I hope you have all had a lovely week since last we met :)
Today, since we're tying things up before the August break, we have the July Pitch Pick but no new pitch, so less work for you! :)
Oh, and of course Something Chocolate to get you fueled up (and rewarded!) for your help!
Let's start with that because... why not? :) How's this for perfect summer chocolate?
Chocolate-Dipped Watermelon!
Okay. Possibly a little weird :) But I'll bet delicious! :) It has chocolate on it. How can it not be?
Alrighty! Here we go on the July Pitch Pick!
#1 Lavanya - How I Made My Baby Sister (PB ages 3-7) The thing about making a baby sister is, you have to be patient. First, you have to be patient until Mom and Dad realize you have the best idea. Then, you have to be patient for the baby to come out. But hardest of all is being patient while the baby grows big enough to play with you.
#2 Rene - Berr-r-rnice (PB ages 3-5) Wee Woolly Bear caterpillar is STILL eating even though wintry winds are whipping. Journeying to her hibernation destination through mushy mare meadows proves treacherous. Wee Woolly Bear must persevere and ultimately discovers she's not alone in her troubles. A 390 word story of perseverance and friendship for 3 - 5 year olds.
#3 Kirsten - Stuck In The Muck (PB ages 4-8) Sir Whiskerson loves kitty facials and paw-dicures. When he comes whisker to whisker with a mangy mutt named Sunny, Whiskerson is desperate to remain pristine. But with Sunny stuck in the muck and sinking, Whiskerson must decide whether doing the right thing is worth a gloppy, sloppy fur coat. Please choose the pitch you think most deserves a read and comments by editor Erin Molta and vote for it in the poll below by Sunday August 2 at 5 PM EST. Thank you all so much!
I will miss you all during the next few weeks, but this has been a pretty tough summer so far and I'm afraid I'm going to pretty much disappear from the internet. Good lord willing and the creek don't rise, I'll see you all on September 9 for the next installment of Would You Read It! :)
Have a wonderful, happy, relaxing, fun-filled, rejuvenating rest of the summer everyone!!!
Well, yes, you're right, it is Would You Read It Wednesday.
It also happens to be the day before my granddaughter's 3rd birthday (which coincidentally falls on the same day as Harry Potter's, Neville Longbottom's, and J.K. Rowling's! :))
It also happens to be National Cheesecake Day, which I intend to honor in a moment...
But it is also the last day of posting here until September!
It's true. In order not to be disowned by my family I am taking August off from blogging. I promised I would, and so I shall. But it's going to be hard and I'm going to miss you all terribly!
Let's have Something Chocolate to lift our spirits, shall we? In honor of the day, I'm thinking Chocolate Cheesecake!
I think I speak for all of us when I say I may not feel that much better about not seeing you for a month but boy is that good! :)
And now, how about Straight From The Editor for May? Hearing from Erin Molta, our wonderful and helpful visiting editor, always perks us up, doesn't it?
You will recall that the May Pitch Pick was won by Todd with his pitch for Orville Wright's Final Flight.
Here is his winning pitch:
Orville Wright's Final Flight by Todd Burleson (NF PB ages 7-12)
Orville Wright may be best remembered for his first flight, but it was his final flight 41 years later would completely change the world of aviation.
And here are Erin's thoughts:
This sounds somewhat intriguing but in the crowded nonfiction picture book market you need to give us a little bit more.. Is there any way you can give us a little hint about what made his last flight so special?
That could make or break whether an editor will ask you for the whole manuscript.
As always, I find her thoughts insightful! Thank you, Erin :)
And now, it's time for the July Pitch Pick, which is always so exciting :) Here are our 4 fabulous pitches:
Salim, world traveler, worries about whether he’s packed enough crayons. He worries his backpack will come unzipped. But with his whole family on its way to see Grandma and Grandpa, he’s worried most about his little sister Malika, who never does what she’s supposed to do. On her first trip to the airport, Salim knows that if it’s sticky, Malika will spill it. If there’s an escalator, Malika will get stuck on it. And if there’s a red button, Malika will push it. Desperate to ensure his family gets to the gate on time for their flight, Salim has started work on a Little Travelers’ Guide to Airports. But while he’s busy writing, the irrepressible Malika is busy exploring. When Salim’s sage travel advice comes up against Malika’s infectious sense of adventure, both siblings learn something important from each other about airport travel safety and fun.
(And Michelle adds: Many thanks to all who gave their revision advice. I hope I've gotten closer with this version!)
#2 Lavanya - How Not to Be a Monster Meal - Picture Book (K-3)
Posey has a brand new room. But something lurks within the gloom -- A monster with a riddle dare! And he's hungry as a bear. If Posey can't outwit the cretin, little Posey will be eaten...
#3 Brandie - The Trouble With Keeping Vikings - Picture Book (ages 4-6) A boy opens his front door and comes face-to-face with a startling surprise. A Viking horde has come for a visit, and they REEK of mischief. From snot-snakes to clashing swords, the outrageous antics of these pesky pillagers are never-ending. That is until the boy makes a certain phone call that will leave these manner-less brutes quaking in their Viking-boots.
#4 Erin - Love, Emmett - Picture Book (ages 4-8)
Emmett loved books so much that he eventually loved them to pieces…literally. After his favorite one falls apart, Emmett saves the last remaining page, only he can’t remember the story quite right. When his teacher asks the class to share their favorite books, Emmett must decide how to tell the story. But his love for the book might just say everything.
Please vote for the one you think is best and deserves a read by editor Erin Molta by Sunday August 3 at 5 PM.
Thank you so much!
Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks! For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read Itor on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above. There are openings in September so you've got a little time to polish up your pitches and send yours for your chance to be read by editor Erin Molta!
And now, my poppets, I bid you happy August. I hope you all have tons of fun with your families and your writing and reading, swimming, sailing, sunning, hiking, biking, kayaking, riding, playing volleyball, tennis, baseball, or whatever floats your boat - generally enjoying all summer has to offer!
See you September 10 for the return of Would You Read It, and September 12 for the kick off of Perfect Picture Books Year 3!
Next year I would like someone to remind me in June that August is an insane month and I should plan NOTHING!
Since I forgot this year, I'm in over my head. And that's with only one regular blog post per week! I am seriously hoping that things are going to settle down and get more organized when school starts. Otherwise I shall have to check myself into a home! :)
So quick, darlings, everyone help yourself to more of Coleen's goodies - Peanut Butter Rice Krispie treats today (please note the luscious chocolate drizzle which qualifies them as our Something Chocolate!)
YUM! And totally breakfast because they've got the word Rice Krispie right in the title! You really cannot argue with that :)
And now let's get right down to business!
First, we've got the July Pitch Pick. Our brave pitchers have taken all your excellent advice to heart and revised their pitches to the best of their abilities. Here are the choices:
#1 Lisa
That Tommy Thompson (PB ages 5 and up) Just a girl???? Abigail Richmond was not about to let "that" Tommy Thompson ruin her day. In fact, she has just enough confidence combined with a dash of sass that allows her to prove she can do anything she puts her mind to, just like some other famous women in history. Luckily, she also has the smarts to know what she shouldn't do.
#2 Rachel
The Curse of The Shattered Sceptre (Chapter Book/MG) After accidentally unleashing a torrent of curses, Ollie and his Book Club buddies must use their wits and imagination to unravel a series of twisted clues. In a race against time, will the boys mend the shattered sceptre, restoring the balance of nature, or will they be cursed forever?
#3 Angela
Fable Ranger (MG) Swept away in a storm of rose petals, twelve-year-old Case lands in a world of make-believe, chosen by the book of Lorealia as the new Fable Ranger. But in a realm where Prince Charming always saves the day, she’s dismissed…just for being a girl. Proving bravery comes in all packages, Case ventures off to reverse the evil Dovetail’s enchantments. He’s unbalanced magic and forced the Red Rose Bounds to shut down. Unless Case completes the tasks to set magic right, she’ll remain trapped in a spiraling happily-never-after or worse, captured by Dovetail himself.
#4 Vivian
The Tomato Turner Gets A Job (PB ages 4 and up) The annual summer bike relay is only two weeks away,but no matter how many times Peter counts the money in his piggy bank, it’s still not enough to buy the new bike he needs to join his best friend’s team. Peter must find a way to earn more...fast! Mixing Gardener’s Gold is not the best smelling job – but his piggy bank IS getting heavier - if only he could stop breathing or make the manure smell better.
I know it's a tough choice (as always!) but please choose the pitch you think deserves a read by editor Erin Molta and cast your vote by 11:59 PM EDT Sunday August 25.
Thank you so much for voting!
Now! Onward! :)
Today's pitch comes to us from Carrie who says, "My passion for picture books and literacy began while studying to be an elementary teacher. I took a break from teaching this past school year to immerse myself into writing full-time. I guess you could say I finally figured out what all the brain babble was for!
Working Title: Cartwheel Queen
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 3-6)
The Pitch: After learning how to do a cartwheel, Queen Carina begins her rule over Cartwheelandia. Cheers and cartwheels explode through the crowd, but stop short with Carina’s heart-broken little brother.In an effort to restore peace to the kingdom, Queen Carina does all she can to help Caden train to be the greatest Cartwheel King that ever lived.
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest. If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Carrie improve her pitch. Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome. (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful. I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)
Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks! For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read Itor on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above. There are openings in September so we could really use some new pitches! Send yours for your chance to be read by editor Erin Molta!
Carrie is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to something so wonderful you won't even believe it!! We are expecting a new grandbaby and he or she is due to be delivered TOMORROW!!! Next time you see me I'll be a grandmother again... or a grandfather :) Meanwhile, hoping all will go smoothly with the delivery and that this little one will be as healthy and wonderful as his or her big sister!
