Interview with Children’s Book Author Jane Schoenberg!

Happy August 6th, y’all. Because I have been receiving dozens of requests over the last year to do this, I am launching another facet to Mira’s List—interviews and opportunities for children’s book authors and illustrators. Since I have written many children’s books myself, it does seem silly to not have been offering more in this area, so my apologies to all of you emerging kid’s book peeps.

To start the ball rolling, today I invited children’s book author and lyricist Jane Schoenberg to talk with us today. You might remember an earlier interview I did with her husband, composer and pianist Steven Schoenberg. Well....welcome to the other half of Steven’s brain. First, a little about Jane...
Jane Schoenberg is an award-winning author and songwriter for children. Her songs have been featured on National Public Radio and kids’ music programs across the country. The first book of her new series for young readers, The One and Only Stuey Lewis: Stories from the Second Grade, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, just came out in July. Other books include My Bodyworks, (Interlink Books) and The Baby Hustle, (Simon & Schuster). Jane was an educator and social-curriculum consultant for many years before turning to writing full time.

1. Jane, thanks so much for joining us. I know you have a new book for children that just came out so why don’t we start there? Tell us a little about your book and its main character, Stuey Lewis. And by the way, I recently read a review copy and loved that little guy. Rumor has it you have a sequel in the works?

Thanks, Mira, I’m excited to be here with you. The name of the book is The One and Only Stuey Lewis, and I have to say, I’m really happy you love this kid, because I’m looking for somebody to be vice president of his fan club. Perks include unlimited cappuccino, cocoa, and chocolate chip cookies.. Interested?

Always Jane. I live for chocolate.

Anyway, Stuey Lewis is a smart little guy with a big imagination, who eventually manages to pull a rabbit out of his hat every time, but only after he initially wigs out over something. The book is told in Stuey’s voice so we’re privy to all of his thoughts. From the very first sentence, “I wake up and decide to have a stomachache that’s so bad I have to stay in bed” we know he’s a bit of a worry-wart. He’s more than a little anxious about entering second grade, because the reading light bulb has yet to turn on for him; even though everyone else knows how, and his best friend has been devouring books since pre-school...Anxieties aside, Stuey’s capable of pulling off some daring schemes, including a Halloween caper that scores him enough candy to get through Christmas.

Once he makes up his mind, Stuey can survive practically anything–even his nemesis, Lilly Stanley, “Queen of Obnoxious,” whose sole mission in life is to be right about everything. The book is comprised of four very funny linked short stories that follow him through his entire second grade year at school. I think it’s a fun read that young kids will definitely relate to, even ageless kids like you!

And, yes...the rumor mill is alive and well. The sequel, Stuey Lewis Against All Odds, comes out in July, 2012. We get to watch Stuey negotiate his way through the third grade, where he’s far less anxious, but still pulling off some great schemes. And I’ve just finished a spin-off of these two books, told in the voice of the infamous Lilly, titled, Who Else but Lilly Stanley.

2. I loved Lilly as a character. She is so full of herself that you just can’t stop reading about her. Anyway, you come from a very creative family—your husband Steven is a composer, your son Adam is too, and your daughter Sarah Kate Jackson is an actress. I know that you also collaborate with your husband Steven from time to time. How is your creative process different when you work on projects alone, such as your children’s books that don’t involve an accompanying CD?

Yes, all of the members in our immediate family are in the arts, including our son-in-law, who is an actor, and our daughter-in-law to be, who is a playwright. We’re very lucky that we can support each other’s creative endeavors and visions from a place of really knowing what it’s all about. Besides emotional support, we all rely on each other for advice, as well as constructive criticism. My husband Steven has always been my main critic and reader, and I’ve been his. I now also rely on my children for their feedback, particularly for marketing, promotion and social media advice, and my daughter Sarah has always been a very astute reader.

So, how is my process different, when I’m working on my own projects and not collaborating? Hm, I’m not sure that it is all that different. Steven and I work at the same rhythm—intense and fast until something is complete and feels one hundred percent right. I like to work that way on my own projects too and can be very compulsive until I’m finished with something.

I think I’m really in my zone when that happens. When I’m crafting a lyric, which I tend to do before it’s set to music, I have to adhere to a far stricter writing code that involves rhyme, meter, accents, and form, which is more confining than when I’m writing a book. Of course, each genre has a story to tell, and if the song is part of a musical it also has dialogue. I think both of these processes feed the other. Because I write for young kids, I’ve learned to tell a story in a limited number of words, which is just what a successful lyric needs to do. Collaborating also affords you a partner who can kick you in the butt when you need it... when you’re writing on your own, you have to do that for yourself.

3. We recently met up at the NESCBWI (New England Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) conference this past May. I remember you saying afterward that it was an eye opening experience for you. What did you learn at the conference that you didn’t know before about the world of children’s book publishing? And did you learn anything new about yourself, or something you needed to work on in your career?

That was a great conference. I had been a member of SCBWI for a number of years, but had never attended a conference. I really missed out. This particular conference offered lots of business and marketing workshops, which was perfect timing , given the release date of my new book. That was invaluable information for me. Like all of publishing, the children’s book industry is in flux right now, given the impact of technology, and this was addressed in many of the presentations given by publishers, marketers, and writers. So much of the marketing is left up to the author, and there is such a small window to try and get the word out on your book. I took an intensive workshop, called, “I hate Twitter” (and other things to stop saying). I still don’t tweet, but since the conference I’ve got my toes wet on facebook, put out a book trailer, taken advantage of all the great ways Goodreads promotes authors, and—look who is interviewing me on her incredibly cool and famous blog. Need I say more?

4. :-) Well Jane...that takes a bit of bravery to join the ranks of all the other social media-saavy authors and illustrators out there. As far as the conference went, I also had an eye-opening experience. I hadn’t gone to one in a while and I was really struck by how much has changed in the children’s book industry.

In your opinion, why should children’s book authors and illustrators, published or non-published, go to regional events like this conference, or some of the larger ones sponsored by SCBWI?

To be a part of a community. And there is an incredible community of people who make up SCBWI. Published or not, everyone seems open, generous, and down to earth. Highly respected and successful authors and illustrators, like Jane Yolen, and Tomie dePaola give inspiring and entertaining keynotes, and there are a whole cast of people far more experienced than you are, offering resources, information and practical advice. And the networking potential is amazing. You never know who you are going to meet and what may come out of that meeting.

5. Jane Yolen is by far one of my favorite people. She has such a gift for championing and inspiring writers and artists, including myself. What a gift to the world she is!

So Jane, what are some of the biggest challenges for you right now, coming into the children’s book world as a more, shall we say, ‘mature’ writer, i.e. someone over 45? Do you think there might be an advantage to being a little bit seasoned in life?

I don’t know how mature I am, but I didn’t get published until after I was 45. I think you bring whoever you are to whatever it is you do. I guess what I’ve brought with me to the children’s book world is a profound respect and appreciation of children. I was an educator and a parent for many years before becoming a writer. I always remained very open in both of these roles, acknowledging that I was learning as much about myself and the world from kids, as I was hoping they were learning from themselves, each other, and from me.

I also was a voracious reader my entire life, and children’s books were always at the top of my list. I guess I’m looking at the same obstacles that any writer, who is less seasoned, faces in today’s challenging market. I’m trying to stay on top of all the changes in the industry, promote and market my material, and keep a pulse on what’s selling well and why. But in the end, I can only write what I know, and hope that it resonates with my readers.

6. Describe your perfect writing day for me.

I wake up and the voice inside my head telling her (or his) story is clear and ready to roll. I pay no attention to chores, even immediate ones that need to get done, like shoveling the walkways after a snowstorm. I pay no attention to my favorite distractions, like communing with the hummers in my flower beds early in the morning. A hot cappuccino with a thick crema, and maybe a fresh poached egg, on a great piece of multi-grained toast is brought up to me in my studio, when Steven figures out I haven’t fed myself, and it’s going on eleven. I don’t have to work hard to listen, I’ve stepped away from myself, and I’m totally in the zone.

Do you think you could convince Steven to pop over in the morning and bring me breakfast too? :-) Jane, thanks so much for visiting my site today. I wish you all the best with Stuey and the rest of your book tour!

I heartily encourage everyone to go out and get a copy of Jane’s book right now and please try to get it from your local independent bookstore. Without your support, more and more of these wonderful places will bite the dust. You can find where your closest indie bookstore is by going to IndieBound. You can also visit Jane and watch her book trailer for Stuey Lewis at www.janeschoenberg.com.

And for all of those readers out there who would like to know more about the ins and outs of writing and illustrating for children and young adults, I HIGHLY suggest visiting these two websites, which are the best ones in the biz. All your questions will be answered at: www.underdown.org, which is an amazing site developed by former editor Harold Underdown and the other great site is the SCBWI site: www.scbwi.org. And there are dozens of local chapters for SCBWI if you are looking for a local children’s book writing or illustrating critique group.

Thanks for joining us today. Cheers!

Mirabee

Back Home Again

Hi Everyone....I came back from France and immediately went off to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Northeast Regional Conference but I am finally back home. I will post something soon....just wanted to say hi and let you know that I haven't disappeared.

More to come soon!
Mirabee

DANCE RESIDENCY IN TRINIDAD, LBGT SCHOLARSHIPS, FIBER ARTS GRANTS AND MORE!

(DANCERS & PERFORMANCE ARTISTS) Artist Residency in Trinidad: The Republic of Sydenham welcomes proposals from international dance and performance artists who are interested in a self-directed residency in Port of Spain. Self-directed residencies are opportunities where the artist is free to experiment and explore new directions in the production of his or her work. Interaction with other artist residents is encouraged through creative collaboration, showings, and informal discussion. Applications are open to professional dance and performance artists from all around the world. The next application submission date is January 1, 2010. Please contact the Program Coordinator, Jennifer Joyce at republicresidency@gmail.com and/or visit the website for more information: http://makedathomas.org/resapp.aspx.

(ARTISTS) NYC Residency in the Art of Illumination: The Illumination Atelier, an on-going project in the arts, seeks individuals interested in learning the fine art of illumination. The Illumination Atelier will provide an introduction to the history and special characteristics of manuscript illumination and illuminated painting. Apprentices will work on and complete the actual illuminated paintings, utilizing knowledge gained in the Atelier setting and the specific characteristics of illumination pertinent to the current project. The Atelier accepts two live-in interns per internship period; non live-in interns are welcome at all times during the year, depending upon available openings. Interns are provided with full board during their internship residency.

Interns also receive nine months of free studio space within a larger, shared space with 24/7 access. Living space is not provided. There is a modest one-time stipend depending on funding. There is no monthly living stipend.The deadline is April 2010. Please check website for more details: http://www.efiaf.org/atelier.htm or write: info@efiaf.org.

(ALL/SCHOLARS) Five College Women's Studies Research Center Associateships: The Center invites applications for its RESEARCH ASSOCIATESHIPS for 2009-2010 from scholars and teachers at all levels of the educational system, as well as from artists, community organizers and political activists, both local and international. Associates are provided with offices in our spacious facility, faculty library privileges, and the collegiality of a diverse community of feminists. Research Associate applications are accepted for either a semester or the academic year. The Center supports projects in all disciplines so long as they focus centrally on women or gender. Research Associateships are non-stipendiary. Deadline is February 8, 2010. For further information, contact the Center at TEL 413.538.2275, FAX 413.538.3121, email fcwsrc@fivecolleges.edu, or visit the website: http://www.fivecolleges.edu/sites/fcwsrc/.

(STUDENTS) Scholarships for LGBT Students: Point Foundation (Point), the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of merit, announces the opening of its 2009 application season. Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs for the 2008-09 school year are eligible to apply for the prestigious, multi-year scholarships. Applications for the 2009 cycle will be available January 2, 2009 and close March 1, 2009. The application process is open to all LGBT students in the U.S.A., regardless of level of education or citizenship. However, all scholars must attend an accredited college or university in the United States.For more info, go to: http://www.pointfoundation.org.

(CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS) SCBWI Golden Kite Awards: The Golden Kite Awards offers $2,500 to authors and illustrators in four categories: fiction, nonfiction, picture book text, and picture book illustration. Editors of winning books will also receive $1,000, and for the winning book in the Picture Book Illustration category, an additional $1,000 will be given to the book’s art director. Authors and illustrators must be SCBWI members. Please visit the web site for more details: www.scbwi.org. Deadline is December 15, 2009.

**I will do a special post (hopefully soon), addressing the very underrated yet incredibly vital world of Children's book writing and illustrating, so stay tuned!

(ALL) The Harry Ransom Center Fellowships: The Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin annually awards over 50 fellowships to support scholarly research projects in all areas of the humanities, including literature, photography, film, art, the performing arts, music, and cultural history. Applicants must demonstrate the necessity of substantial on-site use of the Center's collections. The fellowships range from one to three months, with stipends of $3,000 per month. Also available are $1,200 to $1,700 travel stipends and dissertation fellowships with a $1,500 stipend. Complete applications for the 2010-2011 Research Fellowships in the Humanities must be received by February 1, 2010. More information about the fellowships and complete application instructions are available online at http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/fellowships/

(WRITERS/SCHOLARS) Schomburg Center Fellowships: The Schomburg Center Scholars-in-Residence Program assists those scholars and professionals whose research in the black experience can benefit from extended access to the Center's resources. Fellowships funded by the Center will allow recipients to spend six months or a year in residence with access to resources at the Schomburg Center and other centers of the New York Public Library. The program encourages research and writing on black history and culture, facilitates interaction among participating scholars, and provides wide-spread dissemination of findings through lectures, publications, and colloquia and seminars. It encompasses projects in African, Afro-American, and Afro-Caribbean history and culture. For more information and for application qualifications and instructions, please visit the website for deadline and application information: http://www.nypl.org/research/sc/scholars/aboutscholar.html.

(FIBER ARTISTS) Fiber Artist Grant: This $500 grant is open to all national and international artists who work with Fiber Materials/Fiber Techniques (Textiles). All media welcome, traditional & contemporary, including public art and installation. Open to photography, ceramics, fibers, sculpture, printmaking, and video artists who tap into the fiber realm. If you are the winner, your images & a short bio will be added to the IFC website. Images of your work and research along with descriptions will also be included in the International Fiber Collaborative's 2009 May Newsletter. Deadline is February 15, 2010. For more information go to www.internationalfibercollaborative.com

MONEY FOR TRAVEL, FELLOWSHIPS, AND MORE

Some of the following opportunities are from Pen America and CAA (College Art Association), both great resources to check out when you have the time!

(WOMEN) American Association of University Women International Fellowships: International Fellowships up to $30,000 are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not United States citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate study at accredited institutions are supported. Several of fellowships are available for study outside of the U.S. for members of the International Federation of University women. See web site for more details. Deadline December 1, 2009. See website for details: www.aauw.org.

(WOMEN) American Association of University Women Career Development Grants Career Development Grants offer up to $12,000 to women who hold a bachelor's degree and are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the work force. Special consideration is given to women of color, and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. See web site for more details. Deadline Dec. 15, 2009.

(CHILD. BOOK WRITERS/ILLUSTRATORS) Research Fellowship: Children's Literature Research Collections, Ezra Jack Keats/Kerlan Collection Memorial Fellowship , University of Minnesota, 113 Andersen Library, 222 21st Avenue, South, Minneapolis, MN 5545. The Ezra Jack Keats/Kerlan Collection Memorial Fellowship provides $1,500 to a talented aspiring writer and/or illustrator of children's books who wishes to use the Kerlan Collection for furthering his or her artistic development. Special consideration is given to those for whom it would be difficult to finance the visit. Write or see web site (http://www.special.lib.umn.edu) for more details and application. Deadline December 31, 2009.

(WOMEN) Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund: The Fund provides grants of up to $1,500 to U.S. or Canadian women poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers "whose work addresses women's concerns or speaks for peace and justice from a feminist perspective." Application fee is $20. Two application deadlines each year: December 31 (art and fiction) and June 30 (nonfiction and poetry). Send SASE to Susan Pliner, Executive Director, at above address for application. P.O. Box 309, Wilton, NH 0308. **Sorry, no website for this one. They prefer snail mail.

(ARTISTS/STUDENTS) Travel Grants to CAA Conference: CAA offers a couple travel grants so artists and students can attend their annual conference. The first is a $150 grant awarded to a limited number of advanced PhD and MFA graduate students as partial reimbursement of expenses for travel to the 2010 Annual Conference in Chicago. To qualify for the grant, students must be current CAA members. For more information, check the CAA website: http://www.collegeart.org/travelgrants/. The second award is an International Member Conference Travel Grant of $500, presented to a limited number of artists or scholars from outside the United States as partial reimbursement of travel expenses to the upcoming Chicago CAA Conference.

(POETS) Jenny McKean Moore Program: George Washington University, Department of English, 801 22nd Street, NW, Suite 760, Washington, D.C. 20052. The Jenny McKean Moore Program at George Washington University engages a poet to teach two semesters at the university (a tuition-free community workshop and a class to GWU students) at a salary of approximately $55,000. The candidate must have been published by a well-regarded press and demonstrated a commitment to teaching. SASE with writing sample and resume must accompany application. The visiting lecturer must live in or near Washington, D.C., during the academic year (late August to early May). Apply to Professor Jeffrey Cohen, at above address. Deadline to be announced.

(WRITERS) Poets & Writers, Writers Exchange Program
The Writers Exchange Program is designed to encourage a sharing of works and resources among emerging writers nationwide. A poet and a fiction writer from a designated state are chosen annually. Each receives a $500 honorarium and gives readings and meets with the literary community in New York City during October. All related travel and lodging expenses and a daily stipend are covered. See web site for annual state. Deadline December 1, 2009. Guidelines and applications available online: http://www.pw.org.

(ARTISTS) Proposals for Artist Multiples: The Present Group, a quarterly art subscription service, seeks proposals from artists for projects that are reproducible in intent. We are looking for projects that will result in a limited edition, artist multiple, or a single work that consists of multiple parts. Every year TPG subscribers receive limited edition works from four different contemporary artists. A $500 honorarium is awarded to each season’s artist. For more information please visit: www.thepresentgroup.com, to download full submission guidelines: http://www.thepresentgroup.com/TPG-submissions.pdf. Deadline November 9, 2009.

(ARTISTS) International Career Development Grant: ARTWORKinternational, Inc. is offering a $12,000 Artist Business Career Development Grant. Uniquely, the Artist Business Career Development Grant (or ABCD Grant) offers unrestricted support to visual artists by placing priority on advancing the grantee's career. While the granting period extends over one year, the continued benefits are exponential, continuing throughout the artist's lifetime. ARTWORKinternational, Inc. has worked with the most prestigious art venues throughout the world, including prominent art publications, contemporary curators, critics, collectors, and dealers. The $12,000 grant is open to visual artists worldwide. Deadline December 31, 2009.

(WRITERS/SCHOLARS) Winterthur Research Fellowship: Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, a museum, library, and garden that supports the study of American art, culture, and history, announces its Research Fellowship Program for 2010-11. Winterthur offers fellowships open to academic, independent, and museum scholars to support research in material culture and other areas of social and cultural history. Fellowships include 4-9 month NEH fellowships, 1-2 semester dissertation fellowships, and 1-2 month short-term fellowships. Fellows use the library collections, including printed books, manuscripts and images, searchable at www.winterthur.org/research/library_resources.asp. They may conduct research in the museum collection, which includes artifacts made or used in America to 1860. Fellows reside in a furnished stone farmhouse. For information and to apply visit www.winterthur.org/research/fellowship.asp or e-mail Rosemary T. Krill at rkrill@winterthur.org. Deadline is January 15, 2010.

(PERFORMING ARTISTS) Travel Grants
The Theatre Communications Group is accepting applications to the New Generations — Future Collaborations program, which awards unrestricted travel grants of up to $6,000 to theaters and individual theater professionals to enable them to collaborate and share ideas with their colleagues abroad. Applications will be accepted from theater professionals and theater companies wishing to share ideas and techniques and/or collaborate with colleagues from around the world. Grants will support unrestricted international travel by theater professionals working in all aspects of theater. November and February deadlines. http://www.tcg.org/grants/newgen/international_deadline.cfm

(ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS) Arte Luguna Prize
The Italian Cultural Association MoCA, in cooperation with Arte Laguna, organizes the Fourth International Art Prize “Arte Laguna”. The Prize is subdivided in three sections: painting, photographic art, sculpture.The Prize is open to all artists, without any limits of age, sex, nationality or other qualification. The selection of the artworks will be carried out by 3 Juries composed by experts of Contemporary Art: Viviana Siviero, Alessandro Trabucco (art critic), Igor Zanti (art critic), Stefano Coletto (Curator of the Bevilaqua La Masa Foundation Venice), Rossella Bertolazzi (Director of the European Institute of Design), Lorenzo Respi (Curator of the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation, Milan). The prizes are an amount of 5.000 euro for each section. Moreover for the selected artists in planned a exhibition in Arsenale at Venice, other collective exhibitions. You can find more information on the website at: www.artelagunaprize.com. Deadline November 15, 2009.