–
This guy . . .
Rough sketch by R.W. Alley for the upcoming book, Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Hat Burglar (Fall, Macmillan, 2019).
Archive for September 30, 2018
Fan Mail Wednesday #279: Chubby Hubby Edition
–
Here’s one that came from not far away, via a librarian-friend who lives in my community.
Don’t you like the envelope?
–
Adelaida wrote:
I replied:
Dear Adelaida,
Well, it seems like we have a nice connection, since I’m friends and neighbors with your wonderful librarian, Ms. Furlong. Her daughter, a senior, is in the same school and grade as my daughter, Maggie. Meanwhile, her husband is a craft beer-loving, long-suffering Mets fan. I’m the same way about the Mets, though I’m not really a fan of fussy anything, including craft beer, haircuts, clothing, etc. Keep it simple.
What were we talking about? Oh, your letter! So happy to hear from you. You asked a few questions, so let’s see:
1) Letters like yours come to me from time to time. It always feels like a gift from the universe, like a new star appearing in the night sky. I’m grateful and humbled and, mostly, just heartened to meet another person, like me, who is enthusiastic about books. Any books.
2) I like “Chubby Hubby” by Ben & Jerry’s.
3) Two of my three children are devout vegetarians, so they’ll hate this answer: If it’s a special treat, yes, I love a good steak. I’m eating less red meat these days, but!
4) My favorite book so far is the one I’m currently finishing, Blood Mountain. It’s due to my editor, Liz, in two weeks. Should be available a year from now. It’s really pushed me to be my best –- I’ve had to learn so much just to write it accurately –- and I’m never been more absorbed in my work. In short: “Hatchet” meets “Misery,” plus there’s a dog. A brother and sister get lost in the mountain wilderness for six days. It’s exciting and suspenseful and, I hope, powerfully written.
5) Oh: I’ve included a gift. Don’t tell anybody!
My best,
James Preller
Category: Blood Mountain, Fan Mail / Tags: Books if you like Hatchet, Fan Mail Wednesday, Preller Blood Mountain
Artist’s Sketchbook: A Glimpse into the Process
–
I recently received a zippy little email from R.W. Alley, who is illustrating the next Jigsaw Jones book, The Case of the Hat Burglar. I think that Bob — yes, I call him Bob — is a remarkable, sensitive talent. He really captures Jigsaw’s world, the essence of everything I hope to achieve through my words. Bob lifts it all up and makes it better. He’s done all the covers to the books, and (so far) the full interiors to three titles. The first two, much beloved, are currently out of print (grumble, grumble): The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster and The Case of the Christmas Snowman. Last year, Bob illustrated The Case from Outer Space, which is available, published by Macmillan. Very simply, I love his work. So grateful, so blessed.
–
Hey Jimmy,
I feel moved to let you know what fun I’m having sketching up this mysterious hat story of yours.
Here’s a little peek.
Happy wet Wednesday,
Bob
–
–
–
I’m a huge fan of process — except when it comes sausages — and it’s great fun for me to see how a book comes together over a long period of time. So many people touch it, shape it, contribute to the final “real” book. Mostly after I’m out of the picture. Just yesterday my editor, Anna Poon, sent along flap copy for my approval. Maybe I’ll share that another day.
–
Must run now. Headed down to Westchester to speak at a middle school where all students (purportedly) read Bystander. Then on Saturday, it’s the glorious Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. Hope to see you there! Please say hello.
–
–
Great News: Here’s the First Review for “The Big Idea Gang” — and It’s Pretty Terrific!
–
The first two books in my upcoming series, “The Big Idea Gang,” won’t be out until January. But the first review just landed.
Money quote from Kirkus: “Upbeat and empowering!”
Here’s the full review, which is available online and will be, as I understand it, in the October print edition:
“A group of friends campaigns to change their school’s mascot. After a comedic mishap with the worn-out costume for Clay Elementary School’s longtime mascot—Arnold the Armadillo—friends Lizzy and Connor O’Malley (twins), Kym Park, and Deon Gibson see an opportunity to get the school a more compelling mascot: the bulldog. They propose it to their teacher (Isadora Zipsokowski, called Miss Zips), who insists they take their idea to the principal themselves. But not all of their classmates are in favor—domineering Suri Brewster opposes them, arguing against the bulldog and organizing a pro-armadillo contingent. The friends work on a new mascot idea—a dragon—and present their case to the principal, who puts their idea against the status quo, represented by Suri, to a schoolwide vote. The job of speaking for their side falls on Lizzy. In the face of her anxiety, her friends rally together to help her support her arguments. When the time comes, Suri speaks well, but Lizzy’s humor and sound logic carry the day. In a delightful twist, Suri is a story antagonist who isn’t antagonistic—she and Lizzy are mutually supportive as they face public speaking. A final segment provides tips on how to structure persuasive arguments. Publishing simultaneously is a sequel, Everybody Needs a Buddy. Lizzy, Connor, and Suri present white, while Kym is Asian and Deon is black. An upbeat and empowering series opener. (Fiction. 6-9)” — Kirkus.
Fan Mail Wednesday Double Dip: #277 & #278!
Two quick ones, featuring Bystander and Jigsaw Jones.
–
William zinged over a quick email:
In my class, we are going to read Bystander as a group activity, and I have one question. How did you become such a good author?
–
I replied:
–
William,
–
Every February I spend two weeks meditating in a yurt in Mongolia.–
Pro tip!
–
That’s pretty much it.
–
Oh, and: I mostly learn from reading. Slowly, thoughtfully — not blazing through to get it over with, but reading as a writer.
–
And then, of course, now that I’ve written so many things for so many years, I learn from writing, too.
–
My best,
–
James Preller
–
SPECIAL BONUS MAIL . . .
–
–
Rees writes:
Hi Mr. Preller,
My mom is letting me use her phone and write to you. I have a book report to do about my favorite character. Mine is Jigsaw. What color are his eyes? What color is his hair? What do you think is special about him?
–
Thank you for your help.
Rees
2nd grade
(My mom helped with punctuation and capitals.)
–
I replied:
–
Rees,
–
You have a nice mom. Don’t drop the phone in the toilet or she’ll be mad. My wife, Lisa, has done that — twice!
–
Jigsaw has brown hair and . . . I don’t know what color eyes. If you look at drawing, it’s just black dots. –
You can say hazel and no one will ever know the truth.
–
There are many things that make Jigsaw special. In no particular order:
–
* His honesty.
* His sense of fairness.
* His kindness — he’s a good friend.
* His determination.
–
Jigsaw isn’t perfect. He makes mistakes. But he never, ever gives up.
–
Now give that phone back to your mom before I hear a splash.
–
Thanks for writing. I just finished writing a new Jigsaw Jones book, The Case of the Hat Burglar. It’s about how items from the school “Lost and Found” begin to disappear. Someone has been stealing them!
–
Your friend,
James Preller
Category: Fan Mail / Tags: Fan Mail Wednesday, Jigsaw Jones Case of the Hat Burglar, Preller Fan Mail, Preller Writing Tips
