My fingers have not tapped these keys to craft a blog post since June 10, 2019; yet, these fingers have been busy typing! I signed a book contract with Routledge July 19, 2019 for my book titled Engaging teachers, students, and families in K-6 writing instruction: Developing effective flipped writing pedagogies also detailed on this flyer. My new book’s birthday is later this month, likely June 18th which happens to be by son’s 5th birthday, moved up from June 30th, my birthday. Such an exciting month! I just want to take a moment to share a few details regarding the people who have been such a blessing to me along this remarkable journey.
I spent my Winter 2018 sabbatical writing a book proposal for my research exploring the flipped writing methodology course I have the pleasure of teaching each fall, connected to our University of Michigan – Dearborn’s Young Authors’ Festival. February 2018, I read Melody Herr’s Writing and publishing your book: A guide for experts in every field published by Greenwood in 2017. I also had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Herr when she came to campus to offer faculty a session on writing book proposals. Her insight and support were invaluable to me. I highly recommend her book.
I received a rejection for the proposal September 2018 and focused on my new position as Field Placement Director for CEHHS. I just kept writing the book an hour a day. Believe me, this book is proof of what an hour a day can do to help you achieve your writing goals.
I attended the American Educational Research Association Conference April 2019 and stopped by the Routledge exhibition booth a few different times to connect with acquisitions editor, Karen Adler. We never crossed paths, but I left my business card with the title of my book written on the back. I sent her my book proposal the following week. On May 1, 2019, Elsbeth Wright emailed me after reviewing the proposal I sent to Ms. Adler. Ellie requested I resubmit the proposal for Routledge’s Research in Education Series. I spent May 2019 recrafting the proposal and sent it to her May 31, 2019. Following a book review process with peer reviewers and the editorial board, Routledge offered me the contract which I signed in July.
Without my family’s support, I never would’ve met the February 29, 2020 deadline I suggested for the contract. Next time I sign a book contract, I’ll give myself longer than seven months, but with my family’s support and Barbara Kriigel’s careful editing, I met the deadline. Words cannot express how thankful I am to the people in my professional and personal life who have encouraged and supported me along the way.
None of us can achieve our dreams without connecting with others. I am grateful for the people who supported and helped me throughout this process. I am thankful for the readers I believe will find this book useful in supporting their students’ writing development.
Danielle,
You are amazing! I’m so happy that your dreams are coming true. You are making a difference in the way educators teach. I’m so proud to say I worked with you.
Thank you so much, Kay! I will never forget the day I met with you after being hired, sitting with you outside Room 20, feeling so incredibly lucky and humbled to have been hired to teach third grade. I remember telling you I couldn’t believe this was happening to me and from that day on, you’ve always been one of my sincerest encouragers, personally and professionally. I hope you always know what a special place you hold in my heart. So much of who I am as a professional and as a woman is because of your influence.
Congratulations! You are an awesome writer and teacher! May I say, “I knew you when.” You and Julie had such a plan!
Love you! Beth Shemanski
Love you, too, Beth! Julie and I did have such an excellent plan! I’m lucky she’s still one of my dearest friends. Thanks for raising such an amazing daughter! I appreciate your kindness.