September, 2019 - October, 2019
During a writing course at the Children's Book Academy, I changed the setting of the story to the Tanabata Matsuri (the Star Festival). The word count increase to 500. I also changed the name of my story to KAI AND THE STAR FESTIVAL / KAI'S BRIDGE.
February 6, 2020
If the illustrator agrees to terms, they will take the ms to the sales team in one week.
November 13, 2019
I pitched to editors and agents through the writing course.
April 1, 2021
I was lucky that my start date was not delayed due to Covid.
August 4, 2020
July 27, 2020
Usually, an agent does this part.
PM - Publisher's Marketplace
PW - Publisher's Weekly
May 13, 2020
August 14, 2020
January 29, 2020
After verbally agreeing to general terms they would proceed to find an illustrator and then take it to the Sales team.
March 10, 2020
February 24, 2020
The lawyer spoke on my behalf.
February 19, 2020
At this point I researched lawyers.
December 30, 2019
December 19, 2019
Some of my editor's initial notes:
Show a bit more personality - ease into the story. Spend more time at the festival.
May 5, 2019 - June 30, 2019
The first draft of THE STAR FESTIVAL was called BABY UNDERSTANDS. Parallel story concept book, under 200 words.