Earthquake, Chocolate and Book, Oh My

By Susan J Berger

It's the Anniversary of the Northridge quake and I'm out of chocolate. This is a disaster.

I always check my emergency supplies on January 17th. Anyone who remembers the quake knows that terror requires comfort food. Chocolate is the number two staple on my emergency supply list. Right after batteries.

The Northridge Quake occurred in the early hours of Martin Luther King Day. The fact that it began at 4:30 AM on a holiday probably saved countless lives. That was twenty one years ago. My son commented, "The Northridge Quake is now old enough to drink.."
No California resident twenty one or under has any experience of what it feels like to be in a devastating shake. But if you lived in Northridge, Sherman Oaks or Santa Monica in 1994, you probably have a cellular memory of what it felt like. Some moments are like that. 9/11, for example.

Ventura Blvd South of Tyrone Ave. Sherman Oaks. Those stores are still there.

I



Corner of Hazeltine and  Moorpark Sherman Oaks.

Broken Freeway. Not sure where.

 

 

I was a Sherman Oaks Resident. That day is burned into my memory. So much so, that a decade later, I wrote a book for children on earthquakes.

 

Earthquake was aimed at a second grade level. Guardian Angel Publishing published in 2009. It won an Honorable mention in The Green Book Award. It had approval and nice comments from FEMA administrators.

Fired with enthusiasm, I got a list of school districts in California, Washington and Alaska and wrote them all.

I contacted Libraries and my local Fire Department.

No response.

I got a  book trailer.

 

I made a website 

I did a Teacher Activity Page 

My favorite activity is a hands on demonstration of the strength differences between numbers on the Richter Scale.

 

I made a tab for Emergency Supplies and links to other Kid Friendly Earthquake Websites.

I added a tab listing Grant resources for teachers wishing to use the book in their classroom.

I started a Facebook Page Which I update with reasonable regularity.

I took it to the SCBWI Summer Conference twice as part of the PAL book sale.

I don't think anyone really wants a preparedness guide for younger grades sprinkled with humor and factoids.

Occasionally I get a comment. After the 8.8 Earthquake in Chile in February 2010, I received a letter from Julio Vogel

Dear Susan

I´m very interested in your book about hearthquake as you should understand due last events in Chile.

I work at school preparing parents and teachers in several matters of comunications between them and with childrens, and a subject like hearthquakes today is a must.

How can I do in order to reproduce your work into spanish and spread it trough my blog, for me is very important with the huge numbers of childrens that survive an experience of an earthquake of 8.3 degrees, also if you can introduce me to places where i can found subjects about post traumatic stress for children.

For me is useful in english also because I work with several bilingual school and they talk only in english

Hope my english is ok for you 

warm regards.

 

I used Google Translator to make a copy of the book in Spanish. Hilde Garcia and her husband, David Krol proofed it for me. I sent it to Julio. I hope it helped.

 

In six years I  have done two school visits. On February 22nd I will be doing the Encino Elementary Charter School Book Fair.

I am proud of Earthquake. I think the editor/book designer, Lynda Burch did an amazing job of putting together.

I can't say it's a failure. The people who read it, seemed to like it. But there haven't been many readers.

Earthquake is available in paperback and hardback.The Kindle version is skewed. It doesn't get the factoids, pictures and text in proper order. It's better to buy the 5.00 pdf from Guardian Angel Publishing and send it to your reader program, should you be minded to check it out..

(In putting this post together, I notice that I have six reviews on Amazon, and three ratings on Goodreads - One of them from me. If any of you would like to review the book, I will be happy to send you a PDF.)

 

So my question, dear reader is what would you have done differently? How could I do a better job of selling the book?

 

Happy Birthday,  Martin Luther King. Post I have A Dream from January 20, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I sold my novel, Second Chances!

By Susan J Berger
On October 28th, 2009, I wrote my first pen and Ink post, November is Officially Write a Novel Month.

In order to get the information to write it, I had to register for the 2009 NanoWriMo . I had no intention of joining that year's marathon. But my inner voice kept nagging me. You signed up for it. The least you can do is try. So on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 I sat down at my computer with not an idea in my head. On November 30th I finished the first draft of an adult time travel romance, Second Chances.

I couldn't wait to show it off. But, of course it wasn't in any shape to be seen. In April 2010 I showed it to my sister, Kelly, who is my biggest fan and she loved it.

In May, 2010, I bid on a critique of the first forty pages of a manuscript from Kelley Armstrong in Brenda Novak's On-line Auction for Diabetes Research and won it.

Then I got sidelined by unexpected open heart surgery. I finally got the manuscript to Kelley in August. Her critique was both kind and blunt. I had a lot of work to do.

In 2011, two rewrites later, I ran it by a few agents. No response.

At the 2012 Brenda Novak's On-line Auction for Diabetes Research, I bid on a critique from Soul Mate Publishing and didn't win it. But I like the sound of the company.

So I got their submission guidelines and queried them. And I was sure I needed an eBook publisher. There is a logic problem if two women in their sixties time travel back to 1969, and it's published later than 2014

I got a request from Cheryl Yeko asking for a more complete synopsis. I revised the synopsis and sent it to her with hope in my heart. She replied requesting the full manuscript. Needless to say, I was over the moon.

I sent her the manuscript and four days later I get a letter from her detailing revisions to be made before they could offer a contract.

Now I don't have a romance critique group, and I felt odd sending it through Pen and Ink because it's a children's book writers critique group and Lupe's a guy and I was afraid his eyes would bleed. But they said send it. So I did and, chapter by chapter, Kris and Hilde and Lupe helped make the manuscript so much better. I sent it back through one more time for a full read. I also sent it to Nancy Stewart, a fellow GAP writer who returned it with a fabulous line edit.

Last month I sent the heavily revised manuscript to Cheryl. Four days later I got a contract offer. After an email shout of joy to my critique group and family, I printed out and read the contract. I emailed back my questions and Deborah Gilbert, founder and senior editor answered them. I signed the contract.

Soul Mate Publishing  is an eBook publisher that publishes all genres of Romances. I just bought my first book from them, Al Capone at the Blanche Hotel.

The name and the cover intrigued me.  Soul Mate uses Amazon's "Look Inside" feature. I read the first chapter and got hooked.

One of the things I am supposed to do now is write cover flap copy. I know this is one of the most important things I will write. If it isn't good, I won't get read. Debby also invited me to give my ideas on a proper cover. All I can think of is a phone book flying through time and space and that idea's been taken.

HELP!!  (Really. Please help.)

I've got lots to think about before I get my first editorial letter. I have two middle grade books I am revising and a vague flicker of an idea for this year's Nano.

Write on!

NB: The RWA National Convention convenes in Atlanta this week. Soul Mate's editors are accepting pitching appointments at the convention. Soul Mate has been in business less than three years. They will be listed on the RWA publisher list on October, 2014. If any of you also write in this genre, you should check out their website for their individual preferences.

Hot Links for July 9th 2013 - A Fork in the Road

BY KRIS KAHRS

Having just come off a four-day binge-fest also known as the Fourth of July, I couldn't help but notice how many kids books were about food.  It's no surprise that kids love food as much as grownups do.  Here are some of my favorites, memorialized in hot fudge:

1) In The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak. Published 1971.  In this Caldecott winner, Mickey is awoken by a racket in the night.  A rather surreal story with delightful Sendak illustrations.  A narrated version can be found on Youtube.

2) Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.  Published 1960.  From Android app to Audible audiobook to a Chinese language version, there are endless ways that Dr. Seuss serves up this perennial fav.

3) Strega Nonna by Tomie dePaola. Published 1975.  Although a popular misconception thinks that Strega Nonna is a classic Italian folktale, here's a link that explains how the actual character came to be.  An interesting genesis as explained by Tomie dePaola.

4) The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.  Published 1969.  Eric Carle has some terrific coloring pages on his website.  One of them is of a voracious caterpillar and all of the many foods that he eats on his way to transformation.  There's also a newsletter, downloads and some games for your wee reader.

 

5) Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett.  Published 1978.  This 'tale within a tale' book has a Grandfather telling his grandkids about the town of Chewandswallow where food falls from the sky.  This book was later made into a successful film and sequel that bear little resemblance to the original but were popular nevertheless.

What are your favorite kidlit books you read with your little foodie?
Please share your comments below.

HOT & YUMMY LINKS FOR YOUR MONDAY

by Kris Kahrs

Here are some inspired links to set your Monday on the right path to a fun week.  Some of these you can experience now, some are events you can experience today or tomorrow and others are just good to know.

Mo' Mo Willems?
PW's Shelftalker has The Best Mo Willems Book You Haven't Read by Elizabeth Bluemle.

Have you ever heard of "Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator!"?  I hadn't until I had read this post by author Bluemle.  It's adorable and relatively obscure.  Dig it up and read to your favorite four-year-old.

Did You Know?
The Write Deal  Publishing the New Century - A group of professional editors and writers who are on it.  They are the 'fastest growing new generation e-book publisher and retailer'.  The Write Deal publishes e-leafs.  An 'E-leaf is the future of the ebook. E-leafs are very short, short or longer works in any genre, or serialized excerpts from completed or ongoing projects. E-leafs extend an author's reach into the book market in exciting new ways, and delight and energize readers with works that are fresh from their source.' 

Agent -
Ginger Clark

Gretchen McNeil on Ginger Clark - Agent

Over at author, Gretchen McNeil's website, Seanchai, she has a marvelous interview with her literary agent, Ginger Clark.  This informative piece will come in handy because Ginger is one of several agents who will be presenting at the SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles in August this year!  Both of these women have a lot to offer writers so read up.

Today & Tomorrow: Events

The Magic Tree House Live Reading Tour will be in Los Angeles this week on April 16th at 10:00 a.m. at Vroman's Book Store in Pasadena, then at 2:00 p.m. over to Mayfield Junior School.  The following day on April 17th, the Reading Tour will be at The Barnes & Noble Bookstore at 11:00 a.m. on the 3rd Street Promenade.  Take your fan of the Magic Tree House series to these live events.  Get all the details at the Random House website. 

Yeehaw!  That's the weekly roundup, folks.  Enjoy from The Pen and Ink Blog!

Dispatch #5 - Visit to Chronicle Books

by Lupe Fernandez

Last Thursday, The Chronicle Children's Group invited SCBWI San Francisco/South members to wine, cheese and an opportunity to meet the region's local publisher in SF's South of Market district.

For Giants' fans, Chronicle Books is down the street from AT&T Park.

Chronicle Books publishes books on Art & Design, Food & Drink, Life & Style, Literature, Pop Culture and offers Moleskine, Paper Goods, and Personalization materials.

Their Mission Statement:
Inspired by the enduring magic and importance of books, our objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that's instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value. This objective also informs our business relationships and endeavors, be they with customers, authors, vendors, or colleagues.

Ginee Seo
Children's Publishing Director

But of interest this reporter is the Kids & Teens section. Their website breaks books down by age, genre, holidays, multicultural and subject. Chronicle also has a Kids Blog.

According to their website, Chronicle Books was founded in 1967 with the Children's list "...launched in 1988."

But hey, don't take my word for it. Go visit their site now.

And now, on with the party.

SCBWI San Francisco/South Group

Katerine Taylor & Jeanne Yee

Wine & Water

Author Event at Flintridge Books Pen And Ink Was There!

Last Sunday, bookstore owner extraordinaire, Catherine Linka, invited 11 authors to a Mother/Daughter/ Authors Book party at Flintridge Bookstore; the event was co-sponsored by LA Parent Magazine.

C. Linka with S. Berger

 The stellar roll call:

Gayle Brandeis -My Life With The Lincolns

Carolyn Hennesy- Pandora Series 

Carol Hughes - The Princess and the Unicorn

Kathleen O'Dell - Agnes Parker Series

Naomi Hirahara - 1001 Cranes

Randi Barrow - Saving Zasha

Sherri Smith - Flygirl

Amy Goldman Koss – The Girls

Margaret Stohl - Beautiful Creatures

 

Morgan Matson - Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

Cecil Castelucci - Beige

The authors met and spoke with 3rd through 9th grade girls and their mothers. The girls were rotated from table to table so that everyone had a change to speak with all the authors.

Pen & Ink spoke to the authors, asking the questions that only Pen & Ink dares to ask. Stay tuned to this blog as Pen & Ink will feature exciting interviews with the authors.

So RUN! Don't walk to Flintridge Bookstore and buy these books.

Also see Out of the Paintbox for more exciting coverage 

Interview with Publisher Lynda Burch - Guardian Angel Publishing

by Susan Berger

With the development of the iPad, I believe eBooks are going to be more popular than ever. I’d like to introduce you to Lynda Burch who is the owner of Guardian Angel Publishing - a small press which is now listed with SCBWI. Guardian Angel is an eBook publisher which also does POD.

Why did you start Guardian Angel?

Lynda: I saw a need for children's eBooks. When I started writing musical eBooks to be played on the computer, I got wonderful feedback from big publishers and agents but they didn't know what to do with them. So I started Guardian Angel as an eBook publisher and opened to submissions, but within about a year we expanded our lines of books and we started going to print with our books, too.

What are the biggest hurdles you have had to overcome?

Lynda: Our first printer although quite large had huge fulfillment issues taking up to 3 months to fill an order and the quality of the books continually grew worse. So I jumped ship and went with Lightning Source who is a remarkable innovator in the publishing industry and gave our books broader visibility around the globe.

Another big hurdle was people thinking publishers using POD (Print On Demand) printer as a business model meant they were providing services as a self-publisher- which couldn't be farther from the truth.

But that is a whole topic by itself. We are now finally recognized as a small press publisher by SCBW&I and others, as we have been all along. We haven't changed- just their conception of us has changed. And guess what? Much, much larger companies than GAP are beginning to see the benefits of Print on Demand technology.

How do you choose which illustrator to put with an author?

Lynda: Sometimes I envision the art when I first read the story and think which style would suit it and will steer a book to an artist. But usually, I allow the author to choose a style then 2 or 3 artists. And depending on work load I send the story to one of the artists to find out if the artist "sees" the story. If they do and the artist accepts then a match is made and artist agreements are sent out.

What steps do you take once an eBook is published?

Lynda: Actually all books are created in multiple e-formats, 7 or more, and they are loaded to the various sales sites. We add new formats all the time as new eBook formats are demanded- for instance, for Kindle (chapbooks), & iPod and iPad markets. When new formats are required we stop and ready them for loading to sites.

What steps do you take once a POD is published?

Lynda: After processing them through three programs, the 2 print book files (interior and cover) with the metadata are sent to our printer, the proof comes back to me to approve and then the book is released to the various distribution networks. Once the book is off to the printer the sales & info pages are built for the website.

What is the authors’ responsibility in sales and promotion for eBooks?

Lynda: Authors don't generally get too involved in selling eBooks except the eBooks on CD. And in reality when you promote a book it doesn't matter whether it’s in print or an eBook download or on CD or DVD, it is an inter-related promotion.

Which are your best markets? TOSS? Fictionwise? Amazon? etc.

Lynda: TOSS and the Homeschool market has been a good place to sell our books. They are savvy and good eBook buyers too. Our children's fiction and nonfiction books are almost always on the bestseller's list on Fictionwise. EBook markets are growing rapidly. Amazon just announced (July 2010) that they sold more eBooks than print books this year- a sign of the times. I said that was coming for over 5 years.

Our print book distribution network sells at too many places to list and grows larger each year: Amazon, B&N, Border, Books a Million, in Canada, Europe and even show up for sale in

 India. (Most English speaking countries- that's the beauty of the internet- it’s so global.) We've sold books to little islands off the coast of Africa or in the Caribbean, Australia and more. Kind of neat to see where our books find a home.

Where do you get the energy to put in these twelve hour days?

Lynda: Well, believe it or not I am not a very high energy person. And I am definitely not a morning person. I am a slow starter with my day and gather speed as the day and evening progress and usually shut down the computers at 12:30 or so every night and then read for a couple of hours. But I am very good at organizational capabilities in my head. My brain never stops and luckily my fingers and hands follow. When I swim laps I am usually planning my day's activities if I haven't already done so in my sleep.

Where is GAP headed? (I am thinking of the iPad but I bet there are more things out there?)

Lynda: Yes, the iPad is the next step, although ALL of our eBook PDF's can already be read on the iPad right now! The EPUB program just makes them a little snappier with page turns which kids love.

The innovative BeThereBedtimeStories.com is another avenue for our eBooks to sell in. They are soft launching in July 2010- a great way for families to stay connected from a distance by reading and recording themselves reading books by video online to read to kids.

So I guess I'm not sure where we are going except up. Keeping up is the name of the game in this ever-changing marketplace for books. I'm on my toes to grab onto the next wave of new technology for Guardian Angel to embrace.

If you had it to do over again, would you have started GAP.

Lynda: Yes. Yes. Yes. I love what I do. I love the accomplishment of the finished product. My authors and artists and books from around the world have made me proud. They are winning awards and getting noticed.

But best of all our books are making a difference one child at a time. What could be better than that?

Thank you Lynda for your time.

Guardian Angel Submission Guidelines

http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/submissions.htm

Please note: Submissions will be closed between October 1st 2010 and April 1st 2011