wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

While this was fascinating, Jean Feiwel and Diane Robackwere especially good, you desperately needed a librarian on the show as well to offer that perspective. We see the parents and kids coming in looking for the books that are being marketed to kids and their parents. As a children's/ya librarian in a busy public library word of mouth plus good covers as a the primary reason kids or their parents pick up a book.

How does a book end up designated "Young Adult", "Children's" or just "Fiction"? I recently read two books, one categorized as simply Fiction, the other as Young Adult, which I felt were wrongly categorized. "The Manny Files" (Fiction) is written from a child's POV and touches on gay issues, but in a subtle enough way that the average child would miss it. It would likely be thought-provoking for a teen. The other, M.T. Anderson's dystopic "Feed"("Young Adult"), seems too important to be left to people who cannot yet vote, but too frightening for the very young. I felt there was a political bias at work here. But whose?

As a self published writer, a childrens book is difficult to market. People do not appreciate the effort that goes into self publish. I have read at schools to children of 10yrs and over, the book is aimed at that age group. I have been asked back to some schools, to give instruction in creative writing. That is wonderful, but why dont book shops want to take on my book enthusiastically? Do we need the leading publishers interest? This isn't always possible with the volumn of submissions. If anyone has any advice, apart from trying to market my second book to an agent/publisher. I don't always feel that some of the books are good reading, some in fact could be left in the warehouse, so how do we get that far?
More support in marketng and book promotions is needed.
Anyway, I wondered if the book shop on your programme stocked my book? It is a fairy story,no guns,no flying saucers, no girls gossip, only broomsticks.

Thanks Katie. That was very helpful. I'll pass it on.

Craig in Brooklyn,

If you don't mind my piping up, I write and illustrate children's books (Harcourt and Greenwillow are my publishers so far) and from my experience your friend sounds like she knows what she's doing. The times it is appropriate would be if an illustration is necessary to understand the text. For example, say she is writes this passage: "Once upon a time there was a normal little boy who lived in a green house that had a big yard."
If that boy is an alien child, she might include that information, however, the illustrator "owns" the story as much as the writer, and may have a good reason to make the child from, say, Ohio instead of Mars. (No offense meant to Ohio!) Another reason a writer might make an art note is if there is an accuracy issue, as with non-fiction, particular costumes or geographical depictions that need to be specific and correct.

Hope this helps, and sorry for the long-winded response!

Best,
Katie Davis

I have a friend listening in Australia who is working on a 3000 word book about atoms.

I'm advising her to include her own suggestion of pictures that could be included. She maintains that a publisher would make this decision after reviewing the text.

Can you tell us who is correct, and give her any advice on the viability of the subject?

Thanks,

Craig in Brooklyn

My daughters were of prime age when the Baby Sitters club series was at its height. It may not have reached HArry Potter level but boy!
was it huge.

please talk more about "viral" marketing. Beyond in-store readings, how do publishers and sellers create a buzz?

Have your guests been surprised by breakout sellers?

My favorite book when I was young was "The Westing Game" which I always assumed was hugely popular but perhaps never was. The mystery was great, the writing was clever, and I still enjoyed it when I re-read it more recently. I also loved a book called "Dicken Among the Lenapes" about a white boy raised among the Lenape Indians. I believe it is out of print and perhaps was only read in New Jersey (where I grew up) but it was so great I wish I could find a copy for my nephews.

Here's a shoutout to the fine Diane Roback, fellow Obie.
David

FAILING RAPPORT CARD

I think that I shall never see

A children's book that's right for me,

Which leaves me utterly bereft,

For without kid rapport, what's left?