Eastern NY SCBWI Member Spotlight
Kimberly Sabatini (Co-ARA: SCBWI Eastern NY)
Kim and her German Shepherd, Riley
Wow! Wait until you read about Kimberly Sabatini. Your first question will be the same as mine. How does she have the energy and where does she find the time to do all the amazing work that she does? Not only for herself with self-care, her family, and writing, but Kim supports writers no matter where they are in their career with an open heart and a great sense of humor.
Her knowledge of the industry is deeper than she probably realizes. She’s always uploading news, writing tips, and success stories to keep her fellow writers motivated and inspired.
I cannot wait to read both of her middle grade books when they are published. From a serious topic like psoriasis and being comfortable in your own skin to galactic mishaps and how to fit in at school during “an asteroid-sized underwear escapade” as Kim puts it.
I read Touching the Surface and highly recommend it. I never knew what sparked Kim’s motivation to write this book but it greatly resonates with me. Her book is hopeful and moving.
As I see it, Kim is living her best writer’s life, balancing her imaginative and solitary world with family, volunteering, and enjoying the world around her.
Her books and presence have a positive impact on everyone who connects with her. Be sure to pick up a copy of her book (check it out here) and follow her on her social media handles so you know when her latest books are on the shelves.
Thanks for all you do, Kim!
Janine
Can you tell me about yourself? Anything you want to share about your family, hobbies, likes, joys?
I grew up in Beacon, NY. After college, I traveled to Germany, Arizona, and North Carolina as a military spouse. For the past twenty-plus years, I’ve been in New York’s Hudson Valley with my husband, and three young men–ages 21,19 and 17—plus a slightly naughty German Shepherd. I hate to cook, but love to eat. I have a weird obsession with how the dishwasher should be stacked.
In the past 3-4 years, I’ve learned to knit (I’m obsessed), and I’m also taking piano lessons. Currently, I can play a slightly wonky version of Silent Night. I also continue to dance at the same dance studio I started taking classes at when I was five.
I’m a coach for the Battle of the Books Team at one of my local libraries. In addition, I volunteer for a couple middle grade book clubs where I’m considered one of the most enthusiastic readers in the bunch.
How long have you been a member of SCBWI?
I’ve been a member since 2007.
What interested you in volunteering and becoming a CO-ARA?
With three young boys at home and being a relatively new member, I started off slow. In November of 2011, I volunteered to be a CO-Shop Talk Coordinator with Linda Hanlon. We covered the position very well together. In the beginning of 2019, I felt ready for a little more responsibility and signed on as CO-ARA. That timing was interesting–hello pandemic!
What are some of your responsibilities?
My position is constantly evolving–in a good way. When I came on board, it was a very broad job description–basically support our RA, Kerry McQuaide, in any way I could. But as we’ve grown into a more vibrant community, we’re noticing a beautiful trend of people volunteering in areas where they are really strong and motivated. This has allowed me to settle in with my strengths. I’m in charge of on-boarding new members and keeping a watchful eye over our Mighty Networks community, as well as working with our Read Local Community. I swear by the belief that a rising tide raises all boats. I’m determined to get our members to realize that the best thing you can do for yourself in the world of publishing is to do something for the person standing next to you. I also run the Eastern Up! Instagram page @scbwieasternny For old times sake–I’m always available to accidentally make Kerry’s life a challenge. LOL!
Why should someone become a member of SCBWI?
I sort of alluded to this in the previous question, but I’ll dig a little deeper. Being in publishing or trying to be in publishing is like attempting to nail Jello to a wall. It’s hard work, not always the most logical use of your time, and definitely frustrating. But since we all believe it’s worth doing (publishing, not Jello nailing) then there needs to be a consistent, safe place in that world that gives more than it takes.
In my experience, that comes from your writing and illustrating community–your friends. As they say on Sesame Street–it’s the people that you meet when you’re walking down the street. I found entrance into the kidlit community within the SCBWI, and I will always have a soft spot for what they gave to me–how its members nurtured and supported me. It’s why I try my best to do that same thing for everyone who comes through the door.
What age group/genre do you write?
I am published with Simon & Schuster (Simon Pulse) for my YA novel TOUCHING THE SURFACE, which won the 2016 Alice Curtis Desmond Award. I also have multiple middle grade projects with my agent and dabble with picture books when the story strikes me. I’m a firm believer that the story tells you where and how it should be told. So I keep all my creative channels open.
I’m also happily represented by Michelle Wolfson of Wolfson Literary Agency. I adore her.
When did you know that you wanted to write for children/teens?
The truth is always and forever, but I didn’t have a lot of confidence that I could ever make a living as an author–especially in a pre-internet world. It was hard to imagine myself in that space back then. It wasn’t until I was home with three kids under six that I took the leap. My Dad had recently passed away, and I became intimately aware of how a life could end before dreams were reached. Instead of wallowing in the death of my father, I became determined to dedicate my first book to him. And while it wasn’t deliberate, it was also not an accident that TOUCHING THE SURFACE is a story that takes place in the afterlife. It’s a story about how life altering events are meant to alter lives.
What are you currently working on?
THICK SKIN (Middle Grade)
Charlie Wolanski has her psoriasis under control, and with that comes newfound courage. She is poised to reinvent herself as she’s heading into the eighth grade, but due to a redistricting fiasco, she’s suddenly without her two best friends. Stress is a trigger for Charlie’s skin and each day she’s finding it harder and harder to hide. Eventually she must reevaluate who she is and figure out how to live with her increasingly visible psoriasis. For the first time, she questions what it truly means to be seen and what it might take to grow skin that’s thick enough to put herself out into the world. The time has come for Charlie to decide if she wants to go back to being invisible…or if she’s finally ready to step into the light and shine.
THICK SKIN is Dear Evan Hansen meets Moxie for middle schoolers. It’s also a coming-of-age story that delves into teenage psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition affecting 125 million people worldwide. Diagnosis has doubled in children and teens in the past 50 years, with the average age of pediatric onset between ages 8-11. It’s an own experiences story.
AND
REGGIE FRYE: THE UNDERWEAR ESCAPADE (Middle Grade)
Reginald Hemingway Frye is so excited to be in Mr. Boomba’s fourth grade class, he’s practically orbiting the moon. Not only does his new teacher love the Galactic Heroes, the insanely popular franchise that Reggie adores, but he always lets each kid hold the class pet Oreo, a black and white California King snake on the first day. Wowzers!
But when Reggie’s brothers mention how Oreo once slithered into a classmate’s shirt, stopped only by his skin-tight Galactic Hero Underwear, Reggie starts to wonder if he made a major mistake the day he copied his brothers and switched to light and airy boxers. It’s starting to feel like the universe is messing with him.
Things go from bad to worse when Norma Nerpal, the meanest kid in the fourth grade, begins picking on Reggie before the school bus even pulls up to Green Lake Elementary. Soon, Reggie is trapped in an asteroid-sized underwear escapade with no help in sight. But sometimes, best friends can help save the day. Just like the cast of characters in the insanely popular Galactic Heroes franchise that Reggie adores, his real best friends, the “Galactic Gang,” put their minds, hearts and incredible imaginations together to prove that sometimes the galaxy can be unpredictable. And that’s not always a bad thing.
REGGIE FRYE: THE UNDERWEAR ESCAPADE is a Middle Grade novel for readers ages 8-12 that will resonate with boys and girls alike. It’s Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker meets Malcolm in the Middle. And anyone who loves Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, or is just fascinated by our renewed explorations into space might end up loving the Galactic Heroes as much as Reggie does.
Can you share about your process? Do you start with character, plot? Are you a plotter or pantser?
I’m a Plantster–somewhere between a plotter and a pantster (someone who writes by the seat of their pants). More to the point, I’m a forever student, committed to constantly challenging my process.
What does your writing day look like? Do you have a daily routine?
I’m a get-something-done-every-day kind of a girl. What that something is, depends on the day. I’m flexible in how I hold myself accountable.
What advice do you have for anyone wanting to write for children/teens?
READ EVERYTHING. Then read it again and study why it worked or didn’t work. Write all your ideas down so you can return to them. I move mine around like the numbers on a Suduko board.
Does that advice change if they are new to the industry or have been working in it for years?
That advice doesn’t, but if you’ve been working in the business for years, remember that you were once the person who knew nothing and depended on the kindness of others to learn what you now know–stick around and help someone else on their journey. In my humble opinion, the most successful people in the field are usually the ones who are genuine community builders.
How have the last two years affected your creative process?
I was lucky–it was a productive time for me. I also didn’t freak out about being home, because that’s where I normally am.
What forms of self-care do you bring into your day while writing?
I like to run (when my flat feet permit), do yoga (a bonus from the pandemic), dance, knit, practice piano, read and buddy around with my German Shepherd, Riley. I also try to eat well–I’m a flexitarian (mostly a vegetarian).
Where do you get your ideas? What inspires you?
I think I’m just a quirky thinker. I can remember being in the 10th grade and reading Lois Lowry’s The Giver and feeling so relieved to know that there was someone else in the world who thought about strange things the way that I did.
How do you keep track of all your amazing ideas?
I write notes and lists everywhere. And I’m aware that I desperately need to organize all the notebooks and index cards—painfully aware. I do have one small life hack. For years I’ve purchased these zipper file folders from Staples, and I can at least shove all my info for each project into one of those. It’s organized disorganization.
What are a couple of your favorite children’s books from the last five years?
I adore the Clementine Series by Sara Pennypacker
I’m obsessed with The Fourteenth Goldfish and it’s follow-up by Jennifer L. Holm
Gordon Korman has all the books, but Schooled is my go-to for a feel-good laugh.
My picture book obsession is We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
I just burned through Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
And if I could share one adult book about creativity, that speaks to me more than any other—it’s Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I read it every single year.
What’s your website/social media handles?
I’m most often found on Instagram at @kimberlysabatini
But here’s some other places you can find me… https://linktr.ee/KimberlySabatini
Is there anything else you want readers to know?
Be HERE, in this wonderful world of creativity, because you can’t imagine yourself being anywhere else—no matter what the publishing outcome. I like to think of publication as a joyful side effect of my desire to create. When you love the work the rest falls into place.