Figure 1 – Perfect June Days and New Beginnings

"What is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days." - James Russell Lowell

In This Issue:

• From the Heart: When a Rejection is a Lifesaver
• Happiness Hack #10: Trust Your Relief
• The Bella Brown Series Update: Bee-utiful Progress
• Book Spotlight: The Monster Above the Bed
• June's Literary Giants & Magical Myths
• Behind the Scenes: The Power of a Perfect Title
• June's Notable Celebrations
• Author's Education Corner: When Less Is More
• Writer Facts, News, and Metrics
• Question for Readers
• Call to Action
• Connect With Me

From the Heart: When a Rejection is a Lifesaver

"June brings tulips, lilies, roses, fills the children's hands with posies." - Sara Coleridge

Do you know that feeling when you dodge a bullet without even realizing you were in danger? That's exactly what happened to me on May 13th when I received what might be the best rejection email that made my day.

The Stowe Story Labs Remote Writers' Retreat Veterans Fellowship—a $2,000 value that I'd applied for back in May—sent their "thanks, but no thanks" email. And you know what my first reaction was?

Relief. Pure, unadulterated relief.

How the heck is not being selected for a prestigious screenwriting fellowship great news?

The simple truth is until your script has been produced, it can feel like a never-ending rabbit hole of revisions. And the time and money spent honing my scriptwriting skills while invaluable, took me away from writing stories I’m meant to write…  five years gone in a blink. So, honestly, not being selected was a beautiful, beneficial boon, heaven sent.

As a Wall Street Journal bestselling author with sixteen published books written or co-authored under my belt, I'm incredibly busy with upcoming releases: a standalone book in September 2025, an eight-book series launching between September 2025 and January 2026, and another series beginning February 2026.

My relief was my inner wisdom speaking loud and clear: I'm exactly where I need to be.

Happiness Hack #10: Trust Your Relief

"June is bustin' out all over!" - Rodgers and Hammerstein

When something that coulda-shoulda-woulda -doesn't happen, and your first emotion is relief rather than disappointment, that's your soul speaking something important, and the opportunity to recognize and trust that feeling:

1. Listen to your gut reaction - That first, unfiltered response often contains more wisdom than hours of logical analysis.
2. Ask yourself: "What would I do with this time instead?" - If the answer excites you more than the original opportunity, you have your answer.
3. Remember your priorities - Sometimes we apply for things because the experience can bring benefit and not be aligned with our true path.
4. Trust the divine timing - What feels like a "no" might be the universe protecting you from distraction. It didn’t happen to you, it happened for you.

Daily practice: When facing decisions, pause and imagine each outcome. Which one makes your shoulders relax? Which one makes you smile naturally? Your body often knows before your mind does.

The Bella Brown Series Update: Bee-utiful Progress

"In June as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day." - Aldo Leopold

Speaking of being exactly where I need to be, the progress on the Bella Brown series has been absolutely magical. Book Three, "Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm," is buzzing along beautifully with the illustrator.

I've received the first six illustration spreads, and folks, they are absolutely gorgeous. You can see and feel the illustrator's heart and soul in every detail—from Grandma Yetta's warm, protective embrace to the vibrant wildflower meadows buzzing with life. The tender moment between Bella and her grandmother especially captures the emotional heart of these stories.

Perfect timing too, since June is peak bee season with roses, peonies, and lavender all in full bloom—just like in Bella's adventure. And with World Bee Day having just passed on May 20th, there's never been a better time to celebrate these essential pollinators.

Books 1-2 remain available for presale and continue earning five-star editorial reviews and awards. Books 4-10 have all been edit-reviewed and are in the illustrator's queue. This series has become a labor of love that continues to evolve in the most wonderful ways.

Book Spotlight: The Monster Above the Bed

"I refuse to lie to children about the world. There are monsters, and it's okay to be afraid of them." - Maurice Sendak

My eleventh picture book, "The Monster Above the Bed," is currently with editor Marcy Pusey for the third and final edit review. This delightfully twisted tale turns the classic monster-under-the-bed story completely upside down.

What's scarier than a monster under your bed?

For Fred and his dust bunny friends—Brutus Bunfluff, Gunnar Puffbutz, and Dust Puff Ted—it's the NOISY HUMAN who just moved in above them.

When a boy named Billy takes over the bedroom, their peaceful under-bed world is shattered by thunderous footsteps, bouncing bedsprings, and falling puzzle pieces.

The story evolved from a personal place…

One dedication mentions my Uncle Larry taking me to see Carrie when I was ten years old. Thanks to that inappropriate movie choice, I still check under the bed for monsters before going to sleep. Thanks a lot, Uncle Larry. Thanks a lot.

Another goes to the person who said, “So you think you're an artist, now?” after Congressman Ackerman recognized my artwork as the Congressional Arts Competition Winner for New York State and my mixed media art hung in the halls of Congress for over a year—the proudest accomplishment of my young life. Yet due to the tone in those words—I never drew or painted again.

A year later, that same voice asked, “So you think you're a poet, now?” when my poem was published in a collection for the Library of Congress—another moment I should have cherished.

Those words stung, becoming the catalyst that led me to write stories to inspire, give hope, spark imagination, and feed the reader’s soul, which led to my becoming a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author who has written or co-authored sixteen books.

Sometimes a monster isn't a monster at all. Other times, we can't stop the monsters that appear in our lives. However, we can always—always—always—choose how we respond to them.

June's Literary Giants & Magical Myths

June is absolutely packed with literary birthdays worth celebrating!

We honor giants like Maurice Sendak (June 10th - Where the Wild Things Are), Eric Carle (June 25th - The Very Hungry Caterpillar), Chris Van Allsburg (June 18th - The Polar Express), and Robert Munsch (June 11th - Love You Forever).

But did you know June gets its name from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth? She was Jupiter's wife and the protector of the Roman state. The Romans believed marrying in Juno's month would bring good fortune—which explains the "June bride" tradition that's lasted thousands of years.

June also carries rich folklore around the summer solstice (June 21st). Ancient peoples believed the "thin veil" between worlds was at its thinnest, allowing fairies and spirits to cross over. Celtic myth tells of the eternal battle between the Oak King and Holly King, with the Oak King reaching his peak power in June before being defeated.

Personally, June makes me think of the cult classic “Benny & Joon"—so much more than just a wonderful romantic comedy-drama starring:

• Johnny Depp as Sam (the eccentric, childlike character obsessed with Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin)
• Mary Stuart Masterson as Joon (a mentally ill young woman with artistic talents)
• Aidan Quinn as Benny (Joon's protective older brother)

Johnny Depp's performance was beyond memorable-—he barely talks for most of the movie, yet his amazing physical comedy inspired by silent film stars was pure heartfelt-soul-goodness magical bliss.

I know connecting this movie with the month of June is silly and makes little sense. But it works for me.

Behind the Scenes: The Power of a Perfect Title

"Less is more." - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Here's a perfect example of why great editors are worth their weight in gold. My eleventh picture book was originally titled "The Boy Who Lived Above the Bed (A Monster's Side of the Story)." Functional, but it gave away the entire twist in the subtitle.

Then Marcy Pusey, my brilliant editor, suggested the title should add mystery, like 'The Monster Above the Bed'? And let kids discover that the monster is THEM!"

Boom. Brilliant title in my face, I didn’t even see. But Marcy did. So, that one title change transformed the entire reading experience. Instead of telegraphing the role reversal, the new title creates that delicious moment of realization when children figure out they're the "monster" Fred is afraid of.

Sometimes less truly is more. The best titles don't explain—they entice, intrigue, and invite discovery.

June's Notable Celebrations

• Father's Day (June 15) - Perfect timing for stories about chosen family and protective figures like Grandma Yetta
• Summer Solstice (June 21) - The longest day of the year, ideal for "stretching your creative daylight"
• Pride Month - Celebrating love, acceptance, and the courage to be authentically yourself
• National Ocean Month - Protecting our blue marble planet
• World Environment Day (June 5) - Taking care of the world that inspires our stories

Plus some delightfully quirky ones:

• National Donut Day (June 6) - Share your favorite flavor. Mine was a jelly donut growing up. Then it was the French cruller, and these days I’m on the quest to find that perfect apple fritter.
• Donald Duck Day (June 9) - Celebrating everyone's favorite feathered friend
• Take Your Dog to Work Day (June 20) - Bring Fido to the home office
• International Fairy Day (June 24) - Add a touch of magic to everything

And if you're a Harry Potter fan, you get to celebrate all four Hogwarts houses in March, but June belongs to summer reading adventures!

Author's Education Corner: When Less Is More

"You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children." - Madeleine L'Engle

Traditional publishers may demand picture books be between 400-500 words or less, due to shrinking attention spans, which means every single word an author writes must earn its place.

I respect this criteria, though not every picture book requires words when the art may be all that's needed to tell the story. However, every absent and excessive word counts. And when your word count exceeds the norm—your story maintains interest.

This month's title revelation with "The Monster Above the Bed" reinforced a crucial lesson: sometimes the most powerful choice is what you don't say.

Consider these principles:

1. Trust your reader's intelligence - Children are incredibly perceptive. They don't need every twist explained.
2. Create discovery moments - The joy of figuring something out is more engaging than being told.
3. Edit ruthlessly - If it doesn't advance the story or deepen character, it probably doesn't belong.
4. Test with your target audience - Kids will tell you exactly what works and what doesn't.
5. You can break the rules once you understand them. – Because I continue to read parent and teacher forums, I’ve learned an increasing number of kids and adults want picture books in excess of 500 words, so, most of my books are above 500 words.

The publishing landscape continues evolving rapidly, but certain truths remain constant: great stories, authentic voices, making every word count and respect for readers never go out of style.

Writer Facts, News, and Metrics

Three publishing insights for June 2025:

1. Picture book sales traditionally spike 20% in June as families prepare for summer reading programs
2. Authors who maintain consistent release schedules see 45% higher reader retention than sporadic publishers
3. Series books continue outperforming standalone titles by 65% in the children's market

Question for Readers

"Sometimes rejection is a blessing in disguise." – Unknown

What's the best rejection you ever received—one that turned out to be a blessing in disguise? Share your stories using #BestRejectionEver. I'll feature the most inspiring responses in next month's newsletter.

Call to Action

Bella Book Club Summer Challenge

1. Visit your local library during their summer reading kickoff
2. Gift a picture book to a special child in your life
3. Share your favorite childhood summer reading memory on social media using #SummerReadingMagic
4. Pre-order "Bella Brown's Messier Than Messy Room" for the September launch

Connect With Me

"Every experience, every word written (even those you think you'll never use), shapes your unique style and voice." - J.W. Zarek

Follow my author journey:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jwzarek
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/JoeTweetster
• Facebook: /https://www.facebook.com/joseph.zarek/
• Website: jwzarek.com

Coming in July

Next month, I'll share updates on how the return-to-office chaos continues evolving (spoiler: it's still bonkers), news about "The Monster Above the Bed" final edits, and more behind-the-scenes magic from the Bella Brown universe.

J.W. Zarek is a Wall Street Journal bestselling co-author of "Writer's Success Secrets" and "The Happiness Code." His latest works include the Golden Book Award Finalist "Bella Brown's Messier Than Messy Room", and the 41-award winning novel "The Devil Pulls the Strings."