Kidlit Writer & Blogger on all things publishing, ADHD Girl, Librarian & avid reader
Category: Feature Interviews
Informative interviews conducted on a monthly basis by kidlit writer, blogger, and librarian, Chelsea DiCicco, with publishing professionals guests, designed to help authors and illustrators at all stages of their publishing careers better understand the ins and outs of the industry.
Author Bio: Laurie Carmody created “Lady Laurlox’s Lovely Library” in her Upstate NY home when she was ten, and after giving out her copies of Nancy Drew to the neighbors she decided that sharing and celebrating stories was her great passion. She now writes picture books with themes of finding inner strength, embracing uniqueness, and building empathy. She also loves a good pun and seeks to find humorous wordplay in many of her stories. Laurie lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. When she isn’t writing, she’s playing piano, daydreaming, or attempting to jog around her hilly neighborhood. She holds degrees from Ithaca College and Indiana University in Instructional Design.
Welcome back to the blog. It’s the first day of September 2023, and that means it’s time for another wonderful Feature Interview. This month I’m pleased to introduce you to our special guest, Laurie Carmody. Our topics today will include (but are not limited to): Beginning the writing journey, stepping into publishing, challenges and motivations, tips and secrets, books and where to find them, recommendations and words of wisdom, get-to-know-you questions, and finally, GIVEAWAY PRIZES and how to win them! So, make sure to read to the end. Without further ado- here we go!
Beginning the Writing Journey
How long have you been writing stories, and what kinds of genres/topics do you enjoy writing about?
I wrote (and illustrated!) my first picture book, Andy the Armadillo when I was in 6th grade. I switched to fantasy and mystery stories through high school, then pivoted to technical writing and instructional design during and after college. I came full circle and began working on picture books again in 2019 when my children were young. I like writing humorous, heartfelt stories about connection.
When did you first know that you wanted to become a children’s book author?
For as long as I can remember, my dream has been to see my book in a library. I spent hours upon hours in my library as a child, perusing the stacks for a new story to take home and devour. As an adult, I realized that nothing could be better than seeing a child reach for my story on the library shelves.
What events led you into the wonderful world of kidlit publishing?
Justin Colon announced a mentorship opportunity on Twitter (#PBChat) in the summer of 2019. Looking back, I was 100% not ready for a mentorship. I didn’t know nearly enough about the industry or about crafting picture books. But that opportunity introduced me to a fabulous group of critique partners. We are still connected, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without that community of creators.
Stepping into Publishing
About how long did you query literary agents before finding your agent, Natascha Morris? And for our new writers, can you share a little bit about the process of querying agents and what that entails?
I queried for two years before I signed with my agent (Fun fact: she rejected my work in summer 2020. I worked on craft, created a new set of stories, then submitted and signed one year later!)
A little about the process - It is going to take time (like years), and it is going to involve a lot of rejections (like hundreds). So, take your time to create something that speaks to you, take your time to work with critique partners to make it sing, and then take your time to send that work to a curated, specific list of agents. And after all that? Take your time to process any rejections before starting all over again.
After you signed with your agent, how long did it take for you to get your first book deal?
I had an offer for Big Truck Playdate (Beaming Books) before I signed with Natascha. She immediately jumped into the contract negotiations.
Can you tell us about the process of being on submission with editors and how it compares and differs from the querying agent's process?
It is hard, and it is slow! No matter who you’re querying, there are rejections. The only difference is that my agent sends out the queries based on her extensive knowledge and networks. But I still see those rejections. And I still have to figure out a way to take care of and encourage the creator within me to keep going.
Challenges & Motivation
It’s a well-known fact among the writing community that publishing moves sloooowly. Can you tell us what helps you personally to deal with the slow-moving pace?
It is indeed incredibly slowwwwww. I was upset about it after I first went on sub as an agented author. I guess I thought things would move quickly once I got through the “finding an agent” part. It definitely is not any quicker. What do I do to deal with that?
1) Read lots of picture books to keep my head in the industry.
2) Commiserate with my critique partner friends. If there’s one thing that readers take from this interview, it is to find writing buddies. They will keep you going. Honest.
3) I write more stories so I’m not fixating on a timeline that is out of my control.
Were there any challenges you met/or continue to meet during the publishing process? If so, can you share what they were/are and how you dealt /deal with them?
The biggest challenge in the publishing process has been the post-publication life! I have spent my life as a story consumer, and I have spent 4 years as a story creator. But I have only had a few months as a story “business owner”. Putting myself out there for storytime events, checking sales data, and figuring out my website… all of these things are new and challenging to navigate! Asking friends my questions, posting in 12x12, and taking a step back when I feel overwhelmed is always helpful.
What motivates you to continue down the path of publishing?
I sometimes imagine that my heart is lined with paper. I have always felt safe within books, and the quiet welcoming nature of libraries and bookstores is magical. Being part of that space as a creator makes me feel deeply fulfilled. I don’t think I could ever step away.
That's such a beautiful way of thinking about this and expressing it. I firmly believe that writers are always writers in their hearts, whether they're published yet - or ever. It's something that's a part of you. And of course, getting to see your work published is incredibly fulfilling.
Tips & Secrets
What are three things you can think of that were most beneficial in helping your writing career?
1) Critique partners - they are my confidants, cheerleaders, and friends.
2) Libraries - I check out around 30 books per week to study and inform my knowledge of both industry and craft. I type out my favorites to get a look at pacing, language, etc.
3) Contests - those fun challenges that you see on social media are a great way to create drafts, learn from others, and meet awesome people.
Are there any writing tips or secrets that you’ve discovered that you wish you had known sooner? If so, what were they?
1) Type out your favorite picture books to study.
2) Ask questions! Find a trusted community (mine is 12x12, and my critique partners.)
3) Give yourself challenges (Example: Last summer I wrote one new draft per week to jump start my creative mind).
4) If you feel burned out, that’s ok and normal! Take a break (I like to read novels and/or do a ton of critiquing).
Looking back, is there anything that you wish you had done a little differently? If so, what would it be, and how would you change it?
I wish I had done more reviews and library requests from the beginning. It is so incredibly helpful to support authors in that way.
Do you have any words of encouragement to share with a writer or illustrator who’s just starting out?
"You are in the arena," as Teddy Roosevelt said. And that is a big deal. You are going to be upset. You are going to feel defeated. You are going to feel like you want to quit. But guess what? Your stories are worthy, needed, and important. Keep going, and if you need someone to cheer for you, message me.
What’s your all-time favorite part of writing books for kids?
My #1 reason for doing this is because I want children to love reading, to feel connected with the world, and to feel safe and loved. My favorite part of the craft of writing, though? Picture books are a true collaboration of art and words. It is a beautiful puzzle for my mind, and I adore thinking about how pacing, language, concept, and art come together.
Speaking of writing books for kids…
Books! And Where to Find Them
We've arrived at my FAVORITE part of the interview… the part where we talk about books! In particular, YOUR books. Can you share a little bit about your new book, Big Truck Playdate? What's your story about?
In Big Truck Playdate, a boy who is passionate about trucks has trouble connecting with his classmates. When a big truck comes to school and is swarmed by kids, he has to figure out how to advocate for himself in his own unique way before missing a chance to touch the truck.
What was your inspiration for writing it?
Corey is neurodiverse and is inspired mostly by my sister-in-law, Ashley, who has autism. She is passionate about stuffed bears in the same way that Corey loves trucks. And I love how my kids and I connect with her through her bears. Our worlds come together at that intersection.
What do you hope it will do for children/families?
I want children to have exposure to two things:
1) That there are different ways to play, and
2) there are different friendships. Kids can take a risk, put themselves out there, and share their passions with the world.
Was there anything during the illustration process that surprised you?
I was expecting not to hear a lot or see a lot during the process. It’s important to give the illustrator the space and time to create. With that said, I think what surprised me the most was how wonderful it felt to give up that space and time. This story may have started out in my head, but the illustration process transformed that idea into something shared. And that is bigger and better than I could have ever imagined.
Can you tell us a little about your illustrator and what the working experience was like?
Jennica Lounsbury is a Canadian illustrator. Although we’ve never met and we never discussed the book during the publication process, I feel this very cool connection built on mutual support and respect.
Do you have a favorite illustration/spread in the book? If so, which one and why?
I’ve always adored the illustration where Corey is sharing the open road with his classmates. It elevates the text and shows such a deep understanding of friendship, play, and individuality.
Where can we find your book?
Big Truck Playdate is available wherever books are sold. You can check out the links on my website, too!
Favorite Bookstore?
The Curious Iguana in Frederick, Maryland!
Get to Know You
Favorite color?
Blue
Favorite smell?A campsite
Favorite animal?
Barn Owls
Top three guilty pleasure movies?
Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth miniseries!), Overboard, and The Count of Monte Cristo
Top three guilty pleasure songs?Boys of Summer by Don Henley, September by Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Move by Saint Motel
Share a cheesy joke!Q: What did one cow say to the other cow? A: Nice calves!
Tell us something unusual/surprising about yourself that most people don’t know.I can write anything in cursive mirror image. It’s my parlor trick! For some reason, my brain just works that way.
Recommendations and Words of Wisdom
What are three authors/books that you’d recommend everyone read at least once? Oh jeez, this is hard! I am going to keep it broad:
1. Read a banned book.
2. Read a book where the main character is not like you. (I’ve heard this referred to as a “window book” because it gives you a look into another experience.)
3. Read a book where the main character is like you. (I’ve heard this referred to as a “mirror book” because it helps the reader reflect and learn.)
Laurie, I love, love, LOVE these recommendations. Such great words of wisdom here!
Any last words of wisdom for our readers?
Read widely, and read diverse books. There are so many life experiences to grow our compassion and understanding of the world. Also, picture books are for everyone. You can learn so much about the world - physically and emotionally- by reading them.
Thanks so much, Laurie, for taking the time to be here today. Now it's time for the moment you've all been waiting for...
GIVEAWAY PRIZES!
For the month of September, Laurie Carmody is offering ONE of these options to our prize winner:
A signed book. A manuscript critique of a picture book less than 1000 words (no rhyming, please). A 30-minute AMA Zoom call. A 30-minute virtual classroom visit.
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
LIKE this Feature Interview during the month of September 2023. SUBSCRIBE to the blog (already subscribed? You’re one step closer!) COMMENT below this Feature Interview, letting us know which prize you’d like!
Did you enjoy this interview? Support this author by purchasing her book below!Using this direct purchase link also supports this blog.
Author Bio Jess Townes is the author of several picture books, including the forthcoming Sometimes I Cry. A lifelong storyteller, Jess has worked in public education, non-profit development, birth, and lactation services, as a freelance writer and actress, and currently works as a bookseller at Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri, but her favorite part of any job is the connections she builds with other people. She believes there is no better path to those connections than through our stories. Jess lives outside St. Louis with her husband, two teenagers, and two black cats.
Beginnings
It's time for another great FEATURE INTERVIEW. Today, we're welcoming guest Jess Townes to the blog. It’s such a pleasure to have you with us, Jess! I loved learning about your colorful and varied work experiences as a doula and advocate for Spanish speakers in the public school district as well as your history with nonprofit fundraising, among other cool things. So, tell me, what was the series of events that landed you here in the wonderful land of children’s book writing?
There's an expression about endings, I think it originated with Aristotle, that says they should be "surprising, but inevitable," and that's sort of how I feel about landing in the world of children's literature. I did not grow up wanting to become an author. I'm not sure it ever made my list of what I wanted to be when I grew up, and that list was long and varied, from journalist to Rockette to the first female Catholic priest (for the record, I wasn't even Catholic). Yet, I fell in love with children's books at a very young age and never fell out of love long past the age that our culture dictates I should have. I've always been a storyteller, and most of my work has involved advocacy for children, so in a way, though it was a surprise, it was perhaps inevitable that I eventually paired my love for story and my connection with children in this way.
I saw on your author’s website that you memorized Richard Scarry’s illustrations. So, I’m guessing books played a large part in your young childhood. Can you tell us more about some of your favorite childhood book memories and how they influenced you then or maybe still influence you today? Books were a foundational part of my childhood. In early elementary school, I was completely obsessed with The Babysitters Club. I loved and admired all of them. Kristy's leadership, Claudia's artistic talent, Maryanne's empathy, and Stacey's ability to adapt to change. They felt like friends to me, and when I was going through difficult moments in my own life, I turned to them for comfort and consistency. As I got a little older, I discovered Judy Blume, and her books were a revelation. She wrote things that nobody talked about but everyone experienced, and reading them stripped away shame and self-doubt. I believe she shaped the future of children's literature through her vulnerability, and so many of the books I love and sell as a bookseller today might not have ever been published had she not paved the path for them. Another thing I wanted to talk with you about is your day job! I remember you mentioning that you work as a bookseller at an independent bookstore in St. Charles, Missouri (which is so cool)! It seems like a very fitting job for someone who enjoys reading and writing. I work in a library, and I love being surrounded by books and book lovers. I imagine you do too! Can you tell us a little more about the bookstore where you work and what it’s like working there? I love my job at Main Street Books! We are located on a historic cobblestone street in St. Charles, Missouri, where many of the buildings are over two hundred years old. It's a vibrant tourism location that hosts multiple festivals every year, from a floral festival in May to Halloween to Christmas. The street is charming, and you really get to know your neighbor merchants. We are a general interest bookstore, which means we have a little bit of everything, and our staff reads across all genres. I love getting to know our local readers as well as meet people from all over the country who are visiting. Working as a bookseller gives me a behind-the-scenes peek at the other side of publishing, which I find helpful in understanding the industry. And it's always so exciting when I get the chance to sell one of my writer friend's books!
Books & Writing
When it comes to your own writing… do you ever host storytimes or book signings of your books where you work?
Yes, I launched both of my first books with a signing/storytime at Main Street Books. It's my bookish home, so it feels right to start there.
Speaking of your books… let's talk more about those! I know you have Spellbound, which came out in January 2022; Groundhog Gets it Wrong, which came out in January 2023; and your next book, Sometimes I Cry, is coming out THIS Fall! Can you tell us about your newest book?
Sometimes I Cry is definitely the most vulnerable of the books I've published so far. It's an exploration of all the different kinds of moments in life that can move us to tears, and as an easy crier myself, it hits very close to home. Growing up, I sometimes felt ashamed or embarrassed by how easily I cried (I'm that person that cries during commercials, for example), but once I had my own kids, it became important to me to model crying as a normal, healthy part of being human in a complex world. I started to notice the ways that boys, in particular, were discouraged from crying and wondered what our world would look like if men were able to access and express their full range of emotions in healthy ways. This book was born in my part from my desire to help create that world, and I really hope young readers see themselves on its pages.
So now that we've wandered into the territory of one of my all-time favorite topics- books- I'd love to hear a little more in-depth of the behind-the-scenes of the creation of these stories. Can you share a little about how your books were born? What was the inspiration behind them?
Spellbound was inspired by my work as a doula. I had the privilege of watching many families welcome a new baby into their homes and the varied reactions of the existing children. While some became immediate caregivers, others took some time to adjust to a new sibling, and I wanted to honor that reality in a playful but honest way. Groundhog Gets It Wrong was inspired by a winter in my region where the groundhog called for an early spring, and it actually came true! It made me wonder how often this rodent gets it right, which got me thinking about making mistakes and the aftermath of those mistakes.
Book Publishing Territory & Timeline
I know I have a lot of readers who are at different stages of writing and publishing. Some are just starting out with finding a home in the writing community and joining their first critique groups. Others are already a part of the writing community and now have polished manuscripts that they are querying to find an agent. Some are now agented but don't yet have book deals. And others may be agented with multiple book deals. So, I like to ask questions that help give more information about each stage.
I'll start with the beginner questions.
When you first started writing, can you tell us how/where you discovered your writing community? Were there any groups or things that helped, in particular?
There were two groups in particular that were an enormous help to me as a beginner children's writer - the 12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge and SCBWI. I met my first critique group through SCBWI, and they remain close friends and writing partners to this day. I attended workshops and conferences through SCBWI, eventually becoming a Co-RA of my local region. It's hard to imagine my publishing journey without this organization that I have learned so much from. Likewise, 12 x 12 continues to be a huge part of my writing life! The program helped me challenge myself to write drafts and practice craft on manuscripts that I knew would never be published, which for me, is an essential part of the process. But more importantly, I meet writers through this community that understand the ups and downs of the publishing journey and the specificity of picture book writing. I currently serve as a Critique Ninja for 12 x 12, and I am honored to give back to a community that has given me so much.
From the time you first started swapping manuscripts and getting feedback on your work, how long did it take you to start querying agents, and what was that process like?
It took me a long time to be ready to swap manuscripts and seek feedback on my work. I wrote privately for a couple of years before even joining SCBWI and learning about critique groups. Once I did have those groups in place, I started querying agents about six months later and was fortunate to sign with my agent very quickly after that.
Once you started querying, how long did it take you to find your agent match?
I received an offer to revise and resubmit from my current agent within a month of querying agents, and I ended up signing with her a few months after that.
Once you found your agent, how long did it take to get your first book deal?
Much longer! I was with my agent about a year and a half before we had our first offer. We had a couple of other manuscripts go through acquisitions more than once, so I got a lot of experience in getting oh-so-close to a deal but not quite crossing the finish line. This is a part of the process even after multiple book deals. Each time on submission is like starting over.
Discouragements, Set-backs, Words of Wisdom
We've gone over the timeline. Now let's talk a little bit about the in-betweens.
Were there any points throughout your publishing career that you felt discouraged? If so, what/who helped you overcome it?
Yes, of course. So much of publishing is outside our control, and keep in mind that my own publishing timeline fell in the middle of a global pandemic. There has been near constant uncertainty about everything from shipping to supply chains, sales, a changing market, the fate of brick-and-mortar bookstores, book challenges, and bans, the future of AI, etc. I try to remind myself that I can only impact so much. The things inside my control are the stories I write and, to a smaller extent, the ways I share my work in the world. I try to focus on what I can control, as well as the joy I find in the craft of telling a story, instead of the many things outside my control.
What were some of the struggles you faced during your writing career?
Because writing is not my full-time job, it can be a struggle to give my stories the space and time they need to grow into what they could be. Balancing work, family, health challenges, volunteering, and the many things life throws at us with an extra job like writing can be a lot. Sometimes, writing is able to take the front seat and other times, it has to wait patiently in the background. I miss being away from my stories in those seasons, but I trust that something new will always be waiting. I think a lot about this advice from Stephen King - "Put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn't in the middle of the room. Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around."
Are things all breezy and easy now? Explain.
If you've read this far, you probably already know my answer to this! Of course not, but I don't expect there will ever be a season in my writing career where all things are breezy and easy. This is an ever-changing industry with new challenges every day. The best we can do is honor our craft and adjust the best we can. We can remind ourselves of why we write in the first place and follow that "why" as long as it makes sense to you and your life.
Is there anything you know now that you wish you had known earlier on that you think might be helpful for other writers?
This is a hard question because what motivates one person can discourage someone else. I like data. I like understanding the reality of the publishing industry. For me, working as a bookseller has opened my eyes to the absolute miracle it is to get a single book published, ever, much less have that book find a lasting place on the shelf. I know the numbers, I know the odds, and for me, this helps me understand why it is that so many beautifully crafted stories have a hard time finding a publishing home. Recognizing that this is out of my control is freeing to me as a writer and artist. But I always hesitate to share those numbers in a concrete fashion because I've seen it have the opposite impact on others.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I want to thank everyone who has ever shared one of my books with young readers. So much of this process, in the beginning, involves other adults reading your work, but there is something so deeply gratifying about the moment you finally get to share your book with kids. Their reactions, connections, and responses to my work have been the best part of this journey, so thank you to all of you who help make that happen.
Fun questions:
Favorite book(s)- and why? (I'll allow up to 5 because I know choosing favorites is hard).
Impossible! I'm a bookseller! How could you do this to me? ;) How about instead, I name five picture books from recent years that I've loved sharing with young readers?
After the Fall by Dan Santat
Little Witch Hazel by Phoebe Wahl
The Vamos! books by Raul the Third
The Longestletsgoboy by Derick Wilder and Catia Chien
Big and Small and In-Between by Carter Higgins and Daniel Miyares
Favorite color?
Green
Favorite place, real or imagined?
Grand Teton National Park
Favorite quote?
"Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it."
― Mary Oliver
Thank you, Jess for joing us today. And now it's time for...
THE GIVEAWAY PRIZE
This month, Jess is offering multiple-choice prizes. A signed book of your choice! Or, if you’re a teacher or librarian, a 30-minute zoom call with classroom/patrons. (This could be a fun storytime idea!)
QUESTIONS-ANSWERS
How do I enter the giveaway?
Simply like August’s Feature Interview post (the one you’re reading now) and subscribe to the blog. And that’s it! You’re entered.
How long will I have to enter the giveaway? The entire month of August 2023 Deadline: August 31st
Hello again! Welcome to the July FEATURE INTERVIEW. This month I'm excited to introduce you to a special guest, Children's Author, Aya Khalil. Aya is such an inspiration and I cant' wait for you to get to know her a little better. For those of you who might already know her- I'm sure you already know. For those who don't yet- you're in for a treat! So, enjoy the interview. And don't forget to scroll to the bottom to see this month's giveaway prize and how you can be entered to win!
Aya's Bio: Aya Khalil is the award-winning author of The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story, which is an NCTE’s Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book and the winner of the Arab American Book Award, among other honors. She's also the author of Our World: Egypt and forthcoming picture books: The Night Before Eid and The Great Banned Books Bake Sale. Aya holds a master’s degree in education and works as a freelance journalist, whose articles have been featured in The Huffington Post and Brit & Co., among other publications. She immigrated from Egypt to the United States when she was young and currently lives with her partner and three children in Northwest Ohio. Aya invites you to visit her online at: ayakhalil.com
The beginning to publishing:
When did you first know you wanted to pursue writing? Was it something you always loved and envisioned for yourself, or did it begin later?
I've always loved writing. I loved writing poetry and writing in journals. In high school, I really wanted to pursue writing more professionally when I graduated. I graduated from college with a BA in communication and English Literature and also went to get my master's degree in education later.
When and how did your professional journey toward publishing begin?
It wasn't until I had my own kids, and my oldest was about four years old when I knew I wanted to become a children's book author after finding it so hard to find books with Arab and Muslim characters. So, this was about six years ago. I was also working at a diverse school and wished there were more diverse books that represented the diverse student population. So, I got to work.
What were some of the first steps you had to take?
I joined a local SCBWI critique group and spent hours at my local library reading new picture books. I listened to publishing podcasts, YouTube videos and did a lot of googling. Later I joined 12x12 and took classes at Highlights and InkedVoices, and Writing Barn.
For authors/illustrators who may be just starting out, do you have any suggestions on first steps or recommendations on sites/groups they could visit/join?
I wish I had taken more craft classes during those earlier years with Highlights or Writing Barn or joined 12x12. But I didn't know about them! Those places are truly gems, and there are affordable options as well! There are also great resources online, like Josh Funk's Free resources and Storystorm.
Road Bumps, Tips, Encouragement:
Throughout the publishing process, are there any challenges you’ve personally had to face and if so, how were you able to overcome them?
I faced a ton of challenges. Contrary to some belief, as an Arab American Muslim, it was very hard breaking into the industry. It's also still challenging being on submission, and I still get a lot of rejections. It's still part of the industry and part of the job. It's not personal. You write, you submit, and you get rejected. No matter how many awards your book has gotten or if your previous book was bought at auction. Also, my debut picture book, The Arabic Quilt, illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan was on a banned list in 2021. There's more information about it here. But right after that, my publisher told me that two districts bought a total of 22,000 copies of the book! So, I knew the problem wasn't the book. They also asked me if I would be interested in writing another, and I was thrilled. I wrote The Great Banned Books Bake Sale, which comes out on August 1st.
Do you have any people in your life who have been especially helpful in offering support?
Yes, so many. I'm not sure where to start and don't want to miss anyone, but I have great support from author friends, and I don't know where I would be without them. We get on calls together at random times, send voice notes to each, and even send WhatsApp messages to each other at odd hours throughout the day. I am extremely grateful for them all, and you know who you are! I am also grateful for my Kidlit in Color team and Highlight Foundation Muslim fellows.
We all know that publishing is a very special industry in which a lot of beauty and excitement await us. But there are also many slow moments… and sometimes disappointment. For people who may not have friends/family who are familiar with the inner workings of the publishing industry and who don’t yet have a writing community to lean on for advice/encouragement, do you have any motivational words of wisdom or recommendations on how to handle the discouraging moments of publishing?
It's very discouraging and just part of the process, so always remind yourself of that. Sometimes it's okay to take a step back and say okay, I'm getting a ton of rejections with similar feedback; let’s fix this. Then go back to your critique partners, take more craft classes, and work on it. And also, sometimes, it's okay to set books to the side and revisit them later. Maybe a few years from now, you'll find an agent or editor who is looking for a similar concept. So it's okay to be upset about it, but just keep writing.
Books, inspiration, and illustration:
I always love talking with authors about this subject. It’s always such a happy thing to share! So, I know this year had three books scheduled to come out. One is already here and two are on their way. Can you tell us a little bit about them?
Yes! The Night Before Eid, illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh came out in March of 2023, and it's about three generations bonding of Eid treats. It's such a special picture book for many different reasons, but especially because it's the childhood Eid book of my dreams.
The Great Banned Books Bake Sales comes out in August and is a companion to The Arabic Quilt and illustrated by Anait Kanzi and her classmates find out that the new diverse books are not in the library, and so she and her classmates come up with a plan: a protest and bake sale to get the books back on the shelf!
My First Book of Arabic Words comes out in October and is illustrated by Chaymaa Sobhy and is an ABC book on Arabic Language and Culture which I am so excited about as well.
What was your inspiration behind these stories?
The Night Before Eid's inspiration was all of the joy and love that's connected to Eid and the night before Eid in our family. The Great Banned Books Bake Sale's inspiration is loosely based on true stories of when The Arabic Quilt was banned, and I talked about it in the backmatter. For My First Book of Arabic Words, the publisher approached me, and I was thrilled because I would've loved to see something similar to this growing up in a bilingual Arabic-English household, plus my kids are also bilingual English-Arabic speakers, and I think they'll love it, especially Chaymaa's vibrant illustrations.
Let’s talk a little about illustration. I’ve had a lot of people ask me about illustration. Many people who aren’t in publishing are surprised to learn that picture book writers don’t always illustrate their own stories and they also don't get to pick them *usually*. Since you are a writer, not an illustrator, I’d love to hear a little about what that is like.
Yes! Publishers usually do choose the illustrators. For The Arabic Quilt, Anait did an incredible job, and she's an immigrant herself! With The Night Before Eid also, Rashin's work is stunning. For My First Book of Arabic Words, I actually recommended Chaymaa Sobhy to the editor as I was a huge fan of her work, and I was so excited when she was available! Plus, she's Egyptian, so it's very exciting to work with her.
Here's a question for my readers who are still in the query trenches:
What is the querying process like when sending queries to an agent as just a text writer?
It's challenging, and we see many agents saying they only want author-illustrators. It's been a few years since I queried, but I hear it's even tougher now. I would say just keep working on your craft and connect with other writers who are also querying so you can talk/vent about it!
For my readers who are newly agented with a publishing deal but haven’t yet had their manuscripts matched with an illustrator, what is that process like?
Sometimes that takes a really long time! I'm talking months and months. So just wait and know that editors and trying their best to match your beautiful words with the best illustrator for it. They're investing a lot of money into everything and pay attention to all of the detail.
You need a lot of patience in this industry. Querying, being on submission, waiting for your contract, waiting on being matched with the illustrator, waiting for the illustrations, waiting for it to be printed, and the list goes on. It's a long process, but it's worth the wait.
While we’re talking about illustration, I wanted to take a moment to mention your illustrators:
What was your experience working with them individually? How involved were you, if at all with the illustration side of things? Did you have an opportunity to offer any input? Examples?
I was sent sketches and asked for feedback. I sent some minor suggestions and tweaks here and there for both. I think for the Eid book, I did have in the text that Zain had curly hair, but the sketches weren't too clear if his hair was clear or straight, so I wanted to make sure it was curly.
This question goes along with the last question, but I wanted to list it separately because I think this is an area that deserves specific attention. What are your thoughts on art notes? Do you use them? If so, how much and how often do you implement them?
I do as needed! I tend to write longer picture books, so I try to use them to make my word count shorter (haha)! I don't think I used them that much for The Night Before Eid, though, or The Great Banned Books Bake Sale.
Were there any things that surprised you about the illustration process? Explain.
That it's really hard to change things once the colors go in! So really take many looks during the sketches and early illustrations. And this isn't surprising, but illustrators do so much research themselves too and a lot of work goes into it all.
Do you have a favorite spread in each book that you’d like to share? If so, what’s your favorite part about them and why?
The last spread of The Night Before Eid is so cozy and like a big hug, but I love it all. The Great Banned Books Bake Sale there are many, but I love all the ones where the classmates are together because it shows unity and solidarity, especially at the end!
Any final words of encouragement to share with our readers today?
Keep reading current books in the genre you write, take craft classes, it's okay to put work to the side for a bit (or for years or forever), and believe in yourself and your work.
Such a great interview, Aya. Thank you for sharing your inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement. And congratulations again on your new books! I will make sure we have all your books ordered for my library.
Now it’s time to talk prizes…
For the month of July, anyone who:
1.Leaves a comment on the July Feature Interview- before or by July 31st…
2.And likes & subscribes to the blog…
Will automatically be entered into the GIVEAWAY PRIZE DRAWING!
It’s that simple.
This month, Aya is offering an exciting prize!
A FREE copy of her new book, The Great Banned Books Bake Sale, scheduled to come out in August of 2023.
So, what are you waiting for? Get those comments/likes/subscribes in!
Please note: IF YOU'RE ALREADY SUBSCRIBED TO THE BLOG, YOU WILL STILL BE ENTERED INTO THE GIVEAWAY DRAWING FOR LEAVING A COMMENT AND LIKE.
Thanks for reading!
Speaking of readers…
Is there anything you’re dying to ask an author?
Leave your suggested question in the comments section below for a chance to see it answered in a future Feature Interview!
Hello again, friends, and welcome to another fantastic FEATURE INTERVIEW. This month I'm talking with visiting guest, Nancy Churnin.
Nancy’s Bio: Nancy Churnin is an award-winning children’s book author who writes about people that inspire children to be kind and make the world a better place. Her Dear Mr. Dickens won the 2021 National Jewish Book Award and 2022 Sydney Taylor Honor and is a Junior Library Guild Selection, a National Federation of Press Women 1st Place winner, and on the Bank Street College Best Children’s Books list. Nancy is the author of 10 picture book biographies and will welcome six more books -- a mix of chapter books, a board book, historical fiction, and contemporary fiction in 2023. Additional honors include: two Sydney Taylor Notables, four Social Studies Notable Trade Books for Young People; the South Asia Book Award, two Children and Teen's Choice Book Awards finalists; starred reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly; and multiple state book lists. Nancy lives in North Texas. Her books come with free teacher guides, resources, and projects on her website, nancychurnin.com.
Beginnings & Inspiration
How did you end up here in the wonderful and magical world of publishing children’s books?
I had always dreamed of writing children’s books like the wonderful books my mother read to me – books that could enchant, teach, challenge, books that could make you think and aspire to do better and be better, books that could take you on magical and inspiring journeys. But it was not until I had become a journalist and struck an unexpected friendship with Steve Sandy that I felt the urgency to make that dream happen without any more delay. My friend Steve is a Deaf historian and it is his dream that more people know about the great Deaf baseball player and hero William Hoy. I felt compelled to write the book that my friend needed to have in the world.
When did you first begin your journey in publishing, and what was that process like?
I promised Steve in 2003 that I would write a children’s book about William Hoy. But The William Hoy Story, which became my picture book debut, didn’t come out until 2016! As a journalist, I thought the journey would be fast and easy. After a mountain of rejections, I began to realize I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I took many online classes, including classes by Susanna Hill and Mira Reisberg, I joined critique groups, Rate Your Story and as soon as I found out about the 12X12 Challenge, I joined that in 2013. It was through 12X12 that I found my agent, Karen Grencik, whom I submitted to when she was the agent of the month in July 2013. After another year of rejections for Hoy – but this time personalized and encouraging – I revised again and we sold the new revision at the first submission in 2014 to Wendy McClure at Albert Whitman & Company. Karen is still my agent and friend and I’m about to sign my 20th contract.
The Beast of Publishing: Steps & Timeframe
I know I have people reading my blog who are in different stages of the publishing/writing process.
Some are just starting out.
Others are seeking representation.
Some are already agented but don’t have any book deals (YET)!
And some already have book deals or previously published works.
But for our newer writers who are just beginning, they often face similar ones to that we all wonder…
“How long will this take?”
“What now? What NEXT?”
Could you give us a rough idea about what necessary steps you took or would recommend taking, and what the publishing timeframe was like for you; from querying to landing an agent- signing with an agent to landing a first publishing deal - and first publishing deal to first publication date?
At first, I approached this as a journalist – seeing a story in terms of a word count and a beginning, middle, and end. It took me a while to realize that there was a complexity and craft to children’s books and that I had to reach deep inside to find and show – not tell – my emotional connection to the story. I had to read many picture books and study how they were put together and how they made me feel. I learned in my classes, the craft books, from my critique partners, and from my writing groups about leaving room for the illustrator, changing scenes, and creating page turns. I learned to have patience with the process. Even when I finally landed that first acceptance in 2014, it took two years before The William Hoy Story debuted in March 2016. But what I had also learned was not to sit around and wait for the next thing to happen. Once I was on this journey, I was on the journey for good, knowing that I can’t control the pace of publishing, but I can control the time and passion I devote to creating new stories. So even before The William Hoy Story came out, I had sold my second book, Manjhi Moves a Mountain, to Marissa Moss at Creston Books. That came out in 2017, followed by three more books in 2018.
Is there anything or anyone who significantly helped you to get to where you are today?
Too many to name! I will say that Susanna Hill’s and Mira Reisberg’s classes were game-changers in getting me to understand the craft journey I was starting. My early critique partners and still friends, Miranda Paul and Vivian Kirkfield provided amazing support and inspiration when I needed it most. I am grateful to my first editors, Wendy McClure and Albert Whitman, and Marissa Moss at Creston Books, for giving a debut author a chance. My husband and family never stopped believing in and encouraging me when I needed that extra reassurance that I wasn’t crazy for pursuing this path; my husband still embarrasses me in the most endearing way by handing out my book cards wherever we go. I’m thankful for the generosity of kidlit groups like Kidlit411 that offer a bounty of support and advice every day. I adore the wonderful educators and librarians and the children who sustain and propel me every day. I am grateful for the individuals and organizations that continue to encourage my writing and keep me learning, like PJ Library, which provides free books for children and just sent me on the most amazing author journey to Israel. But also – and this is key – I couldn’t do it without the people I write about and the people who turn to me to write about them. I would never have written The William Hoy Story without the support and help of Steve Sandy, who never lost faith in me on the 13-year journey between promise and publication, and the kind and generous Hoy family. Years after I wrote Charlie Takes His Shot, How Charlie Sifford Broke the Color Barrier in Golf, I am grateful for my continued friendship with and support of Dr. Sifford’s family and friends. I only write about people I love and admire. When I commit to writing their stories, they are on the journey with me, and it is their spirit that guides me and strengthens me on the path to bringing their life into the light.
Writing Tips, Shared Wisdom, and Writing Across Genres
Throughout the publishing process, has there been anything that really surprised you? Or have there been any obstacles you’ve had to overcome? If so, what were they, and how did you do so?
I was surprised by how long the journey to publication can be and how tricky it can be to determine if a story is not finding a home because it isn’t where it needs to be or because you haven’t found the editor who shares your vision. Often it is a combination of both! You need an editor who shares your vision, but you also need to keep working until the story is the best version of itself it can possibly be and then be open and willing to keep working on it with the editor and editorial team. It never bothers me to make changes. In fact, it uplifts and delights me every time I find a way to make the story better, stronger, and truer. We are all working together to create a book that lasts, and the work is about the story always – we are all on the same side, working for a story that is ship-worthy, that children can take out and sail in the sea of their imagination.
I love that mental attitude and metaphor of children setting sail in the sea of their imagination!
Sometimes in life, when we look back, we think, “I wish I had known this or that sooner… it would have helped so much!” Is there anything that you wish you had known earlier as a writer that you’d be able to share with other writers today?
I wish I had known earlier what I share with kids now on my school visits: that you don’t fail until you give up; that as long as you keep going, it’s just a question of how long it takes to succeed. I knew enough of that truth not to give up, but in the beginning, I also struggled with frustration and doubt when I couldn’t seem to deliver what I had promised in getting Hoy’s story published. There are still some stories that take longer than others to get right or to get a publishing home or both, but I now have patience and determination on the journey. I don’t give myself a hard time when something doesn’t click. I just keep working on that story and other stories. I put in the time and know that each journey takes as long as it takes.
It was mentioned earlier that you write across genres. You have picture book biographies, board books, historical fiction, etc. Can you tell us more about how you started out and managed to navigate different genres of writing in publishing?
I love reading all genres of books and wanted to expand my range of writing. At the same time, I realized that if I wanted to try writing a different format I had to have an idea that fit that format. When I thought about a board book, I thought about the toddlers I know. I thought about the great-grandchildren visiting my now elderly mother and how much joy that brings her. Soon, the idea of a board book emerged that involved an elderly person alone until there are knocks on a door and a family arrives bringing food and cheer. To anchor the book on 10 spreads, I made it a counting book from one to ten and soon I had Counting on Shabbat, a 58-word rhyming board book about counting, Shabbat, and kindness that I hope will inspire kids to reach out to the elders in their lives and communities.
On my school visits, many of the upper elementary students had asked if I write chapter books. So it was a longstanding goal of mine to someday be able to say yes! The chapter books that I have coming out in June were a natural evolution from picture book biographies to chapter book biographies. Thomas Edison, How a Boy Who Learned Differently Changed the World, and Elizabeth Freeman, Fighting for Freedom are my first work-for-hire books. They are published by Core Knowledge, a non-profit that shares my mission of writing stories about heroes that inspire kids to be heroes, too. I took on these assignments because I admire Edison and Freeman and also to push myself to write longer. I confess that after I agreed to do them, I panicked. But after being reassured by my editor that I could indeed pull this off, I got to work and enjoyed the opportunity to show more detail about the lives of my subjects. In fact, once I got going, I had to make an effort to cut back!
Do you have any tips that you can share for writers who may be interested in breaking into writing across genres themselves?
Just do it. I am a great believer in craft courses. I’ve taken them. I’ve given them at conferences, at SCBWI, and at The Writing Barn in Austin. At the same time, it’s important to remember that you can learn things through the actual act of writing that you can’t learn from studying writing. I took a chapter book class that I enjoyed, and I know it helped me, but nothing substitutes for making a plan, following it, sometimes breaking the plan, getting it down on paper, and then revising until I get the story where it needs to be. One more piece of advice: find yourself, someone you trust to be your reader. For my board book, my critique partners were invaluable. For my chapter books, I turned to my good friend Patricia Sarles, the coordinator of library services at the New York City School Library System, as my first reader. Her excellent notes helped me see and write more clearly.
New Books and Extra Resources!
Speaking of writing across genres… this year was a big year for you! In 2023 you had six new books come out. That must be so exciting. We’d love to share in that excitement with you and hear more about them!
Thank you for asking about my book babies!
Coming up first in June are my two chapter book biographies with Core Knowledge.
Thomas Edison, How A Boy Who Learned Differently Changed the World is the story of the great inventor with a focus on how Edison’s differences – his Deafness and how he learned differently – became his strengths. I hope his story helps children see how their differences can be their strengths, too.
Elizabeth Freeman, Fighting for Freedom, is the story of an enslaved woman in Massachusetts who used the newly approved state constitution’s words about freedom to sue for her own freedom in court. She won, which led to Massachusetts becoming one of the nation’s first free states. Freeman had a firm inner sense of right and wrong, of her own worth, and of everyone’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I hope her story inspires kids to reach within for their moral compass, to know their self-worth, and support everyone’s rights.
Coming up in September are two picture books.
Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern, Halloween Comes to America is my first historical fiction book. I’ve always loved Halloween, and I wanted to share how this favorite holiday was a gift from immigrants. Lila and her family leave Ireland in 1850 because of the Potato Famine. Lila and her little brother and sister worry about leaving favorite traditions behind, like Halloween, where they carved turnips to scare away a spirit named Jack. In America, Lila can’t find turnips. But she finds a new friend, Julia, at a vegetable stand. And in this story about how immigrants have merged their traditions with ours to create new American gifts, she finds a strange gourd – a pumpkin – that she and Julia carve, giving America its own twist on the Irish holiday celebration.
Mama’s Year with Cancer is my first co-authored book, co-authored with Shayna Vincent. Shayna, a young mother with breast cancer, couldn’t find the book she wanted to share with her daughters about what to know about living with cancer, so I proposed that we write the book she wanted to have in the world. Mama’s Year with Cancer is told by a child and takes you from January through December, through a messy, loving, challenging journey until Mama rings the bell that shows her chemotherapy is done.
Coming in November is a picture book biography and my first board book.
Valentines for All, Esther Howland Captures America’s Heart is a picture book biography of Esther Howland, who got the idea of creating and selling Valentine cards that would help people who struggle with words express what they had in their hearts. She created the first American Valentine’s card company in the early 1800s.
I shared earlier about my board book, Counting on Shabbat. I hope this 58-word rhyming story about an elderly person surprised and delighted by a visit from a young family encourages families to visit the seniors and those who are alone in our communities.
I saw that your website offers educational resources with your books. I’m a huge fan of books that come with extras! There are so many great ways to utilize them. They’re helpful to educators and students and make a terrific asset to schools and classrooms. But they aren’t just wonderful in school settings, they can also be extremely useful to parents/caregivers and librarians too. I know for my STEAM Homeschool Students, whom I host in the library every month, I love sharing newly discovered resources with the parents who visit. Books like these are so helpful to these families. Can you tell us a little about some of the resources that you offer, what they include, and how people can find out more about them?
My mother is a retired teacher, and it is very important to me to provide teacher guides, resources, and projects for every one of my books. I have a dedicated page for each book on my website. Because so many of the books are based on real people, my resources include primary sources, photos, and videos of the real people when available. I commission the teacher guides from educators that connect the book with curriculum. There is always a project and an opportunity to share pictures of the children’s work on the project pages. For example, the project for The William Hoy Story is HOY FOR THE ALL. Kids send pictures of persuasive letters they write and send to the National Baseball Baseball Hall of Fame, asking for Hoy to be inducted; he would be the first Deaf player honored there. For Manjhi Moves a Mountain, it is MOVE YOUR OWN MOUNTAIN. Manjhi moved an actual mountain to help his village, but every time we help others, we move mountains. Kids send pictures of kind things they’ve done, and I post them and praise them for moving mountains. The new books will have projects, too. The project for Counting on Shabbat is COUNTING ON KINDNESS.
Time for some easy questions.
Favorite color?
All. I love rainbows!
Favorite smell?
Lilacs
Favorite animal?
All. I don’t want to get in trouble picking between my dog and cats, and besides, I just fell in love with a camel on my trip to Israel :)
Favorite book(s)? I’ll allow up to five because I know choosing favorite books is very hard…
The Wizard of Oz, A Tale of Two Cities, The Last of the Just, The Color Purple, The Chronicles of Narnia… (may have different answers on different days)...
Sweet or salty?
Both, but my real faves are crispy, chewy, and crunchy!
Beach or mountains?
Both! Although my magical childhood summers in the Catskill Mountains may give mountains the edge.
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful answers today, Nancy. We appreciate your time and wisdom and loved hearing about all your new stories and your publishing journey.
Now... it's time for our GIVEAWAY PRIZE(S)! Ooh. Did anyone notice that unsuspicious "s" at the end of that word? Yes, it's true. This month Nancy is offering TWO giveaway prizes.
Prize 1: An "ask me anything" zoom call.
Prize 2: A free copy of one of her books- winner's choice!
In order to be entered to win this month's giveaway prize, simply LIKE this feature interview, SUBSCRIBE to the blog, AND LEAVE A COMMENT on this month's feature interview post with "PRIZE 1" or "PRIZE 2."
And PRESTO! You're entered.
Did you enjoy this interview? Support this author by purchasing one of their books below!Using these direct purchase links also supports this blog.
Mama's Year with Cancer
Written by Nancy Churnin and Shayna Vincent
Illustrated by Wazza Pink
Published by Albert Whitman, September 7, 2023
Genre: Picture Book, Contemporary Fiction
Valentines for All, Esther Howland Captures America's Heart
Written by Nancy Churnin
Illustrated by Monika Róza Winiewska
Published by Albert Whitman, November 7, 2023
Genre: Picture Book, Biography
Lila and the Jack-O'-Lantern, Halloween Comes to America
Written by Nancy Churnin,
Illustrated by Anneli Brey
Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction
Published by Albert Whitman, September 7, 2023
Counting on Shabbat
Written by Nancy Churnin,
Illustrated by Petronela Dostalova
Genre: Board Book
Published by Kar-Ben Publishing, November 7, 2023
Thomas Edison, How a Boy Who Learned Differently Changed the World
Written by Nancy Churnin,
Published by Core Knowledge, June 2023
Elizabeth Freeman, Fighting for Freedom
Written by Nancy Churnin
Published by Core Knowledge, June 2023
Nancy's books will be available at independent bookstores at https://www.indiebound.org/
on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and through their individual publishers.
Welcome back to THE BLOG! This month I’m pleased to introduce you to not one but two special guests! That’s right… this month is a DOUBLE Feature Interview! Please welcome, Marzieh Abbas!
Marzieh's Bio
Raised between the bustling cities of Dubai, U.A.E, and Karachi, Pakistan, Marzieh loves traveling, reading, and samosas. She is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, and a graduate of the Lyrical Language Lab, Children's Book Academy, and Storyteller Academy. She is active on Twitter, where she continues to form connections with the Writing Community, runs a kidlit review group on Facebook, and blogs about her author journey and life in Pakistan on Instagram.
Marzieh was thoughtful enough to ask if the illustrator for her new book A DUPATTA IS could join us on the interview today… and of course, I said yes!! It’s not every day I get to interview an author and illustrator -especially ones working on the same project. So, right off the bat, we’re in for a treat.
Let’s start with Marzieh’s portion of the interview questions…
First off, I love asking my guests: what landed you in the crazy and magical world of publishing?
PPD! As crazy as it sounds, I had to shut down my home-run cake business of nine years when my second born was just under a year old. I just couldn’t cope. Later I found out I hadn’t fully recovered from PPD and felt overwhelmed with all the juggling I had been doing. I began writing letters to my children and Quran journaling in an attempt to process my feelings. I had never dreamed of publishing a book, and although I enjoyed jotting down thoughts from time to time, they weren’t very eloquent. I was missing my baking business so much I subconsciously ended up writing a story about a mom with two kids who enjoyed baking. It was also Ramadan at the time, and I incorporated that special time of the year for Muslims into the story too. All this culminated in two books with Islamic publishers. I soon realized I could write for non-Muslim kids too! That’s when I stumbled upon the Children’s Book Academy course, won a partial scholarship, and the world of traditional publishing invited me in.
I know the big question for many writers is: “When is my career going to take off?? How long??” and the answer can vary greatly, depending on many different variables. For instance, which route of publication you decide to take… whether it’s submitting directly to a small house or trying to find an agent, or approaching it from the independent side. Can you give us an idea of the time frame of your publishing journey so far?
Mira’s CBA course ran in the fall of 2019. I began querying in March 2020 with only two completed manuscripts. I signed with my agent, the lovely Lynnette Novak, in August 2020, and my first book, A DUPATTA IS… sold in October 2020 (the contract was signed in January 2021, though.) And it just released on April 11th, 2023!
What avenue of publishing did you decide to go with? And can you elaborate on some of the steps you took to get there?
My Islamic books sold before I signed with my agent. The Muslim publishers work differently, and the process isn’t nearly as rigorous as the (secular) traditional publishing route. After Mira’s course, I was convinced I wanted to go the traditional publishing route and not self-publish. I also saw the benefits of signing with an agent and invested a lot of time scanning MSWL and browsing Query Tracker, so I knew I was querying the agents who were interested in the kind of stories I was writing. I joined SCBWI in 2020, and The Book was also a very helpful guide, as were the Blue Boards on the forum. I sent Lynnette my work in March 2020. She liked my manuscript and asked me to send her more work. I did, and she didn’t connect with the other story I queried her with. I then went on to invest in professional query critiques with a couple of authors. I polished my work and sent out another round of queries, this time using another manuscript, around June 2020. I also queried Joyce Sweeny of The Seymour Agency at this time. She wrote back saying her PB client list was full and she’d shared it with her colleagues, and Lynnette loved it and would get in touch. When Lynnette did touch base, I told her I had already sent her my work previously, but it had gone through considerable revisions since. She loved my work and wanted to have ‘The Call.’ I alerted the other agents who were considering, and two more agents were interested. I was in the process of sending them more material, and subsequently, we were setting up times for calls when I spoke to Lynnette. I watched all the Bookends Agency videos on which questions to ask during the call. I literally asked her any and everything I had concerns about, even the sticky questions. She was happy to answer all my questions, and we connected so well during the call. I also had a friend check date on Publishers Marketplace for me. Lynnette’s sales were the most impressive, and before I got off the call, my decision was made!
In total, I sent out approximately 30 queries.
Wow. That is incredible! I love your persistence. And I'm glad you mention the Bookends Channel. Bookends videos are definitely a wonderful resource to use as a helpful guide at pretty much all stages of the publishing process. (For any of our readers who are interested in entering the publishing world and aren't familiar with the Bookends Channel, I greatly encourage you to check it out HERE).
So, here's the next question. How many books do you currently have published?
Traditional PB publishing debut: A DUPATTA IS…
Early Reader Chapter Books: Nadia & Nadir series, ABDO Publishing
I also have several upcoming children’s books, including:
● AWE-SAMOSAS (Clarion, 2024)
● HENNA IS...(Feiwel and Friends, 2024)
● YASMEEN LARI, GREEN ARCHITECT (Clarion, 2024)
And some unannounced projects I can’t speak about yet 🙂
ALWAYS exciting hearing about new books!!
I know writing can be solitary. Did you have anyone who supported or inspired you throughout this process?
I have no friends or family who quite understood what I was doing at the beginning. Being a writer or a freelancer isn’t very common here in Pakistan. I found my community online through a critique group I formed through SCBWI, friends I met virtually at classes I took with The Writing Barn, and in 2021 I joined the 12x12PB Challenge and love the sense of community there. I’ve made awesome connections through the KIDLIT411, Manuscript Swap group on FB, the #WritingCommunity and the 5 am WritersClub on Twitter, the Desi Kidlit Community, and the Traditionally published and Agented Muslim writer’s group on FB. As I geared up for the launch of my debut book, I also joined Street Teams, PBSpree, The Dream Team, and Kidlit Works! They’ve been so supportive, and we even swap manuscripts. I also volunteered to be a mentor through the PBRising Stars program last year and made many author friends there. Groups like ‘Agented Authors’ and ‘On Sub’ and a Slack group called The Rockets have made the whole writing and submission process much less lonely.
Thank you for sharing all of this information with us, Marzieh. These are all fantastic suggestions and places to visit. I was familiar with most all of the ones mentioned but a few stood out as something new. I hadn't heard of 5 AM WritersClub or Desi Kidlit Community, so it was awesome to learn more about them throughout the interview process.
So, what would you say is the biggest challenge you’ve had to face as a writer? And what helped you through it?
I feel like I’m constantly wondering if my next book will sell. The process is different for every book, and the pressure actually keeps mounting, with option clauses and non-compete clauses kicking in as more books come under contract. I am still struggling to keep myself from falling into this trap. The pressure of ‘what’s next?’ can cripple creativity. And sometimes, when you’re active on social media, it becomes even more challenging. My advice would be to focus on what brings you joy, write in several age categories, take frequent SM breaks, share stories of your struggles as much as sharing stories of your failure, and just go with the flow. This is a very unpredictable industry, and there’s no use in trying to crack the code of success!
If you could offer one piece of helpful advice to a new writer… what would it be?
Keep honing your craft through conferences, webinars, and tuning into podcasts. Keep revising your stories, as all the magic happens during revision!
Great advice!
Okay… now for some exciting book talk. I know April 11th was the scheduled release of your debut picture book, A DUPATTA IS. Which, no doubt, you’re THRILLED about. Since we have the special opportunity of having your illustrator here today as well, I wanted to ask you a few questions about this project.
From what I’ve heard from some other authors and illustrators in the publishing industry, usually, the author and illustrator don’t really have much contact- if any at all- throughout the process of the project.
Can you tell us about your working experience with your illustrator, Anu?
Anu and I communicated often. My editor, Emily Settle, and Art Director, Mariam Quraishi, asked for my input often during the process. I pitched in at every stage of the process, from character design to final cover choice. Anu wanted to make sure all the depictions of dupattas from different regions of Pakistan were accurate. It was an amazing, collaborative process, and I hope that shines through. I’m also so lucky to be collaborating with the same team on a companion book, HENNA IS…, which releases in July 2024.
Is there anything that surprised you about the illustrations in A DUPATTA IS?
Since Anu is also South Asian, I knew she would be familiar with the culture of the region. But when I saw her drawings of the girl in her grandma’s room, it brought tears to my eyes. The furniture in the room, right down to the wooden bangle stand, reminded me of my own grandma’s room! Magical!
Do you have a favorite spread of images in the story?
It’s hard to pick a favorite (they’re all so beautiful, and Anu is so so talented)!, but I love the page with the hijabi bride best.
Thank you so much for sharing, Marzieh! It's been an absolute treat having you with us.
And now it's time for this month's...
In order to throw your name into GIVEAWAY ring, all you have to do is:
LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW ON THIS BLOG POST.
And that's it! It's a piece of cake.
Now, I'd like to welcome our next guest today, Anu Chouhan!
Anu's Bio
Anu Chouhan is a Punjabi-Canadian illustrator and video game artist. A trained animator and character designer with a background in game development, Anu often combines her love of her cultural heritage into her art, as well as always being inspired by anime, nature, and global fashion. Her unique, edgy, and energetic art has been featured by the CBC, the BBC, Harper’s Bazaar Bride India, The Times of India, and The Times of London.
How did you end up in the publishing world? What led you here? Where did it all begin?
I was very lucky that my amazing agent Thao Le reached out to me on Twitter. At the time, I was actively trying to get more freelance work and was sharing my work through hashtags like #PortfolioDay and #SouthAsianArtists. When we connected, I indicated that I was interested in illustrating books as well as working on my own picture book. Since then, Thao has helped me work on 7 books, including one written and illustrated by me!
How thrilling! It's wonderful to hear that hashtags like this can help people make illustrative connections within the publishing industry.
Has art always played a role in your life in some aspect? If so, how?
I have enjoyed drawing as a hobby ever since I was little. I work full-time in the game industry, and illustration is often a big part of that. But making time for my personal art and freelance projects like books every now and then is also very fulfilling.
I can imagine! I believe finding balance is a key component to a living a happy and fulfilling life. And it sounds like you've managed to successfully do this.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey in children’s illustration?
I have been illustrating picture books and graphic novels since 2020. At that time, working on books was my main focus. Nowadays, I'm back to working at a studio, so it's important for me to find balance. But often, working on picture books is a fun way to shift my creative gears.
I know you’re trained in animation and character design, and you also have a background in mobile game development, which is SO cool. I’m curious… in what ways does your illustrative work differ from these? And what are the similarities, if any?
With studio work, you're often working within a specific style that's already been established based on the property. With my own art, and often with my books, it's a way for me to establish my own style of art. I've been lucky in that a lot of publishers and art directors have granted me creative freedom when it comes to how I visually interpret the stories; this was definitely the case with A DUPATTA IS... But that said, my drawing style from standalone illustrations vs books is also quite different!
When it comes to your illustration, can you share with us what your creative process like?
I track my tasks by writing in my planner (feels better than using a calendar app). I try to give myself ample research and sketching time before I begin working on a book so that I'm not coming up with ideas on the fly later (although sometimes, that has happened with awesome results). When it comes to my own drawings, I like to sketch on paper and let inspiration come to me slowly. Forcing an illustration when I'm tired or uninspired has never worked out successfully for me.
I love this so much. And I completely agree! I find personally with my writing, if I try to "force" creativity, vs letting it come naturally, even if I do manage to get words on a page, the quality isn't the same. I say it all the time: creativity is an art form, and as Toy Story 2 taught us, "you can't rush art"!
Are there any challenges that you’ve had to face within the publishing/illustration arena? If so, what were they, and how did you overcome them?
I think that fair wages are a big issue within the arts. There are many gigs out there that don't pay artists what they are worth, and it is important for us to approach projects carefully and understand what is worth our time and what is not. I've been learning a lot about this within the publishing industry, but thankfully my agency is really good at guiding me!
Thank you for sharing this! I'm sure that this will help a lot of illustrators to make sure that they're getting paid properly.
And for our last question today, if you could share one piece of creative wisdom with other illustrators and artists looking to break into the publishing industry, what would it be?
Speaking from experience, it is really important to know when to say "no" to a project. There be times when there are gaps between projects, but there will also be times when a bunch of overlapping gigs will come in at once! It's tempting to say yes to all of them, but it's not worth sacrificing your mental health!
It's important to take breaks and make time for other aspects of life. Also, remember to stretch your back muscles often lol.
Thank you, Anu. These are fantastic pieces of advice to end our interview on.
It's okay to say "NO," don't forget to STRETCH and give yourself time to relax!
That wraps up our DOUBLE FEATURE INTERVIEW for May. Thanks for visiting the blog! I hope this interview helped answer some of your writing/illustrating questions. If there's ever a question you'd love to have answered, LEAVE IT IN THE COMMENTS below.
Did you enjoy this interview? Thank the author & host by purchasing a copy of one of their books. By using the links listed here, you’ll be supporting the author and this blog!
Purchase Nadia and Nadir: Hurricane HelpersHERE Purchase Nadia and Nadir: Lunch in the Leaves HERE
To discover more fantastic books and writing related items, make sure tovisit my shop!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS…
Connect with Marzieh:
FB: MarziehAbbas
IG: marziehabbas_author
Twitter: MarziehAbbas
Website: www.marziehabbas.com
Marzieh's Books:
Hamza's Pyjama Promise. Sun Behind the Cloud Publishing, UK. 2020
Hamza and Aliya share the Ramadan Cheer. Kisa Kids, USA. 2020
ABC's of Pakistan. WHY Books & Children's Literature Festival, Pakistan, 2020
Nadia and Nadir. Chapter book series, ABDO Publishing, 2022
A Dupatta is... Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan, USA, 2023
Anu is represented by Thao Le at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.
She can be found on Instagram @anumation, as well as on Twitter @anumationart
Welcome back to CHELSEA’S WORLD OF BOOKS. I'm your host, Chelsea DiCicco. This month, I’m pleased to introduce you to another wonderful children’s book author. She will be the highlight of our April FEATURE INTERVIEW. Please welcome Ellen Leventhal.
Ellen’s Bio
Ellen Leventhal is an author and educator in Houston, TX. DEBBIE’S SONG: THE DEBBIE FRIEDMAN STORY is her fourth published picture book. Ellen’s work has also appeared in various poetry and short story anthologies. Ellen’s best days are when she can interact directly with students and spread her love of literacy, compassion, and kindness. To find out more about Ellen’s books, writing projects, and school visits, you can visit her website, www.ellenleventhal.com.
So, Ellen, the first thing I’m always itching to know is the “HOW” AND “WHY” of what led you into the exciting and challenging journey to publication. What got you here? What inspired you to keep going? How long did it take you to get here? And all the bits in between.
First of all, thank you so much for having me here!
So, the HOW and the WHY are kind of intertwined. WAY back when I was a kid, I was constantly writing poems and songs. At the beginning, they were silly rhymes (not very good ones!), and then, of course, as a teenager, my writing was angst-filled. I never really stopped writing, but I also never thought I would write kids’ books. Then when I was teaching, I realized that I could make the curriculum more interesting and just add fun to the day with my writing. My friend Ellen Rothberg and I would go into bookstores and think, “We could do that.” Of course, we had no idea how difficult it really was! But one day, she saw a contest, we entered and won! The prize was publication. After what felt like a gazillion revisions, our debut picture book, Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets, was born. After that, I was hooked. I got involved in the kidlit community online and, when possible, in person. Through that, I found a group of wonderfully supportive people.
Of course, there have been many ups and downs and lots of adventures along the way…good, bad, and ugly. And really funny! I’ve learned to just go with the flow. I laugh when I think about two specific times during a reading at Barnes and Noble. Once, I was trying to read to a group, and some clown (yes…a literal clown who was supposed to do something after me) just started doing his thing while I was reading. Then there was the time during a reading with Ellen Rothberg when, in the middle of our reading, someone drove a scooter around in front of us calling for someone. We both sincerely hope the missing “Shelby” was found. One of the funniest things happened when during a school visit, a few teachers dropped their kids off before there were other teachers to take over. It was the day before winter break, the kids got to wear pajamas, AND Santa was on the other side of the room. HOW could I compete against Santa?! Before the teachers came back, a little boy and girl were having an argument about whether that Santa was real. The girl, who said he wasn’t, turned to me to support her claim. I was in panic mode and not sure what to do. Luckily, that same little girl blurted out “That Santa can’t be real because the real one is at the mall!” Whew! And then we had a great time.
Sounds like a close call! Haha. While we're on the track of school... could you tell us a little bit about your history with education and working with kids?
I’ve always worked with kids in some capacity. In fact, my husband and I met when we were working together at a day camp. I taught special ed back in the70s and loved it. When I moved to Texas, I had two little ones, but I was lucky to find part-time work with kids. Then when my own kids got a bit older, I taught mostly fifth grade for many years. I “retired,” but I was back at the same school working part-time within a few months! Now, although not working at a school, I tutor and enjoy my author school visits. So yes…kids (including my own and, of course, my four adorable grandkids) have always been an integral part of my life.
Here’s a hard question. Do you have a favorite manuscript/story that you’ve written? And is it one that’s currently published? If so, which one? Don’t worry, you can tell us! We won’t tell your other stories…
Ha! Yes, that is hard! At this point, I think A FLOOD OF KINDNESS and DEBBIE’S SONG are my favorite published stories, but that’s probably because they are my latest. I still like my others! However, I do have an unpublished story that I love. I wrote what I thought was a picture book years ago, but it was way too long. I love the story and have been trying to weave it into a chapter book or do something with it. It’s still one of my favorites, and I hope at least some of it will appear in something else.
So, as far as children’s books, I know you have DON’T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS, which came out in 2017; LOLA CAN’T LEAP, which came out in 2018, A FLOOD OF KINDNESS, which came out in 2021 (and is one of my favorites by the way) and you have another story coming out this month, April of 2023, DEBBIE’S SONG: THE DEBBIE FRIEDMAN STORY. Which I’m SO excited to read! Can you tell us a little about this story and what it means to you? Thanks! I’m excited about this one too! Here's a blurb giving you a glimpse of what DEBBIE’S SONG is about: When Debbie Friedman was a little girl, music bubbled up inside her. Notes and melodies. Loud and quiet. Fast and slow. As she grew, she saw things that she believed should change. Debbie dreamed of making music that would include everyone, especially women and young people. It was difficult, but with determination to overcome obstacles and ignore those who sought to deter her, Debbie stuck to her belief that she could make the world better. Debbie's dream came true, and her transformative music changed the landscape of Jewish music forever.However, this book means so much more to me than that blurb. When I was teaching at a Jewish Day School, we sang Debbie Friedman’s music all the time. I met her briefly once but really never got to know her. As it turns out, many people here in Houston did know her, and she touched all of their lives. I’ve always loved the inclusive music she created and sang, but as I dug deeper, I learned about her struggles, which weren’t insignificant, and how she was still there for everyone during their difficult times. Had Debbie lived, she would have been the same age as I am now. Her songs were the soundtrack of my children’s education, and I felt strongly about making sure this generation learned about her and how through her story, they’ll learn that they each have a special spark inside them. Though it may not be the same, through Debbie’s story, they’ll learn that they, too, have the power to make a difference, just like Debbie did.
In your opinion, what is the hardest part of publishing, and the most rewarding part of publishing?
For me, there are two parts that I find very difficult, and they’re related. I have a hard time letting go of my manuscripts and sending them off. I am never sure they’re ready to go, but I’ve learned that it is possible to over-revise and lose the heart, so I’m constantly working on that balance. Then once I jump that hurdle, I find the waiting hard as well as the lack of control. I’m getting better at that second part, but it’s difficult.
The most rewarding is, of course, seeing children enjoy my books. That thrill of seeing a child read one of my books will never go away. The other rewarding part of this journey is my connection to the kidlit community. There is no way I’d still doing this if it weren’t for my critique groups and friends I’ve made along the way.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers on this journey, what would it be?
This is one that I need to remind myself of sometimes. Enjoy the journey.It’s a tough business, and if you are only focused on the publication, it’s easy to get frustrated. It’s important to step back and just have fun with the process. Don’t let the business aspect zap your joy of writing and storytelling.
Now, because I’m a big-time lover of all things educational and a Children’s Librarian, I have to ask, what are your school visits like? And… do you do library visits too?
My school visits are hopefully educational and FUN! Although I have a description of my presentations on my website, I let the librarians/teachers know that I mix and match and will do whatever I can do to support the teachers in the classroom. I always have some type of interaction with the kids. The goal of pretty much every presentation is to let them know that they all have stories to tell and they are all storytellers.
And yes, although I haven’t done a lot of library visits, I’d love to do more! Here’s where you can find more about my School Visits. What was your hand’s down best experience when doing a school and/or library visit?
Hmm…I’ve had so many good ones. One memorable visit was years ago when the first version of DON’T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS came out. A school in El Paso, TX, made it the monthly read for all their grades, and I was welcomed with writing and art having to do with their book and even a cake with the main character on it! The kids and staff were amazing. This was more than a normal visit because it was the 100th anniversary of the school, and we had a big celebration. We wrote stories and songs together and had a great time.
BUT…that is not to say that I don’t love all my school visits. Every one of them has something wonderful and magical about them that I keep with me. Sharing my love of literacy, kindness, and inclusion is definitely my favorite part of this business.
For other authors who may be interested in offering library or school visits, what recommendations would you give them on where to start?
Honestly, I still struggle getting visits sometimes, so I don’t want new creators to get down on themselves. Most of my school visits have come from personal connections. You need to put yourself out there and meet people at conferences, etc. For me, word of mouth is the best thing. When librarians and teachers like what you do; hopefully, they will pass on your info to others. Don’t be afraid to ask! But honestly, I’ve gotten visits from cold emails too, so you never know. I’d say to start small. When you first start out, you’re honing your presentation skills. Maybe don’t take on a whole school at once. Start with a grade level or two and see what works. Whatever you do, I’d say to be yourself. We all have different personalities, and as with other parts of life, trying to be someone you’re not never works.
And this is a new question that I want to start asking to help spread love and support for our wonderful independent bookstores. What's one (or more) local bookstore(s) that you love? Name it(them) below!
I love Brazos Bookstore in Houston!
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing, Ellen. As writers we know just how important indie bookstores are and we appreciate all their efforts to keep their doors open. I've gone ahead and added quick links to Brazos Bookstore's Twitter, Instagram and official website. If you live local, why not check them out?! And if you don't... you can always order from bookstores online through Bookshop.org.
Okay, now for some silly/fun questions:
If you were a color, what would it be?
Hmm….maybe purple? No real reason except that I love it!
If you could only eat three foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?
So I’ll pretend there is no such things as cholesterol or anything like that for this one. I think I could eat pizza, pasta, and Chinese food. Clarification: I don’t eat a lot of these things, but one can dream.
Favorite song?
That all depends on my mood. Sorry…can’t pick just one.
Favorite dessert?
Anything that combines chocolate and ice cream together.
Cat or dog?
Dog
Beach or mountains?
For years I’d say the beach, but now I’m thinking mountains.
Thank you, Ellen. We loved having you with us. But wait- it’s not over. It’s that time.
Do you know what time it is?
It’s time for our giveaway prize! YAY!
This month for our GIVEAWAY PRIZE, Ellen is offering a signed copy of her book DEBBIE'S SONG OR an Ask Me Anything zoom call. Winner's choice!
How can I enter?
The winner will be selected from COMMENTER'S below at random. (That's right, all you have to do is leave a COMMENT with your prize choice. That's it!)Please ONLY comment ONCE.
Winners will be announced before or by April 15th, 2023.
Thanks for joining us today! Be sure to like and subscribe to stay up-to-date with all our wonderful Feature Interviews and other blog posts. To find out more about Ellen, you can visit her website. Or find her on Twitter or Instagram
Did you enjoy this interview? Thank the author & host by purchasing a copy of one of their books. By using the links listed here, you’ll be supporting the author & the blog!
Purchase Debbie's Song HERE
Purchase A Flood of Kindness HERE
Purchase Lola Can't Leap HERE
Purchase Don't Eat the Blue Bonnets HERE
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Hello friends, and welcome to the March 2023 FEATURE INTERVIEW. Today we are sharing the floor with special guest Janet Sumner Johnson. Janet is a children’s book author, wife, and mother of three, living in Utah, who writes both picture books and middle-grade stories.
Her debut picture book, Help Wanted: Must Love Books (Capstone, March 2020), was the winner of the 2021 CLEL BELL Read Awards and nominated for both the Colorado and Washington State Children's Choice Book Awards. Her other picture books include Braver Than Brave and A Bad Case of the Almosts, and she has an exciting new picture book series beginning in 2023, The Recess Genius: Open for Business.
So, let’s talk about what got you into writing and when this journey began for you. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
I have always gravitated to writing. In first grade, I was part of our school newspaper. In 3rd grade, I entered an essay in the Reflections contest and took 3rd. In High School, I sent a movie idea to Disney (and got my first rejection letter, lol!). But I never wanted to be a writer/author until after I graduated from college, and I realized that I was always writing because I loved it! With my husband’s encouragement, I wrote my first book and then proceeded to make all the beginner mistakes (querying before revising, thinking I had nothing to learn because I was a natural--HA!). But I stumbled my way into SCBWI, joined a critique group, and spent a lot of years learning before I finally dared to send another query. It was a long path for me!
I’m curious to know, from your side of the desk, which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken being your middle-grade stories, and the egg being your picture books- and why?
Love your question! The chicken came first. When I began writing, I actually thought I was writing YA, but after all those years of learning and working with my critique partners, I discovered I’d been writing MG all along. I didn’t even consider writing picture books until having kids. With toddlers, you are reading SO MANY picture books every day, and I think it’s natural that you start to get ideas for picture-book-size stories. I resisted for a long time because I’d learned enough at that point to know just how hard it is to break into the picture book world as a writer. But with so much inspiration and with the encouragement of a critique partner who got me to sign up for Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Making Picture Book Magic!” class, I discovered just how much I love the wordplay of picture books.
Can you tell us a little bit about the mental process for writing in different children’s book categories. Any specific setting or headspace required before you write one over the other? Like, do you need to be sitting upside down, facing north, with just the right amount of wind before you can write a picture book, whereas, for middle grade, you need to hop on one foot, spin around a few times, and have a cup of tea at the ready?
Haha! That’s about right. It’s definitely a different headspace for each category. With picture books, I focus on structure and action to start. I lay out a super quick outline, and once I have that, it’s all about the wordplay and finding fun, lyrical ways to convey the story. It’s very much about the details.
With middle grade, I have to think big picture. I still prepare an outline, which helps me know whether my story idea will work or not without committing too much time (I’m a plotter if you can’t tell). Once I begin writing, I have to block out the wordplay and focus solely on moving the story forward. If I find myself getting caught up in the words or how I’m saying something, I recite this mantra in my head: “It doesn’t have to be good, it just has to be written.” It’s all about the big picture.
Do you find it more challenging to write one vs. the other, or are they equally matched? Is there one you naturally find yourself gravitating toward?
This is a hard question because they’re so different. I find that I gravitate to picture books because I love the wordplay so much. I am a bit of a (recovering) perfectionist, so the shorter works allow me to spend the time with words and phrases and play with form in a way that I just can’t do with middle grade.
If you look at how much time I spend per word, picture books are much more difficult. The simplicity of a good picture book is so deceptive. Telling a story is harder when you don’t have as much real estate. However, looking at the sheer amount of time a middle-grade book takes to write, as well as the increased complexity in plot, I personally have a harder time writing middle-grade.
What is challenging to one person may not be to another, so I think it depends on your strengths as a writer. My strengths lend to writing picture books.
Here’s a fun question. Have you ever had an idea for a picture book and realized it would actually make a great middle-grade story instead, or vice versa, and do you have any examples of this?
When I get an idea for a story, the first thing I do is decide who the audience is. Usually, it’s pretty obvious. Sometimes, I think a story could go either way. In those cases, I write the one that sounds more fun. However, every now and then, form and story overlap and make it hard to decide.
So, for example, I recently wrote a picture book that I think might make a better MG graphic novel. The story needed the pictures to carry the gag, which initially pushed it to picture book for me, but once I wrote it, I felt like the gag might be appreciated more by older readers.
I’m still working on that transition, and who knows if I can pull it off because it’s a new form for me, but I love trying new things and pushing myself as a writer. And it’s always fun to see how one story can lay a seed for another. I love playing with stories and seeing how small adjustments can lead to big changes. No writing is wasted!
In numbers, can you tell us between your picture books and middle-grade stories how many you have published now and about how many are in the works?
I have four picture books out in the world and two more announced. Six total.
For middle grade, I have one out and two more coming. Three total.
So far. 😉
Now, in just the past two months you’ve had two new books enter the world. Can you tell us a little bit about both?
A BAD CASE OF THE ALMOSTS released on Jan. 1st. It is about Abby, whose life is being ruined by Almosts! Almost tall enough. Almost fast enough. Nothing seems to go her way . . . until a chance encounter shows her that Almosts might have a bad rap. What if Almosts can actually be good?
I was struggling with my own Almosts, and I wondered if my attitude might be more powerful than I realized. It was a cathartic story to write that helped me change my own perspective. So it was exciting when my editor at Capstone connected with the theme.
Next, THE RECESS GENIUS: OPEN FOR BUSINESS is about Regina Grey, who is no stand-out student, but who loves to read. When she inadvertently solves her classmate’s problem, she is pushed into a new role as the Recess Genius, which suddenly makes it very hard to find time to read—the one thing she’s ever been good at! Can the Recess Genius use her magical power to solve her own dilemma?
This one is an origin story. I imagined a wise kid who other kids could come to for solutions to their kid problems. But I wanted to know how she got there. It took a lot of tries to get this one right, but I’m so excited for everyone to meet Regina!
And I know that’s not all for the new books out this year. You also have a very exciting release this Fall… tell us about that!
This Fall is the release of The Winterton Deception: Final Word. It is the first book in this Mystery Series surrounding the Winterton's—a wealthy dictionary magnate family. My editor called it a middle-grade Knives Out, and I wrote it because I wanted more books like The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. It has family drama and hidden passageways. It has a cut-throat spelling bee and a missing artifact worth millions.
When Hope Smith gets dragged into the Winterton drama by her twin brother, who enters them in the Winterton family spelling bee, she wants nothing more than to get in and get out with the prize. That all changes when a clue to a missing artifact lands in their laps, along with the promise of learning more about their long-dead father. Hope can’t resist the call to solve it, but with millions on the line and others following the same trail, Hope might just be in over her head.
It is complex and twisty, and it was oh-so-fun to write! I can’t wait for the world to meet the Winterton's and all their family drama.
Oh, my goodness. That sounds so good! Did I mention I love Knives Out? Because I LOVE Knives Out. A middle-grade version of this just sounds out of this world exciting to me! Okay… next question.
Do you have any advice for authors wanting to write both picture books and middle-grade series?
Yes! The big question with a series is, what thread do you plan to pull through to future books? Is it the character’s personality (think Olivia or Judy Moody)? Is it a theme (think Creepy Carrots or The Giver)? Is it specific type of situation (like with my book where the kids are seeking advice from the Recess Genius, or even a Series of Unfortunate Events)? Is it a genre (think a mystery series)? What is the appeal in the first story that drew people to it? That is what you want to continue into the series.
And once you have an idea, try writing some pitches for future books in the series. This will tell you if it’s viable as a series and if it’s something you’d want to keep working on (because a series is a commitment, and it can lock in your writing time for years (particularly for middle grade). Are these the books you want to be writing?) Plus, if you are pitching a series to a publisher, they will want to see what ideas you have for the next books. The time you spend planning the series is time well-spent.
Thanks for this terrific advice, Janet.
Now for some fun get-to-know-you questions
Favorite dessert?
Cookies!
Favorite climate?
Warm (but not hot).
Favorite place- real or imagined, or both?
The beach! There is something about the crashing waves and the beauty of the ocean.
Favorite books- you can include up to 5!
(Thank you for the 5! Here are 5 recent favorites.)
PBs: Pirates Don’t Dance (by Shawna J.C. Tenney); Mother Bruce (by Ryan T. Higgins); A Spoonful of Frogs (by Casey Lyall and art by Vera Brosgol)
MGs: A Wish in the Dark (by Christina Soontornvat); A Place at the Table (by Laura Shovan and Saadia Faruqi)
Favorite smell?
Fresh laundry. Or Cinnamon Twists. Tough choice!
Dream vacation? No rules.
A River Cruise through Europe. No cooking, I can be as lazy or as go-go as I want.
Favorite tv shows- you can include up to 3!
The Good Place; Phineas and Ferb; Ted Lasso; (Honorable mention to Wednesday)
Phineas and Ferb- YES! Also, I love Wednesday! In fact, I fell in love with her at first sight when I was about 6 or 7, in the 90s THE ADDAMS FAMILY movie. I wanted to look and be just like her.
Okay.
Siblings? If so, how many? And which number in the line are you?
4. 2 brothers, 2 sisters. I’m 4th of 5.
Thanks so much for being with us today, Janet! It was such a treat to learn about your methods and hear about all your great stories.
Now for our Giveaway Prizes
Yes… you read that correctly. There was an ‘s’ at the end of that word.
Janet has generously offered to give away multiple prizes.
What are the prizes? How can I enter?
Here ARE the answers.
Prize 1 Giveaway: A copy of A Bad Case of the Almosts
Prize 2 Giveaway: A copy of Recess Genius
If you would like to enter to win a prize, leave a comment on this feature interview post with
PRIZE 1 or PRIZE 2 (OR THE NAME OF THE BOOK YOU'D LIKE).
And that’s it! NOTE: This giveaway is international for wherever Book Depository delivers.
Winners will be selected at random and contacted within two weeks of this post.
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If you’d like to connect with Janet or find out more about her books, you can find her website and social media links listed below. Thanks for reading!
Wanda desperately wants to be brave like her big brother Zane, but it’s not easy. When the Coaster of Doom opens at the local amusement park, Wanda is determined to show her brave. With all eyes on her, Wanda must find the confidence to be her own kind of Brave. Mixing humor with themes of self-awareness and responsible decision making, author Janet Sumner Johnson shows the importance of thinking for yourself, being confident in your own beliefs, and accepting differences in others. Johnson proves that everyone has their own kind of brave, and that’s totally okay.
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February is here! And with it… another FEATURE INTERVIEW! Today, I’m especially excited to introduce you to our guest, Alycia Neighbours.
I have the pleasure of working with Alycia in the library. She is a fantastically talented artist with a very funny (and sometimes unfiltered) sense of humor- which cracks us all up. Of course, most of us gals in the library think we’re hilarious and spend a lot of our time laughing at what some might think is nonsense. But I’m losing focus. *My ADHD apologies.* Speaking of which… something that Alycia and I share is that both of us are on the neurodiverse spectrum. Which is pretty cool.
I have a feeling putting us together for this interview is going to lead to a lot of wandering around on different topics. We’ll see if we get through it. If nothing else… I can guarantee it will be interesting.
So, let’s do this.
*Rolling up sleeves.*
Are you ready, Alycia? And 100 points to Gryffindor if you say, “I was born ready.”
*Cracks knuckles, smirks, and her eyes have a puckish glint* “I was born ready, but I’m unsure if you are.”
Ready or not, here we go!
My bio about Alycia:
Alycia is a very cool librarian with many creative talents and passions. She works with wildlife rescue (we actually have a very funny story about a tortoise she almost stole thinking it was mine. Maybe we’ll tell you about it later…) She’s an artist and now working on illustrations for an upcoming picture book (YAY!) She is neurodiverse (I’ll let her expand on that if she’d like), big-hearted, big-humored, big-mouthed- (Am I allowed to say that, Alycia? I know you would. Just kidding. Kind of.) one-of-a-kind individual with her own unique brand of personality. She is also a mom and stepmom to a pretty gigantic brood of kids. I can’t remember how many there are… What was it, like 50? I know it was a Cheaper By The Dozen Situation at best. Tell me again, how many munchkins you have in total? And all jokes aside, she’s a pretty terrific and down-to-earth human being, who I’m deeply grateful to know.
Alycia’s bio about Alycia:
I am a 46-year-old wife and mother of 8 with 2 granddaughters. A lot of the time, it does feel like there are 50+ kids I am somehow responsible for. Most of the time, it IS extra kids that have come over to play with our menagerie of animals. If it can be a house pet, I guarantee I probably have two of them. If it’s not one of my pets, it’s probably wildlife that I am working on rehabbing; nobody blinks an eye around here about squirrels in a closet, a hawk on the screened porch, a possum in the bed, or watching me set a broken leg on a mouse on the kitchen counter. I am autistic and have a Conure as a service animal. Cricket, the conure, is a small parrot with a growing vocabulary. He has the ability (as all birds do) to sense small, subtle magnetic changes around him. This includes the beating of my heart speeding up. His job is to identify those moments before I do, and then he leans into my neck. His warm body pressing on me alerts me that I need to pay attention to what my body is telling me and use my tools to combat my instincts. When I am not filling dinner plates of food bowls, I am either working at the library, homeschooling 4 teenagers, or creating. Artwise I am a painter, crocheter, knitter, pyrographer, calligrapher, tattoo designer, logo designer, sculptor, and jewelry maker. My other interests are mounted archery, kayaking, working with mustangs or abused horses, hiking, and anything else that can get me into nature.
So, today’s interview (as you can probably already tell) is going to be formatted a little bit differently for a few reasons.
1.It’s Alycia and me- and together, we’re trouble.
2.This will be my first sit-down interview with an artist only! We did have one interview back in December that featured a father and son-author/illustrator team, but this time, we are going to be focusing on art and illustration. And Alycia’s illustration journey is going to be a little bit different because, as I understand it, Alycia is going through a traditional route and was hired by a publishing house. Is that right?
I believe the chain of events that occurred whilst I was peacefully sleeping is that an author actually stumbled into my art via a social media site while she was perusing artwork pertaining to her character. She introduced it to the Powers That Be of Publishing and then began courting me with promises of face-to-face meetings at her hobby farm. How could I possibly refuse a chance to sit down amongst roaming goats, turkeys, floofy dogs, and kitties in need of “scritches.”
I know that in publishing, there is some red tape on things, and it’s important to stay hush-hush until a certain date. So, with that in mind, instead of me asking you direct questions, maybe instead, you could tell us what you’re able to about the publishing experience and project so far.
I can tell you that the publishing house that is working with us is a fantastical beast of making sure everything is absolutely perfect, from making sure the prose is formatted the best for our demographic, the margins are clearer than a guppie’s mind, the artwork being chosen is to not only reflect the passion of the words but to engage all levels of readers. It’s a slower process than Chelsea’s pretend tortoise imitating an arthritic sloth. The author I am working with has a background in teaching and preparing kids not just academically for the world but emotionally. She is in the middle of two books, one I am illustrating in my style because of the subject matter and the other about a whimsical butterfly done by a brilliant watercolorist. It was important to her to choose artists that not only could tackle bringing her words to life but who were passionate about their subjects.
Her deciding factor in choosing me was her book focuses around a crow that has grown up believing his identity was defined by those around him, which was a loving, but aloof family of chickens. He has to embrace who he truly is if he is going to be able to make a difference. When the author found me on social media, not only was she interested in my artwork, but I was also working with an orphaned crow affectionately named Chikyn. I was documenting his life of learning how to be a crow by introducing him as he was maturing to wild crows that nest in the woods behind my home. She knew then that I was the perfect candidate for illustrating this book.
So, now that we’ve talked about your traditional experience let’s talk about your inspiration for art. Have you always identified as an artist? How old were you?
I have always been creative, and at 46 years old, I sometimes feel as though I am just beginning. I work in all sorts of mediums and am usually taking online courses and working with other artists to further my different crafts. As mentioned, I am on the spectrum and am Autistic. One of my superpowers is the ability to hyperfocus on small details that make up the whole. I can get lost for hours creating each blade on a feather, the wrinkle on a flower petal, or the texture of the skin on an elephant. Most of my art focuses on these details, and by working in black and white, I encourage the viewer to ignore the colors that fascinate us at first glance and look closer at the beauty of the structure.
What does being an artist mean to you? And what is your connection to your art?
Being an artist means slowing down to appreciate the complex within the simplicity at first glance. It is taking a millisecond of time and preserving it in a way that invites the viewer to stop for a while and take notice of the chaotic perfection of form and structure.
My connection to art is that is my way of being. I think, hear and process the world around me in pictures. To be able to pull those images from my mind and put them onto canvas is a way of communication for me. It is my window to my soul.
What made you want to pursue illustration?
Pursuing this particular avenue of art allows me to use my connections to my work to help the author give “flesh” to their message. Children especially learn images long before they learn language. When reading an illustrated book on their own or if an adult is reading to them, they take what they have already learned through images and assign language. I feel this gives kids a sense of security to learn language and emotion/intention with a base of knowledge that feels familiar and comfortable.
Outside of this newest publishing venture, have you previously done any sort of commissioned artwork? If so, can you tell us a little bit about that process and maybe about the projects you worked on?
I’ve been doing commissions for the better part of the past decade. I tend to gravitate toward projects that have deep emotional meaning to the recipient. Whether a portrait of their beloved family member, a wood-burned recipe on a cutting board that has been passed down from the grandparents, a sculpture of their favorite pet, a watercolor of their home, a crocheted blanket for their newborn child, or a rendering of their favorite animal; if they are passionate then so am I.
I know what a talented artist you are. I’ve seen your work up close! And I’ve had the privilege of watching you teach a painting class for beginner artists as well, inside the library. Do you have any samples of your work that you’d be willing to share with us today?
Note: so, Alycia gave me free reign to choose images from her Instagram, and of course, my favorite animals are foxes and bats, so I have included them both!
Alycia, your attention to detail blows my mind. I know you usually work with black and white, but I chose one image to share as well with a pop of color. It really is stunning! But, I could talk all day about how much I love your work, and as much fun as that would be… I might lose some readers. So, back to what we were previously talking about: the library…
Recently, you hosted your first program in the library! Back in December of 2022, you hosted a winter painting party. How did it feel to host your first program? Were you super siked to lead an art-based event? Or were you nervous? Or were you a little of both? (Although, I can’t really picture you being nervous. And you handled the class so smoothly, it seemed like second nature.)
I was very excited to bring painting to the library. The main reason I began working in the library is my intense desire to serve people. Not just to serve them but for each person, I come in contact with to feel seen, feel important, and feel connected. Painting and learning painting is not something easily or cheaply done, so many people don’t ever take a chance on themselves becoming artists. The library offering this service for free allowed people of all backgrounds to be risky. I know how hard it is to take a risk and create something that feels so personal, so by teaching the class, I was able to walk right alongside them each step of the way, instructing, encouraging, and celebrating each unique canvas.
I was a little nervous, but that was due to my being in a new situation and a transition from my normal routine at the library; spectrum by-product. However, teaching painting classes is not new for me. I’ve taught personal lessons one-on-one, small groups during parties, and large groups of 100s of children at one time. I’ve learned the reward of seeing all the risk-takers with their paintbrushes is far more powerful than my moments of discomfort.
So, if someone wanted an Alycia original, is that something they could get? Can people approach you with projects they’d like you to create for them? And if so, how?
Absolutely! I am always available for new projects and ventures. Sometimes there are busy seasons, so there may be a wait for your finished project, but I always connect through each stage of the work progress to show the recipient where I am with things an.d if we need to tweak along the way. They can always approach me in person or through email alycia.neighbours@gmail.com, social media sites, or by phone (six one five- four two zero- zero two four four.)
Okay, now for some fun GET-TO-KNOW-YOU-BETTER questions:
Alycia, if you could be any mythical creature, what would you be?
I would want to be a fairy the size of Tinkerbell (which, by the way, is one of my favorite characters) By being so small, I could sit in a flower all day to appreciate each splendid petal or perhaps ride on the wings of bird and see the world through their eyes, or maybe I’ll curl up under a toadstool, pull up my blanket of moss, listen to the cricket orchestra play a Sonata while I nap under a sunbeam.
If you could have any superpower (other than the many you already possess), what would you choose?
Flying. Definitely flying. I am a bird fanatic (autism focus - I can talk about birds for hours and hours) and also have a degree in bird biology.
If you could travel to any point in history, what and where would it be?
I’m going to have to go with the Jurassic Era here. Yes, I am probably going to get smashed at some point, but this girl is going to ride a Triceratops if that is the last thing I do.
If you turned into an animal tomorrow, based on your personality, what do you think it would be and why?
As much as I want to say a bird, I would one hundred percent probably be a cicada. I stay under wraps and avoid all contact until I am forced to come out. Then I begin to scream.
Now for some riddles… no cheating!
Where do sick boats go?
Well, if they had taken their Vitamin Sea, they wouldn’t have to go to the dock.
Tou·ché. However, the answer we were looking for is “the dock-tor.”
Name an expensive fish.
The one that clogs up your toilet and creates hefty plumbing bills.
*Chelsea laughing* Goldfish.
How do you spell COW in thirteen letters?
*Sips coffee, tries to look wise* SEE O DOUBLE YOU.
Alright. Here’s our last one.
If 2 is company and 3 is a crowd, what are 4 and 5?
*Continues sipping coffee*9.
Thank you, Alycia, for letting me pick your brain! It’s been a treat. *Chelsea as a zombie “brains! Delicious.”* And now… does anybody know what time it is?
I’ll give you a hint. It starts with the letter G…
As great as all those things are… it is none of the above. It’s…
Alycia is generously offering a custom artwork giveaway. Think of your favorite animal *fiction or nonfiction* and leave it in the comments below. One lucky winner will be chosen at random to receive a custom piece of art featuring the animal you chose. The commenting window for the prize will last one week from the post date of this FEATURE INTERVIEW. The deadline will be Wednesday, February 8th, 2023, so make sure to get your answers in as soon as possible! Please also make sure to include your NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS in your comment so that we can easily contact our prize winner.
To connect with Alycia or to see some of her amazing artwork, visit her social media, shown below.
Instagram alicyia.neighbours
Before you go…
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Sneak peek…
Join us next month for our FEATURE INTERVIEW with Kidlit Author Janet Sumner Johnson.
Hello friends!
Welcome to my third FEATURE INTERVIEW segment. And to start off the new year of 2023, I have a special guest joining today. Let’s give a warm welcome to Brittany Wuthrich!
About Brittany:
Brittany is a local Children’s Author living outside of Nashville, Tennessee. She released a picture book entitled BIRD AND THE TREE for ages 4-8.
A little background on my relationship with Brittany Wuthrich:
I was perusing a local bookstore in my area (Curious Capybara) and stumbled upon an adorable book! I picked it up, and lo and behold; it was a local author. So, when I set up a short story contest in the library over the summer of 2022, I knew I wanted to get ahold of Brittany and see if she’d like to co-judge to find our finalists. Fortunately for me and the children’s library, she did! Having her as one of our panelists and judges over the summer was an absolute treat.
Today, we’re going to be discussing some shop talk on the behind-the-scenes of independent publishing. We’ll be answering questions about where to find an illustrator, how to pay an illustrator, how to format, how to edit, how to market, and so on. So, if you’re looking into self-publishing your picture book… keep reading to find out how it’s done!
We’re also going to be delving into some serious topics on mental health and recovery.
DISCLAIMER: IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS (suicidal/depression) AND ARE NOT COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING, PLEASE STOP READING NOW.
So, let’s jump right in!
I always like to start with the heart of it all: inspiration.
Let’s talk inspiration and first steps:
Brittany, what inspired you to write THE BIRD AND THE TREE?
(SEE IMAGE BELOW…)
I wrote a poem about this quote and what it meant to me. The real and raw place I was in when I wrote this is not easy to talk about. It isn’t easy to access because of how far I’ve come from where I was, either. It isn’t uncommon, though. It seems like a lot of people deal with anxiety and trauma. That doesn’t minimize it, of course. So the poem I wrote deals with a little of mine.
I ended up going to what is essentially group therapy sessions to deal with it. Ok, so I don’t know how comfortable I am with sharing this. It seems appropriate though, because of what happened recently with the guy from the Ellen show. Tragically, he passed away from suicide. People were so surprised because of his happy persona and how young he was.
I think for the same reasons, people would be surprised to know that I was at a point in which I had gotten close to making a similar decision with my life (despite how I appeared outwardly).
It is hard to admit that I let myself get so far in despair. But it happens to people from all types of walks of life. People deal with depression. It is just a fact. It is real. That is why I would like to advocate for mental health awareness. So… back to how this became a children’s book.
In those group sessions, it was normal to discuss a quote or a topic at the top of the hour. On this particular day, we got a black-and-white quote printed out on a piece of paper (with this exact graphic above). I think it spoke to me because it was a reminder that I had strength in ways I didn’t always acknowledge.
That same day, a poetry organization in Nashville came to the group to lead an exercise in poetic expression. I can’t remember the name of the group. The exercise was to write a poem in five minutes. There wasn’t enough time for me to get distracted by self-doubt or email. When the timer stopped, so did I.
I already had a respect and love for poetry. I was all about it. I loved approaching it in this different way, though. Oftentimes, I feel blocked from writing as freely as I did when I was younger. This exercise unlocked a new way to approach writing that I still use to this day.
In the five minutes, I imagined being a bird. I thought about what it was like being stuck or why it would be hard to move on in a situation. Really, I didn’t do a lot of thinking… I just wrote. When I heard the beeping of the phone timer go off, I put my pen down. I had written BIRD AND THE TREE.
When the exercise was over, we were asked if we would like to share what we wrote. I remember that there was a meaningful silence in the room after I read. I remember that what I read seemed to resonate with my cohorts. It felt good to know that some could relate to the Bird as I did. It felt liberating to share.
I had no idea that just a few short years later, I would be living in some of the happiest years of my life, that I would be a mother to a little girl and later a little boy. I would be more authentically in touch with my faith in God and my family. It took a lot of work, and I feel very removed from the place I had found myself in then. But all I can say is that it happens. All I can say is I forgive myself.
On my last group day, I got a parting gift. All participants get a painted rock with a descriptor or an affirmation of some kind on their final day. In my case, and it’s a little serendipitous, mine was a painting of a bird on a branch. The group leader reflected back to me that I reminded her of the bird on the branch from the quote. It meant a lot to me, and I still have the rock to this day. My husband encouraged me to turn the poem into a children’s book. Eventually, I did.
Wow, Brittany. Thank you for sharing these intimate details behind your inspiration for BIRD AND THE TREE. I know it isn’t an easy thing to talk about, and I’m sure that many who are or who have struggled against the battle of mental health appreciate your story.
Having many family members myself who suffer from various mental health illnesses, ranging from chronic and suicidal depression as well as seasonal depression and bipolar, (myself included)… and personally experiencing the death of my own husband years ago due to depression, I understand that this can be a very sensitive thing to share. But in sharing, there is healing. And it’s truly wonderful to see how you have been able to heal and grow and find happiness with your ever-blossoming family!
So, now that we’ve discussed the inspiration… what was the message you hoped to share with this book?
Initially, when I decided to make this a children’s book, I thought that it could be a message of hope. I could see through the story how what Bird was experiencing was grief. Years before, I had learned about the five stages of grief through a Stephen’s Ministry class at my church. The class focused on serving others who were dealing with loss and hardship. I think I was only fifteen or sixteen at the time, but one thing that has stayed with me to this day is that there are things not to say to someone who is hurting. The other thing was that grief has layers. Specifically, there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. *source here*
Through that lens, it is easy to see that the character of Bird is going through the grieving process. He didn’t want to believe that everything would change, even when it was clear that it would. That’s denial. There are other examples throughout the book that all lead to his ultimate acceptance: when he uses his wings to move on. We all experience grief at all ages.
Excellent! And were you happy with your finished product?
Yes. Given the chance to go back, though, I would change the title. It seems there is already a book called The Bird and the Tree. Not a huge difference, but my book doesn’t have a ‘The’ in the title. BIRD AND THE TREE is not on Amazon at the moment, so this other book usually comes up if someone searches for it, which can cause confusion of course. I like to think I did my research, but I had no idea this book existed until it was pretty much too late into the process. I could probably look into changing the title with any reprints I do, we’ll see.
Can you walk us through the beginning steps of the publishing process?
Lots of typing things into a search bar. Nowadays, there is so much information out there, the game is also to know the right stuff to search for. In my case, I was searching for self-publishing, how to launch a Kickstarter.
You mentioned that you used a Kickstarter to help with the publishing process. Can you explain that in further detail?
Kickstarter was the catalyst for this project to be possible. It gave Becca and I not only the funds but the confidence to keep going. I would recommend Kickstarter to anyone trying to self-publish. It is a resource, leveraging social media as well to keep followers in the loop through every step of the way. For our Kickstarter campaign, Becca and I set a goal: $2,800. People that donate to a project on the site are called backers. Once the campaign started, we had thirty days to meet that goal. If we did not hit $2800 within that time, all the money would be refunded to the backers. It kicked us into gear to be active about sharing our intention of creating a children’s book. We laid out what the book was about, gave examples of illustrations, and set rewards for different tiers of backers.
Enough buzz was created as a result of the campaign that 54 backers funded the project to help us exceed our goal within that time. We were pumped to see that support!
Did you ever consider going the traditional route with your book, or did you know from the beginning that you wanted to publish independently?
I was so energized at that point and time to make the book happen that I didn’t want to risk being told no. I wanted control of the project and trusted myself enough to do it. I still made mistakes along the way, but I am glad that I had this experience.I can relate to that! I’m working on patience… but when you’re excited about something, it’s hard to wait! You just want to shout it out from the rooftops. So, how long did it take you to write and revise your story before publication?
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes, using a service called Reedsy, I hired a professional editor named Jennifer Rees. She has a background as a Senior Editor at Scholastic Press, where she edited picture books and novels. I was excited to read from her bio that she was an editor for The Hunger Games.
The way Reedsy works is that you find the service you’re needing: editing, design, publicity, and marketing (to name a few), then search through the service providers to narrow down a shortlist. I looked for editors who specialized in children’s picture books.
Once I had my shortlist, I sent requests out with a brief seeking developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, and proofreading as the service needed for BIRD AND THE TREE.
From the five I sent out, two made offers, two declined, and one did not respond. So I had two quotes to select from. After I selected Jennifer’s quote, she sent a rundown of how our collaboration would work.
I appreciated working with an editor that had a seasoned background. She offered advice to help my manuscript (the poem I wrote in 2019) translate well for children’s literature.
Working with Jennifer’s feedback helped me unlock a new side to Bird’s story. It was darker in tone to start with and there was not as much closure for the character. I added the element of the acorn that we see grow into a new tree at the end of the story. Her feedback was detailed and very helpful. That process lasted over the span of about three months.
Did you test your book on beta readers on any sites before publication? If so, can you list where you were able to find them?
Only a handful of friends and family.
Let’s talk illustrations & cost:
Where did you find your illustrator?
Our husbands work together.
Terrific luck! And how did you handle payment with your illustrator? Was it a royalty share, or did you pay a flat one-time commission rate and purchase ownership of the illustrations?
It was a 50/50 split to a certain point. Becca had lots of other projects to focus on while I was still focused on promoting the book. Basically, there was a payout at that point. Going forward, I have ownership of what I sell.
Did you have a clear idea of what you wanted your images to look like, or did your illustrator have total creative control of the artwork?
I worked closely with my illustrator to find the world that Bird lived in. I took a role as art director with collaborative control. We had weekly meetings whenever possible to discuss the direction of the book.
Was it easy to communicate with your illustrator?
Yes. It isn’t too challenging, but we live in different states. We were working together over video calls during the thick of COVID lockdowns.
I think during Covid, many were doing similar styles of work and communication. What a crazy time! And what recommendation would you give to someone who is looking to hire an illustrator?
I don’t feel like an expert in this area because I was lucky to find Becca. I’ve heard people find them on Fiverr. I know sometimes reviews are not reliable, but I definitely look at reviews. I research what I’m looking for. If you know the art style, you’re going for in your book (watercolor, digital, etc.), look for someone who specializes in that area. Have lots of references to share with your illustrator to help them get a visual of what types of illustrations you are looking for. Becca and I had fun rereading some of our favorite children’s books.
How long did the illustration process take?
Since the illustrations are a big part of telling the story, in this case, it took about as long as the book took to make. I had already had the poem completed in 2019. The book took about a year and a half to make.
Were you able to see the images during the process, or was the entire book illustrated, and then they came to you with the final product?
I got to see different evolutions of both the Bird and the Tree. Here are a few different drawings of Bird that Becca pitched early in the process.
How cool! I love these little birds. What kind of illustrations did you end up using? Were they all digital or hand-drawn, or a combination?
Becca used an app on her iPad called Procreate to digitally draw the illustrations.
Your book cover is just fantastic—how did you land on that illustration for the front cover?
Simply to introduce Bird hanging out at his favorite spot. To compel the reader to want to know Bird’s story.
Let’s talk marketing and cost:
As far as the publishing cost and marketing, what was the ballpark pricing for getting your business up and running?
Ballparking around $3,500 for every aspect of the project. The publishing arm was around $2,000 of that.
That’s good information to know. Thank you!
What kind of marketing did you do for your book?
Grassroots. Mostly Instagram. My illustrator and I collaborated on Instagram lives and stories. In the early days of the Kickstarter campaign and publication, I hosted open mic nights at Kave House of Haggai for poets and musicians. The events served to share about the book and give a platform to other local creatives.
I know you have some coloring pages that you brought in (that coincide with the story BIRD AND THE TREE) and shared when you came to the library over the summer. They were just adorable! Are those available for purchase somewhere? If so, where can we find them?
Thank you! They are not available for purchase right now. I just have them for special events. However, I would eventually like to get a few merch items on my website.
Can you tell us what other (if you have them) promotional things you have to go along with your book?
In our Kickstarter campaign, we offered some fun promotional items for backers! Becca made mugs, tote bags, and tees. Elena drinks her “coffee” (chocolate milk) out of her Bird mug.
Do you have an author website, and if so, what platform did you go with—and do you recommend it? If not, what other preferred social media or online presence do you use to connect with readers?
I have a website: brittwut.com. It’s a central location for a lot of different things I’m working on at the moment. It is also where the book can be purchased.
I use Wix. It is just really easy to use. The interface is clean, and I like the storefront features. I prefer to use Instagram at the moment to send out information to my readers. I’m just comfortable with Instagram. I’m aiming to use other social platforms this year.
Let’s talk reviews and getting your book into bookstores:
As every writer knows, finding readers is half the battle- especially when self-publishing. As far as commercial marketing goes, what avenues did you find most successful for finding readers to review your work? Can you name a few places or give a few suggestions in this area?
I probably have not done nearly enough in this area. I was pleasantly surprised, though, at the reception of the book when I went to local markets. It was a lot of fun to set up with the books and meet people in the community.
Other than Curious Capybara, do you have your book available in any other bookstores? If so, where? Are they all local?
They are all local. Currently, the book is available at Kave House of Haggai in Gallatin and on my website, brittwut.com. Southwater Manor carried them for a while. I had them at Mango + Rose before it closed. I gave two copies to The Getalong in Nashville. Curious Capybara carried a few copies as well (and I’m so glad that you found the book there).
Because you are self-published, did you have to do a consignment set-up with local bookstores? If not, what was the process like? Was it easy or difficult? Explain.
Yes. It was mostly on consignment. The process was easy! Payouts vary from place to place. Some would send a check, and others would Venmo. This usually happens on a monthly basis. Because this was local, it was not too hard to get started. Usually, shop owners were receptive to carrying a book from a local author. I love working with and supporting these local businesses as well! After a few conversations and agreements over terms, I would replenish the books as they sold. When I got pregnant with my second child, I stopped cycling my books out at most places because I needed to be at home more at the time. When I did markets, it was also fairly easy. There was a flat rate for a space, and the events usually lasted 1-2 days. I accept Square and Venmo for transactions. They are also not very complicated to use.
If someone didn’t live locally but wanted to purchase your book online, where could they find it?
www.brittwut.com
Let’s talk formatting and publishing platforms:
How did you format your story for printing? Text & illustrations?
Becca made her own font using quirky handwritten letters. How cool is that?!
VERY COOL! Was formatting a nightmare, or did you enjoy it?
Getting the color profile correct for printing was tricky.
I did not enjoy this part. I also experienced some decision fatigue when it came to the size of the book, the paper coating, and binding. It was nice that PrintNinja sent a packet with physical examples to look at. That helped a lot. Still, it was a little daunting for me to lock in on something.
About how long did it take?
I believe it was close to a year and a half.
Did you have to hire someone or enlist help from someone you knew, or did you do all the formatting on your own?
I used Adobe InDesign. Becca sent me the art files, and I formatted the document into a .pdf.
Did the publishing platform you used offer any formatting aid? If so, what was the pricing like on that, or was it offered as a complimentary service?
PrintNinja has a lot of resources and guides for formatting on their website. It was no extra cost to access these, and they’re readily available to anyone regardless if they’re using the service or not. Check out their Printing Academy.
What type of binding did you use on your book spine? And what material was your book cover?
Binding - Saddle Stitching
Size - 11x8.5
Page Count - 32
Cover Paper - 14pt Cover, Gloss
Cover Finish - Gloss Lamination
Inside Paper - 85 lb Text, Matte
Color Options - Full Color
I know you have your book in paperback form— do you have a hardcover available as well? If not, is that something you may do in the future?
I would absolutely love to see BIRD AND THE TREE in board book form. I think the illustrations would really lend to it. Currently, it is only in paperback.
Do you have any other digital or audio options available to download THE BIRD AND THE TREE?
Not yet, but I want to. I would love to create an animated version as well.
Did you run into any snags along the road of publication? If so, how did you overcome them?
We had some problems getting the correct color profile out of Procreate. Even though the document was set to CMYK, when it was exported, it was converted to RGB. How and why that happened are still over my head. We ended up converting the Procreate file to a .psd (Photoshop) file and exporting it from there as a CMYK file.
Basically, the CMYK color profile is best for print, and the RGB color profile is best for viewing on screens. So because our initial submission was in RGB, the colors Becca used would have looked muddy or slightly different in print.
There was also an issue with the bleed (the area of the page that would be trimmed): just that extra needed to be added.
That was a learning process for me.
I wanted to make sure the books arrived before Christmas. There was a long process from print to ship, and we were approaching the fall season. PrintNinja is located in China. There was a Chinese National Holiday from Oct 1st - 8th in which production would be shut down. We were already delayed because we had to reject the first proof due to color profile issues. Shipping would typically take 6 weeks from overseas. We ended up paying to expedite some of the copies.
We were able to reject the proof in time and make the changes needed with the bleed and the color profile. Thankfully, the books arrived just in time for the Christmas season. Many of our friends purchased them as gifts for their family members.
Unfortunately, a number of books got damaged in transit, but PrintNinja issued a small refund to rectify the problem.
What are some advantages and disadvantages that you’ve personally experienced along your independent publishing journey?
I think the good has outweighed the bad. I can’t say enough how supported I felt to have funded this on Kickstarter. Becca helped a lot with that too. Having creative control was a huge advantage. It also helped that I have a background through both education and work that helped me understand a lot of the technical aspects of self-publishing. I already had the Adobe Creative Suite to use InDesign for assembling the pages. If I didn’t understand a part of the process, I knew how to find those resources.
I wouldn’t call it a disadvantage, but on the flip side, because creating this book has been a one-stop shop if I slow down (which I have with the birth of my son), the book, in a way, slows down.
I would like to have more of a web presence for the book using SEO and other social media campaigns, but it has been gradual. To solve this, I could probably focus on a little more delegation in 2023… and time management. This amuses me to imagine, but maybe writing a blog post or creating a reel while my toddler has a snack and my three-month-old naps.
If you had it to do all over again, would you still go the self-publishing route? Why or why not?
I would… but I would also like to see what it would be like to submit to a publisher to have that experience.
Any final words of advice to share with our readers?
I realized after the fact that the spine of the book matters. It is very important to have a spine so that you can see the title of the book from the side. Some local Nashville sellers have turned down the book (even when they liked the story) to carry in their shops as a result of the saddle stitched spine.
Whew! We made it through all the shop talk. Now, time for some fun questions…
Tell us a little about yourself. Do you have any hobbies outside of writing?
I do! I have a few hobbies: papercraft (cardmaking, stickers, and, more recently, bookbinding), photography, and digital design. These are things I get into while being a stay-at-home mom. Also, last fall, I started a folk trio called Smoke and Ember.
Do you have any siblings? Are you a middle, oldest, or youngest?
I am the oldest. I have a younger brother, by five years.
What about your family? I know you have two little ones now! Do you and your hubby plan for more children down the road?
Up until baby number two, I think we were certain that two would be it. That’s probably right. However, if another baby would ever happen to happen, I think I’d be okay with it.
Are your family all readers?
My husband reads occasionally. He reads autobiographies and instruction manuals. My daughter Elena still rips a lot of her paper books, but her favorites right now are Finding Nemo and a Disney Princess Little Golden book about The Little Mermaid.
Do you have any pets?
I have two pets! A dog and a cat. The cat was first. His name is Nash. I got him from a friend when I moved back to Georgia for a year in 2015. So in a way, he was my first child, haha. He likes drinking water from the faucet and birdwatching from our bedroom window.
The dog is Graham. He is an F1 Golden Doodle. He has a lot more Golden Retriever in him than Poodle. His hair is straight, sometimes, it waves when it is wet. He loves sticks and playing keep away. He is very gentle around my toddler. I got him a few months before I found out I was pregnant. He has been a very good sport about sharing the attention.
How cute are they! And thank you for sharing pictures. We LOVE pictures!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, and stay as long as you wanted, without the restriction of work responsibilities or financial restrictions, where would you go, and how long would you stay?
I’ve never been, but the pictures convince me that this place is amazing. I’d want to go to Lake Como in Italy. I would find a coffee shop with a waterfront view, set up my portable watercolor kit, and just study the views: the colors of the houses, the boats, and the shiny blue water. Oh, that would be so fun.
If you could describe your perfect day, what would it look like?
Hmm, maybe the day I just described at Lake Como. Well, in reality, I think the perfect day is when I get everything on my to-do list done while also being the mom my kids need me to be. It’s a day where everything is balanced perfectly. There is work and play, rhythm and calm. The rhythm of the day is like a song. At the end of the day after the main swell of the music, I can sit and look at the stars from my back deck and be thankful. I guess it’s a day where I can successfully be everything to everybody and everything to myself all at the same time. Ha ha. Seems like a far reach.
If you could meet any fictional book character(s) who would it/they be?
The Count of Monte Cristo.
Miss Clavel from the Madeline books.
Oh my goodness. Amazing choices!
If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
Lynx. I like cats. Lynx strikes me as both beautiful and fierce.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Super speed.
What’s your favorite color?
Mauve, in various shades
Thank you, Brittany, for your time in answering all these questions.
To find Brittany’s book, THE BIRD AND THE TREE visit:
Her website www.brittwut.com
Or Instagram @britwut
Did you enjoy this interview? Support this author by purchasing their book HERE!Using this direct purchase links also supports this blog.
Biscuit and Gravy visit the fire station to learn about fire safety. Their imaginations run wild as they tell their parents how they defeated the fire monster. Questions and answers about fire safety are included at the end of the book.
Biscuit and Gravy Learn About Fire Safety. Written by Shaun Tyson. Illustrated by Simon Tyson.
Published March, 2022.
Want to support this author and blog? Purchase a copy of BISCUIT AND GRAVY LEARN ABOUT FIRE SAFETEY with this special Amazon Affiliate link.
A little background on my relationship with Shaun and Simon
I met Shaun and Simon in the summer of 2022, but Shaun and I were in contact earlier in the year. For the 2022 Summer Reading Program, hosted in the Children’s Library, I was looking for fun activities to do with the kids. Of course, being an avid reader and writer myself, I was excited about the idea of having a short story contest.
The goal of the short story contest was to engage kids within the community and motivate them to write a story. The rules were simple: anyone up to the age of 12 could submit a story, up to a max of 1,000 words. All of the participants would have a chance to share and read other stories on our story board display in the Children's Department. However, three special winners would be chosen and awarded a special prize at the end of the summer. Because who doesn't love a good incentive?
This idea seemed way cool... but I wondered, what could bring this contest to the next level of awesome? And then it hit me. What if we had LOCAL CHILDREN'S AUTHORS not only help participate in selecting our finalists but also present the prizes to the kids, along with a copy of one of their autographed books? There's a great way to incorporate the community!
By a sheer chance of luck, the weekend prior to this novelty idea, a local Children's Author- Shaun Tyson- had come into our library and donated a copy of his children’s book Biscuit and Gravy Learn about Fire Safety. So, of course, he was on my radar as a possible candidate. It didn’t take long to track Shaun down, and he was overwhelmingly gracious about the opportunity. Working with Shaun was a joy. He was a fantastic communicator, provided everything I needed- when I needed it- and, he was super easy-going.
Now that we had Shaun on board, it was time to find some more authors. Where did I find them, you ask? Well, as every librarian knows, the best place to find writers (other than in the library of course) is at your local bookstore! So, that’s just where I went. I paid a visit to Curious Capybara, a local gem in our area, and in no time, I had leads on some other fabulous authors. And thankfully, all of them were more than willing to join the judging table and help us find our short story finalists. Acting as judges were Rainbow Mosho, Brittany Wuthrich, and Shaun Tyson.
Upon meeting Shaun and his son Simon in person, I was met with an immediate feeling of warmth and kindness. The entire clan (wife and other son too) were down-to-earth, and just overall a pleasure to have visiting our library. So, when I started doing feature interviews, I immediately thought of them. And just like last time, they graciously accepted.
So, let’s jump right in!
Questions for Shaun:
What made you decide to write a book?
There are firefighter books out there. Some have great messages, but few teach fire safety. I felt there was a need for a children's book that taught actual fire safety tips that the child could remember.
What was your favorite part of the writing process?
Seeing it all come together with the illustrations. Simon really brought the characters to life.
Did you come up with the concept of the story first or the title? Did the title ever change?
The story concept was first. The title came after the character names were developed, which were created by my other son, Sully.
How long did it take from the point you had your first idea for the story to publication?
Probably close to a year from concept to print.
At any point, did you consider doing traditional publication?
I looked into it, but it seemed less likely that I would be able to achieve my goal.
What made you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self-publish because I would be fully in control of what I wrote and on our own timeline.
Can you tell us a little bit about your personal connection to the story on fire safety?
I have been in public safety for over 23 years. A large part of that has been in the fire service, predominantly in fire investigations. Seeing so many fires and how they were caused fueled my passion for fire safety education.
Was it difficult to decide where you would get your illustrations, or did you know immediately that your son would be the perfect fit?
It was an easy decision to keep it in the family. Simon is quite talented.
Do you think you’ll publish more books in the future? If so, do you think you’ll continue a series using your characters from your first book or start fresh on a new venture entirely?
I do have an interest in publishing another Biscuit and Gravy book. I think stories can be both fun and educational. But we will have to wait and see what happens.
If you published again, do you think you would go the independent route again or try to seek out traditional publishing?
I think I would continue to self-publish because I do like the freedom that comes with it. Although, it is tougher to get the word out about your book. They both have their advantages.
Now for some fun questions….
Favorite smell?
Melted caramel. Karamell-Küche in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion is the place to go if you like caramel.
Favorite color?
Green
Favorite place?
Epcot at Disney World.
Favorite season?
Definitely Fall.
Favorite beverage?
Sweet Tea.
Favorite animal?
Otters are awesome.
Favorite tv show?
Any of the baking competition shows on Food Network.
Favorite book (s)?
I am going to keep with kid books and say the Berenstain Bears books.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Although super strength would be tempting, I think super speed so I can get more things done in less time.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
Although I love otters, I think I would be a fox. They are mysterious creatures.
Thanks Shaun! Now, let's talk to Simon a little bit.
Questions for Simon:
How old were you when you started working on the illustrations for BISCUIT AND GRAVY LEARN ABOUT FIRE SAFETY?
I was 17 years old when my dad first approached me about illustrating the book, but 18 by the time I started the illustrations.
Was this your first time doing any kind of creative art professionally?
This was my first book, but I had done some commission artwork for friends and family prior.
Do you have any history of art education?
Currently, I do not have any art education, but I do plan to take some art classes while in college. Most of what I have learned about techniques and tools comes from watching other artists on YouTube, such as Jazza and James Raiz.
How long did it take you to draft your work?
If I remember correctly, it took me about three weeks, give or take, to draft everything. Certain pages were a bit trickier to tackle than others, and I would go back and forth on what to do with them.
How did you create your illustrations? Did you use an online program, or were your creations hand-drawn? If hand-drawn, what mediums did you use? If you used an online program, did you do hand sketches first?
For the final illustrations seen in the book, I used a program called Clip Studio Paint. However, I started off with simple pencil sketches to get the basics of how Biscuit and Gravy would look in each picture. I'd take a picture of the sketch with my phone, email it to myself, and then use that as a rough guide on my computer to make cleaner lines and coloring. Certainly not the most efficient way to do things, but it worked for a first project!
What was it like working with your dad?
Working with my dad was a ton of fun. When it was time for me to illustrate, to go along with the writing he already had done, he gave me tiny doodles of what he wanted many of the pictures in the book to look like. It was cool getting to see his original vision develop over time into the final product, a process that is really rewarding as an artist.
Did you enjoy the process of illustration?
While tedious, I enjoyed the illustration process. Drawing is one of my favorite things in life, so getting to design these lovable characters and present them in dynamic ways was very fun.
Do you think this is something you might continue to pursue in the future?
I've considered pursuing more illustration work in the future! I would love to help more authors with their work, there's just a "do I have the time" issue. We'll see what opportunities are presented in the future, though. I keep an open mind! I do know for certain, however, that Biscuit and Gravy's adventures are something I'll be coming back to when the time comes!
Now for some fun questions…
Favorite smell?
So many favorite smells to choose from, but I'll have to go with freshly baked cinnamon rolls!
Favorite color?
I really enjoy the color feldgrau green.
Favorite place?
My grandparents' house is probably my favorite place on earth. (Grandma often makes cinnamon rolls!)
Aww! Great answer!
Favorite season?
Autumn is my favorite season. In my humble opinion, the perfect weather happens during this time of year.
Favorite beverage?
Cherry Coke is my go-to beverage, but cherry Sprite is a close second.
Favorite animal?
Komodo Dragons are by far my favorite animal. Such cool creatures!
Favorite tv show?
Star Wars the Clone Wars has been a consistent tv show in my life. While my favorite tv show changes frequently, I'll have to go with this one. Having grown up with it since I started school, it has a special place in my favorites list.
Favorite book (s)?
My favorite book is the Outsiders by S. E. Hinton! Such a dynamic story with lovable characters. It's also worth noting that my favorite illustrated book would be any of the Pigeon books by Mo Willems. His work was a huge inspiration for Biscuit and Gravy Learn About Fire Safety!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower, it would be to emit fire. Not only would it look cool, it's practical for things like roasting marshmallows! Would be smart of me to make sure I have the fire safety stuff memorized before using the power though.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
I think it would be cool to be a panda. Sometimes I feel like one, sitting around eating and sleeping for most of the day!
Thank you, guys, so much for sharing your story with us! To purchase a copy of BISCUIT AND GRAVY LEARN ABOUT FIRE SAFETY, click here. To find out more about Shaun and Simon, visit their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, all of which are @biscuitandgravybooks.
Are you an author, illustrator, or any other member of the writing community looking to share some of what you do with others? Contact me below for details on upcoming FEATURE INTERVIEWS.
