An Author's Note By ~Suzy Leopold

I’ve been thinking about the importance of Back Matter and how it adds another layer to a story. Back matter may include a bibliography, a glossary, a timeline, even additional facts and information serve as a resource to supplement the text. 

One element that is sometimes included is an author’s note. I want to acquire more information on how and why to compose an author’s note.

• What is an author’s note? 
• What is the purpose of an author’s note?
• What should be considered when including an author’s note in the back matter of a manuscript? 

Believing in the value of learning and growing, I began researching this particular element and discovered it is a meaningful addition to back matter. 

I began my research by reading author’s notes written in a stack of currently published picture books. I used these books as mentor texts and began seeking answers to the questions about writing an author’s note.

Time to learn and grow. 

You’ll need a piece of paper and a pencil or pen. Write the numbers one through twelve and answer the following statements as true or false.

An author’s note is:

1.  A brief explanation about the creation of the book.

2.  A statement of purpose.

3.  The inspiration and insights behind the story.

4.  Sharing the journey of research and discovery about the manuscript.

5.  The story behind the written tale.

6.  Not limited to the genre of nonfiction.

7.  May be surprising, compelling and/or revealing.

8.  Adding layers of meaning and a bigger picture to the subject matter.

9.  A sneak peak into the creative process.

10. Enhancing the reading experience for the audience.

11. The last chance to make an impression on a reader.

12. An element that every reader should try.

Did you answer TRUE to all twelve statements? If you did, you are correct. 

Excellent! Super! Good job! Great! High five!

The four picture books that I read and studied the author's notes are:

THE HOLE STORY OF THE DOUGHNUT

By Pat Miller

Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2016

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE

By Pat Mora & Libby Martinez

Illustrated by Patrice Barton

Alfred A. Knopf 2014

THOMAS JEFFERSON BUILDS A LIBRARY
By Barb Rosenstock
Illustrated by John O'Brien
Calkins Creek 2013

SEPARATE IS NEVER EQUAL

Sylvia Mendez & Her Family's Fight for Desegregation

By Duncan Tonatiuh

Abrams Books for Young Readers 2014

Let’s continue to learn and grow together. Share your knowledge and understanding of an author’s note. Perhaps you have some additional thoughts and tips. Post what you know in the comments below.

Writers know that words are fundamental to writing. Choosing the just right word is essential. Selecting the just right vocabulary is important when writing a story that draws and engages readers.

The German word for vocabulary is wortschatz. Translated it means “treasure of words”. May you choose words selected from your treasure box of words and write the right words for your manuscript and for an author’s note.

Author Reflections from The WOW Retreat 2016 ~By Suzy Leopold

The Week Of Writing {WOW} Retreat 2016, July 18 - July 22 was like no other writing experience. Hosted by Kristen and Rusty Fulton, the five day event was filled with many opportunites to grow, learn and meet writers both published and prepublished. I am thankful for the opportunity to enjoy and share the experience with many writerly friends in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Rusty & Kristen Fulton

Fifty plus attendees gathered together in the beautiful hills of Helen, Georgia. The outstanding faculty included seven authors, four literary agents and five editors all willing to share the ins and outs of the kid lit industry.

Looking though my Love, Peace and Books journal I note page after page of copious notes with numerous thoughts. Thinking I want to share the entire five day experience with our GROG readers, I felt it best to focus on just one of the many highlights. Should I write about the author, agent, editor panels? How about the revision tables or even the thoughts about the first pages? And then there was the groovy hippie party!

Love, Peace & Books
Journal

Well, without further ado, let me introduce you the following seven amazing authors and share a snippet or two from their presentations:

Lisa Amstutz
Finding and Preparing Work for Hire

Lisa Amstutz

• Take a chance and consider the educational market.
• Request and study educational publishing catalogs, such as Capstone and Enslow Publishing.
• Referred to work done by the following authors: Laurie Purdie Salas, Melissa Stewert, April Pulley Sayre and Nancy Sanders.

Ana Crespo
Illustration Driven Stories Non non-Illustrators

Ana Crespo

• Titles are everything. Title need to be provocative and catch your attention immediately. For further information from a previously GROG Blog post read What's in a PB Title?
• Consider a critique carefully and thoughtfully and be open to a new direction.
• Understand the acquisition process as books are created by a team.

Jill Esbaum

Make your story UNPUTDOWNABLE. 

Jill Esbaum

• The opening lines of a story carry a lot of weight. Consider a contract with your reader.
• Drop the reader into an adventure in progress as the reader wants to know who the story is about and what is the problem.
• Find new facts that make you say, "I didn't know that!"

Barb Rosenstock

Set Yourself Up for Success

Barb Rosenstock

• Think about the most important part of a story: SO WHAT? What's universial about this manuscript? What's unique about this story?
• Keep the reader's attention with complelling characets who want/need something. Include tension and satisfy the reader with a resolution.
• Stop looking for IDEAS. Look for STORIES.

Linda Skeers

Adding Humor in Kidlit

Linda Skeers

• Home is where your story begins,
• A writer can be funny writing both fiction and nonfiction stories.
• The words: booger, fart, naked and underwear all stir up laughter and even snorting!

Don Tate

The keynote: My Journey and Creating Winning Picture Book Biographies

Don Tate

• The educational market is where Don Tate began before he snagged his first trade book contract.
• Write about what you know.
• Recommended creating a book dummy with thumbnail sketches.

Duncan Tonatiuh

Heritage and Experience

Duncan Tonatiuh

• Readers must *see* themselves in books. Celebrate diversity.
• Has a great relationship with his editor and therefore does not work with an agent.
• Illustrations are created by scanning in a drawing and then adding texture using photo shop, thus unique Pre-Columbian codex style. Characters are always drawn in profile.

Share your thoughts in the comment section below. GROGgers always like hearing from our readers. Do any of the highlights shared by these seven authors inspire you or affirm you as a writer? 

Prairie Flower Girl
Suzy

For more information about the WOW Retreat 2017, please click here: Rock'n & Rolli'n & Writ'n WOW Retreat 2017. Make plans now to attend the WOW Retreat 2017. You are encouraged to check out a previous post Meet Kristen Fulton.

If you missed an earlier post about the WOW Retreat 2016, you can check it out at Week of Writing Recap by fellow GROGger Leslie Colin Tribble. Look for an upcoming post by Sherri Jones Rivers. She too, has some words to share about the WOW Retreat 2016.