CAN YOU USE ILLUSTRATION NOTES FOR YOUR PICTURE BOOK MANSUCRIPT?

   I'm currently working on another picture book project. Now, that the first draft is done, I'm in the revision stage and really trying to look at the manuscript visually and envision what text can, if (and should) be replaced by illustrations. I found several pages where illustrations can very easily, and perhaps more engagingly, show what the words are telling the readers. This requires the use of illustration notes, otherwise the text doesn't make much sense. I've heard conflicting opinions about authors using illustration notes in the manuscript, but I've found a very helpful post on this subject, so check it out and let me know your thoughts or experience on illustration notes.

Kidlit · Should You Include Illustration Notes in Your Picture Book?

From what I gather, the consensus seems to be: use illustration notes if you need to, but use it sparingly.

Happy Writing!

71 WAYS TO PROMOTE AND MARKET YOUR BOOK

   I've been thinking a lot about promoting and marketing lately. Well, actually, I think about it all the time. I'm still learning and exploring ways to promote SACAJAWEA OF THE SHOSHONE, like participating on a panel of Redwood Writer's Club children's authors reading our books at Copperfield's Books in Santa Rosa on July 31st. 

From L. to R.: Natasha Yim (Sacajawea of the Shoshone), Helen
Sedwick (Coyote Winds), Nina Tepedino (If you Lived in Sam's Neck),
Sandy Baker (Dead Butterflies Diary)

   With GOLDY LUCK AND THE THREE PANDAS coming out though, I've been wondering what I haven't tried and what other creative ways there are to promote. See the red banner at the top of this blog boldly announcing Goldy Luck's release date? That's from HelloBar and you can create your own HelloBar for free. That, by the way, is one idea I got from YourWriterPlatform blog. So, check out some of their marketing tips. You may just find one you've never tried before. I'll also be posting some of my trials and tribulations of promoting and marketing in future blogs. I'd love to hear what your ideas, flops and triumphs are. Let's share the journey!

71 Ways to Promote and Market Your Book | Your Writer Platform

SACAJAWEA'S SONG

   Here's a catchy tune about Sacajawea by Jonathan Sprout. Apparently, it's been around for awhile, but I've just discovered it. If anyone knows of any other Sacajawea music, I'd love to hear it. Composer Phillip Glass was commissioned a few years ago to write a piece for the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition entitled "After Lewis and Clark". It's in 3 movements. The second movement, "Sacajawea", features a Native American flute. I'd love to listen to it but can't seem to find a recording anywhere.

Sacajawea's capture by a Hidatsa warrior, Sacajawea of the
Shoshone (Goosebottom Books, 2012)

WHO BUYS CHILDREN'S BOOKS -- SOME INTERESTING STATS.

Here's some interesting statistics on book buying habits:

Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

A FEW THINGS ABOUT AGENTS...

   From the date of my last post, it's obvious that Summer vacation is here. Which means kids are out of school and my writing time has shrunk to very brief chunks usually at unGodly hours. With that little time to spend on writing-related activities, current projects haver priority and blogging and social media stuff takes a back seat because, you know, they can be a real time suck. 
   So, now that I'm back (sort of. It's still summer vacation), I have a goody for you from the Writer Unboxed website about what makes a good author/agent relationship. 

How to Maintain a Healthy Author/Agent Relationship | @scoopit http://t.co/01v96xNQ80
— Natasha Yim (@natashayim) August 3, 2013

   Speaking of agents, check out my blog post on Chuck Sambuchino's Writer's Digest Column: How I Got My Agent in which I talk about my journey and challenges to finding my wonderful agent Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary. Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of SACAJAWEA OF THE SHOSHONE.

THE JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTS "GOLDY LUCK AND THE THREE PANDAS" FOR ITS 2014 READING LIST

   I received some wonderful news yesterday, Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas (Charlesbridge Publishing, Jan. 2014) has been selected by the Junior Library Guild for their premier reading list of 2014! The JLG only picks several hundred books out of about 3,000 submitted every season. What a terrific start for a book that's 7 months shy of its release date. I appreciate this honor even more so because Goldy Luck's publication is the culmination of a nine-year journey which included rejections, a revolving door of editors, and a cancelled contract with Random House/Tricycle Press. This book is my poster child for perseverance. So, to all you writers out there, I just want to say: Believe in your stories, Believe in yourself as a writer, and Never Give Up!

ARE YOU THERE, JUDY BLUME?

 When I first saw Judy Blume live and in person at the 2011 SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles, I thought she was wonderful—so down to earth, warm, and encouraging of aspiring writers. Here's another reason why she's terrific:

Judy Blume's Intervention Helps Bust School District's Book Ban | @scoopit http://t.co/Ouob8s4ast
— Natasha Yim (@natashayim) June 18, 2013

THE "SCOOP" ON SCOOP.IT AND PAPER.LI

   I have just discovered Paper.Li and Scoop.it courtesy of social media guru Frances Caballo, author of Blogging Just for Writers and Social Media Just for Writers. Frances has a new blog Social Media Just for Writers which offers some great information and social media tips. Ever feel like you've run out of interesting things to say on Twitter or Facebook or don't know what to blog about next? Paper.Li and Scoop.It will help you cull content from around the internet based on topics you choose. For example, I select topics about writing for children as that's my area of interest and that's what my blog is about. Several of my recent Twitter posts are content "scooped" from Scoop.it. Here's a great blog post from Laura Brown about how to curate information from this site. With Paper.li, you can even create your own newsletter. Check out mine below and let me know what you've found "scoop-worthy". In the meantime, Happy Scooping!

THE TRUTH ABOUT SCHOOL VISITS

  I love school visits! I didn't used to. They used to terrify me. What? Speak in front of 100 kids? But then I found out how much kids LOVE author visits. And for a writer, it's a built-in audience, unlike bookstore events, where you might sometimes get 5 people to show up and half of them are bookstore employees. Someone posted this on Facebook once.

I love the "What Kids Think I do". It's true. It doesn't matter if only your mother has heard of you and your books, if your name is on a book they've read or their teacher has read to them, they think you're a star. School visits are a writer's 30 mins. of fame. At my last school visit at Potter Valley Elementary School, the kids lined up to have me sign Cixi, The Dragon Empress bookmarks. All 60 of them!

   But that's not why I love school visits. Wait. Yes, it is. Okay, besides that...I love connecting with the kids. I love answering all their great questions. I love it when they tell me they like my book or the story. It makes me smile when they share that they have a cat at home like mine.
   School visits aren't what they used to be—the bread and butter of a writer's income. With budget cuts to schools and kids who sometimes can't even afford shoes, books are a luxury. If I sell a handful of books at a school visit, I consider that an amazing success. But I've learned that school visits are not about selling books—or selling yourself as a writer—it's about connecting with kids. It's about sharing the stories you wrote, or how you came to write them, and it's about inspiring them to write and read. My biggest joy comes from kids (or parents or teachers) who tell me that after my presentation, they want to be a writer like me.
   Like most writers, I have an author visit fee, but for the schools in my local school district, I do school  visits for free. It's my way of giving back to the community in which I live. But what I get back is so much more. And here's one of the reasons why:

If you're interested in an author visit at your school, check out my Press Kit or Author Visit info. You can email me or go to Book an Event in the sidebar.

SCBWI MAGAZINE LETTER OF MERIT!

  Yay! My article, "The Elephant Queen" (Faces, Jan. 2012) received a Letter of Merit from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) as a runner up in the 2013 Magazine Merit Awards in non-fiction. It was one of 12 Letters of Merit and 8 awards given out of more than 100 entries. You can check out the article below. Thank you, SCBWI!

I'M BACK!

   Wow! I can't believe my last post was in November. I had meant to take a short hiatus during the holidays which is always crazy time for me with 4 birthdays weaved in between the pumpkin-carving, gingerbread cookie-baking, and mad Christmas shopping. My New Year's resolution for this year? Start X'mas shopping in July!
   So, here we are: 2013. April, 2013. A quarter of the year has come and gone already. How did that happen? So, here's a quick recap so far: I started a part-time job in November which is great for the family finances, not so great for the writing. I'm learning to have to be a lot more disciplined (which is a struggle at the moment) and to settle on one huge writing day: Fridays, my only day off. March has been extremely busy as it's Women in History Month, so a lot of school visits and presentations. I've done several author visits around Sacajawea of the Shoshone which have been so much fun, a presentation in an English Class at my alma mater, Dominican University, a presentation on Cixi, The Dragon Empress at the Asian Art Museum, and one about writing narrative non-fiction at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) North Bay meeting in Sebastopol.
  Creatively, I'm working on a new picture book, my young adult contemporary multi-cultural fiction, and finalizing text and illustration edits for Charlesbridge Publishing for my upcoming book Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas (Jan., 2014) which I'm very excited about. After such a long road for this story, it will be so satisfying to see this one in print! Here's a sneak peak at the adorable cover (illustrations are by the wonderful Grace Zong).

FRIDAY FEATURES—INTERVIEW WITH KAREN GRENCIK, LITERARY AGENT

Welcome to Friday Features! This is where you'll find interviews and guest blogs with and by other authors, editors and agents of juvenile fiction. If you're interested in being one of my guest bloggers or being interviewed, please email me.

   For today's Friday's Features, I'm interviewing my lovely agent Karen Grencik. Karen transitioned from a career as a court reporter to that of an agent, specifically to see the story Double Luck, Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan, written by Lu Chi Fa with Becky White—a project near and dear to her heart—published. And that, in essence, is what makes Karen so wonderful to work with: if she truly loves your project, she'll do what it takes to  see it to fruition.
  In 2006, Karen left agenting to "pursue adventures in the tropical forests of Costa Rica," but returned to agenting in early 2011. In the summer of 2011, she joined forces with former Tricycle Press editor Abigail Samoun to form Red Fox Literary, a boutique agency specialiazing in picture books, middle-grade, and young adult titles.
   Here, Karen shares her top 3 advice for aspiring writers, the most common writing and submission mistakes she sees writers make, and the kind of manuscripts that call to her: 

1. Tell us a little about your path to becoming a literary agent.

I became an agent because of a life story that I wanted to see published. Double Luck, Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan, written by Lu Chi Fa with Becky White, was published by Holiday House in 2000 and opened doors for me to transition from a court reporting career to a fulfilling and exciting career as a literary agent. In June 2011 ex-Tricycle Press editor Abigail Samoun and I joined forces to create Red Fox Literary and we’ve been working at top speed ever since.

2. What kind of manuscripts are you looking for?

I look for heartfelt stories that are beautifully written. I gravitate more toward literary material than commercial. A manuscript has to literally give me the chills before I can commit to it, so I look to be moved emotionally or to learn something about the world I would not have known had I not read the manuscript.

3. Can you share with us a recent project you acquired and what attracted you to the project? 

I’ve just signed an author who originally submitted to me in early 2011. She is adorable and professional and works really, really hard. She received seven offers for representation on her most recent manuscript and after considerable discussion she felt that Abi’s editorial skills and my personal skills were the best package for her. She has written the first novel of a YA trilogy that has a fresh, compelling concept and we look forward to going out with it.

4. What are some of the most common mistakes you see writers making when writing and submitting their work?

I think the biggest problem are the manuscripts submitted by people who think writing for children is easy and they don’t need to have any training. Having, myself, made many mistakes when I first started out in 1999, I am very patient and tolerant of mistakes made by people who are doing their best and simply don’t have all the information they need yet. But I devoted every possible moment to learning all I could about the industry and I would hope others would as well.

5. Are you still accepting new clients and how can writers best approach you for representation?

Unfortunately we have had to close to unsolicited submissions and we only accept submissions now from attendees at conferences where we present. I spent an average of 100 hours a month reading and responding to unsolicited submissions for an entire year before we finally closed, and I feel badly that people can’t have access to us without spending the time and money to attend a conference, but it was simply unmanageable for us. We know the attendees at conferences are serious and committed to their craft and those are the kinds of people we want to hear from.

6. What upcoming conferences/events will you be attending where writers can meet you?

I will be in Las Vegas, Nevada at the end of January; Tulsa, Oklahoma in April; and Springfield, Massachusetts in May. Abi is taking a much needed break from conferences as she adjusts to being a new mom and juggling her new responsibilities at home.

7. What is your top 3 tips for aspiring writers trying to break into the very competitive field of writing and publishing children's books?

Study, study, study, work, work, work, and...be nice!

8. What are your thoughts on e-books and the role agents play in this market?

I know that several agencies are getting into the business of assisting their authors in publishing e-books and taking the standard 15% royalty from sales, and I have no problem with that. Abi and I are not ready to transition into that market yet. We both love to see our books come to life on paper and to hold them in our hands.

   

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

   Congratulations to RENEE GRANDINETTI of Valleyford, Washington, and JEFFREY BURNS of Las Vegas, Nevada, for winning the Goodreads Sacajawea of the Shoshone giveaway! I've run out of Sacajawea stock at the moment (a good problem to have), but more is on the way from the publisher so you will be receiving your copies soon. Thank you for participating!

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

   The winner of the Beach Bound Books Sacajawea book giveaway is: LOUISE HENRIKSEN! Congratulations, Louise, and thanks for participating.

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

   Beach Bound Books reviews Sacajawea of the Shoshone. Stacie Theis says, "Natasha Yim's proficient knowledge of Sacajawea shines through in her writing, and certainly makes a certain part of American history enjoyable." Answer the question, "If you could ask Sacajawea a question, what would it be?" for a chance at winning a free, signed copy.

STRANGE BUT TRUE FACTS OF SACAJAWEA AND THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION

    What did Sacajawea use for diapers for little Pomp? What was the favorite food of the Corps of Discovery on their westward journey? Check out the answers on Elizabeth Stevens Omlor's blog, Banana Peelin': The Ups and Downs of Becoming a Children's Writer. On today's Sacajawea of the Shoshone blog tour stop, I share with Elizabeth's readers some strange but true facts of Sacajawea and the Lewis and Clark expedition that did not make it into the book.

  

HIGHLIGHTED AUTHOR BLOG TOUR STOP

  The Sacajawea of the Shoshone blog tour stops at the Highlighted Author website today where hostess Charlene Wilson and I chat about where inspiration comes from, what it's like to share my books at schools and other public appearances, and who my greatest supporters are.

Follow the Sacajawea Journey! Stop in at Elizabeth Omlor's Banana Peelin' blog tomorrow to find out what weird and interesting facts did not make it into the book!

MY WEIRD AND SECRET FEAR

  

 The Sacajawea of the Shoshone blog tour continues today on Margot Finke's wonderful Hook Kids on Reading blog in which I reveal my greatest fear, never before shared with anyone outside of my family. Yes, we writers have lots of strange and unexplained quirks! 

Follow the Sacajawea Journey!

WINNER OF THE SACAJAWEA BOOK GIVEAWAY, A REVIEW AND A BLOGGING AWARD!

   Susanna Hill, my lovely blog tour hostess on Oct. 15, has reviewed Sacajawea of the Shoshone, announced the winner of the Sacajawea book giveaway, and given me a blog award. Wow!  Thanks, Susanna! 

   What Susanna says about Sacajawea of the Shoshone: "The text is clearly written and includes a lot of information I didn't know about Sacajawea and the Lewis and Clark expedition. I especially loved the side bar type sections which gave extra interesting information about certain things, like the spelling of Sacajawea's name, what she ate, and how she got chosen for the Lewis and Clark expedition. The art is beautiful - a combination of painting and photography that works very well. And I like that this book is a title in the Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses and includes a bibliography of sources." Read the entire review here. 
   The winner of the Sacajawea book Giveaway is VIVIAN! Congratulations, Vivian. The winner was chosen at random through random.org, but Vivian got her name in the mix by posting two hilarious Sacajawea article ideas in the comments: Coping with PMS While Portaging, and Fun Projects using Natural Materials from Prairies and Plains. Love the alliteration. Brilliant! Thanks for your innovativeness Vivian, and for stopping by my blog tour. Thank you too to ALL of you who came by to read the interview, and participated in the giveaway. I'm awed by your creativity and humor.
   Now, for the award. I'm terrible at the passing it forward part because I still have to nominate my blogs for the Sunshine Blog Awards which I got waaaayyyy back when from Elizabeth Stevens Omlor. So sad, but true. I'm like Susanna. There're so many good blogs out there, it's hard to decide. But here are the rules of the One Sweet Blog and Super-Sweet Blogging awards:

1. Give credit to the person who chose you (Susanna Leonard Hill)
2. Answer the 5 Super Sweet questions below and,
3. Nominate a Baker's Dozen (13 blogs)

1. Cookies or Cake? Cookies.
2. Chocolate or Vanilla? Most definitely chocolate.
3. What is your favorite sweet treat? Cheesecake. Can't resist a good cheesecake.
4. When do you crave sweets the most? After dinner.
5. If you had a sweet nickname, what would it be? Sweetie Pie. Okay, that's not very original, but it's...sweet.

And here are my nominations:

All the bloggers who have hosted or are going to host a blog tour stop on the Sacajawea of the Shoshone Blog Tour!

Heather Ayris Burnell, Frolicking Through Cyberspace
Raychelle Muhammad, Rachelle Writes
Chris Henderson, The Write Chris
Susanna Leonard Hill, Susanna Hill's blog (Can you pass the award back to someone who passed it to you?)
Margot Finke, Hook Kids on Reading
Charlene Wilson, Highlighted Author
Elizabeth Stevens Omlor, Banana Peelin': The Ups and Downs of Becoming a Children's Writer
Stacie Theis, Beach Bound Books
Jody Gehrman, Jody Gehrman's blog

There, my Baker's Dozen—I'm learning to count like Susanna!

HOW TO WIN THE SACAJAWEA HALLOWEEN CONTEST!

   Halloween is fast approaching. Bet you can't guess who I'm going as. What? That was amazing! SACAJAWEA...how did you guess? Yep, I've already unveiled the costume at the Sonoma County Book Festival and will do it again tomorrow when I'll be reading to a group of second graders. How fun is that? But why stop there? Let the fun continue! It'll be a real kick if there were a bunch of Sacajaweas running around on All Hallow's Eve. Let's give those witches and goblins and spooks a run for their money! So, if you're still hunting for a Halloween costume idea, how about dressing up as this amazing Native American princess? Why am I rambling on about Sacajawea costumes? Because it can win you a prize, that's why! 
   Enter the Sacajawea Halloween Contest! If you have a Native American costume or decide to dress up in one for Halloween, take a picture and send it to me. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, come to the Goosebottom Books Launch in San Mateo on Oct. 28, 4 pm. at Reach and Teach bookstore. It's a Halloween-themed launch with spooky treats, authors dressed in costumes, and a scary story reading competition based on Shirin Bridges' Horrible Hauntings (Goosebottom Books, 2012), and it promises to be a blast. Come dressed as Sacajawea or any Native American costume, and you get TWO entries for the contest. The prize? A free signed copy of Sacajawea of the Shoshone and a free Skype author visit (or in person visit if you live in Mendocino, Lake or Sonoma County)! The winner will be selected randomly by random.org and unveiled the day after Halloween on Nov. 1st.
   So, join the Halloween fun and win a prize. Just email me pictures of you dressed up as Sacajawea. I'll start it off. Here's a picture of me in my Sacajawea costume.

http://writerslife2.blogspot.com/2012/10/sacajaweahalloweencontest.html