Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc)
My Jewish-themed, intergenerational picture book, UNTIL THE BLUEBERRIES GROW, will be published by PJ Library and become part of the PJ Library family. (www.pjlibrary.org)
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal?
Is there a word limit to this? (Just kidding). I’ve been writing seriously on and off since I graduated college (which was a loooong time ago). I found some early success freelancing and also received encouraging responses to my fiction queries. When my children were young, however, I put aside trying to publish and decided to focus instead on craft. I earned my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts, and signed with an agent shortly after graduating. Alas, after several years, a few bites, but no book contracts, we amicably parted ways. I sold my first published novel, a young adult mystery, DEVIN RHODES IS DEAD, to Charlesbridge, after winning the NAESP award for middle grade fiction.
What fears/hopes did you have before working with Bethany privately? Or participating in WSS or a WB class?
I’m fortunate to know Bethany from back in our VCFA (Vermont College of Fine Arts) days, so there was no fear–only hope. I was excited, too, because we share similar sensibilities and values and I trust her feedback implicitly. That said, it had been several years since I’d written anything new and I was nervous that the proverbial well had dried up.
How did the WB programming aid you in both the craft and business of picture book writing?
I’d been feeling more and more that I wanted to try writing picture books. On a whim, I signed up for the WB Picture Book Weekend Intensive in the fall of 2016 with my longtime writing friend and VCFA classmate, Teresa Smith. The PB intensive lit a spark, and since then I’ve written eight picture books and revised two middle-grade novels.
Being in an environment with so many passionate kidlit writers was inspiring, as well as the kick in the pants I needed to keep going. I’m grateful as a non-Austinite, that the WB offers online classes. I’ve taken 3 picture book webinars–all with the fabulous and inimitable Hannah Barnaby–that have enriched my writing and my life. My current online PB critique group is comprised of some of the wonderful writers I met through Hannah’s classes. In fact, I had two of my critique partners, Erin Sewell and Susan Taylor, critique BLUEBERRIES before sending it to PJ Library.
You asked earlier about fear–my goal for my first PB Intensive back in 2016, was a reboot of my writing career–a renewal of and a harkening back to basics–I write because I love it, I write because it’s what I do, I write because it’s who I am. But that was scary–what if it didn’t work out? What if I had nothing left to write? What if everyone pointed at me and laughed? (Never! Kidlit people are the BEST.) My weekend in Austin rejuvenated me (see my painted rock below).
How did the atmosphere of The Writing Barn aid you in achieving this goal?
I wish all the time that I lived closer! I’ve only been to the Barn twice–once as a visitor and the second time for the weekend Picture Book Intensive. During the intensive I was overwhelmed by the kindness and camaraderie of both the Barn staff and the attendees. I made some of my closest writer friends through the Barn (I’m looking at you, Erin Sewell) and we continue to support and encourage one another.
What sets Bethany apart as a teacher/mentor? Why would you encourage others to take on a deep mentorship? (only applicable to private mentees.)
Bethany is a true Mama Bear! She cares for her mentees as though we’re family–protective and supportive and genuinely thrilled by our successes. She’s also a sympathetic ear when we need her most–checking in and thinking of ways in which she can help us reach our goals. Her critiques are thoughtful, encouraging and spot-on.
Critique partners and groups are invaluable in the writing process, but I do think deep mentorship can be important and beneficial at a certain point in a manuscript’s life. Having an objective reader, who’ll go in deep, and who hasn’t read multiple versions of a story, is really helpful in the revision process.
What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build an develop your career?
My WB friendships–they mean the world to me.
Any advice you have for writers/creatives having trouble staying the course in pursuing their goals?
In the immortal words of Dory the fish, “Just keep swimming.” I’ve had several iterations of a writing career–it’s been anything but a smooth path–and I still stumble. But every time I’ve seriously thought, “Can I keep doing this?” “Why am I doing this?” “Wouldn’t I rather just eat chocolate?,” something positive has happened–because I kept at it.
More about Jennifer:
Jennifer’s young adult novel, DEVIN RHODES IS DEAD, was published by Charlesbridge and nominated to VOYA Magazine’s Top Shelf for Middle School Fiction. Her picture book, UNTIL THE BLUEBERRIES GROW, will be published by PJ Publishing and become part of the PJ Library family. Jennifer is a five-time finalist for the Katherine Paterson Prize, and winner of the Writers’ League of Texas Manuscript Contest for Middle Grade Fiction. Her short stories have appeared in the journal, Hunger Mountain. Jennifer earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in New York with her husband, two sons and a Halloween rescue kitty, named KitKat. She can also be found at www.jenniferwolfkam.com.