(C) Frann Preston-Gannon
Welcoming Busy-Eyed Kidlit Agent!
Linda Pratt
When you first received the manuscript for BUSY-EYED DAY, what did you love about it?
I was drawn to the simplicity of Anne Marie’s text that is so beautifully crafted to make for a really fun read-aloud experience. There is such a lovely, joyful rhythm to the words.
What changes did you request from Anne Marie before you started the submission process?
I didn’t request any changes to the text. This was a text that Anne Marie had written when we first began working together. I sent it out to some places, but the thing that both she and I loved about it, i.e. the simplicity and joy of the text, were thought to be too slim at the time. So the manuscript was shelved for a good long while because trying to address that concern would change so much that it would become a different story.
Do tell your thought process regarding which editor you would send it to. Why were you pleased that Andrea Welch wanted to acquire it?
The funny thing is the idea of pairing Anne Marie and her editor, Andrea Welch came before the idea of sharing this particular text. Andrea had considered a number of Anne Marie’s manuscripts over the years, and she always made clear that she was a fan of Anne Marie’s style even though the right fit hadn’t been found. I had a good idea of what Andrea might respond to at the time we submitted BUSY-EYED DAY. I was on the phone with Anne Marie describing what I thought that was, and it was Anne Marie, not me, who said, “OK, what do you think about BUSY-EYED DAY?” I immediately thought, “Of course!” so I sent it to Andrea straight away. Andrea got back to me that same day, and she said “I love this!”.
When you first saw the ARC of BUSY-EYED DAY, what did you love about it?
I love that the cover captures the wonderment that is at the heart of the story. I also love the warmth of the family that comes through so clearly in Frann Preston-Gannon’s illustrations.
What do you hope children will take away from this book?
To use their eyes to notice the small things that we encounter in our day-to-day lives, things that are ordinary and extraordinary all at once.
I was drawn to the simplicity of Anne Marie’s text that is so beautifully crafted to make for a really fun read-aloud experience. There is such a lovely, joyful rhythm to the words.
What changes did you request from Anne Marie before you started the submission process?
I didn’t request any changes to the text. This was a text that Anne Marie had written when we first began working together. I sent it out to some places, but the thing that both she and I loved about it, i.e. the simplicity and joy of the text, were thought to be too slim at the time. So the manuscript was shelved for a good long while because trying to address that concern would change so much that it would become a different story.
Do tell your thought process regarding which editor you would send it to. Why were you pleased that Andrea Welch wanted to acquire it?
The funny thing is the idea of pairing Anne Marie and her editor, Andrea Welch came before the idea of sharing this particular text. Andrea had considered a number of Anne Marie’s manuscripts over the years, and she always made clear that she was a fan of Anne Marie’s style even though the right fit hadn’t been found. I had a good idea of what Andrea might respond to at the time we submitted BUSY-EYED DAY. I was on the phone with Anne Marie describing what I thought that was, and it was Anne Marie, not me, who said, “OK, what do you think about BUSY-EYED DAY?” I immediately thought, “Of course!” so I sent it to Andrea straight away. Andrea got back to me that same day, and she said “I love this!”.
When you first saw the ARC of BUSY-EYED DAY, what did you love about it?
I love that the cover captures the wonderment that is at the heart of the story. I also love the warmth of the family that comes through so clearly in Frann Preston-Gannon’s illustrations.
What do you hope children will take away from this book?
To use their eyes to notice the small things that we encounter in our day-to-day lives, things that are ordinary and extraordinary all at once.
(C) Frann Preston-Gannon Linda Pratt and friend and colleague, Marcia Wernick, established the Wernick & Pratt Agency in 2011. The agency represents authors and illustrators of children’s books with a focus on attending to their long-term careers and goals. Our clients range from award-winners and bestsellers to new and emerging talents. Among Linda’s clients are Richard Peck, Kathryn Erskine, Aaron Becker, Steve Light, Lita Judge, Anne Marie Pace, and LeUyen Pham, among others. Linda is a member of SCBWI and AAR, and has also served on the Rutgers Council for Children’s Literature, which plans the annual Rutgers One-on-One Mentoring Conference for five years. www.wernickpratt.com
BUSY-EYED DAY is a rhyming and richly illustrated picture book that celebrates the act of being observant and enjoying the magnificence found in the everyday world, perfect for the youngest of readers. It is written by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon, and published by Simon & Schuster, with a release date of April 10. 2018.
Order your copy of BUSY-EYED DAY from an indie near you.
Order your copy of BUSY-EYED DAY from an indie near you.
