Seeing stars in kidlit announcements is one more thing that was never explained to me. Stars are awarded by the major trade reviewers: Kirkus, School Library Journal, PublishersWeekly, The Horn Book. This is an evolving list. I’m still learning.
Now that I’m supposedly on my way to a career in this, I’ve had to think about what my benchmarks are. There was a time, in 2020, when my goal was to see my name on print on a front cover. It seemed theoretically attainable, but impossible at the same time. And then in 2022 it happened with the publication of Alone Together on Dan Street.
On Twitter, I started to see announcements of awards. Was that my new benchmark? What do awards measure? Shiny stickers are great, but they’re also not something within a writer’s control. I’m tremendously proud of my awards, but there’s no formula to replicate what I did to be awarded one (see my post on awards). I can only continue to improve my craft and grow.
So, what is a worthwhile benchmark? Being selected by PJ Library? A certain number of published books? Earning out? A starred review?
I got my first starred review just last week from Kirkus for Mixed-Up Mooncakes, along with co-author and friend Christin Matula and illustrator Tracy Subisak, and I was over the moon (excuse the cliche and mixed metaphor). But stars are like awards, there isn’t anything that I can do to get one.
My new benchmark, the thing that I’m striving for, is getting a publishing contract for a novel (middle grade). This is the goal I started with. I just printed my MG manuscript out for about the 6th time and I’m on a holiday. I’ve already sent my agent two very messy drafts. I’m not clear what the standard is. Did I send it too early? What stage of development is the correct one to send?
I had a new kidlit friend tell me that I’m doing well and I should just stick with picture books. Maybe that’s sound advice, but I know that I’m not done with novels yet. It’s what started my dream and I have to at least see this one through. I already know the dedication that I’ll include. I wrote the dedication after just one draft.
The truth is benchmarks will always move. What’s important is not to lose sight of real goal to write for that child that needs your next book. That’s reason enough to keep on writing.