It’s the final episode of my six-part blog series, Peek Behind The Curtain: Journey to a New Book. [Scroll to the end for links to the previous episodes.]
The series has the best ending because it is also launch day for WATCH THEM GROW: The Fascinating Science of Animal Beginnings! (Blog readers, you know the original title!)
Isn’t she eye-catching? Here’s how I describe the book: This middle-grade STEM nonfiction book explores animal gestation. Specifically, it details how certain body parts develop in 12 animals and how these defining features help animals survive on their own. It features stunning photographs from scientific research papers and facts that budding scientists or anyone interested in how things work will enjoy. (Blog readers, you know how this came to be!)
As my debut authored book for middle-grade readers, this project has challenged me in all the best ways. Writing for 8-12-year-olds who are independent readers (hopefully) is quite different from writing for the picture book audience. The text needs to hook the reader, who now has many choices in what they consume, and keep them turning the pages. My goal is to challenge them too, but in ways that make them feel successful and encouraged to read more. The team at Millbrook Press/Lerner went above and beyond to create a book that hooks and has staying power.
In my latest newsletter, read about a behind-the-scenes Watch Them Grow wrinkle, and grab your free downloadable Discussion and Activity Guide. Honestly, Debbie Gonzalez outdid herself. [Oh. Do you need to sign up for the newsletter? Click HERE.] Want to be entered in a Watch Them Grow giveaway? Click HERE.
Reader reviews are coming in, and I’m excited to see that adults, especially other STEM authors, enjoy and learn from the book, too!
People ask me how they can help the book reach readers. Here are some of the many ways:
- recommend this book to librarians, tutors, media specialists, and teachers-in-training
- purchase copies for yourself, your family, your friends š
- purchase for a special teacher/classroom/library
- gift it to your pediatrician, veterinarian, vet student, zoology student, and any STEAM junkie
- review the book at your favorite book purchasing and/or review sites
- and share the book with others through your social communities. Feel free to download and share the cover by clicking HERE.
Many thanks to my agent partner, Kelly Sonnack, and the team at Lerner/Millbrook Press for creating an outstanding book.
Thank you for reading my blog series and for being an important part of this journey.
Grow brightly!
Carrie
Previous blog series episodes:
In the first episode,Ā I share how I came up with the idea for a potential new book.
In theĀ second, I share how I investigate whether my idea is marketable.
TheĀ third episodeĀ covers researching the topic and, pending the success of that effort, pitching the project idea to my agent,Ā Kelly Sonnack. I provide the actual pitch in the post.
In episode four, I give a high-level look at drafting, feedback, more research, and drafting, and (finally) being on submission. We get an answer we love, but not quite what we expected.
Episode five is when the real work begins.
