We have been snubbed - again.
But for how long?
Today, the American Library Association announced the winners of all the major awards including Newbery, Caldecott, Siebert, Printz, Geisel, and so on.
I was snubbed, winning nothing. So were you.
Of course, it’s not surprising. The winners have been touted in the media for months, and you knew who was in the running. No indie-published books. Though I firmly believe it will happen sooner rather than later.
A Call to Write Quality Literature for Kids
What I take away from this day—a day when we recognize the best literature for kids—is that we need renew our commitment to write the best books we can.
Recently a woman posted in a Facebook group about her stories. She began writing in early 2023 and had written four books last year. All of them were rejected by publishers, and she wondered what to do. Should she try to find an agent? Should she self-publish?
Unanimously, the over 100 commenters said one thing: Um. Are you sure you have written a “good” book?
I felt sorry for her, because she had never doubted her writing! And yet, all the comments said to check the quality of the writing. There was a distinct disconnect between what she considered her problem (the difficulty of getting a legacy contract) and what others perceived as her problem (writing quality).
Why? Yes, the 100 commenters made a judgement call. We decided that, probably, because she only has one year of writing for kids:
She doesn’t understand the structure of the different kinds of writing for kids: fiction picture books for preschool, nonfiction picture books for preschool, fiction picture books for 5-8 year olds, nonfiction picture books for 5-8 year olds, short chapter (early reader) fiction for 5-8 year olds, short chapter (early reader) nonfiction for 5-8 year olds, middle grade (chapter books for 8-12 year olds) fiction, middle grade (chapter books for 8-12 year olds), young adult novels, young adult nonfiction, and graphic novels for all ages.
She probably is writing too long, with too many filler words, with little sense of voice. Her writing is likely to be weak.
OK. We are being judgmental - unanimously.
Why? As a writing teacher, I’ve seen the enthusiasm of new writers (I wrote four books this year!), but I’ve also seen their stories.
They need work. To understand the unique structure of writing for kids, to find the voice that respects and delights today’s kids, to find the topics that kids will read again and again, to go beyond preaching to trusting the audience will “get it,” and so much more.
The woman’s stories may be excellent! I hope so. But I suspect she is like most beginners, needing to focus on the writing craft for the next year.
Commit to Excellence!
So, today, on the day we recognize excellence in children’s literature, let’s all commit to excellence. Make 2024 the year that you take a writing class, get a critique, do a quantum leap revision (a HUGE bottom-to-top revision), and make a commitment to writing the best you possibly can!
During COVID, I took the amazing Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab to better understand poetry. This book and this book came directly from that class. Last year, I extended my understanding of poetry by taking a Novel-in-Verse class at Highlights Foundation (still working on that project!). I am taking a marketing class this spring from the IBPA. In other words, I am always working to learn more about writing and publishing.
I highly recommend the Highlights Foundation online (very reasonable prices) and in-person retreats (amazing!); I’ve taught for them for years, and seen up close their commitment to the writing community and the quality they bring to everything they do.
I also recommend Arree Chung’s Storyteller Academy because they are interested in your success. If there’s not a class for what you need, Arree will create it. Because I’ve taught here, too, I’ve gotten a glimpse into Arree’s passion that his students succeed.
This year—today, of all days—let’s commit to excellence.
Huzzah! Here’s to excellence!
Thank you for this blog post! I had been taking classes, working on craft, and querying for years. There were some suggestions from traditional publishing that don’t sit well with me. I took Darcy’s self publishing class through Story Teller Academy and realized that this was the path that called to me the most.
We absolutely need quality writing. We need to change the narrative but also keep in mind that there are people that will not agree with some of our editorial decisions because it’s not something a “big publisher would do”. We have the freedom to make educated decisions that go against the norm. I love that about self-publishing!
Thank you so very much for saying this, Darcy. I am traditionally published, but I do manuscript consultations for those who wish to be traditionally published and those who plan to self-publish. I enjoy working with them to help them make their stories as good as possible, but often they have no idea how long most published authors have worked prior to being published. Quite a few have written for only a year or two and hope their very first try to be snatched up. Our first duty is to give our precious children the very best books we can. It is an honor to write for children. It is not something to add to one's "I've done this" list or because you wish your name on a book. I always look forward to your wisdom, Darcy!