Interview With Robin Newman & Book Giveaway

The Winner of THE CASE OF THE MISSING CARROT CAKE is Dow Tphumiruk. Dow please send me your address, so Robin can send you your book.

Author Robin Newman

Thought you might enjoy getting to know Robin Newman and read the interview I had with her. Robin’s debut picture book hit the book shelves on Tuesday. Plus, she is offering anyone who leaves a comment here the chance to win a copy of her book. You get extra chances if you also tweet or share on Facebook and let us know.

Here’s the interview:

How long did it take you to write The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake?

The book took about seven years of writing, and more important, rewriting. A good gauge is my son. I started writing after he was born. He’s eight-years old now.

How and when did you team up with Liza Fleissig at the Liza Royce Agency?

Tori Corn, author of What Will it Be, Penelope? illustrated by Danielle Ceccolini (Sky Pony Press), and Dixie Wants an Allergy, illustrated by Nancy Cote (Sky Pony Press), introduced me to Liza. I emailed Liza a number of my manuscripts and we had multiple email exchanges, but it wasn’t until the 2012 NJ SCBWI Annual Conference that we finally had a chance to sit down and plow through my manuscripts. At the conference, Liza agreed to represent me.

When did you sign the contract with Creston Books?

I signed a contract for The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake, A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery, and Hildie Bitterpickles Needs Her Sleep at the same time in November 2013.

Did you have any say in picking out the illustrators?

Marissa Moss, editor and publisher of Creston Books, selected the illustrators, but she was kind enough to ask me for my thoughts.

I see that you have put together a Teacher’s Guide. Did you have any help with that?

Marcie Colleen prepared the Teacher’s Guide. She did a phenomenal job! Click Here to review Robin’s Teacher’s Guide.

For more information about Marcie, please go to http://www.thisismarciecolleen.com.

What are you doing to help promote your book?

Hmm … I really should get on that! Actually, I have been doing a number of guest blog posts, interviews, as well as school, bookstore, and library visits.

Is Creston Books helping you with the promotion your first book?

Yes! One of the many things that I love about Creston Books is that they promote all of their authors, whether they are the big money makers or not.

I like your book trailer. Did you do it yourself?

Thank you and no. The incredible Cynthia Nugent at Rascal Media created the book trailer. For more information about Cynthia’s work, please go to http://www.rascalmedia.com.

Has anyone reviewed the book, yet?

I am extremely fortunate and grateful that The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake has been very well received.

The book received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, as well as wonderful reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, and Publishers Weekly.

Do you have any other books coming out?

I have two other books coming out. They are: Hildie Bitterpickles Needs Her Sleep, illustrated by Chris Ewald (Creston Books, Spring 2016), and The Case of the Poached Egg, A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery, illustrated by Deborah Zemke (Creston Books, Fall 2016).

Do you have any advice for other writers?

1. Join the SCBWI.
2. Write, rewrite, and rinse and repeat as necessary.
3. Read.
4. Never give up on your dreams!

About Robin

Raised in New York and Paris, Robin is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the City University of New York School of Law. She’s been a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs, and peacocks.

She is the author of The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake, A Wilcox & Griswold Mystery, illustrated by Deborah Zemke (Creston Books, Spring 2015), about two hardboiled mouse detectives working their beat from a shoebox at the back of Farmer Ed’s barn. They are MFIs, Missing Food Investigators, and on their seminal case, they’re on the hunt for Miss Rabbit’s missing carrot cake. (Note: The names of the animals have been changed to protect the good guys.)

Check back on Wednesday May 20th to see who won Robin’s book. Good Luck!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy