Hi friends! Thanks for your patience awaiting a new blog post (and thank you for giving this DIY Author Visits post so much attention -- it's become one of the most popular posts in "The Writing Life" series).
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| "Secret Garden" in Bronze, by Mark Lundeen (seen in Golden, CO July, 2025) |
While the blog has been quiet, my cup has been overflowing with: spending time with family and enjoying summer travel; supporting the work of musical artists and other book creators; using my voice to support positive change and resist a growing number of deplorable actions by our current lawmakers; reading excellent books on craft (two recent favorites include Laura Stanfill's IMAGINE A DOOR and Maggie Smith's DEAR WRITER)...
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| Book Covers of Dear Writer (by Maggie Smith) and Imagine a Door (by Laura Stanfill) |
...sharing my own books with young readers at story time events; actively engaging in professional development communities such as SCBWI and 12X12; swapping critiques with longtime critique partners; revising several picture book manuscripts; journaling and finding my way into a new project; actively querying; responding to feedback opportunities related to the (fantastic!) artwork for my next book; and moving into pre-book-launch mode for that very same next book! Yep, another book is on the way, friends. At long last, MAMA'S HOME! is scheduled for release Fall 2026.
It's often said that bringing a new book into the world requires a great deal of patience and perseverance, and this book is no exception. When I say, "At long last," I mean at loonnnnngggg last. To give you a sense of what I mean by that, here's a behind-the-scenes look at the timeline for this story, from idea to (eventual!) publication:
-Initial idea comes to me as I'm watching my young son blissfully engage in imaginative play at our local children's museum. I scribble words onto a scrap of paper I find in my pocket and in notes on my (flip) phone. For context, that same son graduated from COLLEGE last year.
-I'm in love with the idea of a slice-of-life story about a joyful, play-filled, childhood, and begin formulating that idea into a poetic story about everyday, child-centered activities that bring joy into a child’s life. The story is tentatively entitled CHILDHOOD BLISS and is just over 40 words. I share it with my critique group multiple times.
-As the revision process unfolds, I begin to envision the story in a board book and/or a motion-oriented novelty book format that incorporates American Sign Language vocabulary, my original hook (spoiler alert: that particular hook/vision does not materialize).
-I get the manuscript into "shareable shape" and seek professional critiques at multiple SCBWI-Oregon events. The story and concept piques the interest of several acquiring editors that I meet during these events, and I begin submitting in early 2008 (this is not a typo).
-I have some great back-and-forth exchanges with multiple editors, (several of whom are now big names in the publishing industry--I won't name-drop, but trust me on this). This is back in the day of snail mail submissions with SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) enclosed for correspondence. Nearly every editor I write to back then writes back to me, often with a personalized response. I continue actively submitting throughout 2008 and feel like the manuscript is going to find a home, but alas, a contract offer does not materialize.
-Around this same time I sign my first book contract, which leads to 16 books in the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes series. For the next several years, most of my creative energy focuses on writing/revising/promoting the books in this series.
-In 2010, I occasionally revisit and tinker with my BLISS story. (And by tinker, I mean making REALLY minor changes, like changing the title from CHILDHOOD BLISS to A CHILD'S BLISS, lol!) I seek fresh feedback from my critique group and professional (and peer) critiques at SCBWI events. By this time, I am very focused on my Story Time books, so the creative energy for my BLISS project is quite limited.
-In 2011 and 2012, after the launch of eight additional books in the Story Time series, I once again revisit my BLISS manuscript, and decide it needs more layers and/or a new hook in order to become a book. I experiment with different ideas, and the manuscript evolves into a story about the joyful experience of spending time with an active and engaged grandparent. I focus the text on incorporating non-traditional activities shared between a child and an active, “Boomer” grandma. The story is tentatively re-titled GRANDMA'S HOUSE IS HAPPINESS. The core theme of a joyful, play-filled, childhood endures.
-2012-2017, I take the story through more rounds of critique with my critique group, and I periodically submit the story to various editors I meet at conferences and/or have developed relationships with over the years. No contract offers materialize. I file the story away, again.
-In 2015 I'm invited to participate in an anthology called OREGON READS ALOUD. This book launches in 2016. As a result of the promotional process for this book, I meet the team that will eventually acquire and publish my next three books: WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY?, WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY?, and LUCY'S BLOOMS. I focus my creative energy on writing/revising/promoting these new books (two of which are published in 2019 in a pre-pandemic environment, and the later in 2021, in a mid-pandemic environment).
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| Dawn holding her three latest books for WRAD 2025 event |
-2018-2021: My kids are now both away at college. I'm actively working on new stories, some of which are reflective of my current headspace as a mama whose children are now grown, and as an adult daughter who is caring for an aging mother. I once again pull out my beloved BLISS story from the file, and begin tinkering with it again; this time my tinkers are more robust. I begin re-shaping the poetic text into a story about sharing everyday, joyful activities with a parent who returns home after being away for an extended period of time. With this angle, the current title, MAMA'S HOME!, emerges, and I revise the story to incorporate the preparations for and anticipation of Mama’s return home.
-I am a stronger writer now. I take the story through more rounds of critique with my critique group. My beloved story idea has matured into a 90-word story, with a plot and an emotional story arc, but the reason Mama has been gone is still vague at this point. Through my engagement with the kidlit community, and specifically interviews with other authors for this very blog, I learn about Familius, the publisher who will eventually acquire MAMA'S HOME!
-In early May of 2021, I submit MAMAS HOME! to Familius. In late May of 2021, Christopher Robbins, the co-founder and publisher of Familius reaches out to me to request revisions. Specifically, the Familius team wonders if I might be open to a more specific reason for Mama being away—the arrival of a new sibling. This brings additional revisions that incorporate the anticipation and preparations for a new sibling along with Mama’s return and features activities that could be engaged in with an infant in tow. For this revision, I also look for opportunities to emphasize and lean into the enduring and evolving nature of the relationship between Mama and an older child. The core theme of a joyful, play-filled, childhood endures.
-In June of 2021, I send a revision to Familius, and Christopher circles back soon after to say that they like my revision! By mid-June, I have the pleasure of a engaging in a Zoom meeting with Christopher, and soon after, a draft contract is in my inbox. On July 26, 2021 I happily sign a contract with Familius for MAMA'S HOME!, with publication planned for 2024.
-The publishing industry begins what has become the familiar process of Wait. Wait. Wait. HURRY! HURRY! February of 2023, I learn that my book has been pushed back to Summer of 2025. In November of 2023, that date is shifted again, to Spring of 2026...and then Fall of 2026.
-October 2024, I learn that talks are underway with the potential illustrator for MAMA'S HOME! Yippee!! This means a book is really happening!!
-December 2024, I learn that Adèle Dafflon has been selected as the book's illustrator. Yay-Yay! Adele's work is full of color and joy. The decision is made to have two older siblings depicted in the illustrations. I love this idea. This is another element that makes the book unique--most "new sibling" books focus on one chid awaiting the arrival of another child. Also, most of these types of books focus on the adjustments required as a new child joins the family--this book keeps the primary focus on the close and enduring relationship between mother and child and the experience of being a contributing member of a loving and growing family. The story is still centered on the original, core theme of a joyful, play-filled, childhood.
-January 2025, I see character sketches for MAMA'S HOME! for the first time--I love them! I also meet, Leah, the editorial director who will now be overseeing this project. (The prior editorial director, Brooke, whom I've been in communication with since the original contract signing in 2021 is shifting to art directing at Familius, so she will still be involved in the project, but in a different role.)
-March 2025, I see story boards for the project and get an opportunity to provide feedback. I LOVE this part of the process. It is so cosmic to see my words become interpreted with illustrations.
-April 2025, I see the first samples of color art and again get an opportunity to provide feedback. I adore the art so much!
-June 2025, I see several more rounds of color art, and I learn that Leah will be leaving Familius. I meet Gretchen, who is the new editorial director. Some fine-tunes (with both text and illustrations are discussed). The book is really coming together now.
-July 2025, I'm asked to update my marketing Tip Sheet by the end of the following week (more on that in a future post), but OH BOY!, this means MAMA'S HOME! is now moving into the pre-marketing phase of the life cycle of a book. I'm so excited! I need to refresh my memory about what inspired me to write this story in the first place, so I can properly shift into the promotional phase of author life for this book)--and so, I research and begin to write this very blog post.
And here we are today, in the first week of August 2025, preparing for the planned release of MAMA'S HOME!, tentatively scheduled for publication in late August 2026. Patience and perseverance. Wait. Wait. Wait. HURRY-HURRY! That's the publishing industry in a nutshell, friends.
I cannot wait to share more of this sweet story with you! Watch this space (and follow me on Instagram), to keep up with more fun news in the weeks and months ahead! Thanks for joining on the path to publication for what will be my 20th book (21st if you count the anthology!)
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The Writing Life is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of over 20 books for young readers and the proud recipient of the esteemed “Pleasure Reading Award” (her most memorable 5th grade achievement). She has devoted her life’s work to initiatives that support literacy and the literary arts, including early literacy enrichment programs; school author visits; writing workshops; and her educational blog. Dawn’s work has been short-listed for the Oregon Book Award; she was named an Oregon Library Supporter of the Year for her library advocacy efforts; and she received the Walt Morey Award in recognition of significant contributions that have enriched Oregon’s young readers. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.
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