The name of the contest attracted my attention. Sydney Taylor was author of the All-of-a-Kind Family books about a Jewish family living on New York's lower East Side. My daughter had loved those books. I believe she organized a dramatization of the story in her early elementary school classroom.
What made this competition priceless for me was that the judges sent to entrants their observations about the stories--the strengths and the weaknesses. The first opinion I read: "Bad title." Since the title at that time was The Chicken-Cheater, Duck Disasters (2), and the Rocky Road to Freedom, I couldn't disagree.
Then someone wrote: "Both boys and girls should like this but it might be too old-fashioned."
"Would like to see more creative chapter-titles." Hmmm...do I need chapter titles? was my reaction to that and out they went! Someone else thought a glossary for Yiddish terms was needed, which was definitely a good idea. I added one.
The compliments kept me from giving up on this book:
- "Writing is simple, clear, well-organized."
- "Writing is superior."
- "Characters are realistic and appealing."
- "Sweet simple story about a family settling in America. Subject matter is very creative."
- "The Jewish content, while present, is not dominant in this story. [the reviewer] has some reservations about giving the award to this book when other entrants of equal caliber present stronger Jewish themes." [This comment is a mixture of positive and negative but conveys that I was a contender, which made me very happy.]
- "Nice storyline with different problems and great solutions. Author did a great job integrating the themes of immigration, making friendships and dealing with being different, as well as the farm story."
Not winning truly didn't bother me. I hadn't expected to. The experience was as valuable as a semester's course--perhaps more, as it was specific to this work.
As one judge noted, the story was old-fashioned. More than one editor replied to my submission of this story something like: "strong writing but not for our list." I guessed that their list would welcome a dystopian young adult series that would sell a ton of copies. Duck Dreams wasn't that which is what made me turn to self-publishing. Never made a better decision, I think.
No doubt I lost the debate (we were going to a High School debating practice when we were hit), yet, I gained sooo much moe.
ReplyDeleteAwwwsome, girl. Now, lemme fill-you-up with MY sassy, savvy, insane-avant-gardeness nessesary to reach Seventh-Heaven, dear:
If I'm a sower, we plant the Seed; if I'm an artist, we write the Word...
Find-out where we went on our journey far, far away like the synonyMOUSE metaphors which shall creeep stealthily across thy brain bringing U.S. together;
And see if you cannot 'read-between-the-lines' -or- VERBUM SAT SAPIENTI (Latin: words to the wise): here's summore symbiotically-explosive-coolness done in sardonic satires when we passed-away.
Here's what the prolific, exquisite GODy sed: 'the more you shall honor Me, the more I shall bless you' -the Infant Jesus of Prague.
Go git'm, girl. You're incredible.
See you Upstairs...
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