Color Me a Kidlit Writer
  • Home
  • My Books & Such
  • Credits
  • Clips
  • Interviews, Blog Parties & More

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.

Picture
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

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    About Me

    Dionna is a spinner of children's yarns, a weaver of nonfiction, and a forever-learner enrolled in the Institute of Imaginative Thinking. Her kidlit work has appeared on the pages of  Cricket, Spider, and Ladybug. As a work-for-hire author, she's written projects for Scholastic, Lerner, Capstone, Little, Brown and other educational publishers. Her middle-grade, MAMA'S CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS, will be released by Holiday House come 2024. An SCBWI member since 2005, Dionna is represented by ​Kelly Dyksterhouse and 
    Jacqui Lipton of The Tobias Literary Agency.


    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    February 2015
    May 2014
    March 2014
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All
    Abigail Halpin
    A Big Mooncake For Little Star
    Abrams Books For Young Readers
    Adriann Ranta Zurhellen
    African Art By Children
    Aladdin Pix
    Albert Whitman & Company
    Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs
    Alfred A. Knopf
    Alice Ratterree
    Alvina Ling
    Alyssa Bermudez
    Amy Harding
    Amy Lee-Tai
    Andrea Beatriz Arango
    Andrea Brown Literary
    Angela Dominguez
    Angie Arnett
    Angie Miles
    Angie Smibert
    Anna Staniszewski
    Anne Marie Pace
    Anne Moore Armstrong
    Annual Virginia Book Events
    A POEM GROWS INSIDE YOU
    Arrows
    Arthur Levine Books
    Art-Themed Challenges
    Ashley Spires
    Ashley Walker
    Autism Picture Book
    Bagram Ibatoulline
    Barb McNally
    Barb Rosenstock
    Beach Lane Books
    Ben Franklin's Big Splash
    Blink YA Books
    Blog Hop
    Blog Parties
    BO AT THE BUZZ
    Book Launch Parties
    Book Trailers
    Boyds Mills And Kane
    Boyds Mills Press
    BRAVE BALLERINA
    Brenda Woods
    Brian Rock
    Bright Literary Agency
    Brown Books For Young Readers
    Busy Eyed Day
    Busy-Eyed Day
    Calkin's Creek
    Callie C. Miller
    Candlewick Press
    Capstone
    Carina Povarchik
    Caroline McPherson
    Cetologist
    Changes In Publishing
    Charlie & Frog
    Charlottesville Illustrator
    Chronicle Books
    C. M. Surrisi
    Colleen Muske
    Colleen Paeff
    Confetti Kids
    Content Editor
    Coping Skills School-aged Children
    Copyeditors
    Coyote Moon
    Craft Of Storytelling
    Craft Of Writing
    Crenshaw
    Cricket Magazine Contributor
    Critiquing
    Crossover
    Cyndi Marko
    Cynthia Cliff
    Daniel Bernstrom
    Daniel Nayeri
    Dave Mottram
    Dawn P. Noren
    Deaf Main Characters
    Deborah Diner
    Deborah Prum
    Dionna Mann
    Dish Up A Reading Delight
    Disney-Hyperion
    Dolores Andral
    Donna & Libby Farrell
    Don Tate
    Doris Kutschbach
    Ebony Glenn
    Eerdmans Books For Young Readers
    Elliott Smith
    Engaging The Audience
    Erica Perl
    Erin Murphy
    Erin Murphy Literary Agency
    Ethan Suspended
    Eucalyptus Tree
    EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY
    Fall 2020 Virtual Kidlit Events
    Farrar Straus And Giroux
    Fearless Public Speaking
    Feiwel & Friends
    Felicia Macheske
    Fine Art Raven Photographer
    Flashlight Night
    Fort Building Time
    Foundry Literary + Media
    Four Beautiful Picture Book Biographies
    Fran Cannon Slayton
    Frann Preston Gannon
    Frann Preston-Gannon
    Fred Koehler
    From My Notes
    Garvey's Choice
    Getty Publications
    GIFTS OF THE MAGPIE
    Good Illustration Ltd.
    Grace Lin
    Grammar Tip
    Great Nocturnal Book For Kids
    Growing Up Pedro
    Hannah Barnaby
    HarperCollins
    HB Steadham
    Heather Brockman Lee
    Highlighter SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Newsletter
    Holly Webb
    Holt Books For Young Readers
    Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
    How To Draw A Lion
    I Love My Library
    Interviews
    Iris Deppe
    IVELIZ EXPLAINS IT ALL
    Jacqueline Jules
    Jacques Kaufmann
    Jacqui Lipton
    Jen Malia
    Jennifer Elvgren
    Jennifer Laughran
    Jennifer Unter
    Jen Shulman
    Jess Brailler
    Jessica Sinsheimer
    Jewell Parker Rhodes
    Joanie Stone
    Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
    John Parra
    John Platt
    Joy Jones
    Julia Kuo
    Julie Matysik
    Jump Back Paul
    Jumpy Jack & Googily
    June Hunter
    Kara Reynolds
    Kar-Ben Publishing
    Karen Kane
    Karen Nagel
    Kate Testerman
    Katherine Applegate
    Kathleen Kellett
    Kathleen Rushall
    Kathryn Erskine
    Katrin Dreiling
    Kell Andrews
    Kelly Dyksterhouse
    Kellye Crocker
    KidLit411
    Kidlit Agent
    Kidlit Art Director
    Kidlit Artist
    Kidlit Author
    Kidlit Author & Illustrator
    Kidlit Book Designer
    Kidlit Coauthors
    KidLit C'Ville Blog Party
    Kidlit Editors
    KidLit Events
    Kidlit Events 2021
    Kidlit Events 2022
    Kidlit Reviews
    Kid Reviewer
    Kids Can Press
    Killer Whales
    Kristen-Paige Madonia
    Kwame Alexander
    Kweli: The Color Of Children's Literature Conference
    Ladybug Magazine
    Laura Lyn DiSiena
    Law And Authors: A Legal Handbook For Writers
    Leah Henderson
    Leaving Room For The Illustrator
    Lee & Low Books
    Lerner
    Leslie Stall Widener
    Less Is More
    Lilliput
    Lily's New Home
    Linda Pratt
    Lindsey McDivitt
    LIONS & CHEETAHS & RHINOS! OH MY!
    Literary Agent Interviews
    Little
    Little Brown Books For Young Readers
    Liza Wiemer
    Lois Sepahban
    London
    Lynne Chapman
    Madeline
    Madelyn Rosenberg
    Making It (not Too) Personal Query Etiquette
    Mama's Chicken & Dumplings
    Marc Boston
    Marfe Delano
    Margaret Ferguson
    Margaret Ferguson Books
    Maria Gianferrari
    Marvelous Cornelius
    Marvelous Cornelius Blog Party
    Mary Amato
    Maryland Kidlit Events
    Mary Rand Hess
    Matt Forest Esenwine
    Maverick Children's Books
    Megan Wagner Lloyd
    Meg Medina
    Meg Medina's One-Minute Writing Tips
    Melissa Gorzelanczyk
    Melissa Manlove
    Michael J Rosen
    Michelle Meadows
    Middle-grade
    Moira Donohue
    My Work
    Nancy Carpenter
    Nancy Paulsen Books
    Nedda Lewers
    Nikki Grimes
    NOAA Scientist
    Olga M. Herrera
    Olivia Hinebaugh
    One Day In The Eucalyptus
    One Good Deed
    ORCAS By Dionna L. Mann
    Pam Ehrenberg
    Paper Wishes
    Paper Wishes Blog Party
    Paula Yoo
    Peachtree Publishers
    Personal Rejections
    Phil Bildner
    Picture Book About Change And Grief
    Picture Book Biography
    Picture Books
    PJ Books
    Planting Parsley
    Poet: Remarkable Story Of George Moses Horton
    POV
    Prestel Junior
    Proofreading
    Queries
    Query Kombat
    Query Kombat 2018 Grand Champion
    Race Car Dreams Blog Party
    Random House/Delacorte
    Rashin Kheiriyeh
    Raven Quill Literary Agency
    Rejections
    Renee Graef
    Return To The Secret Garden
    Roberta Pressel
    Rosie McCormick
    Running Press
    Ryan Hayes
    Saffron Ice Cream
    Sairom Moon
    Sam Gayton
    Sam Hundley
    Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency
    Sara Holmes
    SASE
    Scholastic Press
    School Visits
    Scott DuBar
    Scrap Artist
    S.D. Schindler
    Sensory Issues
    Seth Fishman
    Sharon Chriscoe
    Shirley Ng-Benitez
    Short Pump Bump!
    Simon & Schuster
    Sleeping Bear Press
    Slush Piles
    SOLO
    Sonia Sanchez
    Sourcebooks
    SparkNotes
    Spencer Hill Contemporary
    Spooky Cheetah Press
    Spring 2021 Kidlit Events
    Stan Fellows
    Stephanie Fitzgerald
    Susan Bartoletti
    Susan Batori
    Susan VanHecke
    Susan Wood
    Suzie Townsend
    Swenke Elementary Book Trailer Crew
    Sylvia Liu
    Tag Your Dreams
    Tami Traylor
    Teresa Bonnadio
    Terrible Typhoid Mary
    Terri Fields
    The 24/7s
    The Amazing Age Of John Roy Lynch
    The Boney Hand
    The Crossover Review
    THE GREAT STINK
    The Innovative Press
    The Most Magnificent Thing
    Therese Makes A Tapestry
    The Tale Of Rescue
    THE WILD GARDEN
    The Word: A Storytelling Sanctuary
    This Little Piggy: An Owner Manual
    This Little Piggy Has A Blog Party
    Thread Of Love
    Tillmon County Fire
    Tips For Book Events
    Tom Angleberger
    Tom Birdseye
    Towers Falling
    Trombone Shorty
    Uwe Stender
    Virginia Festival Of The Book
    Virginia KidLit Events
    Virginia Literary Events
    Virtual Bookish Events
    Want To Play?
    Wendy Shang
    Winter 2021 Virtual Book Events
    Wordsong
    Work For Hire
    Writing Advice
    Writing Process
    Writing Quotes
    WV Kidlit Events
    Yaroslava Apollonova
    Zara González Hoang
    Zara González Hoang
    Zoe In Wonderland