Danny in a Newfangled World

My Son, the Editor

// February 23rd, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

Writing my sequel is going a bit slower than I’d hoped.  It’s funny how life gets in the way of things.  Thankfully, I am more than three-quarters finished, well, I WAS three-quarters finished until my son read through my manusript.  He is a voracious reader at eight years old (almost nine) and recently asked if he could read my sequel from my laptop.  A couple of months earlier, I’d read the first eight chapters to him and he was curious to find out what happened in the subsequent seven chapters that I’d completed since.

Always thrilled to share my writing with any of my boys, I opened up the document and left him alone.  His initial comments were typical of any young boy.  “It was great!”  But I’m no fool.  As any good editor or writer will admit, there is always room for improvement (especially when it’s a first draft!)

A couple days later, he and I were hanging out at a Tim Horton’s together and I forced him to elaborate further on his critique of my book.  Hey – I could use the help, after all, this is free consulting advice from my target reader group.

It didn’t take a lot of prodding to get the kid to ‘fess up.  His biggest issue was with my latest chapter.  It’s LAME.  I’d written a video game scene where Danny had to outwit and outplay his opponents in an effort to learn some tricks of the online world (these traits he acquires will later help him to complete his quest).  Well, it needs a re-write.  We discussed what kinds’ of things would be best.  Peter drummed up: dragons, mythology, or the elements (fire, ice, earth).  All neat ideas. 

So, it’s back to work for me.  This time, I’m going to make it awesome.  But if I don’t — I’m not too worried, my son will let me know.

Valentines Day is Coming!

// February 4th, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

My kids love to celebrate every holiday.  Like most kids, it’s the treats and sweets that get them excited.  For  moms and dads, Valentines Day is, thankfully, one of the less grueling holidays of the year.  Buy a pack of valentine cards for the kids to hand out (help them write all their friends’ names), maybe splurge on some special goodies for snacking, and that’s about it! 

One of the great things about Valentines Day is it helps us all remember to take a minute to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us.  With such busy lives, we tend to forget to tell family members how special they are.  I look forward to receiving my boys’ wonderful heart crafts that they will undoubtedly create in school.  No matter how many times they tell me, I never get bored of hearing “I love you, Mom.”

To celebrate Danny in a Newfangled World’s first valentines day, I’ve created a page of fun valentine greetings that kids can colour and cut out to give to friends and family.  It’s a great little craft to do on a cold afternoon. 

Danny in a Newfangled World Valentines

Successful Book Signing at Chapters

// January 15th, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

Today I experienced my first official book signing at Chapters, Oakville.  Although I’d hoped to lure a few of my friends who had not yet purchased my book, none of them showed.  It was just between me and whoever happened to walk through the store entrance. 

I am happy to report that the overall experience was very rewarding.  While not every family that I enticed to my table actually purchased my book, many of them showed genuine interest.  The greatest reward was watching kids’ eyes light up when I described the “cyber” premise of Danny in a Newfangled World. 

Also fulfilling for me, was the wonderful support I received from parents who understood the significance of this book.  They agreed that a cautionary tale about the internet is most relevant to the modern-day kid.  They recognize that, whether we like it or not, kids are online.  And this book provides an opportunity for kids to better absorb the message that the internet can be dangerous (while enjoying a fun story). 

Before my book signing, I set a goal (as I always do).  Today, I wanted to sell ten books.  While this may seem a rather low threshold to some, it is actually not an easy target to reach for an unknown author.  Certainly, when Suzanne Collins, author of the Hunger Games trilogy, visited downtown Indigo for a signing, she would have been inundated with a hundred or so fans, eager for her signature.  Not quite the same circumstance for, well, little ol’ me.  I ended up selling 12 books (on a January, snowstorm-kind-of-day).  In other words, a successful day. 

My next book signing is at Indigo in Erin Mills (across from Erin Mills Town Center) on February 12, 2-4pm.  I will be reading an excerpt from the book, and… offering a few other surprises!  I look forward to meeting more wonderful kids.  And selling, um, 15 books?

Back to Work on Danny in a Newfangled World’s Sequel

// January 10th, 2011 // No Comments » // Books

My new resolution to work diligently on the book’s sequel has hit a couple of snags.  The nasty flu bug attacked me during the holidays, and then hit me a double whammy the first week of January.  As a result, I’ve been drained of the energy needed to get those creative juices flowing. 

Although I still suffer the sniffles, the head is clearing up bit by bit, and I’m now back on track!  Last week, I managed to almost complete chapter 4 of the sequel, and had a lot of fun writing!  I know how much kids have enjoyed the video game action sequences of Danny in a Newfangled World (book #1), so there will be a few of those, again, in book#2.  Unfortunately, I have yet to think up a super cool title, so the not-so-thrilling working title will remain book#2, for now.

More good news… I am re-working the layout of the first book to make it more reader-friendly.  That new version should be available by the end of January.  Although the story will not change at all, I think kids will enjoy the more spacious layout — but don’t be too concerned with the increased page count.  The number of words is not changing.

Toilet Humour Conundrum

// December 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

I think fart jokes are funny. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that, seeing as I’m a grown woman. But it’s true. Growing up as a middle child between two younger brothers and two older sisters, I was always caught in the middle of two different worlds. One was rife with toilet humour and the other with ideal female decorum (if not tips on how to look your best.) Being a rather flexible gal, I managed to flow seamlessly between the two.

Now that I have three boys, it appears the fates have determined that I lean ever more slightly toward the vulgar, both figuratively and literally (have you seen what boys do to a bathroom?) When I set out to write Danny in a Newfangled World, I truly wanted to create a book that kids could have fun reading. I tried to blot out all notions about what adults would deem acceptable. And, frankly, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that most kids’ movies and television shows (don’t even get me started on Youtube videos) rely on some kind of poopy, smelly, oozy images to get a laugh. 

In the first chapter, I don’t hold back with two back-to-back references to flatulence.  Believe me.  I struggled immensely over whether I keep or nix those two words.  Would other parents think I was rude?  Would schools turn their noses down at me?  Am I stooping too low?  Is there a nicer way of saying ‘fart’?  In the final edit, the wording remained.  Why?  Because the book is written for kids who like the odd bit of crude humour (my boys insisted I keep them in) and I didn’t believe a few toilet humour jibes would debase the quality of the story. 

I did not, however, consider the prospect that I may one day find myself reading my book aloud to a group of kids and their parents.  And, I’ve got to admit.  Saying the word “fart” aloud is much more difficult than reading it silently.  After one such reading, I decided to choose excerpts from ‘cleaner’ chapters of the book in the future and that has proven much less embarrassing for me. 

Last night, I received a lovely email from a teacher in the Toronto area who had read the book and passed a few copies around to colleagues.  She explained that although many boys enjoyed the book and its illustrations, teachers were concerned by the silly language, and hence, the book would not be introduced into the classrooms.  While I wasn’t surprised, it was a bit of sting.

That left me wondering if I’d made the right decision to keep the “stinkier” aspects of my book intact.  I tossed and turned through most of last night wondering if I should do one more edit and cut out one line.  I will likely do one more large print run in the new year, so it wasn’t too late to make that small change.  After all, every product makes tweaks every so often.  This morning, I asked each of my boys if they thought I should get rid of the ruder references.  They were adamantly opposed to such censorship! 

“It’s funny, mom,” they all agreed. 

Now, perhaps I’m the only author relying on the consulting services of three boys, but I’m going to gamble that they know what they’re talking about.  So, should there come a time when an adult tells me my book stinks.  I’ll just have to say thanks.

Generous Givers are Diamonds in the Business World

// November 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

This morning I was thinking about how grateful I am to those people who have gone out of their way to help me succeed with my book.  Of course, there’s my husband and family and friends who have been my consummate cheerleaders.  I’m grateful to them, however I want to write about those people who have chosen to give of themselves even though they have no personal stake in my success.  They just want to help.  There aren’t as many of these folks around.

Many, many people have offered advice to me, whether it was solicited or not.   It’s understandable given that I’m a writer and well, everybody reads books.  So, most everyone is an expert, at least to some degree, right?  And, although I do appreciate that all of them have at least an inkling of a desire to help me out, I’ve come to recognize two distinct types of “advisors.”  One group gives advice because they have a personal stake in it, and often have a particular tendency to enjoy the sound of their own voices.  Sadly, no matter how pure their intentions, they often don’t know much about which they speak.  And I’m often left feeling crummier about myself and my efforts when I talk to them.  Perhaps they have a need to feel needed by others and as a result, they prove their worthiness by diminishing another’s.

The other group bearing advice and help are diamonds in the business world (well, the world in general, really.)  Despite their vast knowledge, they always offer advice freely and humbly.  Many of those who have been most giving to me barely even know me, making their generosity that much more appreciated. 

Today I was struck again by the kind words of someone who barely knows me.  Neil Pasricha, the author of The Book of Awesome, was given a copy of Danny in a Newfangled World by a mutual acquaintance.  I had hoped he would read it over and possibly forward it to the agent Gods of the literary world.  Today I received the loveliest email from him and his assurance that he did, in fact, forward on the book and even wrote up a fantastic review for me to post on my site.  Although I understand the book may eventually be tossed in the bin of lost and forgotten books that has a place in every literary agent’s office, I was touched by his personal effort to help someone who he doesn’t know.  Just because.

Another acquaintance who has astounded me by her generosity is Mabels Labels co-founder Julie Cole.  She took time out of her extremely busy schedule to offer advice on social media, invited me to attend an event filled with the who’s who of mommy bloggers and writers, and then wrote an online review of the book.  Wow.  This is a woman running a company that was featured in Forbes Magazine recently.  Kinda’ mind blowing, eh?

I’ve always tried to be that person.  The one that wants to help another.  Just because.  If I find myself in a position, one day,  where I can help another entrepreneur trying to make it in her own way, (whether she be a writer, cleaner, or kids’ lunch box maker) I will do what I can to pave her way.  Just because.

Pounding the Pavement to Get Book in Stores

// October 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

It’s a good thing that all my experience as a writer has thickened my skin.  I’ve gotten rather used to the rejection letters, in a good way, that is.  I get ticked off for about ten minutes, curse the publisher/agent/magazine, then get back to work on whatever it is I’m writing.  I decided long ago that if I wanted to be a successful writer, I couldn’t let a small thing like rejection get in my way.

Now I’ve published this fantastic kids’ chapter book (if I may say so myself.)  Countless hours upon hours were spent crafting this work from writing the very first sentence to proofreading the final pdf.  So, my work is done, right?

Wrong.

Sales and marketing is proving as challenging as writing.  I’m thankful that I started selling jewellery last year to help pay for my publishing expenses.  And that’s not just because I’ve earned some decent income from it, but rather I’ve absorbed some of the skills needed to get out and sell something… Something that not everyone necessarily wants to buy – without a little coercion, anyways.

My biggest challenge in sales, these days, isn’t in generating interest among kids and parents who want to purchase the book.  It’s trying to convince stores that this book should be on their shelves.  I’m busy visiting various stores across the GTA, and while I’ve had some wonderful experiences with Chapters stores, I’ve learned a hard truth – my book will likely be shut out of the Christmas buying crowd.  I contacted them too late in the season to sell my book on consignment (or do book signings).  And I have no one to blame but me for that.  Thankfully, there are some great opportunities for book signings in the new year which I look forward to.  **QUICK PLUG – BOOK SIGNING AT OAKVILLE CHAPTERS JAN 15**  But I need to sell some books now, while Santa’s still building toys. 

I plan to rely on local Christmas Craft Shows, online sales, and some wonderful independent book stores (yes there are still a few of those left.)   I’m sure these book store owners will find room on their shelves for this ambitious (and highly engaging) author’s book this holiday season.  What can I say… I’m hopeful.  But then again, I am a writer, and it’s often hope alone that keeps us writing.

The Little Book That Could

// June 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

Big publishing corporations have little desire to support or encourage fledgling writers.  They’d rather publish yet another children’s book by Madonna or Jamie Lee Curtis than take a chance on an unknown writer.  Even if I were able to slip my manuscript under the locked door of the large presses, it’ll more likely remain as a door mat than be picked up and read.

They’re busy.  I get it.  They get thousands of manuscripts to review.  I get it.  So, may as well go it alone, I say.  What does any entrepreneur do when she has a business idea?  She starts a business!  While it’s common practice for the publishing industry to ostracize and belittle a self-published author, the reality is that self-publishing is a business just like any other.  When an accountant opens up his own shop, do the executives that head the accounting firms shake their heads and laugh at his self-absorbed attempts to “go it alone?”  No.  If an artisan makes and sells her own jewellery, does Tiffany’s laugh at the futility of her goal to try to sell something that is not as good as their own product?  No.

So, why should an author feel any different about publishing her own book?  It’s a business.   Here are the rules:

Write an awesome book. 

Create a product that the target market will love. 

Market the heck out of it using social media, word-of-mouth, book launches.

Sell, sell, sell the book. 

Danny in a Newfangled World is going to be the little indie book that could.  Can’t wait to introduce this cutting edge book to all the video game loving kids out there!  Coming this Fall 2010.

Danny vs. Ma Lenesky

// March 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books