NOVEMBER 6TH FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER HEATHER DAWN TORRES, HOSTED BY NEURODIVERGENT KIDLIT WRITER, BLOGGER & FORMER LIBRARIAN CHELSEA DICICCO

Today, I’m talking with children’s book author Heather Dawn Torres.

But before we jump into our interview, if this is your first time visiting the blog, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.

THE SCOOP: WHAT ARE FEATURE INTERVIEWS & WHO ARE THEY FOR?

Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.

Every month, I collaborate with industry professionals—authors, illustrators, editors, and agents— many of whom were or currently are also educators and librarians, to discuss all things publishing.

What can these interviews offer YOU?

These interviews give readers an up-close and personal look at the world of publishing from an array of different perspectives on every side of the desk and offer insight into tips, resources, and advice on how to:

• stay current with market trends
• hook an agent or editor
• find writing community & other resources
• discover workshops, contests, and other events
• figure out which path of publication is right for you
• know if your agent is a good match

And more!

AND… if that’s not enough, every guest offers at least one giveaway prize—sometimes more. This means you have multiple opportunities to win prizes every month! *If you’re interested in entering the giveaway, scroll to the bottom of the interview for instructions.*

Not that we’ve shared a little about what’s in store… it’s time to jump into our interview!

INTRODUCTIONS AND BEGINNINGS

Make connections wherever you can. Attend conferences or retreats in your local or surrounding area. Join kidlit groups… Attend webinars. Join a critique group. Just get out there and connect with the kidlit community because they are awesome, and you will learn so much!

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Heather, it’s so great to have you with us on Chelsea’s World of Books today! For those of you who don’t know Heather, Heather is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for the Nebraska Chapter and currently serves as the Co-Regional Advisor. She enjoys sharing all the current news with members across the state. She’s also a member of the Nebraska Writer’s Guild and 12X12 Challenge.

Heather, I’d love to start our interview today by asking you about your introduction to publishing. Tell us when/how you decided to pursue publishing as a career.

What were some of the first steps you took? 

The first thing I did was sign up for a local writing conference hosted by the Nebraska Writer’s Guild. At that conference, I met my current agent as well as two incredible critique partners who still read each and every one of my manuscripts. 


-How amazing! This sounds like a great experience!-

Were there any writing organizations/groups/contests, etc., in particular that helped you?

As I mentioned, the first organization that I connected with was The Nebraska Writer’s Guild. However, shortly after, I discovered The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I regularly attend SCBWI webinars, online workshops, and conferences and am now serving as the Co-Regional Advisor for the SCBWI Nebraska chapter. SCBWI has been an invaluable resource for me as I learned the ins and outs of the industry. 

For writers who are just starting out and considering pursuing publishing in the kidlit realm, what advice or tips would you like to share for beginners?

Make connections wherever you can. Attend conferences or retreats in your local or surrounding area. Join kidlit groups like SCBWI or 12x12. Attend webinars. Join a critique group. Just get out there and connect with the kidlit community because they are awesome, and you will learn so much! 

What’s something you wish you had known about publishing earlier on?

I wish I had known how long it takes to publish a book. I had always heard that it was a long process, but I never dreamed that it would take over 6 years from the time that I wrote The Tractor Squad until the time it would be on bookshelves. But the wait was definitely worth it! 

“I wish I had known how long it takes to publish a book. I had always heard that it was a long process, but I never dreamed that it would take over 6 years from the time that I wrote The Tractor Squad until the time it would be on bookshelves. But the wait was definitely worth it!” – Heather Torres

BEHIND THE SCENES OF TRADITIONAL VS. INDIE PUBLISHING, SMALL PRESSES, LITERARY REPRESENTATION + MORE

Now, you went the traditional publishing route versus publishing independently or with a vanity press. Can you tell us more about your decision to pursue traditional publishing versus independent? What are some of the reasons you chose to go traditional?

I chose the traditional publishing route as it was just a better fit for my professional goals. I wanted to be on public and school library shelves and in bookstores. Having worked in a library for many years, I knew that the majority of books acquired by librarians were traditionally published. So, it just made sense for me to go that route. 

What would you say are some pros and cons to traditional vs. independent OR vice versa? 

I have never self-published, so I cannot speak to that. However, for me, the benefit of traditional publishing was being able to work with a team to help make my book(s) better than I could ever imagine doing on my own. 

You mentioned that you met your agent at a conference. That’s incredible! Can you tell us a little bit more about how/when/where this happened and what that experience was like?

This is a great question! As I mentioned above, I met my agent very early on in my career at the 2018 Nebraska Writer’s Guild Conference. I had just decided to become a stay-at-home mom and wanted to explore how to get a book published. So, I signed up for the conference and a few pitch sessions. It was the first time I had ever met with agents or even attended a writing conference. My pitch was far from perfect, but I didn’t let that stop me!

- I love your fearless attitude! Go, Heather!-

What was your initial interaction with Stephanie like? And what made you decide she was the right agent fit for you and your work? 

I remember being so nervous when I met Stephanie at the writing conference! But the minute I sat down, she put me at ease. Even though I was very new to kidlit, she was supportive and really encouraging. I was overjoyed when she contacted me a few months later with an offer of representation. 

-This sounds like a dream come true. And how great that she made you feel so at ease!-

Were there any other agents/agencies who you considered prior to signing with Metamorphosis Literary? 

Not really. I did meet with other agents at that same conference, but they weren’t looking for fiction picture books, so I knew right away that they weren’t the right fit for me. 

Had you queried other agents prior to meeting Stephanie? If so, what was the response? 

Stephanie was the very first agent I met with.  I probably shouldn’t admit this out loud, but because I met Stephanie so early on in my career, I have actually never sent out a formal query to an agent. Shhhhh…!

- That's incredible!-

For writers who are querying agents now, what would you say are some “green flags” to look for in an agent? 

Oh goodness. This is a tough question. It really depends on what the author or illustrator is looking for and where s/he is in their career. But I guess I would say someone with strong communication skills, perseverance, transparency, and honesty. Overall, an agent who is knowledgeable in the industry and who has the best interests of their clients at heart would be something to look for. 

-This is FANTASTIC advice, Heather. You hit the nail on the head! Such great answers!-

What are things that you personally value in your agent/author relationship? Explain.

One of the things that I value most in my agent/author relationship is teamwork. Stephanie works closely with both the team at Metamorphosis and me to make each manuscript the best it can be before it goes on submission. I also value her organizational skills, responsiveness, and positivity. Whenever I have questions or need something, she is just a phone call or email away. 

What questions would you recommend a writer ask on the agent call before making the final decision to sign with that agent or not?

Luckily, I haven’t been in the query trenches lately. But there are so many good resources out there for querying writers that are more up-to-date than what I could share. Chat with other writers, watch a webinar, listen to a podcast, but ultimately, ask the questions that you most want to know the answers to!  

What project did you get your agent with, and is that project currently out in the world now or did you end up selling a different manuscript first? Explain.

My agent signed me with a different manuscript, which is not currently on shelves. The first story in the Tractor Squad series, The Tractor Jig, was the second manuscript that I wrote, and Ten Busy Tractors was the third. I initially wrote the series as four separate stories, but loved the vision that Marble Press had of doing a picture book with two stories in one book. I think that The Tractor Squad found the perfect home! 

-I love hearing things like this! It makes me so happy to hear author's express finding the perfect home for their project. Such a great feeling!-

I know you have some exciting news about a picture book series to share this year! How and when did the series deal come about? We’d love to hear about it!

Yes! I am so excited about The Tractor Squad series. I actually received the official offer from Marble Press on my birthday in 2023! It was the best birthday present EVER! Contracts were signed about a month later, and the work began.  

For writers querying agents what would you say are some “green flags” to look for? “…someone with strong communication skills, perseverance, transparency + honesty. Overall, an agent who is knowledgeable in the industry & who has the best interests of their clients at heart…”

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“I chose the traditional publishing route as it was just a better fit for my professional goals. I wanted to be on public and school library shelves and in bookstores. Having worked in a library for many years, I knew that the majority of books acquired by librarians were traditionally published.” – Heather Torres

THE BIG WHY, OVERCOMING STRUGGLES + WORDS OF ADVICE

“The reason I write and keep on writing is to help make reading fun and to encourage kids to become lifelong readers. As a mom, one of my favorite parts of the day is reading a story to my kids at bedtime. They laugh out loud when I do silly voices or make up wacky songs that go with the book. It’s absolutely magic! I hope that my books help bring a little storytime magic into the lives of other families as well.” – Heather Dawn Torres

As writers, we all have a reason for being here. It’s important to know what that reason is in order to stay on the path because the path is full of challenges. Without that motivational reason, it would be nearly impossible to keep at it when the journey gets tough. What’s your BIG WHY?

I LOVE this question! The reason I write and keep on writing is to help make reading fun and to encourage kids to become lifelong readers. As a mom, one of my favorite parts of the day is reading a story to my kids at bedtime. They laugh out loud when I do silly voices or make up wacky songs that go with the book. It’s absolutely magic! I hope that my books help bring a little storytime magic into the lives of other families as well. 

-This is such a beautiful- and heartfelt- answer!-

What are some of the struggles you’ve had to face throughout your publishing career, and how have you been able to come out the other end?

I think that the biggest struggle I face is balancing mom-life and all of our family activities with my writing career. There is always so much to do, and it can often be overwhelming. But I try to do at least one “writerly” thing every day to help myself stay focused and move forward. Sometimes, it is listening to a podcast or reading a blog, while other times, it’s writing just one line while I’m in the school pick-up lane. And some days, the schedule clears and I get two uninterrupted hours to write (those are my favorite, especially if it’s a rainy day). 

What have been some of your all-time favorite publishing moments? 

My all-time favorite moment was when my two boys read my published book for the first time. They even asked me to sign copies to take to their teachers and the school librarian.

Another favorite moment happened recently when I did a read-aloud and book signing at a local bookstore. One of the kids in the audience was so engrossed in the tractor story that she came up to my chair and sat next to me with her face right in the pages of the book! I am so thankful for all of the family and friends who have supported me on my writing journey–I wouldn’t be here without them! 

What words of advice would you like to share with writers as to how they can stay on the path toward publication?
Keep writing, keep learning, and don’t give up. You’ve got this! 

What words of advice would you like to share with writers as to how they can stay on the path toward publication? “Keep writing, keep learning, and don’t give up. You’ve got this!” – Heather Dawn Torres, November 2024 Feature Interview on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog

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BOOKS, INSPIRATION, AND READABILITY

Okay, so we’ve heard about the beginning, the initial steps, the agent call, the publishing deal, the challenges, etc. Now it’s time for the BOOKS! We touched briefly on your books (your first picture book as well as your recent book series), but now we’d love to hear more!

Could you share a summary of what your books are about and what your inspiration was for writing them?

Absolutely! The Tractor Squad series is a read-aloud series where tractors explore the work that each season brings to the farm. And find that with a little teamwork, the tractors and their farmyard friends have the most fun of all. 

What do you hope each book will give your reader?

When creating the tractor stories, I knew that I wanted to write something whimsical and fun to read out loud, but as a former farm girl, I also wanted the stories to accurately depict life on a farm. So, I do hope that each book will bring joy to readers but that it will also give them a glimpse of farm life throughout the different seasons of the year. 

What have been some of the responses you’ve gotten from readers? 

So far, the response to the book has been wonderful!  Parents and grandparents have mentioned that their little ones love the colorful illustrations, the repetitive phrases, and the fun language. Many have even told me it is their kids’ new favorite bedtime read! 

Have you been able to attend/participate/or host any book events locally or online? 

I sure have! I have done a few book signings and was also a guest author for storytime at a local library. Meeting readers is one of my favorite things about being an author. 

What was your experience like with the illustrations? Did you have any say in the images or the illustrator who was chosen?

This is one of the questions that I get asked most frequently. And the answer is no. I actually didn’t see the illustrations until I received the digital proof of the entire book. But I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out. I adore Gary’s bright, colorful artwork, which I think really captures all the fun that the tractors have on the farm. The facial expressions on the tractors make me laugh every time! 

Do you have any favorite images from the books? If so, which ones and why?

While I love all of the artwork, my favorite spread is probably the one with the “great big flood” where water is spraying everywhere--it somehow reminds me of my own sons and their ability to find water, dirt, or a puddle of mud wherever we go. I also really love the illustration where the tractor has kicked off its tires and is curled up in a chair, reading a book. So cute!  

You mentioned in your bio that you worked in a library during high school, and your favorite part was reading to the kids. That’s so great! I love that. You also mentioned that as an author and mother, you try to focus on the readability of your writing and challenge yourself to create stories and characters that are not only engaging for children but also fun for librarians, teachers, caregivers, and parents. That way, they can enjoy reading them over and over and over again. Which is fantastic and something that all writers should be thinking about. Can you tell us a little bit about the method you use for this? How do you test this?

Well…I’m not sure I have a concrete method for doing this. But I do read my manuscripts out loud many, many times to myself, my husband, my dog, and my critique partners. Most importantly, I read them out loud to my kids throughout the process, testing lines to see how they react. Did they laugh? Did they seem bored? Were they confused? I think that by the time I finish a manuscript, my two boys have it memorized! I also try to keep in mind how a teacher or librarian would use the book in a classroom or during storytime. In case anyone is interested, Marble Press has some fabulous FREE learning kits and teacher/parent resource guides for the book. Check them out on Marble Press or on Teacher Corner.

What’s one final piece of advice that you’d like to leave readers with today?

Read. It’s as simple as that. Take time to read every day and share stories with the children in your life as much as you can and as often as you can. 

Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us, Heather! We wish you all the continued success on your publishing journey.

Thank you, Chelsea! It was so fun to chat with you today. Thank you for having me. 

But our interview’s not over yet. We still have one last item left on our agenda… and it’s a big one. It’s time for a GIVEAWAY!

For the month of November, Heather Dawn Torres is offering the following giveaway prize to one winner:

A signed copy of The Tractor Squad (U.S. Addresses only)

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

• Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
• And if you haven’t already, like and subscribe to the blog and/or newsletter!

That’s it!

DEADLINE TO ENTER: 11:59 PM CST NOVEMBER 30TH 2024

Want extra entries? Share this blog post on IG/X and tag IG @chelseasworldofbooks or X @chellysbooks so I can add your entry.

FAQ:

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 before this month, all you’ll need to do is LIKE this Feature Interview and leave your COMMENT below this post within the deadline (the current month/year entry was posted).

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Looking for a specific topic? Browse the list below to find a link to information on one of these topics:

• Where to find FREE and PAID for writing memberships, craft workshops, contests, and other resources.
• How to query agents and editors and what they’re looking for.
• Where to find kidlit community and support from other writers or illustrators.
• Diversity, empathy, and kindness in kidlit and why it matters.
• Writing across genres.
• Pros and cons of small publishers, hybrid (or indie) publishing, and being agented VS. unagented.

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