Learning From Rejections

"Failure is success if we learn from it." 
-Malcolm Forbes*

Artur Lakatos Bookplate

*from Jo Linsdell Feliciani via Facebook

Rejection vs Dejection

I received a very encouraging rejection in my mailbox yesterday afternoon.

A busy editor took the time to write this
at the bottom of my rejection letter. God bless her!

And just in case your rejection letter was a bit less personal, consider these words from Cathy C. Hall.*

"Don’t let a rejection (or even a stack of rejections) undermine all your hard work. Keep submitting."

Thanks, Cathy.

*From The Muffin

Picture Book Goals 2015

Lantern Festival

How is you children's book career coming? Did you make yourself a promise on January first? Have you drafted that manuscript yet?

On the eve of Chinese New Year, why not renew your promise to yourself?

If you are serious about pursuing picture books, here are some resources to nudge you in the right direction.

READ FOR RESEARCH MONTH

ReFoReMo is a new initiative by Carrie Charley Brown. Each week during the month of March, she will be examining new picture books from a writer's perspective. Participants will read the selections and guest posts, learning about picture book structure, using mentor texts, and more. Why reinvent the wheel? Learn from authors' and editors' publishing experience.

Sign-up by 3-1-15

KIDLIT WEEK ON SUB IT CLUB
Maybe you have procrastinated about writing your book. Maybe you're in the revision stage. Maybe you need the confidence to send it out into the world. Sub It Club has what you've been looking for. This week, Sub It Club is focusing on picture books. Learn how to make a picture book dummy, listen to an editor's critique, and maybe win some fabulous prizes.


NUTS AND BOLTS OF WRITING
Want an expert to guide you? Talented author Linda Ashman has written a valuable and comprehensive guide to getting started or getting finished with your picture book manuscript. I did a workshop with Linda and knew I had to own her book.

Buy the print version or download a copy on Linda's site.


HIGHLIGHTS WORKSHOPS
Don't know where to start? Get thee to Pennsylvania and attend the Highlights Foundation crash course on picture books. The staff are accommodating, the grounds gorgeous, and the teaching top-notch.

Register for the March 6-8 workshop or plan ahead for one of their specialized sessions later in the year.


Maybe you're still dreaming of someday. Tomorrow is the beginning of the rest of your life. Take the first step.

Mission Submission

As part of the plan to reach my goal of monthly submissions this year, I have officially joined the SubIt Club.

Heather Ayris Burnell created this community for both writers and illustrators, along with Dana Carey and Lisha Cauthen. Their goal was simple, to motivate each other to actually submit work.

badge design by Dana Carey

Last April I stumbled on the illustrator's postcard series. I was blown away by the wealth of information, the roster of participants I knew, and the sheer sense of determination they exuded. Little did I know this was a fledgling group, just beginning to carve their niche. But the dual focus on writers and illustrators kept me coming back. The sense of community gave me courage. And so on their one year anniversary, I have dared to commit. I hope you will join me in moving your career forward.

Stop by the Sub It Club blog, sign up for Facebook membership, and gain the tools to you need to get your best work into the right hands.