Pops' Interview with 4RV Publisher - Vivian Zabel

POPS: Everyone has been hounding me, threatening me, saying things like I'm not human. Guess what...I'm not. I'm a squirrel, a tiny squirrel who has scared everyone. Well, almost everyone. Got my first sucker...um, interviewee. Send the first one to Joyce Anthony but seeing Vivian emailed her answers first, I'll put her interview up here for all to read and see I'm really a nice squirrel.

POPS: Welcome to Rock Kingdom’s Citizens blog, Vivian. I will be on my best, best behavior today.

JINX: That’s because Butch walloped him good over Joyce’s interview.

POPS: Beat it, twerp. That inteview isn't up yet. Vivian, are you crazy? Um, what I mean is you are a writer and a publisher, so…are you crazy? Like how can you write and take care of your publishing house?

VIVIAN: I don’t do much dusting around the publishing house, that’s for sure. Plus being crazy certainly helps.

Seriously, I can’t sleep much because of my lupus and fibro, so I work a lot at night while sane people sleep.

POPS: Mental note, do not enter this woman's house until it's dusted! I checked out some of your books, like that new Tackle, Toggle, Trample…whatever, but the more I searched the more I found you had nothin’ as cute as me. Do you believe readers like to read about sappy characters, ones with no savoir-faire, no charisma?

JINX: Butch is going to beat you for that question.

POPS: Ya think? Okay, let me rephrase that: tell us about this new book your publishing house feels the need to spring on readers.

VIVIAN: Trockle, Pops, Trockle. Trockle is the little monster who lives under Stephen’s bed. When Stephen’s mom’s giant can of monster repellent no longer has any spray, Stephen doesn’t want to sleep in the dark. What the little boy doesn’t realize, Trockle is afraid of the BIG monster on top.

Holly Jahangiri wrote a cute story, and Jordan M. Vinyard’s vivid illustrations bring the story to life.

POPS: Okay, so scaring little kids is your bag. Great! Hold on, what's this? Wow! Wow! Is it true Lea is going to be one of your authors? I take back what I said about you being crazy…I mean, you are to do so much but not as crazy to see Lea is an awesome writer.

JINX: Continue with the crazy bit and Vivian will tell Lea to remove you from any new books she contracts her for. Hehehehe Please do, Vivian, please do.

VIVIAN: If the two of you don’t give Lea a chance to finish …

Seriously, I’m looking forward to working with Lea. I already have an idea for the cover art, too.

POPS: I'll send you a pic of me so you can put me in there. I kinda made Lea read me part of your story, the one with that missing couch…sofa?

JINX: The Case of the Missing Coach. Vivian, I’d like to interview—OUCH!

POPS: So, as I was saying, noticed none of the kids in the book swore. Is this like the norm in your world? Or a no-no for kids books?

VIVIAN: Kids hear enough swearing around them that they really don’t need to read it, too, if it can be avoided. If a character would require it, then I might use some as I do in my adult level novels, but putting swearing in for shock value isn’t good writing. In fact it takes better, more controlled writing to avoid using unneeded profanity.

POPS: No comment because I agree with you. I don't like to swear. Have you ever puked during an interview or workshop? Or wanted to puke? I asked Joyce and curious to see your answer.

VIVIAN: After teaching teenagers for 27 years, speaking one on one or in front of a group of adults isn’t hard. Besides, I taught and coached speech, drama, and debate (on top of English, composition, and creative writing): I just use the skills I taught my students to control stage fright.

POPS: You’ve got quite a few authors and editors in 4RV. By the way, what does R V stand for before I get to my next smart question?

VIVIAN: My family had a small business about 35 years ago, and we needed a title. My husband Robert and I have three children: Rene, Robert Jr. (Bob), and Randel. Robert, Rene, Robert, and Randy equal three R’s. Add the V for my name, and we had 4RV.

POPS: Thanks, curious minds wanted to know and all that. By the way, you said you were a writer but writers have imagination. So what's up with the R names? Have you had any problem authors? You can tell me, no one will know.

VIVIAN: Like I can believe that telling you won’t end up all over your blog, yeah, sure. The only problem we’ve had with any authors involves the need for revisions. The authors who aren’t professional enough to try to improve work when editors point out any either say, “You do it,” which is a big no, no, or they refuse. Either problem is untendable.

POPS: Hey, what I say is my word. I'm not telling a soul, you are. :) Okay, here’s a scenario for you: you’re climbing up a steep mountain, unaware that the side you’re climbing is actually where The Tumbling Rocks are. Suddenly, these huge boulders come crashing down. Would you continue climbing to reach the summit like I did or cower in someone’s pocket?

JINX: Hey, that’s not fair. I couldn’t jump to safety.

POPS: Beat it. So, Vivian, brave or would you jump into someone’s pocket like a chicken?

VIVIAN: *laugh* If you ever saw me in person, you would know that no one has a pocket large enough for me. However, I’ve had many boulders in life try to bury me. I’m just nuts enough to keep plugging away to reach the summit.

POPS: So what you're saying is that you're brave, like me. Cool! Are you rich?

BUTCH: What does that have to do with writing?

POPS: You know, Butch, you’re beginning to bug the living…okay, okay big fella. Back off. I just wanted to know if she’s rich to hit her on buying you a nice doggy house, that’s all. Um…geez, let me think…oh yeah. Get many rejections? In writing, I don’t care about your love life. And how do you feel? Ever send them a nasty response?

VIVIAN: First of all, no, I’m not rich. In fact any income from my writing (what little there is) goes into the company. I’m on disability and teacher retirement, neither which support us in the manner we would like. *laugh*

I have received enough rejections that I could wallpaper a room with them. Most are frustrating because they were simply form letters, telling me nothing. A few gave some insight into the reason the submission was rejected: With those, I could grow as a writer.

As far as sending a nasty response, no, responding wouldn’t be professional.

POPS: Geez, Butch, why do you have to be here? You’re throwing my concentration out the door.

BUTCH: Vivian, I’ll ask the final question if you don’t mind. I really enjoyed listening to Lea reading your book, The Case of the Missing Coach and wondered if you will approach schools with it? Also, where do writers go to find out more about your publishing house?

JINX: I was going to ask that in a minute or two once I got my bearings, big guy.

VIVIAN: Interesting you should ask about approaching schools, I have a reading for two school groups in April, and I’m looking for more.

To find out more about 4RV Publishing, go to http://4rvpublishingllc.com

Butch, I’m glad you enjoyed Case of the Missing Coach. I enjoyed writing it.

POPS: Well, it was kinda nice having you here today. Wasn’t too happy about your answer to my brave or chicken question but guess not everyone can be brave like me. 

VIVIAN: Hmm … it was “kinda” nice being here. Facing you should be considered an act of extreme bravery, right?

POPS: Maybe, Vivian,maybe. Well, that's it folks. My first interview. Loved it. Now know why Lea loves to write so much. Next one up is going to be Joyce Anthony, if she gets her act together and sends it to me.

And I have one ready to go for our Miss Literary Police commenter, Jan Verhoeff. Watch out for that one. I get personal...real personal.