WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Don't ya' just love initials. Everyone uses them from texters (LOL), to educators (ESOL), to police (APB)...is there anyone who doesn't use them when they're in a hurry (ASAP).

Here's mine: SCBWI -- PAL level of membership. How cool is that!

Oh, some of you may not know what that means:

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Publish and Listed. My membership has been upgraded since I am now offially published.

Of course, it took eight years of studying the craft, writing and writing and writing, and submitting to anyone and everyone who would take an unsolicited manuscript.

Was it worth the time, money, and sweat. You bet!!!

Does that guarentee me an easier time to get my next novel, picture book, or magazine article published. Nope!!

I still have to struggle, to write, to submit...

But, I love every minute of it...no matter what I say in my blah, blah, blog.

WOW!! I received the advanced July/August copy of LADYBUG, a children's magazine. My story, A Feather is a Letter from a Bird, is printed in it. How cool is that!! I'm so excited. I can now call myself a "published author" of children's stories.

In addition, I received confirmation from Tate Publishing that they like my novel, Only Losers Cry. They haven't offered me a deal yet, but it's nice to finally -- after eight years of studying, writing tons of stories and submitting -- that someone actually likes my stuff.

To me writing is such a lonely job. It's scary to put thoughts on paper and ask someone to read (aka evaluate) them.

Even though I like what I write, I wonder...

Does it sound right?
Will they think it's stupid?
Will they offer me a contract?
Why don't they respond? I can handle rejection, after all I raised teenagers.

When can I breathe?

ONE STEP AT A TIME

I NEVER thought I'd consider self-publishing -- NEVER!

But after much soul searching, reading the pros and cons of it, and hearing from a friend that recently attended an SCBWI conference where she was told it may be the way to go...I contacted my first self-publishing company.

Why would I take this expensive step? Good question!

For years I've tried to get noticed by traditional publishing companies. I've attended workshops, entered contests, and sent my manuscripts to anyone and everyone who would accept them. Sometimes I get rejections -- par for the course. I have even received a contract from a leading children's magazine. Yea!!! But, most companies do not respond at all. So, there my manuscripts sit-- in someone's slush pile for heaven knows how long. While it's there I lose precious time waiting and waiting and waiting.

The bottom line for me, when it comes to self-publishing, is investing in myself and my manuscript. Do I have the confidence that it is good enough. That's the rub.

Writing is a lone, solo profession. Even though I belong to two critique groups, it is still up to me to make this very important decision. It's scary -- really, really scary.

I sent my manuscript into the company Friday and heard from the acquisition rep that the readers LOVED the first three chapters. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but will they love the entire book. We will see.

I don't have to make any decisions today. So, I am taking it one step at a time.

Step 1: Contact the company
Step 2: Send the manuscript
Step 3: ??????

Wish me luck. I have given this decision to a higher power...my God...with his guidance I will know what to do when Step 3 makes itself known.

IN THE ZONE

Don't you just love it when you are "in the zone!"

I have been focused, focused, focused on getting my novel, ONLY LOSERS CRY, out to publishers.

It's done! It's been critiqued to death! I've even had it professionally editted. Now I am reading it again, making the last few edits and am ready to chase down publishers and agents. I'm even considering self-publishing -- something I would never would have considered a couple of years ago.

At my last critique group meeting one of our members, fresh from an SCBWI conference, said that agents as saying this is a good way to go -- but make sure your manuscript is letter perfect.

Having read my brother's self-published book, I can see why. He has so many little errors like forgetting a word, or a quotation mark...things that distinguish it from a polished published novel.

That is what I'm trying to avoid.  So, I am going to have it read one more time by a middle school English teacher. If she gives me the go ahead...I'm going....

Oh how I love it when I'm in the zone!!!!

I just watched the following thoughts by Maurice Sendak, one of my favorite children's authors. Check it out:

http://www.break.com/index/maurice-sendaks-thoughts-on-death.html

He is a wise man with good advise. One I really liked was: Don't take yourself seriously.

I follow that bit, but I do take my writing seriously. With my novels finished I have decided to try some new things:

1. Picture books -- I mean, the dreaded picture book. Why, I don't know. They are difficult to write and, according to a friend who attended a recent SCBWI conference, are not selling unless you are someone of the quality of Sendak.

I feel it is good practice -- pushing my creativity and use of words.

2. My friend gave me a book containing the latest magazines for children. Since I've sold one manuscript in this venue, I thought I'd keep trying. 

BTW: Finished my brother's book -- SIGNS -- check it out on Amazon -- it's by Dean Smith.

Well, well, well, looks like somebody forgot about blogging. I re-read my last one of May 17 -- a bit too long to go without writing something. I found it a bit negative. Must have been one of those bad days.

I have to tell you that my brother's book arrive, personally signed. How cool is that. I'm halfway through it and love it. There are a few errors -- which I think is the bane of self-publishing. But the story is good, character development good...and funny parts that make me laugh out loud!!

Now, should I tell him? Should I write a positive comment on Amazon? After all, he's my brother and I should keep up the sibling rivalry...or do I give in and be nice? That is a no brainer. I love my brother and am so proud of him!!! I'm older than he is and took care of him when he was little -- I will do the same now even though he is a foot taller than me.

As for my novel, ONLY LOSERS CRY, I may self-publish it. I have been down on self-publishing in the past, but the more I read about it and the more accepted it has become, it's an option. I have manuscripts that have been out for a year. It takes forever to get an editor's attention.

Of course, I won't publish it if it's crap. I'm having my daughter (an ex-middle school English teacher and now high school guidance counselor) read it. She promised me to be honest.

One thing I've found that helps me with my own writing is to help others. I'm helping a friend edit her short story. I not only enjoy reading what others are trying to publish, I find it enlightening to hear other voices.

Hopefully I will blog with more frequency...for me it is like journaling without the writer's cramp in my hand.