Instititute of Children's Literature

Rx for Writers

Transcripts

"Holidays and Special Events" with Jane Landreth.

Thursday, May 23, 2002

MODERATOR: is Kristi Holl, Web Editor for the Institute's web site. Kristi is author of 24 juvenile novels and 150+ articles and has taught writing at the Institute of Children's Literature for l5 years.

Jane is Jane Landreth, author of over 1400 magazine stories, articles, games and crafts, many of which are holiday and seasonal related. She also writes articles for teachers, parents, and Sunday school curriculum.

Names color coded in blue are audience members who had questions.

Interviews are scheduled for Thursday evenings: 8 Eastern, 7 Central, 6 Mountain, and 5 Pacific.

MODERATOR: Good evening, everyone! Welcome to tonight's interview! I'm Kristi Holl, your moderator, and tonight I have the pleasure of welcoming my friend, Jane Landreth, who will be talking with us about "Holidays and Special Events." Jane is author of over 1400 magazine stories, articles, games and crafts, many of which are holiday and seasonal related. Welcome, Jane!

Jane: Hello, I'm glad to be here.

MODERATOR: You've been so very prolific in your writing life. How did you get started in the beginning?

Jane: Even when I was young, I enjoyed making up stories. When I was in high school, my English teacher encouraged me to write. She also organized a school paper of which I was editor. Soon I began writing on my own. I found magazines where I could send my material. And I got lucky, I found a niche that I fit into and started getting my articles and stories published.

MODERATOR: What is the difference between Holiday and Seasonal writing?

Jane: Holiday writing is writing about the specific holidays in the calendar year, and seasonal is writing about the seasons: winter, summer, spring, and fall.

MODERATOR: How did you specifically get started writing seasonal/holiday material?

Jane: As I began writing, I looked through the Writers Market for magazines that interested me and noticed they would say, "seasonal/holiday material 3 mo. advance" or something. Some of them would also say they needed holiday or seasonal material. I looked in the magazines and found they used such material. I thought I'd give it a try. And it worked!

MODERATOR: Is there a big market for the holiday/seasonal material?

Jane: Yes, if you notice in magazines, there is much material geared around a holiday or season.

MODERATOR: What type of holiday/seasonal material is most popular?

Jane: Of course, the main holidays that are most popular are Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, New Year and 4th of July.

MODERATOR: Is the market open to new writers?

Jane: That is a good way for writers to break into print. Magazines are always looking for well-organized nonfiction and interesting fiction.

SaraJ: Which holiday might be the easiest for a beginner to break in?

Jane: I think Christmas would be the easiest. It seems there are more ideas at that time.

red2: Hello Jane! I'm one of your students and am thrilled to ask you a question in person! When I worked in activities in a nursing home, we had a special calendar with all kinds of holidays, even lesser known ones. Is there anything like that available for writers?

Jane: I don't know of a calendar, but there is a book that I found in the library recently. It is called Chase's Calendar of Events by Contemporary Books, a division of McGraw-Hill.

MODERATOR: We're all familiar with holidays, so is holiday/seasonal writing pretty easy?

Jane: Yes, and no. The topic is there, so you don't have to come up with it, but there are some disadvantages to this type of writing.

MODERATOR: What's the greatest challenge when writing for this market? (And what do you do about it?)

Jane: The greatest challenge I see is WHEN to send the material to the magazine. No two magazines are alike. Some work 3 months ahead; some as far as two years ahead. Knowing how far in advance to send in the material is the greatest challenge. I keep a file of the guidelines and themes of the magazines which I am interested in writing for. Each month I look at the themes and decide if I have an idea for magazines. Since I enjoy the season/holiday themes, I always check them out. And I have been slow in sending some places I COULD HAVE sent something. I'm not always on top of it!

SaraJ: Some topics in children's writing that used to be taboo are now well accepted. Has that been true in holiday/seasonal writing too? Do you know of any?

Jane: I'm not sure. I think most of the holidays are okay. There are some religious magazines that don't want certain holidays.

SaraJ: Like Halloween?

Jane: Yes, and there are some who don't want war subjects or that type of thing, even for such holidays as Memorial Day.

Pamela Levine: Hello Jane, I am another of your students. What type of article could be done for Seasonal?

Jane: You could do something with nature, which I do a lot of. Animals are good. What about feeding the birds? I also did a story about butterflies for preschoolers. And gardening can be done in story form or for activities. I've done "Snow is a Treasure" which I did as a religious theme. Also I used snow for "The Snow Cave," a story, and "How to Catch a Snowflake" for an activity.

MODERATOR: Where do you find a list of the holidays? The special holidays?

Jane: First of all, take a look at the calendar. You will find the main holidays. Magazines are always in need of stories/articles for these days. Sometimes your church groups will have special days. Listen for special days in your community or state. There are needs for material for the local and state magazines as well. Ask the teachers at school for special days for children. The librarian can also be helpful.

MODERATOR: You mentioned a book earlier. Is that a book you can use that lists all the holidays? Even the unfamiliar holidays?

Jane: Yes, it is fascinating. It's thick and I had to really talk to the librarian to let me take it home for a few days. But it has ALL holidays everywhere, even throughout each state. I couldn't believe the holidays!

MODERATOR: What are some of the lesser known holidays?

Jane: This may get long, but the book is really interesting. I'll just give you a couple for each month: Penguin Plunge and also the Polar Bear Swim, Pooh Day in January. Homes for Birds Week, National Children's Dental Health Month in February. National Pig Day, National Anthem Day, Namesake Day in March. National Smile Month, Barney and Friends Day in April. Mother Goose Day, Hug Your Cat Day, No Socks Day in May. National Safety month, plus Donald Duck was born in June. First Postage Stamp, National Hot Dog month in July. Sister's Day, Family Fun Month in August. Good Neighbor Day, Good Manners Month, Great Bath Tub Race (had to add that one!) in September. National Color Day, National Stamp Collecting Month in October. National Young Reader's Day, plus Mickey Mouse was born, Sesame Street Anniversary in November. And many history dates and birthdays of famous people are listed. Can you see the many articles and stories that you could write with just these holidays?

Fred: In Boston we have March 17th as Evacuation Day, April 19th is Patriots Day, and June 17th is Bunker Hill Day.

MODERATOR: Wow! What a great list!!! Jane, when do you personally start thinking about writing a Christmas (or any other holiday) story/article? (Thanks, Fred!)

Jane: I start thinking about it when it gets close to that day, but that is too late for this year. So I use that time to think about next year as most magazines are that far in advance. What has happened that was different this Christmas or whatever holiday it is? Has something happened that you could write an article or story about? What is in my files? That helps me think about writing for the holiday.

imhopeful: Is holiday/seasonal fiction or nonfiction more popular with editors?

Jane: I think nonfiction is because they don't get a lot of that. Most writers want to write fiction.

red2: Do you think writing for the seasonal/holiday market is more competitive and harder to get accepted in?

Jane: Not if you can find something that hasn't been done before or find a new twist to an old theme.

cindog: Hi, Jane. When you write your holiday writing , do you also send pictures?

Jane: If you would have a good craft idea, a photo or picture would help sell it, but I don't send pictures for just stories. There are magazines that you could. I just don't, but sometimes I give them ideas that I would like for them to use when they have their own artist to do the pictures. Sometimes they use them; sometimes they don't.

MBVoelker: Is a story seasonal just because it takes place in a given season -- like at a summer camp -- or does the season have to be a major element to make it a seasonal story?

Jane: It needs to be important. Some of the big themes would be like summer vacations, snow in winter, leaves in the fall, early spring flowers, that type of thing are good to use in seasonal stories. Activities that you can do in those seasons are good things to write about and make up a seasonal story.

MODERATOR: What type of market strategy should you use to get holiday/seasonal material published?

Jane: First of all, check the theme lists and guidelines of the magazines you have in mind for your article. Do you need a query? If so, that will take extra mailing time, so allow for that. You may have several queries out at the same time for the article. If a query isn't required, make sure you are within the time space of sending the piece. I always try to send out pieces even a few weeks ahead of what the guidelines say. Timing is very important!

MODERATOR: What about payment? Is it high or low?

Jane: Holiday and seasonal stories and articles pay the same as other stories and articles. Puzzles and games range anywhere from $5 to $35 and sometimes more, depending on the type of puzzle or game.

MODERATOR: Are there other holiday/seasonal materials we can write besides stories and articles that appeal to magazine editors?

Jane: Yes, puzzles such as matching, word searches, fill in the blanks, etc. are good. Games that can be played work well. Unusual puzzles are always welcome so be on the lookout for something unusual that can be worked into a holiday or seasonal piece. Craft activities and easy holiday recipes are also needed.

MODERATOR: Where exactly does a writer find out what types of holiday/seasonal material magazines need?

Jane: The Writers Market and Christian Writers Market can tell you some of the types each of the magazines uses. Your best choice is to look at the magazine. You might try sending a different type to a magazine. They might be looking for something new.

MODERATOR: How simple (or sophisticated) do the games and puzzles need to be? Some examples?

Jane: Like I said earlier, it depends on your magazine and the age group of your magazine. But you will need to remember younger children need simple puzzles; whereas older children/youth need to be challenged. I use matching pictures and words for the younger (I can suggest the picture to be used). Example: "Spring Search" where I made a word search with very simple spring words going only across and down. Fill in the blanks and word searches are good for older children. Example: "Thanksgiving Fill In" where I used Bible verses about being thankful and the children found words in the verse to fill in using the word Thanksgiving. Example for youth: "Christmas IQ" where I asked questions about Christmas songs. That was interesting. Crossword puzzles also work well for youth.

Pamela Levine: Christian Writers Market? Haven't heard of that. Where can a writer find it?

Jane: Some libraries have it. Bookstores should have it. Writer's Digest Book Club has it. It is written by Sally Stuart and put out by the same publisher as the Writers Market.

red2: Have you ever sent a puzzle, game or recipe to coincide with your story and had the editor only buy the game or puzzle and not want the story?

Jane: Yes, but whatever I sell is OK with me.

imhopeful: Should a seasonal book manuscript be submitted at a certain time of the year?

Jane: That's a good question. That is another one of those time things. You would have to check about how long it takes for the book to be published. That is a long wait anyway. I'm not sure I have a correct answer for that.

MODERATOR: I would guess that, even if you sent it at the "wrong" time, they would just wait and release it the following fall.

DellaRF: Is there a market for books on seasonal events and/or holidays?

Jane: There are many books already out there, but I see new ones every year. If you could find a holiday/seasonal theme that hasn't been touched yet, you might get a winner!

MBVoelker: So if an editor wanted winter seasonal material, I could take my summer camp story and change the setting to a ski resort during spring break and it would be legitimate seasonal material then?

Jane: Sounds okay to me.

red2: Is there demand for multicultural holiday/seasonal material?

Jane: Yes, there is always a need for the multicultural theme.

JAMES55CLINTON: Many holidays date from pre-Christian times (under a different name). What children's magazines accept articles covering these subjects?

Jane: I don't really know the answer to that. Many times you just have to try the magazine.

MODERATOR: Could you name some important criteria you need to remember in making up holiday/seasonal puzzles, games, crafts, etc.?

Jane: Make sure each craft works and you have given clear instructions. Try it out yourself. Make sure you have all the steps included. Make sure all the puzzles work and that you have given correct instructions. Editors do not have time to check out your work and revise it. Editors will want the answers to puzzles and quizzes sent with the puzzles.

DellaRF: Back to the subject of games and puzzles: Are quizzes still popular with kids (and editors)?

Jane: Yes, but not as much as puzzles and games.

MODERATOR: Do you personally include photos with your craft submissions? (Digital? Color? Black and white?)

Jane: I don't, but it is a good idea. It would probably help sell the article. Again, watch the guidelines. They will tell you what is accepted. I noticed today as I looked through the Writers Market, some magazines want B & W, some color, some transparencies. So check out the magazine guidelines.

MODERATOR: Do you ever include artwork, your own or someone else's?

Jane: I'm not an artist, and most magazines use their own artist. But I have seen where some magazines are saying send in art work. Group and Cobblestone are two I noticed that welcome artwork. I give the editors ideas sometimes. I sent a craft idea to make a Thanksgiving vest from a paper sack. The editor said she liked the idea but didn't understand how it could be made. I made one up and sent it to her. She thanked me, bought the craft and said she didn't see how she could have missed understanding.

MODERATOR: Do magazines need more articles or stories or games or puzzles?

Jane: I think they are equal in all things. If you will notice most magazines have a story, article, and some sort of game/puzzle.

MODERATOR: Is it easier to get holiday and seasonal material published with fiction, nonfiction or a game/puzzle?

Jane: I think nonfiction or game/puzzle/craft would be easier. I do more of those. Like I said before, many writers want to write a story so the market seems to be flooded with stories.

DellaRF: When my daughter comes home from school or daycare with a neat craft, can I write up a procedure and submit it? Or is that "stealing"? What about if I modify it?

Jane: The way you write it up must be different than the original, but yes, you can modify it. Ideas are FREE. You may find a different way of saying or doing it.

MODERATOR: Is there a market for holiday/seasonal poems in magazines? Which magazines?

Jane: Yes, many magazines are using more poems now, compared to a few years ago. Check out the guidelines of magazines. Jack and Jill, Focus on the Family Clubhouse and Jr. Cidada, Story Mates, Children's Playmate and Youth Challenge are only a few that take poetry.

MODERATOR: Are titles important in selling this type of piece? How do you think of good titles?

Jane: A great title might help sell your piece. Catchy titles are good--if they go with the material. Titles will capture your reader and draw him/her into the piece. This is something I have to work on. So I have developed a title file card box. When I find a good title, I write it down and file it. Then I have something to go to when I need help.

MODERATOR: You touched on this before. Do the religious markets accept holiday/seasonal material? And what are some of the needs for these magazines?

Jane: Definitely. There are special days that religious markets need material. They are always looking for seasonal work: Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter are the most popular. New Year's is needed. Most of the religious magazines frown on Halloween material. But some of the lesser holidays are needed and wanted. Writers forget about them. Tie them into religious themes and try them. I have sold many lesser day holidays to magazines in the past. And of course, they can use the seasonal material too.

MODERATOR: How do you handle different denominations who believe different things, or does it matter?

Jane: With some denominations, it doesn't matter. Then there are a few that celebrate different holidays such as Lent, Epiphany, the Jewish holidays, etc. You need to know what each denomination believes. Some do not want material on war, not even Memorial Day. Partners and Story Mates do not use Christmas trees. I know, I tried them with a tree story! You are usually safe with Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving.

MODERATOR: When you make up games and puzzles for denominations, which version of the Bible do you use?

Jane: I find out what version is accepted in each denomination. Some want the games/puzzles in New International while others want King James. And it does make a difference in the answers to the puzzles. The words come up different sometimes.

MODERATOR: Where do you personally get your ideas for holiday/seasonal material? How can you tell if your idea has been overdone?

Jane: Ideas are everywhere. When I am looking through a magazine and see a game or puzzle, I think: how could I change that for a holiday because I know editors and children are always looking for something new. I watch people and scenes to get ideas for articles and stories. To find out if an idea is overdone, I check out magazines. Go to the library and talk to the librarian. He/She might know if an idea you have has been used many times. I look at magazines and books. That keeps me knowledgeable on what has been done. Sometimes an old idea can be done in a new way and editors will pick that up.

MODERATOR: Jane, what could be new that hasn't been already said about Christmas and Easter?

Jane: Probably not much. But like I said, find a new twist or angle. Keep your eyes and ears open.

MODERATOR: How do you make a new twist on an old worn-out idea?

Jane: I think you just have to keep watching for new ideas to put with those old worn-out ideas. Every time you see something new, jot it down. One activity that is fun for children is feeding the birds. One winter day I watched the birds on our evergreen trees. A light bulb came on--put the Christmas tree outside and decorate it for the birds with different kinds of food. It sold many times in several magazines and also a couple of times in the same magazine. Now I notice other writers are taking my idea and developing their own way, but I got there FIRST! Summer is camping time. So I combined camping out and star gazing, an activity for the whole family, neighborhood families, or church families to do together.

MODERATOR: Great ideas! Many people like to write Christmas and Easter stories, and the magazines need more every year. How do you find a different angle to use? Can you maybe give us a specific example?

Jane: Again, keep those senses alive! Look, listen, smell, taste, feel for a different angle. Use some of the ideas you see in other holidays and change them. Example: "Christmas Character Study" using the people of the Biblical Christmas story and doing an extensive study of them. "The Bethlehem News" was an article on how to make up a Christmas newspaper. In the "Easter Dictionary" I used words such as resurrection, tomb, cross, etc. Children had to look up the words and write the meaning. Younger children drew pictures. Make a "Christmas or Easter Graffiti". Place a piece of poster board on the wall at home, church, school. Let the children come by and write sentences, draw pictures, poems, and messages about the holiday. I also wrote this up as a "thank you" from the children to those workers and teachers in the church.

MODERATOR: When writing a story for the holiday/seasonal market, what would you say is the most important ingredient?

Jane: I think it is the same as any story--conflict or a problem. Conflict must have a solution that satisfies the reader. A conflict that is realistic and can teach a lesson can also be woven into a holiday or seasonal story. Believable characters are also important.

DellaRF: When you say new twist or angle, does that mean zeroing in on a specific aspect of a certain holiday? Also, how do you hook your reader on this twist in the opening lines?

Jane: Just a different way of doing an activity using something different, going at a story in a new way. Yes, you would zero in. Many ways to hook your reader is with a quote, a question, or stating something new and different about the theme you are using for the holiday.

MBVoelker: If you write a puzzle in the NIV, then change it for King James, can you sell first rights to each version or are they the same thing so that one has to be reprint rights?

Jane: Same as reprint rights. Sorry!

DellaRF: How do you submit or "type up" a crossword puzzle?

Jane: I use the graph paper and it is difficult to do. I haven't had an editor tell me not to use the graph paper yet. If I have instructions, I put them on regular paper.

Tiggie: You can use http://www.puzzlemaker.com to work on a puzzle - then just print it out - or put it into a word document and adjust anything as needed.

Jane: Thank you, Tiggie!

JAMES55CLINTON: In children's poems, is free verse acceptable, or is rhyme, rhythm, and meter mandatory?

Jane: Just about every type is used now.

Tiggie: What are the time frames for sending holiday materials? How far in advance? Or could you send something now say - for Memorial Day - for next year, since it may be in editors' minds?

Jane: You need to look in the Writers Market or get the magazines' guidelines as many of them are different. I would wait until right after Memorial Day and send something in to most magazines.

red2: When submitting puzzles and games with Bible verses, do you have to say which version you took the verses from?

Jane: Be sure and check your magazine guidelines; if they don't say what type, you will probably use King James. But if they like your puzzle, they might ask you to do it in the version they accept--in case you didn't do it in the right one. I have had that happen.

MODERATOR: Why would it be important to use a theme list for holiday/seasonal writing?

Jane: Sometimes a magazine will surprise you and go a different direction with a holiday. Magazines may need specific things such as customs at Christmas, Christmas in other lands, history of a certain holiday, that type thing. Only last year, I was prepared to send a "held over" (returned) generalized Christmas game to a religious magazine and found through their theme list they were concentrating on the Shepherds this year. Some magazines decide to go seasonal instead of using a holiday for the month. So it is important to check out the theme list.

MODERATOR: How do you find out about these theme lists? Where can you get them?

Jane: I send for the ones from the magazines in which I am interested in writing. You can find out if they use a theme list by checking in the Writers Market or other guides.

MODERATOR: Why is research important when writing short holiday/seasonal material?

Jane: You want your piece to be accurate especially since it is a holiday and people know about it.

MODERATOR: Sometimes there is much time spent in researching for an article. Can a writer use the research some other additional ways?

Jane: When I am doing research for a holiday/seasonal piece, I think what other way can I use it? It seems easy to me to make up a puzzle or game to go with the material. Sometimes I can use the material in an article to write a story also. Example: In an article, "How Do Seeds Travel?" I also used my information to make an activity called, "Learn How A Seed Grows". In searching for snow activities to write a parent/teacher article, I made up the story "Snow Cave." I wrote "An Old Fashioned Christmas" and included a paper ornament made in years past to go with the story. Children could make the decoration for their own tree.

DellaRF: What are some common mistakes writers make with seasonal pieces? How do we avoid these mistakes?

Jane: Seasonal stories sometimes end up telling about the season and forget there needs to be a conflict. The stories and articles need to be written like other stories and articles. Just because they are seasonal doesn't mean the editor will jump on them. Do the best you can with conflict, POV, and the other good writing techniques.

MODERATOR: I'm sorry to have to stop here, but we're out of time. Thank you so much for coming tonight, Jane. You've shared a wealth of practical information with us, and I'm sure you've sparked some creative ideas among our viewers.

Jane: I won't have a chance with my own holiday/seasonal pieces now, will I?

MODERATOR: You have probably created some competition!

Jane: Good! Thanks for tonight. Bye.

MODERATOR: Do come back in two weeks when our speaker will be Jane Buchanan who will talk on "Writing Historical Fiction." Jane is the author of three historical novels for middle graders and a former reference librarian--a great combination! The popularity of historical fiction has been on the rise in recent years, and Jane will discuss why it's important to get your facts right, where to find them, and how to turn them from fact to fiction. And now, good night, everyone!

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