The dreaded "I just didn't connect" rejection and how to up your chances!

How many times have we heard that standard rejection, "I just didn't connect with it" or heard the word "SUBJECTIVE." These are realities in the publishing world. They're legit reasons for rejections even if we don't full understand them. 

Truth is, sometimes there is nothing you can do to make a particular person love your work. That's the nature of art.

 Some people are going to love it, some are going to hate it, some will be neutral (this is a life lesson all authors learn when they start getting reviews!) So sometimes that's what we mean when we say "it's subjective." I'm sorry, you're just not "the one". 

During #pitchwars someone compared the slush pile to dating... and boy what an analogy! So let's play with that, shall we?

Sometimes mentors, agents or editors have to say no to books that they know are fantastic. Books they know deserve to be chosen. Because there is another book that just connects... for whatever reason.

Let's think of submitting your work like a first date, and all the things you should keep in mind to up your chances of a love connection-- do's and don'ts.

Step one: Basic hygiene

This one is simple. Wash your hair, brush your teeth, wear deodorant. In publishing? This can translate into grammar and punctuation or even into character motivations that make sense, staying away from cliches, plot that moves forward etc.

Step two: Be Interesting

On a date, if you have nothing to say about anything, we may start getting bored. Naturally, people are going to be more drawn to someone like, say, a fire fighter, than an accountant who has no hobbies-- simply because they want to know more about them. "Is it scary?" "Have you ever saved someone's life?" if exciting questions start running through someone's mind, that's piquing their interest and they'll hang around a little longer to see what's around the corner. 

In publishing, this is premise and the promise of plot. Something that makes us want to keep reading just to see what's going to happen. 

Step three: Personality

Here's where things get sticky, because there isn't one right personality. 

 You might be funny, or witty, or sarcastic, or deep, or intelligent. The main point is that you stand out and draw people in. That people enjoy talking with or about you.

This is the voice/tone of your story. You know that guy who everyone else thought was hilarious but really just annoyed you? Or the weird girl no one else understood but was your absolute best friend?  We are all drawn to different things. We come at it from different perspectives so we see things differently. That's okay. Just makes sure you HAVE a personality. 

Some people like spicy, some prefer sweet, some love sour, and some want savory. Don't add chocolate to your curry sauce just because someone wants something sweet. Your goal is simply to not be bland.

The last and most important step is.... Emotional connection

That thing that's SOOO important but SOOOO difficult to pin point. I'm not even going to try to come up with dating examples because I'm pretty sure I'll fail. It's that thing that takes you from stranger to relationship. From crush to a meaningful part of your life. In books, sometimes it can be kind of accidental, you just happen to hit the right topic or remind the reader of something that really resonates with them. Sometimes we can't do anything more to help someone fall in love, we just have to wait for the right timing. 

But I'll tell you a secret.  Most of the time it comes down to relating to the characters and their goals. So how do we do that? Here's the part you don't want to miss. 

The thing that is most likely to HOOK those readers at all levels, to give you the best chance at falling into love: 

Emotional stakes

So you know how in pitches we tell you we need to know what happens if they fail? The world ends, they freeze to death in the icy tundra, deadly virus spreads across the world, dictator gains power and enslaves millions etc etc. But it can't be only physical. There needs to be emotional stakes also.

Don't just think about the premise as the idea- the logical "will this concept sell?" because just as important (sometimes more) is that you aren't just hooking the head of your readers-- but their heart.
Sort of like the hot millionaire who loves puppies- he sound *amazing* on paper. But it's the broke musician who steals your heart and won't let go. Don't be the millionaire. Be the musician. (I mean, be both if you can but if you have to choose...)


So, I don't care if you've written a survival story where the whole point is them making it through the icy tundra to safety, there still needs to be something emotional at stake. There's a sick little sister with you  and your mother just left you both but you haven't told your sister yet so that's hanging over your head, and all the while you feel responsible for her but your afraid he's going to let her die less than two days into that responsibility *weeps*. All this on top of freezing temperatures and fighting off wolves etc. (also mind you that it doesn't need to be sad like that, there are a million types of emotions you can use) The DEEPER you go with those emotions the more likely you're going to connect to someone

FROM THE GRAVE by Cynthia Reeg

We've all heard that it's not easy being green, but for young monster Frank Gordon, it's blue that's got him in a tough spot. Frank is a "Misfit Monster" in his home of Uggerland. His skin is blue instead of green and he enjoys combing his hair and keeping tidy. Not very monstrous. He's not alone though, his best friend Oliver is a mummy who can't keep his wrappings on, and there's a whole crew of kids who don't fit the monster mold in one way or another. It's not until there's an edict to get rid of all the misfit monsters that things really heat up and Frank and his friends have to find a way to prove that they are all "monster enough".

Cynthia Reeg's book is chock full of imagination and her inventive language colors Frank's world in a vivid way. Readers will love the awkward, true-hearted protagonist and his friends, and root for them fiercely as they try to prove themselves. The story has serious messages about bullying, and how to find a path to being true to yourself even when it seems like the whole world is against you.

Today I have the opportunity to chat with Cynthia about her work!

Author Cynthia Reeg

MGM: There's an exciting mix of otherworldly creatures in your book. Have you always been fascinated with monsters?


CR: Actually, I was a total scaredy cat as a kid. I'd cover my eyes when the monster appeared on the movie screen and then have bad nightmares for weeks. But I think every kid is fascinated with monsters. They represent our deepest fears and when we face up to them, we are the heroes. Here’s a link to an article on the importance of horror stories for children. When I wrote FROM THE GRAVE, I became Master of the Monsters--for the ones in my book at least.


MGM: How did the idea of "Monster Misfits" develop? What inspired you to write Frank's story?


CR: I think we all feel a bit of a misfit at certain points in our lives. Certainly some are bullied more than others because they don’t seem to fit in. Using monsters as both the tormentors and the underdogs seemed like an intriguing and entertaining way to approach this subject. Initially I planned to write the story as a much shorter chapter book, but Frank and his cohorts quickly convinced me that their tale encompassed much more. And of course, they were right! I’m thrilled that FROM THE GRAVE with its underlying theme of acceptance and anti-bullying premieres during National Bullying Prevention Month.  

 
MGM: How will you be celebrating this Halloween?


CR: On Halloween I’ll be handing out candy to neighborhood kids and enjoying the costumes and jokes. St. Louis is one of the few cities in the U.S. where kids come prepared with a joke before receiving their treat. Stan & Dan, the goofy gargoyle twins from the book, would love Halloween here! I have a HUGE collection of Halloween jokes on my website just in case anyone needs one.


MGM: That is so cool! I'll definitely check that out! What has been the most exciting part of your publication journey so far?


CR: The most exciting (and scary as well) part is sharing my story with the world. So far the reviews have been awesome. I just participated in an author event last weekend and shared a few clips from my book. A retired reading teacher in the audience came up to me afterwards and told me, “I wish I’d had your book to share with my students when I was teaching. They would have loved it.” That totally made my day. All I say is, “Monster ON!!!”






Thank you for spending some time with us today, Cynthia! Monster on!!

Middle Grade and The Doctor Who Connection

I’d like to think that every post I write can link back to Doctor Who in some small way. Like seven degrees of Keven Bacon except with a Tardis.

And David Tennant.

Okay, let’s give it a try. The Doctor travels all of space and time, right? 

Well, MG writers travel too. But not just through time and space...and here’s where, I believe, we have one up on the good Doctor—cybermost apologies #10.

So, what could be better than traveling through all of time and space?

Traveling through memories.

MG writers travel deeper than any TARDIS (as fab as she is) can go.

Memories through taste, touch, sound, and even scents (sorry, Big T, not even you can do that).

Cafeteria pizza.

Warm eraser crumbs after you’ve deleted a whole line of words on a test.

A fresh pack of loose leaf paper.

The broken seal of a brand new box of crayons (the big one with the sharpener in the back).

We get into all kid-senses. Into their hearts and minds with associated connections from our own memories.

Sure, the Doctor can go back and forth to the future or the past, but we know that the future is the past.

Our pasts.

Writers travel through memories, imaginations, experiences, newly discovered abilities, and personality traits still waiting to be cultivated.

We navigate new friendships, go back inside ourselves to when we first sort of meet and say, “Hey, who are you?” or “Who do you wanna be?”

And maybe, during our travels, we write stories that tweak a few things we wished were done differently the first time around—either to ourselves or to others, giving kids alternate routes through words. We use our experiences and creativity to fuel our inner Tardis.

  

Maybe there'll be a Tardis upgrade one day. In the meantime, keep traveling, MG writers. Because just like the Doctor:

The future depends on us!

Author Interview: Shari Green, Author of Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles

I have to get this off my chest straight away: I adored this book.

Before we get to the interview, here's a little background information:


The Author:

Shari Green writes Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction. She's in love with stories and the sea, and can often be found curled up with a good book and a cup of tea, or wandering the beaches near her home on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.



The Description:

Eleven-year-old Bailey believes in miracles. She had to; it will take a miracle to keep her warring parents together. This summer they are at a Marriage Counselling camp, leaving Bailey and her little brother Kevin with their estranged grandmother in the island town of Felicity Bay. There, an eccentric deposed minister makes a prophecy that a stranger from the sea will change everything. When Bailey discovers a mermaid-shaped piece of driftwood, she begins to believe that the mermaid is the stranger from the sea. Then, when a dolphin becomes stranded on the beach, Bailey forgets her own troubles and rouses the reluctant locals into action.

My take on the book:

This book, written in free verse, is a glorious portrait painted in words and images!  This is a beautifully written book, one that acutely and compassionately addresses the powerlessness children feel when the adults in their lives make decisions that have profound impacts on them. I loved this book so much and I believe children will love Bailey and her story, too!

Now: On to the Interview!!!!

via GIPHY

I loved Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles!  Can you tell me about the genesis of the story?

I’d been thinking a lot about the extraordinary in the ordinary—Frederick Buechner said “all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace”, and that quote kept tumbling around in my thoughts. Meanwhile, I knew someday I wanted to write a “beachy book” in which I could indulge my love of the sea. And then this driftwood mermaid showed up in my imagination… ;-)

So much of the book involves Bailey looking for signs, looking for someone to help her. Can you talk a bit about why you wanted to address that feeling of powerlessness that children so often feel?

I think we all feel it, but maybe never as sharply as when we’re kids. Aren’t we all still looking for signs? for those moments that nourish faith, for things that help us keep hoping, keep believing that we’ll be okay, that life will turn out all right? Or maybe, that’s just me…heh.

There is a strong element of Spirituality, of faith, in your book. Spirituality is such an important aspect of all our lives and yet it is often not touched on in contemporary children’s literature. Why was that important for you to include and was there any push back from your publisher?

No push back at all from the publisher—my editor and everyone at Pajama Press have all been completely supportive of Bailey’s story. I wanted to include faith partly because it felt like the most honest way for me to tell this particular story, and partly because, as you said, it isn’t often addressed in books. Kids think about this stuff, just as adults do, so let’s talk about it.

I loved the character of Jasper and his prophecies (either real or perceived). Bailey wants to believe so much, and the rest of the town doesn't. Jasper was a real embodiment of seeing the world differently and a flash of supernatural in the book.  It was such an amazing device in the story and such a lightning rod character. Can you speak to that?

I’m glad you loved Jasper! I think in real life we occasionally encounter people like Jasper—people who see things from a strikingly different vantage point—or we have an experience that gives us a glimpse of something that just might be supernatural. These encounters and experiences challenge us deeply. They shake up our beliefs and our worldview, and so we tend to respond strongly—be it in a positive or negative way.

One of the things I loved best about your book is that nothing is absolute. We are left with questions throughout the book, and wondering about motives. Was that a conscious decision while you were writing?

Semi-conscious? Haha. I like a little ambiguity in stories. I like leaving room for people to interpret things in their own way and draw their own conclusions. That said, I think when writing about faith or spirituality, there’s not a lot of room for absolutes. Life is full of questions.

The ocean is such a beautiful and vital force in this book – living where you live, I can’t help but assume that it is for you, too?

Absolutely! The ocean inspires me, humbles me, calms me, energizes me. I love it! ☺

This isn't your first book. What has been the most surprising thing for about becoming a published author?

That I can be creative on demand?? Haha! Deadlines and working on contract taught me a lot about process and persistence and priorities.

A lot of our readers are aspiring writers. What piece of advice would you give to other aspiring writers?

May I give three bits of advice? 1. Create something, put it out in the world, create something else. 2. Trust your gut, and believe that the stories you need to tell are worth telling. 3. Find your tribe.

What’s next? Will we see more of Bailey or are you working on something completely different?

Bailey’s story is done for now, unless she starts whispering in my ear again. For now, I’m working on a new middle-grade novel, due out in 2017.

And finally: is root beer candy your favorite???

Actually, no! I like it, though, and I’ve definitely eaten more of it since I started writing this book—and I’ll be raising a celebratory root beer on launch day. ☺


Thanks Shari!  

Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles is out OCTOBER 12th.  I can't recommend it enough!

You can get your copies here:

Amazon.com
Chapters.ca
IndieBound
Barnes and Noble

And to keep up with other news about Shari, and to learn more about her other books, visit her website: https://sharigreen.com/

First Look: Covers for Middle Grade Novels RULES for THIEVES, HOLLY FARB AND THE PRINCESS OF THE GALAXY, and A DASH OF DRAGON

We love sharing upcoming Middle Grade books here are Middle Grade Minded, so we are thrilled to provide you with the first look at three gorgeous books that will be released in 2017!


First up: RULES FOR THIEVES by Alexandra Ott (June 6, 2017)

I mean seriously - how evocative is that cover?

About the book: 

After twelve-year-old orphan Alli Rosco is cursed with a deadly spell, she must join the legendary Thieves Guild in order to try and save herself in this high-stakes debut.

Twelve-year-old Alli Rosco is smart, resourceful, and totally incapable of keeping her mouth shut. Some of these traits have served her well during her nine years in Azeland’s orphanage, and others have proved more troublesome…but now that she’s escaped to try her luck on the streets, she has bigger problems than extra chores to contend with. Surviving would be hard enough, but after a run-in with one of the city’s Protectors, she’s marked by a curse that’s slowly working its way to her heart. There is a cure, but the cost is astronomical—and seems well out of her reach.

Enter Beck, a boy with a gift for theft and a touch of magic, who seems almost too good to be true. He tells Alli that the legendary Thieves Guild, long thought to be a myth, is real. Even better, Beck is a member and thinks she could be, too. All she has to do is pass the trial that the King of Thieves will assign to her. Join the Guild, collect her yearly reward and buy a cure. Plus, Alli hopes the Guild will be the home—the family—that Alli has always wanted. But when their trial goes wrong, innocent lives are put in danger, and Alli has to decide how much she can sacrifice in order to survive.

Author Bio:

Alexandra Ott holds a B.A. in English from the University of Tulsa. She currently lives in Oklahoma with her tiny canine overlord. Rules for Thieves is her debut novel. Visit her online at www.alexandraott.com and on Twitter at @Alexandra_Ott.

Fun fact about this book:

As a child, Alexandra Ott loved to invent stories and games to entertain herself and her younger sister. One of those early games, which featured a group of orphans living in hidden ice caves, inspired parts of Rules for Thieves.

Pre-order link (Amazon):

https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Thieves-Alexandra-Ott/dp/1481472747

Cover illustrator: Eric Deschamps

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Ready to go into Space?  It's time for:


HOLLY FARB AND THE PRINCESS OF THE GALAXY by Gareth Wronski (June 6, 2017)

There is nothing I don't love about this cover!  I want to climb into this world!

About the book:

Holly Farb is not the Princess of the Galaxy. She may be top of the class in every subject, but she can’t even win a school election, never mind rule the Milky Way. The aliens who kidnapped her have gotten it all wrong.

Unfortunately Holly’s alien pirate kidnappers believe that she’s the princess they’ve been looking for, and so she finds herself hurtling through space on an alien pirate ship together with her teacher, Mr. Mendez, and Chester, the most annoying boy in her class. Now all she has to do is escape the pirates, find the missing princess, and get back to Earth in time for her big test on Friday.

But it turns out that space is a pretty big place, and before they can go home, Holly, Chester, and Mr. Mendez must face down space cruise liners, bounty hunters, giant worms, perky holograms, cosmic board games, sinister insectoid librarians, and a robot who is learning how to lie. Between running from space pirates, defying the President of the Universe, and meeting a host of rather unusual new friends, Holly starts to wonder if there might be more to life than being top of the class after all.

Author bio:

Gareth Wronski was born and raised in Toronto. After watching Star Wars as a child on his grandparents’ VCR, he decided he wanted to tell science fiction and fantasy stories of his own. He currently resides in an old house by the Avon River in Stratford, Ontario, where he lives in constant terror of roaming swans. Visit him online on Twitter at @garethwronski.

Fun fact about this book:

Holly Farb once caused an intergalactic revolution by throwing a ball.

Pre-order link (Amazon):

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1481471775?tag=simonsayscom

Cover illustrator: Karin Paprocki

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Now it's time for a a few monster cooking lessons...

A DASH OF DRAGON by Heidi Lang & Kati Bartkowski (July 11, 2017) 

You just know that Lailu has something up her sleeve (and in her pot!)

About the book:

A thirteen-year-old master chef has a lot to prove as she tries to run a five-star restaurant, cook the perfect dragon cuisine, repay a greedy loan shark, and outsmart the Elven mafia in this entertaining novel that combines all of the best ingredients—fantasy, humor, adventure, action, cute boys, and a feisty heroine!

Lailu Loganberry is an expert at hunting dangerous beasts. And she’s even better at cooking them.

For years Lailu has trained to be the best chef in the city. Her specialty? Monster cuisine. When her mentor agrees to open a new restaurant with Lailu as the head chef, she’s never been more excited. But her celebration is cut short when she discovers that her mentor borrowed money from Mr. Boss, a vicious loan shark. If they can’t pay him back, Lailu will not only lose her restaurant—she’ll have to cook for Mr. Boss for the rest of her life.

As Lailu scrambles to raise the money in time, she becomes trapped in a deadly conflict between the king’s cold-blooded assassin, the terrifying elf mafia, and Mr. Boss’ ruthless crew. Worst of all, her only hope in outsmarting Mr. Boss lies with the one person she hates—Greg, the most obnoxious boy in school and her rival in the restaurant business.

But like Lailu always says, if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. And she’s determined to succeed, no matter the cost!

Author bio:

Heidi Lang and Kati Bartowski are a writing team of two sisters with twenty years of experience in Judo. Heidi likes to fling food across her stove while attempting to cook new dishes, and Kati enjoys trying new cuisine at fancy restaurants. Between the two of them, they love creating characters that kick butt both inside and outside the kitchen. You can find them on Twitter at @hidlang and @ktbartkowski.

Fun fact about this book:

Lailu Loganberry is a master at hunting and cooking ferocious beasts, but she's deathly afraid of chickens.

Pre-order link (Amazon):

https://www.amazon.com/Dash-Dragon-Heidi-Lang/dp/1481477935/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476221347&sr=1-1&keywords=dash+of+dragon


Cover illustrator: Angela Li


All of these books can be pre-ordered and I highly recommend that you do so!  Pre-ordering helps authors by creating buzz and interest, and these books are all buzz-worthy!


Congratulations Alexandra Ott, Gareth Wronski, Heidi Lang and Kati Bartowski!  We can't wait to read your books and we are thrilled to share them with our blog readers!!!!

Cover Reveal - THE COUNTDOWN CONSPIRACY

Today on Middle Grade Minded we have the awesome cover reveal for Katie Slivensky's upcoming THE COUNTDOWN CONSPIRACY which releases from HarperCollins Children's on August 1, 2017.

Before the big reveal, here's a little bit about THE COUNTDOWN CONSPIRACY!

13 year-old, robotics-savvy Miranda Regent is chosen for an exclusive Mars training mission, only to discover that she has become the target of an assassination plot. With explosions following her at every turn, and tensions with her classmates on the rise, Miranda is determined to find out who is after her, and why. But when she and her fellow astronaut cadets are thrust into a situation far more dire and deadly than Miranda could have ever imagined, time has run out. The young cadets must put their intelligence, bravery, and (admittedly shaky) teamwork to the test as they race to stop a conspiracy that threatens not only their lives, but the future of space travel itself.

Sounds pretty awesome right?

Now check out the awesome cover!

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How gorgeous is that cover?

Make sure you add THE COUNTDOWN CONSPIRACY on Goodreads!

Katie Slivensky is an educator at the Museum of Science in Boston, where she coordinates school visits, does presentations with alligators and liquid nitrogen (not usually at the same time), and runs the rooftop observatory program. Katie lives in a suburb of Boston with her two completely absurd cats, Galileo and Darwin, and is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Find her online at www.katieslivensky.com, and follow her on Twitter at @paleopaws.