Thank you, Tara, for hosting the very first peek (one year before publication) at the cover for book one of my upcoming chapter book series, BEEP AND BOB (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster), which I write and illustrate.
Though BEEP AND BOB is my debut series, it is far from the first kidlit book I was supposed to publish. That honor goes to a picture book I wrote years ago. I assembled an illustrated dummy, submitted to the finest publishers (in an envelope with stamps!) and waited for greatness. Of course, for that and a second book, only rejection followed.
Luckily, around that time I found the organization SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). While networking at SCBWI conferences, I found a great community of dedicated and generous creators, always there with support. I also found an agent, who picked up my first middle-grade novel. She began to submit and got some genuine interest from well-known editors. Once again, I waited for greatness. But once again, even after a couple more MG novels and some almost-sales, came our friend rejection.
Of course, this story is heading for that age-old chestnut that the key to any success is PERSEVERANCE. Try and try again, and then try some more. It’s all about dedication and endurance. However, I also discovered one new gem that, for me at least, became a crucial part of the puzzle: GIVING UP.
Obviously I didn’t give up writing or I wouldn’t be here, but at some point after being endlessly battered by the waves, I gave up in the sense of letting go—letting go of being attached to the goal of publication. I stopped struggling so much and gave myself permission to just spit out whatever wanted to come out, no matter how silly or wild. In a short time, I had a draft of BEEP AND BOB, which is about a boy who is reluctantly sent to school in space, and his lost alien buddy. I let it burst with humor and heart, which for me are the two most important ingredients of my work.
But it didn’t take much stepping back to realize that trying to sell a zany, debut, sci-fi chapter-book series about unknown characters was going to be a quixotic challenge. Rare was the agent who even said they represented chapter books (I had since left my first agent). So back to perseverance, and that horrible chore of submission that all writers know.
Luckily, this time things turned out differently: I was soon signed by the awesome Natalie Lakosil of Bradford Literary, and within a month of submitting she sold it in a four-book-deal to Aladdin. Please don’t tell Natalie, or my editor Amy Cloud, that BEEP AND BOB was really just an exercise in embracing failure.
Besides Natalie and Amy, I’d like to thank Nina Simoneaux, who designed this cool cover (I provided the color character spots). Hope you enjoy! And never give up giving up.
Thank you, Jonathan, for sharing your journey to publication.
Jonathan is giving away an original, personalized drawing of BEEP to one lucky commenter.
Leave a message below to win. Share this cover reveal and receive an extra entry for each share–just post a comment for each, letting us know where you shared. Good luck!
102 comments
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March 2, 2017 at 10:26 am
rochellegwrites
such an inspiring story…thanks so much for sharing!
March 2, 2017 at 10:28 am
Amy Smith
Jonathan, this was such a timely read as I sit down to once again embrace letting go. Thank you and Congratulations on your upcoming publication!
March 2, 2017 at 10:30 am
Amy Benoit
I can totally learn from your “giving up” advice. Thanks for sharing!
March 2, 2017 at 10:31 am
Patricia Koelmel
OMG, Jonathan, I recently did the same thing … I let go. I even bought myself two mantraband bracelets to keep me reminded. One reads: Trust and the other: It Is What It Is. Thanks for your story and much luck with your upcoming chapter book series. It looks like a winner to me.
March 2, 2017 at 10:36 am
Deborah Allmand
Loved reading about your journey to publication. Love SCBWI, great community and wonderful resources. Good luck with you books.
March 2, 2017 at 10:36 am
Lynne Marie
So true! Thanks for sharing your story and for giving away a copy of your book. XO
March 2, 2017 at 10:37 am
Katy Duffield
What a wonderful story of perseverance and following your heart! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
March 2, 2017 at 10:39 am
Traci Bold
Jonathan, your post made me smile. Very encouraging. Thank you for sharing with us and cheering us on! Good luck with this book and all the ones to follow! Am excited to read it.
March 2, 2017 at 10:41 am
Nancy Rimar
Thanks for the shot in arm and for a chance to win a prize!
March 2, 2017 at 10:42 am
fspoesy
Yet he persisted…in giving up! Haha! What a great story of letting go! It is a very valuable lesson. Thanks for sharing, Jonathan.
March 2, 2017 at 10:46 am
Sheila Lynch-Afryl
What a great story. I can’t wait to read this series.
March 2, 2017 at 10:50 am
danielledufayet
Out of this world inspiring! Congrats!
March 2, 2017 at 10:54 am
Sylvia Mary Grech
Very cool! And inspiring!
March 2, 2017 at 10:56 am
Cathy C. Hall
Oh, I’m all for giving up! I do that at least once every day. 🙂
March 2, 2017 at 10:56 am
Sage Merriman
I like the idea that “giving up” gave you the space you needed to find success… with a book about outer space. How cool is that!
March 2, 2017 at 10:59 am
Cathy C. Hall
And way too awesome not to share on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cathychall/status/837315990027448321
Thanks, Jonathan Roth!
March 2, 2017 at 11:04 am
Angie
Congratulations! The cover is fun and the story sounds great! Another example of just keep writing, just keep writing. 🙂
March 2, 2017 at 11:06 am
Lori Alexander
Fantastic, Jonathan! Way to give-up and rebound. Congrats on the debut!
March 2, 2017 at 11:06 am
Kathy j brown
I got a kick out of you title and cover. ‘Letting go’ thank you for that information!
March 2, 2017 at 11:07 am
triciacandy
Thank you, Jonathan! What a great giving up story…:)
March 2, 2017 at 11:11 am
Mary Warth
Thanks for the fun origin story! I appreciate all you have gone through and love the fresh perspective. Congrats!
March 2, 2017 at 11:13 am
Jennette Mutolo
A lot of us probably needed your post today and all of us (I know because this community is filled with the best people EVER!) send you CONGRATULATIONS!!
March 2, 2017 at 11:15 am
Lisa Marie
What a wonderful story about a great book. Look forward to many more stories with humor and heart!
March 2, 2017 at 11:19 am
Lisa Riddiough
I needed this today. Thank you for never giving up and then giving up and then never giving up!!!
March 2, 2017 at 11:28 am
Charlotte Dixon
Thank you, Jonathan, for the inspiration. I look forward to reading your new book. Great cover!
March 2, 2017 at 11:45 am
Kelly Vavala
Kudos to you and Here’s to perseverance!! Bravo 👏 I wish you much success in your endeavors!
March 2, 2017 at 11:58 am
rgstones
Congratulations! Can’t wait to read your books.
March 2, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Paula Zeller
Jonathan, congratulations, and thanks so much for sharing your journey to publication. Your humorous, gracious, and very personal story is inspiring!
March 2, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Gabi Snyder
Congratulations, Jonathan! And thank you for sharing your story of perseverance and of letting go of expectations. Letting go of expectations does seem to free us to be more creative.
March 2, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
Thanks for sharing your story
March 2, 2017 at 12:42 pm
lorigravley
Honestly, this is just what I needed to hear. Thank you. Now for more practice letting go!
March 2, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Kristen Browning
Thanks for the inspiration and congratulations! I look forward to reading Beep and Bob.
March 2, 2017 at 12:50 pm
C.L. Murphy
Congrats, Jonathan! How wonderfully inspiring, you are!
March 2, 2017 at 1:03 pm
carol calladine
Thanks for sharing giving up to success!
March 2, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Elizabeth Curry
Thank you! Encouraging post!
March 2, 2017 at 1:22 pm
Joan Swanson
This is such great advise, I shared it on my Twitter:)
March 2, 2017 at 1:54 pm
julielacombeauthor
“I stopped struggling so much and gave myself permission to just spit out whatever wanted to come out, no matter how silly or wild.”
Such a valuable lesson for us all! Jonathan, I’m painting this on my office wall! Thanks for the inspiration.
March 2, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Jacqueline Adams
Thanks for the new (and helpful) take on giving up! And congratulations on the book series. It looks like so much fun!
March 2, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Viviane LB
Wow! Such an inspiring journey. I am putting Beep and Bob on my book wish list!
March 2, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Anne Bromley
Thanks for this inspiring post! I look forward to seeing this book and many, many congratulations on both the book and your perseverance.
March 2, 2017 at 2:21 pm
Lynn A. Davidson
Congratulations, Jonathan, on your success through knowing how much to give up! This book looks like a fun reading experience.
March 2, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Sharon Coffey
Jonathan, you help to remind us all that the road to publication is full of dead ends and curves but the ones who stay the course reap the rewards. Thanks for sharing.
March 2, 2017 at 2:39 pm
R.J. Koehn
Jonathan, this is so inspirational! I love chapter books, but everyone says you can’t sell them unless you’ve already published something else. You are a classic example of the exception! Congrats! Can’t wait to pick it up!
March 2, 2017 at 2:44 pm
David McMullin
Thank you, Jonathan, for your story. I’m inspired to keep working.
March 2, 2017 at 2:46 pm
Kassy Keppol
I was very interested in the fact that you submitted the color spots, and then someone else created the cover. I didn’t know it could be done that way. Cool.
March 2, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Rebecca E. Guzinski
Hmmm…so rejection can lead to perseverance. Thanks for the inspiration.
March 2, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Erin Fennell
Great story! Congrats on the book, Jonathan!
March 2, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Robin Brett Wechsler
I love learning about inspiring success stories like this. Congratulations, Jonathan! I’m excited to read your new book.
March 2, 2017 at 3:20 pm
aliciaminor
I am so happy for you. Perseverance is always the key to success and we take it from you. I wish you more books to come.
March 2, 2017 at 3:27 pm
kathalsey
Glad to hear this story today as I am feeling rather low on my journey to publication. Let go, let it happen as it will is good advice. Happy for your success, Jonathan!
March 2, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Erika Hitchcock
Great blog today! I love hearing how these books come to be from idea to shelf. Beep is quite a cute robot❤
March 2, 2017 at 3:38 pm
lillyarts
Giving up, that is so good, thank you for the reminder. Such a power to giving up I have learned. I want to do it more!! Love the book cover!
March 2, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Cathy Ogren
Perseverance wins!
March 2, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Therese Kay
Congratulations!! Thank you for sharing your journey. I struggle too, maybe a bit of letting loose will help!
March 2, 2017 at 5:10 pm
Juliana Lee
Looks like a fun read! Happy 1 year prior to publication Birthday!
March 2, 2017 at 5:25 pm
Juli Jones
I’m so excited– a sci-fi chapter book! Congrats! I don’t know why sci-fi is such a hard sell, but I’ve been writing/revising/plugging my sci-fi MG novel for 7 years. I’m hoping for success like you and agree we can never give up!
March 2, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Katie Furze
Wow. Thank you for sharing this. I think I might be at the letting go stage about now. So inspiring!
March 2, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Roseli Walker
Way to go, Jonathan!! Can’t wait to get a basket with your name on it for our school library!!!! Congratulations!
March 2, 2017 at 6:21 pm
racheale
Can’t wait to read this with my family.
March 2, 2017 at 6:49 pm
Gina L
I needed this today. Thank you!
March 2, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Kate Amedeo
Thank you for sharing! After receiving so many rejections myself it’s great to read someone’s success story 🙂 congratulations on the book!
March 2, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Manju Gulati Howard
Thank you, Jonathan! I’ll go “Give up” now.
March 2, 2017 at 7:31 pm
melissamiles1
It’s so helpful to hear these stories of perseverance! My two kids loved chapter books and were so proud when they were able to read them independently. There are so many great series. I wonder why publishers aren’t wanting them? And I’m glad you found one that did! 🙂
March 2, 2017 at 7:35 pm
Kathy Doherty
Judging from your book’s cover alone, I want to be Bob! What an adventure!
March 2, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Sheri Radovich
Thank you the insight and struggle news. Tells me to keep on plugging away at those manuscripts.
March 2, 2017 at 8:47 pm
ptnozell
So glad you didn’t give up!
March 2, 2017 at 9:57 pm
sunwalker2013
Thanks, Jonathan. I’ve just begun a program (considered a “drip” method – i.e. just a little at a time) called “A Year to Clear What is Holding You Back.” So far, the letting go piece seems to be paramount!
March 2, 2017 at 10:41 pm
Brenda Maier
Congratulations, Jonathan. Love those SCBWI success stories!
March 2, 2017 at 10:55 pm
Cinzia
Congrats and love to learn of your journey!!! Best wishes, Cindy
March 2, 2017 at 11:01 pm
Michelle O'Hara Levin
Oh this is such good advice – and timely for me right now. THANK YOU!
March 2, 2017 at 11:28 pm
Kathryn Hagen
Thank you for your story and inspiration!
March 2, 2017 at 11:34 pm
Kathy Rose
I’ve known you many years Jonathan and I can truly say your outta this world great! From the time you had my daughter (and her whole class) write a postcard and then mailed it to her (them) when she was older and in the middle school, I thought wow, what a teacher, wow what a great person! So happy for you and can’t wait for your book series!
March 2, 2017 at 11:36 pm
bgonsar
Love seeing that perseverance pays off!
March 2, 2017 at 11:38 pm
Kathy Rose
Oh and I shared on FB😊
March 3, 2017 at 1:07 am
Andrew Lefebvre
Thanks for the story. Book looks great.
March 3, 2017 at 4:35 am
sarita f
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Congrats to you on your new series.
March 3, 2017 at 9:09 am
Nancy Tupper Ling
Such a cool story, all around!
March 3, 2017 at 9:18 am
sabrinawrites1
Things are always better when you let yourself go x
March 3, 2017 at 10:43 am
Kelly
Real creativity flows we when just let go — great reminder! Looking forward to Beep & Bob!
March 3, 2017 at 10:44 am
Nicole Strangman
Congratulations!! And thanks for the great advice.
March 3, 2017 at 1:22 pm
justcomposeyourself
Jonathan,
I’m so incredibly inspired by your journey- and will take on that mantra proudly ” never give up giving up.” 🌟
Looking forward to reconnecting!
March 3, 2017 at 2:09 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
Your journey is inspiring, Jonathan, and the book just the kind a sci-fic adventure I would have loved as a kid. Nowadays I pass those onto my grandsons–after I’ve had the first read. 😃
March 3, 2017 at 4:38 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Your journey is inspiring, Jonathan. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I look foward to reading BEEP & BOB.
I shared this post on Facebook, Google+, Word Press & Pinterest. I tweeted on Twitter. Thank you, Tara.
~Suzy Leopold
March 3, 2017 at 8:59 pm
seschipper
Wow! Great blog!!! congrats!!! loved meeting Beep (and Bob) wink, wink!!! 🙂
March 3, 2017 at 9:01 pm
seschipper
Great post! Loved meeting Beep and Bob!!!! wink, wink!!!! 🙂
March 4, 2017 at 6:26 am
Beth Elliott
Great post; we all love stories about perseverance – that pays off! Congratulations.
March 4, 2017 at 9:26 am
DB Cote
I liked the idea of “giving yourself permission.” Thank you, Jonathan.
March 4, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Laura Purdie Salas
Congratulations! Embracing failure is a smart thing–often frees us for success:>)
March 4, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Charlene steadman
Thanks for the inspiration!
March 4, 2017 at 9:35 pm
Dawnyelle
My moment needed that inspiration! Draw on!!!
March 5, 2017 at 2:29 am
NJHoorn
Inspiration helps the perseverance! Thanks.
March 5, 2017 at 12:48 pm
theresenagi
Thanks Bob for your your story in perseverance!
March 5, 2017 at 6:08 pm
Meli Glickman
Your inspirational exercise in “embracing failure” makes me want to embrace your inner perseverance. Thanks for sharing your journey, and congrats for reaching this result!
March 6, 2017 at 11:16 am
jeanjames926
These personal struggles and perseverance stories to publication are always the most heartfelt and enjoyable to read. Congratulations Jonathan on your success!
March 6, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Always love to hear other creatives’ journeys. Good luck and wishing you many future successes!
March 6, 2017 at 3:23 pm
richardlowejr
Inspiring story! thanks for sharing.
March 6, 2017 at 6:45 pm
just 1 marion
Love this “giving up” idea that actually worked. Good for you. I’m getting there fast.
March 6, 2017 at 8:22 pm
laura516
Giving up the anxiety of submission… Sounds like a great goal. Our writing improves when we aren’t trying to please someone else.
March 7, 2017 at 7:00 am
robert
I loved this..and not all the people understand it..just hearing the words “give up” some people get crazy but it s the same old story that keeps repeating since the beginning of time..i mean from Heraclitus..very inspiring book..
March 7, 2017 at 6:00 pm
JEN Garrett
Yes! I, too, gave up on submitting, and that’s when the fave came in on my picture book. Not because I’d given up on writing, but because I let go of the “got to be published” and instead wrote what I wanted to write.
March 9, 2017 at 6:40 am
Veronica Bartles
I love it! My path to publishing success was paved with failure and giving up too! Sometimes, that’s the best course. As long as you give up on the right things. 🙂
March 12, 2017 at 8:18 am
Rachelle
Thank you for sharing your story here. It’s also neat to see some comments that others had similar experiences.