Hi, I’m Emma Otheguy, author of several books for kids. Today I’m sharing some of the personal and professional projects that brought me pride and delight in the past year.
I believe that creativity is a human need, an expression of love, a source of deep connection, and a teacher of patience. I value my creative profession as a bookmaker, and I just as deeply value the personal creativity of the knitter and the domestic creativity of the children’s costume assembler and chicken nugget re-heater. I am sharing all of those forms of creativity here today (well, not the chicken nuggets—you’ll have to use your imagination or borrow a toddler for that one). Whether you made for market, for pleasure, or for home, here’s celebrating another year of human creation.
Paloma Leticia: A third and delicious baby. When I publish a book or knit a sweater, my thoughts are overwhelmingly about what I could have done better or differently, about the mistakes I see in what I create. Giving birth is the only perfect act of creation. Paloma needs no revision. She is all luck and all bliss.
Cousins in the Time of Magic, Book One: I handed in the final manuscript at the end of last year, so this year Cousins made the journey from manuscript to book: I reviewed copyeditor’s notes, sketches from the illustrator, cover and jacket designs, and multiple passes of the galleys. This was the most collaborative part of making the book, with input from not only my editor but also copyeditors, proofreaders, authenticity readers, art directors, book designers, and more. The book is at the printer now, and I am torn between excitement and second-guessing every decision. You can pre-order a copy here!
This book was only a Word document when the year began A manuscript for Book Two: I began the research for what will be the second Cousins book at the beginning of this year. I kept researching the topic and dreaming up the manuscript all through the five months I had Paloma home with me full time, and then got busy actually writing the manuscript when she started daycare. I’m expecting notes from my editor on this manuscript soon, and then it too will begin its year-long journey from manuscript to book.
Rainbow sweater, school-safe tiara, westie hat, and love-you sweater A rainbow sweater for Felo: My son loves rainbows. Adorably, he calls them “lainbows.” I hope when he wears it he feels not only loved, but also seen and understood.
Halloween accessories: A few days before Halloween, Alaya’s pre-school sent home a letter asking parents not to send in costume accessories that could be used as weapons. Hilariously, “tiaras” were the first listed example. Alaya indeed wanted to dress up as a princess, and the tiara we happened to own really was quite sharp. With some glitter felt, elastic ribbon, and about an hour on the sewing machine, she had a school-safe tiara ready to go. I also painted stripes on tiger ears and made binoculars for my son’s Tigey the Adventure Tiger (a fictional character within the fictional Daniel Tiger universe) costume.
A westie hat for my uncle Ron: I made this hat for my beloved uncle Ron, who passed away late this year. He loved westie dogs, and I hope this little hat brought a smile to his face in those last months.
A “love-you” sweater for Alaya: As the first-born, Alaya takes it entirely for granted that your mother just knits you a new sweater every season. She prefers a merino-silk blend, thank you very much. But I bought the wool for this sweater just days before Paloma was born, and since everything coming home that week was for the baby, Alaya assumed the wool was too. She was shocked to realize it was for her. I love that I can still surprise and delight my seen-it-all city kid. She calls it her “love you” sweater!
Waiting around for an induction of labor was so much better with a project A needlepoint canvas: Needlepoint was the perfect activity for the hours of hanging around the hospital waiting for my induction of labor to get going. Afterward, I spent many a delicious nap stitching it while Paloma slept on me. I’m having it professionally finished and waiting to see how it turns out!
Why pre-order Cousins in the Time of Magic?
If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you know that I’ve been asking readers to pre-order Cousins in the Time of Magic. Here are a few reasons I hope you’ll place your order right away:
You get to be a part of the launch! You get to share in the excitement of other readers who have pre-ordered the book. You’ll be the first to read it, the first to see the illustrations, and the first to find out what color the boards are (I still don’t know—it’s always a surprise).
It helps connect me to booksellers: Your go-to bookseller probably hasn’t heard of me or my books. No one could keep up with the volume of books published, even by major publishers. But booksellers stock the books their customers want—by pre-ordering, you help my book get onto booksellers’ radars (and shelves).
You support my future work: As you can see from today’s newsletter, books take a very long time to make. Long before a book has had time to establish a foothold, publishers have to consider what, if anything, they want from that author in the future. The more people pre-order Cousins in the Time of Magic, the better start the series will have and the more confident the publisher can be that my writing will continue to be worthwhile.
An invitation…
Join me at 6pm on Tuesday, February 25th at The Corner Bookstore on the Upper East Side for an in-person party to celebrate the publication of Cousins in the Time of Magic. There will be wine, a few words, and many of my favorite people. I hope you’ll come.
Can you forward this newsletter to a friend?
Most of my readers find me through friends and family who have recommended me. If you can forward this email to someone who loves kidlit, I would be honored. ¡Mil gracias!