Writing Books to Intrigue Your Own Kids and Others: Author Interview with David Horn

What inspired you to write Eudora Space Kid?
Eudora Space Kid started as stories I told my two daughters at the time. They were right in the chapter book age and I had already read them bazillions of those books – some of them over and over and over... One night at dinner, and I’ll never know why, they asked me to tell them a story (I had never done that before). So I obliged and decided to combine my love of science fiction and their chapter book genre into my unexpected improv story. And, thus, Eudora was born.

The Great Engine Room Takeover was the very first story I told them that night at dinner. My wife was the one who said I should try writing the story as a book, as we were always looking for good chapter books for our kids. The second book in the series, The Lobster Tale, also started as a dinner time improv story.

When did you actually start writing your book?
From first putting pen to paper, it took me around two months to write the first draft. And it was pretty terrible! But I had a great collaborative editor who really liked the “bones” of the story and taught me how to write a chapter book for real (sentence, paragraph and chapter structure).

If my editor didn’t see something in it, Eudora may have ended right then and there. But from there, it took maybe a year between that first collaborative edit to get to the final manuscript (but some of that delay was due to COVID).

Are you active with any children’s writers’ groups?
I wasn’t active in any writers’ groups at all, so I had no help other than the great editors I found. Looking back, I really should have been in a children’s writers group. Only now after my second book do I realize, hey that would have really helped, so I’m looking now to do that. At least I have something to offer a group now? And in another sense, maybe I benefitted somewhat from not being in a group - if I knew how hard it was, I may not have done it! Ha!

As an indie author, you foot all the bills for publication. What made you decide to go that route?
In all honesty, I didn’t have a choice! No agents were interested. I think the chapter book market is a hard sell. But I absolutely love chapter books. I love the simple joy and wonder in them. And I knew I wanted to publish this story for my daughters (they were so excited).

I’ll never know what traditional publishing would have been like, but one thing I really liked about self-publishing was getting to work with the artist and design everything in the exact vision I had (although the amazing Talitha Shipman brought so many funny ideas on her own). I got to have input into all the art, like design the uniforms, the ship, how the characters should look, all that stuff which I loved. It was like being the producer of a movie.

Do you do your own formatting, or did you hire someone?
The Great Engine Room Takeover was my first book. I had no idea how to go about formatting a book. Some illustrators I contacted were like “tell me how many illustrations you want and what sizes and formats” and I was like “Huh?! Don’t you know?” So I set out to find an illustrator who could do the interior design too (they’re hard to find), so they would bring their experience as to what I really needed since I had no clue. And Talitha hit a home run with it all.

After getting through my second book, The Lobster Tale, I think I know how many illustrations and what sizes I would need when I look at my manuscripts. But back then – huh?!

With chapter books your illustrations can be in black and white in the interior not full color, but you still need to get a stunning cover (and you did with Eudora). How were you able to do that? 
Thanks, I’m so glad you like the covers! My advice would be – you should judge a book by its cover and put the extra cost into that. Being a new author and The Great Engine Room Takeover being the first book in a series, I think that cover was the absolute most important and best piece of marketing I could have done.

For those who think it would be fun to write and pub a chapter book, what would you tell them about putting together a book?

In terms of priority, I think the most important thing is great, thorough professional editing, but second to that is the cover.

What surprised you the most in publishing your first book?
The thing that surprised me most is how long it takes to self-publish a book. For my type of chapter book with detailed illustrations, the illustrations alone can take six months. To be honest, I already have lots of Eudora books written, but from editing to illustrations, I’m hoping I can self-publish them all before Eudora gets too old! Ha!

How did you go about finding the right illustrator?
For young kids and an unfamiliar science fiction story, I knew I wanted a graphic novel style that had detailed illustrations that could help explain the text and unfamiliar action.

I looked at a ton of different portfolios for illustrators until I found one that fit the graphic novel style I had in my head. And because of scheduling difficulty, I had to do that all over again for The Lobster Tale. I was so happy to find Deven Hoover who had such a great comic style which was perfect for the series.

How did you go about choosing the illustrations you wanted?
For the actual illustrations in both books, I wrote out in my manuscript suggestions for different pictures I thought would be good and we worked from there using the illustrators’ experience to figure out what would be best. For both books there were a few rounds of adjustments to characters and scenes – I imagine that is one of the benefits of self-publishing. I think going back and forth made for better illustrations.

What type of promotions have you done for this book? 
As a new author, anything to let people know I exist helped. The best promotion was a book giveaway I did to help build a mailing list and generate interest where I couldn’t have otherwise. Also making my first ebook free at Amazon helped generate exposure to new readers and get some reviews.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given that you’d like to share?
I think it helps to let something sit for a while and then go back to it later with a different mindset (that’s kind of why the different stages of editing are so important). Sometimes when I go back to something, I come up with new jokes to add!

What other works do you have in the process?
I have a whole bunch of Eudora books written that are waiting to be published. Along the way we’ll meet some new, really silly characters and get to know our current characters even more. I’m also thinking of a new series, but that’s in the initial phase only.

Any last words or tips?
I’m still learning. If you’re self-publishing, to stay true to your vision. Write what you would want to read. After readings hundreds of chapter books to my kids, I wanted to write something I would like to read to my own kids. Ultimately, you want to be happy after you hit the publish button!

That’s all for today’s interview. If you’d like to learn more about David’s books, here are some links to get you started.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TC5WZLK

https://www.eudoraspacekid.com/

https://www.facebook.com/EudoraSpaceKid

Writing Past Rejection An Interview with Melinda Long

What inspired you to write your books for children? 

I’ve been a writer for most of my life.  It just took 40 years to get published.  While in college, studying children’s lit., I fell in love with children’s books.  I got my BA in education and began teaching. 

What was your process like in getting your first book published?

Right after getting married, I started submitting to publishers.  Twelve years later, I got my first positive response from an agent who soon sold When Papa Snores to Simon and Schuster. 

What kept you going after you had rejections?

I knew from the first rejection that I couldn’t give up.  I love to write, so I went to workshops, classes, etc. and just kept trying for those 12 years.  I still get rejections.  But I learn something new about my writing every time I write something new or go to another workshop.  I also teach writing for children’s literature every summer with my teaching partner Tim Davis.  I usually learn something from those classes as well.

The first book I see you published was in 2000 and then others came out every 2-3 years after that until 2010, then there’s been nothing until your new book. Why the publishing pause?

Children’s publishing moves at a slow pace under the best of circumstances.  I had the third book in the pirate series scheduled to be released in 2013, but Harcourt merged with Houghton Mifflin and instead of releasing the third book, they released The Pirates Activity Book as a bridge before the third was released.  Since that time the third in the series was put on hold, so I went on to other projects.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? Starting? Creating a scene? Dialog? Tension, etc?

Getting started is easy for me.  I have no problem finding just the right hook but developing that story into something creative and original is a different matter.  I’ve worked on middle grade and young adult, as well as adult mysteries and continue to do so, but making the characterization realistic and providing descriptive passages can be tough for me because I’m so immersed in the picture book process.  That’s why I’m so thrilled about Art Smart.  It’s my first successful venture into chapter books.

I’ve heard all different numbers for word count in picture books. What are you hearing from publishers as to suggested word counts for picture books and chapter books? 

Picture books can be anywhere from 400-1200 words.  Mine tend to be on the long side. Chapter books are anywhere from around 5000-12,000 words.  I think Art Smart falls in the middle.  Chapter books, in general, are about 10 chapters with 500-1100 words in each.  Of course, there are no true rules.  If an editor likes a book, they’ll work with you on the length.

What does your editor remind you to do most often?

I’m often reminded to shorten my sentences. 

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

When I sold my first book to Simon and Schuster, you could have heard me screaming in the next state.  That’s a wonderful form of encouragement. 

However, I’ve discovered over the years that most publishers use a form letter for rejection. They have little time for anything else.  When I receive a letter with specific reasons for rejection instead of the form letter, I know I am on the right track.

What has surprised or frustrated you the most in writing/publishing?

I was surprised to find that writing is feast or famine.  It seems that everything is due at the same time you have six school visits scheduled.  In between, you work at coming up with something new and creative or finding ways to market what you already have out.  I think that’s also the most frustrating thing.  I was also surprised to discover that children’s publishing is not as lucrative as publishing bestsellers for adults. 

On the other hand, I wouldn’t do anything else.  It’s a lot of fun.  I still miss my teaching days but I get to fill that need when I go back into schools as a visiting author. 

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner? 

I wish I had known how much patience and diligence is required for this job. But I would have done it even if I had known. The truth of the matter is that I’d do this job for free.  

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

Read everything in the genre you want to write.  Write as much as possible and attend conferences and workshops.  This profession takes time.  Keep at it.

What is the next book that will be coming out? 

Art Smart, Science Detective: The Case of the Sliding Spaceship, is a chapter book designed to immerse kids in the world of science with a lot of humor.  I’ve always believed that academic subjects are more fun when you approach them from an artist’s standpoint, so reading a funny story about a science detective may help reluctant readers as well as reluctant science students.

Can you give me a short synopsis?  

When Art and his friends—Robbie, Jason, and Amy—are having a sleepover, they decide to use Art’s telescope for some stargazing. They are shocked to see a purple spaceship hurtling toward Earth. While his parents think his imagination is getting the best of him, Art thinks Earth is at risk of an alien invasion. What should he do? Should Art and his fellow science detectives alert the authorities, or should they take matters into their own hands?

When the local police don’t seem concerned about Art’s report, the group decides to apply their knowledge of science and critical thinking skills to prepare for the impending attack. They need a plan—and fast!

What transpires as they gear up for the spaceship’s arrival will amuse and educate. Art Smart, Science Detective will appeal to budding scientists and even reluctant young readers as it answers burning questions such as “How close is science fiction to real life?” and “Can peanut butter really keep your brain safe from an alien assault?” This entertaining journey through the science of the sky is easily incorporated into middle-grade STEM/STEAM classrooms.

Thank you for your honest feedback on the hard work of writing! Your new book sounds like a lot of fun. Hope it finds a large audience for you. If you would like to learn more about Melinda’s writing, here are some links to get you started.

https://www.melindalong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Melinda.Long.Books/

https://twitter.com/MelindaLong14 

https://www.instagram.com/melindalong1/

Planning for a Writer's Conference: Tips from Barbara Haley

Today I'm turning over my blog to Barbara Haley so she can give her insight on being a writers convention registrar. Barb is not only a great organizer, she is also an elementary teacher and reading interventionist and has been writing for over 20 years. 

Her fiction includes juvenile chapter books: The Purple Heart, Boot Camp, and Singing Soldiers. In nonfiction, she is a regular contributor of devotions for The Secret Place and Quiet Hour and has published numerous articles and short stories in magazines, compilation books, and Sunday school papers. 

Here's Barb's tips...

As I prepare for the conference, I’m reminded of the time just before my first conference when I didn’t feel like I was really ready to go. I didn’t know if I was a writer, and I felt guilty squandering our money just for a fun trip. Our finances were tight at the time, and I wondered if I was being a good steward of the money God gave us.

As the days before the conference ticked off, my anxiety grew. I rushed to get projects finished, but life happened and I seemed to get little accomplished. I would be presenting projects I was not yet proud of—writing not yet perfectly matched with my plans and expectations.

I couldn’t figure out how to be perfect. How to impress the editors and agents with whom I would be meeting. How to know ahead of time exactly what they wanted to see and hear. How to avoid the horrible experience of embarrassment or failure.

In all honesty, though I didn’t see it at the time, my anxiety boiled down to pride—not being able to control what others saw and felt about me. All my life I had been an over-achiever because my self-worth was totally wrapped up in my performance and the affirmation of others.

The excitement I first felt when signing up for the conference slowly dissipated, replaced by dread and insecurity. I couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t concentrate. Couldn’t write.

Finally, I talked to my husband about my situation. “I’m so sorry, honey,” I said. “I feel like I’m wasting our precious money. I wonder if I could cancel and get a partial refund.”

With warm eyes, my sweet husband just smiled in his special reassuring way. “No, you’re not going to cancel. I don’t care if all you do is go sit under the mountains and spend time with Jesus. That would be worth every penny we’re spending!”

Wow! What a relief. The pressure to perform was off. I was going on a vacation with my precious friend and Savior, Jesus. With His help, I would do the best I could—and that would be enough. I could trust Him to walk beside me and show me His plan for my writing. 

Each year, I remember those wise words from my husband. And each year, I consciously take time to lay aside the pressure of “being ready” and focus on my time with God. For when I turn my eyes to Him, the things of earth truly do grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

I've attended the Colorado and Philadelphia Christian writers conferences for the last 16 years. I can honestly say that I have learned more here than from all the books I've bought and studied. The one-on-one appointments, the 30-minute individual paid critiques, and the in-depth studies provided in the continuing sessions answer my questions, strengthen my skills, and encourage me to keep writing the message God gives me. And on top of all that, I’ve developed close friendships and see the conference as a giant reunion of our family of writers.

Marlene Bagnull, director of Write His Answer annual Christian writers conferences in Colorado and Philadelphia, provides excellent tips on preparing for a writing conference at http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/preparingforappointments.

Marlene has a heart for writers and has inspired and mentored hundreds of authors for over 30 years. Her wish is that anyone who feels called to Write His Answer will find a way to attend the conferences. And she will do all she can to make that happen … for YOU!

The book you see at the top of this post is Barbara's newest release,  Lord, Get Your Needle - I’m Falling Apart at the Seams: The Emotional Strain of Chronic Pain. 

If you'd like to know more about Barbara's writing and upcoming works, here's the link to her website: www.barbarahaleybooks.com