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“I’m not afraid of you,” Macy-Sue told the monsters in her closet.
“Don’t waste your time,” she said to the bully across the street.
Macy-Sue was an imaginative five-year old who insisted on being brave every day. But one summer something changed. The sound of one certain word gave her brave little body scaredy-cat goose bumps. That word was, “S-C-H-O-O-L.”
So, if you were in publishing and I told you that I had three picture books written and illustrated (not formally, but in sketch-form) all starring Macy-Sue La Rue as she deals with typical kid frustrations and fears in her quirky, not-so-typical way...
You would say, "Hmmmm, tell me more..."
...so I would...
She gets in a lot of trouble when her mom is busy and she gets bored in Macy-Sue La Rue, Find Something Else To Do.
She is one heckuva picky eater in Macy-Sue La Rue, Please Try Something New.
And she is nervous as all get-out to go to school in Macy-Sue La Rue Has the Awful, Awful Flu.
Then you say, "Nah. Thanks but no thanks."
I say, "ARGH! Back to the drawing board."
I am currently re-vamping Macy-Sue's look hoping to appeal to an agent that asked to see the "dummy" of my first M-S story.
Any thoughts? Anybody?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Meet Macy-Sue La Rue...
“I’m not afraid of you,” Macy-Sue told the monsters in her closet.
“Don’t waste your time,” she said to the bully across the street.
Macy-Sue was an imaginative five-year old who insisted on being brave every day. But one summer something changed. The sound of one certain word gave her brave little body scaredy-cat goose bumps. That word was, “S-C-H-O-O-L.”
So, if you were in publishing and I told you that I had three picture books written and illustrated (not formally, but in sketch-form) all starring Macy-Sue La Rue as she deals with typical kid frustrations and fears in her quirky, not-so-typical way...
You would say, "Hmmmm, tell me more..."
...so I would...
She gets in a lot of trouble when her mom is busy and she gets bored in Macy-Sue La Rue, Find Something Else To Do.
She is one heckuva picky eater in Macy-Sue La Rue, Please Try Something New.
And she is nervous as all get-out to go to school in Macy-Sue La Rue Has the Awful, Awful Flu.
Then you say, "Nah. Thanks but no thanks."
I say, "ARGH! Back to the drawing board."
I am currently re-vamping Macy-Sue's look hoping to appeal to an agent that asked to see the "dummy" of my first M-S story.
Any thoughts? Anybody?
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21 comments:
I'm no agent (don't I wish), but I like your premise, your titles, and especially your endearing illustration! Go, Macy-Sue!
Macy La Rue....oh what should you do? I think if you blink you'll be in a roller rink. No time to drink you're ice-skates are on the blink. Poor, poor Macy La Rue what will she do.....I cannot eat it in a box, I will not eat it with a fox....Heck, I'd publish ya! Wink.
Hey Michelle - Well, what about self-publishing and seeing if you can generate interest that way? I just read an article about some sisters from Atlanta who self-published a cookbook and are selling it that way and hoping to expand their sales further.
What about trying to contact a published author for advice? Kevin Henkes comes to mind because he lives here in Madison and he seems like a regular guy, approachable, not like a "famous author".
This is a quote from his webpage: "And magically enough Susan Hirschman at Greenwillow Books made my dream come true. My first picture book, All Alone, was published in 1981". Do you think Susan Hirschman is still around, that you could try and contact her? (although that is 27 years ago, but I'm trying here!)
What about writing about your books /your efforts to get them published in your local newspaper column? A little self-promotion never hurt anyone. What about at the newspaper - anyone there have a contact in the publishing world or a contact at a bigger newspaper who might have that next contact in publishing?
I like the cadence of the titles and I think your illustration of Macy-Sue is cute. How are you revamping her?
If any of this is helpful and you want to brainstorm more, feel free to write me (mappes@tds.net) (We had actually corresponded, back during the fundraising drive for Julian).
And hey, if any of my ideas work out and you get successful, then you can come up with some ideas to help me market my child safety product! =)
Take care!
Kim
This is a little scary. Just last night I was thinking about you and Dawn. I got into the blogging world because of Dawn's Pokemon ebay listing. I found you basically through Dawn. I was thinking how lucky Dawn was to have found her well-deserved fame and book deal, but how you are so talented, too. I love your humor and wit and art. I'm not a publisher, either, but I would love to see this book in print. Macy-Sue is just adorable. I know I haven't said anything to help you get published, but I'll be praying that you do. I want to read those books to my little girls!
Hey - How funny that the poster above also wrote about Dawn. Since I posted my other thoughts, I was continuing to think about contacts for you and Dawn came to mind! You guys are friends - can she hook you up with anyone at Guideposts? And even if it's not their genre, maybe they know someone who knows someone...
I will keep brainstorming! =)
Kim
"Revamping her looks?" I like her! Although, with kids, one way I'm drawn in (personally) is with the eyes. I'm not saying I know what to do with the eyes, but I do know why Puss in Shrek is so persuasive. Macy is adorable!
GASP....it was the eyes I was planning on re-vamping! WOW! That validates my efforts!
Was thinking about real curly hair, too.
??
I love her and I love her name . . . curly hair would fit her just perfect, I think!
Macy is cute, but I agree, curly hair and a change in the eyes might just do the trick. She also looks a little sad in the illustration you posted...maybe a smile???
I love her look. She reminds me of Holly Hobby or something. I'm sorry that they said no thanks because I'm already a huge fan of yours!
Good luck!
Oh, I think she is totally adorable! Put me down for don't change a thing! But then I'm not an editor either. sigh
I agree with the hair and eyes. She is adorable and I love her name. I think you have a wonderful idea. I would be interested for sure.
Michelle, I think she's adorable...a few curls and definitly some "eye" work...I'd read her at story time...would even love to be one of the first to purchase the line of books for the children's collection at the library...you are a multi-talented mommy!
You know I love your Macy-Sue books. They'll be published. I know it. I don't know how, but I feel certain they'll definitely be in print. Praying that the right agent/publisher comes along.
WOW!
My head is so big I can barely see my keyboard! Thanks you guys!!!
How exciting!
Wait until you see the newest version of my little gal!
I have two agents who asked to see this project - GASP!!!!
PRAY PRAY!
Macy Sue La Rue---Stop on my Rice-a-roni-ville for yet MORE new "creations"....I'm having a ball. Seems that the charming pendant line is really taking off. What a blessing!@
I agree with what the others have said. There are never enough books about things kids can relate to. I would read them! Expressive eyes and curly hair would be great, but maybe you just need to keep looking for the right publisher. Most people seem to have to go through a lot of rejections before finding someone to take them on. Keep your thick skin on and keep trying.
Go Michelle...Go! Life will take you where you need to go! My prayers are with you!
love macy-sue - keep trying with agents - don't change anything - I think your illustration and story ideas are wonderful!!!
Peace--
Ellie
Thanks you all!
WOW! Just the boosting I needed!!
I love this idea! My name is actually Macy Sue M.! (Minus La Rue) These stories sound adorable. It sounds like me as a little girl, and I'm sure many other kids can relate to the problems Miss La Rue faces. I like the illustration, too. Go for it!! I'll buy it! :)
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