Howdy, Picture Book Builder people.
This November, Cowboy Camp, my very first book, turned 20!
The idea for this book literally knocked on my door.
One night, years and years ago, my husband and I tucked our kids into bed for the night. We were getting ready to sit down and watch a movie when we heard something. There was a knock at the front door.
I wasn’t expecting anybody, and my husband wasn’t expecting anybody. We went to the door, we opened it up, and we saw a kid standing there. He looked like he was probably a fifth grader.
The kid said, “Hi! I’m selling newspaper subscriptions. I’m trying to raise some money. I want to go to Cowboy Camp.”
Well, this kid didn’t look like a cowboy or act like a cowboy or walk like a cowboy or talk like a cowboy, and I got a little worried. I thought, “Ooh. I hope this kid will be okay at Cowboy Camp.”
Then I thought, “OOH! That’s a great idea for a book!”
I wrote a story about a kid named Avery who goes to Cowboy Camp. He doesn’t fit in. He can’t do anything right. But he ends up being the hero at Cowboy Camp anyway.
My manuscript was scooped from the slush pile at Sterling Publishing (now Union Square Kids), illustrated by Mike Reed, and became my first of 37 picture books.
All of these years later, Cowboy Camp is still in print. YEEHAW!
One of my earliest book-signings took place in Texas, so I tried to look the part.
I love how you get your ideas, Tammi! Happy 37th book anniversary!
Yeehaw indeed! Still in print after 20 years is HUGE. CONGRATS, Tammi!
It’s fun hearing about how writers get their ideas. You just never know when inspiration will strike. Congrats on your book still being in print!!! Yippee!
20 years of Avery —“A very” amazing achievement indeed! 👏👏
Such a wonderfully inspiring backstory! Yay for Cowboy Camp!!
I remember!!! So wonderful CC is still in print!!!
A big CONGRATS TO 20 years in print and 37 books!! 🎉🎉🎉
Great story, Tammi!…And great book!
That’s a fun story of how the story came to be! Happy 20th!!
I love this! What a great story about your first story. And now, I must admit, I haven’t read it; so I’m off to find a copy to help keep it in print for another 20 years!
What fun! Great it’s still in print!
I LOVE this back story!
Cowboy camp – I can only imagine the hijinks! Thanks for all the subsequent books and those to come!
What a great story! Congrats on 20 years!