It was bound to happen.  And it has.  Lauren Tarshis has come out with a new I SURVIVED story, and it’s the one I secretly hoped she would not want to write.  So, of course she did.

Grrrr.  I’ve already ordered mine.  And I know it will be wonderful as all of her books are.  Sigh. Learn more about Lauren Tarshis here while I lament over my dramatic and action-filled Chicago Fire story (that is BACKDRAFT meets PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS) with the makings of a classic that is still sitting in my computer waiting to find the right publisher.

On the upside, she wrote her story because her readers asked for it.  Therefore, there are kids out there who are interested in the Great Chicago Fire (and I can’t blame them!).  AND  . . . My story is skewed to a slightly older audience, of fifth and sixth graders.  This means the third and fourth graders who loved I SURVIVED THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE OF 1871 will have a great story to look forward to when they get a year or two older.

Well, that’s my upside and I’m sticking to it.  No lingering discouragement allowed on the path to becoming a published author!

Keep playing with words and keep your chin up when the inbox is not bringing you the news you’ve been waiting for!