Hello writing friends. It’s the first Wednesday of March. (Yes- March- can you even believe it?) And guess what—I just love March because March marks the beginning of my favorite season of the year: spring. Of course, we still have a few more weeks until we reach the official “first day of spring.” And over here in Nashville, Tennessee, our seasons love playing mischievous little pranks on us and giving us some of the coldest days of the year RIGHT before spring starts. But, enough about spring. You’re here because you want to meet our March guest- and I can’t wait to introduce you!
But before we get started, for any of our first-time visitors, here are a few of the things you should know about this feature interview segment.
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT FEATURE INTERVIEWS?
Feature Interviews are an INVALUABLE resource for kidlit writers and illustrators at every stage of their publishing journey. Not only are they a great way to stay current on market trends and learn more about the industry’s ins and outs, but they also give readers an up close & personal look at the world of publication from the perspectives of a diverse collection of creators.
Every month, I sit down with members of the writing community (authors, illustrators, editors, and agents), and we discuss all things kidlit publishing.
Here are a few examples of topics:
- Writing workshops and resources
- Diversity in literature and why it matters
- Where to find support and community
- How to improve writing craft and set goals
- How to deal with setbacks/disappointments and WAITING
- Helpful tips and suggestions for aspiring authors and illustrators
- Querying agents, contract negotiations, book deals, and time frames
- And of course- NEW BOOKS!
Now that we have that out of the way- let’s get started!
Sherry McMillan
Sherry McMillan is an author of children’s poetry and picture books. Her inaugural book, What The Seal Saw, was awarded the iconic Indigo Chapters Heather’s Kids Pick. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she enjoys the great outdoors as much as possible. In fact, she does most of her writing in her kayak! Her mission is to nurture a love of nature and language in little ones with big imaginations. When she is not writing or kayaking, she feeds her curiosity by working in technology.
THE BEGINNING
Sherry, it’s lovely to have you with us today. And in such good company with your fellow feature interview guest in March- my very own critique partner- with the debut of her first picture book! But I won’t spoil the surprise. Our readers will have to wait a few more weeks. But, like her, you both share a few special things in common. It was no mere coincidence that I placed you in the same month. I hope our readers will enjoy learning about your writing journey. Speaking of which, let’s jump in. I love to start my interviews at the beginning. How did you end up in the world of kidlit publishing?
I’m fortunate that I live in a lovely seaside town in the Pacific Northwest. During the pandemic, I took up kayaking. I was in my kayak, thinking about a novel I wanted to write, when a seal popped up in front of me. I spontaneously spoke to it in rhyming verse, “Hey there, seal! What do you see? I see you. Do you see me?” Instantly, I thought that would be a great idea for a children’s book. For about 2 weeks, I couldn’t shake that thought. I kept thinking about how much I loved poetry as a child and decided to try to write a children’s poetry book that reflected my experiences kayaking in the bay.
Have you always known that you wanted to be a writer, or was this an interest that developed later in life?
In my heart, I knew I wanted to be either an author or a singer. Ideally, both. I have journals and poems that go back to my very youngest years. I was a music major in college. I’ve always loved reading and writing. I was doing both before Kindergarten. However, I fell into technology at a very early age, and I’ve been grateful for a 35-year career that helped me meet many of my goals. But, as I approached my 50th birthday, it became increasingly important to me to fulfill more of my creative goals.
When did you first enter the kidlit scene? And can you share a little bit about what that experience was like?
My first book, What The Seal Saw, was published October 2021. We were in the depths of the pandemic. Our book launch was a zoom call. It took less than a year from ideation to publication, and my Illustrator and I thought that we weren’t going fast enough! Six months later, the book was a Heather’s Pick. Two years later, we published our second book, My S’s Are Messes. It’s been such a whirlwind!
Were there any groups or friends who you wrote with, or did your road begin solitary?
My writing was and is a solitary journey, and I quite like that. But, I did reach out to other published authors to bounce ideas off of them. A very pivotal moment was a Zoom call I had with two long-term friends who are published authors (Virginia Renaud and Brett O’Reilly). At the time, I was focused on writing a novel. I was trying to figure out how to write that meaty, complex novel while working my demanding day job. Brett asked me if I’d considered writing something smaller. It’s such a logical question, but honestly, I hadn’t. I had Brett’s suggestion in my back pocket on that fateful day when a seal popped up in front of me while I was kayaking. I honestly don’t think I’d be a published author if it hadn’t been for his suggestion. But, I also don’t think I’d be where I am now had I not actively sought out counsel. From other authors to a career coach to creatives I’ve met through local art councils, I’ve continued to network with others throughout the journey. It’s been invaluable. Also, tap into any independent bookstores you may have in your area. They are fantastic members of their communities, and they will likely want to support you as an author.
As I’m sure you’ve gathered from reading previous feature interviews here on the blog, I’m a big fan of sharing resources and encouragement with my fellow writers. And I always love hearing the various routes people take to end up here- as well as what helped them get here. Could you share a little bit with us about some of the resources that helped you most on your journey to publishing? Any organizations/communities that played a special role in your journey?
My friend, Illustrator, and business partner introduced me to the local Art Councils. They’ve been invaluable! And even in my relatively short career as a published author, I’ve seen an increased interest in these councils in supporting the Literary Arts. They can help connect an author with successful markets and other community events. They can interview authors for local news and magazine articles. And they will often help create wonderfully effective book launches. They are HUGE supporters of independent authors. I highly recommend joining your local Arts Council and participating as much as you can in their events. If you are a Writer, you are an Artist.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn how successful children’s books can be at local Farmer’s Markets and Craft Markets. People love to support local authors. And they often attend these events explicitly to shop for gifts. And, of course, a signed local book makes a great gift. Markets are hard work. But it puts you in front of your audience, and they can be very successful. I’ve found that these events love to advertise that they’ve got a local author on site. So, you may be pleasantly surprised with how much support you get at these events.
On that note, another of my favorite resources is VistaPrint. From retractable banners for events to business cards/bookmarks, they provide fantastic tools for authors. You can even hire a designer to help you with your signage for a very reasonable price. Look out for sales as well. (I have not received anything from VistaPrint for this referral.)
Finally, don’t underestimate the usefulness of YouTube. I’ve found it to be a wealth of information - especially in learning tips and tricks for social media.
“Tap into any independent bookstores you may have in your area. They are fantastic members of their communities, and they will likely want to support you as an author. “
RESOURCES & EDUCATION
Speaking of resources… I know personally, as a kidlit writer and librarian, I have a soft spot for education, and wherever possible, I link resources that can be utilized for parents, caregivers and teachers. And I understand you share this passion! What are some of the resources you offer (and who are they designed for), and where can our readers find them?
I’m SO pleased to be able to provide free resources for What the Seal Saw. I have Lesson Plans, Coloring Pages, Activity Pages, Color-Your-Own Bookmarks, Craft Cut-Outs for creative play, and fun, detailed instructions on How To Draw A Seal. I’ve had teachers, librarians, daycare providers, and parents tell me that they’ve built a full day of fun and learning out of the materials that I have for FREE download on my website: sherrymcmillan.ca. They can be used for a wide age range of children from preschoolers to the primary grades.
I’m on a path to create a suite of similar materials for My S’s Are Messes. For that book, I’m hoping to also have materials specific for Speech Language Pathologists. Along with these free resources, I’m so excited to also have a product offering that goes with my books - from Felt Stories to stickers and keychains, it’s wonderful to encourage creative play based on my books.
I just loved reading through your application, Sherry. It’s clear to me that you’re incredibly passionate about the books you’re sharing with people. Some of the themes you mentioned were: Leading with Curiosity, Nurturing a Love of Nature and Language, I.D.E.A. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access), and Environmental Empathy. All of these topics are terrific- so instead of choosing just O.N.E., I thought we could discuss each of them. Let’s start with Leading with Curiosity.
LEADING WITH CURIOSITY
Tell us about what “leading with curiosity” means to you and how you try to incorporate this theme into your stories.
Leading with curiosity means two very important things (1) Start with a curious mindset. It’s impossible to be anxious and curious at the same time. So start from a place of curiosity, and you’ll keep anxiety at bay. (And it’s never too late to start with curiosity). (2) Be a leader. And when you lead, keep that curious mindset. It will also steer you in the right direction.
This is a key theme in What The Seal Saw. I didn’t set out to create an anti-anxiety book, but in hindsight, that’s exactly what I did. It makes sense because I wrote it in my happy place - my kayak. Every single verse was written from my real life observations of seals in nature. They are curious creatures and, as it turns out, so am I.
Let’s talk next about Nurturing a Love of Nature and Language.
“Start with a curious mindset. It’s impossible to be anxious and curious at the same time. So start from a place of curiosity, and you’ll keep anxiety at bay.“
NURTURING A LOVE OF NATURE AND LANGUAGE
Can you share a little bit about how you incorporate a love of nature and language into your books?
Nurturing a love of Language - I wanted to respect my young readers by using exactly the right word – even if it was above their expected reading level. It’s been rewarding to see a 10-year-old sound out the word ‘scuttle’ until they got it and to also see an 8-year-old sail through the word kaleidoscope with no trouble. I know 2-year-olds who ask for “Sea Saw”. And I know adults who appreciate the alliteration, lyricism, and other poetic devices. (Bubbles and Barnacles!) By emphasizing a message of leading with curiosity, the book creates a calm and thoughtful mindset. As the poem ends where it begins, there is a satisfying synergy to the story.
Nurturing a love of Nature - My friend and illustrator, Carla Maskall, and I are so grateful to live in the Pacific Northwest near the ocean. We made a conscious decision to lovingly and faithfully depict this beautiful ecology. Many of the illustrations in the book started as pictures I took from my kayak. Our hope is that by exploring our own backyard with curiosity, we would foster a love of nature wherever our readers are.
With My S’s Are Messes, there’s another layer to that mission statement. For those of us with speech sound disorders, it would be easy to find oneself in an adversarial relationship with language. After all, we’re working harder than others just to create sounds at all - never mind creating and appreciating them in the playful and nuanced world of poetry. A main theme in the book is that the children are working very hard and the sounds are making a big mess. The children and the letters learn how to work together. Again, creating a love of language.
Now let’s visit I.D.E.A. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.
INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCESS
I’m very excited to see more about how you weave this into your stories. Could you fill us in? And last but not least, let’s explore Environmental Empathy.
It was important that the voice of our books be represented by characters that any child could identify with.
In What The Seal Saw, the illustrated child has no discernible gender, age, race, or ethnicity. This allows all of our readers to see themselves in the story. One of the great delights of introducing the book to children has been to see the variety of little ones who’ve pointed at the pages and said, “that could be me!”
In My S’s Are Messes, the illustrated children are in silhouette. We made a point to have a wide representation of children including one who uses a wheelchair and another who communicates using American Sign Language.
For both books, we used a large, dyslexic-friendly font and were careful about how the words were placed on the pages. We consulted with educators and, most importantly, with persons with reading challenges to provide feedback on the text and page layout.
This is just fantastic. I love this! Alright, now let's talk about environmental empathy.
environmental empathy
Environmental empathy is a beautiful topic and one close to my heart. I don’t know about you, but growing up, my all-time favorite Disney princess was Pocahontas (seconded by the very brave and loyal Mulan, of course) because of her deep love for nature and living creatures around her. I’m very drawn to unselfish, giving spirits. And when I think of environmental empathy, that’s the exact characteristic I think of: unselfish. Could you share with us why environmental empathy is something that’s important to you and elaborate a little bit on ways that you use this as a teaching tool in your stories?
I know what you mean about Pocahontas and Mulan, but I related more with Hobbits as a child! I think I still do! I wanted to be careful to impart a positive message. The idea behind Environmental Empathy is to consider the beauty of the world from another perspective.
I wanted to encapsulate that wonderful universal moment where you see an animal in nature and wonder if it sees you, too. That is such a special experience. But, it is also representative of the wider experience of being just one of many beings that share this great earth and to live in harmony with and respect for all of nature.
Oh my goodness- YES. The hobbit comment had me grinning ear-to-ear. Sadly, I was not introduced to the wonderful world of hobbits until I was an adult- but now that I've come to know them, I too love them! But on a more serious note, your description about when you see an animal in nature and wonder if it sees you too is so thought-provoking. I just love those kinds of stories that invoke a child's natural curiosity to the big world around them and help develop those introductory moments of self-awareness. Beautifully said.
The seal in What The Seal Saw is not anthropomorphized. It has no name or gender; it does not wear human clothing or conduct human activities. Instead, the book presents a gentle message of care-taking of our environment, living in the moment, and approaching the world with empathy. Every scene in this book is taken from real-life observations of the behaviors of seals in Semiahmoo Bay, British Columbia.
This is the first book in a 3-book series. What The Seal Saw showcases the ocean and coastline. The next book will feature a woodland animal and will feature the forests and mountains. The third book will feature a bird and will be set in the marshlands. So, the series will cover Sea, Land, and Sky.
“The idea behind Environmental Empathy is to consider the beauty of the world from another perspective… I wanted to encapsulate that wonderful universal moment where you see an animal in nature and wonder if it sees you, too.”
Now, we touched on “language” and “diversity” briefly in the topics above, but I wanted to speak a little about something that affects you personally, which is speech and sound disorders. Could you tell us a little bit about that journey and what it’s been like for you?
It’s been such a journey! Early in the writing process, I knew that the right title for my first book was What The Seal Saw. I had to laugh as I’ve been avoiding S’s my entire life. Probably my most pronounced speech difference is my lisp. I couldn’t say the S sound at all until I was 27, and I still struggle with it. Now, I was embarking on a journey that would have me saying the S sound constantly and doing so while ‘on display.’
I thought, “What am I doing? My S’s Are Messes!” And just like that, I had the beginnings of another book. But I had no idea that it would be the second book I’d publish. It was only when I kept hearing from Speech-Language Pathologists that they were using my book in their practices that I seriously considered writing My S’s Are Messes.
When I spoke with people at schools, book signing events, and markets, many of them also had speech sound disorders or knew someone who did. They encouraged me to write this book. When I looked into it and couldn’t find any books for children with speech sound differences by an author who also has the same, I realized I had to write this book. It’s the book I wish I’d had as a child.
In the book, the children are doing everything right, and the sounds are misbehaving. It’s light-hearted and fun. It takes the sting out of having speech differences. It’s also got a few tongue-twisters that I hope will create some empathy for readers who don’t have a speech challenge. They may have an improved understanding that every sentence is a tongue twister for some of us!
Every single illustration is a word picture of what it’s like to have a speech difference. There’s a very powerful point in the book where we talk about how having a speech sound disorder makes you a ‘World Champion Listener.’ I had a vision for this page, but to be honest, I was concerned that I was imagining something too complex for the illustration. Well, of course, Carla nailed it! I still tear up when I see an image of a child in a wrestling outfit receiving their championship belt as various letters cheer them on.
Everyone loved the title, but I was concerned that it would lead people to think that the book is only about S’s. It took me months to come up with the sub-title, but I’m glad I took the time. “When your voice won’t obey what you’re trying to say, it’s OK.”
The book is recommended for any kind of speech difference including articulation, stuttering, lisps, apraxia, selective mutism, and more. It’s recommended for any sort of speech challenge including those that stem from deafness, autism, or stroke.
There was a lot of healing for me in creating this book. I worked with Speech-Language Pathologists to provide input on the book, but of course, they also gave me some improved understanding of my own speech sound disorders. Because of the book, my Mother and I have had several conversations about my speech therapy years. And, now I have a new family member who is deaf. All of these experiences have solidified for me that I needed to write and publish this particular book at this particular time.
This is just fascinating. And I feel like so many people- so many writers especially- echo what you said. "It's the book I wish I'd had as a child." And it goes back to the expression, "write what you know." Writing what you "know" doesn't mean you can ONLY write what you know... but there's something special about writing about something that you personally understand on that deeper level, that raw authenticity that allows you to put your heart into that story and your readers can feel it and connect with it, because they know that YOU understand what that feels like. It's a really beautiful way of connecting with each other.
And I understand that your newest book deals with this topic. Which brings me to our next discussion point…
“It’s the book I wish I’d had as a child.”
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!
If you’ve read my blog before, you know we LOVE books here. In fact- other than the personal connection that I get to make with each visitor who comes on for a Feature Interview, the next best part about these interviews is getting to share my guest’s books with all my readers!
Sherry, I know you touched on the themes of your books and what they involve above, but what else would you like to tell us about your published “babies?” What was the creative process like for each story, and what do you want to impart to readers? You mentioned that you and your illustrator and friends and business partners, which is SO COOL- and definitely not always the case, as typically, illustrators are picked by the publisher, and the author has little contact- if any. Can you tell us more about this interesting setup? Do you have any favorite illustrative spreads? If so, which ones and why?
It’s interesting that you referred to the books as my babies. I only had one child, so I don’t know exactly what it’s like to have more than one, but I’ve been joking that managing the sales and marketing of the first book while writing and publishing the second felt like what it must be like to have an active toddler and a baby on the way!
Well, they are my babies, and I’m very proud of them. Here are some things that readers may like to know:
● By the time this goes to print, I will have sold over 5000 books in just over two years.
● What The Seal Saw is carried in Seal Sanctuaries and non-profits around the world. It’s being used in an educational program in a seal sanctuary in Ireland, it’s sold in a Seal Rescue and Research Center in Cornwall and another in California. It’s currently carried by 9 animal or art-centered non-profits as well as by major retailers around the world.
● My books have been selected as approved Teaching Resources in several school districts. And in fact, one school district gave my book to each and every child entering Kindergarten in 2023!
You mentioned my wonderful partnership with my friend and Illustrator Carla Maskall. It’s been such a great part of this journey. Our relationship goes back to middle school! We’ve been amazed to find out just how good we are as creative partners. Storyboarding together is one of my favorite parts of the process.
I already mentioned that the World Champion Listener spread from My S’s Are Messes is one of my favorites. My favorite from What The Seal Saw, is the scene with the migrating geese and our beloved Mount Baker. That scene came from a kayaking trip in the Fall. A flock of Canada Geese flew over my kayak ‘all honking and flapping’. They were so beautiful and mysterious as they organized themselves.
I also LOVE that we included a 2-page spread with no text. This page gives children the opportunity to make their own verse or tell their own story. They can also use it to name the animals, count them, or find some critters that are hiding - just a little. It’s always interesting to see what the children get out of this page.
Right now, we are in the illustration process for our third book. I can’t share any pictures yet. But what I can tell you is how exciting it is to get a text from Carla these days!
THE BEST, THE WORST, THE MEH
What have been some of your favorite, most exciting parts of the publishing process?
Oh, the highs and the lows! Truly, one of the best things in the world is when a child reads my book back to me. It’s the best feeling in the world. I also love it when people purchase a book directly from me, have me sign it for someone, and then fist pump that they’ve just gotten a perfect gift. I love being a part of that!
The worst is when a child loves the book, and a parent tells them they’re too young or old for it. I don’t understand that. If the kid loves a book, they love a book. For the love of reading, let them enjoy it.
Meh - the proofing stage, the paperwork, the big win that fizzles out (like you get that big order, they sell out, and then don’t order again).
Events & Media: Events and Media | Sherry McMillan Writes I did over 33 events in 2023!
Wow! 33 events? That's INCREDIBLE. And yes, I work in a library and I'll admit that's one of my biggest pet peeves; when an adult tells a child that they are "too old" to like a particular book. Grumbling. Grumbling. Grumbling. I'm sory... What? What?! It is precisely that kind of thinking that endangers fairies of Neverland! But instead of worrying about that... let's look at some adorable fan mail.
We love celebrating all the wins for our fellow creatives! But at times, all of us face difficulties. And I find sharing the difficulties can be just as uplifting as sharing the positives- because it reminds us that we’re all in the same boat, so to speak. So, with that in mind, what have been some challenges you’ve faced during your kidlit journey, and how were you able to overcome them?
But things aren’t always the “best” or “worst.” Sometimes, they’re just plain “M.E.H.” So, when those “mehs” hit, aka the “lulls in writing,” what are some suggestions that have benefited you personally that you’d like to share on ways to rekindle that spark and find your inner joy?
I’m not very good at taking this advice, but honestly, sometimes you just need to rest. Some of my best work has come after I’ve given myself permission to take a break.
Another best practice is to continue to read great books yourself, watch well-written movies and plays, and have hearty discussions about them with others. I think it’s common to read less once you’re writing. It’s a pretty tall order to do both, to be honest - especially when you’re in the phase where you’re proofing and revising your own work. At that time, you’re spending so much time reading your own work it’s hard to make the time to read others’. But, try to work in breaks where you get to enjoy being a reader again. It will make you a better writer in so many ways.
If you could share one final piece of writerly advice with readers today, what would it be?
For Readers: Please consider taking a moment to support your favourite author/s with a review. I can’t underestimate how much it means to them. It’s the best encouragement you can give them. (And we D.O. get discouraged.) But it also makes a massive difference to their sales and their chances of getting that deal. Literary Agents, Publishers, Retailers, Events Coordinators, and potential buyers will look for reviews. You can review on amazon anonymously. Goodreads and major retailers are also a good place to drop a review. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy. You can even leave a review at sites that you didn’t purchase the book from. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a public review, you can also just pop a note to the author’s social media site or contact address from their website. It takes 5 minutes, and it truly means the world.
For Readers who are or who like to be Writers: When we think of being a Writer, we rightly think of well writing. And it’s perfectly valid to just write for the joy of it. In fact, that, and burning with a story to tell, are the only reasons to write. But if you want your book to sell - even if you’re traditionally published, you still have to put in the leg work.
The way I think of it is that there are three distinct phases to any book. There is Writing. There is Publishing. And then there is Sales and Marketing. Each has a different mindset and a different skill set. Most of us need a pretty open calendar and some headspace to write. It’s hard to do that when you’re up to your elbows in publishing paperwork or going from event to event.
I think it’s wise to think of your journey in seasons. And, in fact, I’m starting to settle into a pretty literal interpretation of this idea. In the Winter months, I do most of my writing. In the Spring and Summer, I do most of my Sales and Marketing. And in the Fall I do most of the Publishing and associated Paperwork.
Thank you so much for visiting us today on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog. Now… it’s time for our readers to get rewarded for sticking around. Yep- that’s right. It’s time for a GIVEAWAY!
GIVEAWAY PRIZE
This month, Sherry is offering one prize winner a copy of one of her books with a matching felt story.
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
During the month of March 2024:
- Subscribe to Chelsea’s World of Books blog
- Like this Feature Interview
- Leave a comment below letting me know you’ve done 1-2.
And that’s it!
F.A.Q.: What if I was already subscribed to the blog? Does that mean I won’t qualify for the Prize Giveaway? Not at all! If you subscribed PRIOR to this month, all you’ll need to do is LIKE this Feature Interview and leave your comment below this post.
Did you enjoy this interview? Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing one of their books below! Using these sponsored links also helps support this blog.
Purchase What the Seal Saw HERE
Purchase My S’s Are Messes: When Your Voice Won’t Obey What You’re Trying to Say. It’s OK! HERE
Chelsea’s book
Neurodiverse Picture Book: A.D.H.D. and Me
CONNECT WITH SHERRY MCMILLAN
https://www.instagram.com/sherry_mcmillan_writes/
linkedin.com/in/sherry-mcmillan
Sherry McMillan Writes (@sherry_mcmillan_writes) | TikTok
YouTube Book Launch – (1068) Virtual Book Launch w Sherry McMillan and Carla Maskall – YouTube
Great interview! I subscribe. That is quite an accomplishment selling 5000 books in two years. The story sounds wonderful! Congratulations, Sherry!