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RACE CAR DREAMS Blog Party: DAY 1 VROOM!

9/16/2016

11 Comments

 
Picture
(C) Dave Mottram, Running Press Kids, 2016

Introducing...
SHARON CHRISCOE: A Vrooming KidLit Author 


PicturePhoto Credit: Tilley's Photography Studio
How did you turn RACE CAR DREAMS into a reality--from idea to completed manuscript?

A couple years ago while I was reading the super-talented Jane Yolen’s HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOODNIGHT? for around the tenth time, I found myself wanting my very own unique twist on a bedtime story. After much brainstorming, and some trial and error, it hit me . . . full throttle! A race car! Kids love race cars and I had never read about a race car getting ready for bed. I spent the next few weeks in my mobile office drafting those first words. 

Yep. That’s right, my office is not only mobile but it’s the passenger seat of a bread truck in which I work alongside my super supportive husband on our bread route. 

It took almost another year of tweaking the story, revision after revision, draft after draft (nearly 50 in total!) before Race Car became a book that was submission worthy. And I am so thankful to my wonderful critique partners and the SCBWI Blueboard members that encouraged me and helped me to get him all polished and shined.    

How did this manuscript help you snag your agent and what's it been like working with her?

I first submitted to my amazing agent, Jessica Sinsheimer through a referral. Once I hit Send on RACE CAR DREAMS, it all happened very fast. Jessica read it and immediately asked to see more of my work, which I excitedly sent along right away. At race track speed in the world of publishing, Jessica emailed me within three days asking for a phone call.

Our call took place a few days later and Jessica and I had an immediate connection. She was so wonderful and fun to talk with, and she really loved RACE CAR DREAMS! I knew right then that she was the agent for me.

Working with Jessica this past year and a half has been fabulous! She’s a very hands-on agent who cares about her clients, gives fantastic editorial advice, and has encouraged me as a writer to grow, try new ideas, and even stretch into new genres. Not only have I gained a wonderful agent, I have also gained a terrific friend. 

What was it like working with your editor at Running Press? 

Working with Marlo Scrimizzi on RACE CAR DREAMS was a blast! She’s such a lovely person! Her vision for RACE CAR DREAMS was wonderful and her editorial suggestions were brilliant. Within no time, we had RACE CAR at his top speed and ready to hand off to the illustrator. 

I was sad to hear she was leaving, but happy for her in her new role at the same time. Marlo was wonderful in reassuring me that the new editor was fantastic and that Race Car and myself would be in great hands. And I did get to say goodbye to her over the phone, which was really nice. 

What went through your mind when your editor changed, but how did it all work out?

One word--PANIC! A million thoughts rushed through my head. What if the new editor didn’t like me? What if she didn’t like my writing? Thankfully, I had my agent, my family, and my friends to calm me and tell me that everything was going to be okay. 

And guess what! It was! My new editor, Julie Matysik, has been a delight to work with. She is smart and fun and all sorts of awesome! She vroomed right up to the starting line and loved RACE CAR as much as all of us! And she wasted no time in getting book two underway. In fact, she was a key person in deciding what book two would be about. Julie and my publisher had a fun discussion about what types of vehicles would make for a great book two. They sent me a couple of titles and BULLDOZER DREAMS was one of them. When I read that title, my instant thoughts were “A Bulldozer! YES! I want to do that!” Now BULLDOZER DREAMS is with the illustrator—I can hardly wait to see the proofs! 

I consider myself to be a very lucky author in having the privilege to work with both of these amazingly talented, great editors.

When you first saw the illustrations for RACE CAR DREAMS, how did it make you feel? 

Awestruck, to say the least. Seeing the vivid expressions of Race Car, his library inside a tree, his toy wrench, the warm shades of blue and purple, and the adorable teal color with the bold orange striping and number two of Race Car was nothing short of outstanding illustrating. He is just the most adorable little car I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t be happier!

Tell us about your little toy car that will be used for future RACE CAR DREAMS book events.

Thank you so much for asking about him! Last year when Running Press Kids bought RACE CAR DREAMS, I mentioned to my husband about getting a wooden cut out of a car and painting it to look like Race Car for photo opts for book events. Well . . . my husband loved the idea but he actually thought we should take it up a few octane notches. He suggested that we find a real battery operated car and have it painted to look like Race Car. And that’s exactly what we did!
 
We found a vintage 1970’s Beetle. It was in need of a little work and at first he didn’t even run. Thank goodness, my husband is quite handy when it comes to working on pretty much anything because the little car actually needing rewiring and new pedals installed. Once he finally was fully operational with his engine, headlights, and a horn! it was time to get him off to the paint shop. We can’t wait to share him with the kids at the events and hope that they love him as much as we do. You can see pictures of his transformation on my blog. 


Sharon Chriscoe may not vroom around a race track, but she does zip and zoom around in a bread truck with her husband, Ricky. Fueled with fresh bread, snacks, and writing tools, Sharon has made this her mobile office! She and her husband live in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina. They have three children, one grandchild on the way, and an assortment of dogs, cats, bunnies and occasionally a groundhog. Sharon is the author of THE SPARROW AND THE TREES (Arbordale Publishing, 2015) and a forthcoming companion book to RACE CAR DREAMS titled BULLDOZER DREAMS (Running Press Kids, Fall 2017). In addition to her picture books, she is a contributor to several magazines such as Highlights High Five, Highlights Hello, and The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids. Sharon is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature. She is represented by Jessica Sinsheimer of the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. Sharon can be found online at SharonChriscoeBooks.com and blogging HERE.

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PUBLISHER'S BLURB:
After a day at the track of zipping and zooming, a race car is tired and ready for bed. He washes his rims, fills his tummy with oil, and chooses a book that is all about speed. All toasty and warm, he drifts off to sleep, he shifts into gear . . . and dreams of the race!

RACE CAR DREAMS is a delightful, bedtime tale written by Sharon Chriscoe, illustrated by Dave Mottram and published by Running Press Kids (September 2016).

11 Comments
Miriam Spitzer Franklin
9/16/2016 07:19:35 am

Sharon, I loved reading the background behind this picture book-- sounds adorable! AND I totally love the Beetle racecar, how fun!!

Reply
Sharon Chriscoe link
9/16/2016 01:34:26 pm

Thank you so much Miriam! The little car was actually my husband's idea. We've had tons of fun with it for sure!!

Reply
Sharon Chriscoe link
9/16/2016 08:14:21 am

Thank you so much for hosting this blog party, Dionna! It's been tons of fun!

Reply
Dionna
9/16/2016 12:54:03 pm

My pleasure, Sharon! Honored to add my shout to the celebratory noise that is sure to go up for that adorable little Race Car! VROOM!

Reply
Mirka Breen link
9/16/2016 09:09:44 am

I get a kick out of seeing a book about a race car published by RUNNING Press... Fortuitous, isn't it? Sharon's vroomming energy comes through in this interview, no doubt to a glorious race to the finish line.

Reply
Sharon Chriscoe link
9/16/2016 01:35:38 pm

Aw! Thanks Mirka! And ha! Yes, RUNNING Press most certainly is the perfect publisher for this little racer.

Reply
Vijaya link
9/16/2016 09:21:49 am

Sharon, your whole journey sounds so much fun and is very inspiring. I love how involved your family is with everything and someday I want to see that spruced up Beetle in person! I can't wait for my little great-niece and -nephew to have RACECAR in their hands. Congratulations!!!!!

Reply
Sharon Chriscoe link
9/16/2016 01:37:54 pm

Aw! Thank you Vijaya! Yes, I am one lucky author to have such a wonderful supportive family! And you most definitely need to come see the spruced up Beetle some day!

Reply
Dionna
9/16/2016 12:56:10 pm

Sharon, just had to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your replies for this interview. Your success is proof that hard work pays off in the end!

Reply
Sharon Chriscoe link
9/16/2016 01:39:38 pm

Aw! Thank you SO much Dionna!! You are so awesome to host such a super fun blog party!! It's be a blast!

Reply
Marcia Strykowski link
9/22/2016 11:45:44 am

Wonderful interview! Congratulations on all your successes, Sharon!

Reply

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    About Me

    I am a children's book author who loves learning about lesser known individuals shining in the margins of African American history. My debut novel for young readers, Mama's Chicken & Dumplings (Margaret Ferguson Books, 2024), received a starred review from Shelf Awareness and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection. I am 
    represented by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.


    Copying, reposting, or otherwise republishing anything on this blog without permission is strictly prohibited.

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