MIGHTY Barnes brothers. They are so different and provide me with a multitude of challenges; having to approach these cats from different angles as it relates to education, discipline, motivation, conversation---it's a true blessing. I love it!


9) When you are not writing, how do you spend your time?

Most of my time is centered around my four sons and their activities and academics. When I'm not with the fellas, I'm with my queen, or working out at the gym. When I can squeeze in the time, I read. I'm also a huge jazz and classic hip-hop music fan.


10) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Continue to develop your voice and writing style. Read as many authors with styles that you admire and that are similar to your own. Don't be in such a rush to get published. Landing an agent and a deal with a big publishing house may not be the route for you. Self publishing and pinpointing your own audience may be more fruitful for your project. Develop a business side; marketer, advertiser, promoter, budget analyst.

Contact the Author

Website:
http://www.derrickbarnes.com

Facebook links:
http://www.derrickbarnes.com/RUBY_and_the_BOOKER_BOYS.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Could-Be-Brothers-A-Novel-/122557777796540

Twitter:
@hersheybrown818

My Four Sons:
http://mybrownbaby.com/category/derrickbarnes/

Guest Blogging, Good News, Derrick Barnes, and Lois Lowry

Guest Blogging

For the month of April, I have been participating in Robert Lee Brewer's "April Platform Challenge" posted on his blog My Name Is Not Bob. Sunday's challenge (Day 22) was to pitch a guest blog post to another author. Robert provides some fantastic blogs for writers to consider that should also become part of every writer's resource library. I am making my pitch to a few of these blogs, but I would like to invite you to become a guest blogger on mine. Find the details HERE.

Even though there is only a week left in the challenge, there is still time to complete many of these tasks. Today's assignment is to participate in a Twitter chat tonight. It starts at 8pm Eastern time, but if you can't make it, just use the hash tag #MNINB to follow the stream.


Good News!

Last week, I interviewed a very talented artist named Tamara Ramsay about her Kyooms project. Kyooms is a collection of positive artwork and postcards for children. Tamara used Kickstarter in an effort to finance her project. As of Monday, April 23rd, she reached her goal! Thanks to everyone who shared her post, left a comment, or made a donation. Congratulations, Tamara!

Derrick Barnes

On Wednesday, The Writer's Block will feature YA author of the Ruby and the Booker Boys series (one of my daughter's favorites~who also happens to think that this interview is quite a coup!) Derrick Barnes. He will talk about the importance of family, his road to publication, and his latest release, We Could Be Brothers. Be sure to tune in tomorrow!

Lois Lowry

On Thursday, The Writer's Block will be chatting with author Lois Lowry author of The Anastasia Series (again, one of Halima's favorites), The Gooney Bird Books, and her latest novel, SON. She is very accomplished as a writer and offers this advice to new authors: "They should spend less time talking about writing and more time sitting alone in a room and doing it." Gotta' love that. Tune in Thursday for more!

In case you missed it!

Here is yesterday's blog post, "3 Lessons from A Young Author".

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

3 Lessons from A Young Author

I am a firm believer that big readers make great writers. The sooner that children get started on both of these disciplines, the better. As a new mom, I would read to my daughter, Halima, every chance I got. When she was three, we made our first trip to the library and now it is one of our favorite hangouts. I have watched her morph into a reading machine--she reads everything that interests her. As a result, her writing has become more layered and her use of vocabulary in her storytelling has matured quickly. She is finding her voice. I detect subtle and not-so-subtle influences from her favorite YA authors (Meg Cabot, Derrick Barnes, Lois Lowry, Whoopi Goldberg, Jim Benton, Jeff Kinney, Francesco Sedita, and Rachel Renee Russell) in her work. Halima also draws inspiration from family, friends, and life experience to create memorable characters.

For the last two years, my (now) 12 year-old  has successfully completed the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge. Otherwise known as "30 days of literary abandon", writers from all walks of life turn off their internal editors and commit to penning a novel during the month of November. For those of you who are not aware of NaNoWriMo, they offer both an adult challenge and a Young Writer's Program which is open to everyone. Young writers set their own minimum word count and then calculate the average number of words that must be written everyday to stay on track. Halima did a general outline for her book, but just let the story develop as her imagination ran wild. (So far, I have managed to write a couple of "interesting" short stories, but my NaNoWriMo claim to fame thus far has been editing Halima's upcoming release, The Adventures of Riley.) Being her teacher and her mom, the thing that impressed me the most about Halima has been her commitment and determination to finish the challenge. She wrote almost everyday in November. When "it just wasn't flowing", my budding author would take a break from her writing to re-group. Often after a day or two, she would jump right back in making up for lost time.

As we finalize Riley, we are also looking forward to completing a picture book collaboration. Halima has entered a few writing contests this school year and scribbles in her journal "just for fun". I am taking some cues from Halima in my approach to writing. Maybe you will, too?

 Lesson #1: Read. Read what you like. Read a lot of it. Read for education, vocation, and pure enjoyment. Whatever, the reason, read. It will make you a better writer. 

Lesson #2: Write. Write down your thoughts. Write when you are inspired. Write when you must. Write when you don't have to. Find a reason to keep your pen to the paper. Keep a journal, start a blog, or even write articles, short stories, or poems. Write for work or academic purposes. Turn off your internal editor and let the words flow. Just keep writing. The more you write, the better you will get.

Lesson #3: Be Doggedly Determined. Make a commitment to finish what you start. Set goals. Meet your own deadlines. Allow yourself time and space to re-group when your muse doesn't show up, or life shows up in its place. If you believe in a project, see it through to the end --no matter what.

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...