To Self-Publish or not to Self-Publish (part 2)

     I kept counting the days till my "Writing Children's Picture Books" class. You know why? I read on the booklet information that Lori Mortensen would be the instructor. She happened to be my one-on-one instructor at the Institute of Children's Literature. What a coincidence!
     During the class, I was reminded about the elements of a good story. I discovered that children's authors nowadays utilize animated
trailers to promote their books on their website. I just wished Lori  
divulged some tips on how to find an agent and a publisher or some other information that could not be found on books. She recommended that we join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrator, an organization that educates and supports writers and illustrators.
     I couldn't resist not having a photo with her. It's as if I've known her
for a long time since I met her through ICT.

 

 

     Notice the book under her bag? That's the book you can purchase once you are a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. It has all the information where to submit your stories. 

Finding a Home

     Just yesterday, I mailed an article to a magazine. It was the last assignment which I revised according to the advice of my personal instructor from Institute of Children's Literature. Like any other nonfiction, it entailed numerous hours of researching, interviewing, emailing back and forth, etc.  I also had to revise it a few times, but I must say that I enjoyed the whole process immensely.

      To give you a sneak peak, here's a photo of a nocturnal creature found in the Philippines. Do you the know the name of it? Do you know the man who dedicated his life to protect it?

     Hopefully, after a couple of months, I'd be able to tell you the answer to these questions. Once my article has found a home, you'll definitely know everything about it :-)

Graduation!



    Yay! Finally, I graduated!!!! It took me more than two years because I took a leave of absence for more than six months and it was only at the latter part that I worked with my personal instructor, Lori Mortensen, via email. All in all, it was a wonderful ride. I was fortunate to have her as my instructor, personal guide, and companion on my journey. She was very helpful and encouraging.     

     I waited for more than a month before I got hold of this diploma. They sent it to my old address. Can you imagine me checking my mailbox every single day? 

     I'm posting her comments on her last letter to me so I can keep a positive frame of mind.

     "You're a good write and with great ideas - always a winning combination. :-)"

     "Great job on your revision!!!! You are one of my best students and you're on your way to selling and selling. Great job!!...."

     "Remember, too, that writers deal with rejection all the time so don't be discouraged if rejections come your way. The most important thing is to keep writing, submitting and improving. The more you write, the better your writing will become. The more you study what editors want, the better you'll be at delivering exactly what they're looking for.

     "Congratulations on all of your work and good luck with all of your writing projects. I'm sure you'll do well. If you have any good news to share about your writing, please send me a note at the Institute. (Do let me know when you hear back from Highlights about his manuscript :-) ! They'll be crazy not to buy it!) The Institute is always pleased to hear about student successes and I would be particularly pleased to know if one of your assignments was accepted for publication."

    

     I should now go out and celebrate! After that, I'm buying a frame for my diploma :-)

The Magic Paintbrush

     Philipp Chipping, the founder of knowonder!, emailed me a very exciting news! I won the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for my children's story, The Magic Paintbrush. The story was published on September 9, 2011. You can read the full story here.

     This is a dream come true! It was my first attempt to submit and it got published. It would have been more wonderful if it were in print, but I shouldn't complain. This is my very first breakthrough!

     After writing "The Eskalets," I had a serious back problem. I was going crazy, not being able to actively enjoy the summer. Luckily, or let me say, by divine intervention, I stumbled upon the advertisement that I cut out several years ago. It was an offer from Institute of Children's Literature to take an aptitude test for a writing course. I was a little hesitant, but I knew I was ready for the challenge. The story, "Gianna's Surprise Adventure," came easily to me and before I knew it, I was offered the opportunity to enroll in a course called Writing for Children and Teenagers.

     It took about two months before I started the course. I was nursing my back in a hot bubble bath with a pen and paper on hand. Unmindful of the suds dripping on the paper, I scribbled words after words after words. "The Magic Paintbrush" was one of the stories I wrote then. It was a story that helped me overcome the pain I was going through. It simply transported me to a magical place in time.

     This delightful story will make any child and adult feel warm inside. Check out the site and read for yourself.

     This is just the beginning of my journey. I hope to continually pursue my dream of writing for children. It will not be a very easy path, but I know it will be worth all the hard work. I cannot imagine something more fulfilling than touching a child's heart.