Hard Work at the Hudson Children's Book Festival

Once again, some amazing authors and illustrators showed up in tiny Hudson, NY for the Hudson Children's Book Festvial. Just south of Albany, the event draws plenty of talented authors from upstate, downstate, and across the state, but also  from across the country. Among the bestselling children's authors in attendance were Nick Bruel (Bad Kitty), Da Chen (Colors of the Mountain), Caldecott winner Emily Arnold McCully, Fran Manushkin (Katie Woo, and The Tushy Book), Lee Harper (Woolbur), and Susanna Leonard Hill (Punxsutawney Phyllis).

Capital District SCBWI was also well represented, with kidlit writers Nancy Castaldo, Kyra Teis, Kathy Ceceri, Eric Luper (the inspiration behind the festival), Rose Kent, Liza Frenette and Erica Villnave all setting up shop, conducting workshops and more.

Which is where the hard work comes in. Not just from the official workshops, but from working the room as an aspiring author. I had a chance to connect with children's writers who've given me great adivice in the past and those who gladly gave me some this year. It’s too long a list to name every author, but I will name those who were very helpful (and give you a little of what they said).

Advice From Award-Winning Children’s Authors

Bad Kitty Meets the Baby
available June 7, 2011



1.   Nick Bruel. The Bad Kitty author was good to me last and even better this year. I'm glad my son counts him among his favorite middle grade writers. Last year, Nick suggested I get an agent for a book idea, and that led me to approach agent extraordinairre Marcia Wernick. This year, Nick gave me advice on signing contracts, what to look for when it comes to advances, mutlibook deals, serials, etc. In short, don't let publishers link the advance for one book to another book. Make sure each contract is separate.

I also attended Nick's workshop on creating picture books. Great to watch him work a room full of fans. Real control over the room. The presentation was interactive and funny. His style is slower-paced than mine, so to watch him was educational, to say the least.

I was also with Nick for a unique moment: when he first laid eyes on the Bad Kitty mascot. The costumed character wasn't supposed to be ready until Book Espo America in a few weeks, but it was ready early. His first words? “They did a great job with the tail.” And they did. Funny what you notice first.

2.   Eric Luper. At the Empire State Book Festival Eric (Jeremy Bender and the Cupcake Cadets) answered questions on my agent situation; this time we talked about his publisher, Balzer + Bray. His suggestion? Whatever middle grade manuscript I eventually send B+B should grab them, the sort of thing they can't live without. He says the feedback I'm getting from them now is great and encouraging, but the next project will have to be big. He's right, of course, which may lead me to scrap one of the two middle grade projects I'm working on. Oh, well, se la vie. Onward and upward.

3.   Fran Manushkin, whose mg Katie Woo is a long and well-received series (24 books in 3 years!) gave me similar advice. Sitting next to Eric (authors were arranged alphabetically. Fitting, I guess), she said she was once told by an editor, after a rejection, that her next book had to be “perfect.” Perfect! Now that's pressure. I guess it was, because Fran was signed. That said, she also gave me advice on being a bit more aggressive with a particular editor. Not impolite, of course, just more aggressive. Get a response from her as soon as I can. Publishing may have its own schedule (about as slow as Amtrak being pulled by a mule), but she's probably right here. The editor is question has worked with Fran a great deal over the years.

4.  Rose Kent. The author of Kimchi & Calamari and

Rocky Road 

told me to shoot for the Rutgers One on One this year. Eric told me the same thing a few weeks ago, but Rose gave me advice on writing the cover letter: let them know why you're the right candidate for mentoring. How serious you are, how much this can help. Rutgers is a big event, an important event, and Rose is right – I believe it can help me, but they need to know it, too. As Rose said, “Make your letter as good as your work.” One more thing that has to be perfect!

I can't wait for next year's impressive array of authors and illustrators. And while next year is likely too soon to have a book on the table, I hope Nick Bruel is right (once again). Briggs is close to Bruel. Perhaps at a future event we will have adjoining tables. If someone doesn't buy my book, I'll gladly send her to Nick's table. He's influenced my writing and career choices, and given more of his time than he needs to. Thanks, Nick!

(And thanks to everyone who gave of their valuable time!)