Welcome to the Back Matter Break Down! This week we have a fantastic interview with a dynamic duo behind a new PB bio! I’m so glad these two have decided to let us see behind the scenes into what their process was to put together the back matter in their book. And make sure you make it to the end of the post so you can enter the giveaway for a free book! Let’s dive in!
Book: Rollin’ on Down the Line: Lady Bird Johnson’s 1964 Whistle-Stop Tour for Civil Rights
Authors: Helen Kampion and Reneé Critcher Lyons
Illustrator: Erin McGuire
Publisher / Year: Sleeping Bear Press, 2024
Topics: Biography, US History, Civil Rights, Politics
Blurb: The late summer and early fall of 1964 was a turbulent time in America. After years of racial struggle, in July President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. This law, declaring that all citizens were equal, outlawed racial segregation. Many Americans cheered this legislation; yet some did not. Many Southerners despised it and worried about what it meant for their traditions and way of life. With the upcoming November presidential election, President Johnson was advised not to campaign in the South due to the threats of violence since the signing of the new law. But someone needed to visit the citizens in the South and explain why the new law was necessary and good for the entire country.
Born in Texas, First Lady Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson was from the South and understood its people and customs. Despite her fear of public speaking and threats to her own safety, Lady Bird undertook a train tour to reach out to her fellow citizens and Southerners. This is the true story of her historic Whistle-Stop journey, making almost fifty stops through eight Southern states in four days.
What is your manuscript word count? What is your back matter word count?
The main manuscript word count is approximately 1700 words and the back matter with bibliography and source notes is 950 words.
At what phase of the drafting/revising/publishing process did you decide your book needed back matter?
As the book is non-fiction, we knew it would need back matter from the very beginning of our work. Since it is a “slice” of Lady Bird’s life, we understood children reading the book would want to learn more about this iconic First Lady.
What did the first draft of the back matter look like?
The first draft of the back matter was mostly additional facts about the train trip, author’s notes, and also included a “read more” list. The draft constituted 1,500 words, lengthier than the finished product, and also included Lady Bird’s pecan pie recipe (as fed to dignitaries on the trip).
Fifteen source notes are found in the final publication, whereas the first draft held nineteen. The bibliography in the first draft included eight entries, however, the final product referenced six sources.
Tell us about the back matter revision process. Why did changes occur? What changes and revisions came about after working with the editor/agent?
The revision process proved amicable. Changes occurred due to our editor’s suggestions. The editor wanted to cut down our facts about the train ride itself, and place more emphasis on Lady Bird’s legacy, her contributions to our society, lasting into the current day. As the main text targets the train trip extensively, we were happy to emphasize Lady Bird’s political work in the back matter.
How did you choose the photos that appear in the back matter? Were you involved in getting permission to include the photos?
The editor reached out to us about photos to use in the back matter. Since we had been in touch with the LBJ Presidential Library and the First Ladies Library and Museum while researching the book, we passed on our contact information. The editor contacted the library and museum, decided on the photos, and we were delighted with the choices.
What was the most challenging part of the back matter publishing process?
Many of the quotes in the back matter were ones we had “lovingly” selected. The editor, nonetheless, wanted to paraphrase one or two of these. While we did so, it was a challenging edit. Also, we included many train trip details in the original text, such as her daughters’ contributions to the tour, the manner in which Lady Bird reached out to Southern governors, and Lady Bird’s favorite pecan pie recipe, served on the train. These were all eventually not included in the final back matter.
Is your back matter aimed for kid readers or adults? What do you hope readers will take away after reading your back matter content?
The back matter is geared toward kids, but serves as an engaging read for adults as well. We want readers to further understand the extent of Lady Bird’s almost “super-human” bravery and courage. During the train tour, she was threatened, jeered, and endured sniper threats and a bomb scare. We also want readers to remember her important legacy of caring for and preserving natural areas.
Reflecting on this process and what you learned, what tips (if any) can you offer picture book writers for writing back matter?
We suggest:
- View the back matter as a means of providing a broader scope of the book’s subject matter;
- Use back matter to address any areas not covered in the story, but which assist with additional inquiry;
- Consider back matter as a way readers can enhance internalization of the story itself, providing details that don’t “fit” into the non-fiction narrative;
- Write back matter in an engaging way as well – don’t give up after the narrative text is finished;
- You will find tons of facts about your subject and be overwhelmed as to the extent! Use the most important or poignant facts you find outside of the storyline.
Are there resources or comp titles you can share that would be helpful for writer’s wanting to learn more about back matter?
Children’s Books That Connect the Past to the Present with Back Matter
Use these books as examples of the “differing” types of children’s non-fiction, paying particular attention to the back matter:
Night Owl, Night by Susan Edwards Richmond (narrative non-fiction)
Seashells, More Than A Home by Melissa Stewart (traditional non-fiction)
The Leaf Detective by Heather Lang (biographical)
Thank you, Helen and Reneé! It’s so helpful for us all to see how the editing process happened and how you landed on the final version we see in the book.
Please support Helen and Reneé!
Purchase Rollin’ on Down the Line at these sellers:
Learn more about Rollin’ on Down the Line:
Read With A Ranger: First Ladies National Historic Site
Follow Helen and Reneé on social media:
@helenkampion
@reneelyonsMFA
Visit Helen and Reneé’s websites:
Now for a giveaway! Helen and Reneé have generously offered to give one lucky person a free copy of Rollin’ on Down the Line: Lady Bird Johnson’s 1964 Whistle-Stop Tour for Civil Rights! To enter: leave one comment on this blog post by October 8, 2024 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Leave a comment on my Twitter/X, BlueSky, and/or Instagram posts a bout this blog for a maximum of 3 bonus entries. (Remember to check back on this blog post and social media to see if you are selected as a winner!)
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Judy Campbell-Smith 
Congratulations Helen and Renee. Great job!