Interview with Exceptional Agent, Writer, and Blogger Mary Kole

Mary Kole came to children's literature from a writer's perspective and got involved at Andrea Brown Literary Agency to see what it was like "on the other side of the desk." In her quest to learn all sides of publishing, she has also worked in the children's editorial department at Chronicle Books and has recently earned her MFA in creative writing at the University of San Francisco. She also has a fabulous blog, www.kidlit.com

Since this blog is about offering inspiration to writers and artists, my first question for you is, do you have a favorite quote?

My favorite writing quote comes from legendary editor Ursula Nordstrom, who worked for Harper & Row (now HarperCollins) in the 50s and published what we think of as the classics, from RUNAWAY BUNNY to CHARLOTTE’S WEB to WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. She said: 

“The writer of books about the real world has to dig deep and tell the truth.”

You just finished classes for your MFA in creative writing.  Was there a professor that left an impression on you in a big way? If so, what did they do that was so different from the others?

I’m an extremely practical person, and an MFA isn’t exactly a practical degree, unless you want to teach at the university level. Other than that, it is more of a self-enrichment experience and a study of craft. Sometimes, all this lovey-dovey craft talk and no focus on the business end of publishing—where I’d been employed ever since I started the program—drove me a bit batty.

My two favorite professors, middle-grade and adult author Lewis Buzbee and adult author Kate Brady, married craft discussions with a great no-BS attitude that I really appreciated. If there was something wrong with a piece of writing, they weren’t afraid to say it, they weren’t afraid to say why, and they weren’t afraid to evangelize revision. I think the best writing teachers are inspiring but not shy to tell students when something isn’t working. In my own writing and with my clients, I love growth and change and learning. And that often involves cutting and revision. The most successful writers love the play and exploration involved in hearing the truth, getting mad, getting excited and rolling their sleeves up to edit and refine (usually in that order).

How many manuscripts have you completed? Which one would you like to have published first and why?

Ha! I’m a very slow learner in my own writing life. In fact, I had an agent at one point and we had a manuscript go out on submission and not sell. When that happened, I started reading for an agency because I wanted to learn and see what other writers were doing and what agents were seeing. If I hadn’t been so eager to learn after my experience on submission, I never would’ve ended up at Andrea Brown!

So I use manuscripts as learning experiences. I have six full drawer manuscripts that will probably never see the light of day again, and a few partials that I started but never finished. Sometimes, a manuscript helps you figure out an element of craft and then it outlives its usefulness. It’s okay, great even, to put that work away because, in the grand scheme of things, it has served a purpose and is very valuable to your growth.

The one I’m working on right now, though, is the first one I’ve really felt differently about. This is one I’d like to see out there because I think I’ve finally got all the gears working right. If it doesn’t sell, though, I’ll do what I’ve always done and start the next one.

What did you want to be growing up? Now that you’re an agent/writer did this come as a surprise?

I’ve always worked with words and come from a very creative family. My mom’s talent is fine art painting. Unfortunately, that must’ve skipped a generation. My dad’s talent is film and acting. One of my college degrees was in theatre but that was more of an intellectual interest—I wasn’t a very good actor, either. But somehow all that creativity made me good with words and language. I published my first story (in the Humane Society newsletter, to mark the passing of a beloved pet) when I was 11 and have been writing steadily since. Not only do I love writing, though, but I really do love the concepts behind the craft of the novel, talking to writers, teaching, giving workshops, building relationships with editors, pitching projects I’m passionate about, the business side of publishing, and all of the other fun perks of being an agent, not just a writer.

How do you encourage your clients when they’re having moments of self-doubt?

There is so much rejection in this business. Even well-published authors face it all the time. I tell my writers to develop healthy self-esteem in regards to the pitfalls they’ll encounter in their careers. The act of writing is deeply personal but the business of publishing isn’t. At all. Success in this industry takes talent, sure, but it takes perseverance, grit, a sense of humor and a stream of ideas that doesn’t dry up. My clients have all that in spades—or they wouldn’t be my clients! Sometimes it just takes a reminder and a pep talk…and, yeah, sometimes it takes a drink. But tomorrow is another day and another chance for someone to fall in love with their writing as much as I have.

Are there ever times you feel your creative spark dying? If so, how do you light it back up?

The only thing that ever stops me, creatively, is a lack of time. I’m always busy growing my list and working on behalf of my clients, even now that my MFA is done. That’s just the way I like it but my work sometimes takes to the back burner.

Since I’m here to give advice, though, I will say this: don’t give yourself the luxury (or the crutch) of believing in writer’s block.  A lot of the time, a block happens when you don't know what to do next or when you're approaching an ambitious part in your writing. It's usually easier to avoid it than to plow through, but don't be intimidated. Challenge yourself. Take that risk and keep writing, even when you want to stop. If you're stuck in a specific place, skip it and move on to the next thing you know for sure. Professional writers show up at the page every single day, even if it feels like pulling teeth and the results aren’t that great. Writer’s block is for people who have lots of time to have long, tortured conversations with their muses. I’m too busy for it. Work expands to the amount of time you have for it. If you have your whole life to write a novel, you’ll spend an awful lot of your time blocked or contemplating sunsets and baby ducks. And who’s got time for that?

Don’t rely on a creative spark or inspiration. Get in the habit of writing, in the habit of creating, and your brain will get itself in the habit of supplying the words and the new ideas, automatically. Creativity is very much an unconscious process that you can train. Life’s too short to wait around for some kind of spark. You sit down and you make it happen. And if today’s spark fizzles out, try again tomorrow. The worst thing you can do is wallow and lose time…that’s a self-defeating cycle.

If you could pick one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Excited!

Thank you for the great interview Mary and for creating Kidlit.com!  I know many writers who've learned so much from you (including myself) and are very thankful for all the guidance you give.  You're loved by many!


If you would like to find out more about Mary please visit her incredible blog or the amazing agency she works for, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc.

Wednesdays Quote

I do not have superior intelligence or faultless looks. I do not captivate a room or run a mile under six minutes. I only succeeded because I was still working after everyone else went to sleep.

Greg Evans

Suspense Novelist

Interview with Author Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the author of YA Gothic fantasies, including TANTALIZE (2007, 2008), ETERNAL (2009, 2010), and BLESSED (2011) from Candlewick and Listening Library, Walker (UK), Walker Australia and New Zealand. TANTALIZE is also available from Editions Intervista (France).  Her most recent short stories are “Cat Calls,” which appears in SIDESHOW: TEN ORIGINAL TALES OF FREAKS, ILLUSIONISTS AND OTHER MATTERS ODD AND MAGICAL, edited by Deborah Noyes (2009) from Candlewick and “The Wrath of Dawn,” co-authored by Greg Leitich Smith, which appear in GEEKTASTIC: STORIES FROM THE NERD HERD, edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci (2009) from Little, Brown.

If you could pick one character that you’ve created that you feel you relate to the most, which one would it be and why?

I would likely relate most to Kieren Morales from TANTALIZE and the upcoming graphic novel TANTALIZE: KIEREN’S STORY. He’s a serious reader with aspirations of being a writer and he excels academically. He’s also family oriented, loyal, and takes commitment very much to heart.

During your writing career, what piece of advice have you given most to writers?

I tell people to celebrate every victory, no matter how small. The writing life comes with its share of rejection, angst, and uncertainty. So it’s best to fill your days with cheer, to surround yourself with good friends and create great memories. They’ll sustain you through the rest.

How would you define your road to success, straight, twisting, full of hills, a mountain, muddy, or lumpy?

An upward slope punctuated by the occasional soaring rock wall.

What encouraged you to begin your phenomenal blog, Cynsations? What has surprised you the most about it? 

My original thought was simply that, because of its diary-like structure, I could use the blog to augment the main website with time-sensitive news—special events, award announcements, etc.—that I would otherwise have to post and then later take down from the base site.

Over time, it has become something of a news, conversations, and inspiration resource for children’s-YA writers, illustrators, young readers, and the folks who connect books to them.

I’m most surprised by the size of the audience and that readers so often tell me that it’s such a reflection of my personality. The vast majority of the content is comprised by posts about and sometimes by other people.

Unless I have breaking news, like a book release or contract, information about me per se is pretty much limited to a “more personally” section of my weekly giveaway and link round-ups.

However, I guess my sensibility comes through in my choice of topics, folks to feature, and links to highlight.

You’re an avid reader! Could you recommend a few of your favorite new releases?

The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee (Candlewick)

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (HarperCollins)

Saving Maddie by Varian Johnson (Delacorte)

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger (Amulet)

What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished my final revision of BLESSED and reviewing Ming Doyle’s fabulous sketches for TANTALIZE: KIEREN’S STORY (Candlewick, Feb. 2011), a graphic novel.

So I’m shifting my attention back to a fourth prose novel set in my Gothic fantasy universe and the graphic novel adaptation of ETERNAL.

I’ve also been laying the promotional groundwork for an upcoming children’s book release, HOLLER LOUDLY, illustrated by Barry Gott, which will be available from Dutton this November.

What do you do when you’re not reading, writing, or blogging?

I’m on the faculty of the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, so at the moment, I’m working with five graduate students on their creative and critical writing.  I also do a great deal of public speaking. I’m just home from giving the keynote address at the New England SCBWI conference in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and preparing to leave next for the Florida SCBWI in Orlando at Disney World.

If you could pick one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Diligent.

It was such a pleasure interviewing you Cynthia!  You have gone above and beyond to help writers reach their dreams with your fabulous blog and extraordinary teaching skills.  Thank you for being such a great example for so many to follow!  

If you would like to find out more about Cynthia you should check out her great website and blog.  She also has the best book trailers that are sure to make you want to pick up the books below.  They are irresistible reads! 

Interview with Author Jay Asher

JAY ASHER is the author of the incredible novel titled Thirteen Reasons Why. Once you pick this book off the shelf, you won’t be able to put it down! Jay also plays guitar and goes camping when he isn’t writing.

Since this blog is about offering inspiration to writers and artists, my first question for you is, do you have a favorite quote? If so, why is it your favorite?

“Well! Here comes ol’ Charlie Brown!”

That line wasn’t intended to be inspirational when it was written, but it is! It’s the text from the first panel of the very first Peanuts comic strip, and I’m a huge Peanuts fan. When he wrote that, Charles Schulz had no idea where his big-headed characters were about to take him. I love the idea that we, as artists, never know when we’ll create something which truly connects. All we can do is keep trying new things.

I suppose my second favorite quote would be from the first panel of the very first Calvin & Hobbes comic strip:

“So long, Pop! I’m off to check my tiger trap!”

How much of your life experiences play a part in your writing and the characters you create?

Most of the things I write about are completely made up, but my life experiences definitely shaped my understanding of the things I write about. Personally, I think fiction should be less about drawing directly from actual events, and more about trying to understand why people act certain ways. If you’ve experienced rumors even a little bit, you can probably write a compelling story about someone devastated by rumors. If you’ve ever been a little bit jealous, you can probably write a convincing story about someone ruled by jealousy. I think the most powerful writing comes when you write about characters you’re fascinated by rather than those who think just like you.

If you could go back in time, what piece of knowledge would you take back with you into the future?

I’m not sure what knowledge they had in the past that we don’t have access to now. Can knowledge be lost like that? I guess I’d like to go into the past, before anyone had video cameras, and see certain events for myself. Certain Biblical events, for instance. I’d like to just know what happened without any doubt.

In your writing career, who’s had the biggest influence on you? What did they do to inspire you to keep writing?

My wife. At one point, I’d spent almost twelve years trying to get published with many different manuscripts. I took her out to a fancy restaurant to let her know that I’d decided to stop writing. I was done with the rejections, and it was time to see what else I might be interested in. She began crying because she saw it as me letting go of my dreams. So I promised to give it one last shot with the novel I was working on at the time. Less than a year later, I sold Thirteen Reasons Why.

If you could be any hero, real or make believe, who would it be and why?

Superman, that was easy! Sure, I’d love to help people and save the world over and over again, but what I really want to do is fly.

When you first began writing Thirteen Reasons Why, was it the same idea that it is now? If not, how did it transform?

The book I set out to write from the very beginning is the same one that’s available for people to read. It was all about choosing scenes and characters that best got that original idea across.

If you could pick one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Right now? Overwhelmed. I’d actually like to be a little underwhelmed right now.

I'm so glad you took your wife out to that dinner and she encouraged you to keep going.  Thank you for the interview Jay and I can't wait to read more of your work!!  If you would like to find out more about Jay Asher you can visit his website or follow his fantastic blog. 

Wednesdays Quote

Wednesdays quote comes from Jill Santopolo.  She is an executive editor at Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group.  Jill is also the author of the Alec Flint Mysteries The Nina, The Pinta and The Vanishing Treasure and The Ransom Note Blues, both published by Scholastic. She holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. 

"Never let the fear of striking out get in the way."

-Babe Ruth

Interview with Author/Illustrator Bob Boyle

Bob Boyle is the Emmy Award winning creator of the Nick Jr. series, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! and is author/illustrator of the children's book, Hugo and the Really, Really, Really Long String. He also created the Disney series, Yin! Yang! Yo! and was a Producer and the Art Director of The Fairly OddParents.

Since this blog is about offering inspiration to writers and artists, my first question for you is, do you have a favorite quote?

I actually have a Word doc. on my desktop that I cut and paste quotes into whenever I find something inspirational. Because I’m a big sports fan, many of the quotes are from athletes and coaches, but I think they relate well to anyone pursuing a dream.

I don’t have a favorite but here are a couple I really like:

“People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit.” - George Allen, Pro Football Coach

"In business or in football, it takes a lot of unspectacular preparation to produce spectacular results." - Roger Staubach, Hall of Fame Football Player

Sports have played a big part in my life. I find the preparation, training, and determination of athletes to be incredibly inspiring.

You have won many awards and one of them being an Emmy, WOW!!! This is a HUGE accomplishment! Is there any advice or words of encouragement you’d like to offer others who are trying to follow in your footsteps?

Sticking to the sports theme, I think that the folks at Nike provide the most important bit of advice- “Just Do It!”

I have met so many talented people who talk about wanting to do something yet they never follow through. They think that they are not good enough or their idea isn’t right or they need to do more research. All of those things may be true but you’ll never get anywhere until you take the first step of actually doing something.

Make some mistakes. Get them out of the way, learn, and become better with the next thing you do.

And, once you start, make sure that you finish. When you hit a roadblock or tough spot (and we all do), DON’T GIVE UP! Don't suddenly decide that you can't do it and try to find some easier path. It’s very easy to create distractions that will lead you away from your goal. Stay focused.

All that advice is stuff that you’ve heard before. And that’s the thing; there are no secrets to success. There are no shortcuts. You need to wake up in the morning with a plan and- “Just Do It!”

If you could be one character you’ve created or worked on, whom would it be and why?

I’d probably have to go back to a character I created as a kid called Flame Head. Why Flame Head? Because he wore roller-skates and had a giant flame for a head. Come on, how cool would that be!

Bob, you're hilarious on so many levels!  Who do you think inspired you to become the funny man you are today?

If I’m funny at all, it’s probably because I got my head stuck in between the rungs of a banister when I was a kid. It must have cut off the flow of oxygen to my brain just long enough to make me ‘funny’.

Seriously though, I just like to try to find the humor in most situations. It’s probably just a defense mechanism to soften the blow of all the hard things in life. I guess I’d rather be laughing than crying.

My Dad wasn’t really funny but he was always happy. He once told me, “I’ve never had a bad day in my life. It’s just that some days are better than others”. I think he was lying to himself but, hey, whatever works!

What did you want to be growing up? Did becoming an author/illustrator come as a surprise?

I’ve always loved comic strips and drawing but, more than anything, I really wanted more to be a pro athlete. I especially wanted to play football for the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, by the time I got to high school, I had stopped growing. I realized that being 5’7 and 120 pounds was going to seriously hinder my chances in the NFL so I started focusing more intensely on cartooning. From that point on all of my dreams were based around telling stories with images. I wanted to become the next Walt Disney or Charles Schulz but I’m happy to say that I’m quite content just being Bob Boyle. Although it would be cool to be cryogenically frozen like Walt Disney!

How would you define your road to success, straight, twisting, full of hills, a mountain, muddy, or lumpy?

It has been, and will continue to be, all of those things. Pursuing your dreams can be difficult. The thing that I think has helped me the most is that I don’t give up very easily.

Since I never made it to the NFL, I have fulfilled my athletic needs by running marathons. I’ve found that running is a great metaphor for life. You only get out of it what you put into it. There will be times where you don’t feel like getting out of bed and running, but if you put in the time, you’ll get better. In order to succeed at anything it takes time, effort, and determination. And a good pair of shoes!

If you could be any super hero for one day, who would it be and why?

I think I’d be more of a transforming robot than a super hero (mostly because I’d look ridiculous in tights).

I would be known as- The Mighty Burrito-Bot. Fighting crime and spreading joy with my burrito based powers! Evildoers would be wrapped in a warm tortilla! Justice would be served with a dollop of sour cream and salsa!

“Guacamole blast, activate!”

Thank you Bob!  Your advice is very uplifting and spot on.  And it would be a dream to be Flame Head, especially because of the roller skates!  If you would like to find out more about Bob you can follow his fantastic blog or check out all of his amazing accomplishments in the links above.  And don't forget to pick up his new book Hugo because it will be sure to bring bright smiles to a family near you!      

Interview with Debut Author Hilary Wagner

Hilary Wagner is the debut author of NIGHTSHADE CITY, a middle grade fantasy novel about a unique colony of rats, coming October 2010 by Holiday House Books. She is represented by fantastic agent, Marietta Zacker of Nancy Gallt.

Since this blog is about offering inspiration to writers and artists, my first question for you is, do you have a favorite quote? If so, why is it your favorite?

I don’t have a quote, but I’ve always tried to tell other writers,

"It only takes one yes. You could query 200 agents and after 199 rejections, the 200th agent could say yes—same goes for publishers."

By the time the Nancy Gallt Agency offered me representation I had banked about 175 rejections. Had I not landed an agent at that time, I’d have most certainly passed the 200 mark and kept on querying from there! Like I said, it only takes one yes! It can and does happen!

If you could pick one character that you’ve created that you feel you relate to the most, which one would it be and why?

It would have to be one of Nightshade’s heroes, Juniper. He’s confident, protective, and strong and always has a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Overall the kind of person (well, rat in this case) I would want to be associated with. Someone I’d want in my family. I wish he were real so we could talk and he could give me his sage advice when I needed it!

Who has had the biggest influence on you in your writing career? What have they done to encourage you?

I started writing on my own—in secret. My husband didn’t even know I was writing until I was halfway through Nightshade City and finally spilled the beans and asked him to read it. He said his first thought was, what do I tell her if it stinks? Needless to say, he didn’t think that! Since then, Eric has been my rock. He’s read every manuscript I’ve ever written and gives me great insight, not to mention he talks me off the ledge when I get nervous or worried about anything that has to do with my pending release.

If you could be any super hero, who would it be?

First choice: I would love to be a female version of Thor! I love the history behind Thor. He's a Greek God, pretty cool! I love the outfit and it would be awesome to carry around that menacing hammer! Second choice (but only for one day): SpongeBob SquarePants, though he doesn’t really qualify as a super hero! I would love to have a pet snail and have always wanted to try a Krabby Patty!

What did you want to be growing up? Now that you’re an author did this come as a surprise?

I hold a Bachelors in Painting. I’ve shown my work in major cities for years. I always thought that was my path. I wrote throughout my youth and once I picked it up again I couldn’t stop if you paid me! It means everything. I have a few unfinished paintings I started back when I began writing Nightshade City. I have a strange feeling they will remain happily unfinished.

If you could pick one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Determined!

What’s the best piece of advice you can give aspiring writers?

NEVER purposefully write for a trend. I think writers do themselves a serious disservice by doing so. By the time your manuscript is finished and ready to be submitted to an agent or editor that trend you wrote for will be out on its ear or on its way there, but say for example you love vampires and are compelled to write about them, then you should—just make those vampires so unique and extraordinary no one in their right mind could say no! Passion is everything and when you’re forcing yourself to write about something popular, hoping you’ll get noticed by an agent or editor, chances are the magic just won’t be there. I had a passion for rats. I wrote about them. I got published. I was told by several agents that my novel would be a hard sell to editors because of the genre, it took me thirteen months to land an agent (who rocks by the way) and she sold Nightshade City in less than eight weeks. I think that’s a pretty happy ending!

And a VERY happy ending indeed!  Thank you Hilary and we can not wait to read about these awesome rats, especially after watching your great trailer .  If you would like to find out more about Hilary Wagner you can visit her very poplar blog or her website here.

My painting just went up for auction to help raise money for Nashville.  So if you would like to bid on it or any of the other fabulous prizes that are going toward an amazing cause please visit, Do The Write Thing For Nashville

Wednesdays Poem

Wednesdays poem comes from Ericka M. Davis who is a gospel poet, writer, and early childhood educator. In 1995, Ericka became a local performer of the arts, which is where she acquired her beautiful pen name Emarii.

Ericka is a natural teacher who loves to share the power of positive words in whatever environment she is teaching. She's also the mother of one child and resides in Boardman, Ohio where she runs her small business Emarii Creations. She has obtained a B.S.E. from Cleveland State University with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and is the author of two inspirational books, The Beginning to Victory and The Power of Words.

A Poet

A poet

Is one who heals.

Brings revelation.

Opens doors.

Handing complexity

But simplistic

If you would listen. Words

Making motion

Movement

Music

In air.

A poet

Gives direction

To something

Buried.

A treasure map.

Maybe - the poem

Happens to be

Describing a place that is – like heaven?

So serene.

So peaceful.

Just in place.

A poet

Does trash maintenance.

Throwing out baggage,

Garbage,

Disposable waste.

Pilling up within mind

Over a period of time.

Pulling it out

And compacting it into black or blue

Pen scribbles

Onto paper.

You can say recycling

Into life.

Exposing it as waste

But reusing it as a story -

Testimony.

In some way,

We are all

Poets.

Emarii

Interview with Agent Mark McVeigh

Mark McVeigh recently started his own agency called The McVeigh Agency. He and his staff work hands-on with their clients to create the most polished and publishable submissions. Mark has an amazing editorial eye and has worked at almost every major house, most recently as an editorial director at Simon & Schuster. His clients have achieved many prestigious awards in the adult and children’s markets. He is also very generous of his time and helps wherever he is needed throughout many organizations in New York City. 

Since this blog is about offering inspiration to writers and artists, my first question for you is, do you have a favorite quote?

“The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.” 

-William Connor Magee

I find it amazing and wonderful that you donate your time to so many organizations. In helping others, how does this inspire you?

For much of my adult life I was a teacher, and as hard as that job was, my kids learned so much more than I was able to give them. That lesson has stayed with me. I truly believe that what you give out in your life comes back to you ten fold. There’s something totally magical about giving back. Call it karma or something else, but I am a firm believer that if you put yourself out there for others you open yourself to the possibility of good things happening to you.

There are so many great organizations in New York City that I’ve been involved with: The Hetrick-Martin Institute, The Ali Forney Center, Housing Works, and ACE, an organization founded by Henry Buhl that trains homeless men and women so they can rejoin the workforce.

Recently, you started your own agency and it is phenomenal! What encouraged you to begin your own agency and take that leap of faith?

I’ve always been an advocate for my authors and illustrators. As an editor I worked for the publishing house, but my heart was always with the artist. It saddens me that in this society so many artists are underpaid and undervalued. Now that I am an agent, I can support and foster creative people financially and editorially, which is a dream come true.

Two people had a huge influence on me both as an editor and an agent. The first person I met in this business was agent George Nicholson, a truly great figure in publishing and someone I really look up to. Interestingly enough, the second person in the industry I met was Charlotte Sheedy, an agent, like George, at Sterling-Lord Literistic. It was Charlotte who said to me, “Get off your butt and start your own agency!” George and Charlotte fostered me when I was an editor and inspired me to begin this wonderful journey. I can’t thank them enough.

There’s one other person who, through his brilliance and his fearlessness, has shaped me and my perspective on life and work: Maurice Sendak. We worked very closely together for several years at Harper, and his total understanding of the business of publishing combined with his massive talent made going to work every day a joy. There aren’t many geniuses out there, and when you meet one, I think it’s important to tip your hat to them, so to speak.

How do you encourage your clients when they’re having moments of self-doubt?

Author care can take a lot of different forms. One thing I like to do is refer them to Anne Lamott’s book, Bird by Bird and her theory of the “shitty first draft.” I make sure to point out what’s amazing in their work. If they need tough love, I say “Keep writing and finish it!” Once it’s done, together we can shape almost anything and turn it into what it needs to be.

What motivates you most in life?

A lot of things motivate me. My clients. My family. The need to keep good books flowing out into the world. I also have my own personal gauges for success that I keep right up front in my mind, every day. I was a Brooklyn teacher for many years and it’s so wonderful when I run into my students, now grown. As a teacher it has taken years to see the fruits of my labor, whereas in publishing you see results quickly. It’s very motivating to work with clients on this side of the spectrum and see results—a sale-- sooner rather than later.

You have come across many writers and artists in your career. What piece of advice have you given most to writers and artists?

Write everyday! Come to an understanding of what motivates you and moves you and keep that thought or object in front of you, figuratively or literally. Read a hundred books for every one you write. And here’s a paradox: write what moves you and keep the market in mind as you do. Virtually impossible to do perfectly, but then how boring is perfection?

What did you want to be growing up?

I didn’t know. When I was younger, I didn’t have a sense of what editor/agents did, but I’ve always loved books. My parents fostered my passion for books and I think a big part of it was that my Mom was a volunteer librarian at the public library. Also, our house was a repository of books from my parents and my four older siblings, a mix of all the books from their childhoods through college years. We had tons of books lying around the house, everything from children’s books to college textbooks. If I wanted to read, I could just pull something off the shelf and read it. Fifth grade was a big year for me. I went on strike and refused to read the standard fifth grade reading textbook, then known as a basal reader, which was made up of single chapters from books. For some reason I refused to read during our reading period: my first act of civil disobedience. I just couldn’t stomach this approach to reading. My teacher finally gave in after a week or two of staring me down and all the other teacher tricks I came to know too well and let me pick my own books—real, complete books—and write a book report for each one. I never had to pick up the textbook again. It was a great victory for me and one I’ve never forgotten!

If you could pick one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Fearless! 

Thank you Mark.  I truly enjoyed getting to know you and love your sense of humor, especially in the picture below.  Your passion for life and love for others is inspiring!  

If you would like to find out more about Mark McVeigh and his fabulous agency you can follow the agencies blog here and visit their website, The McVeigh Agency.

Do The Write Thing For Nashville...

The children's book community is coming together to raise money for Nashville in light of the recent flood disaster. You have five days to bid on an item on the blog and the highest bid in the comments wins the auction item. The winner pays by PayPal, gets a receipt for their taxes and receives the critique, book, phone call, or whatever, that they bid on. All auction proceeds go to the Community Foundation of Central Tennessee to provide disaster relief.  You can also follow the bids on Facebook.

Wednesdays Quote

I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot . . . and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. - Michael Jordan

Interview with James Kaelan

James Kaelan is a lecturer at Pepperdine University and is the co-founder of Flatmancrooked Publishing. He writes criticism for The Millions, and his works of fiction have appeared in Monkeybicycle, Avery, Opium, and other magazines. His first book, We’re Getting On, is currently getting rave reviews and he’ll soon be riding his bike up the west coast, from Los Angeles to Vancuver, to encourage others to read this fantastic book. 

Do you have a favorite quote? If so, why is it your favorite?

Roberto Bolaño says in “The Part About Archimboldi,” near the end of 2666, that “The life of a man is only long enough to fully enjoy the works of another man.” I mention this quote because I think new writers sometimes consume too much, thinking that quantity, rather than quality, will encourage their artistic development. If I have any advice for new authors, it’s this: Choose a few authors, or even one author, or even one book, and study it doggedly. Once you’ve read a given work or oeuvre twenty times successively, you’ll start really learning something.

Soon you will be traveling light and taking a huge leap of faith to tour the country to promote your book.  What do you hope to share with the world?

Obviously, I’d like to share my book with the world. But perhaps more importantly – and less selfishly – I want to share with writers what it takes these days to make a debut book something of a success. If you’ve spent years working on a novel, you ought to consider, at least fleetingly, sacrificing your life for that book. I realize that this doesn’t apply to every writer, but generally speaking, if you won’t put yourself in harm’s way to promote your art, why should anyone take the time to read you?

What’s the best thing you've discovered about yourself while creating We’re Getting On?

I discovered that I’m too ambitious for my own good. I also discovered that I’m never satisfied. That’s not necessarily a good realization, but I feel I know myself better, now. Success, or at least the ambition to be successful, is tied closely, if not to madness itself, then dissatisfaction. Your 40s, 50s, 60s, etc. are for resting on your laurels. Your 20s and 30s, even though you should enjoy them, should be a sort of artistic purgatory.

What do you love most about life? And what do you hope you’ll find on this encouraging journey?

I love sitting around in the presence of interesting people discussing interesting things. Interesting things can be books. But interesting things can also be the time you visited a whorehouse in Mexico, or ate dinner on the first day of Ramadan in a village in Jordan. I expect that the people I meet on this journey will be astounding. I expect to make a lot of lifelong friends.

If you could go back in time, what piece of knowledge would you take back with you into the future?

That when you lose someone you love, though the feeling never dissipates, life, eventually, becomes bearable. Later it even becomes pleasurable.

Can you offer some advice for writers trying to follow in your footsteps?

It is important to think that you are writing a very important book. Even if it isn’t the most important book of the year, or for that matter the month, you must believe it’s the most important one of the century.

If you could pick one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

As I said earlier, dissatisfied. Also, paradoxically, content.