Meet Kristen Fulton ~By Suzy Leopold

This is not the first time that nonfiction picture book author, Kristen Fulton, is featured on the GROG Blog. Her analytic mind and her background in veterinarian science are perfect matches for the genre of nonfiction that she writes.  Personally, I am impressed with Kristen and her determination with her writing career. I admire her sincere kind, generous spirit as she shares her experience and encouragement with many aspiring writers. Thank you, Kristen, for the opportunity to interview you.

Kristen Fulton
Author

Q: Tell us about your love for nonfiction picture books and why you choose to write in this genre.

A: I believe this to be a natural evolution for me. Having a science and business background sometimes logic overrules emotions. I love doing research; I love finding the nugget of information and putting my voice to the story. When I sit down to write, I truly have kids in mind. I never think about the editors. I think to myself,how can I entice a child to want to learn about history.

Q: Tell us about your excitement and why you are looking forward to 2017?

A: Yes, I am anxiously looking forward to 2017. I know that once the first book hits the shelves, then it should seem as thought the publishing world runs smoother, or at least I hope. I have two stories releasing in 2017 and two in 2018. All are pure nonfiction.

LONG MAY SHE WAVES debuts May 2017 from Simon & Schuster and FLIGHT FOR FREEDOM is set to release September 2017 from Chronicle Books. Two more books, authored by Kristen will follow with A ROYAL RIDE and WHEN SPARKS FLY. Both will be on bookshelves in 2018.

Q: Tell us about your state standards chart that you created for grades Kindergarten-5th grade. How does it help you in knowing if a picture book manuscript is viable?

A: Many writers are familiar with my Fab 5 List. I teach it in my Nonfiction Archeology class and it was recently shared on Lynne Marie's Blog: My Word Playground.

The last word, viable, is the most important part of this question you can ask yourself as a nonfiction writer. You must be able to answer yes before you invest all that time into research along with these basic questions:

1. Will children find this topic interesting (not do you think, but will they)?
2. Is the person, event, or subject something that children can relate to? I am not talking about the deep underlying thread that you try to weave through the story to give it a morale. You know, hard work pays off, or it's good to be different.
3. Will your agent or editor be able to promote this book to schools? Does the topic fit into classroom studies?
4. Can you answer these why questions? Why is the story important? Why now?
5. If the topic has been done before, is my approach different and unique?

Once I answer yes to these five questions. I then refer to my school chart.

What grade level and subjects will my topic fit? These are great selling pints. This is the most common material for all 50 states for each grade level. There may be a state that studies state history in third grade instead of fourth, but this is based on the majority. In most cases it was an almost unanimous curriculum criteria.

Kristen's School Chart

Created by Kristen Fulton
School Chart

Q:  What books are you currently reading and enjoying?

A:  Okay, I am such a fruit-loop. I love Regency Romance books. When I want r to relax, I will fix a cup of tea, grab a well--loved Regency romance book--Julia Quinn, Tracy Ann Warren, Eloise James, Judith McNaught and get lost for the day. 

I do try to read at least three picture books a day. Even if I have read them ten times before, I will catch new things because I am looking for new things, such as did the author transition? How long to get into the story? How compelling was the hook?

A cup of Earl Grey Tea
and nonfiction picture books

Q:  Share something about yourself that very few people may know about.

A:  I played Snow White at Walt Disney World in Florida during my summer vacations. I had to take a two-week class to learn how to sign the signature of Snow White so that all autographs would look the same whether it was signed in 1985 or 2016. I was instructed on how to walk, hold my hands, and tilt my head just like Snow White. I had a blast.

Q:  You are presenting at the upcoming SCBWI Wild, Wild Midwest 2016 Conference.  Tell us more about how you encourage "the writer inside you".

A:  First, anyone reading this who is attending the Wild, Wild Midwest 2016 Conference, please come and meet me. There is nothing more exciting that meeting other authors who are chugging along just like I am. We can do this together. I love writing; I absolutely LOVE this job. Come sit by me. I promise my love for nonfiction writing is contagious.

Q:  Share some information about the WOW Retreat 2016: Peace, Love and Books held in Helen, Georgia during one week in July 17 ~ 23, 2016.

A:  The WOW (Week of Writing) Retreat is a result of my own selfish wants. I've attended lots of conferences and I learned what I like and didn't like. WOW is the conference that I wish I would have attended. It takes the small retreat atmosphere and gives a faculty of big conference agents, editors, and big name author mentors. We have a 1:4 working ratio to help each writer get the most for the retreat. Our cost includes everything-transportation to and from the airport, all meals, one week at the Lodge, all lodging, all gratuity, a fabulous party, networking and a fun swag bag. 

You can find out more at: WOW Retreat 2016.

Q:  Share information about your Nonfiction Archaeology Class and how it encourages writers to write nonfiction. 

A:  The Nonfiction Archaeology Class is my love. I think what makes my class unique is:

1. Weekly Live Interactive Webinars
2. Small group of writers creates opportunities for writers to share homework and network with each other.
3. Daily homework arrives via email

But, the biggest thing is--the material is presented by an analytical person. I attend conferences nonstop, still take several online classes, and read many writing-related books. I process the information presented differently and in my unique way. Most writers and illustrators are creative and go-with-the-flow. I am not; I am way too uptight. So, I think my ability to dissect the information, add what I have experienced, and then put it in step by step small pieces makes my class unique. The class holds your hand through the research, creating the bibliography, writing your draft, polishing your manuscript, creating your back matter, and then teaches you about all of the other areas of nonfiction as well.

You can find out more at: Nonfiction Archaeology.

Q:  Where can GROG Blog readers find more about Kristen Fulton?

A:  Kristen Fulton, Children's Author
       Facebook
       Twitter

AN INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST JOHN PARRA-By Sherri Jones Rivers

 
     When I deconstructed Marvelous Cornelius, I thought about how John Parra went about fleshing out Cornelius' story through his illustrations on that particular book, as well as his other published works. When I emailed him, he graciously agreed to answer some questions. I think we writers can learn a lot hearing from the ones who bring our words to life.
                                                

     I assume you get many manuscripts from publishers. Do you ever decline work?

     I do receive a good share of manuscripts requesting me to illustrate. The most common reason I might have to decline a project is that I have already committed my schedule to other projects. Otherwise I try to review each story to see what is possible and that we make a good fit.

     What excites you in a manuscript that makes you want to illustrate it?

     Strong characters, descriptive storytelling, interesting locations, a positive message, teaching opportunities, individuals represented diversely, and a fun spirit can all contribute to my excitement about a manuscript.

     Do you have two books that you illustrated that you can compare and contrast as to what you saw in the manuscript and the process by which you fleshed it out?

     I approach most of my projects in the same way. Step 1: Read and research. Step 2: Draw, draw, draw. Step 3: Revise and improve. Step 4: Paint with a preselected color palette. 

     Do you put things in your illustrations that were not actually mentioned in the manuscript, but you added in? They say to always leave room for the artist's work.

     Most of the images I add are normally all related to the story in terms of narration, character profiles, location, landmarks, flora, and community. The smaller Easter Egg items I can include however can be about friends, family, or having a bit of fun. An example would be that I love including bees and ants in my paintings. I just love this other level of life existing within the framework of the main story.

     I'm stumped. What are Easter Eggs?

                                               

                                              

          Easter Eggs are images that could refer to personal friends and family references for them to see for fun. They also could be items that appear to offer subtle foreshadowing that happens later in the story. Or the Easter Egg could be a symbolic image from other stories that appear that remind me of or follow similar themes as the book I am working on. An example of the friends and family one is that I hide a self portrait in all my children's books. (John's self portrait is on this page)

                                       

     I think I know the answer, but how do you feel about an author's illustration notes?

     It is rare that I speak to the authors during a book project development. Often it isn't until after the book has been published and possibly even after some time has passed that I actually get to interact with an author. I did receive some ideas on my last book Marvelous Cornelius from the author Phil Bildner. He wanted to share some stories about additional real life characters that lived in the community where the story is set. I think the process can open up additional creativity and ideas when presented well.

     To what extent do you talk to editors about ideas, concepts, and approaches?

     Each editor is definitely different. Some like to hear about ideas before a project starts; others trust me to work on the images and ideas to present through the sketches.

     About how long does it usually take you to complete the artwork?
                                      

     For one book, creating the artwork could take anywhere from eight months to a year.

     What advice would you give to picture book writers from an artist's perspective?

     One piece of advice in writing that helps me is when writers use visual verbal clues that enhance and connect words with the art and layout possibilities. For verbal clues, I am thinking more on the lines of descriptive adjectives that describe characters, environment, action, or emotion in a scene. For example:
"Thousands of small orange butterflies filled the sky as the young boy gazed in amazement at their sublime and graceful movements over the shallow rolling hills below."

     Do you ever hear from authors thanking you for your illustrations?

     Yes, many authors do reach out and happily discuss the art in our books. I believe we have mutual thank you feelings for each other's contributions and work towards the book.

     What are you working on right now? Can you divulge any info?

     I am currently working on three new children's picture book projects for separate publishing houses. One book is about a community mural, another is a biography of Frida Kahlo and her animals, and lastly, one that is yet to be announced. I will also be travelling to many book festivals and schools around the country to present my work and art experiences. Finally, I will be starting and completing a number of freelance illustration projects with various ad agencies and clients.
________________________________________

     John is an award-winning illustrator, designer, teacher, and fine art painter. His children's books have earned numerous starred reviews and appeared on the Texas Library Association's 2x2 Reading List. In addition, he won the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Illustrators, the International Latino Book Award for Best Children's Book Illustrators, and in 2015, was invited by The Metropolitan Museum of Art to present a special program about his work and career in art and illustration.

     

Will March be a lucky month for you? ~ by Patricia Toht

Do you write or illustrate books for children?

If so, are you a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators? 

If not, you are missing out on a premiere international organization that offers layer upon layer of support to you. From national conventions to local groups to a website teeming with resources, SCBWI is well worth the membership fee. So JOIN! HERE! NOW!

Let's wait a few moments for those who need to enroll...

We can have a little bite and a cup of tea while we wait...

Good! Now that we're all on the same page, let me direct you to another page here, because tomorrow is March 1st. And the first day of March is the day that YOU can apply for an SCBWI grant!

Let's be honest, folks. It's difficult to get your work in front of publishers. It's hard to feel validated in what you do. And it's not often you can receive an endorsement from a respected powerhouse like SCBWI.




Well, should you win an SCBWI grant, you will be achieving a hat trick -- exposure to publishers, validation, and endorsement!





SCBWI's Work-in-Process grants (WIPs) "assist children's book writers and illustrators in the publication of a specific project currently not under contract." SCBWI awards one grant in each of the following categories:

• Picture Book text

• Chapter Books/Early Readers

• Middle Grade

• Young Adult Fiction

• Nonfiction

• Multicultural Fiction or Nonfiction

Submissions guidelines can be found here. (You MUST follow these guidelines -- absolutely no tweaking or fudging allowed!)

Leo the Late Bloomer
by Robert Kraus
and Jose Aruego

If you're a "Late Bloomer" -- those of you over the age of 50 who have not been traditionally published before -- you have an additional opportunity. The Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award provides the recipient $500 plus free tuition to any SCBWI conference world-wide. Author Karen Cushman published her first children's book, THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE, at the age of 53. That book won the Newbery Medal in 1996! 
More details about the award here.


Patient illustrators who have read this far are probably wondering, "What about me? Isn't the group called SCBWI? I as in "illustrator"? I am an illustrator!

No worries! SCBWI has a grant with your name on it, too. Or perhaps I should say, "two." The Don Freeman WIP grant of $1000 (each) is presented to two illustrators annually -- one published illustrator, and one yet-to-be-published. Don Freeman is perhaps best known as the illustrator of the CORDUROY books. Details about the Don Freeman Grant can be found here. Again, follow those directions, folks!

You may only submit ONE piece, so make it your best! Submissions must be made between March 1 and March 31, 2016.  

Don't let time run out! 
Good luck!

World Read Aloud Day by Tina Cho

Read aloud. Change the World.

That is this year’s theme for World Read Aloud Day. According to LitWorld, 793 million people are illiterate. “Imagine a world where everyone can read.”

World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) began with one woman, Pam Allyn, who visited Kenya and saw the extreme poverty and the need children had there to read. She started a nonprofit organization called LitWorld in 2007. Their mission is to “implement on-the-ground innovative solutions to the hard-to-tackle challenge of illiteracy worldwide.” They “work in close and trusting partnerships with locally based, grassroots organizations to build sustainable outcomes for young people around the world.”

“Every year World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) calls global attention to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories.”

WRAD is one of the events hosted by LitWorld. It began in 2010, and now 82 countries and millions of people online and live in-person take part in this wonderful day that shows the importance of reading.

This year’s WRAD was Feb. 24^th, 2016.

Laura Sassi, author

I was privileged to take part in WRAD at my school. We invited two authors for February, and they aren’t strangers to the GROG blog—Laura Sassi and Nancy I.Sanders. They both graciously agreed to Skype with our elementary in South Korea.

Skype with Laura Sassi

First, we Skyped with Laura Sassi, author of Goodnight Ark and Goodnight Manger. This was the first time my school had done an author Skype. In the words of one of the students—it was awesome! Laura read Goodnight Ark to us and commented about writing and illustrating things along the way. She also brought out her skunk puppets! My own students came back to my classroom pumped and eager to write a book. Thank you, Laura!

Nancy I. Sanders, author

Second, we Skyped with Nancy I. Sanders, author of A Pirate’s Mother Goose, Get to Know Bible Biographies, and a host of other books. Our lower elementary made pirate hats and brushed up on our pirate lingo to prepare for Nancy’s Skype session. She read a couple of nursery rhymes from her new pirate book and One Sentence Storybooks. The kids enjoyed asking her questions in both our k-2 and 3-5 sessions. Thank you, Nancy!

Skype with Nancy I. Sanders

In my opinion, you don't need to wait for World Read Aloud Day to read with a class of students. Teachers will be glad to have you come to their class in person or virtually. And it's a great way to get encouraged in your writing, by influencing youngsters to read and write. Have you read to a child lately?

Poetry, promptly!

Poetry, promptly!

by J.G. Annino

Poetry prompts are a way to turn people who don’t

think of themselves as poem makers, into

people who, voila! do write poems.

All it takes is the privacy of your own world

& imagination.

You don’t have to share what you come up with.

But, some day, you may.  Even if you don’t share

it, you will have become a poem maker.

In the meantime, if you are not poem making,

you can enjoy the delicious world of poem reading.

Sylvia Vardell

The queen of organized poetry news online is

poetry editor and anthologist Sylvia

Vardell. She writes & curates an important

blog, Poetry for Children.

In the first months of each year,

Poetry for Children supplies readers

of picture books & writers of them

with a buncha important resources.

One is a list of forthcoming children’s poetry

books for the year.

At that link, Sylvia Vardell
asks if anyone is compiling online

a list of new rhyming picture books for this year.

Have at it!

Lee Bennett Hopkins

If you have read a U.S. children’s picture book poetry

anthology or a poetry picture book

about words, language, or libraries, or babies

or a billion other sweet topics in recent years,

it may have had the magic touch of

Lee Bennett Hopkins.

Here is a generously linked article about

this incomparable children’s poetry icon.

LBH + Renee LaTulippe

If you enjoy reading about the famed poets of

our day and in times past, the conversations

about icons in children’s poetry that LBH &

Renee La Tulippe hold are deep &

uplifting at No Water River.

My first time at No Water River’s interviews

about children’s poets, I felt as if I had attended

an Ivy League seminar, conducted at a Georgia

mountain retreat. Erudite + friendly.

This site is beauty full.

Renee’s love of sharing poetry tips overflows
& has been a cascade of support for me.

Spend some time hunting about.

Today's Little Ditty

You are in good company with the creative
Michelle Barnes. I know because SCBWI
brought us together at a poetry workshop
last year. And I was already a fan of her
blog of interviews with children's poets.
She hosts a monthly party poetry prompt. 
Join in to read & you will likely stay
to write & submit your lines.

David L. Harrison

David L. Harrison is a prolific picture book author

with many fun poetry picture books to his credit. He is a

popular leader of poetry workshops in Honesdale, PA

for the Highlights Foundation.

Who is going in August, from this group of
 Grogger readers & writers?

And closer to home – actually – in YOUR

home - this light-hearted poet also

conducts two monthly Word of the Month

poetry prompts. One is for your students.

And one is for you.  

Irene Latham

A wealth of details on poem making is

yours for the reading at

Live Your Poem, created by poet & author

for adults and children, Irene Latham.

Her two poetry picture books that are brand

new in 2016 are WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON

ANTARCTICA & also, FRESH DELICIOUS.

A big chunk of my writing & thinking time

since last summer’s poetry SCBWI

poetry workshop has flowed around

creating a first picture book
poetry collection. On a theme.
It is near done. (No songs & sangria, yet
 - it will soon be looking for a home…)

This manuscript wouldn’t be nearly ready

to submit today if not for many boosts from

around the poetry & publishing map.

But, I especially want to mention Irene Latham’s

generous tips. 

Laura Shovan

To find a bibbety-bobbity-boo poem making

moment, one best place to nest is with

editor, poet & debut MG author Laura Shovan’s

February prompt- a- day marathon.

And you may want to look for her
2016 novel in verse,
The Last Sixth Grade of

Emerson Elementary School.

There are an abundance of other

children’s poetry sites to visit.

This is but a quick, incomplete, skim.

Poem readers and writers who are involved

with students of all ages check in online

at a weekly a round-robin of articles

posted at their blogs, collected

as Poetry Friday.

A poem is like a warm cloak.

A poem is a bubble of delight.

A poem is a shorter way of expressing deep truths.

I know you can write poems that fit each of the above ideas.

Try it. And keep trying some more…

And then, reward yourself with reading some more.

Kids' Nonfiction and Work-for-Hire ~ by Patricia Toht

On February 9, the world welcomed this book:

The Junior Ranger Activity Book
is available here and here.

It's a book of facts, games, puzzles and fun about the U.S. National Parks -- terrific for traveling families. And a GROGger is one of its authors!

Congratulations to...

Who better to co-write a book about the great outdoors than an author who is so at home there?

I had a chance to speak with Christy about her experiences writing the book:

Congratulations on the JUNIOR RANGER ACTIVITY BOOK, Christy!

Thanks, Patty. I was so pleased to see this book in print after months of working on various electronic and pdf versions of the manuscript. It's available online at the National Geographic website, as well as local booksellers and online sellers.

How did you come to write it? Do you have an agent who arranged it? Did you write a proposal to National Geographic Kids?

I wrote the book under contract with a book packager. There's no author credit given, but I felt fortunate to be part of the team.

How did it happen? I attended a Highlights Foundation nonfiction writing workshop in 2013, and there I learned about the option of working with a book packager. Basically, publishers contract with packagers to produce books they want -- mostly specific nonfiction titles. The packagers find the writers. Lionel Bender, founder of Bender Richardson White (a book packager), presented at the workshop. I was really impressed with his description of the work he does, and it sounded like an excellent option for getting my work published. I sent my resume to him (in England!), and nearly two years after the workshop, he asked if I would be interested in this project.

National Geographic Kids originated the concept for the book, and they asked Bender Richardson White to hire the writers.

So, NGK + BRW = a sweet writing job for CM!



Can you give our readers an insight into work-for-hire?

With work-for-hire, a writer is hired to perform a specific task for a set fee. With a book, the publisher sets the subject, length, word count, etc. Writers can work directly for the publisher or a packager, and contracts vary. My contract specified my hourly rate, deadlines, and deliverables for writing outlines, reports and text. In most arrangements, a writer is paid a fee upfront, rather than receiving royalties.

How did you go about researching the book?

Well, sad to say, I didn't get a travel budget! My research was through books and online sources. National Geographic also has a vast amount of information about national parks, and I utilized that.


What was your favorite part of working on the book?

I loved learning about the history of the parks, and so many odd animal facts! It was a great deal of fun seeing the book come to life as the photographs were collected and the text was incorporated into the books design. I also really enjoyed coming up with quiz questions, and the wrong answers for the multiple choice questions.

Christy's dog, Cheddar, is very supportive!

What draws you to writing about nonfiction?

I like all kinds of writing, but I particularly enjoy turning factual material into fun, interesting stories that appeal to kids. If even one child reads something I wrote and learns from it, how cool is that??

What advice do you have for aspiring authors of kids' nonfiction?

•  If you're interested in doing work-for-hire, check out the educational market. Laura Purdie Salas offers a very helpful book about this market, along with other resources. You can find all of her books for writers here.

• Regardless of what you want to write, I'll share the same advice I've heard more than once:

Know your market -- read, read, READ!

Hone your craft -- write, write, WRITE!

Find a critique group, preferably one with 

other writers in your genre -- revise, revise, REVISE!

Go to conferences -- network, network, NETWORK!

• Enhance your credentials as a subject matter expert through further education in your field, volunteer work, and publishing short pieces in your specialized area.

• Attend conferences that focus on nonfiction, like the 21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference. For insights into the conference, see this GROG post.

• Check out other GROG posts about nonfiction and educational markets by Tina Cho, Sherri Jones River's interview of Miranda Paul, and an interview with Nancy I. Sanders.

Christy with Marc and Abby

Thank you for all of the terrific information, Christy. I can't wait for your Spring, 2017 rhyming picture book! And good luck with your middle grade nonfiction proposal that is making the rounds. 

For more about Christy Mihaly, check out her website here, 
*especially the section for Educational Publishers, where Christy presents her credentials for writing nonfiction.*

A Look at Finding Winnie

by Leslie Colin Tribble

I was an avid reader as a child. My mother was a great reader and I remember spending many happy hours listening to her read to me, or later the two of us companionably together on the couch, each reading our separate books. Books were my life and my very favorite book was my Winnie the Pooh storybook.

I never played with dolls, instead I had a veritable menagerie of stuffed animals which were my constant companions. My parents gave me a copy of A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh and I was enchanted. These characters were more real to me than any person in a book could ever be. I was still enthralled when Disney came out with the first Winnie the Pooh movie when I was nine. I collected the stuffed animals (I still have Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger to this day) and lived and breathed Pooh. I could recite most of the book by heart.

Today, our library finally got Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear, by Lindsay Mattick and Sophie Blackall. This is Lindsay Mattick's first book and her gentle, lyrical text was absolutely perfect. Sophie Blackall is an accomplished illustrator and won the 2016 Caldecott Medal for her heart-tugging drawings. I got to it before it even went on the shelves for checkout.  

I LOVE IT!

Here's a review for our Grog Readers.

Finding Winnie starts with a mother and little boy (holding his stuffed bear of course!) in bed with jammies on, getting ready for sleep.

The boy asks for a story, a true story. About a Bear.

I was hooked and the text for the first page wasn't even finished. A story about a Bear, a capitalized Bear? This was my kind of book.

The story goes on to tell the tale of Harry Colebourn, a World War I Army veterinarian from Winnipeg, Canada. On a train station in White River, Canada, Harry saw a man with a bear cub on a rope. The rest, you could say, is history. 

Throughout the book, the narrative is interrupted by conversation between the mother and son, just as any night time reading is. Cole, the boy, asks many questions, as boys are wont to do. 

I love author Lindsay Mattick's quiet text and the way some of her phrases nod to the A. A. Milne classic. She calls the bear Special and Remarkable. 

There are some sweet words pictures in the text. The way she describes Harry and his relationship with Winnie is lovely. She gives us word pictures that are like frosting to the cake of the illustrations.

About halfway through, the story seems to be over and the bed snugglers have a poignant little conversation about the story ending. But the story doesn't end there.

The book goes on to make the connection to Winnie, Christopher Robin, and A. A. Milne. It's a beautiful story with a bit of a twist that I won't give away here.

You'll have to get your own copy and find out for yourself. You'll be glad you did. I'll be shelving this new Winnie next to my vintage copy.