Interview with NY Times Bestselling Author- Sherri Duskey Rinker

First-time author Sherri Duskey Rinker of Goodnight,Goodnight Construction Site, makes it to the NY Times' bestseller list for 43 weeks, including four weeks at #1!

Yes, you read right.  Today's debut author interview is also a bestselling author.  To read the words, "Bestselling author" and "first-time author" in the same sentence is remarkable! 

Sherri defied all laws of the writing industry.  You hear it all the time-

 "No bedtime stories," "No rhyming stories,"  "The picture book market is tough to break," "Your best chance at getting through the slush pile is with an agent." 

Yet, Sherri had the audacity to send a rhyming bedtime picture book, un-agented and unsolicited, to a major publishing house, AND make it to the NY Times' bestseller list as a first-time author.

How did she do it?  This is quite a story you don't want to miss!

A Cinderella story: From Inspiration to Publication

Sherri, thank you so much for taking the time to share your story with me.  I am in awe by your success.  What was your reaction when your editor told you the news?

In a word, "awestruck!" The book had only been released for two weeks when I received the call from Chronicle that it had debuted in the #10 spot on the New York Times. I honestly gasped. Then cried. I don't remember what I said, but I vaguely remember blubbering out dozens of thank-you's for the team at Chronicle and telling them how grateful I was for all of the support. It was a really surreal moment. It's been a surreal year!

So let's start from the beginning of your writing career.  I know Goodnight, Goodnight Construction  Site was inspired by your youngest son's obsession with trucks.  What steps have you taken to get your manuscript to publishable form?  (What writing classes, conferences, critique groups you joined, if any)

At the risk that this may make me the most irritating author you've ever interviewed: none, nothing, nada. 

How long did you work on Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site before you decided to submit it?

Once the idea hit me, I probably spent about a month --- maybe a little longer --- putting it together. I also designed and included a concept layout (I'm a graphic designer.), which added to the time involved. (By the way, they hated that layout, so, in hindsight, I could have saved myself a good deal of time and effort by skipping that step. But, I often wonder if the concept board helped get the manuscript noticed? I never asked my editor that question, but I've always been curious.)

During the writing process and right after I'd finished the manuscript, I stumbled around a good bit, trying to figure out how (and to whom) to submit it. I finally learned of the SCBWI and that fabulous Publication Guide that is sent to new members upon joining. I did a ton of research with the help of that guide, created a list of publishers who would accept an unsolicited submission, and sent it off to Chronicle.

Did you send your manuscript to other publishers other than Chronicle?

Chronicle was the first AND ONLY publisher who ever saw the manuscript. I chose Chronicle because I love the production values of their work and was inspired by some of their off-beat titles (like The Night I Followed The Dog, which is in my boys' library). I had read somewhere that most publishers prefer to receive an exclusive submission, so my plan was to patiently go down my list and, in order, offer each of the publishers an opportunity to accept it or pass on it exclusively. I truly expected that that process would take YEARS; I had hopes, of course, but no expectations. I realize that I'm extremely fortunate that the manuscript was picked up right away. About three months after I sent Chronicle GGCS, I was offered a contract.

Many editors discourage rhyming stories only because there are so many bad ones being sent to them.  They say it must be "perfect."  The word perfect intimidates me. But you took the plunge.  Did your editor accept your manuscript as is or did you have to make revisions?

I hope you don't mind, but I want to take a step back here. I've read interviews from those editors and agents: "No rhyming stories. No goodnight books." And I can tell you one thing: I thank GOD that I read those articles and blogs AFTER I'd submitted my manuscript and received a contract, or I'd have likely thrown my idea away. My point is this: be true to yourself and your own story. Write from your heart and your passion. Don't try to make your writing fit someone else's agenda. If it feels right, you owe it to yourself and the gift of inspiration you've received to put it out there and let someone feel it out. The worst that can happen is nothing, and that's exactly what will happen if you do nothing... except, in the later scenario, you'll never know for sure what might have been. If you have that fabulous vampire story in your head, but everything you read says "no vampire stories," write it anyway. Maybe your take on it will set you apart.

Now, to back up and answer your question: NO!!! My manuscript wasn't perfect, and it took a ton of gut-wrenching editing and a very lovely, patient editor to help make sure the text flowed well and that the meter hit solidly. There were a number of rookie mistakes in my first draft: I think I rhymed "ground" more than once, and I'm sure I used the word "night" way too much. And, in a couple of places the meter was a little awkward. But it was the idea that they bought. EVERY manuscript needs some (or lots of) editing!  I've never heard otherwise. 

I think it's a dream to be paired with an illustrator like Tom Lichtenheld, NYT Bestselling illustrator of Shark vs. Train and Duck! Rabbit!  How did that happen and what was your reaction?

Thankfully, Tom is a good sport, because he laughs every time he hears this story:

I'd never heard of Tom Lichtenheld until my editor told me that Tom was selected to illustrate the book. The first sample I saw of Tom's work was from his book, with Amy Krouse Rosenthal, titled Duck! Rabbit! The illustration style for that book is SO stark and simplistic — and SO opposite of my initial vision for GGCS — that I was totally freaked out. Terrified! Obviously, though, Tom is extremely talented and adept at a multitude of illustration styles — and he has such amazing vision that it all worked out perfectly. Tom has been a total blessing to me, both professionally and personally. But, it was a rocky, frightening start, at least in my own mind!

What do you think is the most important step you took that led you to your book deal?

Chronicle called with an offer, and I said, "yes!" ;)

Seriously, though, I cannot begin to tell you how many people approach me after my speaking engagements to tell me that they've "always wanted to write a book" and they "have some ideas." My answer is always the same, "Write it. I'm living proof: you never know."

How has your experience as a #1 Bestselling author changed your life?

This is such an enormous question. First, this has given me hope that I might be able to one day quit my day job! (None of my clients will be reading this, right?) I've had a lovely career as a graphic designer: I've met amazing people, learned SO MUCH about people and business, honed my aesthetic, traveled, learned how to present and communicate effectively... but, quite honestly, I've been doing this job for 25 years, and I've felt my passion dwindling for a long time. All of the things that seemed very exciting about design and advertising when I was younger: the fast pace, the high pressure, the late nights —seemed far less attractive to me once I became a mom and my priorities changed so drastically. But, I've always been creative, and I'd been searching for something meaningful. This book, and its great success, has truly been an answer to my prayers and a confirmation of my faith. I almost can't express the enormity of the gift.

On a more practical day-to-day front, I give lectures, visit schools, sign autographs, do interviews and see my name on bestseller lists. That's all pretty amazing. I used the word surreal before, but it's really the perfect summation. But, on another practical front, my clients still want deadlines met, my kids still need lunches packed and help with homework, my house still needs cleaning, the laundry still needs to get done, my husband still needs a partner in keeping our household together — so, for now, it's a huge (but appreciated!) balancing act.

Do you have an agent?  If not, do you feel you need one now?

I didn't have an agent for Construction Site, of course. But, yes, absolutely, I do have an agent now. I admittedly thought long and hard about whether I wanted (or needed) an agent, especially because my book had done so well without one.

I was pretty fortunate that I didn't have to go looking for an agent - the right one found me. I now see the huge value in a good writer-agent relationship --- not only in finding a home for manuscripts and negotiating deals, but also in helping to hone concepts and in helping a new author walk through this business with some solid sense of direction. She's really become both a trusted professional adviser and a dear friend, so it's been an ideal fit.

What's next for you?  Do you have any upcoming picture books?

I have another book coming out next spring through Chronicle titled Steam Train, Dream Train. Tom Lichtenheld and I worked far more collaboratively on this book, and I'm really excited about it and proud of how it's progressing.

Thank you, Sherri, for taking the time to share your AMAZING journey with me and my blog readers!

You can read more about Sherri on her website:  www.sherriduskeyrinker.com and check out her picture book, GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE.  You're going to love it!