literary agents | Mr. D's Neighborhood

I’d like to wish everyone in the neighborhood a happy Easter and a joyous Passover. Whether its celebrating the resurrection of Big J, the exodus of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, or the fact that we may finally leave winter sometime this month–remember that every day is a celebration. Party on!

Some random thoughts today before the holiday preparations:

My call for help with my children’s book is still open. I have received some feedback, but could use more opinions out there. Any thoughts on this is welcome. Even if you want to berate me for continuing on this quixotic quest for publishing glory–that way I have something to read as I whimper in the fetal position. So, to repeat, any help on this would be much appreciated.
My Las Vegas trip is coming up, and the Neighborhood can also assist here. I need to take future Mrs. D out to dinner at a nice restaurant when we sojourn in Las Vegas this week. I’d like any suggestions sooner rather than later, as I’d like to reserve a table while I’m here. Furthermore, I’m looking for a NON-Cirque du Soleil show to attend while I’m there–future Mrs. D doesn’t care for half-naked Quebecois leaping to New Age music. I’d be much obliged for suggestions.
Lastly, I’ve been intrigued by this pirate situation as of late in the Horn of Africa. This has been going on for quite a while, and it makes a very good teachable moment for those kids still enamored with Johnny Depp mincing in pirate gear. Pirates are not cool. In fact, they are no better than drunken criminals. As the students can see by the news stories, real lives are at stake. Keep it in mind for a quickie lesson after your break.

It’s a short one today, as I have relatives to see and shopping to do. Have a great holiday, and I’ll see everyone on Monday.

Now that I’m free during the day for the next week and and a half, I’m catching up on some long-overdue projects, and Mr. D needs the help of the whole Neighborhood!

About a year ago, I wrote a children’s book. I didn’t illustrate it, wouldn’t know how–and am looking for an illustrator, but that’s besides the point. The book I wrote is based on lessons I do about government–what it is, how it works, and the different kinds of government through history (monarchy, dictatorship, democracy, etc.). It is done in a kid-friendly way, with humor and insightful ideas so that it’s not completely boring. My students love when I do my government lessons each year, and Bronx kids are a tough crowd.

I sent it to a slew of agents for readings and, as I expected, either got rejected outright or cast aside in favor of the latest American Girl book or Diary of a Wimpy Kid (a brilliant book, by the way). I’m not sure what I need to do with this manuscript: do I need an illustrator, an agent, an editor? All of them? None of them? I have illustrators in mind, but I doubt they’d give me the time of day. If I need to edit my work further, I don’t know where to start. It would be great to get this thing published, and am asking my readers for assistance.

If you are involved in publishing in any way–agent, editor, publisher, illustrator, whatever–please e-mail me with any ideas. I’m reluctant to release my work online, so I will only provide manuscripts to serious offers of help. I understand that this process is daunting and I shouldn’t expect lightning to strike quickly, but it’s important to be protective these days. Any assistance in this would be much appreciated, including referrals to people who can help.