Hello friends! I’m so glad you are back! Last week I spoke about the role that writing contests and challenges can play as we work on improving our craft. I mentioned that they can also serve another purpose that is equally important…they help build community. Community is key because writing is usually done in isolation. Yet, most of us benefit from receiving feedback from others. And not only feedback on our manuscripts, but also support and encouragement when the going gets tough.
2023
NCTE Conference panel with team leader Kathy Halsey and panel cohort Ellen
Leventhal, Pamela Courtney, and Nancy Churnin. These folks are my friends, my longtime
critique buddies, and part of the support community that is so important for us
all!
Believe me, the kid lit community is totally unique – and I
speak from the experience of someone who has held many jobs and worn many hats.
I taught kindergarten in the New York City Public Schools, typed catalogs for a
bookseller, operated a home daycare for teachers’ children, worked as a
registered representative in the financial services field for a major insurance
and investment company, and was a cashier at Marshalls. And in all those
venues, I never encountered the generosity and kindness that I’ve experienced
as a picture book writer. Truly, folks in this community SHARE their knowledge.
They LOVE helping aspiring authors and illustrators. And they are ready to
CHEER your successes!
At the 2019 Bologna Book Fair in
Italy with Maria Marshall, Fiona Halliday, Julie Abery, Simone Ceccarelli, and
Eleanor Peterson.
So, how do you become part of this community? Becoming a
member of SCBWI is a great start…it’s the first thing I did. And each region
has its own chapter – with leaders and mentors, online workshops and webinars,
as well as in-person local events and national conferences in places like New
York City and Los Angeles. https://www.scbwi.org/
At Second Star to the Right
Bookstore in Denver, Colorado with 12x12 members and other kid lit friends..
Plus, if you are able to attend an in-person conference, or
a writing retreat or workshop at a place like Highlights Foundation in
Pennsylvania, your level of community can skyrocket.
Of course, online classes cost money – and in-person writing
retreats even more…but please don’t despair. Most organizations, like SCBWI (https://www.scbwi.org/awards-and-grants)
and Highlights (https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/scholarships/),
offer financial help. And writing contests and challenges can also provide a
possible path for you to attend or get feedback from an industry professional.
(https://viviankirkfield.com/2025/03/31/50preciouswords-2025-prize-winners-and-honorable-mentions/)
This year, one #50PreciousWords winner chose a 2-night stay at Highlights as
her prize. Another opted for a seat in Susanna Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic
class. And a third will be attending Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab
self-study course.
2019 NCTE (National Council of
Teachers of English( Conference in Baltimore with Lindsay Leslie, Monica
Fields, Bea Birdsong, Nidhi Chanani, and Ishta Mecurio.
What’s that you say? “My family is my community?” Or perhaps, “My neighbor friend loves to hear
me read my stories?” Sure, it’s wonderful to have a supportive family. And
everyone can be a reader or give you their opinion of a manuscript you share
with them. But there is nothing like having a community of like-minded souls
who are doing what you are doing…and who understand the frustrations and
disappointments…and sometimes, the despair of wondering if you are on the right
path…if this will ever happen for you. Because when months…or years go by
without a yes from an editor and/or an agent, even multi-published authors
sometimes doubt they will ever sell another manuscript. Writers…and
illustrators…need the validation of folks who are in the trenches with them…who
totally understand that revision is part of the process. My late husband was a
huge supporter of my writing journey…and he loved to listen to my manuscripts.
But when I would read something I had tweaked, he’d say, “Didn’t you read that
to me already?” And when I would explain that my critique buddies…or perhaps an
editor…had suggested making changes, he’d shrug his shoulders and say, “It was
great before.” And he told me it would drive him crazy to revise so many
times.”
Of course, just because a critique partner suggests you make
changes doesn’t mean you have to. But if MANY of your CP’s give you the same
advice OR an editor wants to acquire your manuscript but has elements she wants
you to revise, it’s probably a smart move to listen…as long as their suggestions
allow you to stay true to your vision for the story.
Social media can also be a source for building
community…although you need to be careful because platforms like Facebook,
Bluesky, Linkedin, and countless others can consume a lot of your time…and most
of us don’t have enough time for writing as it is, right?
YES! Writing! I could fill an entire post about the
importance of writing and how each manuscript is a learning experience, and I
could share one tip in particular that might help you turn an R&R (Revise
and Resubmit) into a bona fide book sale. Actually, I already have…so please
don’t miss next week’s post: Stairway to Success: Why We Need to Embrace Revision.
Writer for
children—reader forever…that’s Vivian Kirkfield in five words. Her bucket list
contains many more words – but she’s checked off skydiving, walking under the
ocean, and going around the world in less than 80 days. When she isn’t looking
for ways to fall from the sky or sink under the water, this former educator
inspires budding writers during classroom visits and shares insights with
aspiring authors at conferences and on her blog where she hosts
#50PreciousWords and #50PreciousWordsforKids. Her
nonfiction narratives bring history alive for young readers and have received awards
and accolades including the Silver Eureka, Social Studies Notable Trade Book,
Best STEM Book K-12, Bank Street College of Education Best Book, and Junior Library Guild Selection.
You can
connect with her and find out more about her books, contests.critique services,
and school visits on her website: www.viviankirkfield.com
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