Tuesday, April 13, 2010

I'm Leaving CWIM...

Dear Readers,

This is a tough post to write. I'm officially announcing that as of April 30th I'll no longer be editor of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market. For a number of reasons I've decided it's time for me to leave my job at F+W Media after more than 18 years.

In the days before I depart I'll be offering a little CWIM nostalgia. Today I'm pulling from the 1989 CWIM. Connie Eidenier was editor of this debut edition which was well under 200 pages (less than half the size of the current edition) and included two articles and a handful markets sections. (Note: In 1989 is was in my third year of college. I wrote my papers on a electric typewriter.)

Here is some information about the state of children's publishing Connie offered in her "From the Editor" in the 1989 CWIM:

"Children's books and magazines have become a viable force in today's publishing industry thanks to growing interest from parents, teachers and librarians eager to see today's youth develop an interest in reading. According to a December, 1988, issue of Newsweek, more than 4,600 children's books were published in 1987: This is a 50 percent growth over 1978 statistics. In this same article it was reported that publishers sold $334 million in hardcover books in 1987 (compared to $136 million in 1977), and $150 million in paperbacks (compared to $26 million a decade ago.)

The growth in this very specialized segment of the publishing industry is particularly evident in the enthusiasm with which editors are seeking ideas for picture books and stories, young and middle readers, and young adult material. Here at Writer's Digest Books, we've been closely monitoring this growth and decided the time had come to compile a market directory listing the needs of the children's book and magazine industry. How appropriate that our first edition of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market comes out in 1989--The Year of the Young Reader as designated by the Library of Congress."

56 comments:

Greg Pincus said...

Seems to me you leave behind big shoes to fill since the CWIM is truly a fantastic, top-notch resource. Best of luck in whatever's next!

Tim Shirk said...

Very interesting excerpt, thanks for sharing that! Best of luck in your future endeavours.

FYI: Small typo in your citation (time travelling editor).

SCBWI said...

Thanks Greg. I really appreciate that.

Martha Brockenbrough said...

Wha!?! I was just flipping through this year's CWIM and oohing and aahing at how amazing it is. And that, I am sure, is how your next adventure will be, too. Keep us posted.

Unknown said...

Wishing you well in whatever you decide to do. You are a wonderful role model and a true pro.

Cheers-
Georgia McBride

SCBWI said...

Typo fixed, Tim. (I've never claimed to be a good typist and this old stuff is not in electronic form anywhere.) Thanks!

Linda said...

Alice, as a former F&Wer (with far less time in than you), I wish you well as you move on to your next venture. I hope you'll still be in Cincy and part of the children's literature community.

Unknown said...

Oh Alice. I wish you the best future.

Casey Something said...

Wishing you the best, Alice. Will you keep this blog or start another, perhaps? Please keep us updated!

Dana Carey said...

Thanks for a huge contribution to the kidlit community. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Carmela Martino said...

I'm sure you'll be missed at F&W, Alice. I know WE'LL all miss you. And I do hope you'll continue blogging, as Casey suggested. Best of luck to you!
Carmela

Suzanne Young said...

You've been an inspiration and source of information to writers forever.

And you're going to keep rocking it!!

:-)

Jean Reidy said...

Oh Alice, I know the CWIM will miss you. I wish you much happiness at the next stop on your journey.

Caroline Starr Rose said...

So sorry to see you go. Here's to the next adventure!

sruble said...

CWIM is a great resource and wealth of information for people in the kidlit community. Thank you for all the hard work you've poured into it and good luck on your next adventure!

Emily Wing Smith said...

Yes, thanks for your contribution to the kidlit world, and all best in your future endeavors!

Danette Haworth said...

Wow! Leaving after eighteen years--so much to say goodbye to! Hope they give you a big party!

Good luck in your next venture.

Jean Wogaman said...

Thanks for doing such a great job with the CWIM. I wish you all the best with whatever is next for you!

Livia Blackburne said...

Best wishes!

Kim Baker said...

You've done an amazing job with the CWIM, and I'm sure whatever is coming next will be just as awesome. I hope you stay involved with kid lit in some aspect, but best of luck for whatever adventure is coming next.

holly cupala said...

Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will go with thousands of friends cheering for you and your next steps. No doubt they will be a smash.

YA Sleuth said...

I don't know you personally, but I've enjoyed following this blog a great deal.

Best of luck with your future projects!!!

Teresa Fannin said...

Whoa! Sad to see you go from a resource I've read for…well, a long time. Best of luck to you! Let us know what's on your plate next.

Cynthia Leitich Smith said...

You're one of my fave folks in the business. Thanks so much for all you've contributed! Best wishes in your next endeavor. I hope you'll stay in touch.

Ginger*:) said...

One more THANK YOU! the CWIM has been a part of my professional library each year. All the best in the chapter of your career.

Lisa Yee said...

Alice, thank you for all you've done. I look forward to hearing about your new adventures.

Weronika Janczuk said...

I've loved tuning into this blog ever since I found it early last year, so I will miss your insight and knowledge.

Wishing you the best of luck and the most success in wherever you! Cheers!

Sonya said...

Alice dear,

CWIM will not be the same without you. We will all look forward with baited breath to seeing where you land. And then - we will all celebrate!
xx,
Sonya Sones

Joy said...

Yes, please keep in touch. If you start a new blog, please let us know! Thanks for everything.

Heidi R. Kling said...

Best of luck, Alice! Thanks for all you did and do.

mbpbooks said...

I hate change. But I wish you all the best, dear Alice. You have served the children's literature community faithfully in this key role, and I trust will continue to do so one way or another.

Shannon Morgan said...

Wow, flashback - I remember writing my papers on an electric typewriter, too.

Thanks for all of your work, Alice -- for us and the industry as a whole. We appreciate you.

Erin Dealey said...

Dear Alice,
Thank you for the 18+ years (wow!) of helping so may of us find our way in this business.I'm excited to hear where your own path leads next.

Susan X Bradley said...

I have lived by the Guide for so many years. Thanks for all your hard work. I hope you'll continue to be part of the Ohio writing community. Good Luck with your next endeavor.

Stella said...

Oh no! Who will take over this big job? You've done such a kick-ass job with CWIM and it will be hard to fill your shoes. Your book has been a must have every year. Thanks for all you've done!

Harold Underdown said...

I'm surprised, though I know I shouldn't be. The only thing permanent in publishing is change. I'm looking forward to hearing about your next move...

Angie Frazier said...

Alice, the best of luck to you whatever your next move is! 18 years is a long time, and the CWIM has come a long, long way :-)

Donna Gambale said...

Thanks so much for all you've done!

Unknown said...

Keep in touch! XXOO

Natalie Aguirre said...

Alice, I'm so sorry you'll be leaving CWIM, but good luck with your future plans. I know they'll be awesome because you're so knowledgeable and have so much great experience.

Alison Ashley Formento said...

I wish you happiness and success in your next venture. Thanks for all you've done there. CWIM is an amazing resource.

Vodka Mom said...

WHAT?????????????????

Vodka Mom said...

I am wishing you all the best- and am so excited to see what the future brings! I am also so proud of you for having the courage to take a new path in this amazing thing called life.

Roxyanne Young said...

I had to double check the date to make sure this wasn't an April Fools joke. It's been a pleasure reading CWIM over the years, and writing for a few issues, too! I wish you well in whatever you've got coming up.

You are going to fill us in at some point, yes?

Missing you already,
Roxy

Paula Slade said...

Best wishes Alice!

Kelly Milner Halls said...

Seems odd, to me, that I haven't responded to Alice's bombshell -- until now. Alice, and the CWIM have been a favorite part of my writing life since I first wrote for her in 1997. Year after year, she gave me the chance to capture moments in kids lit history, and each assignment was nothing short of cherished.

I hate that she'll no longer be at the CWIM helm, because I trust her expertise and insight so completely. But I know she'll guide the replacement well, and I know if she had to leave, she had good reason. I trust those instincts, too.

I wish you nothing but miracles, Alice. You deserve everything your heart desires. You've given your all to his work for a long, long time. I know your whole heart will be in whatever is next on your professional horizon.

If I can ever be of help, know that my friendship goes beyond the work we did together. I'm here if you need me, for another 10 or 12 years, at least.

With love and respect,

Kelly Milner Halls
Freelance Writer : )

Phyllis Harris said...

Oh nooo!!!! Say it isn't so! You will be missed!

Wishing you the very best in whatever you do.

Thanks for putting me in the 2001 CWIM. It was the beginning of a wonderful career in kid's books. I will be forever grateful!

Best wishes,
Phyllis Harris
http://www.phyllisharris.com/

Anastasia Suen said...

I wish you all the best with your "next act!"

Donna McDine said...

Best wishes to your continued success! Is it true you are going to SCBWI?

Regards,
Donna McDine

v said...

I really liked your article. My name is Vince Stead, and I wrote a kid's book called "The Back Yard Kids Club" that you can find as a book at regular price, or as a digital download for only $2.99, and great for kids to learn how to download it to a device. You can see the link to Barnes & Noble or Amazon here:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Back-Yard-Kids-Club/Vince-Stead/e/2940012713155/?itm=2&USRI=vince+stead

v said...

I really liked your article. My name is Vince Stead, and I wrote a kid's book called "The Back Yard Kids Club" that you can find as a book at regular price, or as a digital download for only $2.99, and great for kids to learn how to download it to a device. You can see the link to Barnes & Noble or Amazon here:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Back-Yard-Kids-Club/Vince-Stead/e/2940012713155/?itm=2&USRI=vince+stead

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