FRIDAY MAY 22, 1998
A Teachers.Net Chat With
Joan Holub
Author and Illustrator
Joan Holub - logged on
Kat/Kathleen - Hi, Joan!!! Welcome to Teachers.Net! We are very grateful to you for appearing here tonight!
Valerie/NYr - Hello Joan and welcome!!!!
Joan Holub - Hi Kathleen?
Tom - joan you are my hero!!!!
RitaK - Hello Joan Holub :)
Kat/Kathleen - I would like to introduce children's author and illustrator, Joan Holub!
Lady - It's a pleasure, Joan Holub!
Jill - Welcome, Joan!
Kat/Kathleen - Yes, Joan, I use Kat for ease of chatting:-)
Mary K&1 - Joan, Hello and thanks for being here with us this evening
Joan Holub - Okay, I just figured out how to post here. Hi everyone.
Valerie/NYr - thanks so much for sending me a 100th day of retirement postcard last Nov....
Valerie S/oh - applause for Joan!
Joan Holub - You're welcome Valerie.
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, did you take a break from writing to be here tonight?
RitaK - What book are you working on now?
Lady - Joan, please tell us about yourself
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, if you prefer messages to scroll from the bottom, click on reverse in the left frame
Lady - Did you ever teach? Do you have any children?
Joan Holub - Yes, that's much better. Thanks.
Joan Holub - No I was never a teacher, but have met many authors who once were.
Kat/Kathleen - Bob, meet Joan Holub
Diane - Our kindergarten classes make a big deal out of the 100th day of school. I saw your book in Troll and told them about it.
Bob R/CA - Hi Joan, thanks for being here tonight -- we're thrilled you could make it! :o)
Joan Holub - Hi Bob, nice to meet you.
Mary K&1 - How did you get into the publishing field? Did someone seek you out, or did you do the seeking?
Joan Holub - Thanks Diane.
Joan Holub - I moved from TX to NYC to get into children's books. I got a job at Scholastic as Assoc Art Director.
Diane - Currently we are having a book fair at our school and I saw your book: Pen Pals. Now I will have to go back and purchase it.
RitaK - Where in Texas did you live?
Janny - Joan-what advice would you offer to those who are interested in getting a book published?
RitaK - I am from Northeast Texas by Longview
Joan Holub - I left Scholastic 7 years ago to begin writing and illus full time. I've published or sold recently a total of 8 books I've written and have illus lots of others.
Joan Holub - Pen Pals was the first book I ever wrote and sold.
Joan Holub - I was from Houston. Still have lots of family in Austin, Corpus, etc
Bob R/CA - Joan, did you self publish or go right to a house?
Valerie/NYr - Joan, do you have a favorite book?
Mary K&1 - From where do your ideas come?
RitaK - Neat
Diane - Neat! I will have to tell my first graders that I spoke with a real author on the internet.
Joan Holub - Janny, I'd suggest joining The Society of Children¹s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for lots of goodinfo on writing and selling kids books.
Joan Holub - I'd also suggest reading as many children's books as you can and writing regularly.
Janny - Do they have a website?
Joan Holub - Bob, I have never self published. Sold to Grosset & Dunlap first, then to Scholastic and Troll.
Sunny - Joan, it is such an honor to meet you
Joan Holub - Janny the SCBWI website is http://www.scbwi.org
Joan Holub - Hi Sunny, thanks
Sunny - Joan, the 100 days of school is our favorite time of the year
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, would you like us to give you a pause so that you can type in a long response to the many questions you've received already? :-)
Sunny - Our school does many wonderful "100" things
Lady - Joan, do you visit elementary schools to speak to children?
Janny - Thank you for the good advice!!! I have to go , but I hope we can chat again sometime!! :)
Sunny - We like to encorporate science, math, language arts and writing to this day
Joan Holub - My 100th Day of School Website at http://users.aol.com/a100thday/index.html has 150 ideas sent in by teachers.
Joan Holub - Lady, I don't very often. Just got back from one in San Francisco though.
Addie k/mo - we celebrate the 100th day of school too! it is a neat milestone for the children to look forward to and celebrate!
Sunny - The website was so helpful
Diane - Thanks for the website for the 100 days.
Mary K&1 - Joan, is it possible to outline the procedure/s that you follow when writing a book?
Sunny - What can I tell aspiring "writers" in my classroom?
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, do you know where the whole 100th day observance in school originated, was it from your book?
Valerie/NYr - Diane..that website is very informative...you'll love it!
Joan Holub - Here are some good websites I like about writing for kids Children's literature web guidehttp://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/index/html, Children's Writing Resource Center http://www.write4kids.com, Children's Book Council http://www.cbc.org
Addie k/mo - yes, it is an excellent website!
Sunny - That's a great website, the literature web
Joan Holub - Kat, I don't. Mary, the way I write a book is like this: Every time I think of an idea, I write it down and put it in a pile in myoffice. I'm always working onmore than one idea, either in my mind or onthe computer.
Sunny - What grade level do you usually write for?
Addie k/mo - neat, joan, so journaling is a good habit to get into if you are planning to grow up and be an author someday!
Kat/Kathleen - Hi, Jeff and Val! Welcome to the Joan Holub chat at Teachers.Net :-)
Joan Holub - I hate first drafts. I like revising. Sunny, I usually write for K-3, but have written Boo Who? for ages 1-6 and Space Dogs on Planet K-9 (Troll, Fall 98) for 7-10.
Addie k/mo - kat, i think that the 100th day of school originated from math their way, but i wouldnt swear to it!
Joan Holub - Yes, Addie. I don't write a formal journal. But every snippet of an idea I think of gets written down. I've learned the hard way, that I forget them if I don't write them down.
Kat/Kathleen - I wasn't familiar with 100th day until the book became popular!
Addie k/mo - how long does it take you to publish a book from idea to the finished product?
Sunny - Would you consider chapter books?
Bob R/CA - Joan, do you illustrate by hand, or use a computer?
Joan Holub - I wonder if anyone really knows who began the 100th day celebration and howit started. That book has sold better than any other book I've been involved with.
Valerie/NYr - Joan, of the books you have written,do you have a favorite...
Kat/Kathleen - Hello, Bob! Welcome to the chat with Joan Holub at Teachers.Net!
Addie k/mo - i might be an author when i grow up ;-)
Joan Holub - Bob, I've illustrated type (the JOANHOLUB logo at the top of my website) on the computer, but no art so far. I'd like to, but don't have time so far.
Kat/Kathleen - Addie, grow up!
Peachy - I just got Pajama Party. It's so appealing.
Addie k/mo - i have that book and my class really enjoyed it. we read it as part of our celebration
Kat/Kathleen - So, Joan, yours is not a part time job? ;-)
Joan Holub - Valerie, I always like the book I'm working on RIGHT NOW best. I'm fond on Boo Who? and Ivy Green Cootie Queen.
Addie k/mo - LOL, kat...i cant seem to get out of kindergarten!
Bob - Unfortunately (red faced) I've not seen any of your books. Do they have a moral or lesson that children learn, or are they just 'stories' to enjoy?
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, is there any younger Joan in Ivy??
Joan Holub - Here are some books I'll mention that are good writing and illus books:How A Book Is Made by Aliki, Writing with Pictures: How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books by Uri Shulevitz, Writing for Children and Teenagers by Lee Wyndham, How to Write a Children's Book and Get it published by Barbara Seuling.
Bob R/CA - Joan, you're "I Love You Dad" book is on back order -- will it be out by father's day?
Mary K&1 - Joan, I love your art work ... what's more difficult, the writing or the illustrating?
Jeff - Hello, Joan and everyone. I have a question. I have patented 3 devices which equips books with a system puppet utility. Would an agent handle this? And might you recommend one if the answer is affirmative. Thank you.
Kat/Kathleen - Bob, My copy of I love You Dad was delivered this week :-)
Bob R/CA - (and which do you enjoy more, writing or illustrating)
Tom - joan, what's life like being an auothor?
Joan Holub - Bob, I don't like to preach, but when it's possible to add something educational in the text of a funny story, I don't miss a chance to do it. In Ivy Green, she is picked on by other kids and is afraid of giving her book report in front of the class (Mylife experience). I tried to work in some public speaking tips for kids.
Addie k/mo - jeff, pardon my ignorance,but what is a system puppet utility?
Joan Holub - Jeff, an agent or packager would be the way to go. SCBWI (www.scbwi.org) has a list of packagers.
Sunny - Your books relate so well to the children
Tom - i love your book called pen pals.
Bob R/CA - Joan, what is a packager?
Kat/Kathleen - Hi, Doodah, welcome to chat with Joan Holub at Teachers.Net!
Addie k/mo - joan, i think the kids pick up the lessons best that way, when they can identify with the character's feelings. if the "lesson" in a story is really understated, then it can be brought out in class discussion and help the children learn to comprehend the more "understated" parts in a story.
Bob - Thanks for the reply Joan... I'll certainly be looking for your books. My best to you for your future writings.
Tom - especially my kids.
Sunny - We have pen pals in another state, next week I am going to read to them Pen Pals! :)
trisha - joan.. last semster.. my library science teacher must have said a hundred & one times how great your books are.. and after reading a few.. i have to agree.. i can see how easily children can relate to your characters..
Joan Holub - Cool, Kat. Bob and Tom--I like switching between art and writing. It's like having two jobs, so Idon't get bored. Being an author is fabulous. I get to set my own hours and be creative. It's up to me to be disciplined enoughto get my work done, but my time can be organized to suit me. I love thinking up ideas. Turning them into a whole books with a beginning, middle and end is the hard part.
Joan Holub - Thanks so much Trisha!
Bob R/CA - Joan, is it fun working with others, or can that be a trying experience when you have different visions?
Doodah - I have been away from children's books a long time, but I will look for Joan's books the next time I am in the bookstore. You have really interested me.
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, do you work (physically) with the author when you illustrate for someone else?
Sunny - Your children must be very lucky to have a great storyteller in the family
Joan Holub - A packager is brings ideas, authors, artists together and puts together projects for publishers to publish. Sometimes publishers don't have manpower or facilities todo it all fromthe ground up.
Joan Holub - Sunny, I don't have kids. I visit schools whenpossible to listen to kids, see what they're doing and wearing (for my art).
Tom - joan,have you ever thought about turning your books into television shows,like the magic school bus?
Bob R/CA - Joan, did someone inspire you to be a storyteller, such as a relative storryteller when growing up?
Sunny - Well, you are doing a fabulous job!!!!!!
trisha - ooh tom .. what a great idea...
Bob R/CA - (e.g. was your grandfather a great storyteller?)
Joan Holub - Bob, it can be trying when I don't agree with an editor or art director. But I'm pretty easygoing. I dont like to fight. I figure that in the end it boils down to the fact that I'm selling something and they are buying it from me. So the publisher is in the drivers seat.
Sunny - Great idea Tom
Addie k/mo - so, do the packagers go with familiar authors and illustrators? is it hard to break in to the writing business, if you are unknown or can you contact a packager to see what they are looking for in books?
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, when illustrating, do you have to work around the parameters set by a publisher..avoiding anything that is considered controversial? If so, would you give an example?
Bob R/CA - a pragmatist!
Joan Holub - Tom, I'm looking into tv for one of my upcoming books. It's a completely different world from children's book publishing. All new to me.
Peachy - In Pajama Party, for instance, who decides to add such things as the dog or cat who are not mentioned in the text but add so much to the illustrations?
Doodah - Joan, do you keep many ideas for books and art in your head at one time, or do you finish one book and wait a while before getting inspiration for another?
Joan Holub - Addie, packagers are very open to newcomers for the most part. They take a cut, so there's less money for the author. But it can be a good place to start. They often produce series chatper books for publishers or book plus projects, meaning a book and toy, etc.
Lady - Thank you for being here, Joan, I wish you continud success!
Sunny - Joan, what was the name of your first book?
Joan Holub - Doodah, I keep many, many ideas swirling around in myhead and on paper at one time. I'm almost always working on 2 or 3 stories at once. That way, if I'm stumped on one, I can go work on another.
Addie k/mo - interesting, joan, thank-you for your answer
Tom - i think it was pen pals.
Joan Holub - I had a pen pal when i was in 2nd grade. That's what gave me the idea. i visited a class who was writing to pen pals and I remembered how much I loved having one.
Pumpkin - Hi
Jeff - Joan, thank you for your referral. Sorry, I lost track of who asked...but a system puppet-utility is what I call my invention --'Puppetools.' For a glimpse of how I think Puppetools will (in theory) impact books in the year 2050, visit http://www.puppetools.com/bukutil.htm Thank you, again Joan! I'll be off!
Joan Holub - Hi pumpkin
Addie k/mo - so most of your book ideas, come from your own childhood experiences?
Kat/Kathleen - Hi, pumpkin! Welcome to the the Teachers.Net chat with Joan Holub!
Sunny - I'm a 2nd grade teacher and that is why we will be reading your Pen Pal book
Addie k/mo - jeff, i was the one who asked. going to your site...brb!
Pumpkin - How long have you been writing?
Joan Holub - I think the most asked question of all time--the question kids ask authors I mean--is "where do you get your ideas?" Most of mine come from situations I think are funny orinteresting. You know how when you are daydreaming youthink of weird possibilities? I write them all down to look at later.
Sunny - Do you ever use a tape recorder?
Tom - how long have you been writing books.
Joan Holub - I've been illustrating since i was in kindergarten. I always wanted to be an artist, studied it incollege. I didn't begin writing until after college. Began seriously submitting manuscripts to publishers around 1990. Sold myfirst one in 1996, and have sold a total of 8.
Mary K&1 - How do you know the age level of the books you write? How can you be sure?
Joan Holub - I don't use a tape recorder. i do meet with a critique group every 3 weeks. We read our work to each other for 2-3 hours and comment. It is incredibly helpful.
Pumpkin - What college did you go to?
Joan Holub - Mary, I just write for a general age category usually K-3, maybe a bit younger or older. Publishers tell me what level book it willbe. I don't decide that.
Teresa/Ok - Joan my husband and I wrote and illustrated a book together and sent it out to publishers for about a year then got discouraged. Did you keep sending the same story out for 6 years or different ones?
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, who are the critique group?
Sunny - Are there any specific activities children can do after reading your books?
Doodah - Thank you, Joan, for sharing your time with us tonight. I can't wait to go shopping for your books.
Joan Holub - I went to Univ of TX in Austin Tx.
Joan Holub - The two authors in my critique group have published zillions of mag articles, butno books yet. Sue Ford and Lorie Grover. i met them through SCBWI.
Kat/Kathleen - Doodah, Teachers.Net can help you with that shopping, right Bob?
Pumpkin - what are some of the books you made?
trisha/LA - hi joan.. your illustrations are great.. you
Bob R/CA - if anyone needs Ms. Holub's titles, they can be purchased in our bookstore or on Joan's site at http://www.joanholub.com
Joan Holub - Teresa, before i sold my first manuscript I was about to tear my hair out. The first one was really hard. Each sale is still hard. Decisions take forever. I never give up. I just sold something that I'd sent to over 20 publishers. I liked it and was determined to sell it.
Addie k/mo - back from jeff's site! neat site, i bookmarked it so i can read it more carefully later. i think that you have excellent ideas!
Teresa/Ok - Joan, my husband and I wrote and illustrated a book together and
Joan Holub - Thanks, Bob.
Reed - What is your next project??
Sunny - Have children ever sent you letters?
Joan Holub - Here are the titles of some of the books I've written:Boo Who? A Spooky Lift the Flap Book, Pen Pals, Ivy Green Cootie Queen, Space Dogs on Planet K-9, Red Yellow Green What Do Signs Mean?, Pajama Party. Here are a few titles I'veillustrated: I Love You Dad, I Love You Mom, The 100thDay of School, My First Book of Sign Language.
Mary K&1 - Joan, do you have any friendships or contacts with other children's authors?
Teresa/Ok - Thanks Joan, that makes me feel a little better. I think our story is really cute. It's a Casey at the Bat sort of story about a hard luck football player.
Joan Holub - Sunny, I love getting kids' letters. I jsut answered a bunch last night.
Addie k/mo - do you enjoy receiving letters from children and do you have time to respond to them? i imagine that you are very busy!
KJ/IL - Joan, I am a big fan of yours :) Especially your pen pal book!
Sunny - It is nice to know you really answer their letters
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, do you have any special familiarity with sign language?
Addie k/mo - which publisher handles the sign language book? that must have been a challenge to illustrate!
Sunny - My kids studied Tomie dePaola and it took forever for him to respond to them
KJ/IL - I have a pen pal newsletter, "Kids Together!" I mentioned your books and web page in it!
Joan Holub - I always respond to letters from kids. Authors like Marc Brown can't do it because they get toomany. But most of the authors I know are thrilled to get lettrs fromkids. We are somewhat isolated in our work. The only guage i have sometimes of how my books are received is by looking at how many sold on my semi annual royalty statemetns.
karen - Joan my class just met with their penpals today. Is your Pen Pal book good to read to 4th graders?
Sunny - How do you get the newsletter?
Bob R/CA - Joan, how many cents on the dollar does the average author make?
Addie k/mo - yes, i agree with sunny, it is nice to know that you answer their letters. the kids really like to write to authors, but it is disappointing to them when there is no answer. but i try to explain to them how much work the authors have to do and how many people write to them!
Joan Holub - Publishers send out royalty statements twice a year. First, I get an advance payment when I sign a contract. Then I get more money when I finish the sketches. The final payment comes after I finish manuscript changes and the art. Once I've earned back that advance money, I begin getting royalty checks.
Sunny - Tomie dePaola seems very busy too.
KJ/IL - Children from all over subscribe to it through the mail...since it is a pen pal newsletter, I was excited to write about Joan :)
Joan Holub - Publishers send out royalty statements twice a year. First, I get an advance payment when I sign a contract. Then I get more money when I finish the sketches. The final payment comes after I finish manuscript changes and the art. Once I've earned back that advance money, I begin getting royalty checks.
Pumpkin - what is your favorite book
Joan Holub - Publishers send out royalty statements twice a year. First, I get an advance payment when I sign a contract. Then I get more money when I finish the sketches. The final payment comes after I finish manuscript changes and the art. Once I've earned back that advance money, I begin getting royalty checks.
Kat/Kathleen - I think computers have made it easier for authors to respond to the many letters, right?
Mary K&1 - Joan, do you have any friendships or contacts with other authors?
Joan Holub - Thanks for the mention KJ. Karen, Pen pals is for grades 1-3.
Teresa/Ok - Addie, I have always wanted to publish a newletter or book that lists addresses of authors and authors that are good at responding. I try them all to see who will respond and I have saved all of my responses. Jack Prelutsky, Robert Munsch, and Jan Brett are great!
Sunny - Would you ever consider teaching?
karen - Joan do you have any books that would be written for 4th graders?
Joan Holub - The internet has enabled me to meet many authors and artists I admire. It has been wonderful. Artists often don't meet their authors and vice versa when they're collaborating on a book. Publishers do not put us in touch. So I have begun meeting some of them online.
frannie - where do you get the addresses of the authors
Teresa/Ok - Addie, there are lots of others that also responded, but those are big names that really do a super job responding
Addie k/mo - teresa, that is a good idea! eric carle is good about writing back too!
Joan Holub - Jan Brett and Jack prelutsky are probably really busy, so I admire them for responding to kids' letters.
Bob R/CA - that happens occasionaly
KJ/IL - Joan, if you could give any advice to a kid who is interested in writing, what would it be?
Sunny - Will chapter books ever be made?
Mary K&1 - Joan, it must be difficult illustrating for someone whom you never met! That must take some getting used to!
Joan Holub - KJ, I'd tell them to write about what they enjoy, what makes them laugh, what makes them mad, what makes them cry. Keep an idea notebook,sothey don't forget ideas. And write regularly. Don't think you're going to do it someday. If you putit off, you never will.
frannie - Joan have you ever had the opportunity to read one of your books to a group of children ?
Joan Holub - Oh, and READ, READ, READ. That is very important.
Joan Holub - Sunny, what do you mean about chapter books? There are chapter books now, right?
Bob R/CA - wI'll ask -- what's a chaper book?
Sunny - Longer chapters?
Jimmie/TX - Native of Texas. :) Well, she's of good stock, then. :)
KJ/IL - Joan, that's great advice!
Joan Holub - Mary, it's easy to illustrate something when I haven't met the author. It's almost harder when i know them. I worry about doing what they want or will like then, rather than just doing what I think is best. But I like meeting htem anyway. I don't worry about it too much.
Sunny - I have very bright readers
Teresa/Ok - Bob, Duh, a book with chapters
Kat/Kathleen - A chapter book is just that, a book composed of chapters, unlike picture books for young er children.
karen - Joan which of your books could be used with 4th graders? I did use some of your books when I taught 2nd?
KJ/IL - Joan, as a child, what was your favorite story to read?
Sunny - A chapter book is a very long story
Jimmie/TX - Joan, it's really nice to meet you.
Bob R/CA - I've... heard of them
Addie k/mo - mary, i thought that your question was interesting. it reminds me of my "real time" friends who wonder how i can chat with all these people i dont even know!!!:-)
Joan Holub - Frannie, yes whenever I visit a school, they almost always ask me to read a book. It was scary at first. Here I was all alone all day every day working. then suddenly I'm faced with all these kids and expected to perform. But I soon realized they were very accepting and eager to hear from a 'real' author.
Joan Holub - Hi Jimmie, you too.
Sunny - Which of your books would be a chapter book?
KJ/IL - Everyone should check out Joan's web site..you can even get a NEAT stationery sheet illustrated by her :)
Bob R/CA - that's cool!
Joan Holub - Sunny, my two newest books Ivy Green, Cootie Queen (Troll, June 98)is an early chapter book for ages 7-9. Space Dogs on Planet K-9 (Troll, Sept 98) is a chapter book for ages 7-10.
Jimmie/TX - KJ, :)! That sounds like something fun to do while I wind down from teacher workday today.
Addie k/mo - i will go check it out soon. i havent been there for a while
Joan Holub - I've never written anything longer than 7000 words which is what my chapter book, Space Dogs on Planet K-9 is.
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, did any of your elem. school teachers recognize/encourage your talent?
Joan Holub - Picture books are the hardest thing for an author to sell. Every new author tries to sell a picture book, so there are too many picture book manuscripts in editors offices. It's easier to start with a different typeof book.
Addie k/mo - yeah, kids are great, they think that you are beautiful and a wonderful singer and a great reader, yada, yada, yada....even when it is not how you picture yourself.
Sunny - Do you have any pets?
Jimmie/TX - I'll have to read, Ivy Green, Cootie Queen...the title is intriguing.
Pumpkin - have you ever met Eric Carle
Kat/Kathleen - That's interesting about picutre books being more difficult to sell..
Tony B/CA - WOW! his is exciting - welcome, Joan Holub, and thanks for being here...
Addie k/mo - yes, i like that title too!
Joan Holub - Jimmie, sometimes I start a book with a title. All I had was the title Ivy Green Cootie Queen when I began that manuscript. But I loved it and was determined to write something for it. It took a couple of years to think of something. Boo Who? began with a title also.
Joan Holub - Thanks Tony
Bob R/CA - Joan, Tony Bott is the founder of Teachers.Net
Bob R/CA - (Joan, Tony... Tony, Joan :o)]
trisha/LA - wow.. hi tony.. it's a pleasure to meet you
KJ/IL - Tony B. - it is exciting to have you in here too!! You are wonderful!
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, Tony is the co-creator of TEachers.Net! :-)
Sunny - Tony, you are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Kathy/5/IA - Hello Joan! It's so nice to meet you!!
Addie k/mo - bob and tony are our heroes!
Jimmie/TX - Tony, thanks for inventing this place! :)
Joan Holub - There's no right way to write a book. Some authors I know don't know what the ending will be as thery're writing, while others competely outline the whole story before they begin writing. Outlining would kill the fun for me. I usuallyhave an idea of how the book will end and what's going to happen. But I don't plot the whole thing out beforehand.
KJ/IL - Joan, do you still have writings that you did as a child??
Tony B/CA - Everyone, Bob and Kathleen deserve most of the credit, I assure you...
Mary K&1 - Joan, I like that idea, keeping the doors open
Tony B/CA - Joan, do you ever do improvisational stories with groups of students?
Joan Holub - KJ. No, my mom was into cleaning. She threw away my old stuff. I wish I did have some of my old stories to show kids.
KJ/IL - oh, that's too bad, Joan :0
Sunny - Joan, is this the first time you are chatting on-line with teachers?
Kathy/5/IA - Joan, how long have you been writing for children?
Addie k/mo - that is too bad, joan! they would be famous manuscripts now!
Joan Holub - Tony, Kat and Bob--this is a wondeful chat room. I attend a childrens writers chat on AOL every Tues night and you can't write more than a few words at a time there. If anyone is on AOL, you can attend this chat too. it's all children's book authors, with editor and author guest speakers.
Mary K&1 - I knew there was a good reason not to clean!!
Joan Holub - Lol mary
Addie k/mo - joan, did you answer kat's question about if any of your elementary teachers recognize your talent and encourage it, or did i miss the answer?
Bob R/CA - I'm with you Mary,m in fact I'm still researching other benefits <g>
Valerie/NYr - lol Mary!!!!!!!!!
Joan Holub - Sunny, yes this is my first chat with teachers. I have chatted directly with 2 classrooms before. The teacher typed the kids questions and I answered.
Addie k/mo - LOL, mary!!! no more cleaning! someone in my family might be famous someday and i will need all their old stuff!
Sunny - How fun!!!!! 
KJ/IL - Joan, is there a favorite book you read...growing up as a child??
Jimmie/TX - That sounds like an interesting chat, but I'm AOLess.
Addie k/mo - how did you do the classroom chats? ICQ???
Bob R/CA - Joan, you are an inspiration!!!!!
Mary K&1 - Joan, does your work space get cluttered? I'm often afraid to move things because than I know I won't be able to find anything!
Kathy/5/IA - Joan, do you plan to arrange for more chat sessions with classroom kids?
Jimmie/TX - Addie, that's good thinking. I'm with you on that one. :)
Joan Holub - Addie, I didnt see that question. I was a good student and didn't get much attention because I never said much. My teachers encouraged my writing and illus by giving me good grades. Grades were important to me because theywere to my parents. My mom took me to the library a lot, which sparked my interest in books. I've always read a lot.
Sunny - Thank you so much Joan for your terrific childrens books as well as your kindness. I can't wait to tell my 2nd graders.
Kat/Kathleen - Teachers.Net will be bringing more authors and illustrators to you soon :-)
Joan Holub - KJ, one of my favorite oldies is Spaceship Under the Apple Tree. Also, A good Place to hide.
Addie k/mo - LOL, mary! that is what my desk looks like at school! it is a disaster area! i did clean it off yesterday and found all sorts of interesting artifacts as i excavated the mound!
Bob R/CA - (and hopefully Ms. Holub will return again too!)
Joan Holub - For info about the AOL writers chat (you must be an AOL member to attend) email writerbabe@aol.com
KJ/IL - oh, thanks
Kat/Kathleen - Joan has said she will return in the FAll, right, Joan? :-)
Bob R/CA - LOL e-mail address!
Addie k/mo - thank-you, joan.
Joan Holub - bob, I'd be glad to come back. This is fun.
Joan Holub - Yes, Kat. Any time.
Addie k/mo - i wish i still was in school, so i could tell my class how i chatted with you!!!
Bob R/CA - Ok, that's legal, right guys? ;o)
KJ/IL - Joan, aside from writing..what are some of your hobbies??
Joan Holub - I have an entire room to myself for my office and it is very cluttered. I don't like too much mess, so I try to keep it organized.
Kathy/5/IA - Joan would it be possible to contact your for a chat session with a classroom - as you spoke of earlier?
KJ/IL - Geez, I'm full of questions, aren't I?! ;)
Kat/Kathleen - Bob, what is legal?
Joan Holub - My 'home' is upstairs. Every day I leave home and go downstairs to my office to work. It helps keep me working because I feel like I'm at work rather than at home.
Bob R/CA - legally binding, Kat
Joan Holub - Yes Kathy. email me at joanholub@aol.com
Mary K&1 - Our district has 2 distance learning set ups, with the cameras and Tvs. Have you ever done a distance learning session? Would you consider doing one?
Tony B/CA - Wow, Joan, you sure are self-disciplined!
Addie k/mo - i just wrap my desk with some of that yellow tape that says "police line - do not cross"
Joan Holub - I have a friend who's an illustrator and she works in bed in her pj's. that would NEVER work for me. I'd fall asleep. I have to be at a desk to work.
trisha/LA - lol..addie
Addie k/mo - wow, our high school has an LDC! they could let us use it
Joan Holub - Mary, sounds interesting. Email me about it. I'd like to try it.
Jimmie/TX - Joan, LOL!!! Working in bed wouldn't be sensible for me either. ;)
Kat/Kathleen - I'm working my pjs right now!! ;-)
Joan Holub - LOL addie
Mary K&1 - I'll do just that, Thanks!!
Bob R/CA - I could never work at home
Joan Holub - Bunny slippers, kat?
Kathy/5/IA - Thank you Joan.
Jimmie/TX - Kat, you lucky thing! I haven't been home long enough to get into the PJs.
Kathy/5/IA - I don't get much done at home...since I found teachers.net!
Bob R/CA - LOL Kathy!
Addie k/mo - LOL, joan...hippity hop, hippity hey! kat's got bunny slippers today!
Joan Holub - A bookstore has asked me to read my Pajama Party book to some kids on a Friday night. I'm thinking of wearing a striped bathrobe over my clothes and my bunny slippers tothe event.
Valerie/NYr - I've got pig slippers on, Kat!!!!!!!!
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, LOL, no just my Dearfoams!
trisha/LA - i'm with you.. kathy.. i'm always online..
Addie k/mo - oh, joan, they would love it!
Bob R/CA - Joan, how many minutes does it take you to read through the book?
Kathy/5/IA - That would be so cute, Joan! The kids would always remember that!
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, send a pciture of that!! Bob could scan it on to the site (maybe??)
KJ/IL - That would be funny, Joan! The kids would love it!
Joan Holub - What are we all going to do when teleconferencing comes into style in a big way. We're doomed to dress up.
trisha/LA - that would be too funny joan..
Jimmie/TX - Joan, the kids would love to see that. :)
Addie k/mo - me too, the house is clean enough as long as i can find the computer!
Kat/Kathleen - Valerie, pigs!!! LOL!
Bob R/CA - (yes, Kat)
Mary K&1 - What book stores do you make appearances at?
Kat/Kathleen - JOan, I'm fighting that teleconferencing idea all the way!!
Bob R/CA - Joan, I'm getting plastic surgey or a mask
Valerie/NYr - they oink too..lol
Joan Holub - Bob, that's a problem. Only about 5-10. Pajama Party rhymes and for younger kids I liketo see if they can guess the rhyming word. I wait and they usually yell it out. The audience participation is fun for them.
Bob R/CA - Cool!!!
Jimmie/TX - Well, Joan, at least we'll have to dress up from the waist up. If you remain seated you can still wear your PJ bottoms. ;)
Joan Holub - We'll all need those Jane Jetson masks.
Bob R/CA - Joan, do you tape or video record these things ever?
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, if you answered already, I'm sorry to repeat, but did any of your elem. school teachers recognize and encourage your talent?
Kat/Kathleen - HI, Cathy!! Welcome to our chat with Joan Holub at TEachers.Net!
Joan Holub - Are any of you authors or aspiring authors? I meet many authors who were once teachers or librarians. Some who still are while they're writing.
Kathy/5/IA - Joan, I'm sure you answered this...but where have you gotten your ideas for some of your books?
Cathyk/pa - Hi Joan, I wanted to thank you for sending us a postcard .
Tony B/CA - I think we'll just select personality images from an index, and that will represent us - like an avatar
Cathyk/pa - Hi Kat, thank you!
Addie k/mo - bob, that would be a good idea! many classes do author studies and i am sure that ind. teachers or school libraries would be very interested in purchasing a tape like that
Kat/Kathleen - I aspired, but now my brain is too frazzled!
Bob R/CA - Joan, I have heard from quite a few of our budding authors this week who are looking for tips and also suggestions to motivate their kids to write
Kathy/5/IA - I dream of writing for children. I dabble so far...need to get serious about it!
Joan Holub - Kat, I don't remember my teachers making any big deal out of my writing. I did win a writing contest once. I was encourgaged in my art at school and at home.
Jimmie/TX - Tony, I think that's a *much* better idea. That way I don't have to do my hair and put on makeup.
Kat/Kathleen - Tony, I like the avatar idea ;-)
Tony B/CA - ok, we'll have to invent it, Bob - or has that been done? The line blurs... ;)
Joan Holub - Bob, having authors visit a school is one way to motivate kids. Kids are amazed to see a real person standing in front of them who has written a book they are holding. It makes it seem possible that theytoo could write a book someday and have it published.
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, any plans to write for an older audience?
Joan Holub - Cathy, you're welcome.
Kathy/5/IA - What part of the country do you live in Joan? Do you make school visits?
Cathyk/pa - Joan, do you visit schools?
Joan Holub - Bob, I've never taped myself reading a book. Grosset & Dunlap published pajama party. When I told them I might dress up they asked me to take photos. I think they just want to giggle at them. hee hee
Jimmie/TX - Joan, I've often thought about writing for children, but so far I haven't even started. Not too confident.
Bob R/CA - heheheh!!! I'm thinking about getting a recording of a reading by you and streaming it from our website. Might help you sell books and would bring life to your stuff for our teachers
Addie k/mo - joan, you could put them on your website and add a midi of you reading a portion of the book to go with the pix :-)
Jimmie/TX - My students have always enjoyed hearing an author read his or her own book. That is very intriguing to them.
Kathy/5/IA - I have great ideas in my head...I just don't get them written down in time. When I go to write, the ideas are gone....
Joan Holub - Kathy, I don't do a lotof school visits, and most just in the Seattle area. Many authors these days earn a good part of their living by doing school visits. Since I write and illustrate, I usuallyhave work inone or the other to keep me busy, so I don't go out on a lot of visits. Plus I feel guilty charging anything for a visit.
Joan Holub - Addie, cute idea.
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, do your publishers ever send you on tour?
Bob R/CA - (that is, bring your stuff to life -- that was eloquent Bob!)
Kathy/5/IA - Do you know of any authors that live in the midwest who make school visits?
Joan Holub - Kat, I've never tried a longer book for an older audience. I want to try eveyrthing though. I just sold two spooky stories and now I want to try writing a mystery. I also just finished writing some nonfiction. It all depends on what idea comes to you. If you get an idea for an older reader, that's what you write.
KJ/IL - What is the most exciting thing about being a "known" author?
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, what do you like to read?
Joan Holub - Kathy, write those ideas down before youforget them. Someday you'll have time to sit down and write and you'll be faced with a blank computer screen and no ideas. If youhave a bunch of ideas jotted down to refer to, it'll jumpstart your writing.
Kathy/5/IA - What writing techniques work best for you...do you map out your story, free write and then revise???
Jimmie/TX - I wrote a little in high school. But let it slide after that. Wish I'd kept it up.
Joan Holub - Kat, I read adult nonfiction, and kids books. I read about 3-10 children's books a week.
Joan Holub - It's never too late, Jimmie.
Mary K&1 - Do you carry a tablet with you everywhere you go?
Joan Holub - Kat, publishers typically send the bigger name authors on tour. Or authors who have a big book out recently. I'm a mid-list author, which means if i want to tour--I pay for it.
Tony B/CA - Joan, about how many books or stories are you working on at a given time?
Joan Holub - Mary, no I write on scrap paper, checks, envelopes. I toss it all in a pile and organize it on tablets later. I should carry a notebook, but don't.
Tony B/CA - you can send us a video, we'll digitize it, and put you on the TEACHERS.NET TOUR for free, anytime! That's a promise!!
Kat/Kathleen - maybe there is hope for me
Jimmie/TX - Joan, I'd lose the scraps of paper...LOL...
KJ/IL - Joan, do you have children of your own..or do you bring your stories to any specific children first?
Kathy/5/IA - I was thinking about getting a small tape recorders. Some of my best ideas come when I'm driving to and from work...and can't write them down.
Mary K&1 - If you already told us, I missed it. Where do you live right now?
Addie k/mo - oh, tony...how awesome!!! then i could bring my class to see it next year! we are getting a whole new ibm lab all on line!
Joan Holub - Kathy, I write in different ways. but I never outline and I rarely revise as I go. I tend to get a plot or situation idea or to think of some interesting characters. Then I start writing. if I hit a roadblock, I just let the story rest and move to another story. I eventallysolve whatever problem I was having on the first story and go back to it.
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, you never pancie at a block?
Joan Holub - Tony, I'd like to hear more about that video teachersnet tour. Is that for real?
Jimmie/TX - Kathy, I get ideas when I'm falling asleep. Then when I wake up and remember the idea, they are as silly as those wierd dreams people often have where nothing makes sense. LOL!!!!!!
Kat/Kathleen - panic :-/
Kathy/5/IA - Thanks for the advice!
Joan Holub - KJ, I don't have children. I find that if I read something to kids, they always love it because they're hearing it in a fun situation. So it's not a good guage. I read my work to my critique group. They are brutal and it helps me fine tune my writing.
Joan Holub - mary, I'm in Seattle.
Tony B/CA - Sure is for real! Bob and I have been planning this concept for a while - we'll e-mail you more information. Do you think you could send us a VHS video?
Kathy/5/IA - Jimmie...I've written so many great stories in my dreams. I wake up, think...WOW that would be a great story...them fall back asleep -
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, who is in the critique group? other prof, writers?
Joan Holub - Jimmie, yes I often get ideas or work on stories as I'm falling asleep. I do keep a notebook andpen by the bed. I write in the dark and sometimes can't read it the next morning.
Addie k/mo - is it like a writer's guild?
Sea/2/NC - joan, i'm curious about critique group, too
Joan Holub - Tony, yes, email me about the video. I can send VHS.
Sea/2/NC - Kathy, sounds like you have a great source for inspiration!
Joan Holub - Hi Ginn, we're neighbors. I'm in seattle.
Ginn/Oreg - I love to write............... I have written a few special things
Tony B/CA - You've got it Joan! You'll be our debut author! More later...
Sea/2/NC - like what, ginn?
Joan Holub - A critique group is just authors who get together and exchange their work. Many authors do this formally or informallywith other authors. It helps us see the problems in our work BEFORE we submit to publishers.
Valerie/NYr - Tony what a great idea..looking forward to that!!!!!!!!!
Ginn/Oreg - I wrote a litney of what teachers do that gets rave reviews ~
KJ/IL - Joan, do you mind if I use some of the questions & answers in here...in my newsletter, the kids who receive it would love to hear about you
Sea/2/NC - Joan, they help you delete the unnecessary and improve the quality...
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, when you;re not working, what do you like to do with your time?
Sea/2/NC - sounds neat, ginn!
Jimmie/TX - That falling asleep time really is a good time for ideas. I guess because I'm unwound. So, Kathy, get that little notebook and pen ready for your bedside!
Joan Holub - I was reluctant to join a critique group initially, but it has really worked out well for me. I was afraid to trust the opinions of other writers. But I've learned to listen to some criticisms and to disregard others.
Kathy/5/IA - I plan to Jimmie!
Joan Holub - KJ, that would be great. you're welcome to use any of my answers in your newsletter. Thanks for suggesting it.
Sea/2/NC - joan, was it hard getting your initial book published? (send it many places...?)
Ginn/Oreg - Good idea I will start keeping a notebook near the bed, thanks
Bob R/CA - Joan, feel free to stay as long as you can!
Joan Holub - Yes, Sea2NC, you're right.
Valerie/NYr - voice-activated tape recorder works well too..
Kat/Kathleen - Well, sorry to say that it is 10:30 ET, We are thrilled that you were able to be here at Teachers.Net for your first chat with us!!
KJ/IL - Thank you Joan, I'll send you a copy of it, if you'd like :)
Sea/2/NC - shucks! and I had to go off tonight and get back late!!!
Joan Holub - The problem with a tape is that I don't think I'd ever go back and listen to what I recorded. If I write something down it's easy to refer to it quickly.
Bob R/CA - Sea, we'll be publishing this log on Teachers.Net
Sea/2/NC - may i ask how many times/places you sent it? (i've been put down by a couple...)
Kathy/5/IA - Thank you Joan, for being a part of teachers.net!!!!
Mary K&1 - Joan, thanks so much for sharing with us this evening. I know you must be worn out by now!
Joan Holub - KJ, that would be great. I keep a file of speeches, and articles I write. I'll add it to that.
Sea/2/NC - joan, do you write on a computer or freehand?
Sea/2/NC - thanks, bob!
KJ/IL - great..thank you for being here...you are wonderful!!
trisha/LA - bye joan.. it was great of you to talk with us..
Valerie/NYr - I use it in the car and at night when at 3 am I can't see the notepad!!!!!!!lol
Joan Holub - The time flew by for me tonight. This has been alot of fun. I'm dying to come back. Now you won't be able to get rid of me. (You try soaking her out, but...)
Sea/2/NC - thank you, Joan for coming!!!
KJ/IL - Joan, where is your address??
Addie k/mo - thank-you for chatting! i will be looking forward to the video that bob and tony are planning!
Jimmie/TX - I like to see the words so that I can cross out, delete, manipulate, replace, etc.
Bob R/CA - Oh, we should be so lucky!!!
Tony B/CA - Thank you Joan!!! You are a fantastic guest - I look forward to our video project for the wonderful Teachers.Net community
Addie k/mo - joan, you are welcome anytime!
Kat/Kathleen - Joan, you'll always be special to TEachers.Net..our first famous author guest!
Joan Holub - I write on the computer always. I print the story out a few times during the process and readit inthe evening while I'm watching tv or something. it sounds different in a different room somehow.
Valerie/NYr - thank you Joan..
Joan Holub - yes, me too Jimmie
Sea/2/NC - joan, come visit the lounge any time you just want to unwind or chat :o)
Ginn/Oreg - Joan do you have any special ideas for inspiring young children to write say 4th and 5th graders
Jimmie/TX - Joan, thank you so much for taking time out to chat with us. I've had a wonderful time. Wish I hadn't gotten home so late. :) Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Joan Holub - Good night everyone. Thanks Kat, Tony, Bob and all of you!
Sea/2/NC - thanks, joan
Kat/Kathleen - SEA, good suggestion!
Alice - It was fun meeting all of you specially Joan.
Valerie/NYr - good night Joan...
Kat/Kathleen - Joan Thank YOU!! I'll be in touch :-)
Addie k/mo - good night, everyone! great evening! L8RG8Rs!
KJ/IL - Bye Joan! Can you leave us with your home page address?
Bob R/CA - Thanks Joan, you are wonderful, we'll be in touch about the trnscript and other possible future ideas for collaboration. :o)
Kat/Kathleen - bye, Addie!
Mary K&1 - Joan, you might want to lurk around Teachers.net. You will find lots of ideas for books. Teachers are always sharing little stories of things that have happened
Mary K&1 - Good Night Joan!
Cathyk/pa - good night all
Valerie/NYr - good suggestion Mary..especially on the chatboard
Kat/Kathleen - Rats, I forgot to get her autograph :-/
Mary K&1 - This was a very good evening
Sea/2/NC - good night, joan, and thank you for coming!
Jimmie/TX - Kathleen, Bob, and Tony, thanks for such a lovely evening. Ya'll are super!
Kat/Kathleen - Mary, yes, a very good evening..she's cool, eh?
Bob R/CA - sure. The log will be published and linked from the main website, but also likely from this room via the "archive" button on the left
Sea/2/NC - LOL Kat! me too!
Kat/Kathleen - bye, Alice, thanks!
Tony B/CA - Good weekend all! Enjoy the well-deserved long weekend!
Jimmie/TX - Kathleen, maybe you can get her autograph next time. ;)
Kat/Kathleen - Jimmie, it wouldn't hapen w/o our t.netters!
Bob R/CA - adios amigos -- THANKS AGAIN JOAN AND KATHLEEN!!! :o)
Sea/2/NC - Thanks for all of this, Bob!!! :o)))))
Sea/2/NC - bye all
KJ/IL - Tony, compliments on the wonderful job you do here!! When is teachers.net tv coming?
Sea/2/NC - and Kat, too!
Ginn/Oreg - And I missed her...darn............... things arent workign well here in Oregon
Kat/Kathleen - Goodnight, all!!! Watch for more Joan Holub and others!
Valerie/NYr - good night all
Jimmie/TX - Kathleen, I took a copy of the main page from the site up to school. Our librarian (who is biiiig into technology), posted it up in the window of the library so that everyone could see it. :)
Tony B/CA - soon, KJ, soon... ;) Bob is the lead-man on that project... d:^)
KJ/IL - :)
Ginn/Oreg - We've been doing author studies with my class and I was going to ask her so much...well guess I can write her a letter
Kathy/5/IA - Good night all! (Ginn, take care - I'm thinking of you in Oregon!
Valerie/NYr - have a great weekend!!!!
Jimmie/TX - Tony, it was a pleasure to meet you this evening. Thank you for everything you do for us. :)
Ginn/Oreg - thanks Kathy
Tony B/CA - THANK YOU ALL! See you again real soon!! ;)
Jimmie/TX - Ginn, I'm keeping the folks in Oregon in my thoughts and prayers.
Jimmie/TX - Take care. G'nite.
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