I’m a fan of Stephen Colbert, who seems to suceed at any cause he takes on. But I knew that as soon as I saw his interview earlier this year with famed children’s author Maurice Sendak, that this time his cause would lead to a bad end. Colbert’s complaint was that it’s easy for celebrities to get their children’s book published regardless of the quality, and he “wanted in.” And so he presented Sendak with a ridiculous premise: I Am Pole (And So Are You), a silly little story about a pole trying to find a job. By Colbert’s own admission, it didn’t take long to write. Yet I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that he quickly found a publisher, without even trying.
And so, fellow children’s book authors, this is news to follow. Is Colbert going to prove his point about the industry? And what does that say about the publishing choices made today? Is this a joke on children’s book publishers? Stay tuned.
