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not sureCarol Parenzan Smalley Interview Part I: Author Of Creative Nonfiction
I would like to introduce my blog visitors to Carol Parenzan Smalley. Carol has published 16 books and is working on 17-19. She has written books for preschool age children through college. Her specialty is creative nonfiction. To purchased her books visit http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-8497299-7935242?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Carol+parenzan+Smalley&x=13&y=17/
She was recognized and honored by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for her work-in-progress on a nonfiction book about mathematical concepts at an amusement park.
Carol is a regular contributor to Children's Book Insider, where she authors articles on the business of children's book publishing and a consultant to the Mohawk Valley Library System and Southern Adirondack Library System (New York), she has a wealth of information to share.
Writing is only a small piece of what she does. She is an entrepreneur, college instructor, business consultant and start-up specialist. She’s a jack of all trades and master of many. Let’s see what she has to share about her writing today and presentations for children on Thursday..
Q: Please tell a bit about you and your first steps into the area of writing children's creative nonfiction.
About five years ago, I approached children's editors in a non-conventional manner. I did not send query letters. I did not send manuscripts out for consideration. Instead, I emailed about 30 education editors and introduced myself, shared my background, and included a few interesting facts about my life. Within 24 hours, I had contracts to write seven books. They matched my background and abilities to what their current needs were. Very untraditional. I don't recommend this for everyone, but, as this case shows, being different can have its rewards. I took the leap.
Q: How did children's literature become a passion for you?
We have always homeschooled our daughter, who is now 14. From time she was about three months old, she and I made weekly, if not more often, trips to the library. We would tote or wheel in our returns and come out with an abundance of new titles to explore. Her love for books and reading is what allowed my passion for children's literature to resurface. As a child, I was a prolific reader, but as I became more engrossed in adult reading, the children's books were forgotten. My daughter was the catalyst to revisit kidlit. Our homeschooling adventures are literature driven. We've even explored mathematics through children's stories.
Q: What are a few of your favorite nonfiction children’s titles in this area and why?
That's a tough one! Some of my favorites are Grossology, More Grossology, Yuck!, the One Small Square series, and The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat. I am fascinated by Robert Sabuda's numerous paper-engineered (pop up) nonfiction titles. What talent! (I want to be like Robert when I grow up.) I also enjoy what I call *faction* -- a combination of fiction and faction. Some of those titles include the Sir Cumference series of books and Arnosky's Crinkleroot books.
Q: What’s key to writing captivating creative nonfiction for children?
The key is to think outside the book cover. One of my latest nonfiction works takes place in an amusement park. We use the park as the classroom to explore mathematics on a middle grade level. But, what is truly unique about this book is what is on the page. Yes, there are words and photos. But there are also videos, sound effects, and voice over text right on the page. The electronics are embedded in the cover, and the book itself works off of a wi-fi network. The book is currently on the press.
Q: What words of advice or suggestions would you like to offer children's nonfiction writers?
Write from the heart. Share your passion for your topic with others. If you can convey what fascinates you, others will find the topic fascinating as well.
I hope everyone will return on Thursday to learn about Carol’s presentations to children at schools, libraries, museums, etc...
If you have comments or questions for Carol email her at csmalley@frontiernet.net or call 518-568-3450.
She is an online writing instructor through ed2go. I became acquainted with Carol through her course Writing for Children .It was essential in teaching me how to write for children. You can register fort he course here http://www.ed2go.com/cgi-bin/ed2go/newcrsdes.cgi?course=wfc&title=Writing%5efor%5eChildren&departmentnum=PW
Her books can be purchased at Amazon.com herehttp://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-8497299-7935242?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Carol+parenzan+Smalley&x=13&y=17
Posted by j.adaykennedy
at 11:01 PM CST
Updated: Sunday, 26 October 2008 6:08 PM CDT
