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You Heard it Here First- Introducing Miriam Franklin

carolbaldwin

Congratulations to Deanna Klingel who won Christy Allen’s book, Samantha Green and the Case of the Haunted Pumpkin. 

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As my faithful blog followers know, I enjoy giving away books, recommending well-written books, and sharing updates on my own WIP Half-Truths.

But my favorite post is when I announce an author landing an agent or a book deal. This post inaugurates a new series I am creating: “You Heard it Here First.” I look forward to adding posts as I share more authors’ news in the future.
Miriam is an elementary/middle school teacher currently working with homeschool students. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Charlotte, NC. 
I am very excited to introduce you to Miriam Spitzer Franklin, a hard-working writer who was one of the original members of the SCBWI Charlotte critique group. I have watched from the sidelines as Miriam has persevered and didn’t give up on a story that she believed in–and that I loved! I’m pleased to announce that EXTRAORDINARY, her debut middle grade novel, will be published by Skypony Press in Spring 2015. 

Take it away, Miriam!

Carol: Tell us about your book. What prompted you to
write it? 
Miriam: EXTRAORDINARY is about ten-year-old Pansy Smith who vows to
become an extraordinary person after she learns her best friend Anna, who
hasn’t been the same since a brain injury at summer camp, may soon be cured. Because
the girls’ last words to each other were angry ones, Pansy wants to make it up
to Anna by becoming the kind of best friend that Anna deserves. Although the
subject matter is heavy, much of the book is humorous as Pansy formulates an
elaborate plan to reach her goals, persevering in the face of many challenges.

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I started with Pansy’s character, a girl who seems mostly average
in every way and wants to become an extraordinary person. I knew that
friendship would play an important role, and I was inspired to write Anna’s
character because of my niece, who had meningitis at age two and suffered a
stroke and permanent brain damage. At first, Anna’s brain damage took place
five years before the story started because I thought it would be too sad
otherwise. But eventually I realized if I wanted the story to work, Pansy’s
emotions needed to be a large part of it. In my last revision, Anna gets sick a
few months before the story begins.

Carol: I personally know you have had a long journey towards publication. Can you share how many years you spent writing and revising it?
Miriam: This manuscript has been through so many revisions and
rewrites I’ve lost count! The first version ended up in a drawer for years
while I worked on other projects. Many of my original readers said it felt like two separate stories–one about Anna and one about Pansy–that weren’t connected. One day when I wasn’t even thinking
about it, the solution came to me out of nowhere and I knew exactly what I
needed to do. 

Originally, Pansy’s motivation for becoming extraordinary wasn’t clear.
In order to link the two storylines, I changed it so that Pansy wants to
become extraordinary BECAUSE her friend is going to have surgery and she wants
to prove she’s the kind of friend Anna deserves. In my rewrite, the story
lines become linked together on the first page when the reader finds out what
Pansy’s motivation is for the change.

I revised again before signing with my agent, after the first
round of subs, for a revision request for an editor, and one last time before
subbing my final round.

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Carol: How did you find your agent?
Miriam: Finding an agent was the only thing quick in this
process for me, and different from books I’d subbed in the past. This time I
posted a query letter on the Blue Boards (now SCBWI boards) for feedback, and
received a request from my agent before I’d even sent out any queries. She
requested the full within a week, a revision request two weeks after that, and
I received the call a week after that.

Carol: What role your agent took in getting this publisher?
Miriam: I’m the one who suggested subbing to SkyPony Press.
I saw that they were interested in books with special needs themes. It took
them a long time to read the manuscript, though the editor, Julie Matysik, kept
checking in and saying she was still interested and would get to it soon. Eight
months after my agent sent the book out, Julie responded with an enthusiastic
“I love this book!” and an offer.

Carol: What have you been asked to do for marketing?

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Miriam:

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My editor has sent an author’s guide with marketing
suggestions. I’m starting by setting up an author’s website; I’ve also been
strongly urged to set up an author’s FaceBook page or a Twitter account. I’m
interested in setting up school visits once the book is published since I’m a
former teacher and more comfortable talking to groups of kids than groups of
adults! But it seems most of this can wait until the cover is designed and the
catalog goes out in the fall.

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Carol: What’s next? 
Miriam: I have two other completed middle grade manuscripts
as well as a younger middle grade, still in progress. Although I’m focusing on
my debut right now, I’m hoping my editor will take a look at one of my other
manuscripts when we’re finished with revisions. 

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Congratulations to Miriam who persevered, wrote, and rewrote. I can’t wait to see this book in print!

Published by carolbaldwin

Carol enjoys teaching writing and has presented at many educators' and writing conferences. She has published widely in newspapers and magazines and along with Rebecca Wheeler, co-publishes Talking Story, a newsletter for educators and media specialists. When she isn’t reading, writing, or blogging, you’ll find her walking with friends, golfing, or gardening.

38 thoughts on “You Heard it Here First- Introducing Miriam Franklin”

  4. Miriam, Congratulations! I am so happy for you. So cool about your agent and the way you found her. Carol, I like the series – You heard it here, first! You are doing a terrific job hosting so many authors.

    Reply

  5. Miriam, I am so happy for you. Congratulations! Loved our agent story and I look forward to reading your book.Carol, that's a great series idea. You are doing a great job of promoting other authors.

    Reply

  6. Thanks, Carol, for posting this. And thanks, Barbara, for your comment! I don't know if you remember, but I once had a critique with you at the SCBWI conference. You were very kind and encouraging and offered to read the rest of my manuscript, which meant so much to me. I think the encouragement from others like yourself is what kept me going and helped me face the rejections. Thanks so much!

    Reply

  7. Such great news, Miriam! I can't wait to read your debut novel. So happy to be connected to such great writers. It keeps me motivated and inspired!

    Reply

  10. That sounds like an amazing book. I definitely want to get my hands on it when it comes out. Congrats on getting published Mrs. Miriam!

    Reply

  12. Great interview! The book sounds wonderful and the power of perseverance in this industry is so important. I look forward to reading Extraordinary!

    Reply

  13. Congratulations to Miriam! Thank you for sharing your story here; and thank you, Carol, for introducing new authors to your readers.

    Reply

  14. Thanks everyone, for cheering Miriam on. It's great to have so many people behind debut authors. Dorothy–you'll be here soon!!

    Reply

  16. Congratulations, Miriam, This sounds like an amazing story! I am anxious to read it. Thanks you Carol for such a great interview.

    Reply

  18. Thanks, everyone! Your support means so much to me! I still can't believe that it's my story Carol's telling this time around.

    Reply

  19. Congratulations, Miriam. This sounds like a very special story. Can't wait to read it.And thanks Carol for keeping us up to date on all the new books coming out. I love hearing about each person's journey into publication…

    Reply

  23. Miriam, Congratulations! I am so happy for you. So cool about your agent and the way you found her. Carol, I like the series – You heard it here, first! You are doing a terrific job hosting so many authors.

    Reply

  24. Miriam, I am so happy for you. Congratulations! Loved our agent story and I look forward to reading your book.Carol, that's a great series idea. You are doing a great job of promoting other authors.

    Reply

  25. Thanks, Carol, for posting this. And thanks, Barbara, for your comment! I don't know if you remember, but I once had a critique with you at the SCBWI conference. You were very kind and encouraging and offered to read the rest of my manuscript, which meant so much to me. I think the encouragement from others like yourself is what kept me going and helped me face the rejections. Thanks so much!

    Reply

  26. Such great news, Miriam! I can't wait to read your debut novel. So happy to be connected to such great writers. It keeps me motivated and inspired!

    Reply

  29. That sounds like an amazing book. I definitely want to get my hands on it when it comes out. Congrats on getting published Mrs. Miriam!

    Reply

  31. Great interview! The book sounds wonderful and the power of perseverance in this industry is so important. I look forward to reading Extraordinary!

    Reply

  32. Congratulations to Miriam! Thank you for sharing your story here; and thank you, Carol, for introducing new authors to your readers.

    Reply

  33. Thanks everyone, for cheering Miriam on. It's great to have so many people behind debut authors. Dorothy–you'll be here soon!!

    Reply

  35. Congratulations, Miriam, This sounds like an amazing story! I am anxious to read it. Thanks you Carol for such a great interview.

    Reply

  37. Thanks, everyone! Your support means so much to me! I still can't believe that it's my story Carol's telling this time around.

    Reply

  38. Congratulations, Miriam. This sounds like a very special story. Can't wait to read it.And thanks Carol for keeping us up to date on all the new books coming out. I love hearing about each person's journey into publication…

    Reply

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