Interview with Susan Mulcaire Author of The Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World!

Not long ago I had the pleasure of visiting with Susan Mulcaire, the author of The Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World! I admire the work Susan has done and the action she took to improve her son's ability to succeed. Great work Susan!!

Can you give my readers a synopsis of your book?

The Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World! is a work habits, time management and organizational skills workbook for students in grades 6-8. Text, comics and graphics tell the stories of five "chronically disorganized" middle school students who encounter humorous, but typical situations as a result of their poor organizational skills. The reader follows along with the characters, to learn practical skills and strategies for being an organized middle school student. Some of the skills addressed are how to organize your binder, use a planner, manage a group project, use a rubric, remember your stuff every day, plan a long term project, etc.

What prompted the writing of your book, or when was the moment you said to yourself" "I don't care, I'm going to do it"

My son wasn't doing very well in 6th grade. There was no issue with his ability to learn. He was a GATE student. But, he was forgetting his homework, losing worksheets, not following directions, doing the wrong homework page, etc. I was tired of nagging him about it. One day, in the middle of the usual nag session, the look on his face told me that he wasn't being lazy or irresponsible—he just had no idea how to get organized. It occurred to me that if he didn't learn how to organize now, he could possibly underachieve for the rest of his academic life. I began looking for resources to help him. I searched far and wide, but found no age appropriate resource that dealt strictly with work habits, time management and organizational skills. At that time, I was still practicing law, and it turned out that practicing law and going to middle school are remarkably similar pursuits. So, I adapted my legal case management principles to his sixth grade work load and it worked!

How is being being a middle school student like being a lawyer?

Well, in both occupations there's a lot of information and paperwork to manage. Like attorneys, students have due dates, deadlines and directions which must be followed—to the letter. Binders must be organized a certain way, both need a reliable calendaring system, and project/case planning skills. A lawyer's work is reviewed a judge. A middle student also faces a judge: The teacher!


Did you use a traditional publisher?

Initially I sent out some inquiries, but I think the concept of using comics and middle school characters to teach organizational skills was a stretch for a traditional publisher. I received some interest, but after weighing the costs and benefits of working with a traditional publisher, I knew I'd be happier self publishing.

Who was your best support during the project?

My family. There are comics and dialogue in the book, so my three kids and their friends were always coming in and reading what I wrote that day and acting out the comics. They freely offered their opinions, of course, and would "translate" the dialogue for me so it sounded more authentic for middle school.

Has this project been fuel for other projects?

Yes. I created an Instructor's Guide with sixteen lesson plans and activities for teaching organizational skills, so the program has evolved into a full curriculum. My kids, their friends and I, recorded supplemental podcasts that bring the characters to life. I'm currently working on a sequel to The Middle School Student's Guide to Ruling the World! for learning basic study skills. I also now teach the course in the Irvine Public School's ACE program.

What has been the most rewarding part of the creation process?

It's more often a lack of organizational skills that trip up a middle school student, than a lack of traditional study skills, such as note taking and test preparation. Two major reports recently confirmed that failure at the middle level can have lasting and some times irreversible consequences, and that organizational skills are essential for academic success. It's rewarding to have written a curriculum that can help address some of these issues. The curriculum has sold all over the U.S. and even overseas. The books were recently added to the recommended book list for the Dallas Independent School District, and that acknowledgment was rewarding.


What has been the most rewarding part of the promotion process?

Meeting all sorts of interesting people! I speak at conferences, PTAs and attend exhibits. I meet teachers, parents, administrators, and after school directors. They are fun to talk to and compare notes.

Was there anything you wish you'd known about becoming an author prior to beginning the book?

That marketing is a huge part of being an author. You can always be doing something to market your product. I understand that even if an author publishes with a traditional publisher, they still have to do most of their own marketing and publicity. The education market is tough in this economy. For a small publisher, breaking into the education market is difficult because it is dominated by the big publishers. Fortunately, no other publisher has a similar product.

Was this something you could work on daily? What is your day job?

Running my company, Tween Publishing, is now a full time job. The education market is somewhat seasonal. It is busiest in the spring and summer, so I hire part time employees to help in the busy months. I also have those three kids! My oldest, the one that inspired the book, is off to college next year.

Have there been surprises?

Yes. I did not expect the program to evolve into a curriculum. I originally thought of it as kind of a handbook for disorganized tweens.

What came easy to you?

Not much, but If I had to pick one thing I would say -writing. Between the kids and other obligations, I didn't have big blocks of time to sit down and write. So I'd think and plan, and play with ideas in my head before I sat down to write anything. Usually sometime around 4 a.m. - in that twilight state between being asleep and awake, I could think about the topic I was tackling and formulate an outline. By the time I got the kids off to school and found some time to write, much of it was already in my head.

Interview the Yvonne N. Pierre author of The Day My Soul Cried

SYNOPSIS
Yvonne Pierre’s journey from the depths of despair to an awakening of soul and spirit -has been a long and difficult one.
From sexual abuse, excessive drinking, failing in school, having a child while still a teenager, unable to get a job, having a second child with Down syndrome, gaining excessive weight and allowing herself to no longer care about how she looked – the painful pattern of all types of abuse seemed endless. Until one day, when Yvonne’s soul cried. She began to see that how she perceived her life and the attitudes she had, were crippling her as much as all her bad habits and the ugly things that happened to her. The realization that through forgiveness of others and most importantly, herself, would prove to be her path to new confidence, new attitude, a joy and love of life and God, and a profound hope that by sharing her story, others may find the courage and strength to do what Yvonne has done.
Website: http://www.zyonair.com/ypierre

What prompted the writing of your book, or when was the moment you said to yourself” “I don’t care, I’m going to do it”
Mindy, there were so many times when I said this is the year. Like every New Year’s Eve when midnight strikes we say, “This is the year. I’m going to accomplish my dreams and goals this year.” I think every year, that was my resolution to go after my dreams. This year, I said, I’m not going to say it, I’m just going to do it. I needed to overcome my fears. What I realized is that the fear didn’t completely leave; I had to learn how to press forward in spite of the being afraid. This actually is where the idea for “The Day My Soul Cried” came from – figuring out why I was standing in my own way.

Did you use a traditional publisher?
Initially, I wanted to go with a traditional publisher. When I was trying to get the self-help book, Phoqus published, I went to a publisher and because I was a “no name” writer, he wanted me to remove some elements from the book and add elements he thought was a better idea. By the time he finished telling me what to take out and add it was his vision, not mine. So, I politely turned down the deal. One of the elements he wanted me to take out the book was me. He said no one would be interested in my story. I decided to study the industry and start my own independent publishing, but I placed it on hold to focus on spreading positive special needs awareness. Now, I’m pulling it all together.

Who was your best support during the project?
In addition to God, my support system has been Steffan (my significant other) and our sons – Zyair 17 and Zyon 8.

Has this project been fuel for other projects?
I think so. While developing this project, I’ve learned so much mostly about myself. Prior to doing this project and during the process of developing this project I’ve accomplished things that I had no idea that I could. Ironically, writing was one of them. In the book, I talk more about it, but one of my greatest challenges in school was reading and writing. I failed the basic entry exam for community college. Writing a book was something I NEVER thought I’d do. I’m still shocked. But to answer the question, yes. This project has giving me a new confidence to write more books and eventually publish other authors.

What has been the most rewarding part of the creation process?
I think the most rewarding part of this process is the new found confidence in my work.


What has been the most rewarding part of the promotion process?
Mindy, I absolutely love the interviews on radio, blogs, and magazine. I love connecting to the audience in hopes that someone, even if only one person is inspired by my story.

Was there anything you wish you’d known about becoming an author prior to beginning the book?
No, there were no surprises because prior to launching the book I learned as much as I can about the publishing industry. I researched online and talked to other authors about what to expect not just about the process, but also from the public, interviews, and more. I didn’t expect everything to go smoothly, but I was prepared for the surprises.

Have there been surprises?
The biggest surprise for me was the feedback; I did not expect the response that I received.

Was this something you could work on daily?
I think you have to even if it’s just for a couple hours a day, especially if you own the publishing company. There’s a lot more to publishing a book than writing it, it’s a business.


What came easy to you?
The easiest part for me was the creative and business process of developing the book and the publishing company.

BIO
Yvonne Pierre is a devoted mom of two boys, ages 17 and 8. Before becoming a mother, Yvonne always had a passion for developing works in the entertainment industry – film, books, and projects – that empower others. After her youngest son was born and was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, she redirected her attention and primary efforts toward the special needs community. She is in the process of developing new projects that will empower the special needs community here and abroad. Yvonne is the founder of Have Ya Heard (HYH), an online community and e-magazine whose primary focus is to highlights the accomplishments of those with special needs. She is the founder of a publishing company, Zyonair’s Unlimited, LLC named after her two sons.

Yvonne holds two associate degrees in Accounting and Business Management, a BSBA in Marketing, and currently working on her Executive MBA.

In addition, Yvonne is also a radio personality on her own show – The Yvonne Pierre Show – hosted on BlogTalkRadio. It’s an on-demand talk radio show dedicated to informing and inspiring listeners on topics ranging from self-improvement to parenting a special needs child.

Yvonne Pierre is a momtrepreneur, postgraduate student, advocate, on-air personality, and now author of The Day My Soul Cried. Yvonne currently resides in Metro Atlanta with Steffan, her significant other of 11-years and two sons, Zyair and Zyon.


The Day My Soul Cried is also available at Amazon.

Thank you so much Yvonne for taking time to visit with me, I hope you have great success in your book writing adventures. For someone to use turn their life around in such a positive way such as what you have done, you must look back and know you have the power to do anything you want. Great job! You have achieved a beautiful success in your life~ congratulations!

Meet Author Jennifer Greenleaf!

Maine Living: One Writer's Perspective:

Can you give my readers a synopsis?
This book is a compilation of articles I wrote in 2001 that have since grown stale on the Internet. My goal: gather them all up, and breath new life into them. I wanted to give my readers a glimpse into what it's like to live in this great State of Maine from "one writer's perspective." Readers will walk away with information, bits of history, entertainment, and diary-style writing.

You have several titles, Jenn what made this one special for you?
This particular title is special for me because each piece of writing featured in this text was written as events were unfolding in my life, as I wanted to learn new things, and as I experienced new things. I was a young mother, so each piece of writing also holds memories of what I was doing and how I was caring for my children at the time.

What were some of your biggest challenges while writing Maine Living?
When these pieces were originally written, I was living in a small duplex in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. While it's a beautiful area filled with excellent touristy things to do, it's a difficult place for locals to live "off season." We experienced a lot of power-outages from ice storms, we had to do a lot of walking with babies in strollers because our car was unreliable, and things like that. Each time I sat down to write, I used those challenges to fuel whatever I planned to complete that day.

After the project's completion, did you think later about something you should have included?
I should've done more town and city features because there are a lot of interesting and unheard of corners in Maine that deserve some attention.
Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My children! They want to bring my books in to show their classes during "sharing time" and "show 'n tell."

What blogs do you like to read?
My list is lengthy, so I'll give you the short and sweet version:
http://www.creativelyselfemployed.com/blog.htm
http://therenegadewriter.com/
http://thewritermama.wordpress.com/
http://somethingshewrote.blogspot.com/
http://flibbitygibbet.blogspot.com/

Were your parents creative types as well?
My mother used to be a "crafter" and worked the Maine Made Craft shows. My father used to be a computer science teacher, but he liked to draw when he was very young.

We know what you do well; what is something you struggle with?
Time management is my biggest hiccup right now. I find myself focusing on doing things for others or for the household during the majority of the day, which ultimately leads to very little writing time. This is a problem I'm consistently working toward fixing, though.

Jenn has a busy life as a mother of two, a stepmother to one, and soon will be a "kitty mommy" of three kittens!

She adds: My family inspires the majority of my writing and book ideas, which is such a gratifying feeling. Each time I hold a copy of one of my books, or see something published online, I can't help thinking, "I wouldn't have been able to accomplish this if it wasn't for them."

Please ask for Jenn's books at your library, and visit her sites to learn more about this hard working and creative lady!

Jenn's Facebook Fan page


Side Note: Check back in the next few weeks to learn a little something about one of this author's other titles.

101 Mixed-Media Art Projects, How-To's & Ideas: A Beginner's Guide to Art With No Rules!

Writing Blog:
12 Publications in 12 Months Blog:
Happy 2010 Jenn~ I'm wishing you great success!

Meet Author K. M. Groshek

Recently, I had the opportunity to get to know Kim Groshek, she is a beautiful, creative and driven woman. I asked her a few questions about her book release Bug's Trip to The Store and I'm so glad she could share some time with me enabling my readers to get to know her somewhat too!

What prompted you to write the book?
I’ve always wanted to write a children’s book since i was little. I almost forgot about it for many years, it would come up in conversations during the past over 26 years, then two years ago, I set a goal to run a half marathon in 25 states. Through the journey accomplishing this goal (in 2 years) I attended a writing workshop in Colorado, which helped me realize that I could write creatively. I have 6 professional technical articles published, for my career but that is much different. So, during my travels, I journaled and an idea hit me on my way to Vermont. This is when I wrote my first draft of the first book in the series. From there I illustrated and refined the draft several times. I knew this was going to be good when, after my half marathon, eating my fresh soup in a restaurant overlooking Lake Champlain, I read my draft to an 8 year old and ask him to give me his honest opinion, if I read my manuscript to him. I watched as I read my book to him and he was very intent and listening, absorbing every word. After I was done reading it, he nodded profusely, saying he really liked it. So, then I followed the rest of the publishing process as other authors/illustrators do.
Were you able to have insight to illustrator or illustrations used?
Yes, I have an art background. It was something I went to school in college for a short while over 20 years ago. I basically put my art on the back burner since then, doing many craft type projects (selling things at craft shows and so on, but that was the extent). I brought my art out again this past year, because it was time. Yes, I illustrated my book, I used magic marker, then transferred into Photoshop and did the rest in Photoshop.


What is your favorite part of the book?
Favorite part of the book, really all of it, since the bug character, is really coming alive from my imagination. That is the neat part about it! I do have a picture that is really cool, I’ll see If I can attach it so you can see how that rings true in the picture.

Are you working on other projects involving writing?
Other projects, yes, I have 2 more books in the works, the 2nd book, called Bug meets his friend is going to be published in Feb and the 3rd book Bug goes through the maze is all illustrated, I am working on the manuscript as we speak. I also have a fire prevention series, called Floyd the Fire Truck series, which I am presenting to the insurance industry in January, which will include an online book and some games. I am also starting to kick off writing a Y/A novel, ideas are being kicked around, not sure if this will be a series or one book. I plan on working on the Y/A project during 2010. This will be my main focus besides traveling for promoting my book.

Kim's Message: I feel the message in my book is a good one and that is important to me to help readers learn perseverance, determination and resiliency will help them overcome any obstacle. Staying strong and being creative in the process.

Closing:I'd like to ask my readers to go to their local library and ask for Bug's Trip to the Store by K.M. Groshek, let's help her get the word out and her book in more libraries!
Please visit Kim's site's to get to know her further along with two new covers for upcoming books, which can also be pre-ordered!
http://www.kmgroshek.com
Blog: http://www.kgroshek.blogspot.com
Facebook author page: http://www.facebook.com/kmgroshek

My Children's Book

Yep, I wrote this! Really, I used to blab about it all of the time. But, I haven't in a while and I just renewed my contract with my publisher. It's a story about friendship,decision making and a girl with a lot of little quirks. When she discovers someone is copying her, she flips and doesn't want to be that person's friend any longer. But, guess who she finds to help her with her final decision?

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

I'm not telling. That would ruin the story for you! Check into it!

Master & Disasters of Cooking By Carol Preflatish

Carol Preflatish has been a long time acquaintance of mine and fellow member of the writing group, Momwriters, along with my friend Kathryn Lay

Carol is the author of Masters & Disasters of Cooking

Congrats Carol! Recently, she took some time to talk with me and share something about her cookbook.

Looking at the title, this does bring one of my own cooking disasters to mind. Not long after my husband, Charlie, and I were married I'd made some baked beans. I took the long route beginning with dried beans, which turned out fabulous. I poured them in to a slow cooker with brown sugar, a bit of molasses, dried mustard, pieces of bacon, a little onion....and commenced to slow cooker them to death. After about eight hours, I brought them to the table and when they landed on Charlie's plate, it sounded like gravel! Clink, clinkety, clink..clink..kkk! Ahh! The flavor was (Since Chuckles isn't here to defend me) outstanding-but the beans were decidedly hard as rocks....lots of tiny, tasty rocks!

Since then and after a few soured shots...I figured out how to make baked beans but it took me a while to understand that it was the salt from the bacon that foiled my beans!

When did you decide to create a cookbook?

It was a couple years ago when I started writing down some of the stories about my cooking disasters. I thought the stories, along with a good recipe, would make a neat little cookbook.

What prompted you?

I love to cook and had a lot of funny stories about cooking. Because I also love to write, I wanted it to be more than just a cookbook, so I combined the stories with the recipes.

Your cover is beautiful, did you design it?

I wish I had, but it's a template from the publisher. It is beautiful, isn't it?

What inspired some of the recipes?

Many of them are from my mother that I had helped her make when I was growing up. Some are from recipes that I have sampled, but I altered them a little to make it something I liked better.

When creating this project, what was your biggest struggle?

Just finding the time to get it all down was the biggest struggle. I work full time during the day where I sit in front of a computer, so sometimes I had to make myself sit down in front of a computer at night to work on it.

Any funny stories to share?

Not really any funny stories, but while writing it I was always afraid my computer was going to crash. I think I had the manuscript backed-up on at least three disks.

Here is a paragraph from the story about where I made my husband sick from something I cooked.

My husband finished (his meal) and sat his fork down. I asked if he wanted more and he quickly said, "No." He was full. Later in the evening, I never noticed him taking antacid pills.

The next morning, in the nicest way possible, he told me he thought I had given him food poisoning. I think he spent most of the night in the bathroom. As a new wife, I felt terrible that something I had prepared made my husband sick. When he left for work, he assured me he was now fine. Although, I was positive I had seen him slip some Pepto-Bismol pills into his pocket before he left. Thank goodness he worked at a hospital, just in case he got sick.

Now, that this book is done, what if anything, would you have
done differently?

I wish I would have had more stories and recipes.

Who has been your biggest cheerleader?

My best friend, Sandy and my sister-in-law, Teresa. Both really supported me during the process.

Yay, for great friends!!

What is a surefire marketing idea that you've used?

Marketing is my weak area. I have a blog about cooking and try to post as often as I can. I have the cover of my cookbook with a link posted prominently on there. My readership there is growing.

As a mom, what is something you seem to stress to your children? Or one of
life's big lessons that you'd like them to remember?

I suppose I have tried to stress the "Golden Rule" of doing unto others. I'm very proud of how my daughter has turned out. She recently moved out on her own and my cookbook is one of the gifts I made sure to give her when she left.

Are you planning more writing ventures?

I have a romance novel under consideration with a publisher right now and I am in the planning stages of writing another cookbook. This one will be of pizza recipes. Who doesn't like pizza?

Make sure to visit Carol's blog!:
Carol's Food Bites at http://carolsfoodbites.blogspot.com

Visiting With Children's Author-Kathryn Lay!

I had the pleasure of visiting with my friend Kathryn Lay and she was ever so kind in allowing a short interview!


Kathryn do you write creatively each day?

Yes. I try to spend 2-3 hours in actual writing 4-5 days a week, then another hour or so a day, sometimes 6 days in a week, of marketing stuff and researching markets.

Are you able to work from home?

Yes. I home schooled while I wrote for several years, but my daughter is in a public high school as of last year. So, I spend most of my days with writing issues -- whether writing, marketing, teaching writing classes, promoting my 2 books, or doing school visits.

Are you reading children's book in the same category as you own?

I love ALL types of children's books, but I do tend to read a lot of middle grade, especially humor, fantasy, contemporary and what's hip and popular out there. I'm reading more and more picture books now too.

What are some of you most memorable children's stories from childhood?

The book that made me decide I wanted to write was A Wrinkle in Time. I also loved Seuss, the Hobbit, and any fantasy I could get ahold of. I read a lot of Bradbury too.

When did you know, you had a good one with your first title: Crown Me?

I had a lot of good feedback on that book from editors, though it wasn't quite ready for publication. It placed in several writing contests for unpublished children's book categories as well. When my agent read it, she told me she thought it was saleable and I should consider rewriting it from 3rd to 1st person. I loved writing this book and believed kids would find it fun too.

Do you use the critique groups of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators?

Not online ones. I have been meeting with the same in-person critique group that formed through our local SCBWI chapter for about 19 years now.

That's amazing, what do you find most valuable about the organization?

Contacts, both with editors and agents at conferences, as well as with other local writers. I am always grateful too for the Bulletin and how much information I get from both the articles and the market information.

Are you dreaming of stories now?

Always! I'm in the midst of a major rewrite on a mid-grade novel for my agent, as well as a few picture books and have other novels in stages of beginning or needing to rewrite. I also spend a lot of time writing short fiction and nonfiction for magazines and anthologies and educational stuff as well.

What is your next big goal?

To sell another book! I have a novel out in the market and a picture book, I'd love for both of them to sell. But one of my big goals is to be making enough money from book sales and school visits to concentrate only on writing children's books, though I might find it difficult to give up the short pieces too.

I am proud of you Kathryn! Thank you for taking time with me today!
Look for Kathryn's books!

JOSH'S HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN, Fall 2008, Pelican Books
CROWN ME!, Fall 2004, Holiday House
Winner, Texas State Reading Assoc. Golden Spur Award 2005
THE ORGANIZED WRITER IS A SELLING WRITER, 2004