Three Children’s Literary Blogs: One Book
And now, a public service announcement from your local blog:
What this video may fail to explain in detail is the nature of this announcement. Here are the salient facts, as we know them at this time.
1. A couple months ago I contacted Jules Danielson of the magnificent Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast and Peter Sieruta of Collecting Children’s Books and asked them the following question: Would you like to write a book with me?
2. They said yes.
3. Over the next few months we hammered out a proposal, including summaries, a sample chapter, the works.
4. Having finished it, here is a quick look at what the book is about:
" . . . we take an irreverent, but affectionate, look at the world of children’s books, noting how this once niche market has, in recent years, achieved mainstream interest and appeal. The wide-ranging text examines the history of subversive books (sometimes it’s all about who gets to eat and who gets eaten), uncovers a few literary mysteries (what, exactly, is inside the real Winnie-the-Pooh’s gastro-intestinal tract?), and delivers the scoop on nasty little things that cagey writers have slipped right past their editors. We’ll also tell you which author murdered her mum and which one wrote hardcore porn. There are tales about famous feuds and lawsuits, information on banned books, and descriptions of titles that were quietly changed after publication to remove offensive stereotypes. Oh, and did you know that Courtney Love’s grandmother is an award-winning children’s writer?"
5. Happy happy very happy ending: Our book has been acquired by Candlewick. Our editor, I am also entirely thrilled to report, is even Associate Publisher and Editorial Director Liz Bicknell herself!
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6. This deal was brokered by my fantastic agent Stephen Barbara, who now represents Jules and Peter, as well as myself. Stephen is brilliant, broke his back over this thing, and is even a spiffy writer in his own right. If you haven’t read his recent Publishers Weekly article, How Stephenie Meyer Cramps My Style then you are missing out.
And that is that! From our three blog platforms we cast a wide net. It’s my own little dreamteam of co-authors. Together, we are going to write a fantastic book. A book like no other out there. Keep an eye peeled for it in the future and be sure to check out their blogs for similar announcements.
Filed under: Uncategorized

About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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Who wrote hardcore porn??? Courtney Love’s grandmother wrote children’s books?
Congratulations, Betsy, Jules, and Peter!!!
Congrats again, fellow Sis of F and C.
Congrats to all three of you — fabulous idea (in fact, exceeded only by the news itself :))!
That is going to be one gem of a book – congratulations!!
Congratulations! Look forward to reading your book!
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read it, so start writing!
Hey–my father was International Kite Flying Champion. Does that count?
I got stories.
Congratulations. That’s a book I will get for ME.
Jane
Congratulations!! It’s going to be beyond awesome. Me love irreverence. 🙂
Fabulous news! Congratulations!
Congratulations! This is some of the best holiday news ever!
Congrats! A team-up for the ages. Can’t wait to read the results.
I can’t wait.
Hmmm…It seems as if my past life in Austria has finally caught up with me.
Can’t wait to read it!
Hurray! (Anne Perry murdered her mum- can’t think of anyone else but I am sure there is.)
Sounds fabulous – can’t wait! Congratulations to all of you!
add my well-wishes to the heap!
Sounds like a fun read!
My three favorite bloggers all in one place. Providence I tell you. Congratulations!
Ha! What a great way to announce terrific news. Congratulations–can’t wait!
CONGRATULATIONS, BETSY! What tremendous news.
Sneak preview: Sadly enough, the answers to the teaser questions “which children’s author wrote hardcore porn?” and “what is inside the real Winnie-the-Pooh’s gastro-intestinal tract?” are very much related.
Very cool! Congratulations to all of you!!
Sounds great! Congratulations!!
I do wish I’d had something salacious and interesting to add to this book — alas, I’m boring! But I can’t wait to read the dirt on everyone else!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS. Jules was an awesome choice for this project and I look forward to reading something from Peter as well.
Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to the three of you!! That is SO exciting. Oh my goodness.
yay! mazel tov! the book sounds like tons of fun.
Congratulations! How exciting.