September 30, 2013

Meet Charlotte Gunnufson - Author Of Halloween Hustle!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

I'm sure you all realize what day this is...

The last day of September!!!

And I'm sure you all realize what that means...

Halloween is only 31 days away!!!!!

Of course we will be celebrating with the 3rd Annual Halloweensie Contest, guidelines to be posted very soon (which means when I get around to making them up :)), but to get us in the mood we have an interview with debut author Charlotte Gunnufson today and she will tell us about her picture book,  Halloween Hustle!  A copy of the book will be one of the prizes in the Halloweensie contest, so you'll want to know all about it.

First, let me introduce you to Charlotte who says:
Charlotte Gunnufson

I grew up in Minnesota and suffered all the things a middle child normally suffers: my older sister tricked me into eating a worm (You mean spaghetti doesn’t grow in the ground?), my little brother blew out the candles on my birthday cake, and they called me Miss Prissy—which, I have to admit, was true when I was a kid. Clearly, I’m trying to make up for lost time.
I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with my husband Scott and Isaac and Ellen. Perry is all grown up and living in Minnesota. Besides writing, dancing, and Halloween-ing, I love crossword puzzles and playing board games and charades with family and friends.
I’m happy to be a member of SCBWI-Iowa!

Welcome, Charlotte!  Thank you so much for joining us today!  We're all delighted you're here!  Can you start by telling us a little about how you came to writing and what your typical writing day is like?

CG:  I actually came back to writing. My first poem was published when I was in elementary school (in an Archie’s comic book). I wrote in my teens and early twenties and then stopped writing for 15 years. As crazy as it sounds, I was inspired to start writing again by a movie, The Pursuit of Happyness. (Yep, that’s how it’s spelled and watching it made me feel like I’d been wasting time.) I started writing again the next day. I write for kids because I love their earnestness and exuberance! I like writing humorous stories with word play, rhyme, and lots of exclamation points!!!

I try to write every weekday and protect my writing time like a mama bear protects her cub. I don’t wait for inspiration because that time can be spent writing. Bonus: a (mostly) consistent schedule helps me be ready to write and knowing I’m going to write keeps my mind open to stories ideas (which are lurking everywhere!). I usually do my best writing in the morning. I try to hold my internal editor at bay for a few hours because she can work long into the afternoon and evening.

SLH:  What inspired Halloween Hustle?
Isaac's project - the inspiration for Halloween Hustle

CG:  I had been writing for kids for a little over a year and relentlessly trolling for story ideas. I opened a bin of Halloween decorations and an art project my son Isaac made way back in 2nd grade caught my attention. (I keep as much of my kids’ artwork as space permits. Okay. Perhaps a bit more than space permits.) I began writing a poem about a dancing skeleton, thinking I’d submit it to a children’s magazine. But then Skeleton discovered he wasn’t just dancing; he was dancing his way to a Halloween party. And, hey, there’s his buddy Frankenstein, and why don’t they just hop on that bus…and the poem stretched into a story.

SLH:  Is Halloween Hustle your first published book?  What was the road to publication like?

CG:  Halloween Hustle is my first book, though I’ve been lucky enough to have my work appear in Highlights, Highlights High Five and Hello, Cricket, Ladybug and other children’s magazines. I submitted the manuscript to several publishers and either received rejections or [Cue crickets]. I hadn’t given up on Halloween Hustle, but I’d moved on to other stories.
Illustration copyright Kevan J. Atteberry

I didn’t receive the proverbial call. More than a year after I’d sent out the manuscript, I received a package from a marvelous and multi-talented editor at Marshall Cavendish, with abundant notes, whole pages crossed out, and a letter saying the story had potential for their list. I revised (and re-revised), and the manuscript was acquired by Marshall Cavendish, which was subsequently acquired by Amazon Children’s Publishing.

Timeline
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Writing
Submission
Acquisition
Writing other stuff
Still writing
Publication

During this same time period…
My daughter Ellen grew from kindergartener to fifth grader.
My son Isaac grew from fifth grader to high school junior.
My son Perry grew from college freshman to having a real job and a house.
A grain of advice humbly offered to fellow writers: Don’t waste a nanosecond waiting. Be brave, be fierce, and keep writing.
Illustration copyright Kevan J. Atteberry

SLH:  Do you have an agent?
CG:  I do not have an agent but believe that having an agent the way to go. I’ve queried about a dozen agents with various manuscripts. I’ve received a few requests for additional material (which, of course, I happily obliged!) but haven’t received an invitation to sign with an agent. I’m working to develop a body of publishable manuscripts. It’s a WIP (Work In Progress).

SLH:  What have been your marketing strategies so far?
CG:  Since Halloween Hustle is my first book, I’ve invested oodles of time and not inconsequential funds in promoting it. I developed fun, free, kid-friendly stuff for my website: a giggle-inducing book trailer and dance-along video as well as Halloween-themed crossword puzzles, word searches, and mazes. Illustrator Kevan Atteberry created cool coloring pages and graciously shared his work so that visitors to the website can send Halloween e-postcards to their friends. I hired Taylor Ridling to design the website. Alisabeth Von Presley created the book trailer and dance video, including the music, vocals, and voice over. My son Isaac designed bookmarks for the small price of not having to clean his room.
Illustration copyright Kevan J. Atteberry 2013
DIY (Do It Yourself) Tour: I’m hosting Halloween Hustle dance parties at schools, libraries, and bookstores throughout the Midwest. Kids craft Batty Hats and Bookmark Buddies, listen to the story, participate in original action rhymes, and then do the Halloween Hustle (Yes! Literally!) and boogie to Halloween classics like “Monster Mash” and “Purple People Eater.” The events are fun (Fun!) for the kids and for me. (Setting up events and promoting them are time-consuming.)  I’m also appearing at the Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival along with Betsy Lewin (Click, Clack, Moo), Bob Raczka (Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word), and Paul O. Zelinsky (Z is for Moose). Seriously? I know. That’s how I feel. Did the Festival contact me? I wish. Actually, no one contacted me. (Fortune cookie message for fellow writers: Don’t wait. Do!)

SLH:  What is YOUR favorite kind of dancing? :)
CG:  I am a dancing fool and could never choose a favorite! I teach Zumba Fitness® which is Latin based with a dash of Bollywood, African dance, hip hop and more. I get to see students trade in stress for Samba!

It makes my heart happy to see kids dance at the Halloween Hustle parties because they really get into it. It’s so good for them to move, and when they “get the steps,” they gain confidence. They cheer and always ask to do “Purple People Eater” again.


Well, Charlotte, it has made us happy to have you visit today! Thank you so much for coming!

Folks, you can find Charlotte at the following places online:



You can view her book trailer HERE


You can purchase Halloween Hustle at the following online retailers:





And don't forget! One fabulous writer will win a copy of Charlotte's delightful book for writing a great entry in the Halloweensie Contest coming soon to a blog near you.

(Uh, that would be this one. :))

Have a hip-hoppin', Hustlin', Halloween's-comin'-soon Monday, everyone! :)

(And if you have any questions for Charlotte, it's possible she can be prevailed upon to swing by and answer them if you leave them in the comments :))

45 comments:

  1. This_Kid_Reviews_Books_ErikSeptember 30, 2013 at 7:31 AM

    I LOVE Purple People Eater! (and the Monster Mash) :D I MUST check this book out! I love the skeleton's pet! ;)

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  2. Yes, absolutely, don't wait - do! I've always hated the expression: "Good things come to those who wait." NO! You have to put yourself out there and persevere. Good for you, Charlotte! Your book looks delightful. Congratulations!
    Looking forward to the Halloweensie contest, Susanna. You always have such great ideas!

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  3. Charlotte and Suzanna, this is a TERRIFIC interview! The trailer is beyond adorable. Charlotte, how did you go about making the trailer for the book? Did Cavendish coordinate and pay for it? Best of luck finding an agent, and much success with the book.

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  4. I really enjoyed this interview and adore that boogie-woogie book trailer. I love the spirit of go-get-it attitude and the drive oozing from this post. Absolutely wonderful :-)

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  5. There are some books that I take one look at and think, "Oh, my kids would've LOVED that!" 'Course they almost always loved the books I loved. ;-) A treat of a book, Charlotte!

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  6. Awesome! That looks so funky. Cool book trailer too. Thanks Susanna and Charlotte.

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  7. Oh, how great! I love the trailer! Wonderful interview.

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  8. Oodles of thanks to Susanna for posting and for the outpouring of positive responses! Wishing you all success! In answer to Robin's questions about the book trailer: I wrote the "script" and was super specific about the images to be used and then made sure it was a-ok with illustrator Kevan Atteberry to use those images. Alisabeth Von Presley created the video including music, vocals, and voice over. The music is from the "official" Halloween Hustle dance video which she also helped me create. You can view the dance video and download the music on my website. I paid for both videos (DIYOYOD: do it yourself on your own dime). I can't disclose the cost but thought it was reasonable. I happen to know Alisabeth but it's easy to work with her electronically. You can contact her via vonpresleystudios.com.

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  9. Fabulous interview! And love the trailer. I'd write more but my feet need some dancing!

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  10. Thanks for the great interview. This looks like such a fun book. I will be checking it out soon.

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  11. It's a good one! She is an inspiration in the go-get-'em department! :)

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  12. AND... if you write the an excellent entry for the Halloweensie Contest (she hinted) you could WIN one! :)

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  13. I agree - we must be DO-ERs!!! Although it's a bit hard sometimes in an industry where there is so much waiting built in :) I can't wait for the Halloweensie Contest! We always get SUCH great entries!



























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  14. I can't wait, Penny! Of course, I guess that means I better think up the rules and post them :)

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  15. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Teresa! I told you she was good! :)

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  16. It is a great idea for a book, isn't it Sue? Such fun with the funky beat and the dancing!



























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  17. I know, right? Glad you like the look of her book and enjoyed the interview, Nancy :) I know she'll be thrilled :)



























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  18. I know - isn't that terrific? I may have to tattoo it somewhere. If I put it on my forehead backwards I think i'll be able to read it off my reflection in the computer screen :)

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  19. I know - isn't she fabulous Robin? Even more so because she stopped by to answer your question! Thank you, Charlotte :)



























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  20. It's very inspiring, isn't it Angela? I bet we all put in twice as much effort today after this! :)

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  21. It gives you hope, doesn't it Wendy? Charlotte is very inspiring!




























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  22. Dance first, Linda, then go write something inspired :)

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  23. Oh, gosh, Kerry! I didn't mean to beat you to it! Charlotte had asked me about sharing her book here, so I did. I'm sure she would LOVE to have you do it too! Especially with Halloween coming up soon!



























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  24. Great interview. My favorite take away? "Be brave, be fierce, and keep writing!" Thank you!

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  25. I know, isn't that a good one? Coleen and I like that too! :) Great advice!


























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  26. Of course, it would be easier to be brave, fierce and keep writing if I wasn't CONSTANTLY WONDERING what secret you're keeping until tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



























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  27. Charlotte, Thanks so much for this information. It's extremely helpful, and much appreciated. :) p.s. Video and trailer are wonderful! I have no doubt Halloween Hustle will be a HUGE success. :)

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  28. Glad you like it, Cathy! :) I'm sure Charlotte will be thrilled :)

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  29. Glad you like it, Cathy! I'm sure Charlotte will be thrilled :)

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  30. I think this book is right up your alley, Catherine! Humorous and rhyme-y :)

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  31. So glad you enjoyed the trailer and the interview, Diana! :)

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  32. So glad to have you, Charlotte! Everyone has been so impressed with your can-do attitude and loves the sound of your book and trailer! Kerry even wants to feature your book and/or you :) Thanks for being with us today!

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  33. Thanks again, Susanna, to you and the dedicated writers and readers who follow your awesome, award-winning blog. Your work and words are much appreciated!

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  34. You're very welcome, Charlotte! Thank YOU for visiting US! I am lucky to have such a great bunch of readers over here - they are truly wonderful!

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  35. Patience, grasshopper... ;)

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  36. Kerry, I'd be honored to have my book featured on your unique blog.

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  37. Apparently after all this time you do not know me at all! :)




























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  38. LOL!!! There was a quote under a classmate's name in our high school yearbook that might be appropriate here... "Patience is a flower that grows not in everyone's garden." The post is up now. The wait is over.

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  39. I'm so behind this morning! My dog got skunked on our morning run - that's what I've been doing. PEEE-YEWWW!



























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  40. Thanks, Charlotte!! I've been wanting to do it for a while, and being in contact with you is now motivating me to get moving...or maybe I should say it is motivating me to get "hustling!" I'll let you know when I post :) And I'll be sure to link to your great interview with Susanna!

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  41. Great interview! Nice to see an Iowa author! (I'm originally from Iowa) I like the timeline visual. Thanks, Susanna and Charlotte!

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  42. Hurray for Iowa :) Glad you enjoyed the interview, Tina!

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