Neurodivergent Kidlit Writer, Blogger & Former Librarian ~ Feature Interview Host ~ Author of ADHD and Me
Category: Feature Interview Series
Monthly interviews with literary professionals conducted by children’s book author and literary blogger, Chelsea DiCicco, designed to help authors and illustrators at all stages of their publishing careers.
Hello, dear friends! I am pleased to share that applications for the 2027 Feature Interview series are now OFFICIALLY OPEN.
Over the past several years, I’ve had the extreme pleasure of sharing meaningful conversations with kidlit authors, illustrators, educators, booksellers, and other publishing professionals. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve celebrated!
What started as a simple way to connect with community has grown into an invaluable resource and place of encouragement for authors and illustrators pursuing kidlit around the world. I am beyond words grateful for the opportunity to learn about you and your stories and share them with others!
If you are not already subscribed to my blog and/or newsletter, pleasesubscribe! This is where I will share application candidate results, and other important updates and news.
Thank you for your interest in being a part of the Feature Interview series! Feel free to leave any comments/feedback/questions in the comment section below!
Today, I’m talking with my dear friend and critique partner, Alicia Meyers! Alicia is a neurodivergent Children’s Book Author and elementary school teacher with over 16+ years of experience in education. She’s the author of The A-to-Z Teaching Toolkit for Early Childhood and Elementary Educators. During our conversation, we’ll be discussing neurodivergent voices in kidlit and her newest debut, TIC-ERRIFIC ME, a picture book celebrating the ins and outs of Tourette’s syndrome, which just released this month!
Alicia! I’m elated to welcome you to the blog for your very own Feature Interview. I can hardly believe June is already here and we’re finally able to celebrate the debut launch of your picture book, TIC-ERRIFIC ME! To get us started, I thought it would be fun to give our readers a brief background on how we met.
OUR STORY: Once upon a time, in the fall of 2023, Alicia and I were both participating in the Fall Writing Frenzy contest put on by kidlit writer and literary agent, Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez. Alicia and I both entered our own-voice POV neurodivergent stories, and immediately connected with each other’s writing! So, when an opening appeared in our critique group starting in January 2024, Alicia was on my radar to invite as a new recruit! I’m so glad she said yes! We have loved having her in our group, and I’m so grateful that we found each other in the kidlit community. The takeaway here is: put yourself out there, join some contests, and maybe you’ll connect with some fabulous people!
Alicia, I’ve loved your voice and writing style from the very beginning, as was evident by how we became connected! For our readers who may be newly learning about you and the wonderful and deeply meaningful stories that you write, could you tell us about your voice and writing style?
What drew you to pursue writing, and what does story mean to you? Explain.
As a classroom teacher, my shelves are flooded with picture books. Reading aloud is a daily routine, which highlights where there are gaps in the market. When I first started writing, I simply wanted to fill in curriculum gaps in my classroom and create books for topics I couldn’t find much on. But what started as simple storytelling has transformed my purpose for writing and creating stories.
A story to me means a reflection and understanding of ourselves, each other, and our world. Stories bridge gaps, help us feel seen and connected to the world around us, and also can give us an escape from reality into worlds we never could have imagined.
Speaking of stories and what they can do for their readers, could you tell us more about your picture book debut, Tic-errific Me?! We are dying to hear about it.
In Tic-errific Me, a young girl explains what it’s like to live with Tourette syndrome. She shares her personal journey, joys, and struggles, while always remembering that her tics only add to what makes her a terrific kid.
Tic-errific Me is part of the new Disability Books for Kids Series, which explores visible and invisible disability in the first person, as seen through the eyes of children and written from firsthand experience. This series builds allyship, challenges ableism, and celebrates difference, empowering and educating all readers. Check out other incredible books from the series here!
What was your inspiration for writing this book, and what impact do you hope it will have?
This book was inspired by a fiction piece I wrote about Tourette syndrome back in 2022, about a young girl’s rhythmic day-in-the-life with tics. When offered the opportunity to write a nonfiction expository on TS about my lived experience, I pulled a lot from that original manuscript. I hope that readers will feel affirmed and encouraged to celebrate themselves for who they are. I also hope TIC-ERRIFIC ME opens opportunities for continued conversation on Tourette syndrome and raises awareness about what it’s like to live with the condition and how to support those living with TS.
Do you have a favorite illustration spread from the book that you’d like to share? Why do you love this spread in particular?
My favorite spread in the book shows a colorful culmination of tics that many of us with TS experience. I love this spread because it shows the wide range of motor and vocal tics within Tourette syndrome and celebrates how tics are a part of who we are.
Do you have any favorite lines/moments from the story that you’d like to share?
“I am a showstopper. A go-getter. A bubbly, blanket-loving bookworm.
I am all these things and more, along with any tic that joins me.”
This line means so much to me, because it took me years to realize that my tics make me who I am. We all are unique people, with a range of hopes, dreams, talents, and skills!
Yay, Alicia! We are celebrating with you! This is an incredible book, and I’m so happy to be featuring it today.
Moving toward the industry side of things, can you tell us about how you landed your first publishing deal and agent? What was that experience like?
In March of 2023, I was a finalist in Mindy Alyse Weiss’ PB Party with my rhythmic, fiction picture book I mentioned earlier about a young girl’s day-in-the-life with Tourette syndrome. Free Spirit Publishing liked my entry, but told me about a vision they had for a series of nonfiction, expository picture books with disability representation written in the first person. I drafted this story, queried for that series, and they acquired it!
Once I received the offer, I queried agents, letting them know I had a quick turnaround to sign my offer. I found my first agent 24 hours before the deadline, and she helped finalize my contract.
As far as things to look for in an agent, what would you say are important things to know before signing?
I think it’s important to know their communication style, if they are an editorial agent, if they are flexible and willing to answer questions, how often they will send stories out, how many stories at a time, and, for me, it’s important to know that they are interested in you as a whole person, client, and career writer.
As we well know, the writing journey is a constant uphill, downhill journey, full of surprise thunderstorms, flashfloods, falling rocks, quicksand, you name it! Can you share a little bit about some of the challenges you’ve faced in your publishing journey?
For me, it was parting ways with my first agent and being back in the querying trenches before my book was even released to the world. I had to ask hard questions, make a tough decision, believe in my work, and stay confident knowing the right agent will come one day at the right time.
How have you been able to keep going in an industry with a terrain that’s constantly changing and seemingly unpredictable?
Someone gave me advice once– “For every rejection, send three things out into the world.” This mindshift helped me to be active and do something with the rejection.
As hard as rejections are, I try my best these days to receive them, feel them, learn something from them, and then do three things that put my work out there. Maybe that’s a query to an agent or editor, an email to partner/collaborate with someone, a social media post, a contest, a magazine, or a guest blog submission. It allows me to move forward and continue pressing on, while not lingering on one person not connecting with my work.
What is some advice you have for other writers or illustrators who may be facing similar challenges?
Make a note on your phone or in a journal of 10 things you can do for self-care when you receive a rejection. Could you go for a walk, cook a yummy meal, write something new, or phone a friend?
Surround yourself with critique partners you love and trust (like Chelsea!!). Having people who know you, care for you, and cheer for you in this business is priceless!
Now for exciting things (depending on what you can share), can you tell us about any exciting wins, recent or not-as-recent? We’ll take whatever positivity you throw at us!
This month has been full of exciting things!!! TIC-ERRIFIC ME released on June 2nd, I had my dream book launch at my dream bookstore in Washington, DC, and I have two opportunities for 2027 and 2028 that I will hopefully be able to share soon!!!
What kind of cool opportunities have you had in the publishing journey? Any speaking engagements/panels/mentorships/etc?
I feel like my journey in this area is just getting started, but I’m excited to be a part of the “I Can Do It” panel for SLJ’s Picture Book Palooza this July, and partner with a few organizations that raise awareness for Tourette syndrome!
Being a neurodivergent writer, which is a commonly underrepresented space in publishing, why do you feel it’s important for kids to have neurodivergent books available to them?
I think we need as many neurodivergent-affirming books as possible so kids can 1) See themselves reflected, 2) Have an empathetic understanding of people and the world around them, and 3) Celebrate the uniqueness of bodies, brains, and experiences.
Can you talk about some of the aspects of neurodivergence in writing? What are some of the things that stand out to you?
To me, neurodivergence in writing flips the way we look at the world, bringing forward themes of celebration, affirmation, and acceptance. It is vulnerable, honest, inclusive, sensory-rich, and representative of many children.
What have been some of your greatest publishing moments?
My recent launch of TIC-ERRIFIC ME was so deeply personal, and seeing all of the kind words thus far about the book has meant so much to me. I’d always dreamed about my first picture book launch in my favorite DC bookstore. Having my friends, family, students, and their families in one place was one of the most incredible feelings!
What words of encouragement would you like to share with readers today?
You don’t have to shrink yourself to fit in, and our differences aren’t flaws that need to be fixed! Write about your experiences, share with others what you’ve overcome, and inspire others to do the same!
Any final thoughts?
It’s such an honor to be here, Chelsea! Thank you for letting me be a part of your fabulous feature interviews!!
Thank you so much for joining me today, Alicia! And now, it’s time for our monthly giveaway.
Alicia is offering a query letter critique or PB critique, category: fiction, word count: under 700 words.
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention/tag my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your entry! Don’t have X or Instagram? Enter the giveaway by LIKING and leaving a COMMENT at the bottom of the interview.
ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity.
NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month.
Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins.
Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.
Did you enjoy this interview?
Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.
Alicia is a second-grade teacher and neurodiverse author based in Washington, DC, diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. She is the author of The A-to-Z Teaching Toolkit for Early Childhood and Elementary Educators (Routledge, 2025) and Tic-errific Me (Free Spirit, 2026)THE A-TO-Z TEACHING TOOLKIT for early childhood and elementary educators and has published pieces with High-Five Magazine, Edutopia, Little Thoughts Press, The Toy Press, and The Dirigible Balloon. When she’s not teaching or writing, she can be found singing, reading, eating pasta, or traveling the world.
In today’s Feature Interview, I’m talking with fellow neurodivergent kidlit author Johanna Peyton. We’ll be talking about perspective as a neurodivergent reader/writer, and the importance of providing approachable books for reluctant readers that meet them where they are.
FEATURE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Johanna, it’s so nice to have you here on the blog today! Could you tell us where you’re joining us from?
I’m so excited to be here. Thanks for having me. I’m coming in from Austin, Texas, where it is already heating up and on the verge of summer!
How did you hear about the Feature Interview series, and what made you want to apply?
When writing, it is easy to compare your messy works-in-progress to the fully polished, published books and get discouraged. I love seeking out places where I can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into other authors’ processes. This series has been great for that.
What kind of books do you write? (Age group and genre).
I write fiction and non-fiction picture books and middle-grade fiction. My writing style leans toward lyrical and is often full of playfulness and poignancy.
What made you want to become a writer, and when did your writing journey begin?
Following the wisdom of the quote, “If you write, you are a writer,” I have always been a writer and always (secretly) dreamed of publishing a book one day. But I didn’t begin pursuing this dream with intention until 2020, when life felt unpredictable and fragile. For me, this was a moment of, if not now, when.
What were the early stages like?
I like to think of the early stages as my sponge years. Everything was new to me, and I read all the writing craft and children’s books I could get my hands on and signed up for as many classes and conferences as I could. Then I soaked everything up. It was exhilarating and fun.
Were there any groups/contests that helped you early on?
The kidlit community is lucky to have many mentor authors who are generous with their time and experiences in helping newer writers. My writing journey was particularly helped by the writing classes and community at The Writing Barn with author/founder Bethany Hegedus, the webinars and community of 12×12 with author/founder Julie Hedlund, and SCBWI.
In fact, it was during Austin’s SCBWI 2021 conference that I was selected as a finalist for the Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award. This was the first form of external validation that one of my picture book manuscripts received, and I was over the moon. It was a huge piece of encouragement that I was on the right track.
How did you find your agent match? Cold query/contest/etc?
My agent and I were fortunate enough to be connected through mutual shared relationships. I was first connected to the founder of Full Circle Literary, Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel, via an introduction from author and friend, Bethany Hegedus. Stefanie then referred me to my now agent, Taylor Martaindale Kean, who was another agent at Full Circle Literary.
What were some green flags you saw with your agent?
After Taylor read five or six of my manuscripts, she asked for a call in which she offered representation. The conversation between us felt natural, and when it was over, I was buzzing with inspiration. This was a huge green flag to me. Not only did Taylor have everything I was looking for from the business side (smart, well-connected, ethical, hard-working, editorial, etc.), but she also shared the same vision and passion for my stories. She told me that my manuscripts had kept her up late reading and had brought her to tears. This is every writer’s dream to hear, and I was so giddy with excitement that I wanted to say yes right away. But I forced myself to take some time and do all my homework (review contract, talk to other clients, etc.). This made me all that much more confident when saying yes!
Two years later, I still feel beyond grateful for Taylor’s belief in me and my work and for her stewardship of my career.
Do you have any advice for writers who may be in the query trenches, still looking to find (and sign with) their dream agent?
From a practical standpoint, my advice is to put yourself out there as much as possible. I think something that helped me land my agent was that I had an editor from a major house interested in one of my manuscripts. I originally submitted to that editor through a conference opportunity, and we developed a rapport through which she requested a revise and resubmit of one of my pieces. In the end, that project didn’t go forward, but at the time, I think it spoke to the quality and marketability of my work and showed my agent that I was able to professionally advocate for myself. So my advice would be to find and take all the opportunities you can.
From an emotional standpoint, I would say just keep going. As writers, it can be so hard to see what we are building. It’s hard to show up day after day to add one more word, send out one more query, and then another, and another. It takes faith, bravery, and belief that what we are doing matters. But what we are doing does matter. So keep showing up and putting yourself out there.
How long did it take you to get your book deal? Who was it with? And was your first book deal for the same manuscript that your agent signed with you for?
My debut nonfiction picture book, ALL BRAINS WELCOME: Embracing ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and More, illustrated by the talented Olga Popova, is publishing with Sourcebooks eXplore on October 6, 2026. It is a celebratory look at neurodivergence through a classroom of children introducing themselves and what makes their brains unique while throwing a brain party.
I signed this deal with editor Anna Luketic at Sourcebooks about six months after signing with my agent. At the time of signing with my agent, this book didn’t even exist. The manuscripts that my agent signed me for are either on submission, in development, or back in the drawer.
For writers who may be agented and out on sub (or for those who aren’t yet and are wondering what to expect), could you share a little about what goes on behind the scenes in the publishing process? We’d love to hear any details you can share about your first book deal!
Once I signed with my agent, we went through and reviewed my manuscripts and together chose which ones felt the strongest. Then my agent made a list of editors/houses she suggested we submit to. I added some editors to the list based on connections made at webinars or conferences. Then Taylor submitted my manuscripts, and we waited! It is honestly a lot like querying agents, but instead, you are submitting to editors. I think this is typical for the start of most agent/author relationships.
However, ALL BRAINS WELCOME had a different start. My editor, Anna Luketic, initially approached me. We connected during an SCBWI conference the previous year, and she knew that I was passionate about writing books that affirmed neurodivergent experiences. Sourcebooks was looking for a book that did just that, so I set to writing it!
How long was it from book deal to publication?
Two years. I signed the contract for ALL BRAINS WELCOME in September of 2024 and submitted a completed manuscript by December. The illustrator signed on in early 2025, and the book will be released on October 6, 2026. Preorders are currently available everywhere books are sold. I am so excited and proud of this book and hope it goes out into the world and does great things!
As a neurodivergent author, could you share a bit about the perspective you bring to both reading and writing books?
As a proudly neurodivergent author, I want to write books that honor and validate the experiences held by myself and others. And beyond that, I want to celebrate it. Over the past ten years, there has been a wealth of increased information about neurodivergence, but there is still so much work to be done to break long-held stigmas and beliefs that differences somehow make us less than.
In our family, four out of the five of us are neurodivergent, so we don’t take reading or writing for granted. It is something that was fought hard for and is much cherished. Most days, I wear a pendant around my neck inscribed with the Latin phrase “dulcius ex asperis,” which means “sweeter after difficulties.” This perspective that the things we work the hardest for are most cherished once earned is something that pushes me every day to continue to fight through the challenges to create books for children.
You mentioned in your application that you were diagnosed with dyslexia later in life. What was it like being diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult, and how do you feel it has impacted/shaped your life in general, and also as a writer?
After my older two children were diagnosed with dyslexia, I began noticing similarities between their reading challenges and my own. This prompted me to be evaluated, and I was officially diagnosed when I was 35.
Finding this out about myself as an adult doesn’t technically change anything… yet at the same time changes everything. Even though I made good grades throughout school and went on to get a master’s degree in a reading/writing-heavy program, I often felt like I was just pretending to be smart. I felt like I always had to be extra prepared, otherwise everyone else would find out the truth that I actually didn’t belong.
Having a dyslexia diagnosis meant that I could begin telling myself all the things that we had been telling our children for years: I am smart. My brain just works differently, so reading takes me longer, but I am smart. As I began seeing the many, many ways I have compensated over the years, for the first time, I was able to give myself grace and accept who I am.
This process also drastically increased my empathy towards my children and their experiences at school. As adults, we often have control over our environment, so we put ourselves in places where we feel comfortable. But at school, our children don’t have this luxury. I am daily in awe of my children’s bravery and perseverance, even when it is hard and uncomfortable.
So today, I write for the little girl I was, I write for my children, and I write for all those who are still figuring out how to love who they are.
You also touched on your mission and desire to provide approachable books for reluctant readers that meet them where they are, while also providing them with deeper, mature themes. Could you share how you try to do this with your writing and why you feel it’s so important?
For children with dyslexia, learning to read takes longer, so it is not uncommon for them to be reading below grade level. That might mean a fourth grader is reading at a second-grade level. But the things that interest seven/eight-year-olds are much different than what nine/ten-year-olds are into. As I am writing middle-grade novels, I work to keep this in mind by writing books with content that will appeal to older children, but that still feels accessible to dyslexic or reluctant readers. I try to write shorter or tighter chapters that include more white space on the page and, when appropriate, add multi-format presentation of information, such as text messages, graphics, etc., to break up the prose. Techniques like these and others can help books feel more approachable and less intimidating while not sacrificing deep content and themes.
What have been some of the biggest struggles on your road to publishing?
My biggest struggle along this writing journey has been handling the close calls and near misses. And I have had several, especially on a manuscript that is extremely close to my heart. It has made it through the revise and resubmit process at two major publishing houses, only to ultimately get rejected at both. It has been devastating to get so close and not have it work out. Yet.
What has kept you going?
With this particular manuscript, I believe that the world needs this story. And it is my job to keep working on it to make it the best it can be so that it’s ready when the right industry partner comes along.
What advice would you give to others who may be struggling right now?
Be brave and believe. Be fearless and honest in what you put on the page. Be brave when submitting to different opportunities. Believe that the stories you are writing matter. Believe that this dream will happen for you.
Be brave enough to believe that what you are writing is exactly what a child needs to hear. And keep going!
What have been some of your happiest publishing moments? Feel free to share more than one!
My happiest publishing moments have been around seeing ALL BRAINS WELCOME come to full fruition. Hearing all the encouragement and support from the Sourcebooks team during this project’s creation, then seeing the art for the first time, and then getting to share the bright and playful cover with the world. It has all been one amazing *pinch me* moment after the next. I can’t wait to get my author copies and hold the book in my hands for real. Once this book is out in the wild, I hope it makes a true difference for children, families, teachers, and classrooms.
What do you hope readers will take away from your stories?
I write to speak truth to the unkind, untrue whispers that often live within us. I hope readers walk away from my stories with another, more honest, loving voice in their mind that reminds them of their own resilience and creativity.
For ALL BRAINS WELCOME, my hope is specifically that those with neurotypical brains see and those with neurodivergent brains feel seen.
What do you want people who are reading your interview today to take away?
I hope those reading this interview take away the importance of reading. The importance of books. And the importance of creating them.
Any final thoughts/words of wisdom that you’d like to share?
This has been such a joy. Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of this fabulous series.
Thanks so much for joining us, Johanna.
Now it’s time for a giveaway!
GIVEAWAY
Johanna is offering ONE PRIZE FOR ONE WINNER!
PRIZE OPTIONS:
Prize 1: A non-rhyming, fiction PB critique
OR
Prize 2: A 30-minute Zoom AMA.
Be sure to specify which prize you’d like in the comments!
Deadline to enter giveaway: 6/16/2026
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention/tag my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your entry! Don’t have X or Instagram? Enter the giveaway by LIKING and leaving a COMMENT at the bottom of the interview.
ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity.
NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month.
Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins.
Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.
Did you enjoy this interview?
Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.
Johanna Peyton is a proudly neurodivergent writer who writes with playfulness and poignancy. Johanna is represented by agent Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary. She holds a BBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management and an MPH in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science. Her debut nonfiction picture book, ALL BRAINS WELCOME: Embracing ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and More, illustrated by Olga Popova, is scheduled for publication in the fall of 2026 with Sourcebooks eXplore.
Johanna is a member of SCBWI, 12×12, Writers League of Texas, and The Writing Barn’s Empowered Author and Courage to Create communities. She also serves on the board of the Dyslexia Center of Austin. In her free time, she shares her writing journey and the books that inspire her on Instagram @JohannaPeytonAuthor. www.johannapeyton.com
Today I’m talking with funny picture-book and middle-grade writer, Elayne Crain. We’ll be talking about ways to keep a scrappy mindset, having mentors without them even knowing it, and writing humor that kids (and parents) love!
Elayne, it’s great to have you here! Could you tell us where you’re joining us from?
Hello, Chelsea! I’m joining you from my dining room table, my trusty laptop wedged in between a pretty enormous tray of hot sauces my family members use* and a heap of papers and art supplies I use.
It’s a happy, spicy mess, not unlike the girl typing these very words.
*Disclosure: I only use three tray sauces – green Tabasco, Valentina, and S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil, though I’m spicy in other ways, I assure you.
How did you hear about the Feature Interview series, and what made you want to apply?
I heard about it from being a subscriber; there’s something undeniably alluring about long-form interviews when one’s favorite thing to do is to write! 😊
Tell us a little about your publishing journey. When and how did it start?
The publishing part was (somehow) surprisingly straightforward, when it came—I attended an SCBWI First Pages webinar and connected with editor Kat Brzozowski through it. I didn’t have an agent, and I brought the first page of this particular story (which ended up being the first three spreads, ms-wise) because I loved it, but it didn’t seem to be getting much traction in the agent-querying trenches. Luckily, Kat saw in it what I saw in it—and then some—and I think she actually said, “This one is really weird, but it’s my kind of weird.” Then we chatted in the webinar chat about Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, which was another huge sign that we were on the same page for humor. (And yes, I’m still pinching myself for being in the right place at the right time, somehow, to have met her and gotten to work with her! She really is amazing.) It took a while to get the rest of the team on board, but we did it—with a lot of revision work on my part, too, I should add. I’m so grateful that she didn’t give up on it, or me, during that time.
Could you share a little bit about the early stages of your writing journey?
I’ve written for fun—just for myself, and occasionally to amuse friends with—my entire life—including write right now, as I write about how I already wrote about my writing Origin Story.
Here’s the most salient bit: it was always FUN for me. When I was terrible, when I wrote too much (and when I wrote too little)—none of that mattered, because I enjoyed it. And I still do.
Holding on to that joy is simple but not easy—you have to remember to let yourself play as hard as you work—and, alas, play is something that absolutely cannot be faked or sped up. Ironically, play requires patience.
What were some of the things you learned that helped you the most?
Let’s list them! (I love a good list!)
Reading—broadly and niche-ly, oldies and newbies. (This should be obvious, but one of the unfortunate truisms of spending more time on craft is that you have less time to read, so a reminder doesn’t hurt.)
Noting. Alas, alack, reading itself doesn’t much improve craft—rather, it’s the post-read mulling, marinating, and ah-ha’ing that does; useful realizations can take an annoying amount of time and thought. Incidentally, this is why I even reread books I think I *don’t* like—it’s important to figure out why.
Knowing oneself. Fully marshaling yourself—your real self—into your work may mean therapy, and maybe lots of it. Incidentally, self-knowledge doesn’t mean you aren’t evolving, and it’s nothing to fear (even if it’s not always comfortable); it means you have perspective, and ideally, empathy. This genuinely human experience is what separates us from AI glop, and it’s never been more important.
Loving—life and people (where people include oneself). As Mary Oliver says, “let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.” Hugs help. Having a partner helps (assuming they are the right partner for you). Nature walks help (and Claritin helps nature walks help). Choosing bravery over fear helps. Connection helps.
Were there any groups/organizations/something else that benefited you?
I’m a SCBWI evangelist, for good reason! I joined the Eastern Australia chapter in November of 2019 (we were living in Melbourne at the time), and it’s been my creative career’s helpmate since. Not only has most of my craft learning and networking come through that organization, but it was an SCBWI webinar where I connected with Kat at Macmillan, who published my first book. (I volunteer pretty heavily with our local group, as part of trying to keep that going for others. Maybe gross to note, but I’m proud of that.)
I also really love 12×12 (for picture book nerds like myself) and Inked Voices (for their variety of genres) for their craft talks and opportunities. Really, it’s probably more important to join an active creative community than to overthink which one(s).
Tell us about writing humor. As I’m sure anyone who has read your hilarious debut, There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter, knows, you are a master of the hilarious. But writing humor is no easy feat- it’s an art- and it’s a very subjective art. For any genre, this is a feat, but for picture books, it’s especially tricky because your target audience (children ages 4-8)isn’t always the one selecting the book; often, it’s an adult. Which means, you have to appeal to both the child’s humor- and the adult’s. Can you tell us a little about how you broke into such a competitive space, as well as how you were able to master humor for kids while also appealing to adults?
Man, I wish I actually believed I’ve “mastered” humor! Jello-wrestled it successfully, maybe—but that was mostly that one time in college*.
*This is true. (Keep in mind, I was much cuter then; if anyone has pics, please send them my way.)
But I think what I did manage to do, at least with this one book, is to tap into the humor that (alas) I know best: awkward/cringe/deadpan, with dollops of (hopefully) worthy wordplay.
Was there anyone/anything that helped you with your humor craft?
Oh, the usual: being an oddball misanthrope who didn’t want to be burned as a witch.
It also probably helps if you’ve (accidentally or otherwise) made a mockery of yourself so many times that it feels somewhat natural to willingly do so?
Truly, humor has been my lifelong crutch—by far my biggest social lubricant and coping mechanism. When you are as weird as I am, it behooves one to make oneself somewhat palatable in whatever form one can. I never saw myself as sporty, or pretty, or particularly skilled with people—so words have long been my most viable option!
Now, of course, I know I’ve battled undiagnosed-until-not-long-ago, pretty major internal hyperactive-impulsive ADHD for over forty (mumble) years. Making quick-witted and creative associations is a rare but appreciated benefit of that kind of brain, and I am so glad I had that to add to my perhaps nonexistent arsenal of other skills.
What tips do you have for authors who may be looking to break into the humor space for kids?
I think, for me, don’t assume kids aren’t as sophisticated as you are—and knowing most adults? FAR more sophisticated. I mean, if you want to hear an on-point Komodo dragon joke, go right to a fifth grader.
I hear a lot of writers repeat the same trite stuff over and over, like, “kids love poop jokes.” Well, some might—but, I think they appreciate craft as much, if not more, than subject. Why aren’t we saying, “kids love well-done jokes” to the point of triteness? THAT is far more universally true, and far more helpful to achieving something memorable and interesting on the page.
Related, truly my best advice: let the punchline be shown when you can. (This may require, GASP!, art notes.)
In your application, you mentioned mentors, which is always a topic, and I feel like this one is not talked about enough. Tell us about your mentor experiences. How were they able to help you on your publishing journey? And did they always know they were “mentoring?” Explain.
In terms of “official” mentorships—SCBWI to the rescue, not once, but twice! I did one mentorship through SCBWI Mid-South (with the wonderful Jessica Young, for picture book writing, which resulted in working further on my There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter manuscript)—and I did another through my current SCBWI group, SCBWI WW (Western Washington) with author-illustrator Vikram Madan (for poetry). 😊 They were—and still are!—amazing inspirations—personally and professionally, and I can’t thank them enough for sharing their smarts with me!
As far as creators who are in that third spot–who are accidentally (through no fault of their own, ha ha) “mentoring” me through their creative works, I doubt it would surprise any of them to know that I think of their work a lot. I have NO poker face and tend to gush when I really admire someone, so I’ve either straight-out told them how much I look to their work/careers for creative nerve and verve, or I’ve talked about their work enough that it’s blatantly obvious/possibly unnerving. What can I say? I’m not particularly cool, so I hope some appreciate my earnestness—it’s at least spread out over quite a few people (us being spoilt for choice, in our field). And I hope anyone in a position of influence in kidlit probably remembers the people they looked up to, and hopefully that helps.
Funny note: it can go both ways. I do have one adult-humor writer pen pal of many years who used to be WELL outside the world of kidlit, who has since ventured in; this cracks me up endlessly.
Not only that, but I have also been lucky enough to have BEEN a mentor for a few writers—and they were hugely inspirational to me! So, it’s not a one-way street, anyhow, this kind of thing (at least when it happens in real life).
How have you been able to keep a scrappy mindset? And why is this important? Explain.
Oh, goodness, yes. When times are crappy, you HAVE to be scrappy! Look, no one cares more about your creative work than you do—NO ONE, especially the totality of your work, which may (if you’re lucky) someday represent you. Even the greats don’t have ENDLESS resources—chief among them, time!
So even *just* viewing your future work through a lens of “what is most important to spend my time on next” requires you to be whip-smart, on some level?
I tend to focus on the classics in the self-help space:
practice and experimentation (esp. via rapid prototyping)
actively seeking out new perspectives and skills
keeping a growth mindset
Easier said than done.
Luckily(?), I’ve always been a workaholic.
“When times are crappy, you HAVE to be scrappy!” -Elayne Crain
I saw that you offer resources for teachers/librarians/parents. I love this! Could you tell our readers about what you offer and where to find it?
Of course! One of the fun things I’ve done is create a 27-page activity pack for the book, which is available for free download for anyone who subscribes to my (free) monthly Substack newsletter.
Also, I have an author mailbox that could never garner enough mail to fill the dark, attention-seeking hole in my heart! So, if any classes are doing the whole “learn to write a letter to someone” and want someone who will write back…I could be the gal! 🙂 That address can be found here.
Speaking of resources, let’s talk books! I loved your book, but even more importantly, the KIDS I read it to loved it, and really, those are the ones you have to impress. So, since not all of our readers may have yet had the pleasure of reading your hilarious story, please tell us about it!
Aww, thank you! I like to think of There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter as a cozy mystery with a twist. On the one hand, what is different about the babysitter is hilariously obvious (as they look, um, suspiciously like a stack of raccoons wearing a trenchcoat). But what I’m proudest of is that the eventual twist is both ludicrous and also, in its own way, truer than the truth. And isn’t that so often the case?
I’m also especially proud that kids really feel for both Freddie AND the Babysitter in this meet-awkward story. I’ve read this book a LOT of times now to groups, and I can tell you—you can always hear a pin drop when we get to the three spreads where Freddie is working up his courage to find out what the Babysitter’s deal is—any age group, 3 years up through third grade. They feel for both sides, so, so deeply—and that is incredibly gratifying.
What was your debut experience like?
It was amazing, and it couldn’t have come at a better time, to be honest. My mom, whom I had always had a difficult relationship with, had just passed—and it felt a bit like a life preserver to have this very good thing out there to focus on, and to celebrate something just beginning.
And, of course, it’s still going! I can’t believe it’s not even been a year yet, though time has certainly flown.
Have you been able to do any book events, local or virtual? If so, where (at what venue; school/library/bookstore/etc) and how were those events arranged?
I have! I love book events, it turns out—and school visits, in particular! 😊 I have sort of a Miss-Frizzle-inspired uniform I wear, including some raccoon-themed shoes that the kids love!
I have enjoyed many bookstore visits at this point, in addition to school visits, mostly through Third Place Books here in Seattle.
I think, honestly, partially because of my sincere passion for events and visits (which definitely comes through)—I’ve been incredibly lucky to have support from local indie books when promoting this book. We were even selected as a Kids’ Indie Next picture book pick last summer! So, I can’t overstate how important independent bookstores are, especially to new authors.
What response have you received from readers with this book?
Honestly, it’s just been…almost overwhelming. It’s not, you know, a New York Times bestseller or anything, but I do know that I have heard from an awful lot of people that their kids want to hear it over and over again; I also know that it recently won one of those March Madness Picture Book brackets at an elementary school in New York.
I truly love this book that John and I made (with Kat and Foyinsi’s stewardship), so to know that anyone else could love it, too, is just so, so lovely.
This book is so funny- I just love it. I have to know, what was your inspiration for writing this?
As always, lived experience, ha ha! I was both a babysitter and a haplessly-babysat kid. So, I was always genuinely interested in (and hopefully suited to) telling some sort of babysitting-related tale.
So much went into plotting, and the writing, over years of revisions–including, but not limited to, the name Freddie (a nod to a Steve Martin character I loved as a child), plus a Shaun the Sheep “pizza ordering” sequence–even the dog’s name, Bonzo, comes from Calvin & Hobbes.
I’ve talked about this before, too—but even though I identified with Freddie and the Babysitter as I was writing this, I didn’t quite realize that I had hyperactive ADHD yet, in ways that apparently present very commonly in women (i.e., manifesting mainly internally). What I did know, though, was that I certainly often FELT like I was full of conflicted raccoons. So even though it’s ridiculous, to me? That character is very heartfelt, as are their constant attempts to mask themselves.
What do you hope this story (and others that you write) will bring your readers?
I actually have a well-thought-out answer to this—here goes!
I have three primary concerns when I create.
One: Do I relish this work so that it will be endowed with joy? (This speaks to my own selfish needs.)
Two: Will this brighten a child’s day? (This speaks to a child’s needs.)
Three: Do I purposefully choose to believe this fiction, and why? (This speaks to the emotional side—the part that makes fiction truer than fact.)
If I’ve considered all three aspects fully, I can be sure I’m bringing the best I’m capable of to readers: something bright, layered, and genuine. I hope that’s what they feel, too.
Any last words of wisdom for our fellow writing community and/or anyone else who may be reading today?
You all are probably tired of hearing from me at this point, so I’ll share my three favorite quotes from others!
From Dolly Parton: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
From the mantle at Henry Ford’s house: “Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice.”
From my dad (admittedly when he was trying to get me to go into law, ha ha): “There’s always room for someone good, and you can always GET good.”
Thank you, all! 😊
Thank you for joining us, Elayne. You have been a delight. And now… It’s time for a giveaway or two!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Elayne will be giving away TWO PRIZES … to TWO WINNERS.
Winner 1 will receive a free personalized signed copy of There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter.
Winner 2 will receive a 30-minute author Ask-Me-Anything call.
Let me know in the comments below the article which prize you are entering for!
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention/tag my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your entry! Don’t have X or Instagram? Enter the giveaway by LIKING and leaving a COMMENT at the bottom of the interview. DEADLINE TO ENTER: 5/19/2026
ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity. Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins. NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month.
Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.
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Elayne Crain is a proud writer of childish things. She writes funny (meaning both peculiar and humorous) fiction and informational fiction picture books, as well as poetry and middle-grade fiction. Her main concern when submitting a story for publication consideration is always: “Will this brighten a child’s day?” Elayne’s debut picture book (with illustrator John Ledda), “There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter,” was a Summer 2025 Kids Indie Next List pick. 🥳
Elayne lives in Seattle with her two teens and her partner, which is good news, since she considers tall trees and strong coffee as life necessities. She is on the Advisory Committee of SCBWI Western Washington. Visit Elayne’s website!
Today I’m joined by the ever-so-talented, children’s book author, broadcaster, founder of The Kidlit Foundation, and my dear friend and critique partner, Sope Martins! During our conversation, we’ll discuss the agenting journey, finding your writing community, and balancing culture with a wide reading audience.
Sope, I am so excited to finally be welcoming you to the blog as a Feature Interview guest. Can you tell our readers where you’re joining us from today?
Hi Chelsea, I’ve been counting down to the day, so I’m very glad it’s finally here! I’m coming to you from Lagos, Nigeria.
How did you hear about the Feature Interview series, and what made you want to apply?
From your newsletter and Instagram posts. It’s been fun reading the conversations and discovering amazing authors and their books through the series.
What do you write, and when did your writing journey begin?
I write picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels. My writing journey began about ten years ago with my first picture book, The Greatest Animal in the Jungle, which was published in Nigeria.
As you know, breaking into the publishing industry requires a great deal of patience and persistence. How were you able to stay the course?
This is such a good question because it is one thing to understand that publishing is slow, and another thing to live through it. What helped me through it all, and continues to help me, is doing other things.
When I send a manuscript to my agent, I set a reminder on my calendar to check in later, then I move on to something else. Sometimes that’s another manuscript. Sometimes it’s teaching a workshop or working on programmes through The Kid Lit Foundation. Now, instead of waiting anxiously, I get these lovely bursts of excitement whenever I see an email from my agent.
What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced on this journey, and how have you successfully been able to overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the distance between the African children’s literature ecosystem and the global publishing industry. Many African writers are telling powerful stories, but access to publishing networks, mentorship, and industry knowledge can still be uneven depending on where you live.
That’s one of the reasons I care so much about building community and creating opportunities through The Kid Lit Foundation.
Let’s talk a bit about community. A writing community is an invaluable resource for writers to have. Can you share some of the ways that your writing community has helped you?
Oh, my days, where would we be without our community!
First mention has to go to our writing group, the Picture Book Society! We share manuscripts, news, opportunities, worries, and concerns, and encourage each other. We also meet regularly, which makes the writing life feel much less solitary.
I’ve also found wonderful community at conferences and festivals, and through my MFA programme. Writing might happen alone, but writing careers definitely need community.
Are there any writing contests/organizations/groups in particular that helped get you to where you are today? Explain.
Yes, several.
We Need Diverse Books has played a huge role in expanding the possibilities for writers from underrepresented communities. As a 2021 mentee, I got the opportunity to be mentored by the gracious and generous Erin Entrada Kelly. The editor-writer mentorship program from The Word: A Storytelling Sanctuary connected me with Caitlyn Dloughy, editor extraordinaire and the editor of Hairstory.
Mindy Alyse Weiss’s PB Party contest was another important one. It is such a well-run event and creates wonderful opportunities for writers to connect with agents and editors. Being in the showcase got me into conversation with a number of agents. 12×12 gave me the gift of our writing group, and SCBWI has done too much in my writing life for me to even begin. They’ve got grants, conferences, community, and The Book, which has all the resources a budding writer could need.
-Such fantastic groups- thanks for sharing! (I have included quick links if anyone is curious about checking these out!)
What are some contests/groups/organizations you might recommend to other writers, and why?
All of the above, definitely. They are so well run and so supportive of writers. And for writers based in Africa, I would also recommend Suyi Davies Okungbowa’s Literary Laddership for Emerging African Authors. It is one of the most thoughtful mentorship initiatives I have seen for African writers. I tell all my African writing friends and acquaintances about this.
Speaking of writing organizations… tell us more about The Kid Lit Foundation. What is it, when did you found it, and who is it for?
The Kid Lit Foundation is a space for young readers and creatives across Africa. I founded it in 2024 after years of visiting schools and meeting children who loved stories but had limited access to books or storytelling opportunities.
Through the foundation, we connect children with authors, illustrators, editors, and other creatives through workshops, mentorship programmes, storytelling events, and literacy initiatives.
One of our biggest events is KidLit Fest, our annual literature and storytelling festival. We also run book drives and our Box Library initiative, which provides mini libraries in spaces where children might not otherwise have access to books.
What kind of response has your organization received from its community?
It’s been really good. We’ve had great feedback from children, teens, and their caregivers. A couple of our mentees have gone on to complete their manuscripts – one even got published!
We’ve also had a great response from schools. This year, we’re working to expand the scope of our mentorship programme so we can go from tens of participants to hundreds.
Can you tell us about your mentorship programs that you’ve participated in and some of the other writing-related festivities that you’ve been able to partake in?
I can confidently say that mentorship programs have gotten me to where I am today.
PB Party helped get my work in front of agents, and SCBWI conferences are always fun, informative, and a great way to meet people in the industry.
I also attend Nigeria-based workshops and festivals. They’re wonderful spaces for gathering with the writing community.
Let’s explore query letters. What did the querying process look like for you, and how long were you in this stage before finding your match?
My goodness, querying is an education in persistence.
For me, the process involved researching agents carefully, sending queries in batches, and constantly revising both the query letter and the manuscript based on feedback. I was one of the luckier ones – I spent about nine months querying before getting into the PB Party final showcase and getting my agent. And yes, querying is very much about luck and timing and opportunity as opposed to just talent. Because I have seen gloriously gifted writers spend years in the querying trenches.
It can feel daunting because you are asking someone to believe in a story that only exists in your imagination. But the right agent is out there looking for the exact story you are writing.
“…querying is an education in persistence…”
Sope Martins
“The right agent is out there looking for the exact story you are writing.”
Sope Martins
Do you have any tips on how a writer and/or illustrator can write a strong query letter?
Research. Know what the agent you’re querying is looking for, see how your work fits that, how it is distinct from other stories like it, and write a letter around that. You don’t need bells and whistles. You just need to keep it clear and focused.
And most importantly, make sure your manuscript is as strong as possible. The query letter will open the door for you. Your manuscript is what gets you in.
-YES, to all of the above!
You’re currently agented, and not long ago, your debut picture book, Hairstory, was released with Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books in January 2026. (YAY!) But before we talk about that, I’d love to dig a little into how you got to this point in your publishing career. How and when did you connect with your agent?
I signed with my agent, Sara Crowe, shortly after the PB Party Finalist showcase. During my WNDB mentorship, Erin Entrada Kelly had very kindly introduced me to Sara, who is also her agent. At the time, Sara gave me really thoughtful notes on a middle grade manuscript and invited me to revise and resubmit.
What’s funny is that I hadn’t queried her with my picture books at all. She was looking for MG and YA, and I had only sent her that middle grade project.
Then PBParty happened. My picture book manuscript got some lovely responses from agents, and I had this stray thought: why not send it to Sara, too? Even though she wasn’t actively looking for picture books.
Lo and behold, she loved it and offered representation.
Was the manuscript that initially got you your agent the same one that got you your first book deal?
Interestingly enough, no, it wasn’t. The PB manuscript that got me representation was called Masquerade Dance. I didn’t have that much hope for Hairstory because the word on the street was that there were rather a lot of hair books out there, and publishing land didn’t need any more. But I guess you can’t believe everything you hear because Hairstory got snapped up by Caitlyn!
How did you know your agent was the right fit for you? Tell us some of the green flags.
I liked Sara’s energy straight away. That was the biggest green flag. I really liked that, though she didn’t sign me at first, she took time out to give me really detailed and constructive notes on my manuscript. When we had our conversation, I had a list of questions I had prepared, and she answered every one of them thoughtfully. She was prepared and had thought of how she would present me to editors. And she’s always open to communication. I can tell her what I need from her without worries.
What are some things that you’d say make a successful agent/author relationship?
Trust and communication for sure. You need to trust that you and your agent share the same vision for your work. And you need to know what you want and clearly communicate that.
For those who may be at the pre-agent stage and curious about post-representation, can you tell us about the next steps? What has your submission process been like since acquiring representation?
Once you sign with an agent, the next stage is often revision.
You and your agent may refine the manuscript before sending it out to editors. After that comes the submission process, which can involve multiple rounds of editors reading, discussing, and considering the book.
It requires patience, but it is also an exciting stage because your story is finally entering the publishing world.
What projects are you working on now, and what sparks your creative interest?
I’m working on my Moby Dick right now! It’s a YA novel, and it was the first idea for a book I ever had, but I knew I wasn’t ready to tackle it. Now I’m ready. It’s slow going, but it’s fun. I’m also working on a middle-grade novel in verse.
Many of your stories embrace parts of your heritage and culture. Hairstory is a great example of this. Can you tell us about how you were able to balance culture while writing for a wider reading audience? Explain.
Honestly, I don’t really think about balancing culture for a wider audience when I’m writing. I start with the characters and the world they live in, and I try to be truthful to that.
When I’m writing nonfiction, I usually begin with something that catches my attention. Then I start digging into why it fascinates me.
With Hairstory, for example, I kept thinking about how expressive Yoruba culture is and how much we love telling stories. If you’ve ever been to a Black salon, you know that hair time is sharing time. I found myself wondering where did that come from? So, that was my angle into writing about black hair.
What I’ve found is that when you write those things honestly, readers connect to the emotions inside the story. Even if the setting or traditions are unfamiliar, the feelings are not. The more specific you are, the richer the story becomes.
For other writers who may be passionate about sharing their personal roots and culture in their writing, do you have any tips on how they can do this while also connecting with a wider audience?
I think you have to write the specifics. Sometimes, you might want to make your writing more general because that feels like it will be more accessible to a wider audience. But, counterintuitively, it’s digging into the specifics. The more grounded your story is in real experiences, traditions, and emotional truth, the more readers will connect with it.
While we’re on this topic, now is a fantastic time to delve into more about Hairstory. Tell us about your book! What is it about?
Hairstory is really a celebration of Black hair and everything that comes with it. The creativity, the history, the pride, and the cultures behind it.
What was your inspiration for writing this story, and what message do you hope it will impart to readers?
Hair rituals were always a big part of growing up for me. I spent a lot of time at the hairdresser’s. We had different styles of hair for school and at home. Different cultures spawned different hairstyles, but they had the same motivations. I wanted to highlight that connectivity.
What kind of feedback have you received from readers?
It’s been great. I’ve been in conversation with authors, teachers, and parents. The feedback has been amazing, and one thing I’m so happy about is that Hairstory got to be out in time for Black History Month.
What have been some of your happiest publishing highlights?
Definitely Hairstory coming out! And it getting starred reviews!
What keeps you motivated to continue writing?
Curiosity. And the look in a child’s eyes when they’ve read my story and loved it.
Have there been any books/writers that/who have influenced or inspired your writing career?
So many. Enid Blyton, because that’s who I grew up reading, Mariama Ba, Chinua Achebe, Nina Bawden, Carole Boston Weatherford…the list goes on.
What words of wisdom would you like to offer readers today?
If you’re writing for children, you’re doing a wonderful thing. You’re doing a creative thing. You’re doing an inventive thing. You’re doing a hard thing. You’re doing a worthwhile thing. You’re doing a rewarding thing. You’re doing a frustrating thing. You’re doing a lot of things for the thing you love.
Beautiful way to end. And very true! And now, it’s time for a giveaway.
GIVEAWAY
This month, Sope is offering a picture book critique to one winner! Parameters: No rhyme. Fiction: under 800 words. Nonfiction: under 1,300 words.
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention/tag my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your entry! Don’t have X or Instagram? Enter the giveaway by LIKING and leaving a COMMENT at the bottom of the interview.
ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity.
NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month.
Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins.
Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.
Did you enjoy this interview?
Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.
Sope Martins is a Lagos-based children’s author, broadcaster, and founder of The Kid Lit Foundation. She writes books, runs a storytelling festival, and connects children with established authors, illustrators, and storytellers through mentorship programmes—despite the Lagos traffic trying to write her out of the plot!
Her happy place is helping African children find themselves on the page, right in the middle of epic adventures.
Sope’s the author of several picture books, including The Greatest Animal in the Jungle and The Adventures of Nosa the Superhero (Farafina Books), and has worked on international literacy campaigns from Lagos to Johannesburg. Her upcoming picture book, Hairstory (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2026), is an ode to Black hair in all its beauty, strength, and sculptural glory—because hair, like story, is never just one thing.
In today’s Feature Interview, I’m talking with children’s book author and former educator Jessica Milo. We’ll be discussing writing inspirations and joy in kidlit. We’ll also explore how writing can be a source of healing in difficult times and how hope in books can transfer to hope in life.
Jessica, it’s so wonderful to finally welcome you to the blog! I loved reading through your Feature Interview Application. It was beautiful. It was heartbreaking. It was heartfelt. It was inspirational. I can’t thank you enough for joining us today, and I am so looking forward to our conversation. To get the ball rolling, could you tell us where you’re joining us from?
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words, Chelsea! I am so excited to be here and be featured on your blog! I am in Sacramento, CA. I recently moved back here from Portland, OR, where I lived for seven years!
How did you hear about the Feature Interview series, and what made you want to apply?
I’m a big fan of your interview series and am a subscriber. While working on my debut picture book marketing plan, I made a list of blogs to contact—yours was at the top! Then I saw your Instagram post about applications for your 2026 interview series and jumped at the chance to apply.
Prior to becoming a published author, you were an educator. Could you tell us more about that? (How long did you teach? What topics did you specialize in (if applicable)? What age groups/grades did you teach? Etc.)
Yes! I earned my BA in French at CSU Sacramento, inspired by my high school French teacher and a love of the language and Francophone culture. In college, I assisted—and later taught—at a local French after-school program. After graduating, I joined TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France) and spent eight months teaching English in two elementary schools while living in Clermont-Ferrand, France—best experience ever!
When I returned to the US, I taught for several years at a French immersion preschool in Portland, where I discovered my love for teaching young children. Storytime was always my favorite part of the day, so I might’ve subconsciously known then that kidlit was in my future.
When and how did your author/writing journey begin?
During the pandemic, I lost my cat, Cowboy, who had been with me since I was seven. He was my rock, and losing him was devastating. He was my baby. Six months later, my aunt—my best friend and another steady presence during my childhood—passed away unexpectedly. My world fell apart.
But one thing gave me hope. When I talked to my family about Cowboy, my mom suggested I write a children’s book about him. I had no idea how, but that question led me to reading lots of picture books. I fell in love—they became a source of light in a dark time. I knew writing a picture book about him was something I wanted to do. I began taking classes, studying the craft, and eventually wrote my first story inspired by Cowboy.
Five years later, I’m now an author with four picture books under contract, and I still read at least one picture book every day! Writing about Cowboy was incredibly healing when I felt like nothing else was giving me any hope. Finding kidlit almost feels like his final gift to me—like he somehow knew that discovering writing would help me feel okay when nothing else was. Now, all I want to do is write stories that help children find wonder, joy, and hope, even in their darkest moments.
Wow, Jessica. I’m so sorry for your losses. It sounds like it was a dark time indeed. But I love how you found healing and light in the darkness with picture books. I feel the same way about them!
“I fell in love [with picture books]—they became a source of light in a dark time.” – Jessica Milo
Finding kidlit almost feels like his final gift to me—like he somehow knew that discovering writing would help me feel okay when nothing else was. Now, all I want to do is write stories that help children find wonder, joy, and hope, even in their darkest moments.
What were some of the hardships leading up to you making the decision to pursue writing? And how were you able to find joy and hope in writing?
Leaving teaching was hard—it was all I’d ever known as an adult. But writing kidlit felt necessary and right, especially after losing my cat and my aunt back-to-back. I needed a fresh start and chose to follow what brought me joy. I’m so glad I made the leap!
Another challenge was knowing where to begin. Organizations like the Children’s Book Academy, 12×12, The Writing Barn, Boyds Mills, and SCBWI helped guide me. Putting myself out there was also tough—joining critique groups, claiming the title of “writer,” and reaching out to people to find community—but I pushed past my comfort zone and grew because of it.
Writing for me is so cathartic. I write the stories I would have loved as a child and would love now, drawing from curiosity and childhood experiences. And with my debut picture book releasing this year, I’m thrilled to finally share that joy and hope with young readers!
What kind of books do you write? (Age group and genre).
I write board books through YA, but picture books are my jam. I write fiction and nonfiction, rhyme and prose, and stories with a focus on heart, imagination, and hope. I especially love lyrical stories—whether fantastical or factual—rooted in wonder and curiosity.
What does your writing do for you? And what do you hope it will impart to readers?
Writing brings me so much joy and lets me be fully myself—it reminds me that anything is possible. I hope kids feel that in my stories: that they belong, can be themselves, and are encouraged to stay curious and let their imaginations run wild.
I LOVE this!
“Writing brings me so much joy and lets me be fully myself—it reminds me that anything is possible. I hope kids feel that in my stories: that they belong, can be themselves, and are encouraged to stay curious and let their imaginations run wild.” – Jessica Milo
Did you have any professional writing background or experience before starting your publishing journey?
I don’t! I didn’t start with any formal background in writing books—I learned everything through the incredible kidlit organizations and programs available. In middle and high school, I wrote a lot of poetry and loved sharing it with friends, but beyond that, I had no professional experience.
Tell us about some of the writing organizations/groups you’ve been a part of! And how have they benefited/supported you as a writer? What have you gained from them?
My writing journey started at The Children’s Book Academy. Mira’s six-month online picture book class gave me the perfect foundation to begin writing picture books. I joined my first critique group there and met critique partners and friends I am still with to this day!
From there, I continued learning through courses and workshops with Boyds Mills (formerly The Highlights Foundation), Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and SCBWI. Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab (self-study) and Inked Voices are also invaluable programs that taught me a lot.
Just as important, these programs helped me find community. My writing friends and critique partners inspire and motivate me, and connecting with fellow kidlit creators has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.
“My writing friends and critique partners inspire and motivate me, and connecting with fellow kidlit creators has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.” – Jessica Milo
Let’s talk about the writing process and leveling up your craft. What are some ways you were able to sharpen your writing craft? And do you have any resources and/or suggestions for other writers who may be looking to do the same?
Early in my journey, courses, webinars, and workshops helped me understand the writing process and strengthen my craft. One of the most important ways I continue to sharpen it—and something every kidlit creator should do—is by reading recently published books in their genre. I read tons of picture books every year, often at least one a day!
“One of the most important ways I continue to sharpen [my craft] —and something every kidlit creator should do—is by reading recently published books in their genre.” – Jessica Milo
My biggest tip for leveling up is to type out your favorite picture books word for word. Study the page turns, pacing, poetic devices, tension, themes, and how the art works with the text. Notice how this book hooks readers and what makes the story sing.
Another great way to grow is by entering writing contests and challenges. Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PreciousWords is a favorite. There are also Susannah Leonard Hill’s seasonal contests and the #SunWriteFun competition. They push you to experiment, challenge yourself, and discover story ideas you might not have explored otherwise! Also, they’re super fun.
In your application, you mentioned “mining your life and experiences for story ideas” and “pouring emotion into your writing.” I absolutely love this! Could you speak more to what this means and how to do it?
I draw story ideas from both my childhood and my life now. Revisiting moments that stayed with me—like riding horses with my sister—often sparks inspiration! Those horseback riding memories led me to write my debut rhyming picture book, MY PONY WONDER. But I don’t rely on childhood alone. I also write from what I’m curious about now as an adult—often these are things kids wonder about, too.
For example, my MADE WITH LOVE picture book series (book one releases Spring 2028) grew from my curiosity about how everyday objects are made: how many people are involved, the steps along the way, and how so many things begin as natural materials from the earth. From there, the ideas snowballed!
When it comes to emotion, I let myself feel whatever comes up as I write. I jot down these feelings, play with verbs that carry emotion, and think about how things felt when I was a kid. I also imagine situations I haven’t experienced myself, like what I’d say if my nieces asked about the afterlife, which inspired a current story I’m working on about a child exploring what the afterlife could look like.
What matters most is what makes sense to kids and to your characters. Even when a story feels specific, it will resonate—because there are always kids who have wondered, felt, or experienced something similar!
Let’s talk queries. The process. The letters. The waiting. The responses. The lack of responses. Tell us about it!
Ah, querying! It’s maddening but also exciting! Personally, I loved writing the letters but of course, dreaded the waiting—to me, lack of response is even harder than a rejection! Querying can be anxiety-inducing, especially if you’re trying to find a new agent, so leaning on your community for support is key: commiserate over losses and celebrate wins together.
I found writing queries to be a creative exercise that also deepened my understanding of my stories. A tip: write pitches both before and after drafting a story—before helps guide you in drafting, after helps clarify your focus when revising. For comp titles, I recommend using recently published books, but pairing one with a classic can work well, too.
For writers who may be looking to be traditionally published and currently seeking literary representation, do you have any tips on how to craft a winning query letter?
Make sure your pitch captures the voice and tone of your story and leaves agents wanting more. I liked opening my queries with a brief, personal note about why I chose that agent, followed by the pitch. After that, I’d add a sentence or two about what the story means to me and my connection to it. Then I’d write a short bio and a closing line thanking the agent for their time and noting additional manuscripts available upon request (only if they’re polished and ready!), and, if it feels natural, you could include a one-sentence logline for another story you think might interest them.
Speaking of which… we’d love to hear about your agenting journey! How did you and your current agent find each other? (Cold query? Referral? Contest/conference/event?)
After my first agent left the industry, I submitted a story to an editor through an SCBWI workshop. She replied that she was taking my picture book to acquisitions! I then queried my top agents with that news; Wendi responded with genuine excitement and shared how she has a personal childhood connection to the story. She asked to see all my work. I nervously sent what I felt was my strongest material, including a MG verse novel in progress. After she read everything, she asked to set up “the call.” We met on Zoom, and I loved her energy, and we got along so great—it felt like kismet!
What made you feel like Wendi was a good fit to represent you and your writing? Explain.
I feel like Wendi truly gets my writing! Not only does she represent all the kidlit genres, but her interests match what I’m strongest at (lyrical stories, curious MCs, stories full of wonder and joy). And she loved my rhyming PBs! It just feels like the perfect match. Her calm energy, her editorial style and craft know-how, everything just feels aligned with what I valued and wanted in an agent.
I know you mentioned that you had previously been represented by another agent before Wendi. Could you tell us a little bit about that experience and how it came to an end?
Yes, I’m happy to elaborate on my experience with my first agent. We parted very amicably. After a year together, they decided to leave the industry for personal and health reasons and told me during a warm, honest Zoom call. While it was a shock, I completely understood and respected their decision. I took time to process, then made a plan: I listed new agents to query, polished my strongest PBs, and recommitted to my work. That period taught me a lot about myself as an author and how much I wanted to pursue representation and keep going!
In hindsight, I truly believe I needed that first agent to eventually find Wendi. The experience with the first agent gave me confidence which helped prepare me to query again. I admit that a key factor in landing Wendi was having a PB going to acquisitions, but she also requested all my work to see if my stories—and I as an author—were a good fit.
If you ever find yourself looking for a new agent, know that splitting with one is so common in this industry. Honestly, do what’s best for you and your career. Always split amicably and with empathy. After, take time to reflect, lean on your kidlit community, and trust that going your separate ways saves both you and the agent time and energy. When you’re ready, return to writing and revising the stories of your heart. That agent was one step on your path—now plan for the next step and work towards it. If you’re navigating this situation now or may be in the future and want to talk, you’re always welcome to DM me on IG!
In your opinion, what are some green flags to look for in a literary agent? And what are some red flags?
Great question! I’d say this:
Green flags: They’re with a reputable agency (that agency should have a website, and that agent should be listed on it!). They ask to see more work beyond the queried manuscript. They’ve made recent deals with reputable publishers in your genre (check Publisher’s Marketplace!). They’re open to you speaking with their current clients to learn about their experience with said agent. They want to have “the call” first before signing a contract to be sure you’re a good fit and are happy to answer any questions.
Red flags: They aren’t with a reputable agency. They don’t have recent sales. They charge reading fees or upfront fees (agents should only earn commission, typically 15%. You should NEVER pay an agent directly). They don’t share their submission lists with you. They avoid questions and communicate poorly. They require you exclusively query them. They’re reluctant to you talking to their clients and won’t refer any to you.
This is a fantastic list of green and red flags!
What are some challenges that you had to overcome on your publishing journey, and how were you able to come out on the other side?
One of the biggest challenges for me was knowing where to start in the children’s author journey. It’s always best to do your research! I researched reputable organizations and programs, and that was the best first step—joining 12×12 and SCBWI, and taking workshops through places like Boyds Mills, The Writing Barn, and The Children’s Book Academy. Starting from zero knowledge of kidlit took real work!
Losing my first agent and returning to the query trenches was also hard. What helped was finding the silver lining and knowing that in the end, it was all better for my career. It made me step up in my writing craft and really put in the work to improve my stories. I challenged myself to write across categories and genres, and to play with structure, language, pacing, page turns, and the story concepts themselves.
What advice would you offer to others who may be going through similar challenges?
When in doubt, do your research! Ask questions. Talk to kidlit folks who’ve been in the industry and listen to their advice. Take the writing workshop/class/webinar. Invest in your craft. Read a ton. Write a ton. And remember: rejections are normal—you’ll get a lot of them. That’s not a bad thing. It usually means the agent or editor isn’t the right fit, or your work isn’t ready yet. Either way, putting in the work to learn the craft and revising your manuscripts levels up your craft overall and leads to better stories down the road.
The road to publication can be long and bumpy. What are some words of wisdom you’d like to offer on how to succeed in publishing and stay positive when the going gets tough?
When the journey gets tough—and it will—remember it’s temporary. Keep moving forward and focus on growth. Lean on your kidlit friends; they understand because they’ve been there too. Make an actionable plan, break it into small steps, and do what you can when you’re ready—draft a pitch, jot a story idea, watch a webinar, read a picture book. It all adds up!
Fantastic advice!
“When the journey gets tough—and it will—remember it’s temporary. Keep moving forward and focus on growth. Lean on your kidlit friends; they understand because they’ve been there too. Make an actionable plan, break it into small steps, and do what you can when you’re ready—draft a pitch, jot a story idea, watch a webinar, read a picture book. It all adds up!” – Jessica Milo
What have been some of your greatest publishing moments/highlights?
Gosh, there are so many highlights I cherish—signing with Wendi, landing my first book deal for MY PONY WONDER, seeing the final cover and interior art. Getting my two-book deal for MADE WITH LOVE. Selling the story I queried Wendi with to a dream publisher for my fourth PB contract!
But one of the biggest joys and highlights is celebrating publishing wins with kidlit friends and meeting fellow authors and illustrators in person at conferences. Growing your kidlit community is truly the best part!
Any final words you’d like to leave your readers with today?
Don’t rush the process! Publishing is exciting, but growth takes time. Learn from others who are farther along in the journey than you, read widely, and spend those early years writing and revising to find your voice and discover who you are as a creator.
“Don’t rush the process! Publishing is exciting, but growth takes time. Learn from others who are farther along in the journey than you, read widely, and spend those early years writing and revising to find your voice and discover who you are as a creator.” – Jessica Milo
Thank you so much for joining us today, Jessica! It has been a pleasure to talk with you. May you continue to find joy and hope in your writing– and in bringing inspiration to others!
Thank you for having me, Chelsea! I am so grateful to be featured in your interview series, and thank you for all you do for the kidlit community!
Now it’s time for a giveaway!
GIVEAWAY
This month, Jessica is offering two prizes! (1 prize per 1 winner, 2 prize winners total.)
Prize 1: a PB critique (fiction under 800 words).
Prize 2: a 30-min Zoom AMA.
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention/tag my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your entry! Don’t have X or Instagram? Enter the giveaway by LIKING and leaving a COMMENT at the bottom of the interview.
ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity!
NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month.
Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins.
Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.
RESOURCES FOR AUTHORS, EDUCATORS, AND LIBRARIANS
Jessica offers virtual author visits for teachers/schools, libraries, homeschool groups, and kids’ clubs/organizations, where she presents on how a book goes from idea to publication and how to write a picture book. She also offers professional critique services for writers. Interested? Visit her website to learn more!
Did you enjoy this interview?
Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.
A former preschool teacher and now a middle school yard duty, Jessica’ Milo’s pours her passion for children’s books into her own stories, from the fantastical to the factual and beyond. Jessica’s debut rhyming picture book, MY PONY WONDER, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki, releases July 7, 2026, from Random House Studio. She also has a lyrical NF picture book series entitled MADE WITH LOVE, illustrated by Patricia Pessoa, forthcoming from Dial BFYR. The first book, DUMP TRUCK: MADE WITH LOVE, releases in Spring 2028, and the second book, BLANKIE: MADE WITH LOVE, is slated for Spring 2029. Jessica lives in Northern California with her husband and crazy cat, Gus. In her free time, she loves to knit, read, go on walks, play board and video games, and eat a lot of pasta. Jessica is represented by Wendi Gu of HG Literary. Connect with Jessica on IG: @jessicamiloauthor and through her website: www.jessicamilo.com. Her debut picture book, MY PONY WONDER, is now available for preorder wherever books are sold.
In today’s Feature Interview, I’m chatting with Cindy Williams Schrauben about growth mindset and the value of reading aloud. We’ll also discuss ways to put yourself out there as an author and share personal experiences of the author journey.
Cindy, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the Feature Interview guest series. Could you tell us where you’re joining us from today?
Hi Chelsea. Thanks for having me. West Michigan.
How did you hear about the Feature Interview series, and what made you want to apply?
I follow you online and admire your content.
Could you tell us what kind of books you write? (Age group and genre).
I have written books for children, including picture books and a middle-grade novel, which is in the works. I will also be venturing into the adult novelty book market soon.
When did you first begin your writing journey, and what did those beginning stages look like for you?
I jumped into the journey with both feet when my daughters left for college. It was time to challenge myself. It took nearly 8 years of studying, attending conferences and classes, and penning several manuscripts before I was able to realize my life-long dream of publishing a picture book.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced on your author journey, and how were you able to stay the course?
The challenges were many, but I think the hardest part was believing in myself enough to ‘stay the course’ as you say. The key for me was getting involved in the kidlit community – joining critique groups, reading about other authors’ journeys, entering contests and challenges, etc. These connections gave me courage and helped me to manage my expectations.
What have been some of your greatest joys and highlights in publishing?
There are so many – receiving a book deal, seeing the illustrations for the first time, getting a starred review from Kirkus, etc. I am also looking forward to an upcoming visit to a children’s hospital to read to some brave kids. I also love encouraging aspiring authors, but the best part continues to be sharing my love for books with kids.
When would you say it’s “too late” to pursue publishing?
Never! My first book was published just after my 63rd birthday, and I don’t plan to stop anytime soon.
Why would you say it’s beneficial as an author to put yourself out there? And what are some different ways/examples of doing this?
It can be exhausting, but publishing a book isn’t enough if no one sees it. Interviews such as this, blog tours, giveaways, social media posts, in-person events, etc all help with visibility. It is hard, though, because there needs to be a balance between self-promotion and providing valuable content. I try to follow the 80/20 Rule – 80% content for authors or parents/teachers (such as the social media post below) and 20% book promotion. For content, I have chosen to concentrate on the topics of Growth Mindset and Social-Emotional Learning.
What kind of author events have you been a part of locally or otherwise, and how did you go about setting up these events? Did your publisher/marketing team reach out? Did you reach out? Was contact made via phone/email,/in-person?
I attend and/or organize events on a regular basis, ranging from book festivals, bookstore signings, school visits, launch parties, local media appearances, podcasts, etc. I was responsible for setting up most of these on my own (usually via email). I have three tips. First – go where the kids are instead of hoping they will come to you. I held the launch event for my first book, THIS COULD BE YOU, at a children’s museum on a busy Saturday. Over a hundred kids were already visiting the museum that day, so my audience was ready-made. That leads to tip number two – just ask! The museum was a dream location, and I never expected it to come to fruition, but the staff was excited to bring a unique opportunity to their visitors. The third tip is this– don’t be discouraged when you plan an event, and no one shows. It has happened to all of us. Evaluate the situation and improve your processes for next time. I also encourage other authors to think beyond your book in order to offer great programs for your community. I recently partnered with a local elementary school to break a Kid’s World Record entitled “The Most Children Sharing Handmade Hearts.” Though this event matched the theme of my second book, HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART, the day was about celebrating kindness rather than the book specifically. It was great fun and happened just because I asked (Tip #2, again.)
We’d love to hear about some of your author events and experiences and see some photos if you would like to share a few!
When reading over your bio, I loved how you described your books as being books to “inspire kids to live their best lives.” Could you elaborate on what this means to you?
Sure! Encouraging kids to love books and reading is, of course, a big part of my journey, but it goes further. Both of my books have a social-emotional learning foundation. I am a firm believer that books can provide learning opportunities without being preachy. HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART applauds kindness and sharing, while THIS COULD BE YOU empowers children with a growth mindset by persuading them to believe in themselves.
Let’s talk a little bit about growth mindset for home and in the classroom. In your application, you expressed your passion for empowering parents and children with a growth mindset and inspiring them to learn from each other as they go. Can you talk a little bit more about how you do this?
Growth Mindset is a term coined by Dr. Carol Dweck from Stanford University. Her research shows us that we can develop our abilities through dedication and hard work and that failure helps us to learn and improve. I love to talk with kids about famous people who have achieved great things after facing years of defeat. By understanding the power of a growth mindset, adults can make a huge difference in the lives of children. It is often as simple as changing our vocabulary. For example, “I can’t do it” vs. “It didn’t work, yet, but I’m still trying.”
I know you also have a collection of growth mindset activities and educator guides. I’d love to add a link to those for readers to have access to on Teacher Corner as well!
While we’re on the classroom side of things, could you talk a little bit about reading aloud and its value?
There is a great deal of research out there to support the value of reading to kids. The advantages range from improving a child’s own reading abilities and listening skills, expanding their vocabularies and language skills, to fostering bonds. A statistic that always amazes me is this one from the Child Mind Institute: “… young children whose parents read to them daily have been exposed to at least 290,000 more words by the time they enter kindergarten than kids who aren’t read to regularly. And depending on how much daily reading time kids get, that number can go up to over a million words.”
Now, for our writers out there, could you tell us a little bit about mentor texts? What are they? How do you use them? How can they be helpful?
Mentor texts are valuable for writers in a number of ways, ranging from learning about the industry and what is being published to honing our own craft and revising. There is nothing more helpful, in my mind, than reading the work of other children’s book authors and asking, what works? What doesn’t? Why? And how can I apply that to my own work?
Is there any particular book/author that inspires/inspired you to write?
I have always been enamored by rhymers like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. I love to write in rhyme – it’s like a puzzle.
What advice would you like to offer writers who are just beginning their publishing journey?
Don’t give up. The journey can be long and hard, but it is worth every moment. I have a YouTube Podcast to encourage authors. You can take a look here: https://www.youtube.com/@Cindy-Williams-Schrauben
Thank you so much for joining us today, Cindy!And now it’s time for our FIRST giveaway pool of the year.
GIVEAWAY This month, Cindy is offering an AMA Zoom. (two winners)
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY LIKE AND SHARE this article to X and/or Instagram and mention my handle X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks. If you don’t have X or Instagram, you can enter the giveaway by LIKING and COMMENTING at the bottom of the interview. ENTRY WINDOW: Once the Feature Interview is posted, you will have one month (roughly 30 days) to enter. The entry window for this feature interview giveaway will close once next month’s feature interview is posted. At that time, the next month’s feature interview giveaway window will open. Meaning, there will always be a giveaway opportunity.
Example: January Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window opens/begins. February Feature Interview is posted: January giveaway window closes/ends, and February giveaway window opens/begins.
NOTE: Feature Interviews come out on the third Wednesday of every month.
Questions? Visit the FAQ page or drop a comment below.
Did you enjoy this interview? Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.
Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in West Michigan, where she writes books for children that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly. When not writing or sharing her books, this award-winning author might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading on the beach, or eating ice cream… ideally all at once. Her books, THIS COULD BE YOU (starred review from Kirkus) and HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART, inspire kids to live their best lives. You can connect with Cindy at http://www.cindyschrauben.com.
In today’s Feature Interview, I’m chatting with former Biology Professor, now Homeschool Mom and Children’s Book Author, Danna Zeiger. We’ll be discussing accessibility and disability awareness in kidlit, as well as how to manage major career shifts and the many hurdles they come with, and why the benefits outweigh the struggles.
Danna, it’s wonderful to have you with us! Can you tell us where you’re joining us from today?
Thank you so much for having me, Chelsea! I’m so excited to be here. I’m joining you from the Boston area.
How did you hear about Chelsea’s World of Books Literary Blog, and what made you want to apply for a guest Feature Interview?
I’ve read several of your fantastic, thorough interviews, so when I saw the application window open last year, I knew I had to try!
I was intrigued by your application, and I’m excited to learn more about your “unconventional route to publishing.” My hope in sharing your interview is to inspire others to chase their dreams- nothing is impossible if you don’t give up! So, let’s jump right in. Could you tell us about your day job before children’s publishing was in the mix?
Thanks! I was a biology professor and the program director for the biology bachelor’s degree at a local college. I had been in the unique position to create the program before running it for seven years. I come from an immigrant family myself, so it was especially fulfilling to serve disadvantaged and first-in-the-family students from diverse backgrounds. I taught lectures and labs from first-year biology (or non-major!) students all the way through the senior thesis course for my seniors. I helped them secure solid internships and got them ready for the world. I partnered with neighboring institutions and universities to create interesting lecture series or research opportunities. I advised dozens of students through their college experience, ensuring they made some good choices and shepherding those who were graduate school bound. My students often had one–or three!–full-time jobs on the side to get themselves through college, so there was also lots of time spent counseling students, helping them manage all of their responsibilities, and working creatively to make it happen, as well as drawing out challenging biology pathways on my whiteboard in my office during office hours. I served on college committees, worked on new course and degree development, and overall had a full and busy life as a professor.
Now enter the *spark* that started it all. What was that beginning spark for you that made you take the leap in shifting careers from Biology Professor to Homeschool Mom and Children’s Book Author?
When COVID hit, I resigned from my position, much to the shock of many people in my professional, friend, and family circles. But with a newborn baby who needed a lot of caretaking (and no nannies to be found at the time), a preschooler for whom Zoom school did not work, and a sobbing elementary school child frustrated with online learning, plus immunocompromised people at home and not enough remote work support, it simply was not possible for me to stay in my position.
I started homeschooling all three kiddos and was devouring hundreds of books, reading each month with them.
One day, while running a writing exercise for the kiddos after reading Chris Van Dusen’s If I Built a House, I had an idea for a picture book.
I should mention that, in addition to being a perpetual bookworm, I have always been a creative writer, naturally gravitating towards poetry and literature since I was a young kid, writing poems in multiple languages, and finding creative outlets my whole life. So it was well within my bucket list to one day become an author, especially a children’s book author. I just always thought that day was long in the future.
When I told my husband my picture book idea that “someone” should write, he responded with, “yes, you should.” I was shocked at first, but dove into what it took to become a traditionally published children’s book author, thanks to my dear friend who happened to be personally connected to Chana Stiefel (what an author giant to get to know!!!), and Chana kindly, generously offered both feedback and guidance on what it takes. While our mutual friend, who was initially mildly interested in what Chana might say, pretty much ran away screaming, Chana’s long list of hard work felt exciting and fascinating to me. And that is how I knew it was worth pursuing!
I give my husband a lot of credit, both for initially encouraging me to try it and then continuing to remind me that I must invest in myself and take myself seriously as an author if I want to become one. I took classes, joined critique groups, and carved out time from our busy homeschooling schedule.
-Amazing! We love hearing about supportive husbands. I am thankful enough to have one of those myself! They can really help boost your courage and belief in yourself.
Tell us about that beginning time. What were your thoughts? I’m guessing it was a mixture of scary and exciting- all the best things in life are. 🙂
It was a really exciting time! For me, the scariest part had already happened–leaving my job. I did worry about striking a balance between homeschool and writing, but my kids were my cheerleaders from day one, and I was able to take it for myself without them feeling it.
This was an exciting new prospect, but I definitely had imposter syndrome. Did I have what it took? I was a biology professor–what made me think I could write creatively, professionally? I hadn’t been an English major (although I loved my English classes and had taken AP Creative Writing!), so I had real concerns!
It was a steep learning curve: learning how the industry worked, learning to critique and receive feedback, finding groups and critique partners, the writing and publishing organizations. What was an imprint vs. a publisher vs. an editor? I truly have a whole bookshelf with publishing books I’ve read (in addition to the library ones I borrowed) in order to figure all of this out.
I quickly realized I should not submit to publishers alone and that I needed an agent. I did the thing you’re not supposed to do and queried with my very first manuscript! It did land me an agent, thankfully, but it did not land me a book deal… yet. Hooks, saleability, and the business side of publishing matters… I still had a lot to learn!
What were/are some of the hurdles that you’ve had to overcome, and how have you been able to do so?
I think publishing is mostly full of hurdles, a lot of luck, with a few spotlights of wins, LOL! I probably carry some intensity from my academic career with me, and I’m not afraid of hard work. So I try to throw everything I’ve got into this basket and push past the challenges!
Personally, it was challenging to carve out enough time for myself, so I had to get creative. Nap time? Quick, read through a new manuscript. Sitting with the kids at their activity, like gymnastics or dance? I had a critique partner’s manuscript queued up to read and comment on. Bedtime for kiddos? Yes, I loved writing so much that instead of watching TV, I would plow away at my manuscripts.
In terms of publishing, I wished for an agent so badly. I was fortunate to find one pretty quickly, and she is a great agent who makes awesome deals. However, I quickly learned that as an author, I needed more communication from my agent, so I voluntarily thrust myself back into the trenches. Luckily, I got another agent quickly again–and this time, this was a career match! Jonathan got me my first book deal and was a great support. Sadly, he decided to leave agenting (another hurdle), but my agency stepped in and had my back. A new agent absorbed some of his old clients, and my current and hopefully forever agent, Gaby Cabezut, read my work and decided to take me on! Exceptional luck, I know.
There are so many hurdles still to overcome. I have loads of ideas and work on many projects. Trying to assess which are the most marketable with the most hooks is tough. Bringing a manuscript to the true polished state–giving it time (another hurdle!) and reading it with new eyes is also tough. I’m also always trying to diversify my portfolio and write in new genres and categories.
Have there been any organizations/contests/resources/people who have helped you stay positive and motivated to continue pursuing this path?
Oh, yes! Apologies in advance for this long answer, and even bigger apologies for anyone I might inadvertently leave out–but the kidlit community is so supportive, and I have had so much help along the way.
I mentioned Chana Stiefel–she will forever be my very first critique and serious foray into children’s book publishing.
I joined Storyteller Academy, and the very first editor I listened to was this animated, articulate, smart STEM editor! I learned a lot from her one session. Ironically, she–Carol Hinz–became my first editor years later! I wisely did not submit any manuscript at the time, despite the submission opportunity, because I intuited that my work was just not good enough yet for such a sharp reader. And I can say now that I was right!
I joined SCBWI and attended virtual conferences. I joined Facebook groups, and critique groups kindly welcomed me. Thanks to Covid, everything was online, so local groups were open to someone who geographically lived even an hour away. Thanks forever to so many critique partners who welcomed me into already established groups comprising phenomenal members.
I’ve tried various things. I’m grateful to Inked Voices for many opportunities and workshops, from which I’ve also learned so much!
But way back when I started, and had only just become agented, I still felt pretty unsure of myself. I entered my very first writing contest in my entire life: Vivian Kirkfield’s famous 50 Precious Words Contest. I’m not sure if she and the judges will ever fully understand what they did for me, but placing 5th out of 750 strong writers, judged by real authors, with incredible, real prizes to boot, was my very first sign that I might not be insane for trying this writing endeavor! I won an invaluable critique by editor Thalia Leaf, who offered me essential insight I continue to carry. I continued on with other contests, including Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O’Neal’s Spring Fling Contest, where I placed first and won a critique with the amazing Alyssa Henkin. Alyssa’s feedback helped me bring my debut book’s manuscript closer to the finish line, and I’m forever grateful. I’m also grateful to Lynne Marie and her Rate Your Story Contest, where I won first place, and she continues to support my work. Other contests and wins have been great, too–like Susanna Leonard Hill’s Holiday Contest. There are so many amazing opportunities! And so, so many kidlit people stepped up as my debut launched to host me for interviews, celebrate my cover reveals or launch, or promote me in any way possible!
And I would be extremely remiss not to mention PJ Library. If Vivian Kirkfield’s contest was the first to make me feel like I might be able to hack writing, PJ Library was the first organization to award me a monetary prize and sponsor me, in-person, into a tight community I continue to love today. PJ Library sent me to the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center for the most transformative experience with twenty other Jewish authors I’m still in touch with. This incredible group has been critical through the last two years and soaring antisemitism, as well as personally, as my dad passed away, or when my kids have had emergency surgery, etc.
PJ Library also awarded me a Highlights scholarship, where I learned so much from Harold Underdown and Eileen Robinson, as well as what used to be called the Partial Author’s Incentive award for my pre-published middle grade. Finally, PJ Library also awarded me a Sephardic Stories Initiative fellowship, where I have been immersed with a new community and have been able to dive deep into stories I had tried to write a while ago, and have given more energy and oxygen to lately. As far as organizations go, I am indebted to PJ Library and will need to write them into every single acknowledgement of hopefully many books to come. They have been incredibly supportive of my writing career, and I have learned so much, networked, met many people, found communities, and grown as a writer, all thanks to them.
-So many fantastic community resources and groups you mentioned here, Danna! Thank you for all the shoutouts. I am familiar with all of the above-mentioned groups/contests and could not speak more highly of their positive impact!
Looking back, would you say that the benefits outweigh the struggles? Why or why not?
Absolutely! Publishing is a long hill to climb, but the views sure are breathtaking. I truly feel like I am living my dream.
For readers who may be early on in their publishing career stages (pre-pubbed/pre-agented), could you share a bit about your process… querying, rejections, timeframe, etc?
The best advice I can give people early on is to do more of three things than they think they need:
Read! However much you read, read more. Whatever you want to write, read more! Study the books, analyze them, find the patterns, study what is successful and what is not, form opinions about what works best, think about the openings/closings, etc.
Give it time! Whenever you think a manuscript is ready, put it down and pick it up again in a few weeks or more. I’m the most eager to birth every story, and I need to slow myself down.
Make connections! Find support networks, critique groups, attend webinars, and find every opportunity to connect with other authors, agents, editors, and publishers.
None of publishing is in any of our control. I think you have to really want it, and if you do, pour yourself into it. I’m a big fan of hard work, and it still often takes a while to pay off. But the most important piece is really the manuscript. Writing your best work, thinking about hooks and saleability, etc. The query letter itself doesn’t matter as much as the manuscript itself. And an agent doesn’t guarantee you a book sale. If you keep giving your best effort, eventually, at some point, you will reach your milestone–be it agent, book deal, or whatever.
“None of publishing is in any of our control. I think you have to really want it…” – Danna Zeiger
So, you finally land your publishing partner- AKA your literary agent! Could you tell us about how that happened? Cold query? Event? Special opportunity? Etc.
Yes! Gaby Cabezut! I mentioned above that my agent #2, Jonathan Rosen, decided to leave agenting. Gaby was newer and she looked through Jonathan’s clients’ work–and decided to offer me representation! I’m so grateful. Jonathan told me Gaby was sweet and smart, and he was so right! Every time I chat with Gaby, I come off of our Zoom with a huge smile and feeling incredibly supported. She is smart and savvy, a fantastic advocate, and gives excellent guidance. It has been an awesome ride together and I’m pretty sure now that Gaby is not only officially my longest standing agent, I hope that she will be my forever agent!
What was your agent call like, and how did you know that your agent was the right fit for you? (This is such an important piece of information for readers to know, because not EVERY agent is the RIGHT agent. So much of a positive agent/author relationship depends on the right “fit.”) What things do you find to be “green flags” in a good author/agent relationship? And what words of advice would you give to a person who’s looking for representation for their writing?
I have been lucky to have had four agent calls. The first time in the trenches, I got two offers! My second time in the trenches, I had a call with Jonathan. And luckily, Gaby didn’t make me go back into the trenches–so as part of the transfer when Jonathan left, I Zoomed with both Gaby and the president of our agency.
So from these four calls, I think the essential pieces are getting a feel for each other, feeling comfortable together, and feeling like this is a nice person, and someone who not only loves your work but will champion it. A lot of publishing, as it turns out, is relationship-building. Making sure you are kind and that the other person is kind. I think sometimes either might need grace, and allowing space and that grace as life necessitates, is key. And also, that communication styles match. I learned with my first agent that communication is really important to me.
“I think the essential pieces are getting a feel for each other, feeling comfortable together, and feeling like this is a nice person, and someone who not only loves your work but will champion it.” – Danna Zeiger
For others who may be setting out on the same (or a similar) journey as yours, what are some words of encouragement that you’d like to share about identity shifts and major career shifts?
Major career shifts are hard, especially when you like your previous career. I think allowing a grieving period is natural and okay–I certainly took one. For me, I felt like I didn’t have a choice. Zoom wasn’t going to change my infant’s diaper or feed him, or develop my preschooler, and my oldest child needed guidance. I think, just like in children’s books, having agency makes a big difference. Since I didn’t feel like I had a choice, it took me some time to accept the situation. Luckily, I was able to dive into homeschooling, and I really loved it.
What has saved me, though, is that at the end of the day, my overarching net emotion is that I feel grateful for these immense privileges. It is a privilege to be able to homeschool–I certainly recognize that. And, it is equally a privilege to have the opportunity to pursue this dream of becoming a children’s book author. Giving space for the grief and all of the messy feelings has also allowed me to process and find both perspective and gratitude.
So, for those setting out on major career shifts: be patient with yourself! Feel the feelings! And, follow your passions. No matter where the road ends, the journey will be fulfilling.
-Love this advice! So true!
“So, for those setting out on major career shifts: be patient with yourself! Feel the feelings! And, follow your passions. No matter where the road ends, the journey will be fulfilling.” – Danna Zeiger
You mentioned in your application how important disability awareness is for kids and gatekeepers. Could you speak more to this?
I hope kids take away from my book how to approach people with disabilities in their future—as people. Our world is rife with ableism, stereotyping, andhurtful assumptions. They can cause physical pain, even as Dr. Kathleen Friel experiences when well-meaning strangers try to grab her when they think she needs help. She has needed to go to the ER from these well-meaning strangers!
Speaking of disability awareness, I know that you have a lot of great information on this in your book. Could you tell us more about that?
Yes! The book itself shows how Dr. Friel has had to educate so many classmates, labmates, and even doctors about cerebral palsy–and how exhausting that advocacy work is. The book also makes clear how Dr. Friel is able to find her own way to do certain tasks, but also that it is often much harder for her. The back matter offers more information about all of these subjects, as well as how Dr. Friel herself is an amazing and award-winning advocate. I actually have a teacher’s guide that anyone can download.
What is your big “why” or motivation for writing for kids? What does it bring you, and what do you hope it will bring your readers?
Kids are the keys to our future world. Kids are the future. I believe that the best way to fix our world is by reaching kids and building our stronger future, today.
My lifelong mission has always been to make STEM accessible and to bring underrepresented stories to the forefront. I’ve simply shifted from doing this as a college professor to a children’s book author, and hopefully I can reach a wider audience.
We’ve touched on your writing and its inspiration, but I’d love to hear more about your homeschooling journey and the resources that you offer. Could you shed some light on this for our readers?
When COVID hit, parents everywhere were bewildered, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Truly, my youngest baby was not held, changed, or comforted by any hands other than mine and my husband’s for a year and a half!! It was rough. I quickly started trying to channel some of my college teaching into my kids and trying to think of exciting activities, experiments,and STEM projects. I posted about them on my personal social media (while I don’t always love social media today, the connection it offered during Covid was so helpful!) and started getting questions from fellow bewildered parents.
After plenty of answers, I decided to catalog our journey and share the resources with other parents, too, which ultimately became @DrZatHome.
I wanted the @DrZatHome platform specifically to be free, and even as it grew, I continued to decline any paid sponsorships. I’m glad I did! Every recommendation I made, I truly made with a whole heart. I also felt a lot of freedom to post when I wanted, and about content that I felt passionate about. And, when my writing started to pick up, I felt no qualms about pausing for a bit.
What have been some of the responses you’ve received to your books and/or homeschool resources from parents/educators/kids?
In terms of homeschool resources I’ve shared, the pandemic was a critical point where many parents felt alone and ill-equipped to suddenly entertain, educate, and occupy all of their kids’ time. I felt overwhelmed, too! Coming online and sharing my resources felt like giving and receiving virtual hugs from all parents everywhere, and the messages of appreciation (and camaraderie, and mutual overwhelm) made me emotional. Whenever anyone shared that my content helped entertain a kiddo, or better yet, that their kids learned and got excited, it really made my day.
And my book experience!! Well, this has been a heart-warming experience, to say the least, and I have witnessed how books can be both windows–as kids tell me they want to be brain researchers too, and their horror at what Kathleen has had to endure–as well as mirrors. Various kids with disabilities, including cerebral palsy, or simply identified as disability advocates, have chatted with me and bought my book at book festivals or author events.
Have you been able to attend/participate in any local in-person/virtual author events? (Schools, libraries, book stores, etc?) If so, we’d love to hear about them and see some pictures if you have them!
Yes! I’ve done quite a few! In-person, I have had: -A bookstore launch -Several library and school events -A book festival -Signings in various bookstores -An author talk hosted by No Place for Hate, the Waquoit Congregational Church, the Jewish Congregation of Falmouth, and Eight Cousins Bookstore, and -A panel presentation and author signing at NCTE
Book Launch – held at Hummingbird Books IG @hummingbirdbookstore
Bookstore signing
Library Event- held at Newton Library IG @newtonfreelibrary
NCTE Danna and Editor Carol Hinz at Lerner Booth
No Place for Hate Event
No Place For Hate Author Talk
My book was also featured in the Closing General Session at the 2025 American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine meeting!
I also had a blog tour, thanks to the incredible kidlit community–yourself included! You can find all of my interviews on my website. What a massively supportive group of people and friends who come out in droves to cheer side-by-side! Thank you for all that you and others do!
My book has been shared by some incredible influencers, whom I admire so much: in the homeschooling, disability, science, and mom communities. I’m so grateful for their support!
Finally, not my own promotion work, but I’m so grateful that my book has won Best of 2025 by the Chicago Public Library, Best of 2025 by School Library Journal, and Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 2025 by the National Science Teachers’ Association. So proud of and grateful for the whole team involved in creating this book!
It has been exceptionally busy!
What is something you wish you had known about publishing earlier on?
That there are no guarantees! Even having an agent does not guarantee a book deal. So the only way forward is hard work, an open mind to feedback, and excitement over the work!
“[In publishing] there are no guarantees! …The only way forward is hard work, an open mind to feedback, and excitement over the work!” – Danna Zeiger
What’s one piece of advice that you’d like to share with other writers?
Be resourceful–read lots of books, take classes, speak to people, seek feedback. It takes all the things and a lot of work!
Any final words of wisdom or something you’d like others to know?
Make sure your story is unique and adds something new. Not all well-written stories will be made into books (this goes for myself, too!) because there are soooo many manuscripts being queried, and still a lot of competition on the shelves. In order for a book to do well at each step, it simply must stand out!
Thank you so much for spending some time with us today. We truly appreciate you and all the hard work you do to make a safe and inclusive place for kids with disabilities, and the awareness you spread with your stories. And now, it’s time for a giveaway!
GIVEAWAY
For the month of December 2025, Danna is offering one prize to one winner: a picture book critique. Non-rhyme. Fiction: up to 600 words. Non-fiction: up to 800 words.
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
Like this post and share it on X/Instagram or retweet/repost mine (during the corresponding month/year) and tag me X @chellysbooks / Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks. If you don’t have X or Instagram, you can enter by liking this post and dropping a comment at the bottom of the Feature Interview article.
DEADLINE TO ENTER: LAST DAY OF THE MONTH AT 11:59 PM CST.
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Before pursuing her aspirations as a children’s literature author, Danna Zeiger was a Biology Professor and Program Director for Fisher College’s Biology Program, teaching and mentoring disadvantaged and first-in-the-family students from diverse backgrounds. While homeschooling her three spirited kids, Danna established a STEM accessibility and educational resource entitled DrZatHome. Danna’s debut STEM nonfiction picture book, REWRITING THE RULES: How Dr. Kathleen Friel Created New Possibilities for Brain Research and Disability, was released this past September and has recently won Best of 2025 by the Chicago Public Library, Best of 2025 by School Library Journal, and Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 2025 by the National Science Teachers’ Association. Her unpublished novel-in-verse was recently awarded the PJ Our Way Partial Author’s Incentive Award. Danna is represented by Gaby Cabezut at The Seymour Agency. CONNECT: @home_zat (x/Twitter) @DrZatHome (IG and Bluesky) website: http://www.dannazeiger.com.
Today, I’m chatting with indie kidlit author, marketing expert, and mental health advocate, Jennifer Nestor. We’ll be diving into the ins and outs of self-publishing, marketing, and how to plan author visits and events. We’ll also be exploring anxiety, bullying, mindfulness, and self-confidence in kidlit and why it matters.
Jennifer, it’s so lovely to have you here on Chelsea’s World of Books Literary Blog! Could you share where you’re joining us from today?
Saint Augustine, Florida.
How did you hear about Chelsea’s World of Books Literary Blog, and what made you want to apply for a spot as a Feature Interview guest?
I had been following Chelsea on Instagram and loved everything she stood for, especially her connection with ADHD and helping kids.
Tell us about your intro to publishing! What were you doing before this, and how did you get here?
I was a Director of Demand at a healthcare tech company called Bamboo Health while going to Graduate school at SNHU, and writing has always been the cornerstone of joy for everything I’ve done in my marketing career. While in school, I decided to pursue writing a children’s book and wanted to see if I could self-publish and create a high-quality product that could leave a lasting impact. Once I graduated in 2023, I started doing research on all avenues of publishing, created a marketing plan, and launched my first children’s picture book, Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality, in July of 24’.
Have you always been a writer? And when did you realize that you wanted to pursue publishing as a career?
I’ve been writing since I was a little girl. When I was younger, I wrote song lyrics, poems, and journaled a lot, but then that translated into my marketing and communications career, and even through Graduate school when I had to write blogs, website content, articles, and ten-page papers. I knew in my heart I always wanted to be a writer, but I was always afraid to take the leap until the end of my degree program, when I looked at my ten-plus-year career as a Director of Marketing and still felt empty on a soul level because I wasn’t pursuing the thing that I wanted the most. That’s when I decided to write my first picture book.
What were some hurdles that you had to overcome, and how were you able to stay the course?
One of the biggest hurdles I faced was lack of time to go all-in at the beginning of my author journey. I was working 40+ hours a week in a high-level role where I had a lot of responsibility, and it was hard not to compare myself to those around me who had a lot more free time to make things happen. Once I found more balance, I was able to prioritize by developing a marketing plan and timeline, and I started to take things day by day, instead of worrying too much about the long game. That helped me center more and stay the course. Once I had more time, I was able to do more networking and things that benefited what I was trying to achieve.
Tell us about your indie publishing journey. What was your process like? (Finding an illustrator/formatting the book/marketing/platform/etc).
My process initially was to write the manuscript. Once I had an idea of what the story was about and the goals of the story, I wanted to look for an illustrator who would be the perfect fit to show emotion and had experience with jungle characters. I found Victoria Mikki through SCBWI’s featured portfolio of the month and reached out to her online. I worked with her over the next six months to create magic, and once the illustrations were complete, I worked with BookBaby for the text layout/formatting and print-on-demand distribution online. I’ve done all my own marketing and have tried different online channels like FB/IG ads, TikTok ads, Google & Amazon ads, podcasts, blogs, and then also traditional channels like print media, news interviews, sponsored content in magazines, and radio as well.
What are some things/places helped you along the way?
Building community has been extremely helpful. I recently went to a writing retreat with Story Sirens in PA, and that was amazing, meeting other authors who are just as passionate about writing and want to make this a career-long-term.
What are your favorite writing resources/groups/contests/etc, and why?
Manuscript Academy, SCBWI, and 12×12 Picture Book group. Each of them have given me opportunities to learn, grow, and develop my writing skills. I’ve watched several helpful webinars as well, with agents and knowledgeable authors who have seen success.
What’s something you wish you had known about indie publishing or publishing in general before you started?
I wish I had spoken to more people about options on reducing upfront costs initially, as it’s been an expensive journey.
What’s a piece of advice you have for someone currently pursuing independent publishing?
Make sure to do your research before you get started. Develop a 360 omni-channel campaign where you’re hitting on many facets of marketing and are executing a well-rounded book launch. Surround yourself with other indie authors who have the same goals/passions as you and create community.
Are you currently looking for literary representation for future projects that you’d like to publish traditionally down the road, or are you hoping to continue independent publishing? And why?
Yes. I am actually looking for an agent and querying at this time with my MG Contemporary novel, and am also working on a New Adult Romance. My goal is to be a multi-genre career writer. I think you have a better chance of exposure when represented by professionals. It’s also less of a cost investment up front, and it can provide visibility nationally vs. just locally, when marketed correctly.
What would you say some of the benefits of independent publishing are?
Creative control for things like illustrations, covers, and final say on the content itself.
What would you say some of the cons of independent publishing are?
High costs, a lot of groundwork needs to be done to get yourself out there and visible in markets outside your local area. It can be tiring to do a lot of in-person events, trying to recoup costs.
How have you been able to use your background in marketing and master’s in communication to your advantage when it comes to publishing?
I’ve had the opportunity to develop a full marketing plan for publishing, which helped me see more success with indie retailers, brand visibility, and more based on having a clear understanding of my demographics, channels, and online/traditional strategies.
As a marketing professional, could you share your top piece of advice for writers on how to properly market to their audience?
I have a few pieces of advice here. Don’t just throw spaghetti on the wall and hope it sticks. It’s great to try new things, but you don’t need to do what everyone else is doing. You can create your own path. Be sure to understand who your ideal readers are and develop content related to them. Make sure it always has a purpose and a clear CTA.
Have you been able to attend/participate/host any local/otherwise events? If so, we’d love to hear about them! Don’t forget to shout out the names of your local bookstores/libraries, and if applicable, add their social media website/handles so that we can promote/share them with readers as well!
For some of our newer authors who may be debuting soon *so exciting* could you share more details on how to plan author visits and events?
Typically, it’s good to plan out how many events you have the capacity for from a timing perspective and what you’re willing to invest in from a collateral and financial standpoint. Larger events/markets require a table setup, signage, tents, table cloths, inventory, and more. They also come with an upfront cost, occasionally, or a “vendor fee,” so try to set a realistic limit on what you’re willing to spend to be a vendor. Be strategic. Will there be a lot of authors at this event, or can you find ones where you’re the cornerstone author so that you can make additional connections and revenue? If there are multiple authors, you might not be able to have as many conversations with potential clients due to the speed people breeze through markets when they have their kids.
Author visits require less up-front costs, but you should have a media kit created that has information about your book, any awards, a photo of you with your book, and what your author visits include, your website, social media handles, etc. This will help you appear more professional and organized. Many debut authors struggle knowing where to start, so having your presentation developed and ready on PPT, Canva, etc., and thinking about what type of interactive elements you’ll include will help you on your journey to school visits.
Tell us about your stories! What are they about? What was their inspiration? And what do you hope each story will bring the reader?
Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality is about a young girl who gets bullied on the school bus and goes into this dreamstate where she finds herself in The Jungle of Individuality. There, she meets three animals who help guide her into being more self-confident, resilient, and learning how to take a pause. Jane learns to embrace the things that make her unique due to her jungle friends, who all have unique quirks themselves. I hope that this story helps kids embrace the things that make them special, instead of being embarrassed by them. I also hope it fosters empathy, kindness, and shows them that bullying is not okay. My second book, Jane’s Carnival Adventure, follows Jane and Molly at the school carnival. Jane is excelling at all the carnival games, while Molly is struggling and feels inadequate in her own skills, lacking the confidence to continue to play. Jane passes down the lessons she learned in the jungle and teaches her it’s okay to fail and try again. Perseverance, empathy, kindness, and resiliency are all topics readers can take away from the sequel in The Adventures of Jane’s Imagination series.
Could you tell us more about the themes you explore in your books, such as anxiety, bullying, mindfulness, and self-confidence, and why these topics in kidlit are so important?
It was important for me to tackle topics like bullying, anxiety, self-confidence, and mindfulness so that kids understand they’re not alone with their big feelings. Young children are consistently met with a lot of challenges, so having a book that can address multiple topics in one was my goal.
I saw that you offer activity sheets for 1st-4th graders that accompany your stories. We’d love to learn more about what these activity sheets include!
Yes! For Jane Escapes, I have a 36-page educator resource, and for Jane’s Carnival Adventure, I have a 15-page resource. These resources include activities like vocabulary, crossword puzzles, dissecting scenarios in the story like bullying, friendship, and perseverance, and celebrating the things that make you unique.
What is your biggest reason for WHY you write? What does writing bring YOU?
My biggest reason why I write is to help people understand they’re not alone and to bring joy to others’ lives through literature. Writing brings me a lot of creativity, joy, and satisfaction, seeing a story come to life from start to finish.
What have been your greatest publishing highlights? This could be anything that brings you joy from publishing- notes from readers, personal experiences, etc.
Golden Wizard award, Literary Titan award, Reader’s Favorite Five-Star, and a positive Kirkus review that said Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality was “A beautiful celebration of human differences.” My eBooks also jumped to the top of the charts in their categories during the launch week. What I love the most is when a teacher or parent gives me positive feedback where their student or child feels represented or seen in my story.
Any last words of advice that you’d like to share with readers today?
Keep dreaming big. Anything is possible. In all transparency, being a debut author isn’t easy, especially when you’re writing a novel or trying to get published, but if you keep being persistent, everything will work out in time. This is a long game. There isn’t much instant gratification involved since things take time, so you have to be prepared for it.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Jennifer. And now, it’s time for our GIVEAWAY!
For this month’s Feature Interview prize, Jennifer is offering a free signed copy of her book with a Jane doll, coloring sheet, maze, and sticker!
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
Share a link to the Feature Interview on X/IG or retweet/repost mine (during the corresponding month/year) and tag me X @chellysbooks / @chelseasworldofbooks. If you do not have an X or Instagram account, you may enter by dropping a comment at the bottom of the Feature Interview article.
DEADLINE TO ENTER: LAST DAY OF THE MONTH AT 11:59 PM CST.
Did you enjoy this interview?
Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.
In today’s Feature Interview, I’m talking with traditionally published, award-winning author/illustrator Katie Mazeika. We’ll be discussing the importance of highlighting disabled voices in books and why representation matters.
FEATURE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Katie, welcome to Chelsea’s World of Books Literary Blog. It’s great to have you with us! Where are you joining us from today?
I’m in Ohio, just east of Cleveland, in a little city on the lake called Mentor.
How were you first introduced to the blog and the Feature Interview series?
You’ve interviewed several authors I know from promo groups or events. I’m sure it was through one of those shared interviews that I first became aware of your blog.
One of the things we love to discuss here on the blog is how. Could you tell us more about the events that led up to you joining the world of kidlit publishing?
Absolutely! I studied illustration at the Columbus College of Art and Design with the intention of pursuing editorial illustration after graduation. But at some point in my Junior or Senior year, I was introduced to picture book illustration and fell in love. After school, my focus was on illustrating for the children’s market.
Since you are both an author and illustrator, could you tell us which came first? Did your career start out with you querying projects as both author and illustrator, or one or the other? Explain.
In high school, I was torn between going to college for writing or for art. My compromise was a degree in illustration with a minor in creative writing. So initially, I pursued both. But my first agent, and my first jobs, were as an illustrator only.
While we’re in the territory of querying… could you tell us more about your querying journey and how you came to find your agent?
I started with an illustration agent at a large agency that wasn’t a great fit. After about fifteen months with them, I was dropped. Fortunately, I was picked up by a much smaller illustration agency fairly quickly. I really liked the people at the second agency, but the owner became ill, and less than six months later, it closed. I knew I couldn’t query the same illustration agents again, so I was at a loss. That was when an author/illustrator friend suggested writing my own texts and querying as an author/illustrator. So, I wrote my first manuscript, which eventually became Annette Feels Free, and sent out my first queries. At the same time, I participated in #DIVPIT (Diversity Pitch) on Twitter and got a few responses. One of those was my agent, Sorche Fairbank. (FYI-#DIVPIT still exists, it’s just moved to Discord.)
What are some key things an author or illustrator should look for when deciding on an agent relationship? What are some green flags? And what are some red flags?
With my first agent, looking back, there were a lot of red flags. I was never allowed to communicate directly with Art Directors; everything talked about went through the agent. Getting paid was a battle. When I was in NYC, I asked to come by their office for a meeting, but it was very unclear where the office actually was. They asked me to meet in a coffee shop instead. I think the biggest red flag was emails that were never acknowledged. Artwork I sent in again and again that was never added to the website. There was often a general tone that I was bothering them and they had better things to do. But this was my first agent. I assumed this was normal and tiptoed around them. After comparing notes with other agented illustrators, I realized that relationship wasn’t typical. When they dropped me, I was surprised-I’d been booked pretty steadily and done four or five jobs through them, but in the end it worked out for the better.
Looking for an agent a second time, I was much pickier. I went through their social media, going back three to five years. I took note of who was announced as recently signed. Then I looked to see how many of those illustrators were still with that agency. If more than a handful of artists were gone after three years, then I didn’t query that agency. That crossed a number of agencies off my list, but it helped me find my second agent. I imagine I would still be there today if the agency hadn’t closed.
When I signed with Fairbank Literary, I had another offer from an illustration agency, but after a phone call with Sorche, I was eager to work with a literary agent and to write as well as illustrate. I know some creators who almost seem to be afraid of their agents. I was one of them with my first agent. But I’ve learned that fear isn’t conducive to creativity. It should be a partnership, with respect and boundaries that go both ways.
For someone who may be on the fence about whether or not to pursue representation, what are some reasons why you chose to find an agent?
Unfortunately, a lot of publishers only accept agented submissions. And I really value having someone go line by line through my contracts explaining what each clause means for me and my book, before I sign.
What would you say makes a great author/illustrator and agent relationship, from both sides?
Like I said before, it should be a partnership, with respect and boundaries that go both directions. I often bounce ideas off Sorche very early on, and I trust her to be very straight with me about whether I should keep going. I know she has an uncanny business sense and a great feel for the market. She’s always straight with me about whether an idea is worth pursuing. I also know that I can be direct with her; there’s no tiptoeing or playing games.
What’s something that you didn’t know when you started out that you do know now (and maybe wish you had known sooner)?
I think everyone assumes the work is done when you have the first book published. And what I realized is that it’s just the beginning. From there come the promotions and events. At the same time, you are working on your next project. It’s a lot of plates in the air. The risk of burnout is very real, even more so for author/illustrators. So, I have to remind myself to slow down and breathe.
I was so excited to see that all of your books (the ones you’ve written) include curriculum guides. As a former children’s librarian and current word nerd, I’m a big fan of educational resources with books, and love promoting these added free resources on my Teacher Corner for educators, parents, and librarians. I’d love to hear more about some of the resources/extras that you have to offer.
With Annette Feels Free and Beulah Has a Hunch, the curriculum guides offer the opportunity to go deeper into the subject matter and learn even more about these fantastically interesting women.
For my recent book, Maybe Just Ask Me, the curriculum guides focus more on building empathy and understanding about disability and differences.
As a disabled person and a writer, I understand that highlighting disabled voices in books is something near to your heart. Could you share more on this and why representation in books matters?
The reason is twofold: every child should see themselves represented in a book. Being a part of the story is incredibly validating and confirms that they are not alone. At the same time, non-disabled readers need to see disabled characters in the books they read. We need to normalize differences and be comfortable with talking about them. Disability is not a bad word, but when we teach kids to pretend it doesn’t exist, we are teaching them there is something bad or scary about disability and disabled people.
–I love this answer and couldn’t agree more!
Speaking of books, let’s talk about them! Could you tell us briefly about some of your stories and what they highlight?
Annette Feels Free is a biography of Annette Kellerman, who started as a dancer when she was a child but developed polio and was unable to continue dancing. She discovered swimming and became a world champion swimmer, a performer and movie star, and designed what later became the modern swimsuit. She even went to court to fight for women’s right to wear that suit.
Beulah Has a Hunch! is about Beulah Louise Henry, the most prolific female mechanical inventor in the US. What’s so unique about her is that she had no traditional education, only finishing school. She was so intelligent and passionate that she figured out the mechanics of how things worked|. She used the success of her first invention to pave her own path and created a name for herself in a time when few women had careers, let alone owned multiple businesses. I also focused on her neurodivergence, specifically Synthesia and hyperphantasia.
Maybe Just Ask Me! is based on my own childhood, specifically returning to school after losing my eye to cancer. It was difficult to feel gawked at and to have students talk about me, but not to me. Unlike the main character in the book, I was not brave enough to speak up for myself and to advocate for my story to be heard. Mazie is who I wished I could have been back then, someone who is open about her disability. I hope that she can be an inspiration for children with disabilities and encourage children without disabilities to pursue curiosity with kindness.
“Unlike the main character in the book, I was not brave enough to speak up for myself and to advocate for my story to be heard. Mazie is who I wished I could have been back then, someone who is open about her disability. I hope that she can be an inspiration for children with disabilities and encourage children without disabilities to pursue curiosity with kindness“ – Katie Mazeika
I understand you’ve been able to participate in several community events as well as industry speaking/social engagements with your books. I’d love to hear more about these!
I have been very fortunate; I’ve participated in national panels on disability representation in books at NCTE, ALA, and SCBWI, as well as in local panels at several book festivals. I’ve also presented individually on disability representation in children’s books at several state library conferences. This is a topic very close to my heart, and I’m always thrilled to see how many attendees are also passionate about disability representation in children’s books.
I also do school and library visits, and love interacting with the kids, answering their questions, and creating with them. I have a character writing and illustrating workshop that I do. The kids always come up with the most fantastic characters. They’re so imaginative. It’s one of my favorite programs to hold.
Have you had any notable/special experiences or moments with readers/fans/fellow writers/illustrators during these events? We love to hear the positives, so if you have more than one, feel free to share multiple!
The very first school visit I did for Maybe Just Ask Me, there was a boy in the audience wearing an eyepatch like Mazie. He was hugging a copy of the book throughout the whole presentation. Seeing him holding the book and grinning because he felt seen made me tear up. Afterward, I signed his book and spoke to him. His teacher was at a book festival I was part of a few days later. She told me that was all he talked about all week. More tears. That was the whole reason for writing the book: to make children feel represented and seen.
The feedback from librarians and teachers that Maybe Just Ask Me! connects with their students, and that the book opens doors for conversations, reminds me why I create books. This book, in particular, opened old wounds for me and was really hard to write; those responses make it feel worth it.
What is your big WHY for writing? What does it bring you?
I never felt seen in stories. There were really no disabled characters or scenes in hospitals. The one book where I saw myself was Madeline. I cherished that story and wished there were more like it. I see writing as an opportunity to create characters and share stories so readers with disabilities do not feel alone or forgotten. Like I said, it’s hard to do this sometimes. There are parts of growing up with a disability that I did not fully work through until writing these books. But when I see children able to own their disability and get excited about seeing themselves on the page, it reminds me that I am doing it for them and to honor my younger self.
“I never felt seen in stories. There were really no disabled characters or scenes in hospitals… I see writing as an opportunity to create characters and share stories so readers with disabilities do not feel alone or forgotten.” – Katie Mazeika
What’s one piece of wisdom that you’d like to offer to fellow kidlit writers/illustrators?
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Keep moving forward, even when it’s hard; you only fail when you give up. And learn to celebrate all the wins (big AND small!).
Thank you so much, Katie, for joining us on the blog today. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you and getting to know you a little better. Thank you for all that you do to provide disability representation in children’s books, as well as the resources you offer to families, educators, and librarians.
Now it’s time for a GIVEAWAY!
GIVEAWAY PRIZES:
For the month of October, Katie is offering two prizes to two winners (1 prize per winner). Prize 1: a signed copy of one of her books. Prize 2: A 20-minute ask me anything call.
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
Share a link to the Feature Interview on X (during the corresponding month/year) and tag me @chellysbooks. Want extra entries? Repost my Feature Interview post on X. Don’t have X? Drop a comment at the bottom of the interview.
DEADLINE TO ENTER: LAST DAY OF THE MONTH AT 11:59 PM CST.
Did you enjoy this interview?
Thank the author & host by purchasing or reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local school or library! Using the sponsored links below to purchase also helps support this blog.
Katie Mazeika is an award-winning author and illustrator who can’t imagine a better job than making books. She loves creating stories based on real people and events. Katie is passionate about highlighting disabled voices in her work. Katie strongly believes all children should see themselves in books.
