Ginger Unplugged

I get asked a lot how to get picture books published. That's not surprising although there are a few things about it that always intrigue me. 1. It's usually not the writer who's asking. I always find that interesting. 2. The people who are asking don't really want to know. I mean, not really really. I discussed this second point with my husband and he very logically told me to give people the short answer. So from now on when someone asks they get to hear: "Look up 'picture book manuscript format' online and then submit your story to as many publishers as possible." The problem with that plan is my pathological desire to answer every question to the best of my ability. So up to this point when people have asked me for their friends, spouses and children how to publish picture books I've generally just stare at them blankly because I don't even know where to start. So maybe when those people really really want to know how to do it, I can hope t...

Okay, remember way back when? Like maybe a year ago? And I said, "My friend has written this awesome book and it will come out in 2010 and you all need to buy it--it's THAT good." Well I lied. It came out in 2009 (October 13th to be exact). And it debuted at #10 on the NYT bestseller list. And is NOW #7 (unless it went up again.) So go buy yourself a copy!! It's called Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. It's a paranormal young adult thriller/romance. Yes, like Twilight I guess, but BETTER. BETTER!!! Plus, the cover is coooool. That's a real model on a trampoline. It's worth the price for the cover alone, don't you think? AND also worth a few bucks for the acknowledgments wherein you'll find MY name. Yes, you heard it here, my name is on a bestselling book. Someday maybe it will be on the COVER of a bestselling book. But for now, I'll take any bragging rights I can get. Becca was really too nice on that one. Go buy it. You'll like.

Not about me this time, about my writing buddy Becca Fitzpatrick. Remember that you heard her name here first because you'll be seeing it all over the shelves in 2010. She has a HUGE deal for her first published novel entitled Hush (or Hush, Hush --we'll see) with Simon & Schuster. This is going to be the next big thing. How can I tell? Because they're already paying her to write a second book. And she's brilliant. And this book is fantastic. It's an incredible page turner, a YA suspense/romance with fallen angels, scary rollercoasters, Barbie dolls and EVERYTHING. I couldn't put it down--and I can put everything down. So way to go, Becca. I'm SO excited for you!! And last, but not least, this means more celebration shoes for me. YAY! Check out Becca's blog if you like, you'll be glad you did.

Besides the fact that wearing my hair back for 48 hours apparently makes it fall out by the handful, my editor/publisher emailed this week and said she's going to send me a contract for another of my picture books called Wild Rose's Weaving . Yay! She loves it although it's completely different from Carmen's Sticky Scab . We're currently looking for the perfect illustrator and it will likely take a year or two for it to finally hit the shelves. Plenty of time for everyone to save up and buy a copy so I can afford a nice wig .