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MEET ZACHARY SHAPIRO (10/2010)
by Bonnie O'Brian

Have you always wanted to write children's books?

Zachary Shapiro

Writing never came easily to me.  My teachers couldn't read my penmanship, and I would get poor grades in creative writing.  But I've always been able to take complex issues and translate them into meaningful direct messages.  My writing started with music.  I began composing songs when I was twelve.  Soon I was writing poetry.  

I come from a family of story-tellers.  My Grandpa Phil would tuck us in with tales of "BUBECHIF," an imaginary girl from the old country.  Grandpa's stories were filled with adventure, humor, and love.  As an adult, I created a fictional character of my own.  At one point, I tried developing it into a children's book.  But I couldn't figure out how to get the action to paper.  So I put it on the shelf.

What books influenced you growing up?

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE HORRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY
MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS
PADDLE TO THE SEA
CURIOUS GEORGE
GEORGE AND MARTHA
THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
INHERIT THE WIND

What was your first job when you graduated college?

Right after college (BA in Spanish,1992 Colby College, Waterville, ME) I went to Rabbinical School at the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion.  I was ordained a rabbi in 1997 and have served as a congregational rabbi since then.  I am currently the senior rabbi of Temple Akiba in Culver City, CA.  

What inspired you to write WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT?

It's interesting how these things come about.  I was at an event where my sister-in-law was reading from her recently published book.  At one point In her presentation, she used a Noah's Ark image.  Then later, she said, "After all, we're all in the same boat."  My story clicked then and there.  I thought to myself, "Imagine an alphabet of smelly, cranky animals on Noah's Ark."  I went home that night and wrote the initial manuscript for WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT.

But there's another backstory.  I've always played alphabet games.  Growing up, my sisters, parents, and I would pass the time taking a category and coming up with 26 (A to Z) examples.  "Professions," Dad would say.  And then we would go around:  "Architect."   "Builder."  "Captain."  "Doctor."  If we came up with either an alliterated answer "Electrical Engineer" or consecutive letters "Field & Ground Helper," we would get extra points.  So these alphabet games were constantly running through my head!

 What did you do with the manuscript?

Honestly, I was so green!  I knew I had a creative take on Noah's Ark.  But I didn't know where to turn.  I bought, "THE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO WRITING AND PUBLISHING CHILDREN'S BOOKS."  In the back was a list of publishers that accept unsolicited manuscripts.  I then went on to each publisher's website and researched.  Was I allowed to submit to more than one place at the same time?  Do I need a fancy cover letter?  Do I nudge them in a month?  In two months?

I was concerned that my theme would get targeted as a religious book.  After all, this is Noah's Ark!  But my story is has no theology at all.  Its about getting along in tough circumstances.  So I decided to avoid most religious publishers.

I must have sent that manuscript to thirty different publishers.  And I got rejection after rejection.  Some were form letters.  Others had handwritten notes.  It wasn't until about 6 months after my submission that I received an email from Putnam that informed me that the story had reached the next level.  "Putnam!!!!!!!!" I was exuberant!  A short while later, we signed a contract.

Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?

I wish I were that disciplined!  In truth, I do write every day.  In my work as a rabbi, I am always writing, telling stories, and trying to use creative methods to give life to ancient themes.  Any writing and engaging that I do can relate to my dedication to children's stories.  

What are you working on now?  When do you expect to start submitting it to publishers?

I have two or three more books on the coals right now.  Like "SAME BOAT" they both take place in Biblical Settings and they are both alphabetical.  And like "SAME BOAT," neither touches theology.  I'm hoping to get them to publishers soon!