Angie Karcher and the Rhyme Revolution

 By Janie Reinart
  
Pass the hot chocolate and celebrate the merry Angie Karcher. Her gifts to us keep on giving:
*Founder of Rhyme Revolution, formerly RhyPiBoMo (Rhyming Picture Book Month) in April
*The Best in Rhyme Award in February
*The RPB(Rhyming Picture Book) Revolution Conference in New Harmony, IN-October 12-14, 2018

Santa's checked and Angie is definitely on the nice list. Angie's goal is to guide those aspiring to write rhyming picture books through the process of learning the craft by offering resources, lessons, and writing prompts. She strives to improve the reputation and quality of rhyming picture books for children.

Archival photo of the Santa statue built for a Christmas bazaar in the 1970’s

Hang your stockings. There's going to be a giveaway as we find out about Angie's newest book, Santa's Gift. 

         Rafflecopter giveaway.
 

1. Who is your agent?

I‘m actually between agents right now. You know, author purgatory, where you seek an agent who is the perfect fit??? 

That’s where I am, although I am “dating” a few agents right now. I’m in no hurry to sign with someone, as I realize that this relationship is vital to my career and it’s SO important to find just the right person! Someone who gets me and my writing…That’s not easy to find. I think I have found this person but can’t share it yet.

 

2. How did you get the idea for your story?

I was traveling quite a bit in early 2016 and when I got home in June I heard that someone had found the Santa Claus statue! I knew immediately that this needed to be my next picture book. This statue was a huge part of my childhood and the story needed to be shared.

3. What is your favorite part of the story?

My favorite part was when the kids looked up at Santa and he was a giant! That’s how I remember him as a child and he is actually 35 feet tall so to a child…that’s ginourmous!

4. How long did it take to write? Get to a publisher?

I wrote the story in a few weeks after I faltered with a meter that resembled the song, OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS… 

After a few weeks, I threw away everything I’d written and started over and finally came up with this story that had the exact rhythm to…OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS.  What a crazy business this is! I can sing it to this song word for word…

Brains are a complex organ!!

My publisher was the original publisher of my two other historical non-fiction books, M.T. Publishing.

Mark Thompson, my publisher was ready to take this ride with me and he supported this manuscript. He’s my hero! Along the way, he received a new liver, so that makes him a hero and a miracle man!!

 

Angie's office.

 

5. What is your writing routine? 

I typically start at 8:00 PM and typically write until the sun comes up. I sleep until my youngest son gets home from school at 3:00 pm and then do it again the next day. 

Why does my brain work best at night? Part of it is because I had 4 children under the age of 6 and it was out of necessity. The rest is because I hate mornings! I only get up early for book talks, book signings and conferences!

6. What is your favorite writing craft book?   

How to Write Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul. This book is being updated and I can’t wait to get my copy of the new version!

7. What inspires you to write? 

The ideas are bouncing around in my head daily. The inspiration comes from the time spent as a Kindergarten teacher and a parent of four. The world needs more books that encourage positive thinking and living.

8. What are you working on now? 

I have two new rhyming picture books coming out next year with my illustrator Dana Karcher. One is about a world war two ship called the LST (Landing Ship Tank) which was built in Evansville, Indiana, the cornfield shipyard and credited for saving World War II. 

And the second picture book is about Bosse Field, the baseball field that was used in the filming of A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, about the women’s baseball league during WW two. We are thrilled to be sharing these historic stories. I also have three non-fiction books coming out as well.


9. Words of advice for writers. 

Don’t quit! I have been at this writing gig for over 23 years and I’m just now beginning to break through the ice. 

It’s a tough job but only those writers who have a passion for the career will make it. Build a thick skin and keep writing and submitting!! One day… it will happen for you too!

Order Santa's Gift here. Also available at Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.

Angie is a children’s author with over 20 years of teaching and writing experience. She is a former kindergarten teacher, developmental therapist and blogger.

 Find Angie on Facebook.