When my high-school-aged son was a toddler, I recall a day when he was in a particularly silly mood, running through the house with a diaper on his bottom, a bandana on his head, and a pirate’s patch over one eye. He looked at me with an ornery twinkle in his uncovered eye, and asked, in his best, pirate-y gruff toddler voice, “Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?” I knew immediately this was the title for a book, and I started drafting a manuscript soon after.
Over the next couple of years, the manuscript went through many critiques and many revisions, but the core story about the universal childhood experience of, “I gotta go. Now!” told from the perspective of a pirate on a quest to find just the right spot to leave his…uh, treasure…remained consistent throughout.
In 2006/2007 I submitted the story for professional critiques and participated in opportunities to read the story aloud at various SCBWI events. The story was a crowd-pleaser, and several editors expressed interest and invited me to follow up with a submission. In 2007, one of those editors took the manuscript to her editorial meeting, and then to acquisitions. She was extremely enthusiastic about the story, and I felt confident a contract offer was on the horizon. But that was not to be.
I was thrown by the emotional roller coaster of being so close to making my first sale, then having it fall apart, but I refused to give up on the story. I continued submitting it and bringing it to conferences for awhile, but eventually my focus shifted to new stories and new submissions. After signing contracts for my STORY TIME WITH SIGNS AND RHYMES series, my attention shifted to editing and launching those books. Even so, every now and then, I’d re-read my Pirate Potty manuscript, and tinker around with it some. I never stopped loving it.
Fast forward to 2015. I was invited to write a story for Oregon Reads Aloud, a keepsake collection of read-aloud stories for children, published in celebration of SMART’s (Start Making a Reader Today) 25th anniversary (Graphic Arts Books, 2016). I was grateful for the opportunity. I gladly contributed a story for the project and actively participated in the promotional events for the book.
In October of 2016, I drove 3 ½ hours from Portland to Seattle to spend a couple of hours signing copies of Oregon Reads Aloud in the Graphic Arts Books booth during the Pacific NW Book Association conference. During my time in the booth, I got to know some of the folks at Graphic Arts and familiarized myself with their regionally-focused list. I remember thinking, “These are such nice people. I’d love to work with them on other books. I wish I had a manuscript with a regional theme that I could submit to them.”
Over the course of the next year, I continued wishing that I had a book that was a good fit for Graphic Arts. Not surprisingly, wishing did not make it so. One day, as I re-read and reflected on my beloved Pirate Potty story, I thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be great if I could westernize this story?” That moment was a turning point.
I got all of the “feels” that you get when you have a good idea, and I started making notes. I challenged myself to replace the pirate character with a different character, and the idea of a cowboy soon came to mind. I tried plugging “Cowboy” elements into the story in place of “Pirate” elements, but I was not keen on the changes that came out of that exercise. I think there were a few different reasons the cowboy changes weren’t working, but the biggest issue was that during this phase of re-vision, I was essentially trying to insert a cowboy into the pirate’s story. The roots of my story were based on that memorable moment when my son posed the silly question, “Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?,” and I “saw” a very specific Pirate character in my mind every time I sat with the story. I couldn’t simply replace that character with a cowboy.
At one point, I pulled out my old files from back when the Pirate Potty story “almost sold,” and I re-read what the editor wrote to me. She had said, “…Everyone in our group just loved it and thought it’d be a slam dunk, but Sales thought that a pirate potty book would only appeal to boys, thus cutting our readership in half. I totally disagree with them…but without their support, we just can’t move forward…”
I, too, disagreed with the assessment that only boys would be interested in a Pirate Potty book, but this time as I re-read those words, a new question emerged: What about a cowgirl? I found myself immediately transported to a time when my college-aged daughter was in grade school, and her wardrobe included a bright pink pair of cowgirl boots. I paged through old photos and found the one I was looking for: A photo of my daughter dressed-up for her western-themed grade school carnival. I finally had the kernel of a new character in my mind’s eye. This character was unique and separate from the Pirate character that I couldn’t let go of, and she had her own story to tell.
WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY? spilled onto the page with urgency.
And all of a sudden (and about a dozen years later) I had two potty stories I loved, one with a decidedly western theme. I identified several publishers that might be a good fit for Cowgirl, and I developed a submission plan. Graphic Arts Books was at the top of the list.
I submitted WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY? to Graphic Arts Books in 2017, and I’m happy to share that it’s scheduled to hit bookshelves in the fall of 2019…along with WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY? Yarrr! They loved that story, too.
One key revision, and two new books. Yee-Ha!
Dawn Babb Prochovnic is the author of multiple picture books including Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? and Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? (forthcoming, 2019) and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Dawn loves to travel and has visited thousands of potties across the Pacific Northwest and around the world. She is the founder of SmallTalk Learning based in Portland, Oregon. Learn more at dawnprochovnic.com.
70 comments
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November 6, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Megan Taraszkiewicz
Love this story. My first manuscript was a near miss like this one. Everyone loves it but I can’t seem to sell it. I’m encouraged to think that one good tweak could change that! Thank you for this!!
November 8, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Megan. I’m glad the story behind my story encourages you to keep working on a manuscript you love!
November 6, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Michele Helsel
Love hearing your story! Will definitely check out the books. Persistence paid off!
November 8, 2018 at 12:08 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Michele! October 2019 is the planned release date. The next major milestone will be the cover reveal, which should be in January. I can hardly wait!
November 6, 2018 at 12:40 pm
Shirley Fadden
Loved reading about your TWO potty book story path! Well deserved book sales as a result of continued effort combined with original ideas. Congrats!
November 8, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Shirley. Sometimes it’s all about timing, too. In my case, both stories (Cowgirl and Pirate) had two offers on the table when they finally sold. The manuscripts were (finally!) ready and the timing was (finally!) right in the marketplace.
November 6, 2018 at 12:49 pm
mona861
Great that you were able to switch lanes and find another path…both paths led to the same place-Publications! Congratulations!!!
November 8, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
I love your reference to “switching lanes.” For me it conjures a change of perspective and maybe even a change in route…but all the while, moving forward. Thanks for that.
November 6, 2018 at 12:51 pm
viviankirkfield
I absolutely LOVE stories like this, Dawn! Persistance and patience and a passion for your story…you just never gave up on it…but you were willing to see it in a different light and rework/revise/rewrite until you had the winning manuscript. CONGRATULATIONS!
November 8, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thank you, Vivian. I LOVE path to publication stories, too. ; ) I’m getting so much inspiration from the series of Path to Publication stories I’m currently hosting on my own blog. I can’t wait to feature your stories next spring–and I’m delighted to say that Tara will be featured next month (Dec).
November 6, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Robyn Campbell
Wow, what a great read. I have a story like this. And I believe I have an idea. Thanks. You taught so much in one post. The first being never give up. I bet you are glad you went back and read those notes. Congrats, Dawn.
November 8, 2018 at 12:30 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Robyn. I’ve learned so much from others who have posted on Tara’s blog and on other sites. I’m likewise delighted that my post might be helpful to you and others. And you are correct: I AM very glad that I went back and read those notes. (Sometimes I think it’s nutty that I hold onto to old letters/notes … but alas, those old notes and letters were a hidden treasure in this case.)
November 6, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Andria Rosenbaum
Congratulations, Dawn. I bet many of us give up on stories we love. So glad you made it work –times 2!
November 8, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Andria. I think the operative word here is love. I have plenty of stories I’ve filed away and may never look at again… but I loved this story enough to keep digging…and digging…
November 6, 2018 at 1:13 pm
stiefelchana
Wow! Love this story and the stories behind your stories! Yee haw!
November 8, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks … and I’m having so much fun with all of the Yarrs! and Yee haws! ; )
November 6, 2018 at 1:25 pm
Lorraine
Wow. What a great outcome. I applaud your persistence. Thanks for sharing. Congrats!
November 8, 2018 at 12:40 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Lorraine. Best wishes for your own projects.
November 6, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Suzanne LaLiberte Lewis
What a wonderful outcome to your story, Dawn! Congratulations on your twin accomplishments!
November 8, 2018 at 12:42 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Suzanne. I love that characterization: Twin Accomplishments. My niece just had twins and it brings all kinds of fun imagery to my mind. Thanks!
November 6, 2018 at 1:53 pm
Writer on the run
Congratulations Dawn! Your story reaches beyond the normal”don’t give up“! This inspires me to believe in my story, realize I will need to grow with it, but always have faith that it is worthwhile!
November 8, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks for this … if my story inspires even just one other person to believe in their story, realize they need to grow with their story, and have faith that the work is worthwhile, then my time spent sharing my story feels undoubtably worthwhile.
November 6, 2018 at 3:30 pm
Emmie R Werner
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 8, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
You’re welcome, Emmie. Thanks for taking the time to read the post.
November 6, 2018 at 3:53 pm
Cassandra Federman
I love the story of how these two books came to be. Thanks so much for sharing!
November 8, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
It’s my sincere pleasure, Cassandra. Thanks for reading it.
November 6, 2018 at 3:54 pm
Laurie Ann Thompson
What a wonderful backstory to what sound like two wonderful books! Congratulations, Dawn!
November 8, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Laurie–for your comments, and for being one of my supportive peers along the way.
November 6, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Karen Lawler
So you ended up with a potty book for girls and a potty book for boys. I loved hearing about how they evolved. THanks 🙂
November 8, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Ha! Maybe so … and yet I STILL think both boys and girls will want to read about where a pirate goes potty ; )
November 6, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Michelle Schaub
Dawn, thanks for sharing this story. It definitely reinforces the truth that the road to publication is filled with unexpected twists and turns. It has inspired me to dust off some of my old “near miss” manuscripts and look at them with fresh eyes.
November 8, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Hi Michelle–I’m so glad my story inspires you to take a fresh look at some of your “near miss” manuscripts. As I mentioned to another commenter, sometimes it’s a combination of fine-tuning and timing. Case in point, in this case, both stories (Cowgirl and Pirate) had two offers on the table when they finally sold. The manuscripts were (finally!) ready AND the timing in the marketplace was (finally!) right.
November 6, 2018 at 5:19 pm
chardixon47
Congratulations, Dawn! Your story has fueled my desire to look at some of my stories buried in the sand. Thank you for showing how difficult that road is to publication.
November 8, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
I hope find buried treasure!! ; )
November 6, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Rebecca Van Slyke
Congratulations!! I’d say that it’s POTTY TIME!!
November 8, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Rebecca. P.S. Your comment gave me a giggle–the auto emoji associated with your post looks to me like someone or “something” going potty ; ) Too funny!
November 6, 2018 at 6:23 pm
kathydoherty1
Dawn, I love your perseverance! Thanks for being an inspiration.
November 8, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
My sincere pleasure, Kathy. I’m so glad my post has encouraged and inspired others.
November 6, 2018 at 7:45 pm
Erik Ammon
OMG! Congratulations on the sales! Way to keep at it! Now to take a look at some stories for a change 🙂
November 8, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks! I’m very excited indeed. Best wishes as you dig back into your own stories.
November 6, 2018 at 8:23 pm
David McMullin
Amazing story! Congratulations. I do see this with parents in my library. They want girl potty books for girls and boy potty books for the boys.
November 8, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
That does seem to be the message I’m hearing, David. The truth is, I’ve always seen WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY? as more of a “potty humor” story vs. strictly a “potty book” … but I know that with the word “potty” in the title, it will attract the attention of parents that are looking for “potty books” (as well as young readers who enjoy potty humor). I’m super happy that for the “potty book” folks, there will be two books for them to choose from. But pssst…they are BOTH fun and funny ; )
November 6, 2018 at 8:33 pm
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Congratulations, Dawn! Besides making the changes, you also broadened your submission list to smaller publishers that had more flexibility. And you found a home for that adorable pirate story in the end! Hooray for small presses!
November 8, 2018 at 1:09 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Lyn. I couldn’t agree more. As I mentioned to another commenter, I actually had two offers on the table for both of these books … when it rained it poured. There was much to like about both publishers, and I had to really dig deep to decide which one to go with. I do think both would have done a great job with the books, but I couldn’t be happier with the team I’m working with.
November 6, 2018 at 9:30 pm
marty
Great story — make that, great stories, plural! Congrats.
November 8, 2018 at 1:09 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks so much, Marty. I’m very excited indeed.
November 6, 2018 at 10:09 pm
writersideup
Dawn, I LOVE hearingf about this. SO encouraging 😀 Congrats on BOTH books! 😀
November 8, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks. I’m glad you found it encouraging. Best wishes on your own projects.
November 6, 2018 at 10:52 pm
Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg)
Good lesson to never give up on a story! Congrats on both of your books!
November 8, 2018 at 1:12 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Hi Judy–The truth is I have PLENTY of stories I’ve filed away and may never look at again… but I loved THIS particular story enough to keep digging…and digging…
November 6, 2018 at 11:05 pm
setwiggs
I’m holding onto my stories and thinking of new ways to reinvent them. Thanks for your story and congrats on your potty successes.
November 8, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
I’m so grateful for you comment. I’m picturing you literally holding onto your stories and thinking of new ways to reinvent them, and that makes me so happy. I wish you success as you reinvent and reimagine.
November 7, 2018 at 11:18 am
Carrie Pearson
Talk about a universal theme! Loved this post and your keep-at-it attitude.
November 8, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Carrie. Some characters simply insist on being seen and heard, and this was definitely one of them.
November 7, 2018 at 11:31 am
suumac
Dawn – thank you for sharing this encouraging story of your trials, tribulations, PERSEVERANCE(!) and successes – congratulations!!
November 8, 2018 at 1:16 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks for commenting. I’m so glad you found my story encouraging. Best wishes for you own projects.
November 7, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Jay
What a truly inspirational story! Congratulations on your deserved success!
November 8, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks, Jay. I’m so glad you found my story inspiring. Best wishes on your own creative endeavors.
November 7, 2018 at 5:48 pm
kcareywrites
WOW! What a fantastic story of persistence! Thanks for sharing! I’m looking forward to reading your books (and now I gotta go find the loo!).
November 8, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Ah, this made me laugh! I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of potty humor! The books are schedule for release in October 2019 … the next major milestone will be the cover reveal (in January, I think). I can hardly wait!
November 8, 2018 at 4:05 am
Diane Tulloch
What a brilliant story of perseverance and an open mind. Ye ha! Congratulations.
November 8, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks so much for the kind words. Ye ha indeed!
November 8, 2018 at 11:34 am
Caleb Wright
Great write up, It inspires me to push my book further.
November 8, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
I’m so glad you’ve found my story inspiring. Best wishes on your own work, Caleb.
November 8, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Dear readers,
I’m sincerely delighted that my story of persistence has encouraged and inspired others. I, too, am inspired by others’ path to publication stories. As I mentioned to one of the commenters above, I’m currently running a series of blog posts called “Birth Stories for Books: Posts About Paths to Publication From Published Authors and Illustrators.” I’ll be publishing essays and interviews in this series between now and this time next year when my Pirate and Cowgirl stories are released. (In fact, I’ll be featuring one of Tara’s stories next month/Dec). These stories of persistence and passion for a particular project have been incredibly encouraging to me. Stop on by if you want more encouragement and inspiration along these lines!
And thank you again, Tara, for hosting this wonderful blog. I’ve learned so much from you and your readers over the years, and it’s wonderful to be able to give back some to this community.
Best wishes, Dawn
November 9, 2018 at 4:44 pm
seschipper
Thanks so much for sharing!! And Congratulations…job well done!!!! 🙂
November 15, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Dori Stone
Thank you, Dawn, so much for sharing your story. It is heartwarming and inspiring to hear how your persistence paid off!
November 30, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Sheri Radovich
I am so glad you first idea suggested a second idea and the theme snowballed or rolled over to a publisher finally. I think it is hard to give up on a beloved story and stop revising and hoping for another editor or agent to see the light it brings. I am so glad to hear the story succeeded in the end and took along another similar one. Gives me faith to keep trying. Thanks
Dawn.
January 8, 2019 at 11:51 am
ingridboydston
Thanks for the encouragement to keep the “old” stories around…it may not be too late for a fresh take on some of my favorites!
January 14, 2019 at 3:31 pm
Michelle Kashinsky
I love that you never gave up on a great story! Very inspiring and can’t wait to read both potty books! Congrats!