It’s a tough time in publishing right now with school/library cutbacks, a contraction in the picture book market, and so forth.
So, today, I’d like to ask cynsations readers to perform one random act of kindness for another book person. A writer, illustrator, teacher, librarian, bookseller, publicist, young reader–whomever.
It doesn’t have to be big or expense or dramatic, though it could be.
Send a card that says “thanks for all you do.” Drop an email that says “by the way, great hair!” Rent out a billboard on I-35 cheering on every mama who read a bedtime story to her kid last night. Anything, everything, whatever!
Just do something positive!
Thanks!
Today, I’m deep in the midst of reading manuscripts and answering author profile interview questions with Greg for a fall issue (October or November) of the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy.
The books on my nightstand are: The Mother’s Tongue by Heid E. Erdrich (sister of Louise Erdrich)(Salt Publishing, 2005) and Looking For Alaska by John Green (Dutton, 2005)(yes, I know everybody else has already read it).
Cynsational News & Links
How to Become Rich and Famous in One Easy Step (and other stuff that has nothing to do with making kids’ books) by your pal Mo Willems from CBC Magazine.
Award-winning writer Jo Knowles debuts her Web site. I’m particularly fond of her FAQ, comprised of questions asked by her five-year-old son. Speaking of which, Batman can fly. He just needs to use a plane or other man-made invention to do so. What’s special about superheroes like Batman (and, say, Green Arrow or Oracle) is that they are people with normal potential who pushed and trained themselves to do extraordinary things so they could protect others. Batman was not given the ability to fly; he had to earn it.
Author Gail Giles blogs about Storky: How I Lost My Nickname and Won The Girl by D.L. Garfinkle (Putnam, 2005) at The YA Novel and Me (see May 9 post). See what I had to say about Storky.
Author Ellen Jackson blogs about 10 Great Picture Books That Appeal to Boys.
And on May 11, author Tanya Lee Stone calls me “lovely,” which I mention simply because it made me feel good.
Love the idea of a random act of kindness for a fellow bookperson. It’s so important in this industry. Editors don’t get thanked enough for all they do but I adore them for taking the time to read my work and encourage me. People who work in bookstores, long hours for little pay because they love books and work hard to put the right book into the hands of a child. I try to look for books I know and love when I am in stores and put them “face out” and, if possible, share them with another shopper. Can you imagine if we each did just one thing each day, one random act of kindness for another bookperson? Wow, it boggles the mind.
Thanks, Cyn, for all the random acts YOU do for those of us in the biz.
Thank you, Susan!