by Joan Holub
The Goddess Girls series is up to #25 with CLOTHO THE FATE! I can hardly believe it. (Thank you, thank you, Simon and Schuster!) The Greek myth about the Three Fates, who decide, well, human fates, has been one of my faves since fifth grade.
THE GODDESS GIRLS series (ages 8-12) happened because I met Suzanne Williams at an SCBWI meeting and asked if she’d consider co-writing a series. We both pitched ideas and Goddess Girls wound up the front-runner. Book #1 Athena the Brain, in which Athena discovers she’s a goddess and is summoned by her dad Zeus to attend Mount Olympus Academy, pubbed in 2010. The GG books are each a riff on an actual Greek myth and star smart, adventurous girl goddesses. Quirky grown-ups include Mr. Cyclops teaching classes such as Hero-ology. Suzanne and I have since spun off two other series: LITTLE GODDESS GIRLS (ages 6-8) and HEROES-IN-TRAINING (ages 7-10).
Recently, I read an instagram from a favorite author, Julie Falatko, regarding the difficulties of balancing art, life, and income. I’m prolific with about 170 children’s books by now, and I realized that series writing has helped me maintain that balance Julie mentions. With a schedule of enjoyable series work on my desk, I can fit in picture books, board books, etc. as I have time and think of ideas. My creativity isn’t encumbered by angst regarding my publishing future. Still, it’s not fair (or helpful) to me or my editors if I were to have, say, two board books pub in the same season for different publishers. A bookstore might choose only to stock one of those two Joan Holub offerings. Instead, if I pub a board book, along with either a picture book or a middle grade book in the same season, I haven’t set up sales competition between two of my own books. They’ll be shelved in different areas of a store and browsed by parents and kids in different age groups.
Some of my books have become a series unexpectedly. I read every biography (starting with the girl ones) in my school library as a kid. So a few years ago, I wanted to write some simple board books bios. First came THIS LITTLE PRESIDENT (Little Simon). The format includes 10 spreads with 10 of the better-known presidents, plus a final spread mentioning numerous more and a call for kids to become part of the presidential group in future. It sold well enough to spin into a series: THIS LITTLE ARTIST, THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER: A Girl Power Primer, etc. Much of the series success is owed to my editor and the illustrator. I mean, who could not pick up these books after seeing Daniel Roode’s covers? I’ve also been lucky enough to also write for the Penguin Workshop’s bestselling WHO WAS series (WHO WAS BABE RUTH?). They’re the books with the big heads on the covers, and it seems like every kid has read at least one. I know I have. They’re addictive.
Thank you, Tara, so much for letting me visit today.
I’d love to give away three autographed copies of GODDESS GIRLS: CLOTHO THE FATE. They won’t arrive until 2020, but there’s always Valentine’s Day and birthday gifts! Thanks for reading!
You heard Joan!
Leave one comment below to enter the random giveaway. Three random winners will be chosen soon.
Good luck!
65 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 26, 2019 at 11:07 am
Linda Mitchell
You give me hope! I’ve been a bit stuck lately–and decided to get unstuck by asking writing buddies if they wanted to collaborate on something. I’m starting this week on a new project. Woot! Many congrats on #25!! That’s awesome.
December 27, 2019 at 6:49 pm
holub
I hope you find an author who’s a good fit, Linda. Thanks so much for the congrats. Much appreciated.
December 27, 2019 at 6:51 pm
holubauthor
I hope you find a bud who is a good fit, Linda. It might take more than one try, but hang in there. Thanks so much for the congrats!
December 29, 2019 at 9:16 pm
Shirley
Such a great idea love this
December 26, 2019 at 11:14 am
Carole Calladine
////////////////What a great idea to vary your publishing possibilities genres. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and work agenda.
December 26, 2019 at 11:17 am
Priya Gopal
Wonderful. Open to receive one of your lovely books
December 26, 2019 at 11:17 am
marianallanos
Great post and helpful advice. Thank you!
December 26, 2019 at 11:19 am
Anita Banks
Such fun!
December 26, 2019 at 11:23 am
Danielle Hammelef
These books are ones I’ve wanted to read for myself since I first started seeing them on blogs. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
December 26, 2019 at 11:36 am
Mary York
Joan, thank you for your immense contribution to children’s literature!
December 26, 2019 at 11:50 am
asiqueira1307
Wow! Your books sound fabulosos. And 170 books!!!! I would love to get your book. I will start reading them now, specially the ones for young kids since I want to start writing chapter books too. Now I only write pbs. Thanks 😊
December 26, 2019 at 11:51 am
Cheryl Johnson
That’s great that you’ve created a series based on an interest from childhood!
December 26, 2019 at 11:54 am
bamauthor
Thank you Joan, for sharing your amazing talent and tips with us!
December 26, 2019 at 11:56 am
chrisynthia
I am searching my library now to see if we have these cute little gems.
December 26, 2019 at 11:57 am
writersideup
Yay for all those pubbed books, Joan! I had the pleasure of meeting you and having THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER signed at the Princeton Book Festival (pictured above!) 😀 😀 😀 Though my life demands are different than having to juggle pubbed books, one thing it demands is balance. I’ve yet to find it! lol
December 26, 2019 at 11:58 am
Cynthia
Goddess girls sounds like a wonderful series
December 26, 2019 at 12:00 pm
tina
Joan, your books are such a great inspiration for children! Thank you for sharing. Wow, 170 books! That is most impressive- you know your stuff!
Thank you as always, Tara for the great interviews!
All the best to you both, Tina
December 26, 2019 at 12:01 pm
Angie
Prolific! You are bursting with ideas (and ways to put them into action). Thanks for sharing with us! Congratulations!
December 26, 2019 at 12:08 pm
Sarah Kilfoil
Thanks for sharing this interview, Tara. I read the “This Little Artist” books to my students and they LOVE them!
December 26, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Julie Mondi
There are many Goddess Girls in my family that would love to read these. Christmas is over but birthdays are coming. Thanks for the suggestions!!!
December 26, 2019 at 12:45 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Thank you so much for sharing!
December 26, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Ranessa
The Goddess Girls books sound awesome! I’ll have to get some for my daughter and I. I love Greek Mythology.
December 26, 2019 at 1:12 pm
Jennifer Bower
What a wonderful idea for a series! And, I love the little biographies; they really do seem addictive – in a very, good way!!
December 26, 2019 at 1:30 pm
Jody Jensen Shaffer
Joan, can’t wait to read a Goddess Girls!
December 26, 2019 at 2:07 pm
laurelneme
Thanks so much for sharing your story behind the stories!!
December 26, 2019 at 2:59 pm
LeeAnn Rizzuti
Hurrah for finding your balance, Joan! And for sharing.
December 26, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Gail Hedrick
Thank you for an insight into how this all began-as a former adoring reader of every biography in our elementary school library, it’s really cool you have been able to recall that joy and make it your own publishing success story-congrats!
December 26, 2019 at 3:29 pm
rindabeach
Thanks reminding me about the power of balance!
December 26, 2019 at 3:57 pm
June Sengpiehl
What a fabulous and educational series.
December 26, 2019 at 4:08 pm
Shauntrell Leaks
What wonderful books, would love to add them to our classroom library!
December 26, 2019 at 4:32 pm
Nadia Salomon
Being prolific can be tough. And sometimes makes it hard to focus. Also, thank you for reminding us that opportunities also come from Editors who love your work enough to ask you to write – outside- of your own creativity. What a gift. Thank you for stopping by and sharing some of these behind the scenes happenings.
December 26, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Mary Warth
Congratulations Joan! At #25, your series is is going strong, yet it’s good to hear that you’ve been able to find the balance. Your newest sounds great.
December 26, 2019 at 5:18 pm
Lucky Jo Boscarino
Wow! Artists and trailblazers and goddesses abound! This is great stuff.
December 26, 2019 at 5:27 pm
Deb Lund
Joan! How fun to see you here with the always amazing Tara! You need to come see us more often. Always glad to share Goddess Girls with library pals. Our library lives were how I first met Susanne, and what a journey you two have made together! Hugs from Whidbey…
December 26, 2019 at 5:40 pm
marty
An enviable number of series books! Each one is fascinating and informative in its own unique way. Your ideas and success are great inspirations for the rest of us.
December 26, 2019 at 6:30 pm
Kellie
WOW! So inspirational – I’ve got a long way to go, but there’s hope there. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Joan.
December 26, 2019 at 6:47 pm
Bettie Boswell
These sound like great books. Congrats on all your stories!
December 26, 2019 at 9:29 pm
Abi
How wonderful! Your work life balance is something to strive for. Thanks for sharing, Joan, and congrats on all your books.
December 27, 2019 at 8:43 am
Amy Harding
You are so prolific, Joan! I love your series work!
December 27, 2019 at 9:02 am
Dee Knabb
Good advice from an expert! Thank you, Joan.
December 27, 2019 at 11:40 am
mginsberg10
Thanks for your super-inspirational post!
December 27, 2019 at 1:53 pm
Joanne Roberts
Thanks. I love this behind-the-scenes type of encouragement!
December 27, 2019 at 2:13 pm
setwiggs
Joan,
Very interesting to hear of your process. Congratulations on your success. Keep going?
December 27, 2019 at 2:14 pm
setwiggs
No it’s keep going!
December 27, 2019 at 2:39 pm
kathydoherty1
Fabulous! These belong in every early elementary classroom!
December 27, 2019 at 3:16 pm
Stephen S. Martin
What a wonderful story to help inspire and encourage us all.
December 27, 2019 at 3:26 pm
Sheri Radovich
Wow, a prolific writer of children’s books in more than one category.that seems to be a good fit for authors and was it write on demand for an editor? I think this is a wonderful article for trying your writing in different genres and coming up with an idea that works with multiple titles or characters. Thanks for the insight.
December 27, 2019 at 5:27 pm
Lydia Lukidis
I’m a big Goddess Girls fan. Thanks for the inspiration!
December 28, 2019 at 12:31 pm
suzanna leigh
I can’t wait to check out the Goddess Girl Series!
December 28, 2019 at 6:14 pm
Jess Hoffman
My daughter loves reading books with Greek & Roman gods/goddesses!
December 28, 2019 at 8:30 pm
Melissa Mwai
I’m in!
December 29, 2019 at 2:23 pm
Arlene Schenker
I’m so glad you spun off the Little Goddess Series for the younger girls!
December 29, 2019 at 5:54 pm
Lauri Meyers
Inspiring!! Congrats on your series success.
December 29, 2019 at 8:25 pm
seschipper
Thanks for sharing! Great series!! 🙂
December 29, 2019 at 11:31 pm
Darcee Freier
170 books published! WOW! And Congrats on the latest in the Goddess Girls series!
December 30, 2019 at 7:22 am
Joan Longstaff
What a busy girl you are, with no signs of stopping – an inspiration indeed!
December 31, 2019 at 11:18 am
Beth Raff
I am amazed at your creativity and productivity, Joan! Congratulations – you are an inspiration. Would love to have your newest books for my K-5 school library!
December 31, 2019 at 1:09 pm
polly renner
Thank you, Joan, for sharing your publishing journey, and how NOT to compete against yourself in the market by releasing books in different genres. I’m filing this post away to reference later:>
December 31, 2019 at 7:35 pm
Denise Benavides
Impressive story ideas and congrats on your success
January 2, 2020 at 9:03 am
Kristin Crouch
My fifth graders would love these, thanks for the chance!!!
January 3, 2020 at 3:17 am
Becky H
Amazing!
January 6, 2020 at 10:13 am
The World Is My Cuttlefish
Such great ideas! The ‘This Little…” books look especially adorable.
January 6, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Kassy Keppol
So fun!
January 7, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Danielle Hammelef
I think nonfiction is a good choice for me to try in picture books, so studying this author’s work will be important for me.
January 15, 2020 at 9:31 pm
Janet Halfmann
Thanks for sharing your process.