Latinidad™ Newsletter – October 2004: Children's Books

Contents:
1. Saludos: Children's Books
2. Editor Q&A: Executive Editor Louise E. May
3. Recommendations: SCBWI
4. Author Spotlight: Mayra L. Dole (with bonus article)
5. Upcoming Workshops: Latino Writers: Publishing Your Work
6. Writing Opportunities: HarperCollins Seeks Latino Children's Books

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For lists of agents and editors seeking Latino writers, visit
www.marcelalandres.com and click on Writing Opportunities.
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1. Saludos
This month's issue of Latinidad™ is dedicated to the many writers
who have come to me for advice about children's book publishing. If
there's one lesson to be learned from this issue of Latinidad™, let
it be this: editors publish either adult or children's books, not
both. When you submit your proposal, be sure to send it to an editor
who actually acquires children's books. Highlights from this issue
include: an interview with a children's books editor in Editor Q&A;
an excerpt from an informative article about how to publish a
multicultural children's book in Author Spotlight [to read the
entire article, visit www.marcelalandres.com, click on Newsletter,
scroll down to Author Spotlight, and download file]; and a call for
submissions for Latino children's books from HarperCollins in
Writing Opportunities.

Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@...
www.marcelalandres.com

2. Editor Q&A
Louise E. May is Executive Editor at Lee & Low Books, one of the few
publishing companies founded and owned by people of color. She has
worked with many award-winning writers and illustrators, including
David Diaz, Javaka Steptoe, R. Gregory Christie, Robert Casilla,
Lynne Barasch, Marcia Vaughan, Joseph Bruchac, and William Miller,
among others. She helped launch Lee & Low's annual New Voices Award
for first-time writers of color as well as Bebop Books, Lee & Low's
educational imprint, which publishes multicultural books exclusively
for the beginning reading market. Below she reveals why Lee & Low is
a distinctive publisher.

Why is Lee & Low a great home for Latino writers?
Lee & Low specializes in multicultural children's literature. Our
goal is to produce books that children of color can identify with
and that all children can enjoy. We work closely with authors and
artists to ensure that the books we publish are culturally sensitive
and factually accurate. Since we began publishing nearly 12 years
ago, our books have won numerous awards and honors, including two
2004 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honors for artists David Diaz
(The Pot That Juan Built) and Robert Casilla (First Day in Grapes).
As a small independent publisher owned by people of color,
our company makes a special effort to reach out to all communities
of color and to finding new talent there. Since we began publishing
in 1993, our company has published more than 70 authors and artists
who are new to the field of children's books. In 2000, we
established the annual New Voices Award, given to a writer of color
for his or her first picture book.
Since 1994, publishing books in Spanish has been an integral
part of our publishing program. In 2004 we began publishing books in
English/Spanish bilingual editions. We strongly feel this is a
growing area for us.
In addition to our Lee & Low trade list, in 2000 we
established an educational imprint, Bebop Books. This is another
venue where we look to work with new as well as established writers
and artists of color. Books published under this imprint are
developed specifically for children just learning to read, and all
books are published simultaneously in separate English and Spanish
editions. In this way, we make our multicultural books available to
the growing Latino market at a time when children are developing
their reading skills.

Which Latino authors has Lee & Low Books published?
Lee & Low has published established as well as first time Latino
writers and artists. Writers include Pat Mora, Omar S. Castañeda, D.
H. Figueredo, and Tony Medina. Artists include David Diaz, Robert
Casilla, Felipe Davalos, Pablo Torrecilla, Enrique O. Sanchez, and
Paula Barragán. Writer/illustrators include Lulu Delacre, Hector
Viveros Lee, and Loretta Lopez.

What kinds of manuscripts do you seek?
The primary focus of our publishing program has been picture books.
Starting in fall 2004, we have begun publishing works for middle
grade readers as well. At both age groups, genres include fiction
(realistic fiction and historical fiction) and nonfiction (poetry,
biography, science, and other nonfiction topics as long as they have
a multicultural focus). We are particularly interested in character
driven stories; that is, we look for projects in which people play a
strong role in the story. This applies to both fiction and
nonfiction. We prefer that a child be the main character, especially
in fiction, although stories about adults or stories that cover the
entire life of a person are also of interest. We are looking for
unique stories about people/topics that have not been published
before for children. We do not publish folklore or animal stories.

How can writers avoid your "Reject" pile and get into your "Pursue"
pile?
A manuscript that will catch our attention is one that is well-
written and has believable characters, a compelling plot, and a
satisfying ending. The manuscript should be professionally presented
and fit within our multicultural focus. Writers are encouraged to
view our Web site to learn about the kinds of books we publish and
our editorial focus so they can judge if their manuscript will fit
our list. Specific writer/submission guidelines can be found at
www.leeandlow.com/editorial/wguide.html.

Other than honing their craft, what is the smartest step writers can
take to become happily published?
Writers should research the topic of their story thoroughly and
study the competition to see if other books are published on the
subject. If it is a popular topic, then a writer should make sure
his or her approach is unique, or it will fail to garner interest.
Writers should also research publishers and target their submissions
to appropriate companies that publish works similar to theirs. It is
also helpful to learn about the children's book publishing industry
by joining related organizations, such as the Society of Children's
Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Send submissions to: Submissions Editor, Lee & Low Books, 95 Madison
Avenue, New York, NY 10016. For submission guidelines visit
www.leeandlow.com/editorial/wguide.html.
Lee & Low web site: http://www.leeandlow.com/
More Editor Q&A: http://www.marcelalandres.com/id60.htm


3. Recommendations
The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators offers a
variety of services that no serious writer or illustrator can do
without. A sampling of these services include: regional newsletters,
most notably a free online newsletter based in Mexico, which feature
announcements about local events; regional conferences and classes
in locations such as Arizona and Texas (see Writing Opportunities
for examples); and a free manuscript and illustration exchange
program which allows members to obtain feedback on their works-in-
progress. The SCBWI also sponsors awards and grants, including the
Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award for unpublished
manuscripts, and the Kimberly Colen Memorial Grant for unpublished
authors and illustrators.

Web site: http://www.scbwi.org/
Offer a recommendation: marcelalandres@...
More recommendations: http://www.marcelalandres.com/id25.htm

4. Author Spotlight
Mayra L. Dole is the author of Birthday in the Barrio/Cumpleanos en
el Barrio, a follow-up to her critically-acclaimed debut Drum,
Chavi, Drum!/¡Toca, Chavi, Toca! Birthday in the Barrio follows the
adventures of Chavi, a plucky Cubanita from Miami, and her best
friend Rosario. Rosario's dad is out of work and can't afford to
give her sister, Lazarita, the quinces of her dream. Chavi and
Rosario cleverly conspire to enlist their entire neighborhood in
organizing a benefit for a homeless shelter that, not
coincidentally, is on the same day as Lazarita's birthday. Like
Chavi, Dole's energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and she clearly
relishes helping others, as evidenced by the many practical tips she
offers in the interview below, as well as in her useful and
instructive article, "Writing Children's Multicultural Books in 15
Easy Steps."

Which author or book inspires you, and why?
The day I found Zoey Valdez's "I Gave You All I Had" I lost myself
in a melodramatic world worthy of a script for the wildest
Telenovela in history. Zoey's genius and brilliant metaphors are
mind-boggling. Her writing reminds me of growing up in my old
barrio, "Home," where exclamations, exaggerations, melodrama, slang,
colorful obscenities, morbid fears of strange things such as dying
of una embolia from swimming after eating a snack, rule. Home
inspires me to write children's books, adult novels y poesia negra.
Home can sometimes be as simple as everyday dichos such as: "¿Que te
pica?" "¡Le zumba el mango, chica!" or, "¡Si cocinas como caminas me
lo como todo!" At a reckless speed, Zoey zooms me Home, that bouncy
place deep in my marrow, brimming with passion, lucidity and
locura.

Why do you love to write children's books?
I grew up a gutsy Cubanita girl in a lower working-class boy barrio
without niñas to play with. When I recall how mercilessly I bossed
around my best friend, Antolinsito, and the fun I experienced by not
having a typical girlie-girl upbringing, I become fired-up to write
my bilingual barrio stories. My picture books have Latino kids
expressing their true personalities without being gender-molded. I
love writing in order to motivate children to think creatively while
they have a blast solving challenges. Kids in my picture books and
middle grade novels are little rebels that refuse to accept defeat,
hence teaching adults what's right and not the other way around.
Writing picture books became the first step in helping me develop
skills for writing middle-grade, YA and adult novels. Not only is
writing for kids fun and gratifying, but in having a voice and being
heard by children, an author can help change the world for the
better, because I strongly believe that children are our only hope.

How did you meet your agent?
I met my agent, Janell Walden Agyeman, through word of mouth. I
pleaded with everyone I knew to ask anyone they met if they knew of
an agent. A friend asked a library patron and voila, the rest is
history. Don't be shy to ask mail carriers, teachers, grocery store
clerks, bank tellers, librarians, neighbors, etc. When I lived in
Boston, some taxi drivers, street cleaners and hot-dog vendors had
PhD's and some were published authors or knew someone who had an
agent. Many agents are famished for Latino writers that have never
been published and prefer cover letters with enclosed manuscripts.
Other agents prefer snail mail queries and already published
writers, particularly those who've studied the craft in workshops.
(Mentioning that you took Marcela Landres' workshops is a huge plus,
since she's so highly respected in the literary field.) You can
find agents through books and search engines. Email and call them
(leave a brief message stating who you are and that you're sending
them a snail mail cover letter, synopses of your work and
manuscript). Let your voice be heard but don't expect a response.
Persevere. Agents take up to six months to get back to you,
depending on how passionate they are about your work. Therefore,
the more agents you contact, the better your chance of finding one.

What is your writing ritual?
As a teen I wrote whenever inspired and filled notebooks with short
stories and poetry, written in broken English and Spanglish. Eight
years ago, I started writing my first adult novel (hasn't been
published yet) by longhand on four notebooks (1,800 pages, now a YA
novel, down to 200 pages) during work breaks on my three jobs.
After I purchased my first computer, 6 years ago, I quit longhand.
I go to sleep thinking hard about whatever story I'm writing and
awaken at 4 am bursting with ideas and dialogue. I unhook my phone,
sit to write around 4:01 am, eat breakfast and lunch while writing,
and don't stop till around 4 pm. I write to live, so discipline is
a must. I let it pour and stop when I must get to work on revising
my YA novels, middle grade novels or picture books with critiques
from executive editors. For me, writing is a difficult and
extraordinarily challenging full-time job (I also write adult
articles and poetry for magazines and newsletters). The submitting
process and waiting for rejection or approval -- as you all know --
is grueling, but it's work that I love, so I do my best to stay
focused and try to write exciting, plot-driven stories that I hope
will bring about change, engage/entertain others and myself.

Other than honing their craft, what advice would you give to Latino
writers looking to land a book deal?
Write! Write! Write! Write at every spare moment. If you have
zero time to write, for a full year stop reading for pleasure and
replace it with writing. If you must read, read new award-winning
books purely as study guides. One page per day equals 365 pages per
year (8 picture books, 2 children's novels or one adult novel). I
grew up in a lower working-class semi-illiterate family/barrio that
didn't value education and I never read a single book (except school
texts), until age 18. Recently, I started "reading" (listening to
books on tapes) in order to master valuable skills from the pros.
Although my fresh ideas come from never having been exposed to
reading in the past, I do understand that reading benefits writers
tremendously and gives us an edge in this cutthroat publishing
world. (I would have been published much earlier if I had read and
learned better English, grammar, and writing skills.) In writing
for children, I'd advise you not to preach or teach lessons, but,
rather discreetly, have your work ask challenging questions. Write
important, plot-driven stories that have never been told. If years
pass and you aren't landing a contract, put your work aside and
write what the market wants. (Go to amazon.com and find out how
many books have been written on the subject you have chosen.) Once
your foot is in the door, you have a better chance to publish what
you wish. Before submitting, give your manuscript to ten people for
harsh criticism and on the spot comments. Learn to edit (the most
important skill I've learned) or hire a professional editor with
credentials if you have the means. (Be careful, though: I hear that
many online "editors" are rip-off artists.) Rewrite, revise, rework
and reedit so that you submit impeccable work. Go through the
Writer's Market and Google. Find 50 names and addresses of presses
that publish your type of books. Read publishers' Home Pages,
familiarize yourself with the books they publish and their
Submission Guidelines. For snail mail cover letters, state on the
envelope in bold letters LATINO WRITER. Most editors loathe email
queries, but a few welcome and prefer them. Under SUBJECT heading,
write: "Latino Writer" or something more seductive, such as the type
of stories they're looking for that you've written. In your email
cover letter or query, introduce yourself professionally in two
short sentences and attach a two-sentence synopsis of your
manuscript. Make acquisitions editors pant and want to crawl on
walls to get to your work before anyone else does. When submitting
by snail mail, send your manuscript with SASE and a cover letter.
This eliminates much wasted time if they wish to ask you to submit
your story to read. If your writing entices them, they will contact
you. Persevere. When they respond and ask for your manuscript,
only write one sentence back, thanking them. Never bother or burden
editors, they are the busiest people on Earth.

BONUS ARTICLE: WRITING CHILDREN'S MULTICULTURAL BOOKS IN 15 EASY
STEPS
Copyright 2004 by Mayra L. Dole. All rights reserved.

My Personal Success Story

Here is how I -- a person raised lower-working class, who grew up in
a Cuban barrio without much of a formal education -- published the
critically-acclaimed bilingual picture book that's quickly becoming
a Latino classic, "Drum, Chavi, Drum!/Toca, Chavi, Toca!" and just
released my second multicultural picture book, "Birthday in the
Barrio/Cumpleanos en el Barrio." Is it luck? NO WAY! It is
extremely hard work.

If you have passion for the written word, a willingness to perfect
your writing skills, and a faaabulous story that's never been told,
you're on your way to getting published. All you need is to write a
mesmerizing story, with a powerful beginning, brilliant middle, and
an explosive end.

LET'S START!

1) Write freely about something you're insanely crazy about that is
very YOU -- something you know well -- which is exciting/fun but
also has its tender moments and will help children think
critically. Think about what you'd like to change in society/the
world. Search in your blood and bones for a semi-autobiographical
story/event, set in your own community, and mix it with something
from your culture that kids will love. [To read the rest of this
informative article, visit www.marcelalandres.com, click on
Newsletter, scroll down to Author Spotlight, and download file.]

Read reviews and author bio: www.mayraldole.com
Obtain Birthday in the Barrio:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0892391944/marcelalandre-
20/002-7184168-8844001?dev-t=mason-wrapper%26camp=2025%
26link_code=xm2
More Author Spotlights: http://www.marcelalandres.com/id58.htm

5. Upcoming Workshops
Latino Writers: Publishing Your Work Workshop

WHAT: Finding the right publisher is difficult for any writer, but
Latinos face unique challenges--and opportunities. Topics discussed
include: the significance of Latinos to mainstream publishers;
writing in Spanish vs. English; dealing with the label of "Latino
Writer;" how to find a good agent and editor in a non-Latino
industry; overcoming cultural and social barriers, especially for
Latinas; and the most important thing you can do to ensure the
future success of Latino publishing.

WHEN: 8:45a.m.-10:15a.m., Friday, October 8, 2004

WHERE: NALAC Fifth National Conference, Downtown Marriot, Kansas
City, Missouri

REGISTER: http://www.nalac.org, direct queries to info@... or
210-432-3982

Invite me to speak for your organization:
http://www.marcelalandres.com/id49.htm
List of upcoming workshops: http://www.marcelalandres.com/id22.htm

6. Writing Opportunities
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For more calls for submissions, contests, conferences, etc., visit
www.marcelalandres.com and click on Writing Opportunities.
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HARPERCOLLINS SEEKS LATINO CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Rosemary Brosnan has been publishing children's books by Latino/a
authors for many years, and she is interested in finding new
novelists for the children's Rayo imprint at HarperCollins. She
seeks outstanding fiction for middle-graders (ages 8 to 12) and
young adults (ages 12 up), in English, that features Latino and
Latina protagonists. Please send manuscripts, with a self-addressed,
stamped envelope, to: Rosemary Brosnan, Executive Editor,
HarperCollins Publishers/Rayo, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, NY 10019.
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AUSTIN SCBWI CHAPTER FALL CONFERENCE: "FOLLOW ME"
Date: October 16, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: October 12
Old Pecan Street Café, 310 East 6th Street Austin, Texas
Confirmed speakers include Judy O'Malley, Executive Editor,
Charlesbridge; Sarah Ketchersid, Editor, Candlewick; Mark Siegel,
Art Director, Simon and Schuster; and Rosemary Stimola, Literary
Agent, Stimola Literary Studio. To register and for more information
visit www.austinscbwi.com.
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ARIZONA SCBWI CHAPTER MEETING: "THE EXPERIENCE OF GETTING PUBLISHED
BY A SMALL PRESS"
Date: October 23, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: October 15
Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe, AZ, with Author Annie Weissman.
Members: $5; Nonmembers: $7. To register email Michelle Parker-Rock
at rascbwiaz@...
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NEW VOICES AWARD FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Deadline: October 31, 2004
Lee & Low Books, the award-winning publisher of multicultural books
for children, is pleased to announce the fifth annual New Voices
Award. The Award will be given for a children's picture book story
by a writer of color. The Award winner will receive a cash grant of
$1,000 and our standard publication contract, including their
standard advance and royalties. An Honor Award winner will receive a
cash grant of $500. For guidelines and more information visit
http://www.leeandlow.com/editorial/voices.html.
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TV SHOW SEEKS LATINO BOOKS
Edna Campos Gravenhorst will be reviewing books by Latino writers to
feature in a three minute segment once a month on Enterate, a
Spanish variety show hosted by Gilberto Pinela. The book has to be
complete and in paperback or hardback; self published writers will
get special consideration. Please mail books to: Edna Campos
Gravenhorst, 3150 Ohio Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118. Be sure to
include contact information so we can inform you if your book gets
chosen to be featured on the show. We will only accept books that
are sent to us at no charge and we will not be returning books. The
books will be used as reading material by Gilberto Pinela when he
reads to students in city schools to expose minority students to
Latino authors. The books will then be donated to a Hispanic
organization in St. Louis. The show will be expanding into other
markets across the country, and there is a commitment for the show
to run for an entire year starting October 2004. We are looking
forward to promoting your books.
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PLUME SEEKS LATINA FICTION
Plume, an imprint of the Penguin Group, has a long tradition of
publishing great works about and by strong women, including the
novels of Julia Alvarez, Toni Morrison, Dorothy Allison, and Joyce
Carol Oates. We are always looking for new talent and are especially
interested in Latina fiction. We are seeking both new and previously
published authors who have a completed manuscript, especially
women's fiction, both commercial and literary. Other categories that
we will consider are literary memoirs and erotic fiction. If you
would like to have your manuscript considered, please email a one
page synopsis, sample chapter, and a short author's bio to Emily
Haynes at emily.haynes@.... You can also send a
query letter by mail to her attention at: Plume, 375 Hudson St., New
York, NY 10014. She will be in touch with you if she wants to
request the manuscript. Please do not send short stories,
screenplays, or poetry as we are not looking for work in these
areas. You can check out the Penguin Group website at
www.penguingroup.com.
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PUBLICITY & SPEAKERS BUREAU FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Margaret Porter Troupe is the founder of a Publicity & Speakers
Bureau which arranges press coverage and interviews for emerging and
established authors and artists. As a complement to that, she has a
literary & visual arts salon in Harlem where she hosts book signings
and mounts art exhibits. At these events distinguished authors read
their works and meet their audience in an intimate setting. She
also exhibits paintings and other art by visual artists. To date,
her guests have included Ishmael Reed (book signing), Mildred Howard
(art exhibit), and Hugh Masekela (book signing). Upcoming is a book
signing and art exhibit with Amiri Baraka on 12/12/04. Writers and
artists interested in working with Margaret can contact her at 212-
749-7771 or mptroupe@....
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WANT A JOB IN BOOK PUBLISHING?
The Association of American Publishers (AAP) has launched a national
campaign to increase diversity in every corner of the book
publishing industry. The centerpiece of the Book Yourself a Career
campaign is www.Bookjobs.com, a website that provides entry-level
job listings from virtually every major book publisher in the U.S.,
along with a wealth of information about the industry. With nearly
300 companies listing jobs– including Bookspan, Elsevier,
HarperCollins, Holtzbrinck, Houghton Mifflin, McGraw-Hill, Pearson
Education, Penguin, Random House, Simon & Schuster, Time Warner,
John Wiley & Sons, and a host of others – the website is a true "one
stop shopping" resource for anyone seeking a career in book
publishing. For more information visit http://www.bookjobs.com/ and
http://www.publishers.org/.
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THE BOOK OF LATINA WOMEN BY SYLVIA MENDOZA
Award-winning Latina journalist Sylvia Mendoza is the author of The
Book Of Latina Women, one of the most humbling and inspiring
projects she has ever worked on. The Book of Latina Women highlights
the contributions of 150 fabulous Latina women whose accomplishments
in history, science, politics, art, and entertainment--past and
present--have impacted the world. From political leaders like Eva
Perón, who ruled Argentina with flamboyance and an iron fist, to
pioneers like France Anne Cordova, the youngest person to ever hold
the Chief Scientist position at NASA, The Book of Latina Women
provides a unique perspective on Latina women from all periods in
history and all walks of life. For more information visit www.sylvia-
mendoza.com.
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TE DE CANELA/CINNAMON TEA BY EDNA CAMPOS GRAVENHORST
www.tedecanela.com
Te de Canela is a collection of essays, short stories and poems
about Edna Campos Gravenhorst's experience of growing up in a
Mexican American family in the United States. Her mother and her
parents were born in America, her father was born and raised in
Mexico. She was very fortunate to grow up in two different cultures,
and in Te de Canela she shares life lessons that cross over many
cultures.
Now available:
Borders Books & Music - San Antonio, Texas - 11745 W IH10
Borders Books & Music - St. Louis, Missouri - Brentwood
Borders Books & Music - St. Louis, Missouri - Sunset Hills
Borders Books & Music - Fairview Heights, Illinois
Left Bank Books - St. Louis, Missouri
Hastings Books - McAllen, Texas
Your Local Bookstore - By Special Order, ISBN 0-9745346-1-7
Also by Edna Campos Gravenhorst, Historical Home Research in the
City of St. Louis, ISBN 0-9745346-0-9. She encourages Latino writers
to self publish and get out there and market your work! Thank you to
all of you for your support.
*****
POST AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN LATINIDAD™
E-mail announcements about contests, calls for submissions,
conferences, jobs, book publications, literary events, etc., to
marcelalandres@....
*****
BACK ISSUES
All back issues are available at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marcelalandres/.
*****
REPRINTS
If you wish to reprint portions of Latinidad™, please credit The
Latinidad™ Newsletter and include a link to www.marcelalandres.com.
*****
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If so, forward it to friends and colleagues. If not, take the
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*****

"Only a person who does absolutely nothing, never makes a mistake."
--Mexican Proverb

The Latinidad™ Newsletter © 2003 by Marcela Landres