Welcome to our Thanksgiving Week Coffee Chat!
Our guest is children's author Randi Lynn Mrvos with her picture book, Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell.
Great to meet you, Randi. How do you take your coffee?
RLM: I’ll have a cappuccino, please.
Ally: Let me confer with the magic pot just a moment, and we'll fix you up. Meanwhile, please tell readers something about yourself.
Our guest is children's author Randi Lynn Mrvos with her picture book, Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell.
Great to meet you, Randi. How do you take your coffee?
RLM: I’ll have a cappuccino, please.
Ally: Let me confer with the magic pot just a moment, and we'll fix you up. Meanwhile, please tell readers something about yourself.
About the Author:
I am the editor of the Kid’s Imagination Train e-zine and a former consultant for Pearson Digital Learning. My articles have been published in children’s magazines like Fun for Kidz, Appleseeds, and Highlights for Children as well as for Mothering magazine and The Christian Science Monitor.
Something that isn't in your regular bio: "I thought writing a picture book was difficult. But, finding a publisher was even more difficult. Now, I am finding that marketing my book is the most difficult and challenging part of being a writer."
Author Links:
http://www.randilynnmrvos.com
https://twitter.com/RandiLynnMrvos
https://www.facebook.com/randi.mrvos
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36122433-maggie-and-the-summer-vacation-show-and-tell?ac=1&from_search=true
https://www.amazon.com/Randi-Lynn-Mrvos/e/B00CNE6L18/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
I am the editor of the Kid’s Imagination Train e-zine and a former consultant for Pearson Digital Learning. My articles have been published in children’s magazines like Fun for Kidz, Appleseeds, and Highlights for Children as well as for Mothering magazine and The Christian Science Monitor.
Something that isn't in your regular bio: "I thought writing a picture book was difficult. But, finding a publisher was even more difficult. Now, I am finding that marketing my book is the most difficult and challenging part of being a writer."
Author Links:
http://www.randilynnmrvos.com
https://twitter.com/RandiLynnMrvos
https://www.facebook.com/randi.mrvos
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36122433-maggie-and-the-summer-vacation-show-and-tell?ac=1&from_search=true
https://www.amazon.com/Randi-Lynn-Mrvos/e/B00CNE6L18/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
INTERVIEW:
Ally: What was your journey to publication, including bumps and missteps?
RLM: Way back in 1995, I was inspired to write for kids after reading picture books to my newborn daughter. Back then, I took writing classes, read books on the craft of writing for kids, joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and attended workshops and conferences, all of which helped me create award-winning picture book manuscripts. One of these stories, Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell won three writing prizes. Unfortunately, it was constantly rejected for publication. After the 50th rejection, I shelved the piece. Fast forward six years. I hired editorial consultant Mary Kole to help me with a new manuscript. As part of the services, she offered to critique three query letters. I dug out the query for Maggie and then re-read the story. Surprisingly, I still liked it. Then I realized—the piece was too long. After cutting 500 words, I re-submitted Maggie to five more publishers. A month later, Saturn’s Moon Press sent me a contract.
Ally: Since you're featuring Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell on the blog this week, fill in these facts about your main character.
a. age, gender: six-year-old girl
b. color of hair and eyes: red curly hair, brown eyes
c. level of education and/or training: first-grader
d. favorite color: green
e. style of clothes: casual
f. pets: a rescue dog named Trooper
Ally: And why do you think readers will care about her?
RLM: Maggie is a spunky first-grader. All of her classmates have exciting souvenirs to bring to school for the summer vacation show-and-tell, but she is the only student who doesn’t have anything to share. Maggie and her family didn’t travel over the school break. The day is nearly over and Maggie is in tears, until she remembers she can bring something special to school.
Ally: How did you choose the book's title?
RLM: The title for Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell actually changed four times. It was originally called Maggie and the Third Grade Blues. In the end, I opted for a more descriptive title.
Ally: Tell us about your favorite hobby (non-writing).
RLM: Actually, I have two hobbies—taking ballet and learning French. Ballet is a good workout, both physically and mentally (you’ve got to remember all the intricate steps at the barre and during center work) And what can I say about French? Oh, la, la! J’adore la langue (I love the language). One day, my husband and I would like to live in southern France.
Ally: What is next on your writing agenda? Release date?
RLM: My next writing project is the sequel to Maggie, starring our little redhead and a very cute cat (fashioned after my cat Ozzie). Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell was released August 23, 2017, so it will be a while.
Ally: And now answer your own set of quick questions.
PSST - Hey, readers, doesn't this look like a terrific gift for the holidays? Just saying.
Ally: What was your journey to publication, including bumps and missteps?
RLM: Way back in 1995, I was inspired to write for kids after reading picture books to my newborn daughter. Back then, I took writing classes, read books on the craft of writing for kids, joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and attended workshops and conferences, all of which helped me create award-winning picture book manuscripts. One of these stories, Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell won three writing prizes. Unfortunately, it was constantly rejected for publication. After the 50th rejection, I shelved the piece. Fast forward six years. I hired editorial consultant Mary Kole to help me with a new manuscript. As part of the services, she offered to critique three query letters. I dug out the query for Maggie and then re-read the story. Surprisingly, I still liked it. Then I realized—the piece was too long. After cutting 500 words, I re-submitted Maggie to five more publishers. A month later, Saturn’s Moon Press sent me a contract.
Ally: Since you're featuring Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell on the blog this week, fill in these facts about your main character.
a. age, gender: six-year-old girl
b. color of hair and eyes: red curly hair, brown eyes
c. level of education and/or training: first-grader
d. favorite color: green
e. style of clothes: casual
f. pets: a rescue dog named Trooper
Ally: And why do you think readers will care about her?
RLM: Maggie is a spunky first-grader. All of her classmates have exciting souvenirs to bring to school for the summer vacation show-and-tell, but she is the only student who doesn’t have anything to share. Maggie and her family didn’t travel over the school break. The day is nearly over and Maggie is in tears, until she remembers she can bring something special to school.
Ally: How did you choose the book's title?
RLM: The title for Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell actually changed four times. It was originally called Maggie and the Third Grade Blues. In the end, I opted for a more descriptive title.
Ally: Tell us about your favorite hobby (non-writing).
RLM: Actually, I have two hobbies—taking ballet and learning French. Ballet is a good workout, both physically and mentally (you’ve got to remember all the intricate steps at the barre and during center work) And what can I say about French? Oh, la, la! J’adore la langue (I love the language). One day, my husband and I would like to live in southern France.
Ally: What is next on your writing agenda? Release date?
RLM: My next writing project is the sequel to Maggie, starring our little redhead and a very cute cat (fashioned after my cat Ozzie). Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell was released August 23, 2017, so it will be a while.
Ally: And now answer your own set of quick questions.
- a. favorite book: To name a few: The Things They Carried, Life of Pi, Middlesex, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, I Want My Hat Back, Pandora
- b. favorite book boyfriend: ah…Mr. Darcy. Need I say more?
- c. Your pets: Ozzie, a black and gray striped rescue cat
- d. favorite after five drink: Amoretto sour
- e. favorite (dream) place to write: in a cozy mountain cabin
PSST - Hey, readers, doesn't this look like a terrific gift for the holidays? Just saying.
Book Blurb:
Maggie has a big problem…it’s time for summer vacation show-and-tell…what does she have to show for her summer adventure? Maggie and the Summer Vacation Show-and-Tell is an extraordinary story of a little girl’s discovery. Author Randi Lynn Mrvos uses this story to show children that sometimes blessings come in mysterious disguises. If you stop and look around, you will see!
Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXLQ4AiU2jE&t=6s
Buy Link: autographed books may be purchased at www.randilynnmrvos.com
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Summer-Vacation-Show-Tell/dp/0998893277/
Barnes and Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maggie-and-the-summer-vacation-show-and-tell-randi-lynn-mrvos/1127009984?ean=9780998893273
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