by Jean Daigneau
When I sold my first two picture books over 20 years ago, I couldn’t know
that not only would those books never be published, it would take almost 20
more years to see my first book in print.
Happily, just over 2 years later, my second nonfiction book was published by
Chicago Review Press as well.
Early on my
writing journey, I attended a writers’ event where picture book author Eric
Kimmel put a scenario to the attendees. Kimmel had us imagine having a crystal
ball and seeing a future where we would never get published. Only if we
continued to write anyway, he said, would we have what it takes to pursue publication.
If anyone had told me then what a roller-coaster
ride pursuing publication would be, I might not have
believed it. Actually, I’m not sure I would have stuck it
out. Over those years, through rejection after rejection,
my late husband always asked, “But are you having
fun?” whenever I complained about the challenging,
changing world of children’s publishing. My answer
always sounded like, “Oh yeah! I’m learning amazing stuff. I’m having fun. I’ve met interesting
authors, editors, and agents. I’ve made wonderful friends.”
Writing then and even more today is a lot about taking risks. It means putting yourself out there and taking advantage of opportunities you might not otherwise have considered. It means getting involved in writers’ organizations, attending events whenever possible, finding critique partners, and giving your writing as much priority as you possibly can. It means taking rejections with a thick skin and getting back to the keyboard the next day and the next and the next.
While it took me two decades to get a book
published, I’ve sold greeting card text, educational
testing material, nonfiction children’s poetry and
crafts, and adult freelance articles. I’ve appeared on
local television and radio and presented at writers’
events, and I write a quarterly column for
Children’s Book Insider. I’m blessed to be
represented by Vicki Selvaggio of Storm Literary
Agency. None of these opportunities were on my radar when I first considered publishing.
Today,
writing is more challenging than ever. The industry has faced challenges, not
the least of which was an epidemic. My critique partners and I often question
why we write. But then one of us usually answers, “Because we can’t not do
it.” As hard as it is to admit, Eric Kimmel was right.
Because,
in the end, it’s about putting myself out there. Day after day after day. The
worst that can happen is that I never see this project published. But then
again, maybe someday I will.
Jean also co-owns a freelance critique editing service, Two-4-One Kid Critiques, LLC. Learn more about Jean on her website: https://jeandaigneau.com/
