The Stuff of Dreams--or not ~~ by Shari Barr

If you think writing for a middle-grade fiction series is the stuff of dreams, think again. You can break in with a major publisher if you’re willing to write as work-for-hire. In fact, I got my first fiction gig this way. And if I can land one of these opportunities of a lifetime, so can you.

Not only was it great fun, but I also learned tons about the publishing world. But best of all—I will walk away with four books to my credit.

I first learned about Barbour Publishing’s new Camp Club Girls mystery series through a Christian newsletter I receive. After contacting the editor, I was invited to submit a sample chapter and subsequently contracted, along with five other authors, to write the 24-book series.

Each writer was then assigned one of the six main characters in the series. My four books were all written from the viewpoint of McKenzie Phillips, a witty, thirteen-year-old from Montana. Since I’m a farm girl and see the need for more farm related stories in children’s literature, I created McKenzie’s character to fit the mold of today’s farm kids. Of course, a few plot elements were inspired by some of my most memorable childhood stunts, except I made her a lot more fun.

The girls in the series are ages 9-14 and meet while sharing a cabin at church camp. In book one the roomies use their individual skills to solve a mystery they’ve encountered at camp. In each of the following books, two girls meet at various locations around the country. The remaining four girls help sleuth by keeping in contact through cell phones and computers. Oh, and I must also give credit to Biscuit, the wonder dog, who often uses his canine skills to provide clues in solving the mysteries—a must for every good detective.

At first the project seemed a bit daunting since we were only allowed a few months to write each book. However, a looming deadline with a paycheck waiting at the finish line makes for great motivation. (And did I mention four books with my name on the cover will soon grace the bookshelves?)

Since the series was written as work-for-hire, each author was given a basic plot outline for each book, but we were allowed plenty of room to make the books our own and let our voice shine through. In the early stages of writing, each author made a character sketch of her “girl” to provide guidelines for the other writers to help keep the characters consistent throughout the series.
Barbour began releasing the first two books of the series on January 1 and plans to release two more books ever other month until all twenty-four books are released by the end of next year.

My first book of the Camp Club Girls series, “McKenzie’s Montana Mystery”, which released March 1, involves the disappearance of a prize-winning horse from Sunshine Stables prior to a major rodeo. Shady characters and a mysterious ghost rider provide suspense as McKenzie and her friend Bailey try to nab the horse thieves. I could tell you whodunit, but then I’d have to kill you.

My second book in the series, “McKenzie’s Oregon Operation” will release on November 1 while “McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser” and “McKenzie’s Iowa History Mystery” will release in 2011.
If you’re still waiting for your big break in the book publishing world, consider looking beyond a royalty paying publisher. Sometimes that great opportunity is lurking where you least expect it.

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To learn more about the Camp Club Girls for the young girl in your life,

check out Camp Club Girls

To purchase “McKenzie’s Montana Mystery”, take a peek at my website

And click on the links on the “My Books” page or go to Amazon or to Barbour Books.

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To get your name in the drawing for an autographed copy of “McKenzie’s Montana Mystery”, leave a comment and tell me the name of your favorite childhood mystery novel.