Hi friends,
It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged anything about my writing endeavors.
I have four picture book manuscripts that I am going to start querying to agents.
For fun, could you please pick the project/pitch that is the most interesting to you? The book you would most likely pick up for yourself and the children in your life. Please answer in the comment section below.
A) Elsie Goes to Work
During summer break, Elsie goes to work with her mother at a greenhouse. One day, she sees the most beautiful rosebush and wants it for her own. One problem, she may have neglected the last plant her mother bought for her, and now her mother won’t buy her another. She strikes a deal with the owner of the greenhouse: if she helps for the day, she can have the rosebush. How hard can work be? The reward of a job-well-done smells sweet, and Elsie learns that hard work pays off in more ways than one.
B) Mrs. Irish
When Anna’s friend, Mrs. Irish falls ill, Anna must take charge by making the cure for her friend. Anna learns that her mysterious older friend is a witch, and her magic goes wacky when she is sick. Finding the ingredients proves difficult when Anna must deal with a cantankerous cat and rogue fairies that see an opportunity to wreak havoc. Mrs. Irish’s enchanted cottage has been turned upside-down and Anna must cure Mrs. Irish before her house crumbles around them.
C) Cinnamon’s Foal
Hayden and her friends await the arrival of a new baby foal at the stable where they ride. Everyone is surprised and saddened when the foals mother dies during the birth. The girls work together to make sure the new foal has excellent care. By helping the foal, the girls realize that they are healing themselves by caring for the baby who needs them.
D) Animal Diner
Miles learns at school that he can be anything. He knows that he is destined to be a great chef. Nothing can stand in his way. Miles realizes that it’s going to be hard to cook when he isn’t allowed to use the stove or that he can’t reach the mixing bowls. He isn’t even allowed to be in the kitchen without adult supervision. Miles reverts to making food in his backyard. Mud pies and worm spaghetti are fun to make, but Miles yearns for someone to appreciate his skill. Just when Miles’ dreams of becoming a chef begin to fry, a surprise dinner party gathers to enjoy the feast that Miles has carefully arranged.
(Yes, its a bit odd I used my husband’s name for a protagonist but it just fit!)
Have a great day everyone!
-Rachel McKee
Hi Rach, nice to see you about 🙂
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Thanks Simon!!! Nice to see you too.
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You’re up to lots i see….
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I would say either Mrs Irish and/or Animal Diner. (Both of these stories I could easily see being accompanied by illustrations that furthered the plot and showed little details about the actions the characters were performing.)
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Thank you Daley!😁😁😁
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I’m partial to the Mrs. Irish pitch, mostly because it sounds like the seed of a Studio Ghibli concept and I’ve just finished watching “Howl’s Moving Castle”.
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Hi Jonny! Nice to see you and your comment was THE BEST compliment. Thank you so much!
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I’d pick A; “Elsie goes to school” any day any time. It has a cool story line.
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Oops sorry “Elsie goes to work”
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Thank you so much! Your comment made me so happy!💕
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Mrs. Irish: whimsical is always fun and intriguing. 🙂
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Thank you Miles!❤️
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I’d say either one of the first two. I’m torn.
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Thank you Lynn! That’s still extremely helpful!😁
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Hi, Rachel! I like them all but I’m drawn to, “Elsie Goes to Work” & “Mrs. Irish”, both introductions enticed me to want to read more! Good luck, Rachel, I’ll be rooting for you!
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Thank you so much Kim! Your encouragement and support mean everything!
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It’s a pleasure, “truly”!
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I’m pretty sure I’d pick up Mrs. Irish. I like the fantasy aspect of it and the neat oppositions the narrative presents to the reader: young/old; health/sickness; human/fairy; order/chaos. It sounds wonderful! 🙂
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Thank you Paul! I never even realized the opposition until you mentioned it! 😁
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Paul, would you by any chance be interested in critiquing Mrs. Irish? I know you are busy, so no pressure.😁
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Sure, I have a pretty good feeling, that I would enjoy reading! Send it on! :-). Oh, I’m not really too busy. Ha.
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Thanks Paul! Is your email located on your blog?
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Whoops. Nah, I never set up a contact loop. I’m totally tech challenged. But here it is:
paulabroome427@gmail.com
If possible could you send it as a word doc attachment?
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Will do! Thanks again!
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