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(Things you should know about the writing life, writers, or if you are inviting authors to speak at an event.)

 

1.  There is no substitute for good writing. (Having “connections’ in the publishing world won’t help if the writing is not good.) The most useful thing you can do to push your publishing career forward is to hone your craft. That means practice writing—and yes, despite what you might have heard—grammar, syntax and punctuation are important.

 

2.  You need to be a reader in the area in which you wish to write. Read! Read! Read! Compare readings, take notes, and read like a writer. Could you do brain surgery if you did not understand the workings of the body? (‘Nuff said.)

 

3.  No one can do your homework for you. While you’re doing all that reading you need to research children’s publishing and current award winners. You need to know what is already out there so you won’t waste your time, and so it will inform your writing. You will be building a base of knowledge about your craft. That cannot reside in the mind of someone else. And remember, these are “current” books you will be studying because you will be writing for the millennial (today’s) child, not the child you were fifty years ago.

 

4.  No author will refer you to his/her agent or editor without falling in love with your manuscript. Relationships of this type are built on trust. No author would do damage to his or her agent/editor relationship without first reading and loving your manuscript. (Agents and editors are already inundated by thousands of manuscripts.) See # 5 for more info on this point.

 

5.  Few authors have the time to mentor/read your manuscripts. (Thus they will have no time to fall in love with your writing.) This is because they are squeezing every second they can out of the day to work on their own manuscripts, and still retain some semblance of a family life, and sanity. Teachers/instructors and contest judges will, generally, read your whole manuscript. A few authors offer manuscript critiquing for a fee. Also, you can hire an independent editor or book doctor.

 

6.  Everyone gets rejected. This even applies to well-known authors, who may have just gotten a rejection from the same agent/editor to whom you are seeking an introduction. There are many reasons for rejections. Get used to it. A lot of authors had hundreds of rejections before a first acceptance. (I did!)

 

7.  No one is interested in your memoir unless you are in the public light, or did something amazing that few know about. The only exception to this is your immediate family. (This does not mean you should not write your memoirs. I’d give my right arm if my grandmother had written one–but then, I’m family. Personal memoirs are wonderful for the completion of genealogies.)

 

8.  No one is interested in the family stories your grandchildren love. Unless . . . (see #1) you have crafted elegant stories from these through the hard work of plotting, revising, and revising again. (The exception to this is stated in #7. Also good for family genealogy.)

 

9.  The majority of authors make very little money. Surprised? Do the math. The basic contract for a novel is 10%, so that’s $1.50 for a $15 novel. General first, or second, print runs are a few thousand copies. For picture books, it’s worse! That 10% must be shared between the author and the illustrator. (No one magically comes up with another 10% for the illustrator.) Thus, 5% of a $16 hard-cover picture book is only 80¢ per book! So event organizers take note: most authors will not travel long distances for “the opportunity” to sell a few copies of their books—the price of gas would eat up any royalties made on the sales. (The exception to this is bookstore signings/conferences when networking is of more importance than the number of books sold.)

 

10.  Authors do not get unlimited supplies of free copies. Generally, an author will get anywhere between five and twenty-five free copies. That’s it, folks! After that, authors must buy their own books—though at a discounted rate. So event organizers, or teachers: when you’re looking for “donations” for various causes, know that most authors will only donate to personal causes, or make family decisions on donation requests as the cost of the books will be coming out of the author’s pocket.

 

11. To extend #10 a bit further, unless an author is self-published (or published through a print-on-demand company, or a subsidized/vanity publisher), most authors cannot purchase author copies of their titles at a discount price and then turn around and sell them at the listed price—you can see that would cut out most of the profits made by others. In fact, some contracts expressly forbid this . . . so most authors who are not self-published do not rent tables to be vendors at book fairs or other functions. Don’t expect them to self-sell their books. However, many authors are very happy to appear and autograph books if the sponsoring agencies handle the book ordering and sales. (p.s.—I would also venture to guess that most mainstream authors do not have sales tax licenses for all the states to which they are invited.)

 

12.  Finally, most authors do not have the time to be online pen pals with you or your very talented students/children. Yes, we love children, we love schools and teachers, and parents who care. It’s just that there is not enough hours in the day—barely enough to be available to love our own children, spouses, and students. (Due to # 9 above, some of us hold down full-time day jobs, as well–like teaching.)

 

 

I hope this short list has given you some insight into a writer’s life. It’s not all rosy. It’s often quite demanding and exhausting. Why do it then? That’s simple: we love how vision and thought combine to flow from the mind to the hand shaping words on a page. And then, how those words can march forth and change the world in big or small, but significant, ways. It is the artist within us exclaiming, “I am here. I make a difference.”

 

 

Happy writing.

Ciao!

Shutta

 

 

Ok, folks!

 

For those of you who were not able to get to the Baldwin Public Library in Birmingham for the two sessions on writing for children that I presented in April, 2008, here are my handout packets. One is on writing plot, and the other is basically information on resources, and agents for getting your book published. I hope these help you. (And remember, they are copyrighted.)

Enjoy,

Shutta

 

 

 

Explore the universe–as in the Big Universe!

Hey, all!

You may not be aware that I also blog for Big Univese a fascinating website that is dedicated to linking kids and families to the books, issues, and concerns of our global village. It’s a growing company that’s looking to add new features and fun things for its users. In the meantime, they feature eight bloggers who blog specifically on global issues, parenting, health, books, and the craft of writing for kids. Parents, teachers, and writers will find my articles about books, writing and the writer’s life as well as blogs by Rick Walton, Adjoa Burrowes, Rose Beitler, Betsy Chasse, Motherreader, Greg McCracken, and Eve Prang Plews.

So . . . drop on by. If you’re at one of my blogs, you’ll find the link on the sidebar at the left.  It looks like this:    

(If you’re at my homepage . . . it will be coming soon to the “Links Page.” )  In the meantime go to http://www.biguniverse.com/ !

 

Happy reading!

Shutta

 

I recently updated a talk I give to libraries about the world of publishing for children called: Ten Things I’ve Learned About Trade Publishing for Young Readers. (Click on the title to take you to a PDF version.) Hopefully, my hard-won lessons will save others from banging their heads against a wall!    Believe me, it doesn’t work for writer’s block, either!

 

Ciao!

Shutta

 

Wow!  Those Tennessee librarians are wonderful!  They are bright, funny, and “huggy.” (They certainly know how to make someone feel at home.) I had a great time visiting schools and speaking at their state conference in Franklin in November.

However, I am terrible at determing how many handouts to make! I was swamped for the first session and quickly went through the first 100 handouts. The Marriott was great to work with, they made another 100 for me; but there were still a few folks who did not get the handout. It is here for those of you who need it:  “Picture Books: The Ginsu’ Teaching Tool.”

I do apologize. I was overwhelmed–and very happy–that the sessions were so well-attended!

And for those of you who were interested in where I got my cat shoes :  you can find the link to the online supplier here at: http://www.instepdrmartens.com/tredairsandals.htm .

Happy Thanksgiving All!

I give thanks that there are such caring

people in the world.

Shutta Crum

 

 

Writing in the Classroom

 

Teachers:  Here’s the link for my handout on good ways to incorporate writing in the classroom–even if you’re a music teacher, or phys. ed. teacher!  Several schools use one or more of these ideas at special times during the year, such as during National Reading Month. However, a number of these ideas may be used all year long, and are applicable over a wide-range of grades.

Writing in the Classroom, 2004.

Ciao!           Shutta

Resources for Adult Writers of Children’s Books

 

Here’s the link for my general handout on good websites and printed resources for folks interested in writing books for children.  Resources Handout, 2006.  Happy writing!

 

Ciao!           Shutta

THE AUTHOR-AGENT PARTNERSHIP: A Comprehensive Checklist for Getting it Right

An author does not need to have an agent to sell a manuscript. On the other hand, having an agent can cut out a lot of the ”busy work” of the industry, save on headaches and stamps, and can help to open doors that might otherwise be shut.

An author needs to first assess whether he/she would be happier going it alone, or working in tandem with an agent. Here is a link to an article I wrote that was published in WRITERS’ JOURNAL (May/June, 2007).  It addresses finding, researching, working with, and–if necessary–the firing of an agent. I hope you find it helpful!

Click here: The Author-Agent Partnership.

 

Ciao!          Shutta

COME & PLAY!  Invite the Reader to Play and Create an Outstanding Picture Book.

 

Publishing houses receive thousands of unsolicited manuscripts every year. Recently, Random House reported they get approximately 10,000 a year! Caught in the undertow of such a deluge, how does any manuscript rise to the surface of the notorious “slush pile?”

 

One way is by making sure that a manuscript has added value—that is, MORE than simply a good story. To do this with a picture book manuscript an author must invite readers into the world of the book in a way that is interactive so that young children can’t help but “play” with aspects of the story.

 

The linked article: COME & PLAY! was first published in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators bi-monthly national magazine, THE BULLETIN (Nov./Dec. 2006).

 

 

Ciao!          Shutta

 

(Teaching) Using Picture Books to Teach Literary Techniques:

As a follow-up to the “Story Skeletons” article (below) in BOOK LINKS magazine, another article of mine was published on using picture books to teach literary techniques (March, 2007). The link to this article at their site is: http://www.ala.org/ala/booklinksbucket/UsingPictureBooks.pdf .

I’ve also included this under the category “For writers of children’s books,” because I think, as writers, we can learn a lot by studying these titles and paying attention to how these children’s authors used various literary techniques. To go to a pdf version click here:   Pic. Bks & Lit. Techniques.

Keep writing!

Ciao!          Shutta

(Teaching) STORY SKELETONS:  Simple Picture Book Plot Structures

In an article I wrote for BOOK LINKS magazine (May, 2006), I analyzed nine basic plot structures of picture books and listed the titles of books that use those structures, so that writing students of all ages can begin to tear apart what makes a story hold together.

If you’d like to read the whole article, it is at this link:  http://www.ala.org/ala/booklinksbucket/StorySkeletons.pdf.

If you’d like to see/print just the simple listing with structures and books, as a handout, it’s at this link: Story Skeletons Handout.  Please do not reprint without including the copyright information!

 

Ciao!          Shutta

 

Getting Out of Slushville!  Publishing your children’s books. 

©Shutta Crum, 2006/2007.

 

            I.                 **Have a clear vision of your goal.**

             A.  Read! Read! Read! (Especially recent books

                    to get a view of the current market.)

             B.  Familiarize yourself with genres, authors, series,

                    trends, and…kids. Visit libraries and bookstores.

            C.  Develop a vision of yourself as a writer.

II.                   Prepare yourself for your new career.

A.      Write! Write! Write!

B.       Research your new career. What are the big issues

       in children’s literature today?

C.       Join a critique group and professional organizations like SCBWI.

D.      Attend conferences, poetry readings, author talks.

III.                Prepare your family for your new career.

A.      This is not just a “cute hobby.” Think of yourself

       as a business. (Set your working hours.)

B.     See your tax preparer. (Know what you can write off

       prior to and after getting published.)

C.       Work with your family to define parameters of your new

       job.  (No interruptions unless blood is involved.)

IV.                 Submitting manuscripts.

            A.  Use an online manuscript tracking system.

                   (Some are free, or very inexpensive.)

            B.  Telephone publishing companies to double check

                   names and receptivity for unsolicited submissions.

C.       Submit simultaneously as much as you can.

D.      Write withdrawal letters to other editors if manuscripts

       are accepted.

E.       Have a number of stories circulating continuously.

V.                 Rejection.

A.      Don’t take it personally! Have another round of

       publishing houses selected.

B.       Update your tracking system and mail out again

       . . . if it does not need revision.

C.      If more than one editor says something similar about

       the ms., revise first.

D.      Read between the lines…if an editor says your story does

      not fit what they are looking for, can you make it fit? Then

      RESUBMIT—but only if you think you can now meet his/her needs.

E.   Pull out all rejections for a story, study them, and regroup.

      See something you didn’t see before?

VI.               Develop “a working relationship” with an editor.

A.      Try to provide something the editor is looking for. Don’t

       waste time trying to sell him/her on your idea if you are

       unwilling to adapt to an editor’s needs.

B.       Request permission to continue submitting even when

      “the unsolicited door” closes—esp. if you already

       have a relationship with an editor.

C.      Monitor activities and take note when an editor you’ve

         been working with wins awards, gets promoted, etc.

 

 

Ciao!          Shutta

 

 

Wide-eyed and Curious

     I’ve been a storyteller, teacher, and a children’s librarian for more than twenty-five years. Five years of that time included doing more than thirty traveling storytimes a month–indoors,outdoors, and under all sorts of conditions. I’ve learned a lot about working with children in large groups. Some things I’ve learned the hard way–like, never do book programs next to a moon jump!

     With a little planning, and a few tricks, you can avoid some of the common problems of group presentations to young children as you do school visits or author programs.  Here is the link to my article titled: Wide-eyed and Curious: Working with Young Children in Groups.  (This article was first published in the August/September 2001 issue of the “SCBWI-MI News.”)

 

Enjoy!

 

Ciao!             Shutta

Hello fellow writers, teachers, librarians, and lovers of children’s books!

At this site I will post articles I’ve written that have appeared in various magazines, journals, and newsletters (with permission), or links to them, as well as the texts of handouts I use in classrooms, workshops, and presentations.  I am hoping that this will provide a single place where I can refer folks to these pieces.  Please let me know if you have any problems accessing these.

For general discussions of the writing life and my thoughts on writing for children, please see my blog at:  http://blog.shuttacrum/com. (Or click on the girl at the desk button to your left.)

For information on my books, my presentations, and my schedule, please go to my homepage at: shutta.com . (Or click on the stack of books button to your left.) You may also email me from my homepage or by sending mail to shutta at shuttacrum.com .  Thanks!

Ciao!

 Shutta