For the past few years, my New Year's Resolution was to get published. In 2008, I did! Now, I suppose it's time to find a new resolution. This year, I've decided to start making writing goals for myself, spreading them out over the year at intervals I can accomplish.
I think this time of year is the perfect time for us all as writers to reflect on our past years, our successes, failures, and progress made with our careers. Today, I'll share some of my writing successes with you. Tomorrow, I'll make a list of what I hope to accomplish in 2009.
In 2008, I:
Published a picture book
Met Naomi Shihab Nye
Completed my thesis, my very first YA novel
Got my MFA!
Happy New Year, everyone! Let's make 2009 a productive one.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
5 Ways to Get Ahead
I don’t claim to be an expert in publishing. I’ve been a “published author” for just a couple of weeks now. But almost from the moment my book Angeline Jellybean was accepted for publication, I’ve been promoting and learning the ins and outs of publishing. I am a strong believer that authors need to be their own advocates. Sure, you can hire someone to promote your book for you if you have the money, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be involved in the process. Self-promotion isn’t easy, but it is a fun and worthwhile pursuit. I have learned more about publishing, branding and promotion in the past nine months than I ever did in grad school. Here are some easy tips I think everyone can benefit from. You may find that by taking charge of your promotion, you’ll learn more about the publishing business and feel rewarded by the process.
1) Virtual Book Tours. In addition to the blog tour I’m doing with my publisher, I also belong to a Yahoo! Group for authors who wish to take their books on “Virtual Book Tours” 2) Blogging. Simply blogging about your book and related topics can enhance your credibility (and visibility) as a writer. Don’t just blog about your book, but also about the writing business, other books that you have read, and subjects that are related to your book. Gain interest!
3) Create promotional materials. Flyers, bookmarks, postcards and business cards are all fairly inexpensive ways to promote your self and your book. I got giant full-color postcards with the front cover of my book on them for next to nothing at www.vistaprint.com
4) Volunteer. Find a teacher friend who wants an author to read to his or her class. Start making public appearances for free. Eventually, word gets around about you and your book, and you can start charging for appearances.
5) Network. We as writers tend to like to seclude ourselves in our offices to write our masterpieces. But I have found that by networking with other writers in your genre, you can not only make like-minded friends, but also learn a few tips and gain some readers! I have been told by many of my writer friends that they have purchased a copy of Angeline Jellybean. They have created a nice little foundation for my sales that would not have been possible had I not allowed them to take a peek into my life through my blog.
1) Virtual Book Tours. In addition to the blog tour I’m doing with my publisher, I also belong to a Yahoo! Group for authors who wish to take their books on “Virtual Book Tours” 2) Blogging. Simply blogging about your book and related topics can enhance your credibility (and visibility) as a writer. Don’t just blog about your book, but also about the writing business, other books that you have read, and subjects that are related to your book. Gain interest!
3) Create promotional materials. Flyers, bookmarks, postcards and business cards are all fairly inexpensive ways to promote your self and your book. I got giant full-color postcards with the front cover of my book on them for next to nothing at www.vistaprint.com
4) Volunteer. Find a teacher friend who wants an author to read to his or her class. Start making public appearances for free. Eventually, word gets around about you and your book, and you can start charging for appearances.
5) Network. We as writers tend to like to seclude ourselves in our offices to write our masterpieces. But I have found that by networking with other writers in your genre, you can not only make like-minded friends, but also learn a few tips and gain some readers! I have been told by many of my writer friends that they have purchased a copy of Angeline Jellybean. They have created a nice little foundation for my sales that would not have been possible had I not allowed them to take a peek into my life through my blog.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Experimentation
Some of your may be surprised to learn that I have only been serious about writing children's books for the past year or so. I wrote my very first picture book, Paws the Puppy, a little over two years ago. I was also working on my first, still unfinished fantasy YA novel at that point, too. But it wasn't until I took my first picture book class in the Fall of 2007, that I realized I really wanted to write for kids.
I'm a recovering poet. It's not that I don't see myself ever writing poetry again, but I just don't know if my poetry is right for traditional publications. In grad school, I became jaded over poetry. I mass-produced crappy poetry at a high rate, and none of it satisfied my professors. I was told that I wrote poetry for me, and that some poetry simply wasn't meant for public consumption. I grew tired of having to write poetry that fit a mold, that was socially acceptable, and therefore publishable. In my children's writing classes, I was encouraged to work with what my imagination came up with it, taught how to hone my craft and make it into something worthy of an audience. Most importantly, in fiction I could write whatever I wanted without being accused of writing every single detail true to something in my life. (That aspect of my poetry classes annoyed me the most. Other people could write persona poems successfully, but when I tried I felt as if they were all judging me. It was as if they didn't think I had the ability to step outside my comfort zone.)
I still sometimes get a feeling like some people think my writing is unfocused. I have written everything from picture books to YA novels to non-fiction articles for middle schoolers. I say, what is wrong with experimentation? I will admit that I have not found my niche in children's writing yet. Until I do, what's wrong with me working on many projects at once, working with different genres and writing for different age levels? The beauty of writing for kids is that you are not put into a box. Look at Jane Yolen. She has had a very successful career in both middle grade novels and picture books. No one tells Jane Yolen to settle on one.
I say, if I want to, I can do it all. Of course, I need to work on my craft before I become a highly-successful writer. All the more reason for me to experiment within the genre.
I'm a recovering poet. It's not that I don't see myself ever writing poetry again, but I just don't know if my poetry is right for traditional publications. In grad school, I became jaded over poetry. I mass-produced crappy poetry at a high rate, and none of it satisfied my professors. I was told that I wrote poetry for me, and that some poetry simply wasn't meant for public consumption. I grew tired of having to write poetry that fit a mold, that was socially acceptable, and therefore publishable. In my children's writing classes, I was encouraged to work with what my imagination came up with it, taught how to hone my craft and make it into something worthy of an audience. Most importantly, in fiction I could write whatever I wanted without being accused of writing every single detail true to something in my life. (That aspect of my poetry classes annoyed me the most. Other people could write persona poems successfully, but when I tried I felt as if they were all judging me. It was as if they didn't think I had the ability to step outside my comfort zone.)
I still sometimes get a feeling like some people think my writing is unfocused. I have written everything from picture books to YA novels to non-fiction articles for middle schoolers. I say, what is wrong with experimentation? I will admit that I have not found my niche in children's writing yet. Until I do, what's wrong with me working on many projects at once, working with different genres and writing for different age levels? The beauty of writing for kids is that you are not put into a box. Look at Jane Yolen. She has had a very successful career in both middle grade novels and picture books. No one tells Jane Yolen to settle on one.
I say, if I want to, I can do it all. Of course, I need to work on my craft before I become a highly-successful writer. All the more reason for me to experiment within the genre.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The History of Jellybeans
In honor of the Angeline Jellybean blog tour--which kicks off tomorrow-- here is a brief article on the history of the sugar-filled, egg-shaped concoctions, by CandyFavorites.com:
http://www.candyfavorites.com/shop/jelly-bean-history.php
Angeline Jellybean can now be purchased at Amazon.com and the 4RV Publishing Store.
The Angeline Jellybean Blog Tour:
Ransom Noble at http://ransomnoble.wordpress.com/ -December 28th
Vivian Zabel at http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com -December 29th
Laura Peters at http://www.renaissance-seamstress.com/blog/ -December 30th
Elysabeth Eldering http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com/ -December 31st
Susan Thompson at http://www.susansmiththompson.com/ -January 1st
Sarah Adkins at http://seapeanut.wordpress.com/ -January 2nd
Lea Schizas at http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com/ -January 3rd
Crystalee Calderwood at http://crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com -January 4th
http://www.candyfavorites.com/shop/jelly-bean-history.php
Angeline Jellybean can now be purchased at Amazon.com and the 4RV Publishing Store.
The Angeline Jellybean Blog Tour:
Ransom Noble at http://ransomnoble.wordpress.com/ -December 28th
Vivian Zabel at http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com -December 29th
Laura Peters at http://www.renaissance-seamstress.com/blog/ -December 30th
Elysabeth Eldering http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com/ -December 31st
Susan Thompson at http://www.susansmiththompson.com/ -January 1st
Sarah Adkins at http://seapeanut.wordpress.com/ -January 2nd
Lea Schizas at http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com/ -January 3rd
Crystalee Calderwood at http://crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com -January 4th
Friday, December 26, 2008
New Website, and Updating Old One
I've been thinking a lot lately about how to get kids more interested in reading and writing. I am working on a new website where I can take questions from kids about the writing process, post writing exercises, and share some of their work. I'm excited about starting it up, and I hope that I can keep up with it on a regular basis.
I'm also giving my regular site at http://crystaleecalderwood.bravehost.com a makeover. You can't see it yet, but it's getting a fresh, simple new look that I hope will be easy on the eyes.
It's been a busy week for me planning promotional stuff for Angeline as well. Look for updates about that soon.
I'm also giving my regular site at http://crystaleecalderwood.bravehost.com a makeover. You can't see it yet, but it's getting a fresh, simple new look that I hope will be easy on the eyes.
It's been a busy week for me planning promotional stuff for Angeline as well. Look for updates about that soon.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Where Reading Has Taken Me
Recently, my parents were helping me pack for an up-coming move. As my mom threw a massive pile of heavy books into a box, she grunted and joked "I knew when you knew how to read before kindergarten, I was in trouble!"
"Yeah,"I said back. "Now your daughter is standing in front of other parents telling them why they should read to their kids."
I'm currently working on a mini class for Adult Basic Education students on why and how to read to their kids. I feel qualified to teach such a class not only because I've had training from an early literacy organization, but also because my mother read to me. I credit my mother for bestowing on me a lifetime love of reading. I spent countless hours in her lap with a book. In fact, those times are some of my most vivid memories from childhood.
I would never be where I am today if it weren't for my mother reading to me and letting me read to her. I spent most of my adolesence curled up with a book. I was never told I shouldn't be a bookworm. Writing, to me, was my next logical step. I loved to read so much that I knew words were the most powerful way of expressing emotions. Eventually, I realized that the best way for me to share my love of reading with others is to write books that they would love to read. Now, as a published author, I am grateful for that lap time that got me ahead in life. I am 25 years old and holding my first picture book in my hand!
So, on this Christmas Eve I'd like to say thank you, Mom, for giving me the best gift ever. And I'd like to encourage all the parents out their to give their children that gift this year as well. Remember, it is never too early to give your child a book and it is never too early to read to them.
Merry Christmas!
"Yeah,"I said back. "Now your daughter is standing in front of other parents telling them why they should read to their kids."
I'm currently working on a mini class for Adult Basic Education students on why and how to read to their kids. I feel qualified to teach such a class not only because I've had training from an early literacy organization, but also because my mother read to me. I credit my mother for bestowing on me a lifetime love of reading. I spent countless hours in her lap with a book. In fact, those times are some of my most vivid memories from childhood.
I would never be where I am today if it weren't for my mother reading to me and letting me read to her. I spent most of my adolesence curled up with a book. I was never told I shouldn't be a bookworm. Writing, to me, was my next logical step. I loved to read so much that I knew words were the most powerful way of expressing emotions. Eventually, I realized that the best way for me to share my love of reading with others is to write books that they would love to read. Now, as a published author, I am grateful for that lap time that got me ahead in life. I am 25 years old and holding my first picture book in my hand!
So, on this Christmas Eve I'd like to say thank you, Mom, for giving me the best gift ever. And I'd like to encourage all the parents out their to give their children that gift this year as well. Remember, it is never too early to give your child a book and it is never too early to read to them.
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Join us on the Angeline Jellybean Blog Tour!
Angeline Jellybean Blog Tour Schedule
Ransom Noble at http://ransomnoble.wordpress.com/ -December 28th
Vivian Zabel at http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com -December 29th
Laura Peters at http://www.renaissance-seamstress.com/blog/ -December 30th
Elysabeth Eldering http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com/ -December 31st
Susan Thompson at http://www.susansmiththompson.com/ -January 1st
Sarah Adkins at http://seapeanut.wordpress.com/ -January 2nd
Lea Schizas at http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com/ -January 3rd
Crystalee Calderwood at http://crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com -January 4th
Join my fellow writers for interviews with myself and the illustrator Stephen Macquignon, book reviews, and other fun things, next week!
Ransom Noble at http://ransomnoble.wordpress.com/ -December 28th
Vivian Zabel at http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com -December 29th
Laura Peters at http://www.renaissance-seamstress.com/blog/ -December 30th
Elysabeth Eldering http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com/ -December 31st
Susan Thompson at http://www.susansmiththompson.com/ -January 1st
Sarah Adkins at http://seapeanut.wordpress.com/ -January 2nd
Lea Schizas at http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com/ -January 3rd
Crystalee Calderwood at http://crystaleecalderwood.blogspot.com -January 4th
Join my fellow writers for interviews with myself and the illustrator Stephen Macquignon, book reviews, and other fun things, next week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
