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Carrie Charley Brown, Children's Book Writer
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August Mystery Author: Tammi Sauer

8/11/2015

17 Comments

 
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I can honestly say that I haven't met a single book by Tammi Sauer that I haven't loved. I've often refer to Tammi as a plot master, and I am blown away to see her trying her hand (masterfully) at different structures, too. It takes a lot for me to fall in love 100% with a picture book. (You know...the kind that you read from cover to cover without a single criticism.) This happened for me big time with Tammi's new release YOUR ALIEN. You can find my review HERE. It's like Tammi is a kid whisperer...she knows exactly how to reach their heads, hearts, and funny bones. She is on fire right now, as YOUR ALIEN just released August 4, GINNY LOUISE AND THE SCHOOL SHOWDOWN published June 16, ROAR! comes out on September 29, and she has 9 more book deals that will take her into 2018!  Lordy!  We are super lucky to have her with us today. Thanks for joining us, Tammi.

What do you feel is the secret to finding your voice as a writer? When did you realize that you had “found” yours?

I think a writer needs to be true to him or herself. You shouldn’t try to be the next “so-and-so.” Studying mentor texts is one of the best ways for a person to get good at writing picture books, but the key is to tell a story in a way that only you can tell it.

As for me, I never set out to “find” my voice. Writing young, humorous books with heart feels natural to me. Channeling my inner four-year-old is fun! Of course, I started off by writing lots and lots of Really Bad Manuscripts. But those early attempts weren’t a waste of time. Those were my practice manuscripts. Each one helped me to get a little better.

Is there one common thread that holds your picture books together?  How does this affect the books you write?

Many of my books deal with themes of friendship, compromise, and being true to oneself, but the one common thread in all of my books is humor.

Humorous picture books have always been my favorite kind to read, so it makes sense to me that these are the kind of books I like to write.
 
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Laura Rennert, of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency is your agent.  What do you feel is the single most important factor of an agent/client relationship?

Communication is key. When I was looking for an agent, I wanted someone who had a great reputation, someone who was passionate about my work, and someone who gave editorial feedback. I found all that—and so much more!!!—with Laura.

Before you had an agent, how did you decide which manuscript to lead out with on submissions?

Laura has been my agent since 2005. Before having an agent, I would write the best manuscript I could, send it out, and hope for good. This is, um, still my process. Ha!

Part 2 of this interview happens now! Come on over to hear Tammi's take on mentor texts. Part 2 is HERE.
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Tammi Sauer is a full-time picture book author who has visited hundreds of schools and spoken at various conferences across the nation. To date, Tammi has sold 23 picture books to major publishing houses (Bloomsbury, Disney*Hyperion, HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Simon & Schuster, and Sterling). In addition to winning awards, her books have gone on to do great things. Mostly Monsterly was selected for the 2012 Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program. Me Want Pet! was recently released in French which makes her feel extra fancy. And Nugget and Fang, along with Tammi herself, was featured on the Spring 2015 Scholastic Book Fair DVD which was shared with millions of students. This is a link to the video: http://www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/ESvideo.

You can visit Tammi online at tammisauer.com and at picturebookbuilders.com.

17 Comments
Rebecca C
8/11/2015 03:12:36 am

I enjoyed reading both parts of the interview, and Tammi channels her inner four-year-old so well!

Reply
Tammi Sauer link
8/11/2015 06:15:41 am

Thanks, Rebecca. :)

Reply
Rachel Stones
8/11/2015 04:50:24 am

I love Tammi's books and enjoyed her presentation in NJ. I just reserved Your Alien at my library and can't wait to read it. :) Great interview, Carrie and Tammi!

Reply
Tammi Sauer link
8/11/2015 06:16:52 am

Aw! I loooooved my time in NJ! :)

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Carrie Charley Brown
8/11/2015 02:15:39 pm

Thanks, Rachel! Great to "see" you here, too!

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danielle @ this picture book life link
8/11/2015 05:20:23 am

Great interview. YOUR ALIEN blew my mind! :)

Reply
Tammi Sauer link
8/11/2015 06:17:38 am

Wow! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :)

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Charlotte Dixon link
8/11/2015 05:23:10 am

Loved the interviews, Carrie and Tammi. You are both an inspiration!

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Tammi Sauer link
8/11/2015 06:18:37 am

Yay!

Carrie definitely inspires ME. She is the Mentor Text Master. :)

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
8/11/2015 02:16:55 pm

Huh? Really, Tammi? That is so sweet of you to say! I certainly try. :)

Carrie Charley Brown
8/11/2015 02:17:33 pm

Thanks so much, Charlotte! I am glad to help. :)

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Carleen M. Tjader
8/11/2015 05:32:14 am

I'm looking forward to Tammi's new releases. Mostly Monsterly is a favorite of mine.

Reply
Tammi Sauer link
8/11/2015 06:19:32 am

Yay! You deserve a cupcake with sprinkles. :)

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Nancy Tandon link
8/12/2015 02:18:11 am

Thank you for this encouragement: "I started off by writing lots and lots of Really Bad Manuscripts. But those early attempts weren’t a waste of time. Those were my practice manuscripts. Each one helped me to get a little better."

Reply
Tammi Sauer link
8/14/2015 02:32:36 am

You're welcome! :)

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Denise Vega link
8/17/2015 04:43:55 am

I am right there with you - I love Tammi's books and use them in the picture book classes I teach as fab examples of plot, structure, and delightfully playful and engaging language! Thank you, Tammi, for the gift of your work and thank you, Carrie, for sharing wonderful authors with us.

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown
8/17/2015 05:12:21 am

You are welcome, Denise! Thanks for following! I admire YOUR work, too!

Reply



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    Carrie Charley Brown

    As a children’s writer, and a teacher, my goal is to help you carry on.  Sometimes learning is challenging, so why go it alone?  Your journey will be more meaningful and comfortable with friends to share it with. Together, we'll get up close and personal with authors, illustrators, and the best of picture books.  If we work together, great things will follow! 

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