Day #85: Sending Out a New Picture Book

Very soon, my agent will be sending a new picture book out into the world. Right now, the manuscript is waiting to be read by one publishing company which has a thirty day exclusive. In about twenty days, if we don't get an offer, Abi and I will send our literary child to a dozen other houses.

Wish I could tell you more about it, but like a lot of things in this business, I must keep all the good stuff secret!

Day #84: Little Tiny Royalty Checks

Hopefully I'm not the only writer who had this misconception. When I was young, I assumed that most writers were incredibly wealthy. That's not why I became a writer. I write books and plays because I must. It's both a desire and a compulsion. However, I did this I was going to be cashing some pretty big checks now and then.

When I signed the contract for my first play (this was all the way back in 1998) I envisioned getting a four-digit sized check every six months. Instead, I received about $140 in one year. (Cue the sad wah-wah music.)

So, today it wasn't a surprise when I received a big envelope from Random/Penguin that had a rather tiny sized amount written on the check. During this sixth month period, 55 copies of "Why Do I Have to Make My Bed?" have been sold. After the taxes, that translates into 36 bucks.

But I'm not mentioning this to generate pity. "Why Do I Have to Make My Bed?" has had a good run for a small press book (it was originally created by Tricycle Press). It has sold an accumulation of 9,530 copies -- and that's a number to be proud of. (I'm hoping that it will someday pass the 10,000 mark.)

I'm pointing out that many authors, myself included, rely on a whole bunch of these little, tiny royalty checks from a multitude of sources: books, plays, stories, articles -- anything we can sell. Some of us breakthrough with a best seller that will secure our finances for the rest of our days, but most of us stay hungry -- a condition that ironically often feeds the muse.

Day #83: The World of Wrestlemania

The family and I went over to Joel's house. (He's one of my best friends.) He has been obsessed with Professional Wrestling ever since he was a child. I used to think it was a very silly form of entertainment, but Joel's passion for the -- dare I say -- "art form" gradually became infectious. I certainly wouldn't consider myself a fan, but I do enjoy the two or three times a year when I drop by Joel's house to watch a pay-per-view event.

I find the world-building aspect of wrestling fascinating.  There's a complex history, both fictional and non-fictional, and oftentimes the lines between story and truth become very blurred. As I writer, I must admit I am envious of this industry's soap-opera-styled twists and turns.

Day #82: Three Musketeers - World Debut!

We had a small but very appreciative crowd for our debut performance of "The Three Musketeers." The audience really enjoyed the humor and the action -- and several actors stole the show back and forth from one another.

Fun was had by all!

Here's a glimpse of the rehearsal process. This is a rough version of a choreographed fight involving loaves of bread.

Day #81: Let's Do Lunch

Abigail (my agent) is visiting southern California this weekend, so I was able to meet up with her at a cool Spanish cafe in Montrose.

For the second time in my life, I had Tapas. And it was really good -- I guess I should have Spanish food more often.

Anyway, we talked shop for about three hours. Abigail is a visual and literary genius, so I love listening to her thoughts on the publishing world. I shared my latest picture book with her -- which I had just finished writing about an hour before our lunch date. She laughed -- so that's a good sign.

We also talked about what projects I should work on in the future... and I believe I've zeroed in on my next big manuscript. I'm not going to give too much away here... but I will say that for the next couple months I'm going to be researching newspapers of the 1800s.

Day #80: Spring Break!!!!!

After teaching a pair of Eng 1A classes, I packed up my books and essays, hopped in the car and began my spring break.

I do have about 80 papers to grade this week. But it's still going to be a nice vacation. My show opens this weekend, and I plan on finishing the final draft of Camp Omigosh.

Best of all, spring break really means that summer vacation is just around the corner!

Day #79: School Visits

I had such a blast with the students of Plum Canyon Elementary, that I've decided to embrace public speaking and take on more school visits.

If you know any teachers / administrators / school groups who might be interested, please let them know that they can get a great deal if they order through our Camp Omigosh Indiegogo Site.

Here's the menu:

$100: A Skype Visit with Wade

If you've got the technology, I'll virtually visit with your students for up to an hour. (Or until the kids get sick of me and turn off the computer.)


$200: School Visit (Southern California)

If you'd like me to talk about my novels, plays, and picture books I'd be happy to travel to anywhere within Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange County. Heck, I'll even go down to San Diego or Riverside!

$200 - $800 (?) : Wade Across the World

And, if you are out of state, or out of the country... I would still love to visit your school and community. The travel expenses might be a bit more. You can send me an email with details about the location. (Write to: profwade@Hotmail.com )

The current special that's happening at the Omigosh Page is called "The Ultimate Camper." For six hundred dollars, I'll travel to anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, bringing along five copies of Camp Omigosh along with some other goodies. There are only five of these spots available, and the offer ends April 19th.

(This is me and the readers at the Channel Islands Reading event last year.)