Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc)
I signed with Rebecca Sherman of Writers House, and two weeks later sold two books to Dial Books for Young Readers, the first of which, LUCY AND THE STRING, will debut August 7, 2018.
How did studying/retreating at The Writing Barn support you in achieving this goal? What workshop/intensives/or classes have you taken with us?
The Writing Barn has been an integral part of my journey. I came into kid lit first as an illustrator with tons of ideas, but I sometimes struggled to turn those ideas into fully fledged picture books. The classes and workshops I’ve attended at The Writing Barn have not only helped me to draft those ideas into manuscripts, but they’ve helped me to get over the self-doubt I’ve experienced. In fact, both of my upcoming books were workshopped at The Writing Barn. One of the very first Writing Barn events I attended was a picture book intensive with Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann, who read my an early draft of what was to become Lucy and the String. It was terrifying to have my book presented to a room full of writers, but the encouragement and advice I received that day left me eager for more.
Since then, I’ve attended classes taught by Liz Garton Scanlon, Bethany Hegedus, and Carmen Oliver alongside so many other talented writers. The feedback was honest. The process was inspiring. The information was invaluable. Because of the classes I’ve taken, I was able to break through many obstacles I had placed in my path as a writer.
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal?
I’m a librarian’s daughter and spent my after school hours and summers working at the library. I wasn’t a voracious reader, but I would spend hours in the children’s section even as a teenager pouring over picture books. I was fascinated by them. I remember thinking that making picture books would be an amazing job, but it didn’t seem attainable. For all I knew, picture book makers were born on a magical island where they spent their lives riding unicorns and spinning kid lit fairy dust into picture book gold. Since I was born in a small town in South Texas miles from any fantastical islands, I decided to pursue other artistic careers. But after years of being hounded by my librarian/author mom to consider illustrating books for kids, I finally accompanied her to a children’s book conference. The prospect of becoming an author/illustrator not only became tangible, but necessary. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. That was in 2011, and I haven’t looked back.
What fears/hopes did you have before the event?
I was terrified to have my work read by other writers…seasoned writers, published writers. I feared that someone would discover that I was not a writer and that I had no business being in the class. But I knew how much I wanted to make picture books, and in order to do so, I needed to put my work out there, so I quelled those fears, presented my work, and held my breath. The whole approach to critiquing each other’s work at The Writing Barn was far more gentle than I had expected. Everyone encouraged and inspired each other, and there was so much to be garnered from my own critiques as well as the critiques of other’s stories.
How did the atmosphere of The Writing Barn aid you in achieving this goal?
Well, if there were a fantastical island that housed children’s book makers, I’d imagine it would look much like The Writing Barn, except instead of unicorns, there are deer roaming the grounds. The Writing Barn is a magical place. The space itself begs a person to be creative. The classes encourage growth and community. The instructors help you cultivate your craft. It is truly an inspiring retreat.
Have you made friendships/colleagues as well? How has that supported you?
The Writing Barn fosters a sense of community that I think is so important in this industry. Publishing can be so subjective, and we as writers and illustrators need the support of our friends and colleagues to keep moving forward. Bethany has been championing my work as an illustrator from the very beginning, before I even stepped foot in a Writing Barn class. The people I’ve met in the classes are always ready to offer advice when needed, support you through the slumps, and cheer alongside you with each victory. Community is one of the biggest benefits to attending a class.
Why do you think attending workshops/classes is important to writers at all stages of their career?
No matter where you are in your publishing journey, there is always room for growth. As with any other craft, writing requires dedicated practice, and while you certainly can hone your skills at home, classes and workshops can offer creative insights to take your skill to the next level. The collective critiques can present new perspectives for your story, or help you navigate your way through the revision process. Plus, this job can be very isolating, so getting the chance to share parts of your journey with other creatives is refreshing, motivating, and a whole lot more fun than going it alone.
What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build an develop your career?
One thing I’ve learned in taking these classes is to be fearless. I’ve come a long way from the shy girl who wanted to hide in the back with her manuscript tucked away, safe and unseen. I still let self doubt creep in from time to time, and I still get nervous when I share my work, but I know that in sharing my work, I’m taking the next step to making good (or bad) work better, and better work great, and great work worthy of the little eyes who will one day read my stories. (So cheesy)
Any advice you have for writers/creatives having trouble staying the course in pursuing their goals?
Ask yourself why you love making books for children, and hold dear to the answer. In fact, write it down and tape it where you’ll see the reason everyday like on your bathroom mirror or on your laptop. Being a part of this industry requires perseverance, and it’s easy to lose sight of why you began this journey in the first place. Having a continual reminder of why you love what you do will help you through the times you feel stagnant or disheartened. Also, find a supportive community of other creatives. There’s no better comfort than knowing you have someone by your side helping you slog through the tough times.
More about Vanessa:
Vanessa Roeder is an illustrator, writer, and crafty mess-maker. A former muralist, she now spends her time turning crazy ideas into books for children. Her first book, Lucy and the String, will debut on August 7, 2018. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband, three kids, and two scruffy dogs who continually feed her ideas for the next story. Vanessa is represented by Rebecca Sherman of Writers House, rsherman@writershouse.com.
The book launch for Vanessa’s debut children’s book will take place August 10, 2018, 2:00 pm at BookPeople. You can find out more about Lucy and the String or pre-order here.