Minnesota Children’s Publishers (mostly of the nonfiction variety)

When I explain to people that I want to go “home” (Minnesota) to work in my chosen publishing field, they look at my like I’m bonkers. “Don’t you want to move to New York or Boston or even Chicago or San Fran? Well, no, I don’t really have any desire to move there on a regular basis, but for a job, why would I want to go to any of those? They don’t have nearly as many fantastic children’s publishers as the Twin Cities does. Normally, the laughing ensues on this, and I attempt to convince them by explaining that MN houses three of the largest and most-respected publishers of kid NF lit as well as a great many smaller, stellar kid lit publishers. Don’t believe me, either? Take a look-see at this article by the School Library Journal written in March of 2008.

As many of you know, I currently work in adult scholarly journal publishing, and I love it. I really do. But my heartstrings are still pulled toward children’s nonfiction publishing, and it doesn’t help that I’m writing my entire master’s project on it.

Nonetheless, I thought since I am now the resident expert (or whatever) in children’s publishing, I thought I would put up a list of children’s publishers that are located in Minnesota. Please note that I may be missing some publishers, so if you know of any I’m overlooking, please let me know. I’ll add them to the list. Also, this does not include adult publishers with no children’s books on their backlist or current list. This list would be twice as long if I was to include all publishers in MN.

FYI: I use the term nonfiction loosely. Many of these publishers work in the library/school sector (I can’t think of the correct term right now) where they publish texts specifically for schools and these books will never make it to the local Borders or Barnes & Noble. Some of them publish a combo of trade and school. Some publish nonfiction and fiction. It all just depends. Please also note that when I refer to “children’s publishing,” this includes young adult/teen lit, as well.

• Lerner Publishing Group, Minneapolis
• Capstone Publishing Group, Mankato and Bloomington
• ABDO Publishers, Mankato
  
• The Creative Company,  Mankato (This is one of the most beautiful websites I’ve ever seen; it’s worth it to take a look.)
• Meadowbrook Press, Minnetonka
  
• The Child’s World, Mankato
• Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd., Woodbury
• The Place in the Woods, Golden Valley
• Free Spirit Publishing, Minneapolis
• Milkweed Editions, Minneapolis
• The Oliver Press, Minneapolis
• Teach Me Tapes, Inc., Minnetonka
• Maren Green Publishing, Inc., Oak Park Heights
• Farmer’s Hat Productions, Wayzata
  
• Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis (This is a religious publisher, so they have a very specific audience, but they publish books for youth; I felt compelled to include them, as they do publishing children’s fiction and nonfiction.)
  

Commission Me In

I’m considering trying for a position on our new (to us) city’s Arts and Cultural Commission. A coworker (and fast-becoming friend), who is a city councilwoman for said town, said I should, as I have “extensive” experience in the arts, and I have a vested interest in this town, as I’m living here and plan on living here for at least a few years. I put quotation marks around the word extensive in the previous sentence because I have a hard time believing that a 24-year-old can have extensive experience in anything.

Truth be told, I was played the saxophone for something like 12 years (and would love to pick it up again), I was in theater in high school and continue to take an interest in theater (or theatre, which is the one I prefer but CMS does not), I have created art (in h.s. and college–I like to “play in clay”), I have helped publish three literary arts magazines, and I support the arts in any way I can. And, oh, yeah, I am an editor for a nonprofit book publisher. (Funny how I still forget that last one until the end, eh? I’m still getting used to the idea…and the reality.)

Does that qualify as extensive? I dunno.

I’m torn, as I still would like to move home eventually (ah, home–the blasted cold state of Minnesota), but this city has a certain charm to it that I cannot deny. It’s sassy and fun and up-and-coming.

I’m also starting to love Detroit…a lot. I’ve been to the Detroit Opera House, the Fisher Building, Belle Isle, the Guardian Building, Atlas Global Bistro, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Union Street Saloon, the Compuware World Headquarters, Zaccaro’s Market, the DIA, Slow’s Bar BQ, the MOCAD, and many others (during a fabulous personal tour arranged by Preservation Wayne [another group I'm considering getting involved with, if they'll have me]), and I have loved every single one.

Now, I don’t want to sound overly involved because I honestly haven’t been for the past three years–since we moved to MI. I’ve felt disconnected and aloof, but getting to know the lovely friend that I have has made me reconsider this cold shoulder I’m giving the world right now.

I guess I would feel guilty ditching Detroit and the surrounding area before seriously giving it a try, especially with the current economic climate. Everyone seems to be running away with their tail (and money) firmly planted between their legs. There is so much to see and so much to do, and there is a great deal of life in this ol’ city. We left Atlanta before getting to know it, and I’ll be honest–there is no love loss there. I never felt at home there. Not at all, actually. This lil’ city, though, has taken me in, and I feel like I should give something back.

And if I can do that by sitting on a board with a bunch of other like-minded individuals and bring some more art to this community, I think that might be time well-spent. And it’s a two-year appointment, so I have to be willing to hang around for a while. That sort of commitment freaks me out. I’ve been such a commitment-phobe for the past three years. Maybe it’s time to get back to my roots–being an over-achieving looney who doesn’t know when to say “no.” I am happiest when I’m so busy I can’t think straight.

(To all my kid’s lit peeps, this is for you!)

I recently discovered JacketFlap.com. It’s a networking website for children’s writers, editors, and publishers. It’s a great place to meet like-minded professionals in the children’s literature field. I’ve already found a few new faces and had a couple friends join, so we can talk shop without taking up space in our e-mail inboxes. You can also track your reading and show off your published books (if you are so fortunate to have any). It’s fun, safe, free, and the place to be. You know it.

If you join, add me: avonde

Damn it. They draw me in and then cut me off. Now I’m going to have to stop by Borders and pick up the print copy. Too bad I love Publisher’s Weekly so much–I would get extra mad if it was a magazine I didn’t like.

It’s also too bad that each copy is about $12.00 a piece. Ouch.

Internship Post #1

I was fortunate enough to be a part of a brainstorming session at the pub. house I interned at. By the time the session arrived, quite a few people knew who I was, but many may have seen me, knew I was an intern, but really knew nothing about me. That was fine. I’m pretty outgoing.

I was to be the notetaker. A menial job but one I didn’t mind because I was able to be a part of it all, to listen to these incredibly talented minds come up with new book ideas, ones nearly on the spot while others were researched and detailed down to the specs of the book’s size.

I had received an e-mail from the EIC, along with the rest of the editorial department, telling me to prepare two ideas for the session. I knew she didn’t mean me personally; I was only an intern (though very often I wasn’t treated that way at the pub. house). I assumed I wasn’t even going to be acknowledged during the session–I had heard enough stories about interns–little fish in big, talented, smart ponds.

But I was asked for input. One of the editors running the group asked sincerely; the other, I think, asked out of obligation, perhaps. I don’t think she was expecting much from me. When I passed both times, I kicked myself. I could have made a difference. Or could I have?

During the sessions I learned about the requirements of a new series–and the intense research that goes into each one, making sure it’s good enough to fly, even pass the VP. I hadn’t known this ahead of time, and even though I did have a few ideas, they weren’t nearly prepared enough to be put out there, to let them roam free and be used or abused.

I still kick myself for not preparing for the meeting. But, at the same time, would I have made an ass of myself going on and on about ideas that weren’t well-researched or investigated, with no backing in curricula and state standards and marketing, even if they were great ideas? Ideas for new books need a firm foundation in the basics: whose going to read it, whose going to need it, whose going to buy it, and how do we market it to all of the above?

But I found I love this process, this idea to book to into the hands of a needing reader. This is where I’m finding my niche, my passion, my love. Where to go from here? We shall see.

And I do have one great idea, one that was later endorsed by the editor I worked the closest with, one that may very well become my master’s thesis (depending upon how I shape it, of course…ugh). But it is one that will be developed and researched and planned to the smallest detail but will obviously still be flexible enough to have changes made without breaking the main idea. It will be pitched to a publisher–hopefully to my beloved pub. house from this summer. But all is fair in love and book publishing.

I am winding down here–three weeks from today, I’ll be back in MI. It’s kind of bittersweet. I’m looking forwad to getting some major projects accomplished when I get back (working on Cellar Roots for this year [ginormous undertaking, but one I'm excited about], getting caught up at the Journal, and just plain preparing for school to start) and spending some quality time with the hubby, but at the same time, I love MN and all that it brings with it–wonderful family and friends, and an environment I am happy to call home.

Soon enough, we will be able to call it home again, but, for now, we can wait in quiet anticipation for another year to pass while in MI. Not sure if we’re going to be at the same residence (with gas prices rising, we’re wanting to move closer to Nate’s place of employment, which is currently 40+ min. from our apt.), but again, all an adventure. I just can’t believe this adventure is coming to a close so soon.

More details on the internship to come, especially once I get all my work for my summer class underway.

Josh called me today to make sure I was still alive.

I think that’s a clear indication that I need to post.

Things are well. BUSY. Can’t put busy in big enough letters to explain how busy I am. I’m at my internship (which is a two-hour commute, one-way, just so you know) three days a week and then I watch my sister and her husband’s two kids (one is four and the other is four months) the other two days out of the week. I spent two weekends in Duluth and one weekend in Big Lake/Elk River with S&SG, so I’ve been sorely neglecting this blog. But I have good reasons.

I’m enjoying the internship. I’ve already been there a month, and I’m learning a ton. I’m mostly learning about myself in this field, and the results are encouraging. I think I’m made for all this. Glad I don’t hate it. That would make my career plans go topsy-turvy, and I couldn’t handle topsy-turvy right now.

But I better get to bed. My bro-in-law is waking me up at around 5:30 (yes, that’s in the AM) tomorrow so I’ll be up before the kids are. Baby Girl had her four-month shots today, and she’ll be looking for some grape-flavored Tylenol very soon after she wakes up.

Love to you all.

I made it just fine. No worries. I started my internship on Tuesday, and it’s been going well. I’m super busy all the time, and I feel like I’ve dropped off the face of the planet because I haven’t talked to any of my friends since I’ve been here (with the exception of a little chit-chat with Miss Black, but it’s not the same).

I have the day off tomorrow if y’all want to touch base. I would love to hear from you, on here and over the phone. Feel free to call. The phone is (sorta) fixed. I’m going to T-Mobile to see if I can get an exchange. If I have to call customer care, that’s fine. I just prefer dealing with a human being face-to-face.

I’ll try to start updating on the internship, as I’m learning tons already. It’s fun, fascinating, and, in a weird way, exhausting. It kind of sucks being stuck at the bottom of the totem pole, but I’ll work my way up. I always do. Or at least I’ll keep trying all the way until July 27.

Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

Remember this post?

I have been chosen for an editorial internship at Lerner Publishing Group in Minneapolis, MN. This is the book publisher I really wanted an internship with, and I start on May 7th.

I am beside myself, as I’m sure you can imagine.

Life is good.

So excited. Will write about it when I know more for sure.

Have to go update my resume.

*giggles*