sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Thoughts on School Visits

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I have just had four of the busiest weeks of my life. In those four weeks I visited schools and libraries in Perth and around the South West, as well as flying to Gunnedah in New South Wales, and presented over 50 sessions talking about myself and my books. By the end of it I have to admit I was pretty tired. Very tired. Achingly tired. So tired that when I ran into a local friend last week she commented on how tired I look and told me I should just take a day off. I smiled, said I would do so, then the next day got in my car and drove to Mundaring for another session (you can see a photo from that session below).
This week I have a week free of  speaking commitments, and I have time to get some writing done – as well as more mundane things like housework, paying bills and so on. And I also have time to reflect on the past four weeks. Sure, they were really busy and more than once I wondered if I could really meet all my commitments. But meet them I did, and I had an absolute ball. 
But, in honour of the friend who suggested I needed a day off, and anyone else who is wondering, I thought I might explain WHY I do school and library visits.
1.      1.  It’s fun and inspirational. Standing in front of a room of kids and talking about myself and my books is so unlike work that I sometimes forget it IS work. For 45 minutes I talk, read, smile and, importantly listen, as I share with kids my stories, and my life as a writer. It’s an absolute blast.
2.      2.  It promotes my books. Getting published is hard, but getting the word out about your books can be even harder.  
3.       3. It pays well. Very few children’s authors can make a living from writing. Speaking engagements  pay well and allow us to continue writing.
4.    4.     It engages me with people. Writing can be a pretty solitary occupation, with most of my work taking place at home on my own. When I go out to schools and libraries I am socialising, meeting people and connecting with them.
5.     5.   It helps kids. I  have left this one to last because it is the most important. Meeting a ‘real’ author can be really engaging for readers of all abilities. Often a reluctant reader will be inspired to read, and an avid reader will feel validated. Kids are also inspired to write after listening to an author. 
There are other reasons, but these are the key ones, and, whilst the busyness of four weeks of author visits is tiring, it also leaves me feeling energised, ready to write more and speak more, too.  I look forward to speaking more, and am delighted that the bookings for next year have started to come in. If you’d like to book me to visit your school or library, you can contact me through my website.

The Publication Process

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On Saturday my lovely friend Frane Lessac and I spoke about getting published as part of the Mundaring Arts Centre’s Heartlines Festival. here we are – with me in full flight explaining something and Frane looking on, waiting for her chance to say something clever.

 

Anyway, inspired by this, yesterday I blogged over at the Christchurch Kids blog about the steps involved in the publicaton of a book, and today I thought it might be worth reposting that post here.  So, here goes:

Yesterday I drove up to Mundaring, a little community just outside of Perth, where my friend, artist Frane Lessac, and I spoke to a group of people about how to get published. It was a really fun session, with Frane and me each sharing our journey to publication and then talking about the dos and don’ts of getting published.
When I sat down to blog today I thought it might interest YOU to know just how a book gets published. So, here goes.
First, long before a book is something  I can hold in my hands or tell the whole world about or even read, it is just an idea. My ideas come from all over the place – from things I see, things that have happened to me, things I read about, or silly ideas which just come to me.
When I get an idea and decide to write about it, the next thing I do is plan my story. Usually the plan happens in my head – I spend a lot of time thinking about who my main character will be, and what will happen to him/her, and I work out what the main conflict or problem will be, and how it will be resolved at the end.
Once I have a pretty fair idea of what is going to happen in my new story, I write the first draft. This might take only minutes, if it is a picture book or short piece, or days and months if it is longer, but I do try to get the whole  first draft written as quickly as possible before I get distracted by the next big idea.
Once that first draft is written, I put it away. I don’t reread it it, or share it with anyone for as long as I can stand. This creates distance between me and the story, and means that  when I get it back out a month or more later, I am able to see what needs to be fixed – as well as what works, of course. Then I rewrite and edit and rewrite and edit and tinker until the story is as perfect as I can make it. Sometimes this takes many many months, or even years until I am happy with a story.
But, eventually  my story is ready to submit and I send it off to a publisher. Sometimes, the story comes back to me with a letter saying it won’t be published (there are lots of reasons for this) but other times, thankfully, I get a phonecall or email from the publisher to say they will publish my book.
That’s when the hard works starts, because no matter how good I thought the story was when I submitted it, now I have to work with an editor to make it even better.  And sometimes this can take a lot of phonecalls, emails and, of course, writing sessions. – which can take months.
When the text is finalised, the  publisher chooses an illustrator, who then works on the illustration in consultation with the editor. I don’t tell the illustrator what to draw or how to draw it, though I do get shown initial sketches and have the opportunity to provide feedback.
When the illustrations are finished (which can again take months and months or oven years) , the publisher puts words and pictures together and the book is finally ready to be printed.
Then, at least a year after I had that first idea – but usually two or more years – the postman brings me a parcel, with copies of the new book for me to enjoy, and copies of the book are then available in bookstores and libraries for people to read.
It’s a long process –  Head Hog took six years to finally be published – but when I hold a new book in my hands for the first time I always feel  really proud.

Top 10 Tips for Writing a Submission by Guest Blogger Tania McCartney

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I  am delighted to welcome fellow Aussie author and all-round wonder, Tania McCartney here to my blog today.
Tanis is in the midst of a blog tour to promote her new picture book Riley and The Grumpy Wombat, and has taken the time to call by and share with us her insights in preparing manuscript submissions.

Welcome Tania. Over to you.
Riley and the Grumpy Wombat Blog Tour
Top 10 Tips for Writing a Submission
I’ve been submitting to publishers for around 25 years now – and the process has certainly changed over time, particularly as the digital age has overtaken our lives.
For my most recent book – Riley and theGrumpy Wombat: A journey around Melbourne – I was very fortunate in that I had an existing relationship with Ford Street Publishing’s Paul Collins, so although I didn’t have to go through the regular submissions channels, the manuscript for Wombat was nevertheless put through the complete acquisitions process. Paul absolutely required a manuscript worthy of Ford Street’s list, so I was thrilled when the book was accepted for publication.
This kind of ‘fast forward’ through the submissions process only comes after many years of hard work and many, many submission attempts. I am still submitting manuscripts to publishers all over the world – via the regular submission channels – and I hope my Top 10 Tips on preparing your Submission help you secure that wonderfully-elusive publishing deal yourself.
Number 1 – Set up a submissions spreadsheet
First things first. Set up a spreadsheet to document your submissions. List the date, the book title, the publisher, any contact names, the street address and email address. Leave a column blank for their response. Make notes in this column if you receive feedback for ms rejections.
Also make notes on the submissions process for this publisher – for example, if they ask for an exclusive submission, if they ask you to leave the ms with them three months before submitting elsewhere, if they will offer a response or if you are to just assume, after a set period of time, that they are not interested.
As rejection letters come rolling in, don’t see this as a setback, but purely an opportunity to either rework and hone your ms, or submit it elsewhere.
Re-submitting is dependent on the rejection letter. If the publisher indicates the work is good but doesn’t suit their list, perhaps consider resubmitting elsewhere immediately. If the publisher indicates the book may need some reworking (or makes no comment at all), either begin reworking your text – or even better – let it ‘simmer’ for a month or more, before tackling your edits.
Number 2 – Research your target publisher
I do feel people completely underestimate the importance of this step, as it will truly cut years of wasted time and effort – both for yourself and for publishers.
What genre have you written in? Who is your target audience? What ages? What style is the book? Which publisher is producing similarly-structured titles? Get to know the book list of publishers – both mainstream and independent. Do this online, in bookstores, at libraries. Be thorough. Does your book suit a mainstream trade publisher of commercial titles? Or is it quirky with a more narrowly defined market?
Get to know the work of publishers and who your book will best fit with – and make a list of all that apply. Write up the list in order of preference, and add them to your submissions spreadsheet.
Number 3 – Discover the publisher’s submission requirements
When you’ve decided on the publisher you want to target first, it’s vital you check their website for current submissions guidelines. These guidelines change all the time, so be sure to check back regularly. Don’t be discouraged if submissions are closed – bide your time (don’t be tempted to send in a submission anyway – the last thing a chronically overloaded publishing team needs is more ‘unwanted’ submissions).
In a nutshell, read very carefully then follow the publisher’s guidelines to the letter. Does this publisher accept electronic submissions? Do they ask for a CV? Will they send you a notice of receipt? Is a synopsis or market analysis required?
If a publisher website offers few specific guidelines, then follow these general submission rules. All ms submissions should be printed in a simple font (such as Arial or Times Roman, 10pt or 11pt) on one side of the page, double spaced with 3cm margins all round. Add a footer or header to the document containing the ms title, your name and a page number.
On the cover letter and the first page of the ms proper, be sure to add all your contact details – name, address, telephones, email, website. Also list what you are attaching to the cover letter. Generally, your submission should include:
·         Short and succinct cover letter with full contact details
·         An author bio or short, relevant CV
·         A book outline or synopsis
·         A short target market analysis and perhaps an outline of your ability to promote the book
·         First three chapters, or the full ms, if a picture book (picture books usually do not exceed 500 – 600 words)
The publisher’s submission guidelines should also tell you when you can expect some kind of response. Mark it on your spreadsheet.
Number 5 – Research your market
Publishers want to publish great books, sure – but they also want to make money so they can continue to publish even more great books. It’s a tough industry that’s recently taken a beating, so researching your market is highly attractive for most publishers.
Is your book something that will stand out in your target market? Are there already too many books on that topic/style of book? What would make yours stand out? List titles that compete with your work and provide examples of why it’s different. Be sure the publisher can see that you understand your market.
Also indicate to the publisher (if appropriate to do so – remember, follow their guidelines) how you will go about marketing and promoting your work. What talents and resources do you have in place to help make this book a success? Will you be one of these authors who expects the publisher to do all the work or will you really throw yourself into things?
 Number 5 – Be succinct
Keep things really simple – don’t rant and rave, no matter how tempted. Just give a neat and tidy outline of both your book and your work, and let the ms do the talking. If you rant and ramble, no one will read it anyway – and the submission with be cumbersome to wade through.
Number 6 – Don’t get fancy
Don’t pack your envelope with glitter. Don’t send chocolates. Don’t have it delivered with helium balloons or a tenor with a chilled bottle of bubbles. Don’t add elaborate fonts and swirling diagrams and paragraphs in rainbow colours. It won’t help – and could potentially hinder. What WILL attract attention is great writing.
Number 7 – Exclusivity
Many publishers require exclusive submission, some require the knowledge you’ve submitted elsewhere and some are fine with your submitting to multiple publishers. Check the website and if no information is given, you can probably assume you can submit to multiple publishers – most particularly if you’re just starting out (established authors tend to be more loyal to their existing publishers).
If you want to really do the right thing, mention in your cover letter that you have submitted elsewhere. It will not hinder your chances of having your ms reviewed. Just be sure to let each publisher know immediately if the work has been accepted for publication elsewhere.
Don’t pester publishers for a response. Wait. If an appropriate amount of time has passed (this should be indicated on their website), a short, polite inquiry email is ok.
Number 8 – Network and have online presence
Get involved in your writing community, whether it be your local writers’ centre, literary conferences, the Children’s Book Council of Australia, publishing associations, or online forums. Get to know other authors, frequent review and literature sites and publisher blogs, and really get your teeth into the market you are looking to publish in.
This will not only help get your name ‘out there’ and make it more recognisable, it will keep you up-to-date with current happenings and teach you an enormous amount about the industry, making the submissions process a whole lot easier.
Whatever you do, don’t haunt people, self-promote to the point of excluding yourself or suck people dry. Develop genuine relationships with people you resonate with. The friends and colleagues I have made by networking both in person and online have not only been invaluable for learning about the industry and approaching publishers, they have been enormously rewarding on a very personal level.
Do you have an online presence? If not, make it happen. A blog, a simple website, facebook, twitter. The power of this online presence cannot be underestimated.
Number 9 – Do not obsess, dissect, analyse
It can take as long as nine months for a publisher to get back to an author with a response. Many authors feel that the longer their ms is with a publisher, the more positive the outcome may be. Some feel a ‘not right for our list’ means the work is crap. The truth is – there is no simple answer to a rejection – many, many elements come into play – and a book not being right for a publisher’s list hardly means it’s not good enough (Harry Potter rejected 12 times; ahem).
On top of that, the timing of a response has little to do with anything other than perhaps a current work overload for the publishing team.
Analysing and obsessing, therefore, is an utter waste of time. I suggest sending off a submission, plotting it on your submissions spreadsheet and then getting on with things – readying the next ms for submission or revising past work or reading a good book.
Number 10 – Subscribe
Subscribe to industry newsletters like Buzz Words and Pass It On for up-to-date news and information on publisher submissions processes. You will also find information on competitions, grants and awards you can submit your work to.
I hope these guidelines help you navigate the somewhat bumpy submissions process with some clarity. Now that I’m done, I’ve just got two words to say to you: Tenacity. Patience.
Tania McCartney, illustrations by Kieron Pratt
Ford Street Publishing, A$22.95, hardcover          
Riley has discovered a wombat in his nanny’s garden. But why is this furry creature so grumpy? Join Riley and his friends from books one, two and three, as they zoom around the stunning sights of Melbourne in search of a wombat that simply needs a place to call home.
Featuring gorgeous black and white photos of Melbourne and surrounds, Riley and the Grumpy Wombat combines photos, illustrations, adorable characters, humour and an adventuresome storyline in a travelogue-style book that showcases Melbourne at its very best.
Short Author Bio
Tania McCartney is an author, editor, publisher and founder of well-respected children’s literature site, Kids Book Review. She is an experienced speaker, magazine and web writer, photographer and marshmallow gobbler. She is the author of the popular Riley the Little Aviator series of travelogue picture books, and is both published and self-published in children’s fiction and adult non-fiction. Tania lives in Canberra with a husband, two kidlets and a mountain of books.

Star Author

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I’m really excited that I’ve been invited to be the Star Author over at the Christchurch Kids blog this month.
I have just blogged over there about young writers and a little about what I’ve been up to these past few days.

You can read the post here.

It’s a Bookday!

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Happy Bookday to you, Happy Bookday to you, Happy Bookday dear Pearl! Happy…

Oh, hello there. So glad you dropped by. Don’t mind my offkey singing. I’m pretty excited, you see, because today is the Bookday of the US edition of my children’s verse novel, Pearl Verses the World.
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you might have already heard a bit about this book, because the Australian edition was released in 2009, and the UK edition (renamed Pearl,  and with a different cover) was released in 2010. But now, for the first time, Pearl Verses the World has been released in the United States by the awesome Candlewick Press. And, to make it even more exciting, it’s coming out in hardcover. Hooray!
If you’re not a regular to this blog, let me tell you just a little bit about the book. The publisher’s blurb:
Pearl likes to write poems, but despite the insistence of her teacher, Ms. Bruff, Pearl’s poems don’t rhyme, and neither does she. She wishes she could grow gills so she could stay underwater in swim class without drowning. And she hasn’t a clue why perfect Prudence bumps her desk and sends her pencils flying. Pearl thinks there’s no nicer sound than the bell at the end of the day, even though back at home, Granny, always a crucial part of their family of three, sometimes doesn’t recognize Pearl, and Mom is tired from providing constant care. In a lyrical novel told with clear-eyed sympathy, humor, and heart, Sally Murphy follows a girl who holds fast to her individuality even as she learns to let go– and in daring to share her voice, discovers that maybe she’s not a group of one after all.
At school, Pearl is a group of one, and at home her beloved granny is fading. A poignant gem of a tale about independence, grief, and finding your place.
You can also view a brief trailer for the book here (yes, that’s my voice on the trailer – except for the voice of Pearl, played by Murphlet 6) .

Want more? There are some excellent reviews online for the book, including a starred review at Kirkus (huzzah!) and some lovely reviews at Goodreads, which you can see here. Oh, and if you’re a teacher or librarian, Candlewick has released a teacher’s guide.
Pearl Verses the World is now available from good brick and mortar bookstores, or online from Amazon. And if you do come across Pearl in a bookstore or library, I’d love to hear about it!

I’m Back

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I have a confession to  make. Over the past six months I have struggled to write. I have some excuses – a time consuming day job, a relocation, growing kids, living apart from my beloved during the week – the list goes on. But in spite of all this, I’ve managed to still watch TV, play games, go for walks – lots of things that are ostensibly less important to me than writing. It’s as if the busyness has become an excuse for my not writing rather than a reason, in a strange case of writers’ block which has no simple explanation.

The good news – and perhaps the reason I’m prepared to admit this now – is that I’m writing again. Last week I finished up at my day-job, determined to find the time to write I so desperately missed. And having made that decision I realised I had to make sure right from the outset that I actually write. In fact, before I’d even worked my last day, the impulse to write started to return. New ideas, new snippets, even whole poems and one (rough) first draft of a picture book. And on Monday, my first official day sans-dayjob, I sat down and wrote. I dd the same yesterday and plan to do it again tomorrow.

On day one I didn’t know what I would write, but that didn’t stop me. I closed my Internet browser, and my email, opened a blank document and started writing. 800 words later I had a story of sorts forming from a kind of free-writing exercise. I saved and printed this rough story-thing, then went on with the rest of my day. But the character and his story stayed with me and by Tuesday when I sat down again, I had a new scene to write, taking that story in a whole new direction.  And by today, another new scene. Pete – my new character – seems determined that I tease out his story, and I am content to just write it and see where it takes me. If nothing else, this is the story that has brought me back to my desk.  

I’m delighted to be back in the crazy and crazed world of the writer.

sallymurphy.com.au