If you’re an aspiring picture book author and you watched Celebrity Apprentice last night, you may have some [gross] misconceptions about what it takes to get a picture book published.
- “I know my ABC’s and my 123’s” is not a “genius” rhyme worthy of victory. Send an unimaginative, unoriginal rhyme like that to an editor and you’ll receive a form rejection…if they even bother sending a rejection.
- What the groups presented were first drafts written in a few hours. Do not send a first draft to be considered for publication.
- If a book is conceived by Dionne Warwick and written by Star Jones, by all means, let them take the credit.
- Donald said he’d publish the men’s book. But it will not be published without a lot of revision and editor input, because again, it’s a first draft that relies on simple, common rhymes.
- A picture book based on LaToya and the Jackson family? Do. Not. Go. There.
- “Just be yourself” is not too sophisticated a theme for a picture book–and both teams exhibited this theme, not just the women. (The men’s story was about standing up to bullies, a variant on the “be yourself” message.) Many successful picture books use this theme: Peggy Rathman’s RUBY THE COPYCAT, Audrey Penn’s SASSAFRAS, Kevin Henke’s CHRYSANTHEMUM, Helen Lester’s TACKY THE PENGUIN, Mo Willems’ NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED. I could go on and on…
There were many opportunities for snarky comments during the show, but here I’m going to focus on the positive:
- Margery Cuyler looked fabulous.
- I caught a glimpse of Pam Calvert’s PRINCESS PEEPERS!
- In this age of pumped-up puckers, Lisa Rinna had a lip REDUCTION.
15 comments
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March 14, 2011 at 10:43 am
LadyJai
Because of your tweeting last night, I have decided to go OnDemand last night’s celebrity apprentice. The comments I saw were so funny! I just have to go see it for myself! 😀
March 14, 2011 at 10:44 am
Sandy B
So happy to read your comments on the PB “task”. It was such a painful experience that I turned away as soon as the real pros were off the air. It was appalling to have so many misconceptions spouted and then confirmed. I hope that this particular episode triggers loads of feedback on the blog-o-sphere and from other knowledgeable sources.
March 14, 2011 at 11:08 am
Janice D. Green
You have re-affirmed my commitment to not turn my TV on anytime soon.
March 14, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Michael Rex
You think watching it was painful? I illustrated the woman’s book. It was very hard not to point out the severe flaws in the work, but I had to keep my thoughts to myslef!
March 14, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Tara
We were wondering what you were thinking when Star was chomping on a sandwich and giving you muffled directions!
March 15, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Angela R
I just read your blog about illustrating the ladies’ book. Why would a lion have bling? This show disturbed me for several reasons. http://www.wendyonwheels.com/blog
March 14, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Corey
Oh, I couldn’t bring myself to watch it. Looks like I made a good decision!
March 14, 2011 at 7:01 pm
cravevsworld
I wasn’t aware of this episode. I’ll be sure to view it as a way to feel better about my own creativity! Thanks.
Btw…thankfully all is well in my city of Aomori-Shi (northern tip of the main island and on the bay, not the coast), but my heart and prayers goes out to everyone less fortunate. Thanks for checking in.
All the best and more!
March 14, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Tara
Glad to hear you’re OK, Crave! The photos and videos we’ve seen here in America are horrific and devastating. Many prayers going out to the Japanese.
March 15, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Christina Rodriguez
As much as I abhor most reality TV, this is one thing I feel pretty chapped for missing. Maybe I can track it down on Hulu…
March 16, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Kristen Hilty
What I loved is that Marjery Cuyler told the men’s team not to rhyme and they took it as a sign that they should…just to show how “good” they were at it. “I know my ABCs and my 123s!” Oh yeah!
March 16, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Joanne Fritz
The main problem with a show like this is it perpetuates the stereotype that “anyone can write a picture book.” AND that they can write it in a few hours! And illustrate it in a few hours too! When we all know it can take years.
Tara, thanks for pointing out the obvious problems with this ridiculous piece of reality TV. I wasn’t planning on watching it myself, but my 20-yr-old was watching it and laughing, so I got drawn in against my will. It was like watching a train wreck.
March 20, 2011 at 2:26 am
Sharon Mayhew
Yeah, my hubby was all like, look at them…they did it on their first try! UGH!
Maybe next week they can design a line of clothing for 15 year olds. 🙂
March 21, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Shannon O'Donnell
Ugh! All I can say is unbelievable . . . 🙂
February 27, 2013 at 1:59 pm
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