A couple of weeks ago I attended the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference in Pittsburgh. It was my first conference and I was not disappointed. I felt like I was really part of a community of like-minded people, all gathered to share and learn. In addition to attending several panels led by editors and agents, one of my favorite parts of the day was meeting fellow members who have successfully published their work.

Several of these published authors brought their books to sell and as I walked by the tables, one book in particular caught my attention because the author had set out a binder of her research materials. As a history buff and historical fiction fan, I was drawn to this binder of newspaper clippings, transcripts, photos and other examples of investigation and discovery. The book is called Prisoner 88, based on the true story of 10-year old prisoner in Idaho during the 1880s. The author is Leah Pileggi.

Thank you to Leah for taking the time to share some of her insight into writing books, her road to getting published and advice for all of us on the journey.

Learn more about what Leah is up to on her website and on Twitter.


Where is your home base? 

I live in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, but I grew up in Kane, Pennsylvania, the “Ice Box” of Pennsylvania. It’s a tiny town in the middle of the Allegheny National Forest, and it’s generally the coldest place in the state. And I thought everybody grew up watching logging competitions!

Tell us a little bit about your writing life.

I generally write in my study next to bookcases stuffed with children’s books and writing resources and story ideas. I write every day, but the amount varies. When I’m in the middle of a book project, I generally work on that first. I might also write a journal entry, a Facebook post, a letter to the editor. This morning, I wrote a dialogue between two of the characters in my novel just to see how they would talk about a certain subject. It might or might not become part of the book.

Prisoner88_Final_CVR_300 (2)What inspired you to write Prisoner 88? How long did it take you to research and write it?

Prisoner 88  was a story that was waiting for me to find it. I heard about a 10-year-old prisoner in the 1880s when I took a tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise. Nobody had researched the boy, so I got to do all of the digging. I worked (from Pittsburgh) with the Idaho Historical Society and consulted lots of experts:  hog farmers, an Idaho judge/historian, an Old Pen historian, and descendants of the boy. I studied Mormon publications and histories of Chinese in the Old West. I read newspapers from that time and the trial transcripts. There was no record of how the boy survived his time in prison (for shooting a man in a saloon who had threatened to kill his father), so I wrote my version of how this boy might have survived. The whole project was probably five years from writing the first word until publication.

What was the publishing route for this book? Did you have success right away with your query being accepted?

I’ve never sent out a query. I think I had sent this manuscript out once and gotten it rejected. But I was sending out other manuscripts and getting loads of rejections. I almost gave up on children’s writing. I decided to send what I felt was my best manuscript (Prisoner 88) one more time, and then I would pursue journalism. I found that Emily Mitchell from Charlesbridge was accepting submissions (I read it in the SCBWI Bulletin in the publication column). It seemed like a fit, so I wrote a heart-felt letter, printed out the manuscript and sent it off.

Two weeks later, I got an email from her, and I thought, “Well, on to journalism.” Her email began, “Thank you very much for sending me your manuscript, Prisoner 88. Now relax – this is not a ‘thanks but no thanks’ email.” She went on to say that she loved it and they were putting together an official proposal for acquisition. I called my husband, and he thought I was having a stroke! I rode my bike around the neighborhood aimlessly. I probably cried. Prisoner 88  was plucked from the slush pile. It really can happen.

What advice do you have for other writers who are hoping to get published?

Read everything you can in the genre in which you’re writing. Know what’s out there. Don’t imitate but learn from authors that you love. Read carefully. Look at structure. Read their work out loud. Read your own work out loud. Even if the dog thinks you’re nuts. Get feedback from writers. Friends are great, but you need input from people who have studied writing, so find a critique group. If you’re stuck, start something new, just to refocus your brain. Then go back. Get perspective. Go to writing conferences (check carefully what is being offered – they are not universally worth the money). Focus your energies on the writing process.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on two books, both set in Pittsburgh. One is middle-grade nonfiction about the Fort Pitt Block House. The other is a contemporary novel—working title Looking for Louise—a story of an 11-year boy whose world is falling apart. It deals with divorce and friendship and with race relations today and in the 1950s. Pittsburgh icons Teenie Harris and Porky Chedwick both make appearances. Both books are close to being finished, but I haven’t sold either one yet. Fingers crossed.

 

Thanks for stopping by the blog!

Last week I spent a perfect afternoon in Oakland just east of downtown Pittsburgh and home to University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon.

I met a dear friend for one last walk through the Summer Flower Show at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This wasn’t my first visit, more like my 50th because it is one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh. I highly recommend seeing the Phipps in person but, until then, this online tour is really nice.

First, we sat at Café Phipps, drank tea and chatted. Then, we wandered through the plants and flowers in each room, taking our time and occasionally stopping to snap photos of something particularly inspiring. We sat by a ‘fire’ in the Tropical Forest Congo exhibit and talked for what felt like forever. What a joy it is to just sit and talk with a friend.

Afterwards, we went to Craig Street and had lunch at Lulu’s Noodles, poked around the Caliban Book Shop, stopped in at Top Notch Art Supply and bought a few gifts at Snowlion Imports.

What a perfect afternoon! Look through these photos that we took at the Phipps – it’ll be just like you were there.

The lovely Firecracker Plant

The lovely Firecracker Plant in the Serpentine Room

The Madagascar Ocotillo in the Desert Room

The Madagascar Ocotillo in the Desert Room

The Bolivian Hummingbird Sage in the Sunken Garden

The Bolivian Hummingbird Sage in the Sunken Garden

The Lantana 'Gold Rush' in the Sunken Garden

The Lantana ‘Gold Rush’ in the Sunken Garden

The Rattlesnake Plant in the Victoria Room

The Rattlesnake Plant in the Victoria Room

Beaded elephant masks in the Tropical Forest Congo

Beaded elephant masks in the Tropical Forest Congo

Rhyming can be tricky in children’s books and that’s because it’s challenging to get a natural flow and rhythm. But when rhyming is done well, it works and kids love it. For example, in my opinion, here are three books that use rhyming effectively: Iggy Peck, Architect  by Andrea Beaty, Baby Danced the Polka  by Karen Beaumont and Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site  by Sherri Duskey Rinker.

Another rhyming book that works is Dinosaur Boogie, the newest project from Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan, a children’s author and freelance writer based in the Pittsburgh area. I had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth to learn more about her new book and her love for the process of self-publishing. She also shared some words of advice for aspiring writers.

To learn more about Elizabeth and her work, visit her website. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter, too. If you want to order Dinosaur Boogie, head to this link. Thanks, Elizabeth!


Dinosaur BoogieTell us all about Dinosaur Boogie.

Dinosaur Boogie  doesn’t have much of a plot but it has a purpose: get young readers moving and grooving like dancing dinosaurs. The text is written in rhyme intended to evoke song lyrics and the illustrations by Felix Eddy seem to dance right off the screen. This book is only available as an ebook on Kindle right now and I loved using the pop-up text feature to add dance move prompts for kids to try.

What about this book’s theme inspired you to write it?

My self-published books are largely inspired by my children. My oldest has been a dinosaur fanatic since he was little and long ago asked me to write something about his favorite extinct creatures.

Tell us about how you go about publishing your books? Traditional publishing, self-publishing – and why?

I actually really enjoy the process of self-publishing. It’s not as intimidating as many people think it is. I love making a connection with an illustrator, working on concepts and layouts together, fine-tuning my text and finding an editor to review and revise it (pro tip: ALWAYS hire a great editor to review your writing!) and then working with a graphic designer or on my own to lay out a book for publication. I have helped other authors bring a book idea to self-publication and love the feeling they have when they see their work completed. The traditional publishing industry is still an extremely powerful and valuable piece of the writing community, but there is also a place for well-written and targeted self-published works. My books have helped me build my network, expanded my workshop audience, and helped me develop wonderful new professional relationships as well as contribute to my writing income.

What advice do you have for other writers who are hoping to write a book?

There is so much excellent advice out there, but I think all writers can benefit by identifying their goal. Just like in running (which I do as often as writing), you need to know what you’re training for and working to achieve. That can help keep you focused and on track. Do you want to sell a book to a traditional publishing house? Or do you want to write a book for your family? Goals are so important so that you can celebrate successes when you reach them.

What was your writing process like for this book?

Lots and lots and lots of revision on the text. Though there are very few words in this book, I worked on the rhyme and rhythm for many months.

 

Click here for more author spotlights. Thanks for stopping by the blog!

This summer our family explored Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County. We went canoeing on the 63-acre Laurel Hill Lake and hiked among the 15 miles of trails.  We took the easy Pumphouse Trail through the forest to the waterfall at the Jones Mill Run Dam, a site built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. On the way back, we took the Tram Road Trail which was a little more difficult but also much more fun and adventurous. This trail followed the path of a former logging railroad used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Highlights of the hike included the waterfall, the historic dam, the sunlight shining through the trees, and the footbridges across the water. Enjoy the pictorial – it’s just like you were there.

The hiking trails are marked well in Laurel Hill State Park.

The hiking trails are marked well in Laurel Hill State Park.

We had a muddy day for a hike along the Pumphouse Trail at Laurel Hill State Park.

We had a muddy day for a hike along the Pumphouse Trail at Laurel Hill State Park.

What sometimes happens when you ask a stranger to take a family photo.

What sometimes happens when you ask a stranger to take a family photo.

One of the little waterfalls leading up to the big one at Jones Mill Run Dam in Laurel Hill State Park.

One of the little waterfalls leading up to the big one at Jones Mill Run Dam in Laurel Hill State Park.

Kids enjoyed playing in the mud by the waterfall at Jones Mill Run Dam in Laurel Hill State Park.

Kids enjoyed playing in the mud by the waterfall at Jones Mill Run Dam in Laurel Hill State Park.

Crossing over exposed tree roots and rocks on the Tram Road Trail in Laurel Hill State Park.

Crossing over exposed tree roots and rocks on the Tram Road Trail in Laurel Hill State Park.

Using the footbridges to cross the water was fun on the Tram Road Trail in Laurel Hill State Park.

Using the footbridges to cross the water was fun on the Tram Road Trail in Laurel Hill State Park.

Beautiful views along the water on the Tram Road Trail in Laurel Hill State Park.

Beautiful views along the water on the Tram Road Trail in Laurel Hill State Park.

Thanks for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, please check out more like it from my ‘Just like you were there’ photo series which highlights adventures in and around the Pittsburgh area.

The summers here in Pittsburgh are fun – we take lots of trips to the pool, we try to go camping, we join the library book club and we do a lot of exploring around the city. But this summer, we have a new goal: the kids want to start learning French so we’re going to learn about France in our own city of Pittsburgh. Read more…

This summer my kids and I had an “architecture fun day” where we visited two Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes within easy driving distance of Pittsburgh: Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. Now, you can’t take photos inside either house but both are worth a visit to see for yourself. In the meantime, I took a few photos outside that will let you feel like you were there. In this post I’m focusing on Kentuck Knob’s Woodland Walking Trail (which is home to 30+ sculptures) but I have to start with one of my favorite photos we got at Fallingwater.

Before we visited, we built my Lego Fallingwater set (again) and took it with us. Hey, Lego Fallingwater, meet the real Fallingwater!

Before we visited, we built my Lego Fallingwater set (again) and took it with us. Hey, Lego Fallingwater, meet the real Fallingwater!

Love the wooden 'skylights' at Kentuck Knob. Wouldn't it be nice to sit outside and watch the light move through them as the sun changed positions in the sky?

Love the wooden ‘skylights’ at Kentuck Knob. Wouldn’t it be nice to sit outside and watch the light move through them as the sun changed positions in the sky?

Lovely patio at the end of the house tour at Kentuck Knob.

Lovely patio at the end of the house tour at Kentuck Knob.

The view from Kentuck Knob on a clear day is amazing.

The view from Kentuck Knob on a clear day is amazing.

The beginning of the sculpture trail just after leaving the house tour at Kentuck Knob.

The beginning of the sculpture trail just after leaving the house tour at Kentuck Knob.

Three examples of the kinds of sculpture to see along the trail.

Three examples of the kinds of sculpture to see along the trail.

One of my favorite pieces on the sculpture trail at Kentuck Knob: Red Army (1991), Painted Steel, by Ray Smith.

One of my favorite pieces on the sculpture trail at Kentuck Knob: Red Army (1991), Painted Steel, by Ray Smith.

A section of the Berlin Wall (1961-1989) is on the sculpture trail at Kentuck Knob.

A section of the Berlin Wall (1961-1989) is on the sculpture trail at Kentuck Knob.

Thanks for stopping by the blog!

I went for exercise in the park at Hartwood Acres but I left with more – that nice feeling that you get when you end up having an experience that is both unexpected and lovely.

After hiking the trails to the Hartwood Mansion, I happened to meet a person who used to be a docent at the historic landmark home. She told me all about the history of the place as we walked along with her friendly dog. And she also gave me a recommendation for lunch at the nearby Hartwood Restaurant, which was so nice.

Sometimes the best experiences are the ones that don’t need to be planned – they just find you.

One of the many trails in Hartwood Acres, a 629-acre park in Allegheny County.

One of the many trails in Hartwood Acres, a 629-acre park in Allegheny County.

Three of the public art sculptures throughout Hartwood Acres.

Three of the public art sculptures throughout Hartwood Acres.

The Hartwood Mansion was erected in 1929.

The Hartwood Mansion was erected in 1929.

The flower garden at Hartwood Mansion is beautiful and great for butterfly-watching.

The flower garden at Hartwood Mansion is beautiful and great for butterfly-watching.

An ornate bench at Hartwood Acres.

An ornate bench at Hartwood Acres.

Bonus photos with this friendly Standard Poodle.

Bonus photos with this friendly Standard Poodle.

Several headstones make up a dog cemetery that honors the memory of family dogs throughout the years.

Several headstones make up a dog cemetery that honors the memory of family dogs throughout the years.

Beet and asparagus salad al fresco at Hartwood Restaurant.

Beet and asparagus salad al fresco at Hartwood Restaurant.

Have you heard of Randyland? It’s the home of Randy Gilson, an artist who has chosen to make the outside of his property a public art display. The house is located on Pittsburgh’s Northside in the Mexican War Streets at 1501 Arch Street. I had heard so much about this colorful, whimsical place so we visited earlier this summer. The courtyard is usually open daily from 1pm to 7pm and admission is free – but try to make a donation, which helps keeps the place open for all.

One of the first things you'll see is this fence, welcoming you in several languages.

One of the first things you’ll see is this fence, welcoming you in several languages.

The courtyard is filled with a variety of things, including this mannequin with cool glasses.

The courtyard is filled with a variety of things, including this mannequin with cool glasses.

Kids might gravitate to the big sand pile which is filled with random things like toy dinosaurs.

Kids might gravitate to the big sand pile which is filled with random things like toy dinosaurs.

The space makes you smile - like why is that Barbie in that planter that looks like a face. But, you go with it and enjoy.

The things in the space often make you smile and wonder – like why is that Barbie growing out of the head of the planter that looks like a face. Oh, and hi to the pink flamingos in the background!

Chairs look whimsical when painted with bright colors and hung from the steps.

Chairs look whimsical when painted with bright colors and hung from the steps.

The hanging chairs draw your attention up to the beautiful mural on the side of the house.

The hanging chairs draw your attention up to the beautiful mural on the side of the house.

More mannequins, vacantly staring at the art display surrounding them.

More mannequins – who actually have a ton of expression for lifeless objects.

So many patterns and colors everywhere you look.

So many patterns and colors everywhere you look.

What a fun outing to Randyland - thanks to Randy for welcoming everyone to his colorful courtyard.

What a fun outing to Randyland – thanks to Randy for welcoming everyone to his colorful courtyard.

You know it’s summer when you can get fresh, delicious berries at the market. Better yet, when you can go and pick them yourself like we did recently at Soergel Orchards in Wexford, north of Pittsburgh. I can’t say for sure if the berries tasted better because we picked them ourselves, but I can tell you that the process of being outside picking them was awesome. Enjoy the pictorial – it’ll be just like you were there.

A beautiful, overcast, not-sunny-at-all-but-at-least-not-raining day to go blueberry picking at Soergel Orchards.

A beautiful, overcast, not-sunny-at-all-but-at-least-not-raining day to go blueberry picking at Soergel Orchards.

Short walk up to the blueberry fields, which were covered with netting so the birds couldn't feast.

Short walk up to the blueberry fields, which were covered with netting so the birds couldn’t feast.

Rows and rows of blueberry bushes, all in different states of ripeness.

Rows and rows of blueberry bushes, all in different states of ripeness.

Of course, I sampled a couple while I picked but not too many because that wouldn't be honest, now would it?

Of course, we sampled a couple while we picked but not too many because that wouldn’t be honest, now would it?

We brought our own containers to fill so we didn't have to purchase them. We weighed them in the back of the market before we headed up the hill to pick.

We brought our own containers to fill, which we weighed in the back of the market before we headed up the hill to pick.

An abundance of berries on the bushes.

An abundance of berries on the bushes.

Berries get weighed after picking, paid for, and then we can eat as many as we want.

Berries get weighed and paid for, then we can eat as many as we want.

We made blueberry ice cream and a pie with our berries, besides snacking on several just plain. Yum!

We made blueberry ice cream with some of our berries and we plan to make a pie, too. Yum!

We recently took a Sunday drive north of Pittsburgh that included lunch at The Harmony Inn, a visit to the Bottlebrush Gallery, and a stop at Baldinger’s Candy. I love the leisurely pace of a good Sunday drive – a mindset of exploring with no firm destination and no time constraints.  Enjoy the pictorial – it’s just like you were there.

Took a nice walk around downtown historic Harmony.

Took a nice walk around downtown historic Harmony.

German food outside on the patio at The Harmony Inn

German food outside on the patio at The Harmony Inn

Harmony Inn Menu

Harmony Inn Menu

Black Forest sandwich with braised red cabbage on the side at The Harmony Inn.

Black Forest sandwich with braised red cabbage on the side at The Harmony Inn.

Beer tastings at The Harmony Inn.

Beer tastings at The Harmony Inn.

Stained glass purchase from the Bottlebrush Gallery in historic Harmony.

Stained glass purchase from the Bottlebrush Gallery in historic Harmony.

Baldinger's Candy in Zelienople.

Baldinger’s Candy in Zelienople.

Candy bins at Baldinger's Candy in Zelienople.

Candy bins at Baldinger’s Candy in Zelienople.

More candy bins at Baldinger's Candy in Zelienople.

More candy bins at Baldinger’s Candy in Zelienople.

Candy stick selection at Baldinger's Candy in Zelienople.

Candy stick selection at Baldinger’s Candy in Zelienople.

 

Condé Nast Traveler recently voted Pittsburgh as one of the top three places in the world to visit in 2015. And why not? Our city is beautiful and filled with dedicated people working hard to make it a world-class city. But as parents, how do we guide our children to appreciate what others see in Pittsburgh? How can we help them see the city as part of a global community as Condé Nast Traveler does? Read more…

I have always loved maps. World maps, grocery store maps, those old city and state maps that you’d unfold and never be able to fold back just right – I like how they present information in a visual way. Now as a parent, I would be thrilled if my kids grow up loving maps. Even if they don’t love them, though, I am determined that they will grow up at least knowing how to understand them and use them to explore the world. Read more…

International travel is rewarding and you should do it at every opportunity. Until then, or in between trips, don’t forget to explore the world right here in Pittsburgh. Take the kids for Ukrainian food, marvel at fancy Italian cars, learn Greek dancing and go back in time to 16th century England. While you’re globe-trotting around the city, just remember you’ll still be home sweet home at bedtime. Bon voyage! Read more…

I think that one of Pittsburgh’s best attributes is its ability to teach us to value other places as well. The many diverse communities throughout the city offer regular opportunities to learn about cultures from around the world. I seek these kinds of things out for my own interest — but now as a parent, I appreciate them as occasions to encourage a global perspective in my children. There’s a ton of ways (many of them free) to learn about the world right here in Pittsburgh Read more…