Jerusalem International Book Fair - Flashlight Press

Every two years there is an international book fair that takes place in Jerusalem know as the Jerusalem International Book Fair. It used to be a fairly decent event where publishers from all over the world came to show off their books and do business.

The Jerusalem International Book Fair was extremely disappointing from all facets - readers, authors and publishers. But there are always one or two gems to make up for the disappointment. I cannot tell you what goes on behind the scenes because I have no idea. What I can say in that as time goes on this book fair becomes less and less of an event and seems to have been turned into some large book sell fair mostly populated by the ever growing list of Israeli book publishers. It was very disappointing, and certainly those who have two whole years to arrange this event should be fired and some new blood with some sort of ambitious planning should be brought in to make this fair and conference into the event it used to be.

Certainly a public which has a great deal of readers and writers should be given something a bit more than just a glorified book store when taking the time to view the events in the world of publishing and literature.

Needless to say I was more than somewhat disappointed, almost to the point of really being embarrassed by what this Conference used to be to what it has become today.

But there are always one or two gems to make up for the disappointment.

All that being said, of course, as the nature of things, I did meet up with some people whom I have not seen in a long time and got a chance to shmooze and keep up with the world at large. One such person whom I have known for the better part of 30 years is Shari Dash Greenspan an extremely talented literary, visual and graphic arts woman who is now an editor at a small publishing house called Flashlight Press. Shari is the editor of picture story books for children - in the words on her business card - "picture story books that explore and illuminate".

Flashlight Press is situated in New York City and you can go to their web site, Flashlight Press to check out their list of books.

Flashlight Press is a normative press open to all sorts of well-written books in their genre. In speaking with Shari she told me that she always open to reading new manuscripts from authors and illustrators (so take heart here folks - here is a publishing house where you can reach the editor directly if you are writing picture story books!) You do not need an agent to get Shari to read your works either.

Flashlight Press is actively seeking picture story books that explore and illuminate The web site of Flashlight Press has all you need to know about contacting them including Submission Guidelines for both Authors & Illustrators. Many of the books at Flashlight Press have won a series of awards, which should give you an idea as to the seriousness of this publisher.

Their mission statement reads as follows:

To explore and illuminate the touching and humorous moments of family situations and social interactions through captivating writing and outstanding illustrations. Two to four original picture books are scheduled for publication each year.

I threatened to post a picture of Shari on the blog - but in order to keep my head on my shoulders, I have posted some of the book covers with links (click on the cover) to the absolutely charming books published by Flashlight Press. If you are a parent, or if you are an author or illustrator looking for another market for your work, Flashlight Press is definitely worth the investment in time and a query.

Shari herself is an author of such books and very in tune with what the public is looking for in this genre. What more can you ask for? An editor whose name you know and a willing and listening ear and inquiring mind, along with an open eye to your manuscripts. You can reach Shari Dash Greenspan by clicking here.

Good Luck!

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Posted On: Cobwebs Of The Mind

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Tags: books, novels, poetry, literary, agents, short stories, memoirs, fantasy literature, legends, tales, erotica, short story, romantica, publishing, writers, fantasy, literary agents, blogs, blogging, writing blogs, writing, freelancing, non-fiction, fiction

Jenna Glatzer sells Absolute Write

I am sure that all over blogosphere there are by now quite a few articles on this. And I am sure most of them will say that Jenna will be missed and we wish her all the best. And of course, I am going to say the exact same thing. However, I think it may be appropriate to say a few words about Absolute Write and the Absolute Write Forum that Jenna created.

Before going on, it is true a thread went up at Absolute Write describing the changing of guard and Jenna's posts and reasoning for leaving. Obviously the most visual reason is that she is pregnant with her first child. This alone is sufficient reason for any person and couple to make life-changing decisions. There is no doubt that every one who has had contact with Jenna Glatzer wishes her only the best and fulfillment of all her dreams.

And no this post is not about the changing of the guard at AW as well. Because it actually makes no difference to me who runs it. If the new owner(s) and moderators choose to use it for their own personal ends, something that Jenna never did, AW will fall by the wayside. If they choose to allow a differing of opinions then AW may flourish. They will need balance and wisdom. They will require certain innate qualities which no one can know they have until it is put to the test. They will have to learn the elements of respect and fear and know how to understand each. That only the future will tell, and thus no amount of discussion will do any good. The current owners of AW will do what they think to be correct for their needs and the AW site.

This post is not about any of those normative things that people say when such things happen. It is more about how one person who with determination and sometimes courage in the fact of opposition managed to turn a small web site and then forum into a thriving community of writers. Jenna found a niche and she cultivated it. She did so often with silence; often with putting her foot down; often in the background. But she led without the need to be autocratic. There is no doubt that Jenna herself a published author, felt the need for such a forum frequented by published and not published writers. There is no doubt she had the vision to see that a forum required as well, not just talk, but respectability.

Absolute Write managed to gain that respectability. Of course, others were brought in or joined the party. Victoria Strauss, A.C. Crispin, (who constantly keep writers informed of the scams and questionable activities going on in the agent/publishing world and saving us all a lot of grief) It also should be noted that Victoria Strauss is a novelist in her own right, which says alot about her devotion and courage); and Jim Macdonald (moderator of the ever-popular "Learn Writing With Uncle Jim" thread at AW - which I never go to, but has helped many), just to name a few. Both Victoria and James run the Bewares and Background Check Thread at AW, a must read for any serious writer who wants to publish and avoid heartache.

Jenna had the vision to give these people a platform. She knew who would be useful for writers. She understood and understands the heart of the writer, the frustrations, the needs, the dreams. And she put them all up in Absolute Write and did not stand on any need for ego. She did it because it was needed. She did it to help.

And of course there are, as there always will be, those who hang on. Small publishers, writers who are published but not well known, agents who peruse the threads from time to time and the whole world of writing and publishing. Some members have learned a great deal from these people, some either don't need, require or want their knowledge. We all pick and choose. We all decide for ourselves. Yet it is critically important that whole of the spectrum is represented. This is truly a message for those who come after Jenna.

There are as well, a small group of others, who deem it their responsibility in life to offer advice behind their assumed Internet Nicks, and think that just telling others they are really important people in real life, their word will be accepted as the holy grail. It is the usual curse that applies to all forums at all times, and since writers tend not to be total nitwits, their presentation is usually seen for what it is - an exercise in self-aggrandizement. One usually ignores their comments as part of weeding out the chafe.

And yet with all this Jenna managed to build a coherent, helpful, respectable and actually fun place for writers to congregate and learn about the craft along the internet byways.

But Jenna plugged on. Absolute Write under her tutelage became a name to be reckoned with. She did this quietly, continuously, with really no great monetary satisfaction. It was a true labor of love. It was selfless in many aspects.

In Hebrew there is a phrase "Koach Ha'Nitinah". This phrase stands at the focal point of reams of philosophy and Jewish thought. It simply means "the power of giving". It implies giving without taking anything in return or expecting anything in return. A great deal of the dream that Absolute Write became is based on this power of giving.

It is for this reason, because we all must recognize the power of giving, that I feel this post need to be made. And to be perfectly clear, I do not know Jenna at all. I never spoke with her, met her or otherwise interacted with her, except for a few posts at AW. Indeed, instinct always told me that she did not agree with a lot of what I posted at AW nor does she particularly like me. And still even with that feeling I salute Jenna for the accomplishments of Absolute Write. There is no greater gift anyone could have left writers who need a community, than what Jenna did, sacrificing sleep and personal life for the sake of giving.

Jenna though is keeping up her Blog - Hot Diggity! And though she is clear that she is keeping the blog for personal information and if you want to see her publishing go to Jenna's website I have no doubt we will be hearing from Jenna again. So keeping in touch with her, if you wish to should not be difficult.

All I can say, as one member of the Absolute Write forum, is that I hope and pray her personal and writing dreams are all fulfilled. She has done a great deal for the respectability of writers. It is time for her to do a great deal for herself as well. Good wishes go with her. And a thank you. For in the end it is incumbent upon us as human beings who care to thank those who truly helped in our long and often difficult walk through the pathways of life and trying to acheive our dreams. Jenna Glatzer with Absolute Write made a small yet critically important contribution to the dreams and hopes of many.

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Children's Books - Of Rabbit's Wool & Camel's Hair

Okay lets go back a few years... alright..dont get snippy..so it is more than just a few years.. sheesh.. Well we have to begin somewhere and since blogs are freeform textual expression, I will be jumping around all over the place. I don't do dates well, and I never carry a palm pilot or diary. So you will have to excuse me if I make a time machine jump back into the deep dark past when my second children's book was published. I was in the midst of a roll. I had finished my first book for children, "The Letter & The Crown" and now they wanted another. I went shopping though, for another publisher, and soon United Synagogue gave an offer, and thus the second, (and last book to be published..sighs) in the Grandfather Owl Series was born, put together and published. They still sell it at Amazon and other such esoteric places! It was fun doing it and writing it. It would be the last children's book of mine to see the light of day in publishing, and I have since stopped doing that genre. Though I will admit from time to time I get a burning urge to return to it. Of Rabbit's Wool & Camel's Hair is the second book published in the Grandfather Owl Series. Originally published by the United Synagogue, it was the second in the Grandfather Owl series. It is fully illustrated in color, with original pictures by Diane Liff on every page. This book deals with the biblical story of the tree and the serpent that tempted Adam & Eve, and their expulsion from Eden. It is a difficult story to tell children but this book succeeds in its endeavor. When released originally in 1989 it was highly praised, and won two awards in Israel. The story also tells of the legendary Phoenix, one of the major protagonists in the book and in the Garden of Eden. And lays the foundation for the stories to come.

Of Rabbit's Wool & Camel's Hair is for children between the ages of 5-11 and for adults too!

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