So last week I posted very briefly about the sale of my next picture book, Noodle and Lou.
It was brief because the only thing more exciting than having a book sale announced in Publisher’s Marketplace is summer vacation, which commenced that very day.
(We’ve got our priorities straight over here.)
Anyway, I actually did want to say a little more about this happy development, and now that I’ve completely exhausted my children by tossing bedtimes out the window, I have some breathing room with which to do so.
Here Goes:
Noodle and Lou are a worm and a bird, respectively.
On their behalf, I wrote a story that came in at about 186 words, some of which rhymed, many of which sort of stunk.
That was about a year and many, many incarnations ago.
(I cannot admit how many because I like to keep up the illusion of being a sane and productive person.)
My agent and editor each saw it at least three times over the course of nearly six months.
It went from 186 words to 179 to 161 to 210 to 247.
(The only manuscript in the history of the world to get longer during the revision process.)
It went from partial rhyme to no rhyme to complete rhyme.
And it went from stinky to sold.
That was at the end of March.
I was happy about that, and it sure made Noodle feel better about himself…
And then I got an email saying Arthur Howard liked it and had signed on to illustrate it!
I was really, really happy about that, and it made Noodle feel just ducky!
That was on the 2nd of May.
And then, just a couple of weeks ago, I got an email saying Noodle and Lou would be on the Summer 2010 list!
(Which is like mock-speed in picture book land…)
So now Noodle and Lou are shaking their tail-feathers.
(Well, you know, figuratively speaking in Noodle’s case.)
And I am, too.
Well, you know, figuratively speaking.
Yay for Noodle and Lou! You know how I love them. 🙂
(My manuscripts ALWAYS get longer during revision.)
Oh, really??? See, my whole mode is always cut cut cut, trim trim trim, so this surprised me. But was soooo necessary…
Stinky to sold is a pretty awesome thing. Congratulations!
Thank you, madam 🙂
I can’t wait to read this!
Thanks, Linda! Sooner rather than later!!!
i no longer have kids in the picture book age but I still like them and will read it for sure:)
Oh, THANK YOU!
I am so, so, so, so happy for you. And proud of you. Is that weird for me to say? I hope not. But it’s true!
No, it’s not weird. And I’ll take it. I need to stock up on stuff like that for the dark days…
Congratulations! You can bet I’ll read it.
Happy Summer!
Thanks, Alisha!
We love Mr. Putter and Tabby, particularly the illustrations, so William and I will be especially thrilled when your newest book comes out!
Me, too! I am just swooning over that part of this…
Tanita Says 🙂
HAHAHA! One more person who ends up having to write MORE on a mss. than less! That always amuses me — at first it’s cut, cut, cut, and then — I end up adding an extra hundred pages and I’m astounded. So, YAY-ing for you! I love the title, and am very pleased for you!
Re: Tanita Says 🙂
See, you and Sara both! Who knew???
And I’M happy for you and the big birthday of Mare’s War!!!!!!!!!!
YAY!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Re: YAY!
Oh, a tiara!!! Why thank you!!
Very exciting! You know, I’ve been focusing mainly on picture books and illustration at the blog anymore. (It’s just easier to have a focus, speaking—as you did—of being sane and productive, or at least appearing to be.) Anyway, I’d love to do a post on ALL THE WORLD with you and/or Marla, if possible, and I’m just squeeing over this news, too.
I can’t wait to see ’em. Noodle and Lou sound like characters I want to meet. Congrats!
Jules
7-Imp