Challenging the Gatekeepers (and Never Giving Up)

Not long ago, I shared a blog post about my book, Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess during the early days when I first published was way back in 2017.

In that post, I shared how I had proudly submitted this book to Kirkus Reviews (an American book review magazine that provides authors with professional critiques of their books) and was very frustrated and dishearted by one of their reviewer’s critiques of my book.

I admit, when I received their review, it knocked me back a few steps. While the review was not bad, it was my first book review from Kirkus, and I took the feedback hard. The one piece of the critique that frustrated me the most was where the reviewer stated that I “seemed to insinuate” that being a mother is the highest calling a woman could achieve.

For me, in this story, I did not insinuate this. I flat out stated it.

So, I thought long and hard about it and felt compelled to respond to Kirkus in the firmest and most professional way possible.

I pushed back because I knew then (and now) that I was not the only author who was finding it increasingly hard to compete and deal with the people I refer to as The Gatekeepers.

In the children’s book industry, Gatekeepers are the people who have control over who gets access, recognition, and the decision-makers in the world of children’s literature. They are also the people that important end-users like editors, librarians, booksellers, etc. take very seriously.

I don’t want to waste precious time arguing whether Gatekeepers are a “myth” or not (I can assure you, they are NOT a myth) but instead share my story of how I took a stand.

And how that ultimately has led to one of my next projects: a project that is my largest and most exciting to date. Below is my response letter to Kirkus written on September 25, 2017.

***

Hi Kat,
Thank you so much for the fast reply. I received a review from Kirkus several months ago and was not happy with the outcome. I did not write about my concerns then, because I thought it would simply appear as a case of sour grapes. However, since that time things continue to come across my desk and my day, which reinforces to me that I should speak up about my review.

First, let me preface my complaint with the understanding that I value an unfavorable review as much, if not more so than a favorable review. Unfavorable reviews and critiques about my work help make my work better. I welcome, invite, appreciate, and as in this case, even pay for valuable feedback that will only strengthen my focus and my vision. I do not believe the review I received from the Kirkus reviewer was fair, and moreover, I believe it is implicitly biased.

The three most troubling statements in this Kirkus critique (in their own words) are:

• “Kayla’s mother says she should be treated like a princess, (but) Kayla has to do the dishes while her brother gets to go to football practice and play video games.”
• “Kayla’s mother obviously takes her career seriously, but she seems to suggest that motherhood is a woman’s greatest possible achievement.”
• “The idea that girls should be treated like royalty in order to feel special could also bear more examination.”

“My concern is that this review is clearly written from a biased standpoint. Yes, to some extent all reviews are, but this reviewer discusses at great length for the majority of this piece, that this story is about:

• A little girl “with hopes and dreams.”
• That this is a “warmhearted story depicting an affectionate relationship between Kayla and her mom.”
• And even further, that this story, “effectively shows how a lonely (neighbor) finds new friends in Kayla and her brother.”

Yet the reviewer is compelled to end this review with a few lines about whether a girl can be a princess and wash dishes. And, worse, the merits of whether a woman can declare for herself, what her greatest possible achievement is?

The reviewer states: “Kayla’s mother obviously takes her career seriously, but she seems to suggest that motherhood is a woman’s greatest possible achievement.” I do not seem to indicate this viewpoint; I outright say it is so.

This is one person’s story; one person’s viewpoint. You don’t have to agree with it or like it, in the same way, that I don’t knock moms who do not feel this way. Some will relate and some will not. Some will find themselves in Kayla’s mom and some will find themselves in the neighbor’s mom. It is not for me (or for this reviewer) to judge who we choose to relate to.

If the illustrations are “lively,” “expressive,” and “dreamy. ” If the story is “warmhearted” and “effectively,” told, is it the place of a Kirkus reviewer to put such qualifiers regarding her opinion of what a princess is or that of what a woman’s highest calling could or should be?

Now that I have written this letter of concern I am so glad I finally did so. This review is laden with biased statements, not a review of my work as an author in effectively telling the story of one little girl’s life, who just maybe, will be relatable to many others. If the writing was poor, the plot was confusing, or the message trite and uninspired… I can take that. I need to head back to my writing table if that be the case.

But that is not the case. Instead, I’m told this is a warm and effectively told tale that is full of mixed messages. This is just not acceptable. This story belongs to many people. I feel as though, with the very last couple of lines of this review, your reviewer put all of these people’s lives and viewpoints in a box and stamped it as problematic. According to whom?

As problematic as it seems to be to the reviewer that I choose to tell my child, and then announce to the world via this text, that she is my greatest achievement. It is equally problematic to me that this is perceived as an issue.

This is a value statement, not a book review.

I, nor any other author, can be forced to carry the weight of correcting all of society’s ills, misperceptions, and or dual messages in a twenty-page children’s book. Further, the comment that the idea of young girls being treated like royalty is a message needing to be further examined is precisely why I made clear to state that this message will be told over a series of six more books. (I do understand that she only had this one to review.)

There is no question that this reviewer has a negative mental mindset towards the roles as described in this book, but I was not under the impression that the reviewer’s personal beliefs about motherhood and the life of a princess would be the foundation for my review. Thank you again as I know your time is very valuable. You definitely do not have to agree with me, but I feel so much better about having finally shared this with your company.

***

Looking back, I now am so relieved I held firm to my beliefs and my work. If I would have let this particular Gatekeeper shut me down or discourage me from ever writing again, I wouldn’t be the proud author of eleven diverse children’s books. Eleven!

And that number is about to change as I launch one of my most exciting and ambitious publishing projects to date. And the book in question, the book that the Kirkus reviewer has such an issue with, is the inspiration for all of it.

The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess 5-Book Kickstarter Campaign

Kayla Kickstarter

In 2020, I made the decision to rewrite Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess with new illustrations and a stronger message. But my brain and creativity didn’t want to stop at just one book! That’s when an epic project began to unfold as my team and I met and brainstormed on how to help the world see the beauty and power of how our Brown and Black girls all have the potential to be QUEENS

A princess is a queen in training. According to the dictionary, a queen is the reigning female of her family, regarded as the most outstanding in a particular sphere or group. How better does a young girl figure out her place in the world than by watching her mother proudly proclaim hers?

Girls become strong by witnessing the challenges of their mothers. It is life training in real-time and it was definitely the case for my daughter and me.

This #OwnVoices project is a five-part series set for Rapid Release in the spring and summer of 2021. Following the picture series will be a middle-grade series and a script to continue to tell the story of this dynamic and necessary character.

Why Kickstarter? 

Because this project is innovative and unique!

This Kickstarter Project will be supporting author Deedee Cummings’ mission of Rapid Releasing a picture book series and sharing Black Girl Magic with the world! These five beautifully illustrated books will be released back-to-back so readers can watch Kayla grow up and, through her eyes, see the power of following your dreams.

Kickstarter is wonderful because it gives creators the chance to offer fun rewards, and it fosters a spirit of community giving. There are many amazing themes and topics within the Kayla series, including following your dreams, the bond between mothers and their daughter(s), the importance of representation, and pursuing a career in the performing arts. 

We have a lot of rewards to share with those who support this dream, and Kickstarter is the perfect way to make this vision come to life. 

What is Rapid Releasing? 

Rapid Releasing is the act of releasing 3+ books within a month of each other for maximum buzz, marketing, and visibility. Every time a new book is released, it will stay on Amazon’s Hot New Release list for 30 days. By releasing a Kayla book every 30 days, there will always be one of our beautiful series on the Hot New Release list. It’s an epic way to build buzz and build momentum for the next book in the series!

Rapid Releasing is an expensive and ambitious project, but it is one that the Make A Way Team is committed to implementing and successfully completing. Releasing Kayla: A Modern Day Princess books 2-5 in rapid succession allows readers, parents, caregivers, educators, and librarians to seamlessly share the story of a little Brown girl who grows, evolves, and inspires as the story continues.

Watch social media and this blog to participate, donate, and enjoy some of the wonderful rewards and incentives this project has in store for everyone! And follow these hashtags on Instagram: #moderndayk #moderndayprincess #makeawaymedia #kaylapecchioni #deedeecummings #diversebooks

GO HERE to preorder your copy of Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess (Spring of 2021) OR, support our unique and innovative Kickstarter 5-Book Rapid Release Project!


About Deedee Cummings

As a therapist, attorney, author, and CEO of Make A Way Media, Deedee Cummings has a passion for making the world a better place. All 16 of Cummings’ diverse picture, poetry, and workbooks for kids reflect her professional knowledge and love of life. Colorful and vibrant, her children’s books are not only fun for kids and adults to read, they also work to teach coping skills, reinforce the universal message of love, encourage mindfulness, and facilitate inclusion for all. Cummings has spent more than two decades working within the family therapy and support field and much of her writing shares her experiences of working with kids in therapeutic foster care. As a result, her catalogs of published books for kids are filled with positive, hopeful messages. Using therapeutic techniques in her stories to teach coping skills, Cummings also strives to lessen the stigma that some people feel when it comes to receiving mental health assistance.
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