JANUARY 2025 FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH SPECIAL GUEST CHILDREN’S AUTHOR LISA KATZENBERGER, CONDUCTED BY CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER, BLOGGER, AND FORMER LIBRARIAN CHELSEA DICICCO

This year, we’re jumping into our Feature Interview segment with a guest who is every bit as lovely inside as she is out. Please welcome- Lisa Katzenberger! Lisa is a Children’s Book author known best for her beautifully written SEL stories that feature themes like being true to yourself, overcoming fears, and what it means to be a friend. But beyond her wonderfully charming stories, Lisa also wears many other literary hats, including her hat as a Writing Barn faculty member and writing instructor for classes like Write Submit Support. Which (fun fact) is actually how we met!

Before we get started with our interview, if this is your first time visiting, here’s a sliver of what you’ll find here on the blog. THE BLOG houses pretty much an endless array of resources and helpful tips for writers and illustrators- and the list is always growing, but one of the most popular and truly incredible things that the blog has to offer is the FEATURE INTERVIEW segment, founded in 2022 and hosted by yours truly, Chelsea DiCicco.

You might be wondering…

WHAT ARE THEY?

WHO ARE THEY FOR?

HOW CAN THEY HELP ME?

Let me shed some light…

Feature Interviews are a monthly collaboration of industry professionals, including authors, illustrators, editors, and agents, having real conversations about the ins and outs of publishing. Many featured guests were at one time, or currently are, also educators, librarians, or booksellers. Their input and perspectives on publishing bring an invaluable amount of knowledge both for newly aspiring authors and/or illustrators, as well as those who are well-established.

These conversations help provide writers and illustrators with tools and insight by giving them an up-close look at publishing across a diverse collection of viewpoints from different sides of the desk. Every month, we dig deep into the behind-the-scenes of publishing, share tips and resources, and provide answers to common (and not-so-common) questions. We also offer PRIZE giveaway opportunities to all readers who take the time to either leave a comment on the blog post or share it on social media. Prizes include free merchandise, one-on-one Zoom mentor calls or Ask-Me-Anythings, manuscript critiques, and more.

Now that we know what’s in store, let’s get this ball rolling!

Lisa, it’s so truly fantastic to have you here with us today. What an exciting way to kick off the new year. How’s the beginning of the new year treating you so far?

Hi Chelsea! Thank you for having me. My new year is starting off great after a very busy 2024, which ended with me running out of steam and realizing I needed to take a nice long break. I did, and I’m back and ready to hit the ground running in 2025! 

Okay, first question. Where are you located? This is a new one, but I think it will be nice for readers to see where on the globe our friends are. Last year, I had people from all parts of the world join this segment. Maybe to celebrate the five-year mark, I’ll do a world map with pins on it to see how many locations we’ve reached. It would also be neat if some of our writers could form local connections this way. I befriended a few local authors last year thanks to the Manuscript Academy podcast. Shoutout to Molly McCaffrey, now M Hendrix. 😊 Turns out we’re in the same SCBWI chapter!

I’m located in the western suburbs of Chicago, in La Grange, Illinois. I’ve lived in the Chicago area my entire life.

Lisa, where and when did your love for writing manifest?

I remember it so clearly! I was in third grade, and we were writing stories in class. Mine was about a haunted house. But when the lesson was over, I just didn’t want to stop writing–I had more story to tell! I told my teacher and she let me keep writing as long as I liked. I was hooked!

Tell us about your journey into kidlit. How did you end where you are today? And when did that journey begin?

I started writing stories in grade school – for several years I took an advanced English class that I think was called TREK, but I never knew what it stood for! But we got to do a lot of creative writing – writing stories and poetry, and I learned about things like alliteration and personification. It was fascinating. I kept writing a bit in high school, then more so in college, where I learned about the short story form and also worked on my college newspaper (which was a blast!). After college, I got a job as a technical writer, and while I was good at it and grateful for a steady salary, I was bored out of my mind. I kept writing stories in notebooks and journals and eventually took my first online creative writing class through Writer’s Digest University. That’s when I began to consider writing for publication, working on short stories and then eventually novels for adults. I’ve had a handful of short stories published and have two and a half novels sitting in the proverbial drawer. But when I had my kids in 2010, and started taking them to library storytimes and reading board books and picture books, that’s when I switched to writing for kids! I joined SCBWI, 12×12, Storystorm, and every challenge you could find. I scoured the KidLit411 website (a FREE gem of information), read every blog post, attended conferences, took classes at The Writing Barn, and just sat down and wrote and wrote and wrote. At this point, I’m represented by Wendi Gu of HG Literary and I’ve had six kidlit books published!

What made you decide to take the route to traditional publishing vs. independent? Explain.

When I first started thinking about getting published, I honestly didn’t realize independent publishing was an option. I still don’t know much about that landscape, but I do appreciate there are lots of different options for creators to get their stories out in the world.

How were you able to find your agent match, and what made you know she was the right one for you? Explain.

I’ve been represented by Wendi Gu for about six years, and she is my second agent. When I was querying the second time around, I was much more focused, had my debut PB under contract, and was further along in my writing career, so it was a shorter process. I loved so many things about Wendi—her warm personality, her Chicago upbringing, her track record selling kidlit, amazing references from clients, and her insight into my stories. But what really won me over (I did have multiple representation offers) was that she told me which stories I shared with her that she thought she could sell and which were just not hitting things right. I knew she would be honest with me, but give her feedback professionally and kindly. Wendi has continued to both support and challenge me over the years, and I’ve grown under her guidance. I am very lucky to have a partnership with her.

Were there any challenges that you faced at the beginning of your publishing journey? If so, what were they, and how were you able to overcome them?

My relationship with my first agent only lasted a couple years, and it was so hard for me to admit that it just wasn’t the right fit. I asked around to a lot of friends who I had made in the kidlit world for advice, and they helped me come to the conclusion that it would be OK to move on and I wouldn’t lose steam in my writing career. It was a scary move to make but has worked out in the long run.

For writers and illustrators who may be facing similar challenges, what advice would you give them?

If you are struggling in your relationship with your agent, be very honest with yourself if this person is helping or hurting you. Are you waiting weeks or months for replies to emails? You shouldn’t have to! Are you afraid you are “bothering” your agent? You aren’t! You are their client, and they want to help you develop your craft and sell your books. If they aren’t doing this, don’t hold on with someone who is not respecting you, your time, and the work of your heart.

What have been some of the greatest highlights of your publishing career? Explain.

One of my favorite highlights was seeing my debut picture book, NATIONAL REGULAR AVERAGE ORDINARY DAY, illustrated by Barbara Bakos, on display at my local independent bookstore, Anderson’s Bookshop. I went with my sister Krista, who was there to pick up a big order she had placed to give copies of my book to her friends and fellow teachers. Krista has since passed away, but she was my biggest fan. I will never forget how excited she was for me.

What have been some of the most difficult things you’ve faced on your publishing journey?

Handling the rejections. For a while, I was getting a thick skin, but over time, the rejections have started to hurt again. The last three books I’ve had out on submission have not sold. I try to focus on my current work, but there’s still heartache when a story you’ve worked so hard on isn’t picked up.

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve ever been told?

I honestly can’t think of any bad writing advice I’ve received! I try to take some sort of learning from everything.

What’s the best?

Slow down. When I’m drafting, I have a tendency to rush through the emotional moments in a story, the parts that hit your heart and make a reader root for the main character. When I go back to revise, I have to remember to slow down pivotal moments in a story to really let the reader know what the character is experiencing.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever been told?
“Slow down.” – Lisa Katzenberger

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Do you have any favorite resources or communities that were especially influential to your writing journey that you’d recommend to other creators? If so, which ones and why/how were they able to help you?

The Writing Barn and the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge were both instrumental to my picture book career. I took classes through The Writing Barn and attended their retreats starting in 2017, and I had a mentorship with the wonderful Bethany Hegedus, who taught me so much and offered endless support and encouragement. With 12×12, in my first few years of writing picture books, I cranked out draft after draft. It was the practice I needed to learn how to craft a good story, and I met so many fellow writers who are now good friends!

Let’s talk a little about writing craft. Can you tell our readers what “craft” is all about and why it’s important to sharpen and hone those skills?

This is a great question, and it brings up a special memory. In the early 2000s, I was writing short stories and attempting to write my first novel. I was taking a class online through AOL messenger (yes, I’ve been at this for that long!,) and I remember the instructor using the word “craft” and I asked him what that word meant. I kind of felt silly afterward when I understood what he meant, but it reminds me that we all have to start somewhere, and there really are no bad questions.

Now, the tricky part is how in the world would I describe the craft of writing? I would say it’s the combination of the art and science of the creative writing process. Things like learning how to choose the best point of view, defining your protagonist’s voice, and identifying your story’s major plot points. 

What are some ways writers can learn to better their craft?

Read a lot! You will learn so much from reading stories – both in the genre you like to write and outside of it. Take classes, go to webinars, attend conferences. Meet other writers and talk about the writing process. Work with critique partners to get feedback on your stories. Try lots of different approaches in a story – experiment and have fun!

“Read a lot! You will learn so much from reading stories – both in the genre you like to write and outside of it. Take classes, go to webinars, attend conferences. Meet other writers and talk about the writing process. Work with critique partners to get feedback on your stories. Try lots of different approaches in a story – experiment and have fun!” -Lisa Katzenberger

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While we’re on the topic of learning and improving, can you tell us a little bit about the other literary work you do outside of writing and publishing books for kids?

I teach writing courses online as well! I have taught classes or webinars through The Writing Barn, SCBWI, Inked Voices, and 12×12.

How did you end up working as a writing instructor? And do you feel this helps ground you in the literary world and also helps strengthen your own skills as a writer?

From 2017-2020, I attended three retreats at The Writing Barn, took two online classes, and began a mentorship with Bethany. Bethany and I got to be good friends, and as my work became published, she asked me to teach Perfecting the Picture Book I at The Writing Barn. From there, I taught other courses at the Writing Barn and did webinars for Inked Voices, SCBWI, and 12×12. Part of the joy of teaching is giving back to the writing community and sharing the knowledge I’ve gained over the years. It also helps me remember that we are all constantly learning – I still take classes and webinars all the time. I am inspired and encouraged by my students, and when they take chances with their work and push themselves, it inspires me to do the same.

“Part of the joy of teaching is giving back to the writing community and sharing the knowledge I’ve gained over the years. It also helps me remember that we are all constantly learning…” -Lisa Katzenberger

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Speaking of your writing, I’d love to talk some about writing SEL picture books. As you know, I love SEL picture books and quiet stories with lots of heart and sentiment. Your books are always favorites of mine. They always leave me feeling the warm fuzzies. You know when I get those because usually, I close the book and hold it to my chest and smile. Sometimes, I’ll even shut my eyes to savor the moment. For readers who may be wondering what SEL is, could you share a little more about what SEL books are?

SEL stands for Social Emotional Learning. In my research about SEL over the years, I found this definition from CASEL to be helpful: “SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”

Now, SEL picture books can be a hard sell for a lot of reasons. For one thing, your craft has to be just right for the story to really sing. And just because you have a lovely message doesn’t necessarily mean that a kid will find it lovely. So, it’s a delicate balance of finding the “kid” voice, tempered with the right pacing and right heart levels, and making sure it’s enjoyable for the readers (big and small). It’s really quite the master balancing act! But you always manage to do it so well. Can you tell our readers what your secret to writing a perfect SEL story is?

I see SEL books as those that focus more on how a character feels rather than what they do. These books are not as heavy on plot and may focus on exploring a specific emotion like empathy. For a great list of examples, check out librarian Betsy Bird’s recent list.

Oh gosh, I don’t know that I possess any secrets! But what I do have is a ton of tenacity. My SEL books take much longer for me to write. I go through 40-50 revisions over the course of several years. When there is a theme that is important to me, and I really want to tell a specific story, I really dig my heels in and refuse to give up! 

“When there is a theme that is important to me, and I really want to tell a specific story, I really dig my heels in and refuse to give up!” -Lisa Katzenberger

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What are some hints and/or tips you can share with a writer on how to tighten or improve their SEL story? Do you have a magic checklist for what makes a SEL story sing?

I don’t have a checklist, but I often teach about thinking of the emotional shift in an SEL book. If it’s a story where your character changes (and they don’t have to!) you can look at what the emotional arc of their story is. For IT WILL BE OK: A Story of Empathy, Kindness, and Friendship, Giraffe moves from anxious to empathetic. In I CAN DO IT EVEN IF I’M SCARED: Finding The Brave You, the characters move from scared to brave. 

-I love this visual of your story arc. It’s so helpful! Thanks for sharing.

Okay, time to celebrate some happy things. What have been some of the positive responses you’ve received from readers? And how did their words/actions make you feel?

I have been doing school visits this past year, and I love meeting with young readers. As they are coming into the presentation, some of them will ask me, “Are you The Author?” like it’s an official title. I think letting kids see the creator behind books helps them realize that they, too, could grow up to be an author or whatever they dream of being!

What are three things that instantaneously make you smile when you think about your career as a Children’s Book Author?

I get to make things up all day, I’m my own boss, and I can make kids think or feel something new.

-All wonderful things!

If you could share some words of wisdom with other writers and illustrators, pertaining to publishing and/or life, what would they be?

My 88-year-old mom, bless her heart, always says, “getting old isn’t for sissies!” You have to be a tough cookie to survive this publishing business, too. It is all really, really hard. The rejection, the self-doubt, the waiting (so much waiting!), the odds being stacked against us. And when you get to one milestone (say, signing with an agent), you realize there are a bunch of other milestones after that (selling a manuscript to an editor, getting your books into stores, having a decent sales record, the opportunity to sell another manuscript). There are so many points in this process where it would be SO easy to just throw your hands up and walk away. But please don’t! The world needs your stories – and not just the kids – the parents, teachers, and librarians need them too! Story is how we expand our worldview, learn something new, have a good laugh, or see ourselves reflected. As creators, we are doing important work for this world – keep at it! 

-Oh my gosh, I love this!!

Let’s talk about books! Could you tell us about some of your books and your inspiration behind writing them?

Most of my books were inspired by real-life events! Here is some background:

-Ooh, I did not know that! FUN FACTS with Lisa! Tell us more…

CROC & GATOR: Swamp Ranger School was inspired by my family travels. We took a swamp tour in Louisiana and I was fascinated with the setting. When I created my characters, and needed to give them a job, I was inspired by the National Park Service Junior Ranger program that my kids have participated in.

IT BELONGS TO THE WORLD: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin was inspired by my son Ryan who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and requires a constant supply of insulin to survive.

I CAN DO IT EVEN IF I’M SCARED: Finding The Brave You was inspired by my experiences in therapy. I talk about it in this interview with Psychology Today, as well as the Author’s Note at the beginning of the book.

Do you have any fun/exciting stories about things that have happened with any of your books?

For A LOVE LETTER TO MY LIBRARY, illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr, I commissioned a unique song from the amazing Emily Arrow. I use it at storytimes and school visits, and it’s been a lot of fun. Emily uses ASL and hand motions in the video. When I was doing school visits this fall, one librarian had shown her students the video prior to my arrival. I was worried they would be bored watching it again, but when I played the videos, they all started singing along and signing! I got goosebumps – it was so sweet! You can watch Emily’s video here.

-How amazing! I love that you did this. What a fantastic resource for ASL. And I can only imagine how fun it must have been to have this experience with the kids. Thanks for sharing, Lisa!

What do you hope readers will feel while and/or after reading one of your books?

I hope that they feel hopeful! Hopeful that they can be brave, talk about their feelings, be a good friend, or discover something new.

-I love this response! So beautiful!

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?

I feel like I am at this weird point in my career where I’ve achieved so many of my initial goals, and yet at the same time, I feel like I don’t know if I’ll be lucky enough to keep going. In the past few months, I’ve been working with a career coach to focus on what success means to me and what steps I need to take to achieve that. Thinking about being a full-time author as a career I want to maintain has been intimidating, but I am hoping that if I continue to work hard and a little luck still falls my way, I will be able to keep writing books for a long time.

Lisa, thank you so much for joining us today and for all that you do for the kidlit community and your readers (big and small!) You bring so much courage and care to your work, and it truly makes a difference. We appreciate you!!

Now it’s time for…

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Purchase ADHD AND ME

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Lisa Katzenberger: Author

Writes: Picture Books, Chapter Books

Traditionally published – meaning her work has been acquired by an editor at a publishing house, not a vanity/paid-for service or press.

Represented by literary agent Wendi Gu.

Looking for custom writer, librarian, or book-lover-themed swag and/or accessories? Visit my Zazzle store! Want to see a curated list of my personal favorite books and recommendations? Visit my bookshop page! Want to browse favorite writing accessories, books by genre, and cozy reading must-haves? Visit my Amazon Storefront!

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.