Happy New Year and welcome to a new decade! On this eve of the year 2020, Me On the Page is taking one look back before we take the big leap forward.
Reflectively, we want to acknowledge many in our tribe who have aided our success in 2019. Here’s a look back in pictures .
The greatest thing about this year was learning how to slow down in order to move ahead with greater precision. As a self-published author seizing my opportunities is critical. However, The flip side of this is that it can be extremely fatiguing trying to keep up, and discerning which signing/apperance will yield the greatest investment. Timing is everthing.
Another gem that I learned this year was: Less is More. It’s best to have fewer engagments which are strategic, than a ton that can waste your time, money and resources. Considering I am still in the classroom full time, it’s important for me to choose opportunities that offer the greatest flexibility, and potentially yield the greatest returns.
One of the hardest things for me this year as an author/ publisher, has been publishing the Mari Series. How so you might ask? The Tay Series is well loved and established. I kind of know a littlle about what early readers need and want, and have spent many years researching, and practicing this. I’ve established myself as a children’s author. But Mari book one Mari Learns to Read and soon to be published book two, Mari Dances for the Community Fair, have been hard. They have been back and forth for many revisions and do overs…. even with the illustrations.
What makes it hard? The easy answer: I’m writing across cultures and its not my area of expertise. I know a little about Latinx culture and have experiences with friends and colleagues, but I don’t live in the skin. Now the layered answers. Because Me On the Page exists to publish what is right, what is true, and what is good, my eyes and ears have to be continuously open to seek and receive help from other cultural experts. Their help authenticates my work and gives true voice to the books message.
It’s not a matter of perfection in grammar, or style. That’s not what I’m after. Earnestly, I’m not even after the greatest sales. What matters to me is that when a child opens the book it authentically reflects and represent his/her culture well. The images must be warm and accurate, the words must warmly communicate acceptance and high self-esteem, and the overall message must leave a good deposit into the childs heart. Sooooo, I’ve been back to the drawing board more times than I’d like rewriting, erasing, and agonizing to get the Mari books right.
If my tribe gives the approval, book two should be available for purchase early February! Cultural Experts in my Latinx tribe include: my Panamanian Gilling family members; Social Compliance Expert: Rovina Salinas; and teacher friends: Theresa Hernandez, Marlein Jeans and Zelma Urzua.
WELCOME 2020 LET’S GO!!!
