Author Responds "What have you done lately to improve your writing?"

Hi Lily,

I am half way through the book “Word Painting” by Rebecca McClanahan and it has been a wonderful teaching tool. I have been focusing on the small things around me to improve my story telling technique. It’s a great read! Thanks for asking.

Andi Houdek

Children’s Picture Books

Mice in My Tummy 2006

J.P.‘s Halloween Parade Coming out soon.

My Dream of Becoming a Children's Writer

I have a dream, everyone has a dream of some kind, my dream is becoming a prolific children's writer. What's your dream? What's your American or Canadian dream? If it's becoming a children's writer, then we have something in common.
Ask yourself these questions: What can I do to further myself in this chosen profession? What can I do to make myself more knowledgeable? Can I take children's writing courses? Should I read up on how to write for children at the library?
What have you done lately to improve your writing? Write to me and I will post your answers.
Here is my e-mail: lily.erlic@shaw.ca

All the best,
Lily
p.s. keep living the dream!

Best Websites and Books

Here are some best websites:
I took a look at www.justonemorebook.com and listened to the podcast. Kathy Lowinger speaks about the book industry. An informative podcast for everyone interested in children's books. But there's much much more on this site. Check it out.
Margriet Ruurs' website is one of my ultimate favorites: http://www.margrietruurs.com
Her books are outstanding!
Someone wrote in saying they enjoy websites from these authors: "Linda Granfield (author), Martha Newbigging (illustrator), Werner Zimmerman (illustrator and author) and Loris Lesynski (illustrator and author)". Also of interest is a publishing house website called www.tundrabooks.com
A best book called Writer's Market - Where and How to Sell What You Write is available at Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
Another best book is found at http://www.acornpresscanada.com/bubbaex.html
called Bubba Begonia, You'll Be Sorry!
Check it out!

Thanks to all that wrote in, keep it coming!

All the best,
Lily Erlic
Children's Author

Best Publishing House Websites

Every once in a while I will be featuring best websites. Here are a few today.

Here is my list for best publishing house websites.
http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/TeachingActivitiesPage.htm
This website has

a free 20-80 page "Teaching Activities" online supplement for each book that includes:

• Questions for before and after reading the book
• Language Arts
• Science
• Math
• Research and Geography
• Character Related (where applicable)
• Bingo and other fun games or coloring pages

Here's another one.
http://www.teachinglearning.com
Included in their website are

• Teacher Resources
• Social Studies
• Math
  
• Science
• Language Arts
• Four Square Writing
• Responsibility Ed.
• Arts and Crafts
• Poster Papers
• Karen's Kids Clip Art
  

Please write to me if you have a website for me to view. I will check it out and see if it will make my Best list for children's books. My e-mail is lily.erlic@shaw.ca

Famous People and their Favorite Children's Books

Do you ever wonder what some of the favorite children's books are of celebrities? I posed this question to myself. I wanted some answers so I decided to dig, I am research. Drew Barrymore's favorite is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Tim Allen's favorite kid's book is Curious George by Margret and H.A. Rey. Here is a great website for those of you who want to find out more: http://www.nea.org/readacross/resources/celebooks.html

Author's New Websites

Hi all,

Shane Peacock has two new websites:

www.shanepeacock.ca

www.theboysherlockholmes.com

Anyone else who would like to link their website, please feel free to write in.

All the best,
Lily Erlic

Making the Best of Rejection

How many rejections have you received lately? I have received many but don't let that get you down. Read your rejection carefully. A rejection can sometimes be a disguise, the editors sometimes give you hints or suggestions if they like the work because they want you to resubmit. Some editors do this initially to 'feel you out' so to speak. They want to know they are receiving work from a hard working author that is willing to commit to a job. Editors need dedication from an author to get the work done. That's why many of them stick to authors they have known for years and ones they trust.
If an editor writes a personal note, that means they are encouraging you to improve on the manuscript. Editors are busy and usually do not write personal notes but if they see something that they think has potential, they will scribble something on the letter. Even though they have rejected your work, they are telling you that you have something here and don't give up until you have polished your work completely.
A form letter, though, is a rejection that is to the point, meaning that they do not want the work at all. In the form letter, if they do mention 'we wish you best of luck elsewhere'. I think they do mean this part. Try another publisher!