Judging a Book

As I journey down the publishing road of Family of Spies, I have started to research middle grade book covers. Since readers do judge a book by its cover, getting this right is imperative.

Yesterday, I met with Winnipeg's McNally Robinson who graciously shared their knowledge on what draws readers in, what sells, and the key features of an older middle grade novel cover.

We found some key similarities in popular titles. More often than not, the faces of the characters are not revealed, leaving more to the reader's imaginations. Certain colours seem to dominate: blues, purples, blacks. Mysteries do lend themselves to a darker cover after all. Each book title has a striking font which reveals a glimmer of the story's tone.

These stunning covers topped the list:

The Girl Who Drank the Moon was our favourite. 

I loved it so much, I bought it and can't put it down.

Then I found these gorgeous books this morning:

I have read many of these titles, and now want to read them all!

Which ones do you like best? 

Why Write for Kids & Teens?

Writing for kids, ain't as simple as it sounds.Writt

As I get ready to launch my second book and first young adult novel, I am fielding a series of questions, that have been asked of me before. 

They go a little like this:

"Why do you stick with this kid stuff? You're pretty good, so why don't you step up your game and write for adults. You do realize there is a much bigger market for adult fiction? Are you too scared it will be too hard?"

Notice, how it is almost a stream of consciousness where the questioner can't imagine why I do what I do.

I find it strange and usually quite entertaining, how honest people feel they can be, when you are in the arts. 

Unless I am feeling a bit hormonal. Or over-tired. Or it's Wednesday.

Then I have an inner seething moment while I grit-smile and nod my head in rhythm to their great epiphany of how I should begin my writing career do-over. It is all I can do to restrain my fists of fury and punch them in the throat. 

Whoa, there! Before your shock-bulging eyes seriously gross me out, you have to admit there are some people you would like to punch in the throat. You probably don't have to think too hard to picture their face. Or their throat. If no one pops to mind, you are a saint, and all hale you. You are FANTASTIC. And you get a gold star for being the BEST. For the rest of us lowly scum, read on...

Truth.

The thing is, I would NEVER come up to a teacher and say, "Hey, you know, you're pretty good at this math, maybe you should kick it up a notch, return to university and become an architect. Really go for the big leagues instead of sticking with this kid stuff."

And why? Because, teachers rock. Obviously. 

But also, and more importantly, what they do matters and it is much harder than it looks. 

I have examined them up close, and they are a talented, brave lot, who have alien-like amounts of patience. Just sayin' some kids are pretty darn rude. 

But not your kid. Your kid is perfection. A joy to teach. Never speaks out of turn or lips off. And has likely never burped the alphabet. Backwards. (At least not in your presence.) My offspring can do that while in a handstand, in both English and French. They are multi-talented, biligual rule breakers. 

So here's the deal with us writers of "kidlit"; whether that be picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, or graphic novels. We don't write for this audience because it is easy. We write because that is what we are meant to do. The readers matter to us. Their lives, their hopes, their fears, their dreams matter to us in a way that may not be found in writers of adult fiction. Of course, I don't know that for sure, because my muse lies with the under 18 crowd. 

And who knows, maybe one day, I will take the leap into adulthood and write for grown ups.

But I sure hope it's not for a long, long time.

Writers, looking to get inspired? Readers, want more deets on this "kidslit" deal?

Please read this excerpt from Kate Messner's poem. Follow this link to read it in its entirety:

 http://www.katemessner.com/what-happened-to-your-book-today/

What Happened to Your Book Today

by Kate Messner (Copyright 2011)

"Somewhere, a teenager who thought she was alone

Opened your pages and discovered she’s not.

And somewhere, somebody who thought about giving up

will keep on trying,

keep on hoping.

Because of that book you wrote."

Fabulousness Welcomes Spaghetti - BBT Stop # 6

The Fabulous, Leslea Tash

Leslea Tash, is the host of my next blog stop. She's a writer, newlywed, mother, and dog-sitter. And according to her blog site, she's even a human being.

She's got a wicked sense of humor, so I expect we'll have a lovely time hanging out on her site.

You may also be wondering,  "Where do I know this woman from?”

Leslea has a long history in blogging and goes way, way back. (In addition to being a well known and highly regarded freelance reporter.) Here's the blogs she's been active in:

• Guerilla Mothering
• Allergy News, and
• Allergy Go-to Mom on CafeMom, with Meredith Viera

Come join us over at The Fabulousness site of Leslea Tash. 

It promises to be a hilariously fun time!

Here are the other blog stops on the Spaghetti tour:

January 7   - The Connor Chronicles
January 8   - Magic Dog Press
January 8   -  Maryann Miller's - It's Not all Gravy
January 9   - mom-ology
January 10 - Confessions of An Aspergers Mom
January 11 - Blood Red Pencil
January 12 - Leslea Tash
January 13 - Inneraspie

I know everything about Dogs, Dinosaurs,
and Math!