• Home

Still A Dreamer

Life, art, animals, writing, children's books, dreaming …

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Dragons and Gargoyles and … A Man on Stilts? Oh, My!
The Clinton Red Mill »

It Helps If You’re Famous

July 19, 2012 by still a dreamer

As I was perusing last Sunday’s Parade magazine, I noted a small mention of a new children’s book – The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by TV’s Glee star, Chris Colfer, (he plays Kurt Hummel.) At first, I sighed. It sure helps if you’re famous, I thought. This is not to say that Colfer’s book isn’t fabulous – it may very well be – but the road to getting published for the rest of us is a long one, it seems.

I couldn’t help but wonder … with so many celebrities being published in children’s books  …  can they all really be such talented writers? Or I am just experiencing a moment of weariness on my own path?

Here are just a few of the celebrities who have published children’s books – Jay Leno, Queen Latifah, Jamie Lee Curtis, Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Tim McGraw, John Lithgow, Jeff Foxworthy, LeAnn Rimes, Ray Romano, Brooke Shields, Jerry Seinfeld, Henry Winkler, George Forman, Will Smith, John Travaolta, Katie Couric … and the list goes on.

It almost makes me wish I were famous, too, but for one thing …

There is one glowing gem in all of this … my journey to being published is just that … a journey. It’s been a road with delays and frustrations at times, it’s true, but also one with an endless and continuing richness of experience in the children’s book world, the company of friends and colleagues along my path, and a constant and evolving education on what constitutes a great children’s book. I know, when I am published, it will not be because I’m famous; it will be because I have written and illustrated something that is truly worthy of being in the hands of a child.

And that really counts for something.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posted in Authors, Books, Children's Books, Creativity, Novels, Writing | Tagged celebrities, celebrity children's books, Celebrity writers, Chris Colfer, famous | 2 Comments

2 Responses

  1. on July 19, 2012 at 1:27 pm home, garden, life

    Jeanne- you are absolutely correct in your thinking. I took two writing courses at UVA recently and both professors stated the same. Publishers only want celebs as authors, as the publishers are only looking at the bottom line. Too bad for those of us who are very talented, yet out of the limelight. Perhaps we will have our reward in the afterlife. 😉 HA!

    In the meantime, blogging gives us an audience and feedback–this must be our reward during this life. In our own small way, perhaps we can make a difference.

    I admit, it is difficult to sit on the sidelines and watch the golden folks take all the prizes. D.

    LikeLike


    • on July 19, 2012 at 1:46 pm still a dreamer

      In one respect I can’t blame the publishers in this terrible economy. However, I am going to keep doing what I’m doing to be published and bring my heart and talent to children in this lifetime or die trying. I am watching others I know that have been working on children’s books, friends and colleagues, either get agents or come increasingly closer, and that’s where I’m headed. I really feel the right person and opportunity is there for me. I WILL get there.
      But when you see children’s books by Jay Leno … really?
      That should just be a bigger incentive for us all!
      jeanne

      LikeLike



Comments are closed.

  • My 1st Picture Book!

  • What I’m Reading Now

  • What I’m Also Reading …

  • Like what you see? Sign up and get an e-mail when I've posted something new.

  • Recent Posts

    • Missing Writing
    • The Season
    • Unexpected
    • Happy Halloween!
    • Where We’re Going
    • Creative Life
    • Drawing Angels
    • Win A Signed Copy of Butterflies!
    • Time Passes ….
    • My Dad
  • I write about ...

    Animals Art Authors Books Cats Children's Books Creativity food French Bulldogs Good Reads Helping Out Holidays Home Stuff Illustration Inspiration Just Fun Life Metaphysical Nature Novels Photography Reflections Society Spiritual Writing

WPThemes.


  • Follow Following
    • Still A Dreamer
    • Join 151 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Still A Dreamer
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: