Friday, December 20, 2013

Book It

Way back in 2005 I started an after-school Shakespeare program for little kids. The idea grew from two sources:

1. I was disturbed at high statistics of kids dropping out of school because they couldn't read;

2. I was creatively starved and needed a place to be.

By 2006 I'd written a memoir of my first year with The Shakespeare Club.

By 2007 in a heady swirl I was signed by a New York literary agent.

And then....

I ran the Shakespeare program for six years, I started this blog in 2009 to chronicle my adventures with the kids and I waited and waited as a recession took grip of the economy and my book didn't sell.

I learned for the billionth time that nothing happens in our time frames.

I kind of forgot about the book. I kind of gave up. I kind of moved on.

Last August while in New York City I met my agent for dinner.

She said, "I have some interesting news."

TEACHING WILL: What Ten Kids Gave Me That Hollywood Couldn't sold in August 2013 to Familius Press with a planned release of autumn 2014.

I'm currently waiting for editorial notes. And waiting for two of my novels to sell. And waiting for Santa to come down the chimney.

Note to self: NOTHING ever happens in your time frame. Give it up.

But kind of hang on too.

CHILDREN'S WRITES: A Journal Entry
I would like a life of peace. Because my mom always says that she wants peace. When she gets her peace she feels better. I also want peace because I want a good job, a good family, food to put on the table and I want to be able to pay my rent. Most of all I love Peace. I like me too! Me me me me me Peace peace peace peace me me me me peace peace peace peace me me me me

I learned things while being the narrator. One thing I learned was that when I am on stage try not to laugh at the people who are acting funny parts. Another thing I learned that don’t be jumpy be centered. Ms.Ryane says that is cheesy. Before we did our last performance Ms.Ryane had us say "I am centered I am focused."

—Belinda, 4th grade

typewriter photo from The Classic Typewriter Page

1 comment:

  1. Mel, glad you did hang in there. I've been a fan of your Shakespeare stories since I first heard them. I still love that student's response to your synopsis of one Shakespeare story, "Is there kissing?" Can't wait until the book comes out! Sharing the same sky, Dorothy

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