From: Norma Jean Sawicki <nsawicki_at_nyc.rr.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:18:13 -0500

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From the chair in which I sit, there is no easy answer. Writers/ illustrators can work in isolation only for so long...at some point, in order to grow, gifted newcomers must be published in order to be supported /nurtured by an editor even though the first book may be flawed. For publishers, their commitment is to the writers/ illustrators whom they publish....for reviewers, it is to their subscribers.

A reviewer who published a "first" book was taken aback by the mixed reviews...a learning curve she said because she never took a "first" book into account as a reviewer. "A writer/illustrator to watch" is a reasonable solution, it allows subscribers to decide if the "need" or "interest" in the book is more important than its flaws. Many many books with marginal reviews have always sold incredibly well....a word of mouth among the kids.

And then there are fabulous first books, among others....Moon Over Manifest and A Sick Day for Amos McGee, proving that a first book can be terrific and a gifted writer/ illustrator's fifth book can be off the mark..each new book is a new world for the creator. Norma Jean
Received on Thu 17 Feb 2011 12:18:13 PM CST