While submitting my manuscript for Poop Spelled Backwards is Poop, I came across some interesting advice from one agent. She said, that if you expected to be successful as an author, you'd better read, A LOT, in the genre you want to write in. Specifically, she proposed the number 200 for Children's books.
Admittedly, I almost choked when I thought about how long it might take me to get through that many books. I didn't even know if there were 200 Children's books worth reading. Mostly, though, I really didn't want to spend that amount of time away from writing, either the blog, or my next try at a book.I finally came to the conclusion that I did, indeed, need to find out more about the business, starting with reading at least 200 books.
So In January, of this year, I walked myself right into the Kenton County Public Library (KCL) in Erlanger, KY. I used to love going to the library when I was still in school. It always felt like I was swimming in knowledge and history. In recent times, however, I had gotten away from the habit and had not been in quite a few years. I know this doesn't seem like a huge deal to some, but to me, it's a pretty big accomplishment.
With some help from a Librarian friend (thank you Denise V.) who recommended some great authors, I was able to discover that this IS what I wanted to do. It became pretty clear, fairly quickly, that not all Children's books were boring, or rhyme, or are counting/alphabet books. The good news, for me at least, was that I could write in this genre and still be my same silly self.
So, six months (nearly to the day) after I set the goal to read 200+ Children's books, I achieved success today. I had actually set my goal slightly higher at 210, because I liked that number better. The time frame wasn't as important as the number, although, I thought it would take about three times as long. I even kept a data base, complete with links to the publisher's Web sites.
I still plan to continue my reading and research, but I think my friends at the KCL drive-thru will be much happier to see me from now on. After all, 15 books is a lot to carry from the customer holding area to the window. I imagine that the people waiting behind me will also be much happier as well.
There are some AMAZINGLY talented authors. I truly enjoyed reading their
work. I hope to, one day, earn that same kind of respect and admiration
from a up and coming writer.
My favorites?
AUTHORS (just to name a few):
-Doreen Cronin
-Mo Willems
-Karma Wilson
-Nick Bruel
-Lane Smith
-Karen Kaufman-Orloff
-Keiko Kasza
-Anna Dewdney
-Mary Jane Auch
-Tammi Sauer
-Kelly DiPucchio
-Marilyn Sadler (who was # 200 and, by total chance, is from the same Greater Cincinnati area I reside in)
-Kara LaReau
-Dav Pilkey
-David Shannon
BOOKS/STORIES?
-Click Clack Moo
-Walter the Farting Dog (there are 5 books in the series)
-Zombie in Love
-It's a Book
-Bad Kitty
-Diary of a Worm
-Diary of a Spider
-The Plot Chickens
-I Wanna Iguana
-Pass It On!
-Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Pigeon books are hilarious....the pigeon is even on twitter)
-Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
-Animal Strike at the Zoo
-Duck for President
-Badgers Fancy Meal
-Llama Llama Red Pajama
-The Cow Loves Cookies
-Me Want Pet
-David Gets in Trouble
Copyright 2012 J.C. Gardiner
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