by jacob | Mar 5, 2021 | Writing Blog
Well, things didn’t go quite according to plan this week. Plans fail – it’s about how you react to that failure that counts most. I didn’t receive any invites from agents nor publishers for yesterday’s #PitMad event on Twitter. That’s a good thing. It means my book isn’t quite ready yet. I consider it a gentle nudge from the universe/Gods/Goddesses that keeps me honest.
I’m sure every writer and aspiring author goes through phases thinking “this will sell”, “this book has potential”, “this book will resonate well”, blah-blah-blah! Though it’s up to the market at the time, there will always be a bit of pride and a kind of bias that exists at the back of your brain, even if it flops. We then become the definition of insanity – repeating the same processes over and over again expecting different results.
It’s addicting.
But it’s part of being a writer.
Becoming a better writer should be a top priority for every publish-hopeful author. And for me, the second act is the hardest of the three acts of storytelling. We all have our weaknesses – for some, it’s the first act. For some, it’s the third act. Either way, books are completed & published because they don’t give up. They keep writing, and reading, and writing, and reading more books. Perseverance is key.
Even though I still pitched a manuscript knowing full well it wasn’t “ready”, blinded by my own bias & my own pride – leaving me feeling defeated – I’m still going to pitch again later. By the next time #PitMad comes around on June 3rd, 2021, there will be more complete books to pitch with. Again, never give up!
Did you pitch your manuscript this year?
by jacob | Jan 16, 2020 | Children's Books, Writing Blog
Studying Children’s Books
Fiiinnnaaalllyyy published a picture book, Over The Creek, on Amazon!
We have all heard the phrase: if you want to be a better writer, read. Well, read, a LOT! Dan Gutman is an author I have been reading and studying, respectively, a LOT lately. In fact, we’re only halfway through January and I have done more reading these last two weeks than I have the entirety of 2019.
Dan Gutman is more well known for his “My Weirder-est School” book series. So far, I have read books 1 (Miss Child Has Gone Wild) and 2 (Miss Porter is Out of Order).
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Dan Gutman’s Biography:
Dan Gutman may be weird, but he is also beloved by kids, parents, and teachers across the country. His books include the My Weird School series (more than 10 million copies sold), the Baseball Card Adventures (more than 1.5 million copies sold) and the New York Times bestselling The Genius Files. We also publish his spoofy picture book, CASEY BACK AT BAT, and one of Dan’s favorites, JOHNNY HANGTIME. Dan lives in New York City (a very weird place), with his weird wife, Nina, and their two weird children, Sam and Emma.
My Weirder-est School Series
This comical book series, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers and illustrated by Jim Paillot, starts with Miss Child Has Gone Wild (My Weird School).
Book #1 alone has more than four million copies sold!
Synopsis of Miss Child Has Gone Wild:
The third grade has won a weird contest, so they get to go on a field trip to the zoo. That’s how they meet Miss Child, the weirdest zookeeper in the history of the world. She thinks animals are smarter than people! She thinks elephants can paint pictures! She keeps snakes in her pockets for fun! Guess who’s going to wind up in a cage with a lion?
Book #2, part of the “My Weirder-est School” series, Miss Porter is Out of Order, has sold more than 23 million copies!
Synopsis of Miss Porter is Out of Order:
A.J. and the gang are getting a substitute, but Miss Porter isn’t a normal teacher. She’s a computer! A personal digital assistance, to be precise. Miss Porter knows weird jokes and can get pizza delivered by drone. But what happens when Miss Porter turns out to be the opposite of fun? Will anyone be able to shut her down before she takes over Ella Mentry?
Mr. Gutmans’ books have given me plenty of inspiration for future children’s book projects. And as I continue to read his book series, the more I’ll be inspired for my own projects.
His writing style is something of a masterpiece in itself; relatable characters, fun use of rhyming devices, and so much more.
by jacob | Jan 14, 2020 | Children's Books, Writing Blog
Finally Published on Amazon
Fiiinnnaaalllyyy published a picture book, Over The Creek, on Amazon!
This book has been about a year in the making. Needless to say, I’m super relieved the publishing journey is finally over. For some time, I considered the traditional publishing route: find an agent, get published through a publishing house, etc. And for a short time I pursued said route, but the lack of patience I held became too much.
When I heard about Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon, formerly CreateSpace, I quickly jumped at the opportunity. Formatting the book, I felt, took more time figuring out than writing and marketing the book.
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Self Publishing on Amazon
Over The Creek is written by Jacob Thomas and illustrated by Sarah Arrowsmith. This book is about three siblings challenging each other to a simple game where they later learn there is always more than one way in overcoming an obstacle and to never underestimate one’s abilities.
