#MGGetsReal A Chat With Shannon Wiersbitzky

Hi Shannon! Thanks for chatting with me about Middle Grade books in general and your novels in particular. 

Thank you! Happy to be here.

What book or books from your childhood left a lasting impression and why?

I was always a reader. One of those kids who spent hours in the library and poured over the Scholastic Book Club list hoping my parents would buy me all the titles I marked. My bedroom was always riddled with books. There were a few that really stuck with me from childhood.

The first is The Tripods series by John Christopher. Probably the first sci-fi I remember reading. About these walking machines who controlled humans and prevented creativity and curiosity.

The second is Z is for Zachariah by Robert C. O’Brien. A teacher read this to us in elementary school and it practically seared into my brain. It is about the aftermath of a nuclear war and a young girl who believes she may be the only person left on earth. Looking back, it seems like an intense topic for an elementary read-aloud, but I’m so glad she did.

Why did these books stick with me? Perhaps because they were absolutely about life and death. I’m not sure I’d thought much about my own death before reading these books. They made me think about what I would do in such dire circumstances. And they made me root for the main character.

Years ago, without recalling the titles, I went into a bookstore and described them. Kudos to the knowledgeable librarian who knew exactly what they were. I bought them and reread them again. They were just as powerful. That says something about great writing.  

What book or books served as mentor texts when you were writing your own book?

WHAT FLOWERS REMEMBER is a companion novel to my debut title, THE SUMMER OF HAMMERS AND ANGELS. As I wrote FLOWERS, I did have to refer back to the first book more than a few times. I had to ensure I didn’t inadvertently give characters some different trait or physical feature. And I wanted to ensure I kept the same tone to my writing.

FLOWERS also deals with the topic of Alzheimer’s. While I’d had my own experiences with the disease through my Grandfather, I wanted to be certain that what I’d seen with him was typical. So I did research online to determine signs and symptoms and typical behaviors.

A few of the sites that were helpful:

·      The Alzheimer’s Association

·      The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

·      National Institute on Aging

I definitely learned a lot more about the disease that I wasn’t aware of through that process. I tried to incorporate some of that in the book so that hopefully anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s could relate their own experience to Delia's. 

What Is #MGGetsReal?

Marketing can be a drag for writers, it can feel so self-promotional. And it requires a lot of time. But with the notion that good teamwork makes any effort easier (and more fun), author Shannon Wiersbitzky, (WHAT FLOWERS REMEMBER), developed a plan. Pull together several authors with books that share a common thread, and join forces to spread the word.

The common thread for #MGGetsReal? Each of the books tackles a tough topic in a way appropriate for Middle Grade readers.

The participating authors are:

·      Shannon Wiersbitzky—WHAT FLOWERS REMEMBER (Alzheimer’s)

·      Kathleen Burkinshaw – THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM, (Hiroshima)

·      Joyce Moyer Hostetter—COMFORT, (War Trauma)

·      Kerry O’Malley Cerra—JUST A DROP OF WATER, (9/11)

·      Shannon Hitchcock—RUBY LEE & ME, (School Integration)

#MGGetsReal will blitz social media for the month of August, 2016.

Our marketing plan consists of:

1.    Developing a unique hashtag for the effort. We chose #MGGetsReal.

2.    Developing "group ads" for social media.

3.    Posting to social media 3x week for the month of August in a way that highlights all five books.

4.    Writing for two blogs not our own, (seeking blogs with national exposure where possible).

5.    Retweeting using the hashtag #MGGetsReal.

6.    Seeking to engage teachers/librarians.

7.    Featuring other writers on our own blogs if applicable.

8.    Reading/writing reviews for each book.

9.    Developing a video that highlights all five books.

We’re counting on teachers, librarians, and fellow SCBWI members to help spread the word. Here’s how you can be an ally:

1.    Consider reading and reviewing the aforementioned books.

2.    Retweet using the hashtag #MGGetsReal.

3.    Share posts on Facebook.

4.    Host one of the authors on your own blog.

#MGGetsReal is a marketing experiment. Help us make it a successful one!