SlushPile Warrior - Erin Liles

Today, I am bringing back an old feature on my blog called SlushPile Warriors. SlushPile Warriors focuses on the trials and tribulations of pursuing publication, and what is learned along the way.

I am delighted to be hosting SlushPile Warrior, Erin Liles, who will be telling us about her own travels on the road to publication.

Erin, please tell us a little a little about yourself:

I grew up in California but moved to Texas when I was in my twenties. After college I went to work for a literacy program where I got to share my love for reading with kids and their parents for almost 10 years. But when my husband decided to go back to work after staying home with our two children for 4 years, I got to do what I always wanted to do, stay home with my kiddos and write!


How many submissions do you have out there now?

About 10


How do you research where to send your manuscripts?

I read Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market, but I also do a lot of internet research. I try to stay very connected to other children’s writers through message boards and writer’s groups. Whenever I hear of a publisher, I go to their website and look at their catalogs. If any seem to be similar topics or styles to one of my manuscripts, I will look up the book on Amazon.com and use the preview option to get a better feel for the book.

But nothing beats reading books! No picture book passes through my hands without my checking who published it. My kids are so used to this, that if I have forgotten to look, they will say, “Who published this book mommy?”


What was your biggest submission goof?  What did you learn from it?

My biggest goof was that I started submitting before I was truly ready. I tend to be pretty impatient this way. But I have since learned to let a manuscript “sit” for at least a month (usually longer), and have it go through at least three critiques before I’m allowed to even think it’s ready.


Why do you want to be a writer?

I have always loved to write. I remember being around six years old and painstakingly pecking out a story on my parent’s old typewriter. To this day, my parents love to share the stories I wrote as a kid. I was one of those super shy, but imaginative kids, who always had her head buried in a book, so writing stories just seemed like a natural extension to reading.


What is your favorite style of writing? Why?


Although I blog and occasionally write articles, I love writing picture books. I love the challenge of telling a clear and concise story in 700 words or less. I guess it is the style that just feels the most “right” for me.


What is the most frustrating thing about being a writer?

Rejections! Aside from those, the most frustrating thing is trying to get a story so clear that it cannot be misunderstood in any way. I am often surprised when a story of mine goes through a critique and someone totally misunderstood, or saw something in it differently from what I intended.


What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

Acceptances! Aside from those, finishing a story and having the feeling that what you wrote is good.


What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing?

That while writing is a solitary activity, you really can’t do it alone. You need as much feedback as possible on your work. You also need emotional and technical support from other writers.


Have you been published? If so where?

Yes. I’ve had two stories published at Stories for Children Magazine and a third to be published in June. I have also had a story published at Bumples. And I’ve had a number of parenting articles published in Austin Family Magazine and Mothering online.


How can people find out more about you?

I blog (about whatever I happen to be thinking about at the time) at: http://eliles-coloringoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/


Is there anything else that you would like to share?

I have come to learn that nothing in writing comes quickly or easily. We have to work at it, love it as an art form, and be prepared to wait endlessly for publication. Don’t give up!



Thanks for stopping by Erin and for giving us a chance to get to know you.  Congratulations on your publishing successes!  I'm sure many more will follow.


If any other SlushPile Warriors are interested in being featured, please email me HERE and I’ll send you some interview questions.

Slush Pile Warrior - Gayle C. Krause

In this latest edition of Slush Pile Warrior, I'm pleased to present Gayle C. Krause. Slush Pile Warrior is a recurring feature which focuses on the trials and tribulations of pursuing publication.

Gayle is the author of Rock Star Santa. I've read it and it is a very enjoyable Christmas book. It's like a modern day Night Before Christmas and I think it would make a great addition under the Xmas tree this year. Without further adeiu, here's Gayle.


Please tell us a little a little about yourself

A Scrantonian at birth, I grew up on the West Side of Scranton, Pennsylvania in a section called Tripps Park. I was a super energetic, creative young girl, always gathering the neighborhood children in organized activities of one kind or another, which involved singing, acting or creative play. This natural leadership and creative energy led to a career as a teacher at a Career and Technical Center in upstate New York, where I guided young men and women in finding the key to successful Early Childhood and Elementary teaching careers. I served as Team Leader for the Education Department, Director of the Pre-K Laboratory School, and an instructor in the Early Childhood Education department of a local college.

As a Master Educationalist I’ve taught children’s literature, creative writing, storytelling techniques, and acting. My years as a creative role model for teens and pre-school children has led me to my new career as a children’s author. My current picture book, ROCK STAR SANTA, is available during the holiday season from the See-Saw (Pre-K -1st grade) and Lucky (2nd-3rd grade)Scholastic Book Clubs.


How many submissions do you have out there now?

This changes every week. I currently have an environmental rhyming picture book out at several publishers. I’m working on perfecting my query and polishing my Tween/YA novel as I am hoping obtain an agent in the near future. So my focus these days to sub to agents, though I am also working on two science related picture books.


How do you research where to send your manuscripts?

Verla Kay’s Blue board, CWIM, Publisher’s Marketplace, and Children’s Writer.


What was your biggest submission goof? What did you learn from it?

I’d say when I first started to write seriously I submitted the second book of a trilogy for publication consideration, hoping it would stand on its own because I felt it was better written than the first book. (obviously, it was my second manuscript) This was my first mistake. Live and learn!

I received a two page kind rejection with encouragement to revise, but not as I expected. The editor’s quote: “You have a 5-6 book series disguised as a single story. When you have revised it you may send it back.”

Her comment both encouraged and overwhelmed me. To this day I have not tried to break the story into 5 books, but it still lingers in the back of my mind. Someday I will.

What I took from that first editor’s comments was that I have a gift for storytelling.

Why do you want to be a writer?

To incorporate my creativity into tangible words so children and young adults may find new concepts to learn in a pleasurable medium. And so children can enjoy reading and exploring new worlds as much as I do.


What is your favorite style of writing? Why?

That is a close call. I enjoy integrating history in fiction. I have written three YA historical novels and one is currently brewing in my head.

Besides the high fantasy novel I mentioned above, I also have written a 2-book MG parallel world fantasy, a science fiction novel, and I have two YA WIPs, both paranormal. (Don’t worry….no vampires or werewolves!)

But I enjoy rhyming. It sings in my head. All of my picture books are fantasy-oriented. Most are rhyme. When I get an idea for a picture book it most certainly always comes in rhyme.

What is the most frustrating thing about being a writer?

Seeing more and more publishing house closed to unagented submissions. And getting form rejections back two years after I sent the manuscript out. (I’m NOT kidding.) By then I have no idea what manuscript even was.


What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

Seeing the children’s faces as you read your story to them in school and library presentations. A close second would be the euphoric feeling you get from seeing your work published.


What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing?

I’ve learned that when I’ve completed my manuscript and I’ve shared it with beta readers or critique groups I find I am NOT finished with it. I then put it away for a period of 3 to 5 months. (I work on something else at this time.)

When I return to it with fresh eyes I’m better able to revise for a tighter, more professional manuscript based on feedback given.


Have you been published? If so where?

Yes. I have various articles published in the SCBWI National Bulletin, Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul 2, Fandangle Magazine, Stories for Children Magazine and Anthology, Volume 1, Diversion Press Meanderings: A Collection of Poetic Verse Anthology, The Blue Review, Kidzwonder Magazine, Hopscotch for Girls, and Boy’s Quest.

My debut picture book, ROCK STAR SANTA, was released from Scholastic Book Clubs in December 2008 and will be available again for the Christmas season 2009. (See the Scholastic flyers the children bring home from school)


How can people find out more about you?

My website is http://www.gayleckrause.com/.
I have a blog. http://thestorytellersscroll.blogspot.com/

Last month Realm Lovejoy interviewed by at http://realmlovejoy.blogspot.com/ She did a great drawing of me, too.

I was the guest author at the ICL Website discussing seasonal picture books last December 2008, and the interview is on the site.
I was featured in Authors on the Verge, Cynthia Liu’s website last year.

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

My affiliations in the world of children’s writing are varied. Besides being an SCBWI member, I am the founder of the Cliff House Writer’s Group, and I host an annual writer’s retreat every fall. I’m a member of The Poet’s Garage, the Wayne County Arts Alliance, a past member of the Historical Novel Society, a graduate of two Highlights Foundation Workshops, and I participated in two Rutgers University One-on-One Children’s Literature Conferences, where I met my editor at Scholastic.

My new endeavor, “First Peek Critique” Service, can be found at my website: http://www.gayleckrause.com/, where I offer critique services for rhyming picture books. Further information may be obtained by emailing me at krausehousebooks@yahoo.com.

Slush Pile Warrior - Michael Sullivan

Welcome to another edition of Slush Pile Warrior. This feature focuses on the trials and tribulations of pursuing publication for both the novice, and experienced writer alike. This month, it is my pleasure to feature the talented, Michael Sullivan.

Please tell us a little about yourself:

I’m the father of two beautiful boys, the husband of an amazingly creative and understanding wife, and someone who has been lucky enough to find love in his work – as a writer and as a pediatric nurse. It’s not every day you find jobs that make use of so many of the seemingly useless things you’ve done in life.
I’ve been writing since elementary school, when an English teacher made the mistake of putting out a stack of writing projects for extra credit. I think I ended up with an A++++++++++++ in her class. I still have those papers. I’m thinking of submitting them for publication under a pseudonym, but I’d be really embarrassed if the third grade me did professionally better than I am doing.

How many submissions do you have out there now?

Not enough.
I had probably 7 or 8 running around, doing their thing, but they’ve slowly been coming home lately. I’m finding more and more responses like “We are no longer accepting submissions, get an agent.” It may be me but I didn’t see this information in any of my research, which leads to your next question…


How do you research where to send your manuscripts?

I use CWIM and Jacket Flap and Writer’s Market. When I remember to I also like to jot down the publishers who’ve taken some of the stories I like to read to my children. If I feel the style or humor match with mine, I’ll do some more research on them. I’ve spent most of my time looking at book publishers, but I’m coming to realize that there’s a lot of things I’d like to write and it’d be good to have a wide and varied collection of clips. My nose gets too high, though, and all of a sudden I get this attitude that nothing but publication of a picture book will do. DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
And there’s the sound of crickets chirping because you don’t know who I am because I haven’t published very much because I’ve closed myself off from those markets because I fear that what I’ve written is really good and it may not get better and shouldn’t it therefore be in book form instead?
So maybe how I really research things is I sit at my desk and IMAGINE what it will be like when my piece is accepted. I research in my mind what it would feel like to sit in the publisher’s office with an illustrator and editor and my agent and masseuse. I research this feeling and take it out into a book signing attended by hundreds of adoring children. I slyly stand in the children’s section of Barnes & Noble, just nearby my book, waiting for someone to pick it up. I think up what all these moments would be like, and then place the stamp on the envelope and send it away.
I didn’t say this was a good method.


What was your biggest submission goof? What did you learn from it?

I tend to take on this very meek, “please publish me” persona at times. It’s really quite pitiful to look upon, I imagine. Eyes are probably drooping, shoulders slumped, a manuscript limp and torn in my hands. It makes me try even harder, which then just adds this look of intense anguish to my face. I mostly get this when I’m reaching too far beyond what’s in front of me. A very good friend – also a publisher – told me it’s all about numbers and credits. My biggest goof is forgetting that you have to start somewhere… and that’s not usually at the top!


Why do you want to be a writer?

Ha! Someone asked Stephen King something like this, I think. “Why do you write the kinds of stories you write?” His response was, “You think I have a choice?”
I am a writer would be my first response. Part of the angst of writing is forgetting that being read by others does not mean being a writer. When I’m miserable with my writing it’s usually because I’ve placed that condition on considering myself a writer. I’ll always lose that argument because there will always be rejection slips coming in. I feel like and know I am a writer when I’m sitting or laying down with a notebook in front of me and doodling. Or when I’m driving along and a thought for a story pops in my head. Or just typing away at this cool questionnaire. Words and sentences and the art of finagling them together so that you create “this” feeling, it’s addictive. And there’s just some part of me that can’t put that down, that needs to struggle to say something and say it perfectly.
Bottom line, I love it and always have. It’s who I am, not really what I am.


What is your favorite style of writing? Why?

Forward works well.
Seriously, I think that changes. I like a sense of ridiculousness or just oddness to my stories – like what would a boy do born with a leg on top of his head, for example. I don’t really know, never actually thought about it, but it’s something I’d flop around for awhile, just having fun seeing how he would interact with the world. So fantasy and fiction definitely. I also like things that are a bit scary, or, again, just odd enough that you’re not quite sure how scared to be. Whether this comes out in prose or poetry depends on what I hear. Mostly it’s been prose but occasionally a character let’s me know he thinks verse would sound better.


What is the most frustrating thing about being a writer?

Looking at my list of writing things to do, which I’ve posted right beside my computer. That’s one. Probably the worst is writing when there seems to be nothing to write about, when you sit there and start story after story, maybe only a sentence or two, and then move to the next. It’s like no one wants to talk to you anymore, or at least no one interesting.


What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

Huh. I feel connected to the world in a way I don’t normally feel. It’s an incredibly freeing thing. Regardless of what I’m writing I also get this sense, perhaps soon or perhaps long, after I’ve finished that I’m also doing something wonderful for myself. It could be as big as tackling something like, “Why am I here?” When I write and what I say is so alive I’m inside it, then I have part of the answer or maybe all of the answer to that question. Or it could be smaller like, “I wanted to give someone a serious case of the willies with this story and I succeeded.” Feeling like what I wrote accomplished what I wanted it to is very rewarding.


What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing?

It’s more than I ever thought it was. It heals on levels beyond what I can understand.
Also, you can’t do it alone. Or, better, that you don’t have to. I’ve learned more about writing through participation in my critique groups than I ever did from reading a book about writing. When you have a group of strong, honest writers working with you it can transform your work into something leagues better than what you imagined.


Have you been published? If so where?

I spent about 5 years as a fulltime reporter and editor in the New York area, working for several newspapers and then for a magazine. While doing this I also freelanced and had a few humor pieces picked up by Bridal Guide Magazine. I converted to the children’s market 5 years ago, while at the same time having a few kids and going to nursing school. I’m extremely happy to say I recently sold several pieces to a spooky anthology due out from Marshall Cavendish in 2010.


How can people find out more about you?

I finally got a website up and running. It’s at http://msullivantales.com/.
Besides the writing, I put some video up there of my wife and I making fools of ourselves at our son’s school. We actually did that professionally for about 10 years. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to sneak in some more gigs.
I also have a blog at http://msullivantales.wordpress.com/. The blog contains the amazing, the wonderful, the mostly pointless fun of THE BLOB CONTEST! Please come check it out.


Is there anything else that you would like to share?

This peanut butter cookie is pretty good, but my Wonkavision machine is broken. Sorry.

I would like to share a big thank you to you, Kevin! You’re an amazing, gifted and giving writer. Your dedication to the craft is admirable and I’m glad it’s paying off.

Thanks for stopping by Mike. Great interview, it's always fun to hear your humorous and unique perspective on things. Best of luck to you in your writing career.

Slush Pile Warrior - Charlene Haukom

Slush Pile Warrior - Charlene Haukom

Welcome to another edition of Slush Pile Warrior. This feature strives to highlight the trials and tribulations of pursuing publication. This month, I am delighted to present Charlene Haukom.

Charlene, please tell us a little a little about yourself:

I was lucky enough to have a great teacher in high school that encouraged me to take an advanced writing course. I’ve been writing ever since. I had another great English teacher in college who told me she’d see my name in print some day – she was right. Soon after she made that comment, I was published in the school newspaper and then the literary magazine. Fueled by my early publishing success, I majored in Mass Communications with a Concentration in Journalism (not knowing of any other kind of “writing” degree), though I preferred writing literary fiction over news reports. Over time I was drawn more and more to children’s writing, and here I am 9 ½ years later still trying to break in!

How many submissions do you have out there now?

Hehehe. Believe it or not, I only have two picture book manuscripts out right now. After a recent round of rejection, rejection, rejection, I started putting everything back in the file cabinet rather than sending them out again. While I’ve definitely developed a thicker skin, it still hurts to get the famous “not right for us” letters. When I find myself hitting a wall over and over again, it’s time for a change of pace. Right now I’m sitting on my rejected picture book ms’ and focusing on a mid-grade novel. It’s baseball season, after all, and that’s when Jake (the MC) likes to come out to play.

How do you research where to send your manuscripts?

I like to target where I send my manuscripts (to cut down on those letters mentioned above). I start with the basics, CWIM, the online version of Writer’s Market, the book and magazine market books that ICL puts out, etc. When I find editors or agents that I think might be a good fit, I search the net for anything and everything I can find on those people and rule out those that I think aren’t the best matches. At this point, my head is usually spinning, so I stop searching and just monitor some of the major boards (blue, of course)/blogs/interviews and bide my time. Sooner or later, someone I’m interested in will show up at a conference nearby. Then I beg and plead my family to let me go, which of course they always do because they’re super-supportive and wonderful. Even so, conferences are expensive, so I don’t get to go all that often. If I’m lucky, more than one of the people I’m interested will be speaking at the conference I’ve chosen. If I’m luckier, one of them will spark enough interest to pursue. Once upon a time, I was great at rationalizing and twisting and doing whatever was necessary to convince myself that so and so was a great fit. Eventually I realized that all that did was waste their time, my time, and earn me one of those dreaded letters! Now I only send to people that I’m convinced are a good match, and I usually send it exclusively out of respect - is it any wonder I only have two subs out right now?

What was your biggest submission goof? What did you learn from it?

Hahaha! LOL. Oh, dare I say? My very first submission broke every rule in the book, I think. Let me just remind everyone that I’ve been doing this for nearly a decade, so it was a LONG time ago. This was before I joined SCBWI, and before I even joined a critique group. TWO VERY BIG NO-NO’s for any newbies out there that might be reading this. So let’s see, after doing my homework and researching (or so I thought), I sent off my delightfully long and charming cover letter with RHYMING picture book manuscript enclosed. The manuscript that I proudly co-wrote with my 2-year old daughter, and didn’t mind saying so (still don’t, by the way). The manuscript that contained…oh no, say it isn’t so!...a stick figure drawing in the corner because that stick figure is what made the book so darn funny! While it’s true the stick figure is quite funny, I must admit I’m not a trained illustrator. And I’m not a poet, either. And yes, I do know that this paragraph is riddled with sentence fragments.

So what did I learn from this shameful experience? I learned how to be very, VERY embarrassed. LOL. No, seriously, I learned a lot. While I waited for a response (yes, a “not right for us” letter), I kept reading and researching. I joined SCBWI and a critique group, and very quickly learned about the very big mistake I had just made. I quit sending out manuscripts and just focused on learning more about children’s writing and improving as much as I could. I also learned to be very sympathetic toward editors and agents. They get hundreds of submissions like my first one EVERY WEEK, and yet they’re still in the business!

Why do you want to be a writer?

LOL! This is fun. I sure have laughed a lot today. While many, many inappropriate and sarcastic thoughts come to mind, I can’t think of anything to say here. I don’t know. There’s something magical about books, and especially children’s books. When you walk into a bookstore, you feel it. You’re surrounded by magic and your nerve endings start to tingle as you decide where you’re going to look first. Do you let your fingers brush lightly across the beautiful, satiny images bursting out of picture books? Or do you go to mass-market paperbacks and read the tantalizing description on the back to see if it’s going to draw you in? Hmmm…I think I need to go shopping now! It’s been too long since I’ve been in a bookstore!

What is your favorite style of writing? Why?

Oh, I like everything. I don’t know that I can answer this question. OK, I got one. No two. These are things I DON’T like, since I really do like pretty much everything. I don’t like MG/YA that tries too hard to be current. Like when they use BFF every other sentence because that’s what people are saying now. Who knows what people will be saying in the future? I prefer things to be more timeless. I’m also not wild about present tense writing. It seems unnatural to me. Just a personal preference, folks; I know it’s very popular.

What is the most frustrating thing about being a writer?

“Though your project sounds interesting, I don’t feel it’s quite right for our list.”

What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

“By Charlene Haukom”

No, no, just kidding. The most rewarding thing so far is something my daughter did recently. She pulled out one of my picture book manuscripts (one of the ones parked in the file cabinet) and read through it. I didn’t know what she was doing until she went over to the table and asked me what “level” of book she just read. Then it occurred to me what she was doing – her reading homework! She’s supposed to read every day and fill out a log that includes title, reading level, and time spent reading. I was so honored that my daughter considers my manuscripts “real books”. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to convince someone else of that!


What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing?

How to overcome obstacles one small step at a time.


Have you been published? If so where?

Yes, I was a content writer for http://www.preschoolrock.com/ where I published over 65 games, articles, and book reviews. I’m also a freelance writer for The Community Voice, a local newspaper.


How can people find out more about you? (website, etc.)

My website is currently under construction and will eventually be http://www.charlenehaukom.com/, but for now, the only place to learn about me is through these wonderful interviews and by reading the Internet articles I’ve written.


Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Thanks for this opportunity. I’ve had a lot of fun answering your questions. For any other slush pile warriors out there who haven’t joined SCBWI or a critique group, DO SO NOW!

Thanks for stopping by Charlene. That was a great interview.

Slush Pile Warrior - Susie Sawyer

Slush Pile Warriors is a new feature which showcases both unpublished writers, established authors, and everyone in between. It focuses on the struggles of pursuing publication, and the things that different writers have learned in trying to make their way out of the slush pile. I am happy to begin this feature by introducing a very talented writer and poet, Slush Pile Warrior, Susie Sawyer.


Please tell us a little a little about yourself.

I grew up in northern Wisconsin surrounded by a family that loved words and music. I have no doubt my desire to write was influenced by daily exposure to song and written word. I attended college in southwestern Wisconsin, where I met my husband, started a career as a legal secretary and started our family. In 2003, we moved back to northern Wisconsin and have since expanded our family to five.

That's when I decided to seriously pursue my interest in writing for children. I spent much of the first year or so learning the business and reading stacks of "how to" books. I found web sites like SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), Write4Kids and JacketFlap extremely helpful. I also found a slew of information and support at the sites of Harold Underdown and Verla Kay. But it was my involvement in two amazing critique groups that benefited my writing the most: The Poets' Garage and The Prose Shop. Of course Kevin, you are well aware of these groups.  The in-depth critiques and advice I get from these groups continues to be an invaluable part of my writing process.


How many submissions do you have out there now?

According to my submission tracker, I have four manuscripts (a couple are submitted at more than one house), and at least six contest entries being considered.


How do you research where to send your manuscripts?

Every year I buy the CWIM (Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market) and rely mostly on that to begin my research. Beyond that, I use JacketFlap, Harold Underdown's site, Write4Kids and SCBWI, not to mention the information shared with me by fellow writers. Of course, my final research takes place at the web site of the targeted publisher. With the industry changing so fast and frequently, you have to make the publisher's site your final stop before submitting.


What was your biggest submission goof? What did you learn from it?

As I look back at my early subs, I can see that my manuscripts were not nearly polished enough, or well targeted. I made the mistake of sending out my work too early, and to every possible publishing house. The onslaught of rejections was a clear indication that I was doing something wrong. Eventually I learned the art of carefully making a list of potential publishers and organizing it into those that were the best fit, the next-best fit, and the last resort.


Why do you want to be a writer?

What a great question. I really had to think about my answer. I guess I have always been the creative type, so it's certainly an outlet for me that way. But mostly, I think it's the thrill of having a chance to get inside the heads of all those wonderful, amazing kids out there - and being able to plant an idea that makes them smile or say "Wow!" … or just feel something they would not have otherwise. It's a huge responsibility, writing for children, and I don't take it lightly. I want children and the people who read to them to put down my book and feel that it was time well spent.


What is your favorite style of writing? Why?

Poetry, because of the "music" of it. I love the feel of it, the sound of it, the movement of it. When it's done well, it can be incredibly powerful and a great teaching tool. And if it's funny, even better!

I also love the freedom of writing fiction, especially for young children (0-12). I've never liked doing research so I indulge myself in fiction, where I can make anything happen.


What is the most frustrating thing about being a writer?

Striking a balance between what I want to write and what an editor wants to buy. If I write what I think will sell, it's often not what I love to write. But when I try to sell what I love to write, I sometimes struggle to find a home for it. I think we writers needs to be true to our hearts, and continue to write what we love to write. It will show in the quality of our work and eventually will be noticed.


What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

Sharing my work with children firsthand. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing a smile of the face of a kid who just read or heard something I wrote. School visits are the best!


What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing?

Not to give up. Also, to make connections with other writers. I have the most wonderful people in this business. Many have become friends that I know I'll keep for the rest of my life. Nobody understands the struggles of being a writer better than another writer.


Have you been published? If so where?

Why yes, I have!!  My poem, The Mermaid was a winner in the Delaware Art Museum's "Art of Storytelling Contest." That same poem is being developed into a picture book, to be illustrated by the amazing artist, Angel Dominguez. My poem, Ask Yourself a Question, won the grand prize in the 13th edition of "Say Good Night to Illiteracy", published by Half Price Books in 2006. I've also been published in the SCBWI "Bulletin" with The Assignment, and online at Tippytales.com with two "Adventure Tales" (A Camping Trip to Remember and Just a Matter of Time). I've also had several poems published in "KidzWonder."


How can people find out more about you? (website, etc.)

Please visit my website: www.susiesawyer.com. You can find out more about me, the works mentioned above, and my other projects there. I LOVE hearing from visitors - please take a moment to sign my Guestbook!


Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Just that I strongly encourage anyone considering writing for children to pursue it. Follow the advice of seasoned writers, join the writing groups, read the "how to" books, go to the seminars and workshops if you can. But most importantly, read as many books as you can that are similar those you want to write, and write every day.


Thank you for stopping by Susie. It was a pleasure hosting you on my blog.

Thank you so much, Kevin, for giving me a chance to introduce myself. I've really enjoyed answering these questions. I feel like I've gotten back in touch with why I do this, and just how far I've come since I began writing for children.