SNEAKS-A Twisty Middle Grade Mystery: Interview with Author Amy Tern--By Julie Phend

Sneaks is a twisty middle grade mystery by debut author Amy Tern released by Holiday House this summer. I’m excited to interview Amy for the GROG blog.

Author Amy Tern

First, a little about the book:

Rook, a sheltered musical prodigy, couldn’t be more different from Valorie, the troublemaking daughter of his family’s cleaning woman. But their strengths complement each other when they team up to solve the mystery of a piano-playing child hidden in an apartment across the street. Spying from the balcony, Rook and Valorie are alarmed by the strange woman who goes out to buy pizza at the exact same time each day, a child’s simple piano tunes played only when the woman is gone, and a discarded doll whose head has been ripped off. Sensing danger, Rook and Valory try to alert their elders, but no one takes them seriously. As they investigate on their own, they discover important things about themselves, their families, and the assumptions they’ve made. 

This tightly plotted mystery keeps the reader guessing to the very end. Amy’s memorable characters and quirky humor make Sneaks a very fun, enjoyable read! 

We’re so glad to have you as a guest on the GROG Blog, Amy. Tell us a little about yourself and your writing career. 

Amy: I grew up in Colorado, taking the mountains for granted. My heart was in other magical places, such as Narnia, snowbound Canada, Britain with its moors and tea, and that most wondrous place of all, the Past. Little did I know I was living in the old days myself—and deprived of computers and video games, I wrote and illustrated my own books, mostly featuring animal characters because I could draw them better. I continued to write fiction until college. There, I took a creative writing workshop where I was convinced by a bunch of creatively dressed classmates that my writing wasn’t very sophisticated. Experimental fiction was in style, and I didn’t fit in very well. After college, I mostly quit creative writing because I was distracted by having to earn a living. Much later, when I had my own family, I reconnected with my childhood dream of writing kidlit, but getting published was harder than I expected. 

How did you get the idea for Sneaks? 

Amy: When I watched Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window with my two sons, I thought the premise might be good for middle grade. In Sneaks, twelve-year-old Valory and Rook sit on the balcony spying on the neighbors and notice clues that something fishy is going on in the apartment building across the alley. In Rear Window, the police don’t take Jimmy Stewart’s suspicions seriously. In my book, it’s the grown-ups who underestimate the sleuths and accuse them of having overactive imaginations. When Valory and Rook set out to solve the mystery on their own, they break a few rules and make a few bad choices, but they also learn about being brave and following their own consciences. 

Of course, Rear Window has been adapted many times. Hitchcock himself adapted it from a short story by Cornell Woolrich. My book isn’t even the first kids’ version—The Secret Apartment, by Natalie Fast, particularly influenced me. I made the story my own by recalling how my brothers and I used to love sneaking around as kids. When I was eight, my family went to Belgium for three months and lived in a five-story apartment building. My brothers and I explored that place from top to bottom. We couldn’t even watch TV or get our hands on many English-language books, so we spent our time spying on people and having adventures. I tried to capture that sense of exhilaration in the story.

The two main characters in Sneaks are very different. Rook is an introvert and a gifted pianist. Valory is a daring rule-breaker. You tell the story in both their voices. Was that hard to do? Was one character easier to write than the other? 

Amy: This was my first experience writing in dual perspective. It seemed to fit this book, which has two protagonists of equal importance. To me, the hard part was differentiating the voices, but it helps that the characters are such different personalities. Valory is mouthy (to use one of my mother’s favorite words), brash, confident, shrewd, and judgmental. Rook is thoughtful, musically gifted, proud, somewhat timid, and secretive. Valory has to learn to be less self-centered, and Rook to speak up for himself. 

One useful hack I discovered quite by accident. I started out writing Valory’s chapters in first person and Rook’s in third. But I changed my mind and decided that would be too confusing for young readers. After converting Valory’s perspective to third, I was surprised to find that the language had a certain tone—a sort of slangy bounce—that was different than if I’d written it in third person in the first place. The tone served to further distinguish the voices, very subtly. 

There were other devices I used: for example, Valory uses more hyperbole and gives everyone nicknames. Valory is into clothes—what Rook calls a hat, she calls a fedora. Meanwhile, Rook uses a lot of music metaphors and tends to reference science fiction and superhero movies. At an even more granular level, Valory says “anybody” and “somebody,” while Rook says “anyone” and “someone.” More importantly, they notice different things—Valory is visual, while Rook takes in the world through his ears. Valory is highly attuned to hypocrisy in adults, which she calls out and condemns. Rook, who is in awe of his successful parents, struggles to please and is sensitive to any sign of adult displeasure. 

While Sneaks is a story about growing up and speaks to problems common to middle graders—dealing with parents, speaking up, making and keeping friends—it’s also a mystery. Which came first: plot or characters? 

Amy: I guess I would say the plot came first, since I got the idea after watching Rear Window. But I always struggle to write until I have a good sense of the characters. The first clue to the mystery is piano music, emanating from a supposedly empty apartment. I wanted Rook to have a special connection to this music, so I made him a musician. As soon as I did that, his personality and family life all fell into place. As for Valory, I realize now she was partly inspired by The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson. I was very much a good kid (an “asparagus-eater,” as Valory would say) but Gilly’s rebelliousness thrilled me to my core. When I read about her blowing an enormous bubble in a social worker’s face, I think that’s when my own character of Valory started germinating in my mind. Valory is different from Gilly in many ways, but there’s definitely a family resemblance. 

What was the most difficult part of this story to write? 

Amy: The beginning is always hard because you need to hook the reader fast. Then again, the middle is where you have to keep raising the stakes, and that’s tough, too. Then again, the end is when the real pressure sets in. You know, it’s all pretty hard! 

That’s the truth! 

Old Town Books

Amy: But seriously . . . writing this book, I struggled most with the character of the villain—the Goblin Woman, as Valory calls her. At first, I set out to make her zany and completely evil, like Cruella DeVille in Dodie Smith’s marvelous 1956 novel, The Hundred and One Dalmatians. Maybe someday I’ll succeed in making that kind of dastardly villain, but I’ve noticed I tend to humanize my antagonists more with every subsequent draft. I start digging into why they’re so dastardly, and then I end up sympathizing with their motives. Which is no bad thing, but it’s tricky to get the balance right. Even if villains come off as realistic, even if they have a proper character arc, even if they make the reader laugh, they must also be dangerous enough to challenge the hero or heroes to the utmost. 

I think you got that just right, Amy. Ms. Smith, the Goblin Woman, is very creepy and sinister until we get a glimpse under that protective armor to the vulnerable woman inside. 

Tell us about your writing process. Are you a pantser or a plotter? 

Amy: I guess I tend more toward the pantsy end of the spectrum. But oh, I wish I could be a plotter so much! Plotters tend to write their books much faster than pantsers. Sometimes I try to construct a proper outline, but it tends to spin out of control until I realize I’m outlining a 700-page book instead of a 200-page book. In the case of Sneaks, I was (very loosely) basing it on Rear Window, so that gave me some structure going in. Near the end of the film, there’s a great scene in which Jeff (Jimmy Stewart) watches helplessly from his window as Lisa (Grace Kelly) goes into danger. He wants to run and save her, but he can’t because he has the world’s most enormous cast on his leg. In my story, Rook doesn’t have a cast, but he’s trapped at home for reasons I won’t go into here. But I was always writing toward my own version of that scene—the going into danger scene—and that helped me keep my direction. 

About your road to publication: How did you find your agent and your editor? Any comments on the publication process? Surprises? 

Amy: It’s been a long road to publication for me: about twelve years of considerable effort. I wrote and queried several manuscripts before Sneaks, including two picture books, two chapter books, and two middle grade novels. I also read craft books and learned a lot about plot (the “p word” was never mentioned in those long-ago creative writing workshops). In the end, I think what kept me going through all the rejection was the support of my critique group. It was just really fun having people read my stuff every week. I learned a lot from their comments and from critiquing their work. After racking up about 200 rejections for my various manuscripts, I finally got a “yes” from an agent, who sold Sneaks within nine months. Unfortunately, my agent left the business not long after. So I’m back to querying again. 

Full disclosure here. Amy and I have been in the same critique group for years, and she’s right. Our wonderful group has been so encouraging. At the same time, the thoughtful, and often tough, feedback has helped us all to grow. 

Amy, though you’ve been writing for many years, this is your first published book. How does it feel to be a debut author receiving a lot of positive attention? How has your life changed since publication? Any hints about what’s next? 

Amy: Being a debut author is exciting. As an introvert, it’s a little nerve-wracking to be out promoting my book and connecting with potential readers. But it’s wonderful, too. I try not to get so distracted by book promotion that I neglect my writing. Ultimately, blowing your horn on social media doesn’t build your career nearly as much as working on your next book. I’m currently revising a previous manuscript, as well as embarking on a new project. Someday I would love to publish those picture books I wrote back in 2011! And maybe I’ll write a mystery for adults one day—who knows? 

The best thing about writing is that no one tells you what to do next. And the worst thing? No one tells you what to do next! But maybe that’s why we love it so much. 

Thank you, Amy! It’s been wonderful talking to you about your marvelous book Sneaks. 

Find it wherever books are sold. 

For more about Amy, visit her website at https://amytern.com/

Sculptor and Spy: Debut Novel by Julie Phend ~interview with Christy Mihaly

Julie Phend

Greetings, and welcome back from summer break! Today we interview GROGger Julie Phend about her recent book, Sculptor and Spy: Romance and Rebellion in the Time of the American Revolution.

This is compelling historical fiction for readers of all ages. It focuses on Betsy Wright, a real person and wax artist who Julie imagines as a spy in the Revolutionary War.

As a nonfiction author, I especially admire how well Julie brings a turbulent historical period to life with compelling characters, romance, and adventure. I was intrigued by her writing process and the decisions she made about what to include, facts and fiction, in writing this book.

***

GROG: Julie, you're a former middle-school language arts teacher and now a children's author. How has your teaching background influenced your writing?

Julie:

I loved teaching literature and writing, my own favorite subjects. In our school, the language arts curriculum was tied to the social studies curriculum: the study of American history. So, in my classes, students were reading and writing about the period of history they were currently studying. This was fun for me, as I’d always enjoyed history. But I noticed that some periods of American history were well-represented in literature, while others, including the American Revolution, were sadly lacking. I was especially disappointed by the lack of good books featuring female characters during that period. I think this lack led me to later research and write the story of Patience Wright and her family.

I think your teaching experiences also led you to write your earlier book, too?

Yes. When we studied WWII, we brought veterans in to talk to the students. One of those vets was Stanley Edwards, whose story of being a young pilot shot down on D-Day captivated me. Mr. Edwards’ health was fading, and I wanted to capture his story for future generations of students. This led to our collaboration on the book D-Day and Beyond: A True Story of Escape and POW Survival, which was my first published work. 

What brought you to write this story about Elizabeth Wright?

I discovered Patience Wright (Elizabeth's mother) years ago, at the Spy Museum in Washington, DC. In an exhibit on Women Spies, there was just a short paragraph saying she was a wax artist who traveled to London to sculpt Benjamin Franklin, King George III and other notables. She sent spy messages to the Continental Congress inside wax heads shipped to her sister in Philadelphia.

I found the idea of a woman who was both an artist and a spy very intriguing and wanted to know more. At the time, there was far less information on the internet, but I found a 1976 biography of Patience Wright by Charles Coleman Sellers. As I read it, a picture of this woman emerged. Besides being talented, Wright was bold, brash, and outspoken, truly unusual for a woman of her time. In addition, she was a widow who left her three children in America when she went to London. Patience Wright’s story seemed like an intriguing topic for a novel—one that might fill a gap in literature of that period. Thinking of my students, I wondered what it would be like to be Patience Wright’s child. That question became a central theme for the book.

I know you did a ton of research, from New York to London to Savannah and points between. You must have deep knowledge to write convincingly of this time and these places, and I think you nailed it. Tell us about the research.

I was fortunate to live in London for several months. While there, I pursued this topic through many different venues. While I did do library research, the “hands-on” experiences were even more valuable. I followed Patience and Betsy Wright throughout London, locating where they lived and visiting Benjamin Franklin’s home nearby. I toured Buckingham Palace and walked the paths of St. James’s Park. I visited Madame Tussaud’s wax museum and talked with their historians. I took countless walking tours, soaking up the knowledge of London’s incredibly knowledgeable tour guides and becoming familiar with the geography. I even became a trial junkie, attending trials at the Old Bailey and Court of the King’s Bench, learning the language and customs of the English court system. 

Julie consulting with Ben Franklin

Back in the states, I visited New York, finding the approximate location of Patience Wright’s home and waxwork, the Battery and shipyards, and the Fraunces Tavern, which was the scene of much of the New York Sons of Liberty activity. The original Fraunces Tavern is now a museum devoted to Colonial and Revolutionary-era history and is a wealth of information on the topic. I also visited Boston, Philadelphia, and Savannah, all sites of Revolutionary War history, many of which appear in the book. Wherever I went, I toured colonial homes, becoming immersed in the way of life of the period. 

I think the reader can sense your depth of understanding in the pages of your book. As with all historical fiction, you faced the peculiar challenge of creating believable characters from and around historical figures. How do you give us characters consistent with known facts – how do you decide what to make up and what to alter? For example, was the real historical Betsy Wright a spy, or not?

These were really hard decisions for me, and I rewrote the book several times trying to get it right. My earlier drafts stuck to known facts, but that left too many unanswered questions. Editors and agents who reviewed the work urged me to find the story lurking under the facts.

To answer your specific question, there is no historical evidence that Betsy Wright was a spy. Patience gets all the credit for that. At the same time, Patience was such an outspoken person that she wasn’t a very effective spy. But there is very little known about Betsy, other than that she married Ebeneezer Platt and started her own waxwork business after the war. I couldn’t even find a portrait of her. It made her very appealing as a main character because it allowed me to create her as I wished, within known facts. I speculated that a quiet, little-known young woman could be a more effective spy than someone as recognizable as Patience Wright. 

I love how you point out that there were many women spies during the Revolution. My own recent book, America's Founding Myths, mentions women spies during the Revolutionary War period, and points out (as you do) that women made effective spies because they were disregarded and often not taken seriously.

I particularly appreciate your back matter notes revealing what is true and known, and what is not, about the figures and events in your book. Those questions are always in the back of my mind when reading a story like this. Your thoughts about back matter?

I, too, love reading the back matter of a historical novel to find out which parts are true. It’s hard to decide how much to include in the Author’s Notes, but I hope I’ve answered the reader’s most pressing questions.

I believe you have! Regarding the fictional elements ... I loved Ten, your "street urchin" character – what made you create him?

Ah, Ten!  He just walked (or rather, ran) onto the page when I was writing the Covent Garden scene, and I immediately fell in love with that cheeky little boy.  I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I went to work finding ways to incorporate Ten into the story. (I wrote several charming scenes featuring Ten that didn’t make it to the final draft because they don’t tie directly to the plot. I’m thinking of putting some of these deleted scenes on my website, like the “outtakes” from movies and TV shows.)

I love that idea, Julie! I'll look forward to reading your outtakes.

The relationship between sisters Betsy and Phoebe in your book is important and difficult, as sister relationships can be. What inspired you to write it this way? 

History tells us that Phoebe stayed in London and married a painter, William Hopner, who frequently used her as his subject. His portraits reveal Phoebe to be a lovely young woman, but I think she also looks rather vain. This, coupled with her decision not to return to America, led me to characterize her as self-centered and a Loyalist, both of which would put her in opposition to Betsy’s goals and lead to intense sibling rivalry. Growing up with two sisters of my own, I can appreciate that dynamic. 

Anything else you want to tell us about your characters and their stories?

The true story of American Patriot Eb (Ebeneezer Platt), was the biggest surprise, and the hardest to uncover. It gave me great satisfaction to dig out the facts behind his capture and arrest. I had to invent some parts of Eb and Betsy's story. I still don’t know how Betsy really discovered him in Newgate Prison or exactly why he was released, but Ten helped me find a fictional resolution. 

I'm wondering how long it took you to write this book?

It's been in the works for years! Being a true “pantser,” I started to write before I even finished researching. My first draft was from Phoebe’s point of view, when she accidentally started the fire in the waxwork, but I quickly decided that Betsy had the more compelling story. My early drafts began when Betsy first arrived in London, but I found I needed to give the reader more time with Eb, especially after I discovered how exciting his side of the story was. 

As an inexperienced novelist, I made lots of mistakes, got stuck in the middle, and only outlined the book then. But I was determined to learn. I took courses, attended conferences of the Historical Novel Society and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), got professional critiques from editors and agents, as well as feedback from beta readers and my two wonderful critique groups. At one point, I had an agent who fell in love with the book but was unable to sell it or tell me what needed to change. After that, I put the project away for almost five years while I wrote two middle-grade novels (still unpublished). But this story still called to me, and the nation’s 250th birthday was coming up, so I pulled it out, completely revamped the outline, and rewrote it again, this time with the benefit of experience and input from my many readers and editors. I’m finally satisfied and truly proud of how it turned out.

Persistence pays off! And the book is better than it would have been, had you met with immediate success, right? Okay, tell us about your publisher.

The book is self-published, and StoryWeaver Press is my own imprint. That’s another whole story and a huge learning curve, but I’m pleased with the outcome.

That is very impressive! How can readers find your book?

Sculptor and Spy: Romance and Rebellion in the Time of the American Revolution is available in print and eBook on Amazon, Bookshop, and anywhere books are sold. It may be necessary to ask for it in bookstores and libraries. 

The paperback ISBN# is 979-8-9954922-0-7. 

Thank you, Julie! If it's not already clear, I highly recommend Sculptor and Spy. And I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

Summertime and Rhyme--A Perfect Picture Book Pair: An Interview with Author Eileen Meyer by Julie Phend

 

What's more fun than spending a summer day at the beach creating your own sandcastle? 

BUILD A SANDCASTLE, published this spring by Reycraft Books, is a charming picture book featuring fun rhyming text by Eileen Rajala Meyer and colorful sewn-felt illustrations by Manica Musil. STEM sandcastle-building techniques are offered by an expert starfish (who's seen many a castle collapse in his years on the beach). 

It's my pleasure to welcome author Eileen Rajala Meyer, a former Grog blogger, to talk about the book and give us some expert tips on writing in rhyme.

Julie: Welcome back to the GROG Blog, Eileen. I'm excited to share your new picture book and tips for writing in rhyme with our readers. This book is a rhyming picture book, but it's also a how-to book with STEM components. So: WHY RHYME?

Eileen: Thank you, Julie, for inviting me to share insights about my new picture book, Build a Sandcastle. I came up with the idea for this picture book during the pandemic while walking the beach near my Florida home. I envisioned a book celebrating that favorite summer activity--building a sandcastle. My audience would be young builders at the beach, those in preschool or early elementary grades.

I chose to write in rhyme because young children love it and rhyming picture books picture books promote early literacy. The repetition of sounds and words aids language development. Since my book was about a fun day at the beach, it tone was light-hearted. To match that feeling, I chose a bouncy rhythm (trochaic poetic meter) for the rhyming couplets I was crafting. Considering all those different elements, writing this book in rhythm and rhyme seemed the perfect match for the subject matter, tone, and audience.

So which came first, the rhymed story or the STEM building tips?

Eileen: Great question. I enjoy researching new topics so I read about sand, sandcastle building, and how experts go about crafting sandcastles. During that process, I compiled a list of tips for the book's back matter. The list included things like safety considerations, supplies to bring along, and how to scout the right spot to build a beach masterpiece. In my research, I came across more advanced tips that competitive builders us, such as using nonstick spray to coat the inside of buckets and forms so they slip off seamlessly during the building process. 

As I crafted rhyming couplets for the story, I referred to my research and fine-tuned my age-appropriate tips. So, to answer your question, the rhyming text and sandcastle construction tips evolved together. In early drafts, the STEM construction tips were placed in the back matter. By my final version, that had changed--now a spunky Starfish shares tips on each page spread to aid young creators step by step.

Julie: Editors often say they don't want rhyming picture books. Why not?

Eileen: As you know, I love rhyme! Most of the picture books I've published are written in rhythm and rhyme. I'm part of the "Rhyme Doctors" team, along with fellow children's authors Michelle Schaub and Patricia Toht. Our team writes extensively about different aspects of rhyme on our free biweekly House Calls blog. Sign up at https://www.rhymedoctors.com/  Our posts include discussions about rhyming picture books and mentor text recommendations. In addition, we often dive into writing nitty-gritty, such as the use of poetic devices or understanding poetic meter and scansion. 

Writing in rhythm and rhyme is not an easy task. It's a real challenge to do it well. There are many elements of a rhyming story to get just right right. Are your rhymes inventive and unique? Is your poetic meter consistent, and does it match the tone of your story? Each word in a rhyming picture book manuscript needs to be carefully chosen for the poetic meter scheme, its meaning, and tone. So, when editors say they don't want rhyming picture books, I believe they are really saying: We want rhyming picture books, but please submit projects that are well-written. Your meter is spot on. Your rhymes are unique and interesting. And you've reworked, revised, and refined your project to perfection!

Julie: What are some common pitfalls about working in rhyme?

Eileen: I think the biggest challenge if you want to write a rhymed picture book is understanding poetic meter. Beginners think that writing a rhyming picture book is all about getting the end rhymes right. Of course, that is an important element (using true rhymes and avoiding slant or near rhymes). But in my opinion, what is essential is creating and maintaining a strong rhythmic pattern from start to finish. Of course, that can include meter variations and refrains--but it should be a pattern that's consistent throughout your manuscript. You want read-aloud text where the words flow beautifully.

Understanding poetic meter is is essential when crafting poems and rhyming picture book text. There are four common poetic meters most poets use: iambic and trochaic meter (formed using two-syllable metrical feet) plus anapestic and diactylic meter (formed using three-syllable metric feet). I write about these four meters in my Rhyme Doctor posts, if readers would like to search the archives. Each post provides examples of the meter, defines it, and showcases its use in children's books and poems. 

Excerpt from Build a Sandcastle. Note the rhyming text, Starfish tip, and sewn-felt illustrations.

Julie: Did anything surprise you about the final version of Build a Sandcastle?

Eileen: After the contract was signed and we discussed art, my editor, Sunita Apte at Reycraft Books, suggested mixed media art for the book. I wasn't familiar with that form of illustration and artistry--but I was thrilled with Manica Musil's sewn-felt depictions. (I hadn't previously seen Manica's work since she is from Slovenia and is published outside the U.S.) She's an amazing talent! My favorite spread is one containing the completed sandcastle. The way she created the castle's intricate details with felt, fabric pieces, and stiching is astonishing. She has added beautiful details, such as an orange beach pail that includes a tiny animal. If you look closely, you'll see that the animal's expression changes with each illustration and page turn. A fun surprise! Manica Musil's beautiful sewn-felt artistry really makes this book stand apart. 

Julie: Thank you, Eileen, for this fun and informative post! Good luck with Build a Sandcastle.

Eileen Rajala Meyer writes children's picture books and poetry. Here rhyming ode to a favorite summer activity, Build a Sandcastle, is hitting the shelves now. Her poetry collection, The Superlative A. Lincoln (Charlesbridge Publishing) was a Florida State Book Award Silver Medal winner. Eileen is a member of the Rhyme Doctors team and shares articles about writing poetry and rhyme in a free monthly newsletter. Sign up at https://www.rhymedoctors.com/  

Visit her at EileenMeyerBooks.com 

On Instagram and Blue Sky:@EileenMeyerBooks 

On X: @Writer_Meyer

What's Changed in Children's Publishing in the Last Ten Years? by Julie Phend

 

https://groggorg.blogspot.com/

What's Changed Since the GROG Blog Began?

As part of GROG Blog's Ten-Year Anniversary Celebration, we're exploring what's changed in children's and young adult publishing since the GROG began. 

I asked four long-term Groggers, Kathy Halsey, Christy Mihaly, Tina Cho, and Todd Burleson to tell us:

• What has changed for you personally as a children's author, teacher or librarian in the past ten years?
• What changes have you seen in children's publishing?

Here's what they had to say:

Kathy with her book, Be a Rainbow

Kathy Halsey:

In ten years, so much has changed in this whirlwind business. Back in 2014, I was beginning my journey as a children's writer. In 2024, my first WFH book, Be a Rainbow (Kiwi Press) launched.

When most of the charter GROG members began this journey, we were optimistic and curious about writing for children. We wanted to share our questions and the answers we discovered with other kitlit writers and illustrators; hence the birth of GROG, an acronym for "group blog."

Todd Burleson, our founder, came up with the name and banner, which hasn't changed and may feel "old school" now. (There was no CANVA then.) Our GROG goals remain the same: assisting our readers, life-long learning, celebrating others' successes, and creating a better world for all children through books.

Traditional publishing has become harder: publishing houses merged, book productions costs rose, and long waits for everything is the new normal. Still, we're optimistic and committed to writing for kids. New, smaller publishers have emerged that interact more personally with their clients. Exciting new book formats grab more readers. Best of all, more kids see themselves in books now that publishing is more open to diverse writer once left out of the business. 

Kathy Halsey is a children's author, entrepreneur, former K-12 librarian, and Past President of OELMA. 

Kathy and Christy 

Christy Mihaly:

After a dozen years and forty books. I feel less like an imposter when I tell people I'm a children's author. I've also become much more comfortable making presentations at schools, libraries, and conferences. 

I've had the same agent, Erzsi Deak, for eight years, and it's been a real joy to be on this writing journey alongside a wise professional partner. In addition to finding homes for my manuscripts, she has helped me figure out how to evolve and grow as an author.

One of the nice things about having published nonfiction books is that I've had former editors suggest new topics or ask me to write a particular book they want to see. Yes! Give me an assignment, please!

Another great thing is that I'm still meeting wonderful new people in the kidlit community--other writers, illustrators, teachers, and librarians. We're all on a journey together, and I love how supportive the kidlit and education communities are. 

Christy presents at Children's Lit Festival
in Kirksville, MO

Regarding changes I've seen in the industry:

Everything feels slower these days. Writers are having more difficulty finding agents, and agents are finding it challenging to sell manuscripts. Editors seem overworked, and books are taking a long time to move once they're acquired.

The efforts of so many people in the industry to improve diversity in kids' books has had an effect. Recently published books have featured a wide range of cultures, identities, and social issues. On the other hand, there's the backlash of book banning and censorship--we live in interesting times.

Graphic novels (and nonfiction in a GN format) have taken off in the last decade. Kids have always enjoyed these books, but I think adults are taking them more seriously now. 

The landscape of conferences seems to be changing, as some are cancelled and others revised or presented online. I'm not sure where this will go, but there may be new opportunities ahead. I look forward to finding out!

Christy Mihaly is a children's author and poet who has published more than 35 books, primarily nonfiction, on topics from hayfields to free speech to Mel Brooks.

Tina Cho

Tina Cho:

So much has changed for me personally in the past ten years! In 2014, my family was living in South Korea. In 2024, we're living in Iowa, USA. In 2014, none of my books were published. I didn't have an agent yet. In 2024, I have a wonderful agent and five published picture books with two more on the way, plus a middle grade lyrical graphic novel. I'm blessed!

Regarding changes I've seen in the publishing world:

These days, it's harder to get published. With the pandemic, publishing slowed way down. Editors started working from home. Publishers laid workers off. Some publishers have combined into one house. Agents and editors are being very selective of the stories they publish, and the wait time to hear back from both has increased dramatically. Therefore, writers need to really know the craft of writing and put their very best unique work out there. It's a competitive and tough market right now.

Ten years ago, we didn't do virtual author visits. But again thanks to the pandemic, most of now have conducted visits virtually. To do in-school visits, I think security and the necessary paperwork have increased.

I've seen editors want and acquire more diverse stories. When I first started writing, there weren't many books featuring Asian characters. Now there are many, though still a drop in the bucket compared to those featuring white characters and animals. Books that deal with social and emotional learning have skyrocketed since the pandemic. Being cooped up for a year or more hit us all heavily. Now, we read books to children and adults to get them out of depressed states. 

Tina Cho is the author of numerous fiction and nonfiction picture books. She recently moved back from South Korea to her home state of Iowa, where she teaches and raises a family.

Todd Burleson was integral to founding the GROG Blog but is no longer a regular contributor. I asked Kathy to re-introduce him to our GROG readers. 

Todd has always been a leader, team player, and a technology innovator. No wonder he was our GROG leader! This anniversary has us reminiscing about how we met. We've never met in person, but we have much in common: we both have Master's degrees and 30+ years of experience in education and a love of nonfiction. We're both school librarians, Midwesterners, and even had the same agent. Todd's still shaking things up in the school library world as a creator and visionary. Welcome back, Todd!

Todd Burleson

Todd Burleson:

Holy cow! TEN years! I vividly remember when I timidly reached out via Facebook to like-minded writers and thinkers who wanted to create a blog about all things children's literature, curious whether there was a need. A handful of intrepid individuals responded, and the Group Blog (GROG) began.

In the ensuing years, my career as an educator and librarian hit all-time highs as I was given the honor of being chosen as the 2016 School Library Journal Librarian of the Year. This afforded me tremendous opportunities and experiences, including traveling around the world talking about books and learning, and meeting amazing authors, illustrators and librarians. 

Over the past decade, I've seen the children's literature world blossom. Movements like We Need Diverse Books, the explosion of graphic novels (New Kid even won the Newberry Award in 2020), and novels in verse have turned millions of young people into passionate and empathetic readers. The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, the first picture book ever to win both Newberry and Caldecott Awards, seemed to change the rules and open new horizons for writers and illustrators.

In my current work as a 5th and 6th-grade librarian, I'm encouraged by the powerful stories being written that help EVERY child feel represented, respected, and understood. Students are hungry for meaningful stories that entertain, inspire, encourage, educate, and challenge them.

At the same time, I'm seeing books banned across the country at a time when the world is ever more divided and in need of understanding one another. Books have the power to bridge that gap and heal those divisions, if only we allow them to reach our readers. In my opinion, there has never been a better time to be part of the children's literature world, and books have never been more impactful!

Todd Burleson

Thank you to all the writers on the GROG, past and present, for continuing to work and encourage those who create for young readers. It is an honor to be part of this fantastic group of people. I look forward to watching the GROG expand and grow in the future.

Here's to ten more years!

Todd Burleson is a 32-year veteran educator who is currently a 5th and 6th-grade librarian in Winnetka, IL, and is the author of The Green Screen Makerspace Project Book (2017). He was selected as 2016 School Library Journal Librarian of the Year and is a passionate advocate for the power of reading to change lives.

There you have it, folks. Thank YOU for following the GROG Blog and being part of our kidlit community.  

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Celebrating GROG Blog’s 10th ~ By Julie Phend

Happy Tenth Anniversary, GROG!

https://groggorg.blogspot.com/

The GROG Blog has been offering support, information, and encouragement to members of the children's writing community for ten years! To celebrate this milestone, we're going to review GROG's history and mission and highlight some of the people who have made this wonderful resource happen. And for you, our readers, we're offering gifts and prizes as a thank-you for spreading the word. 

Intrigued? Read on.

The GROG Mission:

To provide:

    G: Guidance and support

    R: Resources on the craft of writing

    O: Opportunities to expand our skills

    G: Great folks who support readers and writers of all ages.

That spells GROG!

How Did GROG Get Started?

2014 WOW Retreat

The GROG origin story began in the mountains of Georgia in the summers of 2013-2014 when a group of writers who didn't know each other bonded at the Week of Writing (WOW) nonfiction writing retreat. GROG evolved out of their desire to gather a group of writers to form a new blog about children's literature. Being energetic, intrepid souls, these writers made their vision a reality.

Kathy Halsey & Christy Mihaly

Two of the writers at that original event, Kathy Halsey and Christy Mihaly, are still writing for the GROG blog. GROG grew by inviting writers from all over the world through online forums.

One of the original online recruits is Tina Cho.  

"In 2014, I was living

Tina Cho

in South Korea with my husband and kids," she said. "I had started writing in 2008, so when we moved to Korea, I participated virtually in critique groups, blogs, and social media groups. I started with the GROG blog when I took Kristin Fulton's nonfiction picture book biography class online. Todd Burleson was in the class, and he asked if we'd like to continue together and write a blog. I joined and have been submitting blog posts ever since."

Let's give a SHOUT OUT  to original Groggers Tina Cho, Kathy Halsey, and Christy Mihaly, who have been contributing great information for TEN YEARS! 

Watching the GROG Grow

The first GROG post came out on February 24, 2014. At that time, there were fourteen contributing writers. GROG came out daily, with a different focus each day. Talk about ambitious! 

Here's a quote from one of the first posts on March 22, 2014: "Why are we doing this? The answer is simple. It is for YOU--the writers, librarians, teachers, and lovers of books--especially books for young readers." That's still true today.

The post listed the fourteen original bloggers: Jan Godown Annino, Tina Cho, Christy Mihaly, Sherri Jones Rivers, Patricia Toht, Marcie Flinchum Atkins, Leslie Colin Tribble, Pam Vaughn, Suzy Leopold, Janie Reinart, Todd Burleston, Kathy Halsey, Cheryl Mansfield, and Jackie Wellington. I'm sure many of their names are familiar. (You can read the full post here.)

An early WOW Retreat
With some of the original Groggers

Over the years, the GROG blog has evolved and changed. Some bloggers moved on, and new voices were added. We now post weekly instead of every day. But our mission is unchanged. GROG remains a great place of enlightenment and support in the children's writing community.

Did You Say Something about GIFTS and PRIZES?

You bet! Keep reading to learn how. (Even that has roots in the past.)

How does a new blog get readers?

With a Blog Launch, of course. GROG's launch ran from March 24-April 7, 2014. Bloggers conducted a raffle, giving away free books and services. Readers could enter by visiting the blog and leaving a comment, signing up to subscribe, and re-posting about GROG on social media. The more you did to spread the word, the better your chance of winning a prize.

It worked, too. In its first year, the GROG blog had over 59,000 page views and 16,732 visitors from all over the world. (See the whole post at Happy One Year Anniversary )

As of today, GROG has 851, 244 views with 13,483 comments on 814 posts. Well done, Groggers!

Happy Ten Year Anniversary: 

GROG Giveaway!

In celebration of our tenth anniversary, we're doing another giveaway. Here's your chance to be part of our story and win some fabulous prizes.

How to Enter the Raffle:

We're giving away 10 prizes over 10 days! To enter, you need to comment on a blog post and follow the GROG Blog. For an extra entry, reblog a post on another form of social media and share the link.

What Can You Win?

Here are the prizes and the date entries will open for each one, as well as link to follow:

 

Books:

 

Day 1

3/20 Tina Cho, My Breakfast with Jesus

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e3/?

 

Day 2

3/21 Sue Heavenrich, The Pie that Molly Grew

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e4/?

 

Day 3

3/22 Eileen Meyer, The Superlative A Lincoln and swag bag

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e5/?

 

Day 4

3/23 Christy Mihaly, three-book package: Little Golden Book about Mel Brooks; Patience, Patches; and choice of Free for You and Me or The Supreme Court and Us

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e6/?

 

Day 5

3/24 Julie Phend, D-Day and Beyond: A True Story of Escape and POW Survival

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e8/?

 

Day 6

3/25 Tina Cho, God's Little Astronomer

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e7/?

 

 

Services:

 

Day 7

3/26 An Ask Me Anything Zoom chat with author, speaker, former librarian Kathy Halsey (For more information, see Ask Infowoman: A Library Consult )

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e9/?

 

Day 8

3/27 An Ask Me Anything Zoom chat with author Sue Heavenrich

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e10/?

 

Day 9

3/28 A nonfiction manuscript critique from author, editor, and agent Fran Hodgkins (1500 words, max. )

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e2/?

 

Day 10

3/29 One ten-page fiction manuscript critique by author Julie Phend

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e998ca2e12/?

 

 

THANK YOU for being a GROG reader and helping us spread the word about this great resource. Sign up to follow us each Wednesday for informative new posts and Blasts from the Past, where you'll find previous posts that are still relevant today. 

Look for a post on May 29, when I'll interview some long-time Groggers about what's changed in the world of children's publishing over the past ten years.

And good luck with the RAFFLE!