Friends,
I am deeee-lighted to share the news that the contract for my next picture book has been signed, sealed and delivered.
OK, so they’re not going to print 12 million copies which was apparently the first US printing for H.P. But still, I’m kind of tickled.
My manuscript, which I’ll call Wind (in case its current title gets tweaked) has been lovingly adopted by the dream team of Harcourt editor Allyn Johnston and illustrator Marla Frazee.
I’m really tickled about that, regardless of the print run.
Pinch me.
Honestly, I’ve known about this for awhile but I’ve been on enough magic carpet rides to know that I oughta be absolutely positively certain before I sing it from the rooftops. So I buttoned my lips, which is saying something because I hate secrets – almost as much as practical jokes. They overwhelm me, both of them. I always sort of feel like people oughta be let in on ‘em.
But now I’m absolutely positively certain about this book and I’m feeling very lucky indeed.
Marla Frazee. Really.
Bring me the smelling salts.
Here’s the thing. I spent the first 30 years of my life writing all flavors of things and the next 10 discovering that children’s literature was my passion. I would say that I’d found my dream job, but that’d mean it felt like a job when really it feels more like a love affair.
I mean, one where I don’t have to be very well dressed or wear perfume, but still…
I love thinking about kids and about how kids perceive the world. I love writing about them and their perspective. I love reading to them and encouraging them to write. I love listening to them and speaking to them and adding a spine or two to their libraries.
But, whoa nellie, does it take time and tenacity to make it happen in this business. I wrote my first manuscript when my elder daughter was a baby and she’s nearly nine. This next book won’t be out, I think, ‘til she’s 11. In the meantime, I’ve written a small stack of other stories and have exchanged a treasure trove of notes and emails with a number of open and generous editors. I’ve taught my classes and raised my babies and believed that my books were really, truly going to be born. Except when I didn’t believe it, which was quite a host of days, I assure you. Faith is fickle that way.
But now I have this actual bird in hand, pretty and promising as a chickadee, and it feels quick, serendipitous and even kind of easy. Isn’t that weird? I spend years trying to fiddle with and finesse 300-some words and somehow I reframe the whole process in retrospect. Easy, breezy, lemon squeezy, as my kids would say. Maybe it’s like childbirth – if we really remembered the tough stuff, we’d never do it again.
Well, this I’ll do again. In fact, I’ve got a number of open documents on my desktop right now. It seems to me that the way to celebrate the coming of Wind is to keep on pounding on the keys ‘til I create another sibling or two. Well, that and a wa-hoo or two.
Wahoo!
Yay!!
Congratulations!! That’s fantastic news.
What a heartfelt entry.
Congratulations, Liz! You and Marla are a bit of a dream team, you know? That is going to be one very special book.
contract signed!
Yay!!!! I can’t wait to see it in print and then the next, and the next. On and on and on!
love you madly,
shannon
Congrats!! Sounds wonderful!
Wahoo!!
Liz,
I teared up when I read this. I am so thrilled for you! Marla Frazee! Yowza!
Can’t wait to hear more. Congrats!
How wonderful! You’re amazing, and I love Marla Frazee’s artwork. Her style is pretty while also being funny and witty and real. The details she puts into books like Santa Claus: The World’s Number One Toy Expert and the Clementine books are inspired. I’d feel like my work was in awfully good hands if I were you.
And right on with the key-pounding. 🙂
congratulations
Hurrah for you! Congratulations for hanging in there. One needs tough skin and strong bones in order to write and publish.
Oh, and I’m totally coming over to your house for dinner. Since you just signed a picture book contract, I’ll bring the wine. I’ll even trundle down to Yakima Valley to get it for you.:)
–Alkelda
I love your little summary of your writing life. Reading your blog I can see that you’re a pb writer. You get a lot out of each word and it is enjoyable to read.
Congratulations on the sale! Enjoy the new writing and wahooing.
Congratz, Liz! I can’t wait to hear the story behind the story. And I don’t know how you kept it a secret for so long. I’ve had burst.
Don
Devas T.
wahoo
congrats, liz. to you AND marla frazee.
-annette simon
Re: wahoo
Wow — thank you guys, all, for your warm wishes and hurrahs. It is so nice to be mucking around in a community of like-minded folks who all want more of the best for each other. Counting blessings over here…
Three cheers times three to the third power!
YAY!
Mary Lee
Wow Wee!
I am tickled pink for you Liz! I could feel your heart as I read this entry. The birthing of a book is love, sweat, tears, joy… and the list goes on and on. It is an amazing ride and I so look up to you and all you have accomplished. You deserve this!! Keep up the great work and keep hittin’ those keys… you have so much to offer and give to the world.
Barb Techel
Elkhart Lake, WI
The best news I’ve heard all day
(And I’ve been up a long time, too.)
Congratulations, Liz! The three of you will make a fantastic team.
wow!
What a feeling. Thanks for sharing your well-deserved “rush” and congratulations! I first met Marla Freeze’s work in the recent Clementine books, but I also enjoyed an older treasure of hers this week: a collaboration w/ Mem Fox, which was also delightful. Now we all have something wonderful to look forward to in 2009!
Amy
http://slcamysbooksandmovies.blogspot.com/
Congratulations! That is so wonderful and you totally worked for it. The party is the easy part! I can’t wait to see it in my hand.
-cloudscome
Wonderful News
Liz, I am so happy for you! As a big Pocket fan, I think this is terrific news for the rest of us, too. Yay, Liz, yay!
Susan
Chicken Spaghetti
Congrats
This is great news!
http://mentortexts.blogspot.com
hip hip hip
HURRAH!!
wow and to think i just assumed you wern’t blogging while your were gone. i opened up your page on a whim and ka-POW! the biggie! can’t WAIT to raise a toast to this fatty chunk of news in person!!!
kathie
Marla’s wonderful — how lucky!
Muchos, muchos gracias to all of you. I just feel all loved up!!! Updates as stuff happens, I assure you! Thanks for the enthusiasm…
CONGRATS! I’m very late in getting to this news, but it’s wonderful. I think Marla Frazee is fabulous. You, too!
Jules at 7-Imp
You are inspiring…I am a teacher and wanna be writer who enjoys every bit of your writing. I couldn’t help do a backflip after reading your news. Congrats…Marla Frazee jumped out at me and I was even happier for you. Love reading your mom, sister and family adventures on your blog…I always connect and smile. Katie D at creative literacy
Congrats! This is such exciting news! Keep us posted on when we can expect it.
Franki
http://www.readingyear.blogspot.com
Thank you guys, so much. It’ll be 2 to 2-and-a-half years from now, which I’m sure will feel like dog years to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support!
Congratulations!!!
WOW! Congratulations to you. I guess you’re still walking on air. I would be. I’m a big fan of Marla Frazee’s work.
Elaine Magliaro
YAY, Liz! That’s terrific! Congratulations!
Thanks, Elaine and Robin.
Honestly, I’m so overwhelmed by everyone’s good wishes.
Thank you thank you thank you…
Hi, Liz.
I found you by way of another blog. 🙂
I wanted to CONGRATULATE you on your contract with Harcourt! I had my ms consultation with Allyn at the LA Conference in August. Loved her! Anyway, I accepted an offer for this ms from Harcourt a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t be more thrilled!
My editor is Samantha McFerrin…Allyn passed along my pb ms to Samantha since Samantha had extended a revision request to me for a ya novel ms earlier in the summer. I turned in my revision to my agent last Friday. The nervous breakdown has commenced! 🙂
Oh, and excuse the frenzied avatar. I bring out Daffy whenever I have something Out There that I hope to hear back on soon. 🙂
Thanks for the congratulations! And right back at you!
I’m doing 2 books with Allyn and I’m really happy to be at the House of Harcourt… there is something very familiar to me about the sensibility there. It feels like I can write as I am. (Novel idea, huh?) Not to say that I don’t understand the nervous breakdowns. Oh my…