Welcome back to another Feature Interview about kidlit publishing on Chelsea’s World of Books blog. Today is an exciting day! Not only am I coming to you with this terrific information from special guest, Children’s Book Author and Acquiring Editor at Blue Whale Press, Roseanne Frank, but it’s also the anniversary of my book birthday for ADHD AND ME. Hip-hip-hooray!
But before we get started… just in case this is your first time here, let me tell you a little about what makes feature interviews so great…
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT FEATURE INTERVIEWS?
Feature Interviews are an INVALUABLE resource for kidlit writers and illustrators at every stage of their publishing journey. Not only are they a great way to stay current on market trends and learn more about the industry’s ins and outs, but they also give readers an up close & personal look at the world of publication from the perspectives of a diverse collection of creators. Personally, my favorite part about these interviews are the connections I’m able to make- and share with you all!
Every month, I sit down with members of the writing community (authors, illustrators, editors, and agents), and we discuss all things kidlit publishing.
Here are a few examples of topics:
- Writing workshops and resources
- Diversity in literature and why it matters
- Where to find support and community
- How to improve writing craft and set goals
- How to deal with setbacks/disappointments and WAITING
- Helpful tips and suggestions for aspiring authors and illustrators
- Querying agents, contract negotiations, book deals, and time frames
- And, of course- NEW BOOKS!
So, now that you know what to expect… let’s get into our interview.
Children’s Book Author & Acquiring Editor for Blue Whale Press, Roseanne Frank
Roseanne Frank is a former early childhood educator with a degree in reading and clinical diagnosis. Her journey to publication started in the adult space and spreads across the scope of both indie and traditional publishing. Roseanne is the social media director for the SCBWI Long Island, NY chapter, the founder of the site Parents Love Picture Books, and a freelance editor and writing consultant for Clear Fork Publishing and Kidlit41. In her free time, she enjoys hosting Elements of Picture Book Writing workshops for several local libraries. As of January 2024, she was appointed as Blue Whale Press’ new Editor of Acquisitions. When she’s not doing writerly things, she likes to watch old movies, especially old horror. She has two grown children, a delicious King Charles Cavalier, and a husband who has always been super supportive. She lives on the beautiful north shore of Long Island, NY, and wherever she goes, she has to have trees.
THE BEGINNING: WHY? WHEN? HOW?
Roseanne, it’s such a treat to have you with us today! The first question I love asking my guests is about the beginning. Why? When? How? Could you share the beginning stages of what led you to the wonderful world of literature?
Hi, Chelsea! Thank you so much for hosting me! I’m so excited to be here! My journey into writing is quite circuitous. It started while on the alumni board for the School of Education for Manhattanville College, and back in 2010, they had a call for articles for their newsletter. So, I submitted one on Multiple Learning styles in the classroom. When I saw my work in print, I was hooked! I continued to write articles for the newsletter (links to them are on my website) and then sought out other avenues to write. I found a site called Indies Unlimited. Each week they had a visual prompt for a flash fiction contest – you had to tell a story in 250 words or less. Foreshadowing for future writing endeavors? Perhaps.
I continued writing weekly for almost 7 years for other outlets and other contests and worked at honing how to tell a complete story that engages the reader in such a short space. I loved flash fiction – still do. It’s like a puzzle to try to write a micro-story that has a beginning that grips the reader, a rising action, and a satisfying ending. Then I leaned into my first love – children’s literature. It was there all along, just…dormant. I wrote a couple of too-long stories and sentthem out with too-long query letters, which – of course – received rejections. Then everything changed when I went to my first SCBWI event and met someone who would invite me to join their local critique group. This group of talented writers has been invaluable, and my children’s writing has improved on the fast track. And what I found was that my experience writing flash fiction was the perfect prep for picture book writing!
Which came first- being an editor or a writer? Explain.
Writing came first. But editing and critiquing are part of the process of learning how to look at a story, what works, what doesn’t, and why, and how to make it better. By critiquing others’ work you become an active learner of all the elements of picture book writing, and then it helps you craft your own well-written stories. I found that I loved pouring over other writers’ manuscripts and helping them create a story that not just conveyed their story idea but did it in such a way that employed all the exciting elements that make a great children’s book. During the pandemic, I opened a FIVERR account, and now I edit through that platform with a great following of return clients. Then I was added to KidLit411 resource website and as a freelance editor for Clear Fork Press.
Do you think one benefits the other? Explain.
I can’t stress enough the importance of reading, critiquing, analyzing, and giving feedback on other writers’ work to improve your own. The love of editing came out of writing. But by editing, my writing improves too.
What challenges have you faced along the way, and how have you been able to push forward?
Oh, buckle up for this one. ALICE IN THE PALACE was originally signed with a publisher in 2017. They closed before they even put out their first book. Then it caught the attention of an agent. Sent them more manuscripts and had a phone call. We got disconnected during the call and then (this is CRAZY) they ghosted me. ALICE was then signed with another publisher, which is where I was paired with the awesome illustrator, Ashleigh Heyns. The illustrations were almost done… and they closed. Ash and I continued to submit the manuscript as a team when Clear Fork picked it up. In the meantime, I continued to write and submit, and I signed with Touchpoint Press’ faith-based imprint for WHISPERS FROM GOD, due out this March, again after a long, bumpy road. ALICE is finally out in the world 7 years later.
How to push forward – that’s a great question because this industry is fraught with disappointment. Two things I felt kept me sane: a great support system (my writing pals), and always working on something else and submitting something new. One rejection in, send two stories out.
“Two things I felt kept me sane: a great support system (my writing pals), and always working on something else and submitting something new. One rejection in, send two stories out.“
WRITING ACROSS GENRES
You mentioned in your bio and application that you started out your career as an author in the adult space. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
I started writing flash fiction for adults. My stories tend to be like Twilight Zone episodes with a Stephen King vibe. I especially enjoy endings with a twist you never saw coming, which is how my adult collection, BITE SIZE READS, came to be. Sometimes my ideas aren’t quite kid-friendly, so writing for adults is a great outlet. Also, I write for adults under RB Frank to keep the genres separate.
How did you get from point A to point B, point A being the adult space and point B being children’s?
I think learning how to write concisely and effectively made moving to a picture book structure easier than, say, moving from longer narrative writing. So when I started with kidlit, I was already primed to write.
Do you still enjoy writing for both, or have you entirely switched to writing for children?
I am 97% with kidlit! I veer off to the adult space only occasionally with projects like KVETCH & SKETCH, which is a humorous art therapy and journal activity book – not for kids! And my one foray into the YA space with LEGACY & LEGEND. It’s historical fiction set in the Revolutionary Era on Long Island, with horror and paranormal elements woven in. It was a labor of love, a story that haunted me for a while that I needed to tell. I love that it’s a book for that in-between age group (MG & YA) that everyone says they’d like to see more of.
ROUTES TO PUBLISHING: INDIE VS TRADITIONAL, AGENT VS NO AGENT
Now, you’ve had experience with both independent publishing as well as traditional. Can you share a little bit about both experiences and explain some of the pros and cons of each?
After years of writing flash fiction, I found I had a collection of solid stories. And while organizing the stories, I found that they fell naturally into categories. I decided to self-publish. It wasn’t even a question if I should submit the whole collection anywhere because I had a vision for the presentation that was hyper-specific and really unique; the stories are grouped by how long they take to read. I love irony so although the stories are short, the title is not: BITE SIZE READS: slightly twisted, deliciously dark, really short stories for people with very little time or very short attention spans.
It was the same way with my picture book, THE WITCHES’ DANCE. I did the artwork and I had specific goals for the back matter to include recipes, activities, a read-aloud, and QR codes for links. I felt it was too directive to propose to a publisher, so this was another indie project.
The pros are that I had complete control over the production and distribution, and I kept a greater percentage of the royalties. The cons of self-publishing is that there is a learning curve to the process. Then there’s marketing – not unlike traditional publishing. My experience with traditional publishing is with a small publisher, and I will say that I do like working with small publishers as they are willing to include the author in all stages of production.
And regardless of which path you take, marketing ALWAYS seems to be a challenge. That’s why I started Parents Love Picture Books. It’s a way for readers and creators to connect easily.
What are some reasons you might recommend one vs the other and why?
If you have a very specific idea about your story and you are not willing to compromise on the story, or you envision the illustrations a certain way, then you may want to consider going indie. One of the services I offer is to work with authors in the creation of their book, compiling the illustrations and text – almost like an art director – and setting it up for publication on whatever platform they’ve chosen.
If you are a writer with a great story and you’re okay collaborating with an editor and letting an illustrator work their magic (because they do!), then send those babies out and find the perfect home for it!
As someone who has experience with independent publishing, what are some tips and suggestions you’d like to share with other authors or illustrators considering this route of publication?
Have a plan. Learn the process beforehand and the sequence of when things need to be done. I work with a lot of authors who self-publish, and more often than not, authors have the illustrations done before they choose the size of the book or the platform. Then, when we get to formatting, the authors have to pay to have the illustrations re-done because they’re the wrong size or ratio or they’re not the digital quality that is required.
Have a plan for which platform you want to use and familiarize yourself with their distribution, lead times, and royalty reporting. Make sure you’re okay with all those things.
Edit. Then edit again. Then have someone else edit it.
Make sure your illustrator is excellent. Artwork sells the book first. If you cheap out on the artwork, it will show.
Don’t use Comic Sans. For anything.
Familiarize yourself with other successful indie books and traditionally published books for what makes those books visually captivating.
Finally, your expenses should be for illustrations, editing, and maybe, formatting. The latter you can learn to do on your own. You don’t have to lay out thousands of dollars for an “all-inclusive” service; you can do it!
Are you currently represented by an agent/agency? If you are agented, can you share what some of the benefits are? If you’re not agented, are you actively querying for representation? Why or why not?
I am not represented and I'm not actively seeking representation at this time, but you never know. This is something that works for me. I feel I have the control to send the stories I want to the publishers that I think will be a good fit. Agents do great work, but I think they have so many clients they can’t represent ALL my stories. They are able to get into closed houses, but for me, right now, I’m okay pursuing smaller publishers.
This is all such brilliant advice, Roseanne. Thanks for giving our readers so much to work with and consider!
“Have a plan. Learn the process beforehand and the sequence of when things need to be done. Have a plan for which platform you want to use and familiarize yourself with their distribution, lead times, and royalty reporting. Make sure you’re okay with all those things.“
“Edit. Then edit again. Then have someone else edit it. Make sure your illustrator is excellent. Artwork sells the book first. If you cheap out on the artwork, it will show. Don’t use Comic Sans. For anything.“
“Familiarize yourself with other successful indie books and traditionally published books for what makes those books visually captivating.“
WRITING BLOGS, WORKSHOPS & RESOURCES
Let’s talk about writing resources & workshops. You mentioned that you’re the social media director for the SCBWI Long Island, NY chapter. How did you end up doing this, and can you tell us what it involves?
The position of social media coordinator for the LI chapter became available not long after I joined SCBWI, and I jumped on the opportunity to take that on. I like being involved and being on the inside of things. For almost 5 years now, I’ve posted on Instagram, X, and Facebook. Sometimes, I come up with posts on my own, share writing or illustrating information, repost events from SCBWI or other chapters, or promote events that we’re hosting.
For some of our aspiring writers who are very new to publishing and may not be familiar with SCBWI, would you mind telling us a little more about it and all of the things it offers? Why would a writer be interested in joining? What resources and opportunities will they find here?
SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) has been around for about 50 years. They are a worldwide organization that is dedicated to supporting children’s book writers and illustrators with events, resources, and networking opportunities. They also offer online events, in person conferences, showcases, awards, grants – you name it! You can find your regional chapter on their site scbwi.org. Membership is a game-changer if you’re serious about diving into kidlit.
You also mentioned being a freelance editor and writing consultant with Clear Fork Publishing and Kidlit411 website. Can you share more about this and the specific services you offer?
I edit picture books, novels, and business content. I offer consulting - which can include developmental edits, feedback & critique - for picture books only. Some clients have requested formatting and production services, so I offer custom orders for those services. I actually love doing that because I get to see a book from beginning to end! Anyone interested can find more detailed info on my site rbfrank.com – Consulting & Editing.
It's great to know that you offer these services! And earlier you mentioned Parents Love Picture Books, which is a website that you founded. Can you tell us more about what that is and how it began? What inspired you toward this venture, and when did you start?
Parents Love Picture Books is fairly recent, 2021. I realized that there wasn’t a One-Stop Shop for parents, teachers, or educators to just stop by and peruse new books. There are blogs and posts on social media and Amazon but not one place where they could see suggestions in one place categorized by fiction and non-fiction. It’s a simple site. New books highlighted on the homepage, a section for non-fiction, and an archive. Each book cover is clear and has a clickable link for easy purchase. A win-win for everyone!
I love that you saw the need for this and took it upon yourself to provide it. Congrats on such a wonderful idea!
But that's not all you offer in the way of resources. You also take an active interest in your local libraries. (Which, being a librarian myself- I am cheering for! I wish we lived closer so I could host you in our library!)
Let's talk about what role you play with your local libraries. Which is, hosting an Elements of Picture Book Writing workshop for multiple libraries in your community. Can you tell us how this all started? Is it something you do independently, or is it a partnership program? Do you create the materials yourself or use templates/information from a specific website or place? I'd love to learn more about it!
Teaching is always in my blood. Whether it’s kids or adults, it doesn’t matter. I enjoy being part of the learning process for both. I approached a few libraries with the idea of hosting a picture book writing workshop for adults (since I hadn’t seen one).
I run two workshops; one in the evening and the other during the day. The workshops are student-driven, and we focus on their work and the elements that make a picture book work. To start each class, I read a mentor text and then ask open-ended questions to determine where they are in the writing process. Are the participants looking at the superficial elements, or are they recognizing the deeper levels like pacing, language, page turns, and the relationship between art and text? Then I know how to proceed in our discussions, and we workshop their stories with everyone’s participation.
Wow, Roseanne. What a superstar! I love that you (again) saw a need that wasn't being met- and filled it. So, okay. You take notice- you decide what you want to do. Then what? What was the process like for getting into the library, and what kind of responses have you received from your attendees?
Approaching libraries is a lot like querying. I sent out emails with a proposal, and then I waited. The response from attendees has been great, and I’m so pleased about that. Our groups have people who return every session. I’ve come to know them and vice-versa, and they make hosting these writing groups so enjoyable. They’ve become not just a writing group but a social, engaging group. We eat lots of chocolate.
You can't go wrong with lots of chocolate and great company. I'm sure you're writing participants are very grateful to have a free program like this to help aid them in their writing careers! For these workshops.. are they something you regularly host, or is it a one-time event that you’ve done for various locations?
The sessions are 6 classes: one session in winter, two in spring, and two in fall. Right now, I’m in two libraries.
So cool! While we're on the subject of workshops… have there been any workshops that you’ve attended that you really enjoyed and would recommend to other writers/illustrators? If so, which ones were they and what made them special?
Any of the SCBWI events are great. I’ve attended webinars or in-person events from the parent SCBWI or virtual through other regional chapters. I find they’re affordable, and they always over-deliver! I love Rosie J Pova’s events, Storytime Sprint, Picture Book Summit, and Julie Hedlund’s events. Kidlit411 site and social media groups are invaluable for information and upcoming workshops. The blog Writer’s Rumpus has an extensive list every month of events and opportunities for writers and illustrators. The kidlit community is incredibly giving, and you can find lots of free opportunities on social media.
Can you share three (or more) resources or practices you’ve found to be most helpful on your writing journey?
Three things that I do that really help in all aspects of writing are:
- Read a lot of picture books.
- Be part of a great critique group.
- Be involved, whether it’s attending in-person or virtual events. Networking is invaluable, and you really get a pulse of the ebb and flow of children’s books and the market.
Do you have any suggestions or words of wisdom you’d like to share regarding workshops, resources, or something else?
When you read picture books, read them as a writer. Approaching a book as a reader is different than reading as a writer. Put your writer hat on and ask yourself questions about the elements that make your mentor texts work. How is the pacing? Is there an interesting use of language? How does the author build tension? How do the illustrations help tell the story, and why did they make those choices? Recognizing what works in other’s stories will help you in your craft as well.
So well put!
Read a lot of picture books. Be part of a great critique group. Be involved, whether it’s attending in-person or virtual events. Networking is invaluable, and you really get a pulse of the ebb and flow of children’s books and the market.
NEW VENTURES ON THE HORIZON: PUBLISHING HOUSES & SUBMISSIONS
If I remember correctly, January 2024 was the official announcement of your new position as Editor of Acquisitions at Blue Whale Press. Congratulations! How is that going? **Update for readers: Roseanne's official post for her position went out YESTERDAY- February 20th, 2024!**
So far, so good! Blue Whale is an imprint of Clear Fork Press, and Callie Lovvorn is the founder of both. From the very beginning, we had a similar vision for the imprint and are working to build a great front and back list.
What type of work does this position involve, and what kinds of stories are you/this publishing house looking to acquire?
I read submissions, and once acquired, I work with the authors on any edits to get it in the best shape for publication. We are looking to acquire STEAM and STEM chapter books, middle grade, and Hi-Lo. I’d love to see neuro-diversity characters who are part of the story, not the focus of the narrative. All kids should see themselves represented. I’d love a mini-Indiana Jones or a math whiz, as in the TV show NUMB3RS. I’m fascinated by cryptozoology, lost worlds, space, art history, and time travel (ie, Time & Again by Jack Finney or A Wrinkle in Time). We’re also excited to look for books that fill a niche of the lower YA genre. You can go to the Clear Fork or Blue Whale site or my MSWL.
Is your agency open to unsolicited submissions? If not, how can people submit?
We do accept unsolicited. There are gems out there. I know it! Please read and follow the submission guidelines on the website. We’ll be open at certain times of the year, so follow us on social media. **Note for readers- Blue Whale and Clear Fork websites are currently under maintenance during this relaunch time- please be patient. Once links are up and running correctly, I will post them here. **
Is Blue Whale Press a traditional publishing house or a paid-for self-publishing guided service and platform? And can you explain the difference between the two?
Blue Whale is a traditional publishing house, so we don’t offer advances but royalties from sales. The difference between a traditional house and a self-publishing or “vanity” press is that we don’t ask for any money upfront. The publisher gets paid when they sell books.
Any manuscript no-nos or tips you’d like to share with our readers?
Please, please, know how to format your manuscript. Following the guidelines shows me you are familiar with the industry and are taking the time to present your work in its best form. The query letter I’m not so particular as long as it includes all the information somewhere in it. There is a HUGE collection of resources and links regarding submissions on my site. Feel free to stop by and take a look!
Please, please, know how to format your manuscript. Following the guidelines shows me you are familiar with the industry and are taking the time to present your work in its best form.
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!
We've finally arrived at my FAVORITE part- the books! Can you tell us about your books and how they came to be?
Thank you so much for asking and for giving me an opportunity to highlight my work.
My kids and teaching littles are the inspiration for my children’s books. You just have to be present to see the unfiltered imagination that sparks ideas that, for us adults, have been tucked away. I’ll see a situation, and when I recognize an idea or theme, I ask those ‘what if ’ questions. One ‘what if ’ question leads to another until a story forms. Then I flesh out the characters, themes, and layers.
ALICE is about a princess whose imagination gets her into a bit of trouble with the king, and when he says, “No more pretending,” Alice isn’t Alice, and the palace is not the same. It’s a celebration of the joy of imagination and being your authentic self.
THE WITCHES’ DANCE was a poem I wrote for my kids one Halloween. It is about the witches who come to the clearing on Halloween night to dance around the firelight for their festive ball. It’s written in fun rhyme, and I include activities and a link to a read aloud with sound effects from Smarty Pants Magazine.
LEGACY & LEGEND started as a nightmare I had one night. Literally. I wrote down that one scene and then built the story from that. I wove in elements I love like horror, paranormal, history, and Celtic lore. The back matter is extensive, referencing real locations, legends, and religion.
For your children’s books, how did the illustration process work? Explain.
For THE WITCHES’ DANCE, I did the artwork. I was an art major and still work in various mediums. It was created with watercolor and collage.
For ALICE, I found Ashleigh Heyns from the publisher’s list of illustrators. It was a very collaborative process with the publisher and Ashleigh. Ashleigh is patient and super talented, and she was a joy to work with. Highly recommend working with her if you get the chance.
Any last words you’d like to share with those reading today?
- Comparison is the thief of joy. Everyone has a different path and their own timeline.
- Keep writing.
- Not every story is a winner. Some are just practice, and that’s okay.
- YOU CAN DO IT! You can!
Thanks so much for joining us today, Roseanne. Your interview answers were just terrific and I hope they can help others who read them today.
But that’s not all. We still have ONE final item left on the agenda. And that is THE GIVEAWAY!
GIVEAWAY PRIZE
Roseanne is offering the following giveaway prize:
Critique, feedback, and one revision review for a non-rhyming picture book under 1,000 words OR an above-the-slush submission to Blue Whale at any time. (Please make sure the story is a fit for the imprint). View sample books HERE.
The winner can choose either one. Please put “Chelsea’s World of Books Blog” in the subject line.
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
During the month of February 2024: Deadline: February 29th 2024 12PM CST
- Subscribe to the blog
- Like this blog post
- Comment below letting me know you’ve done BOTH. (Please note: If the guest is offering more than one prize, please specify which prize you’d like in your comment.)
And that’s it!
FAQ: What if I was already subscribed to the blog? Does that mean I won’t qualify for the Prize Giveaway? Not at all! If you subscribed before this month, all you’ll need to do is LIKE this Feature Interview and leave your COMMENT below this post, within the deadline (current month/year entry was posted).
Did you enjoy this interview? Thank the author & host by purchasing their book or requesting it be purchased by your local library! Already own a copy? Consider leaving a brief review. Using the sponsored links below not only supports the author, but helps support this blog.
Roseanne Frank Books
Children’s Books
- ALICE IN THE PALACE – 2023 (PURCHASE HERE)
- THE WITCHES’ DANCE – 2022 (PURCHASE HERE)
- LEGACY & LEGEND – 2022 (PURCHASE HERE)
Adult Books – Under RB Frank
- BITE SIZE READS – 2016 (PURCHASE HERE)
- KVETCH & SKETCH – 2022 (PURCHASE HERE)
Chelsea DiCicco’s Book
Celebrate Malory’s 3-year book birthday by purchasing your copy of ADHD and Me today!
Connect with Roseanne
Website: rbfrank.com
X (Twitter) @writingoutloud2
Instagram – @writingoutloud
Facebook – RBFrank
