10.SR: What should new writers know about the children's publishing business?
KMH: They should know that while talent is essential, tenacity is even more important, if your goal is fiscal success. Talent will get an idea down on paper. Tenacity will help an editor -- or in my case, a long string of editors -- share your vision. But it's one of the most joyful means of survival I can imagine. I get paid to learn and share the learning -- from a great but cluttered office in my home. It doesn't get any better than that.
11.SR: What are some of your current projects? Plans for the future?
KMH:I'm working on a book about YA editors for Scarecrow Press. I'm working on a book about life on the reservation for Lucent. I'm finishing up a proposal Judy O'Malley asked me to write for Cricket Books -- a dinosaur project that excites me beyond measure. I have four other proposals in various stages at various houses, including two mummy books, a sea monster book and a YA anthology that will feature Crutcher, Davis, Trueman, Sarah Ryan, Ellen Whittlinger, Graham Salisbury and other YA all-stars. I regularly contribute to Guidepost for Teens, the Denver Post, Booklist, the Chicago Tribune and many, many other print publications. I'm also speaking in LA in August, Indiana in September and Colorado in October.
Happy Writing!!
