17 Jan Rosie Pova: Reading, Writing, and a GIVEAWAY!

This is my second blog post with its official new name, Writing Outside the Lines. In order to write outside the lines, one must be willing to let imagination take flight. I am thrilled to have author (and friend) Rosie Pova back on  Writing Outside the Lines because she does just that. I had an opportunity to read her upcoming release, Sunday Rain, and I absolutely loved it. 

GIVEAWAY ALERT!! Rosie will be giving away two swag packs filled with goodies to two random people who comment on this post. Your name will be entered once for commenting and twice for letting us know you pre-ordered.  I l would love it if you subscribed to this blog to learn about more wonderful authors and illustrators and win more prizes. 

So, welcome back, Rosie. Please tell us a little about Sunday Rain. 

In a nutshell, Sunday Rain is about the power of imagination, the love of books and reading, and making new friends.

Sunday Rain captures a moment of making new friends while playing in the rain. The story will resonate with any child who has ever found themselves in a situation of being “the new kid” and wanting to make friends. I dedicated it to bookworms and kids with big imaginations.

Elliott is an introvert who loves to read, and when he moves into a new neighborhood, he doesn’t know anyone, so he spends most of his time with his fictional friends from the books he’s reading. But then an inviting rain prompts the neighborhood kids to go out and play in the puddles. Elliott watches them through his bedroom window, wanting to join in the fun, but he’s too shy and reluctant to make new friends. Eventually, he finds a way to connect with the kids by being himself.

The book releases on March 2, 2021, in the USA and Canada, and on March 4th in the UK. I can’t wait to share it with kids and their parents, and also with educators.

This story was born thanks to the 12 x 12 challenge, and I am forever grateful to that amazing group lead by Julie Hedlund with assistance from Kelli Panique.

I love 12×12! Do you feel that you are primarily a PB writer? Do you write in other genres? And look at this adorable plushy Elliott, everyone! 

My focus is definitely on picture books! I am primarily a PB writer. Even though I’ve written a middle-grade novel, a chapter book series, and have a YA in progress, I remain partial to picture books, and that’s where my heart is.

Do you have a specific writing routine? If so, will you share? Are you a pantster or a planner?

Pantster! And I really don’t have a routine  ― I write whenever I get an idea for a new story. My first draft is pretty much always written longhand in a notebook. I revise as I go, and once I have a cohesive story, I type it in, revising yet again as I go. Then it might sit for a couple of days or more so I can get a new perspective on it later and iron out any remaining issues I can fix before sending it to critique partners. Some stories come out easily and don’t require many revisions, but some are more laborious and take a very long time to make it into a solid draft.

But I’ve learned to love revisions because that’s where the magic happens, and I am addicted to that magic now!

What is your advice for aspiring KidLit writers?

My advice would be something they’ve probably heard a million times already, but it’s so important ― read in your genre and read a lot! Then write, practice, and revise without fear and as often as you can. Free yourself from judgment. Instead, learn how to be analytical. And finally, embrace the journey, trust in the process, and treat your craft with kindness, respect, and joy!

It looks like I’m not the only one who likes this book!  

Who or what supported you along your way?

You know how they say it takes a village? It really does! I will mention just a few of the KidLit groups and organizations that have been instrumental in my journey, and also some people who have helped me along the way, though the list is much longer: SCBWI, my multiple critique groups and critique partners (you know who you are) Kidlit411, 12×12, StoryStorm (formerly PiBoIdMo), Susanna Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic, Danielle Davis’ critiques, Tammi Sauer’s workshops and many more.

OK, so I happen to know that this isn’t your only upcoming book. Shall we let everyone in on the secret now? 

Sure! The School of Failure: A Story About Success is a humorous fractured fairytale that shows that the road to success is paved with imperfect actions and flops.

When three fairytale character knockoffs are cast out from starring in their respective original tales, they are crushed and have a really hard time accepting this outcome, thinking a fail is the end of the world. So, they are sent off to the School of Failure to learn to view failing in a different light and rediscover themselves.

After practicing how to get over multiple failures while pursuing their dreams and exploring their passions, the three diverting classmates finally find their true callings and personal successes.

Where can we pre-order these new books?

Signed copies of Sunday Rain can be pre-ordered through my local indie bookstore, Interabang Books HERE, and they come with a matching bookmark. You can also support your local indie bookstores and order it HERE or on Amazon HERE. It has already hit the #1 New Release spot in the Children’s Moving category on Amazon!

In addition, there a coloring sheet for the book and many rainy day crafts and activities for kids that can be found here.

As for  The School of Failure: A Story About Success, it’s not available for pre-order yet, but if you follow me on social media, you’ll be the first ones to find out when that happens. I can tell you, though, that I saw the character sketches that Monika Filipina, the talented award-winning illustrator, created for the story, and the art is going to be amazing! I hope to be able to share a little sneak peek from the art soon, so make sure you connect with me on social media to be in the loop and also to get updated on my many upcoming giveaways and events.

I was also lucky enough to read an early draft of that story, and I can imagine the incredible illustrations! Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Rosie! Congratulations on your new books! I know we will all enjoy them. 

See below to connect with Rosie. 

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Social Media Links:

Twitter: @RosiePOV   [https://twitter.com/RosiePOV]

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rosiepova/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/RosieWrites

Find out even more about Rosie at her website, http://www.rosiejpova.com

BIO

Rosie J. Pova is a multi-published, award-winning children’s author, poet, speaker, and writing coach on a mission to inspire children not only to read and write more but to use their creativity, follow their passions, dream big, and believe in themselves. She is also a Writing Instructor for the Dallas Independent School District through The Writer’s Garret, an instructor with Writing Workshops Dallas, teaching picture book courses to children’s writers, and the founder of two children’s writing contests–KWEST and Haiku Hype– as well as the organizer of The Write Universe Kidlit Writers Workshops in Dallas, TX. She also serves as a judge for Rate Your Story.

Rosie visits schools and shares her inspirational journey as an immigrant from Bulgaria and how she became a published author, encouraging kids to persist, push through obstacles, and hold a high vision of themselves.

She also speaks on many women’s topics and has appeared on radio and print media.

Her upcoming picture book, Sunday Rain, celebrates imagination, the love of books, and new friendships. You can pre-order a signed copy HERE. Visit Rosie at www.rosiejpova.com.