Good Day, Readers and Writers and Bookish people,
Thanks for dropping by the Teazurs Blog. Please welcome Picture Book Debut author Ellen L. Ramsey, a self-proclaimed collector of stories, to the site. Her debut PB comes out this July 2023, and I am excited to read all about Bear and his humorous love of reading.
Hmmm, sounds like there's a bit of the author in this Bear.
Hello, Ellen! I love your website! It's written in a way that adults and children will laugh when they read all about you. It’s really clever and cute. What type of guidance would you give other authors about their websites?
I love to laugh, and I love stories.
The website reflects my love of reading and writing, my sense of humor, and my other interests, like watching birds, bees, and butterflies. My husband and I had fun working on the website, and my husband contributed photographs and videos.
Designing a website is like writing a story—
think about what will capture other people’s interest.
How many teddy bears do you have, and which one is your favorite?
We have 37 teddy bears, most of them gifts from friends and relatives who know about our love of bears. Their names reflect their interests and outfits—Aviator Bear, Golf Bear, Globe Bear (who turns into a globe).
Our favorite bears are Mr. and Mrs. Bear. Mr. Bear was a gift from my husband before we were married, and Mrs. Bear was a gift at the time of our wedding. For many years, our holiday cards have featured photos of Mr. and Mrs. Bear—plus holiday messages from the bears. Living in a house full of books, the bears have literary aspirations.
Many new authors are self-publishing, but you have an agent and have been traditionally published. Why did you go the traditional route?
I’ve worked as a technical writer/editor for many years and respect what editors do. I was delighted by Cheryl Eissing’s editorial suggestions that strengthened the story and by the choice of MacKenzie Haley as the illustrator. In navigating the publication process, I’m grateful for my agent Liza Fleissig’s guidance, Cheryl’s editorial suggestions and support from other Penguin/Random House staff, and MacKenzie’s imaginative art that adds beauty and visual humor to the book.
My mom, who was an artist and art teacher, inspired my love of children’s books, especially picture books. I treasure books from my childhood, especially Wanda Gag’s MILLIONS OF CATS, Clare Turlay Newberry’s PANDORA, Beatrice Potter’s PETER RABBIT (a beautiful old copy that was given to my mother by one of her grandmothers). My mother used these books in her art classes, so they have been well-loved by many children.
What was the most difficult rejection you’ve received over the years?
The most difficult rejection was my picture book manuscript A Book for Bear, making it to an acquisitions meeting but not being accepted for publication. There was also the time when a manuscript, which I naively thought was being seriously considered, was returned to me over a year later with a large footprint and an apology explaining that the manuscript was mislaid under a desk.
In this case, I chose to be
amused rather than discouraged!
You have many publications. What are some of the publications or magazines a writer for kids might like to submit their work to?
I’ve learned a lot from working with editors at Highlights, Muse, Ladybug, and Spider. Editors’ suggestions bring new perspectives and new ideas to my writing.
Do you belong to any writer’s groups like SCBWI or a critique group, and what is the best thing about them?
My success in publishing my work is a tribute to SCBWI and to my writing friends. I belong to several critique groups. We provide suggestions for each other’s writing, and support and encouragement as we deal with the...
three Rs of writing—
rejection, revision, and resubmission;
...and we enjoy the
three Cs—
creativity, community, and celebration.
All my critique groups have also become friendship circles.
Why are birds, bees, butterflies, and other flying things important to you?
I’m fascinated by flying creatures, but unfortunately, there aren’t many dragons in our neighborhood. So I watch birds, bees, and butterflies. It’s fun to go on “safari” in our yard or in neighborhood parks/wildlife refuges and to learn more about the importance of these animals to the ecosystem.
You have a debut picture book coming out in 2023 - A Book for Bear - why should parents buy this book?
A BOOK FOR BEAR is full of humor—the perfect story for kids and parents who love fun and imaginative books. It’s about three things I love—books, bears, and friendship.
Bear, assisted by his friend Ellen, searches for the perfect book for them to read together. Kids will be amused by the disguises Bear wears in his efforts to sneak into a school, a library, and a bookstore.
MacKenzie Haley’s illustrations capture Bear’s enthusiasm for finding the perfect book and add lots of visual humor.
I hope reading the book will inspire kids
to create a book of their very own.
More information about the book is on my website ellenlramsey.com
You also write poetry. How has poetry helped your life?
Writing poetry helps me focus on brevity and the rhythms of words—both important skills in writing picture books and in writing articles and stories to meet specific word counts.
If you could bring something magical to the world - what would it be?
A magic wand that delivers the gift of
KINDNESS and PEACE.
What are you writing next? Will there be another bear book? A hummingbird book?
Yes, I’m writing another bear book. I’m also writing other stories based on my love of reading and creative nonfiction books about birds and other animals.
What conferences and events will you be attending where aspiring authors will get to meet you in person?
I just attended an SCBWI Eastern Pennsylvania Conference at Highlights Foundation—a fantastic experience with inspirational speeches and opportunities to see writing friends and to meet in person three other members of one of my online critique groups.
I’ll be part of an SCBWI Eastern Pennsylvania webinar panel discussion of debut authors and illustrators on Thursday, August 31, 2023. I’m looking forward to participating. It will be an opportunity to hear about the paths to publication of several authors and illustrators. Check here for updates Eastern PA SCBWI.
For people living in the Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Maryland area, here are local bookstore events:
Book Launch at Children’s Book World in Haverford, PA, on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Home - Children's Book World (childrensbookworld.net)
Book Signing and Activities, Barnes & Noble in Exton, PA, on Saturday, August 5, 2023, 1:00 p.m., Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Exton, PA | Barnes & Noble (barnesandnoble.com)
If you live close by,
I would love to see you at one of these events.
What do books mean to you?
Books are windows into worlds I may never experience, but I love learning about characters who are different from me as well as characters similar to me.
I value books, which are a reflection of people’s
thoughts, feelings, and interests.
Reading brings me new information and an understanding of people and how the choices people make affect their lives and the lives of others. I hope that A BOOK FOR BEAR will encourage children to love reading and inspire them to create books of their very own.
You can connect with me on social media:
Instagram: @ellenlramseybooks
Facebook: @EllenLRamsey
Twitter: @ellenlramsey1
Other blogs that will feature interviews and information about my path to publication:
July 6, 2023: Kathy Temean’s Writing and Illustrating
July 13, 2023: Darlene Beck Jacobson’s Bringing Stories to Life
July 28, 2023: Vivian Kirkfield’s Perfect Picture Book Friday
And I am thrilled to learn of some other writers' blogs to check out. Support writers for kids! Read their blogs. Buy their books. Get involved. We can change the world for the better, one book at a time.
As always, if you'd like to be interviewed or want to be a guest blogger - reach out to me on @angie_azur_writer or email me at angazur @ gmail.com
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