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Meet Marie Harris

2/23/2014

30 Comments

 
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Thanks to my writing friend, Pam Brunskill, I met Marie Harris online and read her picture book on Kindle, The Girl Who Heard Colors, published by Nancy Paulsen books (Penguin) Sept. 2013. Marie is a busy woman from Vermont who is a poet, speaker, and editor.

As a writer, I'm always interested how authors got started and published. So I interviewed Marie with some nosy questions. Marie is an example of an author who used an unfamiliar concept (synesthesia) and explained it in an easy way for children to understand. My teacher brain is already linking this book to kindergarten classes, especially, those who teach on the five senses. Plus, this is a helpful book to show family and friends what this extra sense means to people who have it.

1. How long have you been writing? How did you get into picture book writing?
Although I've been writing—poetry, essays, travel articles—for many years, it was only a few years ago that I wrote my first children's book. As New Hampshire's Poet Laureate, I was asked to write the NH Alphabet book, a look at our state in poetry and prose. Sleeping Bear Press published G is for GRANITE, followed by the companion number book: PRIMARY NUMBERS.

2. Nancy Paulsen Books is an impressive imprint. How did you get your manuscript across Ms. Paulsen's desk? Do you have an agent?
My friend Maxine Kumin, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author of over 20 extraordinary children's books, kindly referred me to her agent when I mentioned a new project I was working on. He took me on and it was he who introduced my work to Nancy Paulsen. (And then, alas, he retired!) It was incredibly exciting to be invited to join her new imprint.

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3. The Girl Who Heard Colors is about another sense called synesthesia. How did you learn about this? Did you do a lot of research?
I learned about synesthesia while exploring the life and work of America's first female composer, New Hampshire's Amy Beach. The picture book was one of the results of that research. Another wonderful outcome was that I began to meet dozens of people, young and old, who have this amazing gift and who often have not mentioned it to anyone. (Just in case you should overhear, I'm the person who asks practically everyone I meet: “What color is nine?” or “What colors do you see when you listen to jazz?”)

4. What is your advice to writers who are trying to get a picture book published?
As for how to get a picture book published, alas, I have no useful advice beyond what all of us know. Of course first we must craft our stories carefully. Then there are any number associations and conferences and how-to books and blogs and lists of agents and editors to help and encourage us. And we have to put in the time to research the markets and write compelling query letters. But in the end...dare I say it?...it may come down to whatever we call luck.

5. I noticed you've also had poetry books published. Do you think you'll write a picture book of poems?
I am, first and foremost, a poet. And I'd love to create another children's book using poetry as the structure. I have a few ideas, but as anyone knows who has attempted this form, it only looks simple! The important thing is to write for the inherent joy of it and hope our words fall upon receptive ears...preferably the ears of children.

Thanks, Marie! Below is her bio and how you can contact her. She's available to visit schools.

Web site: www.marieharris.com

Bio: Marie Harris is an editor, freelance writer and businesswomen and the author of 4 books of poetry, the most recent of which is the story of an adoption: YOUR SUN, MANNY: A Prose Poem Memoir (White Pine Press). She lives in a house in the woods that she built with her husband, the photographer Charter Weeks.
[email protected]
@MarieHarris1943

Some of my blogger friends are also featuring Marie this week. (It must be Marie Harris week!) You can read more about Marie at Susanna Hill's blog and Laura Sassi's blog.

30 Comments
Robin link
2/23/2014 09:06:02 pm

Terrific interview, Tina and Marie! I look forward to reading The Girl Who Heard Colors.

Reply
Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:29:18 pm

Thanks, Robin. Hope you enjoy it.

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Wendy Greenley
2/23/2014 09:45:41 pm

So glad you're nosy, Tina! Thanks to you and Marie for sharing her story. I think all her hard work made her lucky. :)

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:29:45 pm

Thanks, Wendy. It sure did.

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Kim Pfennigwerth
2/23/2014 09:52:29 pm

Tina - I have absolute loved all 3 blogs and learning more about Marie, her writing, and her books. I'm heading to my library today! Thank you Marie for spending the time with all of us today!

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:30:09 pm

Glad you enjoyed all 3 blogs, Kim!

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Pam Brunskill link
2/24/2014 12:17:30 am

Hurray, Tina and Marie! Great interview. Love hearing wonderful things from my writing friends. :)

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Marie Harris link
2/24/2014 02:38:34 am

Hey Pam, without you this ball would not be rolling. Thank you so much!

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:30:29 pm

Thanks for introducing us, Pam!

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Joanna
2/24/2014 01:05:39 am

Super interview and congrats on the new book with such a great imprint, Marie!

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:31:03 pm

Thanks for your comment for Marie, Joanna!

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Jarm Del Boccio link
2/24/2014 02:10:59 am

Such a fascinating topic. Thanks Pam and Tina for sharing!

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:31:25 pm

It was a new topic for me.

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Susanna Leonard Hill link
2/24/2014 02:52:50 am

Great Q&A, Tina and Marie! And I especially loved your advice for writers... isn't it true that in the end we can't fight it - some of it really does come down to luck!

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:31:59 pm

Thanks, Susanna, for being part of this blog hop/chain. It was fun!

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Penny Parker Klostermann link
2/24/2014 05:07:15 am

Great interview. Very interesting hearing about synesthesia for the first time. I love that you wrote a picture book about it and can't wait to read it.

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:32:27 pm

Thanks for your comment for Marie, Penny. It was a new subject for me as well.

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Marie Harris link
2/24/2014 05:32:44 am

Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm! It's so exciting to hear first hand what readers are saying about one's work! Only a few years ago, this kind of personal response would have been limited to the few people who took the time to hand write a note and put a stamp on it. If anyone wants to contact me directly to continue the conversation, please do! Warmly, Marie

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:36:07 pm

Thanks, Marie, for allowing us to do these blog interviews with you. It was fun! Best wishes on your career and this book!

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Todd Burleson
2/24/2014 05:43:00 am

Tina, I really like this format. Terrific questions and fabulous responses. Thank you for sharing this!

TB

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:33:02 pm

Thanks, Todd. Glad you liked it.

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patientdreamer link
2/24/2014 01:26:15 pm

Lovely interview. Never heard of this extra sense, so found this fascinating.

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:33:40 pm

Thanks for stopping by, Diane. We'll have to keep our ears open now. Maybe we'll come across someone with this sense.

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Romelle Broas link
2/24/2014 02:25:07 pm

Thanks, Tina, for asking great questions and thanks Marie for taking the time to do the interview. I can't wait to read THE GIRL WHO HEARD COLORS.

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:34:17 pm

Glad you enjoyed it, Romelle. I hope you can find her book.

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Sue Heavenrich link
2/24/2014 08:31:15 pm

Another fun interview with Marie. I always enjoy hearing what makes a writer tick. Thanks, Tina.

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:34:43 pm

Thanks, Sue. I do, too!

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Tracy Campbell link
2/25/2014 09:17:22 am

Hi Tina and Marie, I always enjoy reading about authors and their journey. Marie, your book sounds wonderful. I'm hoping I win a copy after leaving a comment over at Susanna's. :-) Great interview, Tina.

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Tina Cho link
2/25/2014 06:35:13 pm

That would be wonderful if you won, Tracy! Thanks for stopping by.

Reply
Talent Beyond Boundaries link
1/15/2025 08:08:14 pm

Marie Harris seems like an inspiring individual with a unique story to tell. I’m excited to learn more about her journey and experiences.



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    Tina M. Cho, children's author

    I'm a children's author and freelance writer for the educational market. Welcome!

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