Interview with Margot Finke, Children's Author

KM:  Hi Margot, Welcome to PNN.com and thank you for taking time to visit and share with us. Many of the bloggers here are also writers in various stages of their careers. Other PNNers just enjoy the PNN platform and appreciate the atmosphere, which PNN.com calls "A Global Water Cooler for Women". I also want to thank you for agreeing to check back throughout the next week to answer PNNer questions and comments they leave in this blog post. Can you talk a little about the process of writing?

MF: The how of writing varies with different people.  Most of my great ideas come in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping.  There is something about laying my head on the pillow in our bedroom that makes my eyes fly open, and my brain cells go into overdrive.  If I don't creep into the bathroom (where I keep paper and pen) and jot down notes, I won't sleep a wink!! As for the writing, I can't resist tweaking as I go along.  It goes down as it comes to me, and I tweak as I read what I've written. Later, there are always many rewrites, and trips through my long-suffering critique group.  And if you aren't a member of a really great group, then go find one.  The writing feedback, support and encouragement I receive from my group, is a lifesaver.  

One of my secrets is to send my manuscripts on vacation.  After a few rewrites and constant tweaking, you become so close to the characters and the plot, that you tend to lose focus.  Silly errors slip right past you. This means putting your manuscript aside for a few weeks, or even months.  Forget about it.  Write something else.  When I reread a story, I am always startled by what jumps out at me needing serious attention. Doing this works well for me. For a few clues about this, and many other writing topics, visit my "Musings" columns on Harold Underdown's Purple Crayon. Browse some of my hard won words of writing wisdom.

KM: How does one publish a children's book?

MF: With great attention to quality and detail!! Going for a large traditional publisher means researching publishers until you find a few that seem right for your kind of book - age, topic and style.  The CWIM (Children's Writers and Illustrators Market) is the Bible for this.  Then, check the selected publisher's websites. Look at the books in their current list, and their submission guidelines, and send only what they ask for. Master the art of writing a succinct query letter.  Be prepared for long, l-o-n-g waits, and many rejection letters.  This is called paying your dues.  Only pop-stars and famous politicians are accepted immediately, with no wait so ever.

NOTE:  Make sure your first page has a HOOK that will grab an editor's attention. Run it through your critique group at least twice, and polish every chapter until it shines.  Avoid waffling on about things that are not important: make each chapter as tight as your Granny's new girdle!!

Self-publishing ( POD, or Vanity Presses) are not for everyone. If you aren't afraid of opening a can of worms, and working to sort them out into groups of Possibles, No Thanks, and Run For Your Life options, go for it!   Remember, traditional publishers provide professional advice and editing services, layout design, sales reps, and they also have access to major nationwide book distributors.  You get all this free as a part of your contract.  With Self-publishing, you have to DO, or PAY FOR, all of this yourself - often as hidden extras.  It can be done, and done well.  More-and-more smart and techno-savvy writers are self-publishing.  However, it is expensive and hugely time consuming to publish your own book. Never try to cut costs by skimping on a professional edit for your manuscript. This saves typos, and other embarrassing bloopers, getting into your published book.

And the above paragraph only deals with the actual publication.  Then, you have to promote your book yourself - this will take tons of your time and energy. Press Releases for newspaper, radio, and books stores, with follow-up phone calls. Arranging school visits, bookstore signings, and designing bookmarks and other small treats for kids. POD can be a good option for self-publishers, and some of the Big Boys are using it already for certain books.  The quality of POD books has improved out of sight, but you still have to choose your publisher well, for quality printing and color.

First, research these publishers, and make sure you have a legitimate company, and you know ALL the costs up front.  Don't fall for a scam-artist with a great website and not much else.  Learn about Self-publishers, and check out their names via this link and BEWARE Agent & Publisher Scams.
 
E-BOOKS are slowly taking hold.  They offer a fun and entertaining alternative for a growing number of computer savvy kids and adults. The quality of e-Books is much higher these days, and more-and-more readers are sampling this new book medium. When e-Readers become more affordable, I am betting there will be a big surge in quality
e-Book sales. However, you would be wise to follow all of the above advice when choosing an e-Publisher.  Quality in any book depends on a great story that is well polished..

Guardian Angel Publishing (G.A.P.) publishes their children's books in Soft Cover, CD, or e-Book versions.  Many other publishers are doing the same these days.  However, G.A.P. also has a deal pending with Apple that will make all their books available on the iPod (the iKids app).   In these harsh financial times, downloading e-BOOKS is a thrifty, environmentally sound way to get your child reading.  Buy GREEN and SAVE a TREE!

KM:  Does every writer need an agent?

MF: No way! Picture book writers can usually find publishers themselves.  Some writers have a way of finding publishers for their books that works well for them.  Others are not good at the research needed, don't want to spend the time, or feel inadequate for this task.  Unfortunately, agents these days are as hard to snare as publishers. As publishers close  submissions, or will only accept submissions from agented authors, writers become desperate. They look for an agent.  Many agents now have slush piles of their own!!  I think an agent is more helpful if you write mid grades or YA.  And the rewards are more worthwhile for agents as well. An agent can get you a better deal with your contract - more perks for an established writer, and maybe a higher advance.  However, a first book ( unless it is out-of-the-box terrific), is harder to sell to an agent.  There is a tendency for agents to want already published clients, and publishers lean toward the already agented writer.

NOTE: Research an agent the same way you would a publisher. Watch out for scams. An agent is supposed to pay YOU, not the other way around.  The best agents to look for are those beginning a new agency, or starting with an established agency. These agents are hungry for clients.  Many of these new agents come from the world of publishing and have great contacts there.

KM:  What resources do you recommend to help writers learn more about writing?

MF: Visit my website and click on HELP FOR WRITERS at the top of my Website Directory.  There you will discover many helpful pages on writing + links to other wonderfully helpful sites.

If it's been a while since you sat in Miss Learnit's English class, take a writing course.
Recommended Writing Classes here.
 
These are some terrific "How-to" books on writing for children - complete with comments from writers who read them, and benefited from their writing wisdom.

How-to Books that ROCK

Join one of several good online writing lists.  The information that flows through these lists is invaluable. Take notes, so when you need info about picture book illustrations, writing for magazines, or how to tighten your first chapter, you can refer to your notes, or ask the list a question.  And there are usually many private critique groups formed by the members.  Ask to join one that writes for the same age and genre  as yourself.  The writing feedback, support and encouragement of a good group, will be of enormous help to you AND your writing. 

Visit CW Today (Childrens Writers Today) or subscribe:
childrenswriterstoday-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Also visit: Childrens Writers (Children's Writers & Illustrators)
Subscribe:    childrens-writers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com 

Join SCBWI ( Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.) and go to their writing conferences.  Network with other writers and pick their brains.  Listen to the advice and publishing needs of agents and editors, and the established writers who offer workshops.  Networking in SCBWI, as well as selected online lists, allows you to tap into the latest news and information about writing for children.

KM:  How did you get your first book published?

MF: My book, "Kangaroo Clues," became the first in my rhyming series about animals from the US and Australia.  The series now includes 6 other books.  Writers Exchange is an e-Book publisher based in Australia.  I found Mustafa Delioglu - a Turkish illustrator, and artist of renown in Europe, via a friend on one of my writing lists. He spoke no English, and did not own a computer. An online Turkish friend acted as translator, and Mustafa immediately identified with the spirit of "Kangaroo Clues." I love how he infused an element of danger and mystery into his illustrations. The finished book is a wonderful combining of my verses and his artwork.  I found artists for the complete series through my writing contacts on the internet - networking DOES work!  View the covers and more illustrations + read sample verses, + and how and where to buy, here.

Visit "Down-Under Fun" to read more facts about the animals in my Aussie books.

Or

"Wild US Critters" for extra fun facts about the US critters in my books.


KM:  What's the difference between a reader, YA, MG and PB?

MF: A picture book is usually a 32 page illustrated book.  Publishers today prefer less than a 1,000 words of text. The story will depend on the age you write it for - toddler, kindergarten age, or grades one or two. A mid grade book (MG) is for upper grade- school and into middle school, depending on the maturity and reading level of the child.  Word count can be anywhere from approx 25 to 60,000 words - or more, thanks to Jo Rowlings!  A safe bet is to aim for around 35,000 words.  Keep the sex and swear words to hand-holding and mild. Young Adult (YA) books can get quite explicit and adult sounding, especially for 15 and up. No topics are barred. Use common sense. Page count similar to adult.  Check publisher's submission guidelines, because all these estimates can vary from publisher to publisher.

I am delighted to have two new picture books coming out this year.  The first will be "Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind - publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing (G.A.P). Illustrator: K.C. Snider.  The other is "Horatio Humble Beats the Big D" also from G.A.P. - Illustrator: Ellen Gurak.  My "Rattlesnake Jam," +  both new books will be available from Amazon, G.A.P, and many other places.

NOTE: Autographed copies available from my website.

Read my Blog for children's book news, writing articles, and my famous Rants! Also, a cool book trailer + a moving collage` of all 8 book covers.

And just to keep me out of mischief, I also offer a Manuscript Critique Service - personal guidance is my specialty. This is in addition to all the helpful writing information on my Website, my Blog, and my "Musings" column.

Blog - http://margotfinke.blogspot.com/
Website - http://www.margotfinke.com 
Musings - http://www.underdown.org/finke.htm

Thanks for the thought provoking questions, Kimberly, and for offering me this VBT interview.  You had me scratching my head while thinking of answers for some of them.

KM: Thanks ever so much, Margot, for your time and the many helps and tips you have shared with us. Thanks also to those who have taken the time to drop by. Readers, if you have questions for Margot, feel free to post them below in the comment box and she will respond. Finally, I have a signed copy of "Rattlesnake Jam" to give away in a drawing to one lucky PNNer on March 27, 2009. If you are not a member of PNN, I will not be able to contact you. Please be sure to check back next week too see if you are the winner. You can also subscribe to PNN. It's free and a great platform for your blog! Plus you get exposure.

Margot's Books: