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MAY 21ST, 2025, FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS AND MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS SHERRY ROBERTS, CONDUCTED BY CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER, BLOGGER, AND FORMER LIBRARIAN CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on May 21, 2025January 30, 2026 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

It’s my pleasure to welcome award-winning author of children’s picture books and middle grade novels, Sherry Roberts, to the blog. Today, we’ll be talking about routes to publishing, including hybrid publishing (publishing independently and publishing traditionally) and the pros and cons of both, navigating book deals without an agent, and working with small publishers.

But before we do… here are a few things to know about feature interviews.

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

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

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

What can these interviews offer YOU?

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

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

And more!

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

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

Sherry, it’s so great having you with us! Can you tell our readers where you’re coming from today?

Thanks so much for having me today. I live in middle Tennessee, specifically Murfreesboro.

What first got you into writing?

I’ve always loved writing. For years, I have been writing academically (journal articles, textbooks), but in 2013, I decided to try my hand at a different kind of writing—one I always wanted to do but didn’t have the time for—writing children’s books.

When did you start seriously pursuing publishing?

I loved reading and telling stories to my nephew and later my nieces. I finally had the time to focus on pursuing children’s books, so I decided to learn all I could about the craft and how to become a better writer. Writing academic and writing children’s books have similarities, but also many differences. Number one would be the audience.

What were some of those first steps you took?

My first step was joining the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I’m a member of the MidSouth region and attended my first conference in 2013. It was overwhelming, while also being so informational. I submitted a manuscript I had written to be critiqued. During the critique, I received encouragement, ways to improve the manuscript, and focus. I was also a part of my first critique group at the conference. That is when I discovered I needed to find a critique group to meet with outside the conference.

My next step was to join 12×12, where I found my first critique groups. We met online, and they were all so helpful. Also, through 12×12, I used many of the “tools” available to me through this group. This is where I learned about contests offered throughout the year to help with writing, like Valentiney, Halloweeny, and the mentor programs available.

I also learned of and participated in StoryStorm, which is held each January. Many of my story ideas from each January have now become published stories. Not all ideas work, but you find there are really stories in the 30+ ideas you think of in one month. It’s a great way to kick-start your year of writing.

Then I began working on query letters. I took workshops and attended conference sessions from agents and publishers about what made a good query letter.

How did you know when your work was “ready” to send out?

My first book was traditionally published. Little did I know that the person I was talking with during the SCBWI MidSouth Conference dinner was an editor with a small publisher. After we talked at dinner, she asked to see my manuscript. I sent it to her, thinking she was going to critique it for me, and the next thing I knew, she contacted me and offered me a contract.

Now, I don’t send any manuscripts without having had multiple critiques and lots of editing. I send them to an editor I work with, and then I feel they are ready to go.

Do you have any critique groups/partners or otherwise (local or virtually)?

I have friends with whom I do virtual critiques and local friends who critique for me.

If so, how/where did you meet, and how long have you worked together?

The virtual critique partners are people I have met at conferences, online workshops, or groups I belong to. The local critique partners are people I’ve met at meetings and became friends with, and they are now critique partners.

What have been some writing groups/organizations/resources that have helped you?

SCBWI is a great resource. 12×12 was a wonderful experience, and I participated in it for many years. Now, I follow many different authors and illustrators on Instagram and Substack, or I’ve signed up for their newsletters. I’ve even participated in workshops that many have offered.

What advice would you give a writer just starting their publishing journey?

Write what you know. That might mean not writing what you are being told sells at this moment. Sometimes, that’s not something you are familiar with, and it is hard to write. Write from your heart. It’s easier if you love what you are writing about.

No matter what, don’t stop. Don’t give up. Keep going. You are never too old to become the author of your dreams. I was 60 when my first book was published. I now have nine picture books and three middle grade (a series) books out with my name on them.

Never be afraid to change paths. If you begin with picture books but want to try a different type of children’s book (chapter book, middle grade, young adult, nonfiction), go for it. I have two nonfiction books that actually feature another passion of mine—photography. The illustrations for these two books are my photos. As I say, never be afraid to go your own way.

“Write from your heart… Don’t give up… You are never too old.” – Sherry Roberts

Let’s talk a little about the routes to publishing. You’ve had the unique experience of being a hybrid author, meaning that you’ve published both independently and traditionally. Can you share some of the behind-the-scenes pros and cons of both?

To be traditionally published, I went through the querying process. I will admit that I sought out publishers that didn’t require you have an agent. There is a book that was very helpful, Children’s Writers & Illustrators Market.

The Most Trusted Guide to the World of Children’s Publishing, fully revised and updated

The 33rd edition of Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market is the definitive and trusted guide for anyone who seeks to write or illustrate for kids and young adults. If you’re a writer or an illustrator for young readers and your goal is to get published, CWIM is the resource you need. In this book, you’ll find more than 500 listings for children’s book markets, including publishers, literary agents, magazines, contests, and more. These listings include a point of contact, how to properly submit your work, and what categories each market accepts.

This edition also features: Business articles on topics such as making the most of your platform, tracking submissions, and maximizing the time + energy you have to write, 500+ listings for children’s markets, including book publishers, literary agents, magazines, contests, Interviews with bestselling authors, including Cassandra Clare, N.K. Jemisin, Jacqueline Woodson, Leigh Bardugo, Craft articles on topics ranging from P.O.V., mocking-up picture books, and including diverse characters, and more. CHECK IT OUT HERE.

This book gave great information about various publishers, what they are looking for, and who you need to be agented for. Sometimes there were publishers that showed “open” but upon further research I found they weren’t except at specific times.

When looking for an agent, I found it helpful to get on Query Tracker. This was very helpful when looking for an agent, what each agent is looking for, and who is open.

Once I decided to become indie published, I researched what that meant, costs, how royalties were determined, rights for my work (who had what percentage of the rights), and what could be offered. I ended up with an indie publisher that the costs were for editorial work, book design, and ISBN numbers. They were also available to help find illustrators and book cover design if I wished to use those services. I found those on my own and was pleased with all that I have worked with to date. The indie publisher has no rights to my work. I maintain all the rights and all the royalties are paid directly to me. Once the minimal fees are paid to the indie publisher, no other monies pass for their work on my books.

I would say that behind the scenes, for any route taken for publishing, is RESEARCH. Do the research. Know what you are getting into. I have heard horror stories of people who have signed with the wrong agent, small publisher, or vanity/hybrid press.

Please note: if you are being asked to pay a large sum of money (one hybrid publisher wanted $25,000 to publish my book), and they will maintain rights to your work…RUN! This is not legitimate, and you don’t want to be involved here.

“… behind the scenes, for any route taken for publishing, is RESEARCH.” – Sherry Roberts

For authors who may be looking into independently publishing picture books, how/where did you find your illustrator, and how did you handle the contracts for that?

If you are looking to go indie press or self-publishing, begin following illustrators on IG or Threads. Do this while you are working on your manuscript or in editing for your manuscript. You will find some amazing artists to work with on these two. I know some have found illustrators on Fivvr. I was not ready to go that direction. Too cumbersome for me. With IG or Threads, you can find a link to artists’ portfolios and review their work. I have also talked with illustrators at conferences or book events. I will say that I don’t work with illustrators who are already agented. I can’t afford them, but their work is beautiful.

I recommend that you, before hiring an illustrator, ask for a sample of how they see the main character(s) and any items you might use in the book. For my latest book, the first illustrator was out of the country and had no idea what a children’s wagon was or would look like. I had already been through this problem when working with an out-of-the-country illustrator who had no idea what a baseball looked like or what a baseball stadium would look like. We had to have several back-and-forth communications to help describe what was needed. That’s why I now ask for samples before hiring. This saves problems later.

You mentioned in your application that you aren’t represented by a literary agent. Can you walk us through the process of what it was like handling/negotiating book deals directly with a publisher, without the support of a literary agent?

As for negotiating a contract, I was such a newbie with the first one; I did a terrible job and had no idea what I was doing. I suggest someone who works with/knows contracts (a lawyer or an experienced person). With a traditional publisher, it probably would have been better to have an agent, but hindsight and all that. It still can be done without an agent, but be thoughtful as you work through the process before signing.

As for the indie press I work with, I don’t actually have a contract. I knew what to expect from what was sent to me before we began. I knew what services were offered and the price range of those services, depending on the book. I had discussed royalties and book rights before beginning with them. Again, it goes back to you. You have to ask the questions (preferably through email, so there is a record) before you begin.

What has your experience working with small publishers been like?

It was not always pleasant working with the small publishers (traditional) that I worked with. I found that I had no say in the title of one of my books through a small publisher or any of the illustrations. I hadn’t even talked with the illustrator before the book came out. I saw only four pages and the cover when it was designed, but I had no input.

With the indie press (non-traditional) publisher, I have more control. I choose my illustrators and get to talk with them about our visions for the story. I also get my royalties without waiting for quarterly reports. I really like that there are no percentage worries with the royalties. Once the indie publisher is paid for editorial help, design, and set up, they are out of the picture, other than some marketing. The royalties are all mine without a split. Sounds ruthless, but I have more comfort level in this way of publishing.

Are you currently seeking representation for future projects, or do you plan to continue publishing without representation? If so, could you share some reasons why?

At this time, I’m no longer seeking representation for future projects. I will continue publishing without representation. It works for me and is less stressful. I have many friends who have agents, and that works for them. I believe one must decide for oneself the journey one wants to take. It’s all good either way.

-I love this answer! Yes! It’s so true. Choose the journey that’s right FOR YOU.

What kind of obstacles/snags have you run into on your writing journey, and how have you been able to overcome them? Explain.

Like many authors, marketing is the most significant “snag” in an author’s journey. It doesn’t matter if you are traditionally or non-traditionally published. Marketing is on you with some or little help from the publisher. Although I teach marketing (social media marketing), I sometimes find myself floundering trying to market to my audiences. It is a journey in itself. I continue to work to find the marketing solution (what works and what doesn’t). It changes depending on whether you are marketing picture books, chapter books, middle grades, or young adults. The audience is a bit different for each, and therefore what works for one might not or won’t work for another.

-So true! It’s so important to find what works for your particular audience.

What have been some of the greatest highlights of your writing career?

Like most authors I know, seeing little ones enjoy your book(s) is the greatest highlight. I’ve gotten letters from students who had read my middle grade series, and I have kept each one. I love to talk with little ones at storytime about my books and see their eyes when they are listening to the book being read.

Have you been able to participate in any book events?

I have had a few book signings and story times. I have also participated in author events such as Author Con and, Southern Festival of Books.

Making butterflies after story time at Cheatum County Library.

What kind of responses have you received from readers? Any encouraging/positive interactions that you’d like to share?

I can think of two really fun responses about my debut middle grade book. One reader sent a note that her name was the same as my main character, and she was just like the character because she played soccer, too. Another young reader sent a note that the main character was just like her.

In a book event at an indie bookstore, I told how the ending of one book came to be. It’s actually based on something that happened to my mother when she was a girl. One little boy asked if my mother told the boy who gave her a Valentine that she would “be his Valentine.” It was so cute. But I had to tell him no. He asked why, and I told him the little boy ran away before she could answer him. That began a new discussion of bravery in friendships (which that book is about).

-Oh my gosh, I love this! So sweet.

What was the inspiration behind your books, and what do you hope they will provide for the reader?

Most of my books involve me. I have a personal attachment to the main characters or the situation. I’m the shy girl. I’m the girl who gets down when the weather is gray and gloomy. I’m the girl who moved from North Carolina to the Midwest and moved into the strange house.

I hope that the reader finds themselves or something about themselves they can relate to in the story, and it helps them.

What is your reason for writing? What does it mean to you to publish books?

I enjoy writing. I always hope that I find readers who enjoy my stories. Sometimes, writing the story is therapeutic. Often, it is about the creative process I enjoy so much.

Finally holding that book in your hands is so exciting and rewarding. You know that someone out in the universe is reading what you created. In picture books, it’s seeing your manuscript come to life with the beautiful illustrations. There is that moment you sigh with happiness at what was created. I find that when I’m not being creative, I get anxious. It is just part of who I am and makes me so happy.

Special evening at Parnassus. JIll McCorkle was the feature author. We went to high school together (this doesn’t happen often for two authors who haven’t seen each other since high school graduation). She asked me to sign my book for her granddaughter and she signed her book for me. I’m holding her book. She’s holding my book (sold at Parnassus).

What’s a piece of writing/publishing advice you wish you had known before you started out on the publishing journey?

Write your story. Find a good editor. Don’t lose your voice when others tell you how they think the story could be improved. Most of all, just breathe.

“Write your story… Find a good editor… Don’t lose your voice… Breathe…” – Sherry Roberts

For someone who may be experiencing struggles to stay the course, what words of encouragement would you like to share?

Never, ever give up. You are a writer if you’ve written even in a journal today. Never let someone take your joy in expressing your thoughts through writing.

My first book was traditionally published by a small press when I was 60 years old. You are never, ever too old to follow a dream.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you for asking me to participate. I hope that what I’ve shared inspires someone on their writing journey.

Thanks so much for joining us today, Sherry!

But that’s not all. Now it’s time for a GIVEAWAY.

For the month of May, Sherry is offering a choice of one free copy of one of her books or a zoom “ask-me-anything” call with the author.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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

That’s it!

Want extra entries? Share and tag on X @chellysbooks or Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks, and I’ll add your additional entry to the giveaway pool.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: May 31st, 2025, 11:59 PM CST

Sherry Roberts is an award-winning author of children’s picture books and middle grade novels. Her debut middle grade book, The Galaxy According to Cece, launched February 24, 2024, and received a Get It: Recommend review from Kirkus Reviews. This book was also featured in the August 2024 list of 40 Indie Books Worth Discovering from Kirkus. Book two of this three book series, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr. Pruitt, launched August 19, 2024. Book three of the series, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Stars Align, will be available in February 2025. Sherry lives near Nashville, Tennessee.

Connect & learn more: Sjrobertscreative.net Facebook page Instagram

Browse Sherry Robert’s Books Amica Helps Zoe, The Galaxy According to Cece, Sonnet, Sonnet, What’s in Your Bonnet?, and more on her book page.

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

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

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

APRIL 16TH, 2025, FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER HEATHER STIGALL, CONDUCTED BY CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER, BLOGGER, AND FORMER LIBRARIAN CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on April 16, 2025December 11, 2025 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

Today, I’m talking with returning guest children’s book author Heather Stigall. In this month’s Feature Interview we’ll be trekking through the ups and downs of publishing and sharing intimate details of the daunting questions: “What do I do if my agent and I end up parting ways and/or my editor leaves?’

But before we do… here are a few things to know about feature interviews.

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

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

What can these interviews offer YOU?

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

And more!

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

Heather, it’s so nice to have a returning guest visit the blog. The last time we shared a chat was in the October 2023 Feature Interview. Now, fast forward to April 2025. How time has flown by! Since then, you’ve been through the mountains, so to speak, on your publishing journey.

When reading over your application for the Feature Interview segment 2025, I thought it was interesting and kind of comical how the route to publishing sometimes takes such unorthodox paths… far from linear. Publishing moves at a pace and rhythm of its own choosing and, more often than not, in quite chaotic upside-down and crisscross patterns, but eventually, things DO move forward, which is hopeful. Speaking of which… let’s jump into the first question.

Could you share a little about your 2025 project and its significance to your writing journey? What makes this book special, and what interesting experiences has it had?

Thank you for having me back, Chelsea! You are so right about the far-from-linear path that publishing often takes, and my journey has been no exception! To answer your question about what made my 2025 project special, in short, it got me my first R&R (“revise and resubmit”), my first request for more work, and landed me my first agent. All amazing things!

To expand on that a little, in the spring of 2021, I had the opportunity to submit a manuscript for a professional critique through a webinar I hosted for our chapter of SCBWI (Eastern Pennsylvania’s chapter of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). I submitted a story that had been through several rounds of revision and critiques by my critique partners. The agent had a lot of positive feedback about the story’s character, voice, language, themes, and marketability, but she also had some suggestions for how she felt I could improve the plot’s middle section. Then, much to my surprise, she said that even though she was taking on “very few picture book text these days,” she “encouraged” me to query her for representation and was “happy to take another look” at my story. I knew then that I had something special!

I did a few more revisions and that summer, I queried her. Within two weeks, she responded, asking me to send more work! A first for me! She specified that she was not asking for an exclusive submission, but to check in with her if I received an offer of representation while she considered my work. So, I began sending my story out to other agents while waiting to hear back. One of those submissions was to Beth Marshea of Ladderbird Agenc,y who was a 12×12 Picture Book Challenge Featured Agent (“Gold” members of 12×12 receive special monthly submission opportunities). Beth responded the very day I sent her my manuscript to say, “When I tear up at the end of a PB I have to talk to the author!” After talking with Beth and sending her more work, she offered representation. I then went back to the agents who had my work and had not yet responded, including the first agent who was considering my work, but I ultimately signed with Beth. A few weeks later, we went out on submission with my story about a boy who wanted to be friends with a ghost!

For many writers AND/OR illustrators looking for literary representation, it’s the dream goal to find “the agent” and ideally work together for, if not the remainder of, then at least a significant chunk of their author and/or illustrator career. But, as we know, that’s not always the case. Agents move and sometimes leave the industry altogether, and so do editors.

Many creators might shudder in fear at the thought of “starting all over again” and wonder, ‘What happens if my agent/editor ends up leaving the business or we end up parting ways? Where does that leave me and my book? What are the next steps to take?’ Since you have some experience with the things listed above, could you share a bit about your experiences, as well as the steps you were able to take?

Again, you are so right, Chelsea! I had a wonderful working experience with Beth. She was enthusiastic about my work, we got a book deal on the first story I sent her, she negotiated my contract, and we went out on submission with a second story. But in the spring of 2023, Beth informed me that she decided to take a step back from representing authors. She would continue to represent me on the book I had coming out and negotiate any offers we received on the story we had on submission at that time, but that would be our last project together. I was so disappointed! And the thought of querying authors all over again was daunting.

But that wasn’t the only roadblock I encountered that spring. A month after Beth informed me that we would be parting ways, Beaming Books (with whom I had a contract for GILBERT AND THE GHOST) informed me that the acquiring editor would no longer be working for them. Then, the following month, the publisher informed me they decided to push GILBERT AND THE GHOST’s publication date from Fall 2024 to Fall 2026! I had the option to withdraw from my contract, but I knew that even if I received a new book deal the following day (hah!), the publication date would likely be the same (or farther out).

I took a little time to let all this news sink in and after collecting myself, I retrieved my old agent research and updated it. I polished the stories I felt had the most promise. I crafted a new bio for my query letter that included my new publication credits. Then, I spent the summer and fall querying agents again. I collected rejections again. But this time, I got three requests for more work, and it took less time to find new representation (six months vs. almost four years). Now, I’m represented by the amazing Amy Nielsen of The Purcell Agency. And (bonus!) Beaming Books decided to push the publication of GILBERT AND THE GHOST to 2025!

-WOW! Truly an amazing journey, Heather. And this speaks to your resilience and adaptability- which we all know are greatly needed qualities to stay afloat in this ever-changing industry.

Let’s talk a little about R&R’s. What experiences did you have with R&R’s, and how did they impact your writing? Explain.

Great question! My experience with an R&R is a perfect example of how subjective this business can be. As I mentioned above, the agent who requested an R&R on GILBERT felt the middle section needed revision and offered reasons why (she had some questions about the story’s believability). It is interesting to note that she felt the story’s ending was “sweet and satisfying.” I agreed with almost all her suggestions and revised accordingly. When I queried her, I thanked her for offering to look at my revision (which served as a reminder that she did) and briefly explained how I addressed her concerns. I also explained why I decided not to revise one item she commented on. She must have liked the changes I made because that led to her asking to see more of my work.

Interestingly, however, somewhere in the process of making these revisions, I had another critique opportunity with a different agent, and she had some different opinions. For example, she wanted Gilbert’s family to be more empathetic to his cause; to encourage him to be brave along the way. I wanted them to act more as antagonists (just not in a mean way), so I decided to ignore that suggestion. The agent also felt that an editor might shy away from my story because the ending wasn’t “decisive” enough. It was my intent to leave room for reader interpretation at the end, so I ignored that suggestion as well. I did agree with a few of her other suggestions, but I only incorporated the feedback that resonated with me.

I’m glad I followed my instincts, because the agent I ultimately signed with obviously loved the version of the story I chose to stick with, and it was the version that resulted in a book contract.

-I really love how you explained this, Heather, and I think it’s SO incredibly important for creatives to learn this balance as well, knowing what feedback to take and what feedback to ignore. Being flexible and open to edits and changes to your work is something you’ll always need to have in this field. That being said, knowing what resonates with your vision is crucial. If an agent suggests an edit that doesn’t align with the “heart” or “vision” of your story, knowing how to stand your ground and tactfully defend/explain your vision will go a long way in having a happy relationship, as well as being satisfied with your end product.

Let’s talk about unexpected – shifts in plans (and timelines). You mentioned that since signing the book contract and losing your agent AND the editor being let go, AND THEN the publisher pushing the pub date out by another TWO YEARS- Ahh!- that you then got a new agent -(yay!) and after this, the publisher pushed your pub date back up by one year. *Oh-my-goodness. Talk about a ROLLER COASTER. I almost got whiplash just from writing this…*

During this uncertain time, I can only imagine the overwhelming emotions you may have been going through. How did you manage to keep it together and stay the course? And what advice would you give to authors and/or illustrators who may be facing similar up-and-down challenges?

A wild ride, for sure! Of course, I was crushed to receive news that I had been “orphaned” and then that my book had been orphaned too. I was starting to feel invisible, just like the main character of my story. But I knew others who had been through similar situations, and I asked them about their experiences. It helped to know I wasn’t alone. I also counted my blessings. I had the support of my critique partners, family, and the kidlit community, and my first book was about to launch (PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY released in August 2023). I told myself that the delayed publication date for my second book would allow me more time to promote the first. I could also use the extra time to research and query agents as well as polish more manuscripts when received a request for more work. I took comfort in the fact that I found an agent who believed in me once, so I had faith I could do it again. And, in the process, I continued my “rejection ritual” that helps take the sting out of all the NOs. When I receive a pass on a submission, I put a dollar in my “Rejection Jar” (which I’ve recently re-named my “Not Yet Jar,” because at school visits I encourage students to think in terms of “not yet” instead of “no”). When I receive a “yes” I spend the money in the jar on something for myself. So, my advice to those who are facing challenges like this is: Take the time you need to grieve, find your support system, take a breath, get back in there, and believe in yourself!

-Something that I really loved that you said when you were expressing the up and down journey with this book was: “One of the main themes of the picture book is to believe and not give up, so I guess it’s fitting that it’s path to publication took believing and perseverance as well!” All I could think was YES, that is absolutely the truth!

No doubt, there were disappointing moments during your journey: close-calls, near-misses, and some tears shed along the way. But, at the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, would you say the rewards outweigh the moments of struggle? Explain.

Absolutely! I tend to look at the bright side of things, so when I hit a hurdle or roadblock, I tell myself that there is a reason for it. So maybe the delay in GILBERT’s publication was to allow me to savor PAISLEY a bit longer. I’ve had so much fun planning a launch, doing storytime events, school visits, book festivals, and more. Now I feel even more prepared to launch book number two and look forward to all the fun I’ll have sharing GILBERT AND THE GHOST with all those readers out there.

What have been some of the happiest moments of your publishing journey?

Oh, there have been so many! Besides signing with two agents and getting two book contracts, some of my happiest moments have occurred while promoting at events. I am fortunate to live near a few indie bookstores, and I’m a frequent visitor of Children’s Book World in Haverford, PA, so I asked them if they would host a book launch for my first book, PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY (they’ve agreed to host my launch for GILBERT too). Paisley is a bunny, so I baked and decorated carrot cupcakes and bunny-shaped sugar cookies and made “carrot” savory treat bags. I had several surprise guests, including my aunt who is a big fan of picture books (she was a kindergarten teacher in her former life). I had commissioned her to make me stuffed toys that looked like the main character and her brother, Paisley and Pip, so it was especially meaningful to have her at my launch. Paisley and Pip now come with me for all my book events!

Another highlight was meeting the illustrator of PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY, Natallia Bushuyeva. This was very unexpected, as she lives in France! My husband competes in triathlons and qualified for the 2023 World Championships in the half-IronMan which was held in Finland that year. After his race and before coming home, we vacationed for a few days in Paris and arranged to meet Natallia. We met at a little café and signed each other’s copies of PAISLEY. How cool is that?

I love sharing my love of books with children. I have done several storytime events at bookstores and libraries and have also done some school visits. Everything from the kids’ enthusiasm to the questions they ask to the fan mail is more than enough reason to know pursuing children’s book writing was the right path for me.

Why do YOU write? What does writing mean to you?

I write to engage the creative part of my brain and to connect with my inner child.

What do you hope your stories will give your readers?

I hope to connect with the children who need or want to hear the stories I want to tell.

What’s something that you think every author and/or illustrator should know about publishing that you wish you had known sooner?

I think it’s important to understand that children’s book writing and illustrating is a business. We can pour so much of ourselves into our stories, so it’s understandable why rejections feel personal and can downright hurt. But there are so many reasons why an agent or editor passes on a manuscript, even a well-written, marketable one. Keep writing and submitting – your “yes” is out there!

What are some writing resources/contests/groups/workshops/etc. that have benefited you most along the way? How have they helped you? Did they help you find community, critique groups, accountability partners, deepen craft, etc.?

I am the poster child for trying out writing resources! I could name so many specific resources I’ve used that have contributed to my journey in kidlit (way too many to list them all here), but I’ve grouped them in more general terms:

The library and bookstores: I check out stacks of books from my local library regularly. Not only have I read books on the craft of writing, but reading books in the format/genre in which I write (mostly picture and chapter books) helps me see what I can do to improve my own writing and to see what books are being published and by whom. Bookstores are also great because you can see how books are being positioned and promoted to boost sales.

Joining SCBWI led to finding my critique group; attending local and not-so-local, in-person and virtual conferences and events; and to a volunteer position. That led to connecting with other writers/authors, illustrators, and industry professionals; learning more about my craft and about the industry; and improving my writing, revision, and critiquing skills.

Joining challenges (like 12×12, StoryStorm, Reading for Research Month, and March on with Mentor Texts) challenged me to write and read more, connected me with like-minded creators and more critique partners, and encouraged me to persevere.

Entering contests (like PBParty, the Rising with the Stars mentorship, and the #PBChat mentorship), and applying for awards and conferences (like SCBWI awards/grants and the Rutgers One-on-One Plus conference) challenged me creatively and pushed me to get my work out there.

Subscribing to (a ton!) of podcasts, blogs, publisher mailing lists, and author/illustrator newsletters, has been hugely influential. I’ve learned about writing, marketing, and author visits; about classes, workshops, contests, and mentorships; about industry trends and changes; about agents, editors, and publishers; and more. These sites (Chelsea’s is one example) often offer opportunities to win prizes like free books and critiques, and I have been the winner of a few. Bonus: Subscribing is FREE!

What do you think the main keys are to staying the course and keeping your joy in publishing? Feel free to share as many keys as you like! We’re open to all the wisdom.

Prepare (learn your craft and about the industry; work on what you can control). Practice (write, revise, share, submit, repeat). Have a Positive attitude (celebrate small successes). Persist!

Speaking of wisdom: what’s one piece of writerly advice/wisdom that you feel has been most helpful to you as a writer?

Keep going!

Okay, now we’ve entered the book portion of the interview. Tell us about your newest book! Starting with: What was your inspiration?

My newest picture book, GILBERT AND THE GHOST (illustrated by Jess Mason; Beaming Books, August 2025), began with two things – a title idea and a childhood memory. The title came about during Tara Lazar’s 2020 StoryStorm challenge. I like wordplay and thought “ghost writer” had potential for a picture book title (notice it’s not the title of my book now). The childhood memory came from my happy place – the beach. Beginning when I was two years old, my parents and my aunt and uncle rented the same beach house every year. I have many fond memories of summer days with my cousins at the beach, but as I brainstormed ideas for what to do with my fabulous title, I recalled one memory in particular. Before we left our rental for the season, we would hide a note somewhere in the house, hoping to find a reply when we returned the following year. Surely someone would want to be our pen pal! The next year, we’d check our secret hiding spot. Did anyone reply? No. But our note was missing! Someone must have read it, right? Maybe they did reply, but another renter received the note before us. So, we tried again, for several years, believing that eventually we would become friends with another beach lover, even if we never met. With that memory in mind, I wondered if I could write a story about a child who wrote notes to a ghost he believed lived in his neighborhood, even though no one else believed. A friendship story between a child, who understood what it was like to feel invisible, just like a ghost, and a ghost, who might want a friend too. So, I did!

Here is what the jacket copy for GILBERT AND THE GHOST says:

The ghost at 632 Savannah Street is real . . . right?

Gilbert often feels invisible, just like the ghost living at 632 Savannah Street. Despite his family’s disbelief, Gilbert leaves gifts for the ghost: a friendship bracelet, a plate of cookies, even a drawing with a note. When each disappears one by one, Gilbert finds that believing and friendship are worth the effort.

For kids who might often feel unseen, Gilbert and the Ghost is a ghostly tale of overcoming obstacles and finding friendship in mysterious places. Gothic, whimsical illustrations make this picture book perfect for spooky season, while its earnest themes make it worth a read all year round.

I didn’t plan it, but I realized much later that the story themes in Gilbert are a lot like what many authors/illustrators experience when they are trying to succeed in the industry. Gilbert, who sometimes feels invisible, believes in something most others around him don’t; but he perseveres and patiently keeps trying to achieve his goal (even though sometimes that’s difficult). I think we in the kidlit community can relate to feeling invisible when we submit into the “void” and often hear nothing back. Yet, like Gilbert, we persevere and try to be patient (even though that’s often difficult!). I am fortunate to have a very supportive family, and I’ve found the kidlit community to be extremely encouraging, but I know some creators encounter a lot of unsupportive (even if well-meaning) “doubters” just like Gilbert does with his family. So, I dedicate this book to all of you out there who are taking the steps to pursue your dream. I believe in you!

You shared something with me about feedback you received from the publisher on your book’s ending, and I really loved this experience because I think it’s very important as a writer to know when to budge and be flexible on something and when to tactfully stand your ground on something that speaks to your authentic author “voice” and the intention and vision that you have for your work. Could you tell our readers about your experience with this?

Absolutely! Before we got an offer from Beaming Books on GILBERT, the acquisition team came back with a few questions, one of which was about the ending. Earlier in this interview I talked about receiving agent feedback regarding what she felt was an indecisive ending, so I worried I might not receive an offer from Beaming if I gave them the “wrong” answer. But it was also important to me that the ending stay true to my intent. I don’t want to give the ending away, so I will refrain from providing specifics, but I will say that I crafted a carefully worded answer to their question, sent it to my agent for approval, and she sent it along to Beaming Books. Thankfully, they offered!

What are you most excited about with the publication of this book?

Even though I’ve seen the final digital version, I’m looking forward to holding a copy in my hands! It’s been a long wait for this book and I’m incredibly proud of it. I’m also excited to see the educator guide my daughter is creating for the book (she’s a teacher and created a fabulous one for PAISLEY), for a ghost-themed book launch at Children’s Book World, and for more readings and school visits with children!

When does the book come out, and when can we pre-order?

GILBERT AND THE GHOST officially releases on August 19, 2025, but you can pre-order now! Ordering links can be found on my website HERE.

I have a special offer for everyone who pre-orders the book—free SWAG! To get your SWAG, email or message me with proof of your pre-order purchase (you can use the contact form on my website; links below).

Any last words of inspiration that you’d like to share with our readers today?

Take a lesson from Gilbert – believe in yourself!

Thank you for joining us again, Heather. It’s truly been a treat having you. We’re all wishing you the best and continued success on this mountainous journey that is kidlit publishing.

Thank you, Chelsea, for having me on your blog again!

But that’s not all, friends! Now it’s time for…

A GIVEAWAY!!!

This month, Heather is offering a choice of either one signed copy of GILBERT AND THE GHOST or one critique of a fiction picture book, up to 800 words (preferably fiction).

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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

That’s it!

Want extra entries? Share and tag on X @chellysbooks or Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks, and I’ll add your additional entry to the giveaway pool.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: 11:59 PM CST ON LAST DAY OF APRIL 2025

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.

Heather Stigall uses her experience with children and her degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work to create stories that speak to kids. She is the Critique Group/Meet & Greet Coordinator for the Eastern PA SCBWI Chapter, a member of the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and a wife and parent to five children and one pup. When she’s not writing, you can find Heather hanging out with her kids (hopefully at the beach), reading, eating chocolate, baking, or creating all sorts of treasures. Her debut picture book, PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY (Clavis Publishing) released in August 2023, is available in five additional languages and is a 2023 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award nominee. Her second picture book, GILBERT AND THE GHOST (Beaming Books) is due out August 2025. You can connect with Heather through her website, HeatherPierceStigall.com, and her social media links at https://linktr.ee/HeatherStigall. PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY (Clavis, 2023) GILBERT & THE GHOST (Beaming Books, 2025)

Connect with Heather Stigall www.HeatherPierceStigall.com FB Heather Pierce Stigall, IG @heather_stigall7, Bluesky: @heatherstigall7, Twitter/X @heather_stigall

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

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

MARCH 19TH, 2025, FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH FUNNY CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR BRITTANY POMALES, CONDUCTED BY CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER, BLOGGER, AND FORMER LIBRARIAN CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on March 19, 2025December 11, 2025 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

In today’s Feature Interview, I’m talking with children’s book author Brittany Pomales. We’ll be sharing funny stories and delving into the key ingredients for mastering humor in picture books. What makes a funny manuscript stand out in a crowded marketplace? And how can you make readers laugh out loud while also weaving in other hooks and themes? We’ll explore the answers!

But before we do… here are a few things to know about feature interviews.

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

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

What can these interviews offer YOU?

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

And more!

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

Brittany, we’re thrilled to have you here. Really and truly. First thing first- where can we find you on a map? Doesn’t have to be the exact location- just a ballpark.

Absolutely a pleasure to be on your blog, Chelsea! You can find me in the very dry, very hot state of Arizona. Send water.

How long have you been writing, and when did your love for writing first begin?

I don’t recall the early years but I vividly remember entering a writing contest in the sixth grade and being offended by the certificate of participation. I was sure I was going to win. I didn’t even get an honorable mention. In hindsight, it wasn’t a great story. Don’t tell younger me I said that.

Have you always been a big reader? And what are some of the books/authors that have been most influential to you as a writer?

A mega-reader. As a child, my local newspaper interviewed a few kids at the local library and I took it as my soapbox to complain about how the next book in the Series of Unfortunate Events series was always checked out. It changed nothing. You would think they would have purchased some extra copies.

-That’s too funny! I love the picture.

Speaking of books… As you stated in your application for the feature interview lineup, “There are a lot of women writers in kidlit community who feel disheartened when trying to publish funny books. Humor is so subjective!” And I think everyone who has ever dabbled in writing (and querying/submitting) humor manuscripts can wholeheartedly agree. So tell us… what’s the secret sauce to writing funny books?

I watch a lot of Gordon Ramsey and the secret to a good sauce involves quality ingredients but also a layering of flavor. And it is easy to underestimate the impact of the proper amount of salt and acidity. The same applies to writing funny books. Like knowing how far to take a joke. With picture books, it’s easy to leave a scene too early or not drive deep enough in a scene to keep your word count down. But nine out of ten times—a statistic I just made up—there is an opportunity to up the humor by adding that extra beat.

Okay, so now, you have a hilarious concept. Seriously, everyone’s laughing about it. Now what? Let’s talk about the process of making manuscripts shine. What tips would you give to a writer who’s looking to conquer their craft?

Writing funny looks easy, but it is far from it. That’s why I created Kidlit Haha Week, a week-long dive into writing and illustrating funny books for children from April 1st – April 5th. Every day, you’ll find a new blog post written by a funny author, editor, or illustrator on my website Brittanypomales.com that dives into the nitty-gritty of writing funny. For FREE!

My best tip would be to join us. No pressure to attend live. Read along whenever you can. This is its second year. The goal is to eventually have an archive of content funny writers can use whenever they need it.

-Such a fantastic resource for humor writers! Thank you for sharing!

“Writing funny looks easy, but it is far from it. That’s why I created Kidlit Haha Week, a week-long dive into writing and illustrating funny books for children.” – Brittany Pomales

What helped you to master your craft of humor? Explain.

I watched a lot of Abbott and Costello with my dad as a kid. This helped me learn to think funny. And I Love Lucy is my true north when it comes to humor. But what helped me most to apply that to my writing was my mentorship with Dev Petty through Pbchat. She helped me achieve the layered flavor of humor—if I may continue the metaphor—in my manuscripts.

When writing humor, how do you balance the funny with other hooks and themes? If you have any examples of other books that you think do this well, we’d love to hear them!

Sometimes a story idea is really just a joke. And when trying to add layers hooks and themes can feel forced. I think the best way to achieve balance is to try and plot out your joke and hook/theme before sitting down to write. I know. I’m a pantser. But it will help make sure there really is more to the story to avoid it feeling one note and it will save you time later down the road.

Hornswoggled!: A Wacky Words Whodunit, written by Josh Crute and illustrated by Jenn Harney, is a great example of balancing humor with the hook of using wacky words. The wordplay is so integral to the story that nothing feels gimmicky or forced. That was a challenge I had when writing IT STARTED WITH A P since I heavily use words that begin with the letter P throughout.

-I love the book recommendation! And such great advice!

Were there any resources that you remember being super valuable in your writing journey? It could be a group/organization/contest/etc. We’re all ears! (Corny, I know.)

PBChat, which is no longer, was by far the most valuable resource for me. Justin Colon hosted weekly chats that ultimately turned into a three month mentorship. He ran them both for free for several years.

The chats started just as I began to learn the craft. It helped me find community and provided me with information faster than I could figure out what I needed to ask. And I absorbed it all. Or at least tried, too. Then, in its third year of the mentorship program, I was selected as a mentee.

Although readers can no longer benefit from PBChat, in its absence, the PB Rising Stars mentorship was formed, so there are still free resources out there.

-Yes! PB Rising Stars is another great resource for sure!!

Okay, we’ve found our support system of other writers/groups/critique partners, we’ve mastered our craft of writing funny, and we have a killer concept and several great hooks. Now the question is, how do we get an agent/editor to love this book as much as we and our critique group does?!

There is nothing you can do to make someone love your book. Although, wouldn’t it be nice? It can be the funniest fart book ever written, but if someone doesn’t like potty humor, it will never land. The goal becomes to find the person who does love potty humor and can appreciate your funny fart book. And the best way to do this is to search high and low. Submit, submit again, and then submit some more. Which is frustrating and exhausting. So take a break, vent to your critique group, and then hit submit, yup, again.

-The perfect advice. YES!!!

“There is nothing you can do to make someone love your book. The goal becomes to find the person who can appreciate your book. And the best way to do this is to search high and low. Submit, submit again, and then submit some more.” – Brittany Pomales

Can you talk to us a little bit about your querying/submission journey and how you ended up with your current agent and book deal? We’d love to hear the behind-the-scenes!

I was in the trenches for about five years before connecting with Stefanie. Like most of us, I jumped in too soon. But after a few years of hard work, I was a part of both the Pbchat showcase and PBparty showcase but ultimately found my agent through cold querying.

I queried Beth at Ladderbird because she represented a writer I knew. I was notified through Query Tracker that she forwarded my submission to Stefanie. I didn’t know much about her, so I did some googling. Her manuscript wishlist didn’t mention humor at all, so I wasn’t sure whether to get my hopes up. But Beth had to know something I didn’t if she forwarded her something that wasn’t on her MSWL.

Stefanie asked to read more, then we set up the call, and her offer came shortly after. I signed with Stefanie in July of 2022 as only a picture book writer. I know it can get discouraging when a lot of agents ask for author-illustrators or a writer who writes for multiple audiences but it does still happen!

We did a final polish on IT STARTED WITH A P. It had already been edited so much. And we went out with it in September. We had an offer by the end of October. And though that book sold quickly—about seven weeks—nothing else in my career has moved that fast.

-Wow! This is so great. I love hearing how agent/author matches are made.

What are some of the challenges you’ve had to face on your publishing journey, and how have you been able to combat them?

The unknown is so hard for me. I excelled at school because there were syllabi and ways to measure how you were doing. In corporate jobs, there are benchmarks to meet for raises and promotions. Pursuing publication is like reading tea leaves. You try your best to interpret what’s in front of you, but you have no idea. Throwing spaghetti at the wall, as most of us say.

As a strategist—it’s my personality type—it is so tough for me not to know. So, I focus on the small areas where I can strategize. Like creating sublists with my agent or deciding on how many books to send out on sub each year.

For writers who may be passionate about writing funny books for kids and who may have been querying to no avail for a number of months, or even years, with no bites, what words of comfort and/or advice would you like to share with them?

Hearing no so often makes you wonder if you’re good enough. You are! If you’re going crazy. A little bit. And whether it’s all worth it. Maybe.

Asking yourself these questions occasionally is normal but if you’re asking them almost daily please take a break. I assure you publishing will still be here if and when you’re ready.

Let’s talk marketing! Writing a funny picture book that sells. How have you been able to incorporate marketing into your publishing journey as a debut picture book author?

The best part of a long journey is being able to watch those who are ahead of you. Why reinvent the wheel right?

Everything from website designs to blog tours. I watched what other funny authors did to promote their books. What did I like? What didn’t I like? As both an author and a reader.

This allowed me to get into the mindset of marketing my book and break it down into bite-sized chunks. Which made it far feel less scary when my time finally came.

-Such a great attitude! And smart idea. Learning from others is so helpful!

What are a few key things you’ve been able to do to help promote/market your book?

This is going to sound obvious, but talk about the book. That includes sending cold emails to bookstores/bloggers/podcasters/bookstagrammers. Which feels scary but I’ve heard ‘no’ so many times throughout this journey that, honestly, a few more wouldn’t hurt. And you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many people say yes.

They say trial and error and experience make the best teachers. With that in mind, what are some things you’ve learned along the way?

I learned what kind of writer I am, along with my strengths and weaknesses. I wish it didn’t take so long—about fifteen years. Most of that time was figuring out I wasn’t a novelist. All the years I tried, I didn’t finish one novel. After I figured out I was better suited for short-form, it still took me years to land on funny picture books.

Speaking of learning along the way. If you could go back in time, what’s something you wish you had known about publishing sooner? And why?

The business of it. I’m still learning since I am just debuting, but I feel like I would have handled my early years a little differently had I known. But I mean, we all jump into it a little naively. We just want to share our stories with the world, but there is so much more to it.

Okay, now we’ve reached the book portion. Tell us about your book! What’s it about? What was its inspiration? And what do you hope readers will get from reading it?

On the night before his birthday, King Liam has a dream that his birthday will be ruined. But upon waking, he can’t remember what ruins it except that it started with the letter p. Naturally, in a mad dash effort to stop this pesky P, he orders Cedric, his royal advisor, to rid the palace of Ps.

The idea began with the phrase ‘The Land of Nothing’. It led me to question how a land that once had many somethings would end up as a land with nothing. Underneath all the humor, it became a story about letting anxious thoughts ruin your day. Something I’ve personally struggled with.

Mostly, I hope readers—young and old—can laugh at the outlandish measures King Liam takes in his effort to save his birthday. For those who need it, I hope they resonate with the message that all that worrying didn’t help King Liam in the slightest.

Speaking of readers… what has the reaction been from readers?

I wondered how the younger readers in the 4 – 8-year-old range would react to it. I use some pretty big words. (perplexed, preposterous, etc.) But it seems the younger kids love hearing all the p words, and the older kids enjoy trying to figure out what the problematic p is. And, of course, readers of all ages love the illustrations.

Have you been able to do any author events? If so, when/where? And pics, please!

Not yet, but soon! I have a book launch scheduled at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday, April 12t,h and I cannot wait. In addition to a storytime, kids will be able to decorate their own crowns. I even have a six-foot inflatable letter P.

What have the highlights of your author journey been so far?

Every step of making the book. From the first sketches to physically hold the book. They have all been ‘is this real’ moments for me.

Next up on the highlight reel is seeing children enjoy it. Eventually, by my own children—who are a bit too young at the present.

What’s one piece of wisdom that you’d like to share with other creators?

Publishing is a bit like the comedy TV show Whose Line is it Anyway, where everything is made up, and the points don’t matter.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Brittany.

But that’s not all…

We have one more item on the agenda.

And that is THE GIVEAWAY PRIZE.

GIVEAWAY

For the month of March, Brittany is offering 1 winner a choice of a humor PB critique (prose or rhyming, up to 750 WORDS) OR a signed copy of IT STARTED WITH A P (US Only.)

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment on this post! That’s it.

And if you haven’t already, like this post and subscribe to the blog and/or newsletter!

Want extra entries? Share and tag this blog post on X @chellysbooks or Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks, and I’ll add your additional entry to the giveaway pool.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: last day of the month (March 2025) at midnight CST.

FAQ:

What if I was already subscribed to the blog? Does that mean I won’t qualify for the Prize Giveaway? Not at all! If you subscribed before this month, all you’ll need to do is LIKE this Feature Interview and leave your COMMENT below this post within the deadline (the current month/year entry was posted).

Did you enjoy this interview?

Purchase IT STARTED WITH A P

Purchase ADHD AND ME

Brittany Pomales wrote It Started With a P. Unless you didn’t find it funny; in that case, someone else wrote it. When she isn’t writing books, Brittany is often playing with, singing to, and or reading to her son and daughter along with her husband and dog in their Arizona home. She has celebrated over thirty birthdays. Thankfully, none have resulted in a celebration crisis–yet!

www.brittanypomales.com Twitter/X – @brittanypomales IG – @brittanypomale Bluesky – @brittanypomales.bsky.social

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

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

BOLDJOURNEY Magazine, Interview with Kidlit Author, blogger, Entrepreneur- Chelsea DiCicco

Posted on February 27, 2025February 27, 2025 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Guest Blogs & Interviews, My Writing Journey, View all blog posts

Working in a creative field can be tricky… and mentally exhausting. This career path is littered with wonky obstacles and challenges, one of those being the struggle to keep creativity alive. So where does the happy medium lie between balancing life and keeping creativity thriving?

In this exclusive interview with Bold Journey Magazine on February 19, 2025, we discuss the ups and downs of publishing and ways to keep fresh ideas growing. I share my personal tips and challenges and ways that I’ve been able to juggle life with creative endeavors, as well as different resources/things that have helped me along the way. Check it out HERE!

FEBRUARY 2025 FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH LIBRARIAN AND CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR MAKENZIE HICE, CONDUCTED BY CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER, LITERARY BLOGGER, AND FORMER LIBRARIAN CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on February 19, 2025December 11, 2025 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

Today, I’m talking with storyteller + filmmaker + Children’s Books Author AND Librarian Makenzie Hice. We’ll be diving into finding inspiration from books, discovering ideas for stories, challenges of the writing process, and the importance of being kind to yourself while creating.

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

You might be wondering…

WHAT ARE THEY?

WHO ARE THEY FOR?

HOW CAN THEY HELP ME?

Let me shed some light…

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

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

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

Makenzie, it’s so great to have you on the blog with us this month! It’s no secret I love libraries and always have a soft spot for talking to fellow librarians. And even though I technically no longer work in a library anymore, I feel like it’s a “once a librarian, always a librarian” type of thing.

Even when I am no longer working for the library, it will always be a significant place for me. The Dewey Decimal System will forever be ingrained in my brain.

Okay, so to get us started, could you tell our readers where you’re located?

I currently live in Portland, Oregon. We are known for our rain here.

Wonderful! So, Makenzie, when reading through your bio in your application for the 2025 Feature Interview lineup, it was very apparent that you have a real love for storytelling. And I thought it was interesting that you mentioned your interest in storytelling was first developed through filmmaking. Could you tell us more about this?

I fell in love with filmmaking when I was fourteen. I started making my own short films with my friends as a creative outlet. I always loved movies and was enchanted by the endless possibilities of visual storytelling. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in film, so I tried a little bit of everything. My favorite director as a teen was Stanley Kubrick, which is funny to look back on. My goals as a storyteller are the complete opposite now.

I’d love to hear the process of how one form of creative arts led you to find another! Can you tell us how you got from point A. filmmaking to point B. writing?

When I went to Portland State to study film, I wasn’t sure what I specifically wanted to pursue. Once I took my first screenwriting class, my heart was set. I loved being able to make something out of nothing. When it comes to writing, I found relief in knowing not too much could go awry. If I write myself into a corner, I can write myself out of it. I had a favorite screenwriting professor and I took every class of his. He taught me so much about enjoying the process and not beating myself up. Seeing someone who was successful with such a light-hearted attitude when it came to writing really inspired me to stick with it. Writing is hard work, but it doesn’t mean you have to be hard on yourself.

When and how did the pursuit of your publishing career begin?

I was graduating from college in the Summer of 2020. We were all living in an uncertain time, and I felt very lost. I asked my screenwriting professor for advice on where to look for opportunities. He encouraged me to not limit myself. “You are a writer, not just a screenwriter,” he said. Writing children’s books was something I had considered, but I had no idea where to start. Since I was unemployed and had all the time in the world, I started researching how to construct a manuscript and went from there. I took my screenwriting knowledge on structuring stories and developing characters and morphed it to fit the picture book format. I was surprised by how well my past knowledge lent itself to my new phase of writing.

From the time you first began your publishing journey, how long did it take you before you found your “yes” and could you tell us how that happened? (Was it through a contest, a cold query, an in-person event, or something else? Was it an editor/publisher who you submitted directly to?)

I looked up publishers who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts and found several useful lists. I am grateful for how much helpful information there is on the internet. I then took the leap of sending out a manuscript. It was scary, but I figured I couldn’t expect anything from the universe if I wasn’t willing to put myself out there. When you submit to publishers, you may get a polite rejection or hear nothing at all. The first manuscript I sent out received a few rejections, but mainly it was crickets. I then wrote Angel and the Paper Trail and sent it to about five publishers. Within a month, I received an email from Clavis Publishing telling me they wanted to publish my story. My first “yes” came about 5 months after beginning my children’s book-writing journey. I understand my situation was very lucky. I sent the right manuscript to the right person at the right time. I don’t say this to discredit the work I put into it, but I am aware of how long extremely talented people have had to wait to get their first “yes.” I was given a rare opportunity before I had a strong grasp of what I was doing.

I saw on your application that you aren’t represented by a literary agent. Have you been at any point, and/or is that something that you are interested in pursuing in the future?

I have never been represented by a literary agent, but it is my dream to have one. Right now, I am in the rejection portion of my career. I am consistently submitting to agents, adding to my growing list of rejections. Getting rejected isn’t fun, but it is a huge part of the journey. I don’t take it personally. I just let myself feel what I need to feel, dust off my shoulders, and keep trying. I will gladly pay my dues in order to earn the growth I need.

If you weren’t represented by a literary agent for your previous book deals, could you tell our readers about what your experience was like when going through the process of handling and negotiating publishing contracts independently?

My negotiating process wasn’t very extensive. They emailed me the contract. I read it over with my mom and signed it. I am by no means saying this is the best approach when signing a contract, but it is what felt best for me at the time. It was my first book, so I had no prior experience. I’m still learning about the business side of this industry. If I have the fortune of signing another contract in the future, I think there will be a more in-depth conversation going on.

For writers and/or illustrators who are considering submitting directly to publishers without solicitation, do you have any helpful tips you might like to share?

Keep looking and be patient. Publishers’ and agents’ submission windows often change, so it’s good to consistently do research. You may not have a manuscript that is a great fit for a specific publisher right now, but something you create down the line could be. You can’t predict exactly what people are looking for, so don’t be afraid to try different things.

Let’s talk about finding inspiration from books. Have there been any specific books that you can recall that really inspired your creative career today? Explain.

Ever since I was young, I’ve been drawn to sweet-gentle stories. I loved the work of Arnold Lobel (The Frog and Toad series) and Else Holmelund Minarik (The Little Bear series). They have helped shape my view of the world, teaching me to look for the little moments of joy in life. Those are the things that keep my heart warm. When I get caught up in stress, I revisit these stories to remember why I started doing this in the first place.

What are some ways you strive to keep your creative juices flowing, in turn helping you continue discovering new ideas for stories?

Working in a library, I get to be surrounded by books every day. This allows me to see what’s coming out and what classics have withstood the test of time. Pulling inspiration from both old and new gives me a good sense of what kind of stories children are drawn to. Reading children’s books helps keep my childlike view alive. They bring up old memories from when I was a child. Revisiting perspectives I had when I was young helps me tap into a whimsical imagination I once neglected.

Have there been any challenges you’ve had to face during the writing process/publishing journey, and if so, what are some ways you were able to overcome them?

I have trouble trusting my instincts. If I get too close to something, I can’t see it from another point of view. I may have a general idea of what I want to convey, but I can’t find the right words. I overthink and let it stop me in my tracks. Over time, I have learned it is easier to edit a page of clunky words than a page of nothing. I have had to become okay with creating a mess and cleaning it up little by little. The more experience I can get working through my mistakes, the stronger my writing muscles will become.

I love the idea of being kind to yourself while creating. It’s so, so, so important. We often look at and talk about the “fun” side of creativity and the “beauty,” which there is a lot of fun and beauty in it, BUT being creative can also take a LOT out of you. Especially if you’re harnessing it to be used in your everyday career. And if you don’t take time to properly recharge that creativity, you can find yourself on the flipside completely energy-drained. Can you speak to what it means to be kind to yourself while creating? And what are some ways you’ve been able to do this? (If you’d like to mention other ways of being kind to yourself while creating, like not holding yourself to standards of perfection, not comparing yourself to other people’s successes, etc., Feel free to add that as well!)

In order to get better at something, you have to be bad at it for a while. It can feel really uncomfortable. I used to beat myself up if something wasn’t coming easy to me. It takes time to create. The more you try to force it, the more frustrating it will become. It is important to take a break when you hit a wall. When I am burnt out, I give myself a week to catch my breath and clear my head. Pursuing a creative path can be emotionally draining. I think there may always be a little voice in the back of my head whispering, “You’re not good enough.” I can’t silence that voice, but I can acknowledge it for what it is. It is a feeling, not a fact. As soon as I stopped bottling up my negative emotions, the more at peace I had as a writer. Balance looks different for each person. Celebrate the little accomplishments. Even If you were only able to write for fifteen minutes, be proud of yourself. Every little bit counts. You can’t give it your all every single day. You have to find a routine that works for your life.

Okay, I’m itching to know more about your work in the library. How long have you been a librarian? And which library do you currently work in (if you feel comfortable mentioning)?

I have been working for a Multnomah County Library for about three years. It is a three-story building, which lends itself to housing many books. I am actually not a librarian, but just a library worker. I shelve books, make library cards, and do many things to help patrons get what they’re looking for. I share a lot of the work with the librarians, but they are much more qualified and educated than me. Before working in a library, I thought everyone who worked there had a Master’s Degree in Library Science. I was pleasantly surprised to learn this wasn’t the case. There are workers with varying levels of education. This made it possible for me to work in such a cool place.

Have you been able to host any author events at your local library?

I haven’t. To be honest, I feel sort of sheepish when it comes to talking about my book at work. This past year, I have been trying to come out of my shell more and be better at sharing my accomplishments with the people around me.

Speaking of local author events, I’d love to hear about any events you’ve been able to participate in: local/virtual school visits, bookstore visits, library storytimes, etc.

I have done two events at local bookstores. My first event was at Herringbone Books in Redmond, Oregon. I also did a reading at Green Bean Books as part of their back-to-school storytime. I feel very grateful for how kind everyone at these stores was. Last year, I got to visit my brother’s second grade class. It was my first time seeing him in teaching mode. His students were thrilled to meet their teacher’s sister. They were such an engaged audience. I brought little papers so they could make their own notes. I loved seeing how excited they were as they picked their papers and brainstormed what they wanted to write.

My first event at Herringbone Books in Redmond, Oregon!

What has the response to your books and/or events been? Have you had any particularly positive/kind responses while visiting with patrons/classrooms/families? (This could be anything! A kind card. A hand-drawn picture. A thoughtful comment. Etc. Again, if you have pictures you’d like to share, please email them to me as attachments to chelseasworldofbooks@gmail.com)

For the few events I have done, I went into them feeling super nervous. I became a writer because I liked the isolation of it, so being the center of attention is something I struggle with. Despite my nerves, everyone has been so wonderful to me at these events. Someone who had reached out to me through social media months earlier was able to attend one of my events. It felt so amazing to have someone support me in that way. Her kind message had meant so much to me, making me cry happy tears. Getting to meet her in person was so special.

What have been some of your greatest highlights/memories/milestones on the publishing journey? (Again, if you have pictures you’d like to share, please email them

Seeing my book on a library shelf was definitely a pinch me moment. As I was going about my regular day at work, I looked up to discover it sitting there. It was in the company of so many wonderful stories. It was surreal. Another big moment for me was when I found out my book made it onto the Children’s Books Council’s (CBC) 2024 Children’s Favorite list and Teacher Favorite list. It was such an honor to be included. It helped me feel confident at a time when my imposter syndrome was at its height.

Okay, we’ve arrived at the book portion of the interview. Please tell us about your books!

My book, Angel and the Paper Trail is about a young boy who is new to his school and struggling to make friends. He finds a mysterious note inside a book at the school’s library and sets off to find out who wrote it. With the help of his classmate, he begins his search. With each clue they follow, their search team grows.

This story was inspired by the time I spent at the library when I was younger. I hid many notes in library books and wondered if anybody ever found them.

What do you hope your readers, big and small, will experience and/or gain from your stories?

I just hope to bring a little bit of joy and comfort to readers. If readers walk away with a smile, then my job has been done.

Any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with our readers today?

A creative path is not an easy path, but it is so rewarding to do what you love. It may feel as if you are not moving forward, but you are making more progress than you think. Accept support and find ways to support others. This community is full of so much kindness. Root for others’ successes, and remember, your moment will come, too.

Thank you so much, Makenzie, for joining us on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog.

Thank you so much for having me! Getting to be a part of this makes me feel like the real deal! And now… it’s time for a GIVEAWAY!

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: A FREE COPY OF ANGEL AND THE PAPER TRAIL

Makenzie is giving away 3 PRIZES (TOTAL) TO 3 WINNERS (TOTAL): 1 PRIZE PER WINNER.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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

That’s it!

Want extra entries? Share and tag on X @chellysbooks or Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks, and I’ll add your additional entry to the giveaway pool.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: THE LAST DAY OF THE FEBRUARY 2025 BY 11:59 PM CST

Did you enjoy this interview?

Purchase ADHD and Me HERE

Purchase Angel and the Paper Trail HERE

Makenzie Hice grew up in Bend, Oregon, where she first fell in love with storytelling through filmmaking. She spent her summer days walking to her library and leaving notes in books. While attending Portland State University to study film, she uncovered her passion for screenwriting. After receiving the invaluable advice to try writing for other forms, she decided to take a chance at fulfilling her dream of writing a picture book. She currently works in a library where she is happy to be surrounded and inspired by thousands of stories. From time to time, she even gets the fortune of checking in and shelving a copy of Angel and the Paper Trail. Connect with Makenzie on Instagram @makenziehicewrites.

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

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

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

CanvasRebel Magazine, Interview with Kidlit Author, blogger, Entrepreneur- Chelsea DiCicco

Posted on January 24, 2025January 24, 2025 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Guest Blogs & Interviews, My Writing Journey, View all blog posts

As a creative entrepreneur, it’s my belief that shared experiences are part of the cornerstone for continued growth and success. Having the mindset that you can learn from anyone or any experience opens the door to limitless opportunities and helps you stay a forever student. Which is why I’m so passionate about sharing people’s stories!

If you’re a regular on my blog, you’re probably familiar with the Feature Interview segment, which features guests from all around the world sharing their literary journeys. Hosting these guests on my blog every month brings me such joy because I know that somewhere out there, it’s helping someone else grow!

Normally, I spend my time happily on the side of the host, but at the beginning of January 2025, I was approached by Sarah Garcia, a member of the editorial team of CanvasRebel Magazine, and invited to the other side as one of their interview guests. If you’re unfamiliar with CanvasRebel, they’re a fabulous organization whose mission is “to create a space for artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs to be able to learn from their peers through the magic and power of storytelling.” Which, for me, as a writer and literary blogger, is right up my alley. So, I immediately, without hesitation, said YES!

Our interview went live on January 20th, 2025, in their ‘Stories and Insights.’ During the course of our interview together, we talked about what it takes to be successful, shared writing resources, and discussed resilience in the face of difficulty. READ MORE…

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

Posted on January 15, 2025June 18, 2025 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

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

You might be wondering…

WHAT ARE THEY?

WHO ARE THEY FOR?

HOW CAN THEY HELP ME?

Let me shed some light…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Me and my daughter Sydney at Anderson’s Bookshop with NATIONAL REGULAR AVERAGE ORDINARY DAY – Krista took this picture.*

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

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

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

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

What’s the best?

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

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever been told?
“Slow down.” – Lisa Katzenberger
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Do you have any favorite resources or communities that were especially influential to your writing journey that you’d recommend to other creators? If so, which ones and why/how were they able to help you?

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Read a lot! You will learn so much from reading stories – both in the genre you like to write and outside of it. Take classes, go to webinars, attend conferences. Meet other writers and talk about the writing process. Work with critique partners to get feedback on your stories. Try lots of different approaches in a story – experiment and have fun!” -Lisa Katzenberger
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While we’re on the topic of learning and improving, can you tell us a little bit about the other literary work you do outside of writing and publishing books for kids?

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

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

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

“Part of the joy of teaching is giving back to the writing community and sharing the knowledge I’ve gained over the years. It also helps me remember that we are all constantly learning…” -Lisa Katzenberger
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Speaking of your writing, I’d love to talk some about writing SEL picture books. As you know, I love SEL picture books and quiet stories with lots of heart and sentiment. Your books are always favorites of mine. They always leave me feeling the warm fuzzies. You know when I get those because usually, I close the book and hold it to my chest and smile. Sometimes, I’ll even shut my eyes to savor the moment. For readers who may be wondering what SEL is, could you share a little more about what SEL books are?

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

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

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

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

“When there is a theme that is important to me, and I really want to tell a specific story, I really dig my heels in and refuse to give up!” -Lisa Katzenberger
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What are some hints and/or tips you can share with a writer on how to tighten or improve their SEL story? Do you have a magic checklist for what makes a SEL story sing?

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

A map of the Plot and Emotion ARCS in IT WILL BE OKAY

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

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

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

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

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

-All wonderful things!

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

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

-Oh my gosh, I love this!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Students watch Emily Arrow sing the song she created to accompany A LOVE LETTER TO MY LIBRARY.*

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

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

-I love this response! So beautiful!

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

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

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

Now it’s time for…

OUR GIVEAWAY!!!

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment on this post and/or share it on social media and tag me X @chellysbooks or Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks ** Every time you share this post to a new platform and tag me, that counts as an extra giveaway entry.**

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DEADLINE TO ENTER: January 31st, 2025 by 11:59 PM CST

Did you enjoy this interview?

Purchase ADHD AND ME

Purchase I CAN DO IT EVEN IF I’M SCARED: Finding the Brave You

Purchase A LOVE LETTER TO MY LIBRARY

Purchase IT BELONGS TO THE WORLD: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin

Purchase CROC & GATOR: Swamp Ranger School

Purchase IT WILL BE OK: A Story of Empathy, Kindness, and Friendship

Lisa Katzenberger: Author

Writes: Picture Books, Chapter Books

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

Represented by literary agent Wendi Gu.

BIO Lisa Katzenberger has been writing stories since she was a kid. Books have been a part of her life since her mom took her to their local library each week, letting her roam around the children’s section, picking out whatever she wanted to read. She loved escaping into stories, and she still can’t believe she gets to write them for kids now! Lisa is the author of I CAN DO IT EVEN IF I’M SCARED: Finding the Brave You, A LOVE LETTER TO MY LIBRARY, IT BELONGS TO THE WORLD: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin, IT WILL BE OK: A Story of Empathy, Kindness, and Friendship, and CROC & GATOR: Swamp Ranger School. She is on the faculty of The Writing Barn, where she teaches picture book writing courses and serves on the Board of Trustees of her local library. Lisa lives near Chicago with her husband and two children.

CONNECT http://www.lisakatzenberger.com Instagram: @lisakatz17 Twitter: @FictionCity BlueSky: @lisakatzenberger.bsky.social

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

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

DECEMBER 18TH, 2024, FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH AWARD-WINNING ALASKAN CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR BROOKE HARTMAN, CONDUCTED BY CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER, BLOGGER, AND FORMER LIBRARIAN CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on December 18, 2024December 18, 2024 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

Today, I’m talking with Alaskan mom and award-winning author of fun books for kids, Brooke Hartman. In addition to writing books for kids, Brooke also serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Writing and Publishing for Alaska Pacific University and as a board member (Treasurer & Conference Committee) for the Alaska Writers Guild.

We’ll be discussing behind-the-scenes publishing and answering questions like how to know WHEN a story is ready to start querying/submitting to an agent/editor, how to handle rejection, and when to know it’s time to shelve a project.

And sharing tips on how to balance motherhood with writing.

But before we jump into our interview… here are a few things to know about feature interviews.

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

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

What can these interviews offer YOU?

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

And more!

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

INTRODUCTIONS + BEGINNING STAGES OF PUBLISHING

Brooke, it’s so nice to have you on the blog with us today for our last feature interview of 2024. I hope your year has been amazing. Before we get into the meat of our interview, tell us, where are you from, and what do you write?

Hello, Chelsea! I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and despite multiple escape attempts, I still live here today. Don’t get me wrong, this state is BREATHTAKING, and a visit should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list. But after seven months of snow, even my die-hard Alaskan husband gets cabin fever.

And are you currently agented? If so, by who, and what agency?

I’m agented by the talented and wonderful Sera Rivers of Speilberg Literacy.

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing. When did you start seriously pursuing publication, and what was that early journey like?

Like many authors, I started writing as a young kiddo, always scribbling poems or turning essay assignments into stories (often to my teacher’s chagrin). Then, in my early twenties, I came up with a story idea for a young adult fantasy novel and hit that laptop HARD. Over the next decade, I edited that manuscript probably half a dozen times and even had an agent for it at one point! But if there’s anything I’ve learned in the publishing industry, it’s that writing has to land at the exact right moment at the exact right time, and we never can tell when that time and place may be. When my first kiddo was born in 2012, my creative writing juices started forming into new picture book popsicle shapes, so I turned my pen (er, laptop) toward that format… and loved it! My first picture book came out in 2019, and this last year, I released my seventh and eighth books. That YA fantasy might still be simmering on my laptop somewhere, but It still led me on quite the publishing journey nonetheless!

Were there any writing organizations, groups, or something else that helped you in those early stages of your publishing?

If you aren’t a member of SCBWI, stop reading this right now and go join (don’t worry, you can come back and read the rest of this later). Attending conferences, reading The Book from cover to cover multiple times, and being an active member of local SCBWI critique groups and events were essential to my path to publication. I also joined a local writing organization, the Alaska Writers Guild, which teams up with our local chapter of SCBWI for an annual conference. The editors, agents, and other publishing professionals I’ve had the chance to interact with and receive writing feedback from have been invaluable.

You mentioned that you’re a mom. And as pretty much everyone knows, being a mom is basically already a FULL-TIME job. What has your experience been like writing for kids while raising them? And how have you been able to balance your publishing career with motherhood?

I’m a mom of two semi-young kiddos and have a day job in behavioral health, so squeezing in writing time isn’t easy. But I’ve found that if I don’t find time to write, I become a very grouchy person! To help me focus on writing, I go to my nearby Starbucks, where I basically have my own table at this point. At the coffee shop, no dogs need to be walked, no laundry needs to be folded, and no closets need organizing. Leaving all the distractions of home behind really helps force me to open that laptop and write!

I’m sure there are some moms out there (hopefully reading this blog article today) with wonderful story ideas in their heads, and maybe even written down, who might be a bit hesitant to make the jump into publishing. For any of those moms reading this article, what advice would you like to share with them?

As moms, we can have ALL the ideas and NONE of the time! We’re already so stretched thin with kids’, kid activities, making dinner and all the lunches, and sometimes the requirements of a day job that finding time to even think about thinking about writing seems tough. I’ve found that looking over my weekly schedule and trying to pinpoint (and create) those little nuggets of time to write and then sticking to those times helps a lot. For instance, if I already have an appointment or work event on Tuesday, I try to cram my grocery shopping and anything else on that day, which leaves Monday and maybe Wednesday for more of an open time to write.

“…if there’s anything I’ve learned in the publishing industry, it’s that writing has to land at the exact right moment at the exact right time, and we never can tell when that time and place may be.” – Brooke Hartman

“At the coffee shop, no dogs need to be walked, no laundry needs to be folded, and no closets need organizing. Leaving all the distractions of home behind really helps force me to open that laptop and write!” – Brooke Hartman

BEHIND THE SCENES OF PUBLISHING: HOW TO KNOW WHEN A STORY IS READY + HANDLING REJECTION + SHELVING PROJECTS

“…projects might go to sleep for a while or even go into hibernation, but they’re never officially “dead”!” – Brooke Hartman

Okay, so we talked a little about the beginning stages of publishing. Now, let’s talk about some of those nitty-gritty details. One thing that many early writers struggle with is knowing “when” a story is really ready. How do you know when a story is truly ready to query/submit to an agent/editor?

The truth is… I have no clue when a story is ready! Sometimes, I think a story might need more work, and my critique group/agent/editor LOVE it. Other times, I wrestle with a project dozens of times, and still they find some issue with it. My only tactic that seems to work is to have my critique group go through any new project at least twice, once for the big issues and once again to make sure I fixed those big issues and for the little tweaks I’ might have missed. Then I send it to my agent and say, what do you think? If she gives it the thumbs up, then off it goes on its submission quest. What happens next is only a combination of luck, magic, held breaths, and wishing on 11:11s.

Speaking of agents and editors, any writer in the traditional world of writing knows that rejection is a part of the process and it’s just a reality of publishing. Everybody faces rejection at one point or the other, and often, more often than not. But writers aren’t the only ones facing rejection. Agents are, too. And it stings every time. But, as you continue growing as a writer, each sting becomes a little less painful because you’ve adapted that thicker skin (which you really need to have) of endurance. That being said… for newer writers, those rejections can REALLY sting. How were you able to cope with rejection in your early stages of publishing?

This is my best advice for rejection (and if any readers take one thing away from this interview, I hope it’s this): always, always, always be working on more than one project at once. If you’re hedging all your bets on a single lonely picture book text to fulfill all your writerly hopes and dreams, I’m not saying you’ll automatically be rejected, but if you are, having at least two or three other projects in the works will help lessen that sting a LOT. I think of publishing as a game of darts; over time, writers get better at hitting the bullseye. But if you can throw multiple darts at once, that only ups the odds and makes it less painful if we miss the mark.

Such good advice! And so true.

For any new writers who may be reading this today, who may currently or recently have been facing rejection and fighting discouragement, what words of wisdom or comfort would you like to share with them?

In the immortal words of Jason Nesmith from Galaxy Quest, “Never give up, never surrender!” Just keep writing, getting feedback, and submitting. Write something new. Dust off something old. Get feedback anywhere and when you can. But also try to be savvy about how you’re submitting and when; if you keep getting the same feedback from peers or professionals, maybe it’s time to listen to them and give that angle a try. You can always save your first version and go back to it if that’s the one that speaks to your heart!

Oh my goodness. My dad would be cheering right now. Galaxy Quest is his favaorite movie, and he used to say this line all the time when I was a kid. Fun fact: he still says it now that I'm an adult too. Also, what terrific advice. Yes!

Now, let’s go in a different direction. Seasoned writers know that not all projects, realistically, will or can be published. Which means that sometimes, we have to shelve projects. And shelving a project doesn’t necessarily mean that it will never see the light of day. Sometimes, it means that it’s a project that isn’t right for today’s marketing climate… but it could be just right for tomorrow’s. And this is a tricky thing because so much of it is reliant on chance and unknown factors. What would you say is an indicator that it’s time to shelve a project? When do you know it’s time?

Man, I have too many shelved projects to count! To date, I have at least three or four projects that have gone on submission, and years later… crickets. But honestly, I don’t think a project is ever really shelved. You just never know when an agent or editor will say, Gosh I really wish I had a project about X. And they just named YOUR project! Case in point, the very first picture book I ever wrote back in 2012 is now on R&R with an editor. So, projects might go to sleep for a while or even go into hibernation, but they’re never officially “dead”!

I love that. What a great way of looking at it!

“This is my best advice for rejection (and if any readers take one thing away from this interview, I hope it’s this): always, always, always be working on more than one project at once.” – Brooke Hartman

“… I think of publishing as a game of darts; over time, writers get better at hitting the bullseye. But if you can throw multiple darts at once, that only ups the odds and makes it less painful if we miss the mark.” – Brooke Hartman

OVERCOMING ROAD BUMPS + EMBRACING THE JOURNEY + HIGHLIGHTS

What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced on your publishing journey, and how have you been able to overcome them?

This interview isn’t long enough to list all the challenges and speedbumps on my publishing journey. We’d need our own podcast just for that! But some of the biggest ones have been when two of my picture books that were contracted and almost complete (illustrated and everything!) suddenly found themselves without a publisher. One had to do with COVID (curse you, COVID!), and the other had to do with a sudden publisher buyout.

*GASP* I can only imagine what you must have been feeling!

At both times, I felt gutted. I’d been so close to holding those books in my hands, only to have them swiped away at the last second. But guess what? Like the near-final Bluey episode, The Sign, you never know how bad luck can turn into good luck. As it turns out, both of those projects found new homes with absolutely wonderful publishers (one of which I’ll be releasing my third book with next year!)

For those who may be facing similar challenges now, what words of wisdom would you like to offer?

While rejection can be devastating, you never know what it will lead to in the future. Keep an open mind and look forward!

Beatiful words of wisdom!

Okay, we've touched on the struggles. Now, let's talk about the wins. What have been some of your publishing highlights- this can be ANYTHING?!

Oh wow, I don’t know how I can narrow these down! Just seeing a book published is such a highlight. Only six or seven years ago, after writing with the intent to traditionally publish for over fifteen years, I was still wondering whether I’d ever be a published author. Now, I have eight books out and five more publishing in the next couple of years. But some of my real highlights have been seeing kiddos and parents at book events, and the mom or dad stops and exclaims, “Oh my gosh, this is YOUR book? It’s our son’s/daughter’s favorite; they read it every night!” There’s honestly no greater reward in publishing than that.

Speaking of highlights… let’s talk about visits!

“While rejection can be devastating, you never know what it will lead to in the future. Keep an open mind and look forward!” – Brooke Hartman

AUTHOR VISITS

We’d love to hear about some of your author visits. Where have you visited? When? And what kind of feedback did you receive?

I do a lot of author visits here in Alaska, and they’re always full of new surprises. You never know what kids are going to ask, though I’m still trying new responses for the inevitable question of “How old are you?” Here’s what I’ve got so far:
- I’m “Mom” years old
- I was born before you were.
- I was born before the internet was invented (this usually results in a few gasps from the audience)
- I lost count! How old do you think I am?
I’m open to other suggestions if anyone has them!

For writers who are either newly published or soon to be, who may have questions about navigating author visits, could you tell us a little bit about how you handle your visits? Do you schedule them? If not you, is it the publisher? Do bookstores/libraries/schools reach out to you directly, or do you reach out to them, or is it a bit of both? Etc.

I schedule all my author visits. My schedule is so insane between kid activities, work events, and writing needs that I can’t even imagine anyone else trying to schedule these for me. But I do have a fun event coming up in February of 2025 with Bookelicious, a nationwide live virtual author visit (and you get five free books to boot)! It’s such a great opportunity for remote schools that don’t often get the opportunity to host a children’s book author in person or for schools that aren’t near where an author of interest may live. If you’re an educator, I highly suggest looking into Bookelicious’ upcoming author events; they’re spectacular!

That sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing that resource for our teachers out there (and maybe librarians too!)

Another GREAT thing for authors to know is that - your time is valuable. And while yes, you can definitely offer to do free events (especially for smaller, local community places, like perhaps your local library, or independent book store, which may not have as much funding), there’s also nothing wrong with getting paid for your time and services, especially when it involves some sort of commute. I saw that you have your Author Visit Rates listed on your website, which I think is such a fantastic thing for authors to do and be aware of doing. In reading this, it led me to a few other questions. For these visits, how does the pay side of things work? Are you paid upfront in full? Or is there a good-faith deposit made prior and the rest upon completion of the event? Are there extra fees/charges that need to be applied if you have to travel somewhere? Or do you only offer local and/or virtual visits? If you could share a little bit more about these details, that would be great.

I feel like having my author rates on my website helps avoid a lot of tough conversations, but in general, if a venue is reaching out to me to do an event, usually the idea is that they’ll be paying me based on my advertised rates. If I’m reaching out to them (say a bookstore or library to do a book launch event), then no fee is involved–the idea is that they’re helping spread the word about my new book while I help them with their Saturday storytime and craft hour, or something similar. If a fee is involved, I now always do a contract and/or invoice, depending on what sort of event it is. The total amount and when the fee is due is always listed on there somewhere. As for when it’s due, I usually have the payment due at or around the time of an event, keeping in mind that for school district-related events, they usually have to wait for the event to conclude before a check is cut.

OKAY. Now it’s time for BOOKS.

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!

Your motto is that you write “fun books.” We’d love to hear more! Could you tell us about some of your stories and their inspirations?

I have a couple of rules I try to follow when writing all of my books:
1)	The story has to be fun and catchy, with perhaps a little nugget of learning or a heaping spoonful of nonfiction hidden in plain sight. For a lot of these, adding back matter really helps. It allows me to have fun with the story knowing all of the more nitty gritty nonfiction can be added at the end.
2)	The final book has to be something my husband would pull off the shelf to read to our kids. As far as picture books are concerned, he is the toughest critic I know and sets the bar high, but I strive to meet it every time! 

What do you hope your readers will come away with after reading one of your books?

First and foremost, I want them to have enjoyed the story, and maybe laugh a little. If they learned something in the process, even better!

Any last words of wisdom that you’d like to share with readers today?

Just this: so often, I’m approached by others who have written a story and want to know “how to get it published.” I give them much of the same advice I’ve given in this interview, but in the end, no two paths to publication are the same. Each individual has to find their own way for their own stories. It just takes dedication, research, time, and of course… writing!

Thank you so much for joining us today, Brooke.

But don’t go anywhere just yet because now it’s time for the PRIZE GIVEAWAY.

GIVEAWAY: For the month of December 2024, Brooke Hartman will be offering the following prize(s) to X winner(s).

Two winners will receive their choice of one of my books personalized and shipped to whoever they want!

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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

That’s it!

Want extra entries? Share and tag on X @chellysbooks or Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks, and I’ll add your additional entry to the giveaway pool.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: December 31st, 2024, 11:59 PM CST

FAQ:

Did you enjoy this interview?

Purchase ADHD And Me HERE

Purchase the Littlest Airplane HERE

Purchase All Aboard the Alaska Train HERE

Purchase Klyde the Kraken Wants a Friend HERE

Purchase Pega Sisters Go To Camp HERE

Purchase Lotte’s Magical Paper Puppets HERE

Brooke Hartman is an Alaskan mom and award-winning author of fun books for kids. Her debut picture book, Dream Flights on Arctic Nights (West Margin Press, 2019) received a starred review from Kirkus and was a Children’s Bookshelf best book of the year; and her 2020 release, Lotte’s Magical Paper Puppets, the Woman Behind the First Animated Feature Film (2020, Page Street Kids) was a Poetry and Prose First Edition Book Selection. In spring 2022, she released The Littlest Airplane (April 2022, West Margin Press), which was selected for a 2023/2024 Alaska Battle Book, and Pega Sisters Go to Camp (May 2022, Page Street Kids). This last year, she released Klyde the Kraken Wants a Friend (April 2023, Hazy Dell Press) and Watch Out for the Lion (February 2023, Page Street Kids), which received a starred review from School Library Journal. Brooke has two more titles releasing in 2024: Little Narwhal Lost, a True Tale of Found Family (January 2023, Turner Publishing); and All Aboard the Alaska Train (March 2024, Red Comet Press). She will be releasing two additional titles with Sourcebooks eXplore in 2025 and 2026. Brooke also serves as an adjunct instructor of writing and publishing for Alaska Pacific University and is a member of the board of directors for the Alaska Writers Guild. When she isn’t writing, you can find her flying, fishing, and having fun with her family, enjoying all the magic life has to offer. Follow her adventures at www.BrookeAHartman.com or on social media @BrookesBooksAK.

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

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

DECEMBER 4TH, 2024 FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR EMMA PEARL, CONDUCTED BY CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER, BLOGGER, AND FORMER LIBRARIAN CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on December 4, 2024December 3, 2024 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

In today’s feature interview, I’m talking with children’s author Emma Pearl about exciting ways of breaking into the kidlit market. Emma shares how she got her first book deal through a Twitter/X pitch event and shares tips for other creators on ways/places to go to participate and put themselves out there!

But before we jump in… here are a few things to know about feature interviews.

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

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

What can these interviews offer YOU?

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

And more!

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

INTRODUCTIONS AND EARLY BEGINNINGS

Emma, it’s such a treat to have you joining us today! I share your sentiment that all journeys to publication are unique and interesting, and yours is certainly an inspirational one. I can’t wait to dive into the story of your publication. I’d love to start our interview today back at the beginning.

What was your beginning inspiration for joining the world of kidlit?

I’ve always loved reading and writing and have had a lifelong affinity with children’s literature. Stories can be so magical and transformative for young people – a place to escape, to explore yourself and your place in the world, to discover endless possibilities. I’m not sure there was a ‘beginning’; it’s just always been a passion of mine.

Have you always known that you wanted to be a writer, or is it something that you discovered later?

I’ve always known – as soon as I could hold a pencil, I was writing stories, stapling pieces of paper together to make books!

-Same!-

You had a pretty famous family member who also wrote for children. I’ll let you share who that mystery person is! What was that like growing up? And did their writing legacy influence you and your desire to write for kids?

Roald Dahl was my great-uncle, and I think it’s probably not a stretch to say that his legacy has had a profound influence on many people across the globe, including many children’s authors. He was a huge presence in my early childhood – a kind of magnetic, charismatic, mystical, and sometimes slightly intimidating locus of energy. Being at his house was always hugely exciting and a little scary – whether he was taking us on walks up to the woods and telling stories about the Witching Tree that grew there, showing us his giant greenhouse full of exotic and mysterious plants, letting us play in his Danny the Champion of the World caravan, or threatening to chuck all the children in the garbage! Plenty of inspiration for a young imagination.

I have to ask… do you have a favorite of one of your uncle’s books? If so, which and and why?

The Twits is dedicated to me, so that’s naturally a special book for me. But I think my favorite is Matilda – she’s just such an iconic female character. I also feel a personal connection to her, as I believe (although I can’t confirm it 100%) that Miss Trunchbull was at least partly based on one of my teachers!

-Oh my gosh... goosebumps! And yes, Matilda is absolutely brilliant. Also one of my favorites.-

(Learn more on Emma’s website!)

“Roald Dahl was my great-uncle… He was a huge presence in my early childhood – a kind of magnetic, charismatic, mystical, and sometimes slightly intimidating locus of energy.” – Emma Pearl @emmspearl
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MRS Book Fair April 1979

Prior to publication, and maybe even still, what kind of work were/are you doing outside of writing, and did that somehow play a role in your journey to entering kidlit publishing?

I’ve worked in all kinds of jobs, from contemporary art to travel to professional regulation. I also worked in kidlit publishing in London for a couple of years in the late '90s, which I loved. I’m not sure these days whether work (i.e. earning a living) and writing kidlit are very closely aligned, sadly.

Speaking of which… it’s time to jump into the when and how!
When and how did your publishing journey begin?

Although I’d been writing stories all my life, my first ‘real’ step into the publishing world was in 2020 when I was selected as a mentee for the WriteMentor mentorship program.

Let’s talk about those first steps as a new writer breaking into the industry. When you decided you wanted to pursue publication professionally, what were your first steps? Did you query agents and/or submit directly to editors?

I didn’t do either to start with – I was far too lacking in confidence! Before I applied for that mentorship, I had spent 4 years learning as much as I could from free resources online and practicing the craft. I also read as much as I possibly could.

Were there any writing groups or organizations that were especially instrumental in helping you in your beginning stages of writing? If so, what were they, and how did they help you?

WriteMentor was an amazing resource. I was a mentee in 2020 with a middle-grade novel, and in 2021 and 22, after I got my book deal, I was a picture book mentor for the same program. I learned as much from being a mentor as I did being a mentee, but the most valuable takeaways from all 3 years were the connections and feeling of community. I think WriteMentor’s tagline is ‘writing can be lonely, but it doesn’t need to be,’ which is so true and perfectly encapsulates what they do as an organization. If you haven’t discovered them yet, I recommend checking them out.

Can you tell us about some of the events and contests that you’ve participated in, which ones you would most recommend to other authors, and why?

There was a time when I would enter every free-to-enter contest and pitch event. It can be good for honing your craft, and obviously, it’s lovely if you get some recognition, but I think, in hindsight, it took a much bigger toll on my creativity and my mental well-being than I realized at the time. It can be very emotionally draining to be in that constant cycle of writing to a brief, submission, hope/excitement, and disappointment/rejection. Pitch events have a similar rollercoaster effect on the emotions. Although let’s face it – that’s what being a writer is all about, so it’s also very good practice!

Pace yourself and don't feel pressured to participate in anything if you haven't the time or headspace to do it well or to handle disappointment.

One of my favorite contests is Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words, which not only always has a ton of amazing entries and prizes but also includes a literacy initiative that gets books from an independent bookstore into schools. Everyone wins!

As far as pitch events go, I’m honestly not sure which ones are still going, but one I used to love was Mood Pitch, where you had to post a mood board with your pitch - I’m an absolute sucker for those visual aesthetics!

Speaking of contests… let’s talk book deals and magical moments in publishing!

[Words of wisdom: Writing resource recommendations] “WriteMentor was an amazing resource. I think WriteMentor’s tagline is ‘writing can be lonely, but it doesn’t need to be,’ which is so true and perfectly encapsulates what they do as an organization.” -Emma Pearl

[Words of wisdom: Advice on writing contests + events] “Pace yourself and don’t feel pressured to participate in anything if you haven’t the time or headspace to do it well or to handle disappointment.” – Emma Pearl

[Writing contests + events] “Can be good for honing your craft, and obviously, it’s lovely if you get some recognition, but I think, in hindsight, it took a much bigger toll on my creativity and my mental well-being than I realized at the time. It can be very emotionally draining to be in that constant cycle of writing to a brief, submission, hope/excitement, and disappointment/rejection.” @emmspearl
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“WriteMentor was an amazing resource. I was a mentee in 2020 with a middle-grade novel, and in 2021 and 22, after I got my book deal, I was a picture book mentor for the same program. I learned as much from being a mentor as I did being a mentee, but the most valuable takeaways from all 3 years were the connections and feeling of community.” @emmspearl
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DREAM COME TRUE: MAGICAL MOMENTS IN PUBLISHING

In your application, you shared a unique experience about how you landed your first book deal. It’s one of those experiences that is a one-off and so exciting to hear about. Would you mind telling our readers about how you landed your first “big break?” I’m sure they’d love to hear about it!

Okay, I got my book deal on Twitter. There, I said it! I know it’s all gone a bit awry since the bird has flown from there, but back in the day, it was a wonderful place to connect with other writers and home to a thriving writing community. I entered every pitch event, and one of those was #PBPitch, for picture books only. I think it was held four times a year, and I did it maybe four or five times. I didn’t get any agent likes, but I received encouraging comments from other writers and enjoyed participating in the community interaction. I had zero expectations for anything else, so it was an incredible surprise when I received a like from the Page Street Kids editor on one of my pitches in October 2020.

I love hearing experiences like this. It’s so hopeful for others. And I can only imagine how exciting this must have been for you! Could you walk us through some of the steps that took place after the Twitter event?

I sent the editor my manuscript straight away, and we went through a few rounds of revisions. By Christmas that year, I had a book deal! It was super exciting! A few minor tweaks were needed after the contract was signed, and then the publisher gave me a long list of potential illustrators and asked for my input. We ended up working with Sara Ugolotti, who did a stunning job of bringing the story to life.

You mentioned in your letter that you didn’t have an agent for your first two book deals. Was this intentional? Did you query agents after receiving your first two book deals? Why or why not?

I hadn’t actually started querying properly at this stage. I received some full requests from agents as a result of the WriteMentor showcase in September 2020, and I sent out a handful of queries around the same time (maybe three or four). Nothing materialized from the showcase in the end, but the pitch event happened, and I got busy (moving from the UK to New Zealand in the middle of the pandemic was a little crazy!), so querying was put on hold for a while.

So now, you do have an agent who represents your young adult work. How did that come about?

I finished writing another novel about a year later and began querying it in February 2022. This time, I was thorough and methodical (and lucky!), and I received an offer from Sera Rivers only 3 months later.

I’m curious about this. Was there a reason you sought representation for young adult but not children’s? Or did it just happen this way by chance?

To be honest, I’ve always been more focused on writing novels than picture books. It just happened that my picture book deal came out of the blue. In 2022, I queried my picture books and my novels but had far more agent interest in the novels despite already having picture books contracted. Every part of kidlit is so fiercely competitive, but I think picture books, possibly most of all.

Since you’ve had the unique experience of both having literary representation and also not having representation when handling book deals, could you share with our readers a little bit about what this process is like on both ends?

I think the process depends very much on the publisher and on the agent – experiences can differ wildly whether you’re represented or not. I was very lucky to have a wonderful editorial experience with Kayla Tostevin at Page Street Kids, and I don’t think that being without an agent for that deal had any negative impact. My agent is also wonderful, and emotionally, it’s great to have her support during the submission process. We haven’t landed a book deal together yet, but she’s been very patient with me this year while I’ve had a bit of a hiatus for personal reasons, and she continues to believe in me and my stories.

If someone was interested in submitting directly to an editor/publisher without having literary representation, what are some essential things they should know beforehand?

Do your research! There are plenty of publishers that accept un-agented submissions, but make sure you know who you’re submitting to (there are many resources online, but one I’ve found to be very useful is the list published by children’s author Bitsy Kemper), and that your story is a good fit with their list. Also, give yourself the best chance by not submitting until your manuscript is really ready, i.e., you have received as much feedback as you can handle, ideally from a supportive critique group, and taken it on board as far as it resonates. Polish that story until it shines!

Are there any recommendations or tips you have for writers who are on the fence about which way to go- to be agented or not to be agented? What are some of the pros/cons or help/freedoms of each?

It’s a very personal decision, so I hesitate to advise on this – what’s right for one person is definitely not right for all, and there is so much variability in publishing. I think most writers starting out would give anything to be published, with or without an agent. It’s wonderful to have an agent supporting and believing in you and also protecting your interests on the contractual side of things, but the traditional publishing route is not without its challenges, and there are certainly opportunities for un-agented writers, too. I would say, whichever path you find yourself on (it’s not always a choice!), give yourself grace and look after your mental health.

ADVICE FOR AUTHORS on traditional publishing without an agent: Do your research! There are plenty of publishers that accept unagented submissions, but make sure you know who you’re submitting to & give yourself the best chance by not submitting until your manuscript is ready!
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[Words of wisdom: Choosing routes to publishing:] “What’s right for one person is definitely not right for all, and there is so much variability in publishing… traditional publishing is not without its challenges, and there are certainly opportunities for un-agented writers, too. …Whichever path you find yourself on… give yourself grace and look after your mental health.” -Emma Pearl

HURDLES & HIGHLIGHTS

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced on your publishing journey, and how have you been able to overcome them?

Rejection is the biggest challenge, and I believe that’s the case for all writers, no matter where they are in their publishing journey. It’s constant, relentless, and brutal. I think having an agent helps with this because a) they act as a buffer so the rejections aren’t flying directly into your inbox (I know all agents work differently, but mine has a spreadsheet that I can look at when I choose to), and b) they are a great source of moral support and continue to believe in you no matter how many rejections you rack up!

For creators who may be facing similar struggles, what words of encouragement would you like to share?

Self-care is so important. Remind yourself often that signing with an agent or directly with an editor is a matter of good luck and serendipity as much as anything else, and try not to measure your progress or your self-worth by things that are outside of your control. Find cushions (e.g. collect all the uplifting comments you’ve received about your writing and keep them where you can see them; create a reward system for yourself for achieving your word count goals, submissions, and rejections) and barriers (e.g., create a separate inbox for querying and check it once a week or only when you feel strong) that work for you. Be kind to yourself!

-Such great advice!-

What have been some of the most rewarding, fulfilling, and happy moments of your publishing career so far?

Right now, I’m having an amazing experience – the British International School in Washington, DC, is about to put on a stage performance of Mending the Moon! It’s truly an author's dream come true for me and such a huge honor. Sadly, I won’t be able to see it in person, but I’m waiting with bated breath to see the recording of the performance. This happy event has also brought about another opportunity, as the student who’s playing the main character, Luna, is a budding young writer, and I’m delighted to be helping her hone her skills in a kind of unofficial mini-mentorship. These are honestly the kind of interactions that make being a children’s writer so incredible.

[Words of wisdom: Challenges in publishing + how to overcome them] “Rejection is the biggest challenge, and I believe that’s the case for all writers, no matter where they are in their publishing journey. It’s constant, relentless, and brutal. Self-care is so important. …Try not to measure your progress or your self-worth by things that are outside of your control. … Collect all the uplifting comments you’ve received about your writing and keep them where you can see them… Create a reward system for yourself for achieving your goals… Be kind to yourself!”

WORDS OF WISDOM

If you could share a piece of advice with readers today, publishing or otherwise, what would it be?

The world is a difficult place at the moment and it’s easy to feel powerless, insignificant, overwhelmed and despairing. Focus on the present – what can you do now? What is within your control? All any of us can do is our best, but we can do that in everything we do, even the boring, menial tasks. And be kind – to others, to the planet, and most importantly, to yourself!

BOOKS!

Okay, it’s time for the books. Tell us about your work! What are your books about? What was their inspiration? All the fun details!

What do you hope your readers will gain from your stories?
I hope that readers of all ages will feel a sense of joy and wonder at the magic of nature and maybe feel inspired to follow Luna’s example – not to feel helpless and overwhelmed at the scale of the problems that need fixing, but to just do whatever is within your power to do, however small it may be. On a more personal level, I think it’s a story that parents and grandparents will enjoy reading with their children, and it’s a joy to me to hear when people simply love the story – and the beautiful illustrations, of course.

Have you been able to host any author events either in-person or virtually? If so, where? And what kind of event? We’d love to hear all about it! Pictures are great, too, if you have them!

I’ve done a few library and bookshop events and some school visits. But living in New Zealand makes it all quite difficult. I’ve participated in a couple of virtual panels hosted by the amazing Books of Wonder in NY (Mending the Moon available here and Saving the Sun available here ), which were great fun. But I guess the funniest story was the bookshop event where no one turned up, and my post about putting on a brave face but feeling crushed went viral!

What kind of responses have you had from readers, big and small?

I’ve had some amazing responses. The stories resonate particularly with grandparents as they feature a grandparent relationship, but have also been popular with teachers, as they are full of great learning points. But my favorite responses are when kids themselves pluck up the courage to tell me in person how much they loved the books. That really means the world.
 
Thank you so much for joining us on Chelsea’s World of Books literary blog. We love getting to know our writing friends better!

And now… 
It’s time for a GIVEAWAY!

GIVEAWAY:

For the month of December, Emma Pearl will be offering 2 prizes to 2 winners. (ONE prize per winner.)

PRIZES: One copy of Mending the Moon and one copy of Saving the Sun

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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

That’s it!

Want extra entries? Share and tag on X @chellysbooks or Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks, and I’ll add your additional entry to the giveaway pool.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: December 31st, 2024, 11:59 PM CST

FAQ:

AUTHOR + HOST BOOK LINKS AND IMAGES

PURCHASE ADHD and Me

PURCHASE Saving the Sun

PURCHASE Mending the Moon

EMMA PEARL AUTHOR BIO + CONNECT:

My debut picture book, Mending the Moon, in 2022, followed by Saving the Sun in 2023 (both illustrated by Sara Ugolotti and published by Page Street Kids). Originally from the UK, I live in New Zealand and write fiction for young people of all ages, from picture books to young adults. I am represented by Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary.

emmapearlauthor.com Twitter: @emmspearl Instagram: @emmspearl Bluesky: emmspearl.bsky.social www.emmapearlauthor.com

A peek at Emma’s adorable and informative ‘Tell me why you think you’d be a good fit to be featured?’ answer for the 2024 Feature Interview application: “All journeys to publication are unique and interesting – my book deal came from a Twitter pitch event (#PBPitch), and I think those kind of one-in-a-million stories are always inspiring. I was un-agented for both book contracts and signed with my agent later for a YA novel. Also, Roald Dahl was my great uncle and dedicated The Twits to me, so that’s always a good conversation starter, too!“

Did you enjoy this interview?

Thank the author & host by purchasing/reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased at your local library! Using the sponsored links below supports this blog. Looking for custom writer, librarian, or book-lover-themed swag and/or accessories? Visit my Zazzle store! Want to see a curated list of my personal favorite books and recommendations? Visit my bookshop page! Want to browse favorite writing accessories, books by genre, and cozy reading must-haves? Visit my Amazon Storefront!

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

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

NOVEMBER 20TH FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR STEPHANIE WILDMAN HOSTED BY KIDLIT AUTHOR AND CREATOR OF CHELSEA’S WORLD OF BOOKS LITERARY BLOG, CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on November 20, 2024November 20, 2024 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

In this Feature Interview, Stephanie Wildman talks about her inspirational journey to publishing that began at age 69- and how it’s never too late to pursue your dreams!

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

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

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

What can these interviews offer YOU?

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

And more!

AND… if that’s not enough, every guest offers at least one giveaway prize—sometimes more. This means you have multiple opportunities to win prizes every month!

*If you’re interested in entering the giveaway, POST A COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS FEATURE INTERVIEW! Want extra entries? Share a link to this article on X or IG and tag X @chellys books or IG @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your extra entries!

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

INTRODUCTIONS AND BEGINNINGS: WHEN, WHY, HOW?

Stephanie, welcome to Chelsea’s World of Books Literary Blog. We’re so excited to have you with us! For our guests who may not be familiar with Stephanie, she’s the writer of five picture books, including Treasure Hunt (the first book in the Flor, Roberto, & Luis series), Brave in the Water, and a newly released picture book - this month- (congratulations!) Miri’s Moving Day (co-authored with Adam Ryan Chang, illustrated by Dream Chen). Stephanie, we can’t wait to hear about your books. But first, I’d love to learn more about you and your path to publishing. I always love starting my interviews by asking about the why. What was the “why” behind your decision to pursue children’s publishing as a career? Has writing always been something you’ve been passionate about, or did you discover your love of literature as an adult?

I have always loved libraries, reading, and writing. My fondest childhood memories are of trips with my family to the local library – usually in the early evening because my mom didn’t drive, but my father took us all after work. I created a pen name for myself in the fourth grade. Your question asks why I chose writing for children as a career – and I think, in fairness, I have to say I didn’t – I couldn’t see how to make a living at it, so I went to law school and became a law professor. Some of my friends would say I’ve always been a writer anyway since I wrote five books and dozens of law review articles in that career. But that writing was different than the focus on fiction for children that I now have, even though I still retain that social justice sensibility that drove my legal work. Writing for children is my happy place, reminding me how I loved reading Beverly Cleary books, Munro Leaf’s Story of Ferdinand, and countless other books that took me to faraway worlds with people having different experiences.

-This is just fascinating. I love hearing how people ended up in kidlit. And I think having writing for children as your happy place is a great way to look at it. Also, it’s beyond cute that you created a pen name in fourth grade!-

Writing for children is my happy place, reminding me how I loved reading Beverly Cleary books, Munro Leaf’s Story of Ferdinand, and countless other books that took me to faraway worlds with people having different experiences.
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I know you mentioned that your journey to publishing started later in life - at age 69 - which is just incredible! Your journey is definitely a testament to the statement, “It’s never too late to start something new!” I’d love to hear a little bit about what kind of work you were in prior to your career in publishing- and what influence your earlier acts played - if any - in your decision to enter kidlit publishing?

I guess I answered some of this question in the above response – isn’t that just like a law professor to anticipate and elaborate on the question? I will add that even in my legal writing I did tell stories to illustrate points I was trying to make. When I published the first edition of Privilege Revealed: How Invisible Preference Undermines America (with contributions by Margalynne Armstrong, Adrienne Davis & Trina Grillo), I sent a copy to my college creative writing teacher (yes, I took creative writing classes back then). She wrote back that now she saw “what creative writing classes were for.” Narrative storytelling is a great way to reach audiences of any age. As at least one craft book has aptly pointed out, our brains are wired for stories.

-How cool!-

So, we have a little background on earlier years. Now, I’m curious: what events led to you entering the kidlit publishing world? And when did your journey begin? We’d love to hear about your beginning steps! Querying agents/submitting to publishing houses, rejections, revisions, finding critique groups- all of it!

My kidlit publishing journey began when I made one of my best decisions ever – to take a class from Maxine Rose Schur, a wonderful writer, teacher, and now friend. I really knew nothing. I had an idea for a book (that became Brave in the Water), and Maxine said, “It’s a picture book.” I’m not artistic, so I was doubtful. I didn’t understand that the publisher picks the illustrator – I didn’t have to be artistic at all. From this class, I also learned about SCBWI (where I found a critique group) and 12x12 Picture Book Challenge (with educational webinars to continue my learning about craft). I began to understand a whole world of kid lit resources full of kind people existed. I did begin querying agents after many rewrites of Brave in the Water, which started at over 900 words. I learned it had to be under 500, which seemed impossible. I didn’t even understand that one should have several polished manuscripts to share before starting to submit to agents; I had only the one. While I did get some champagne rejections, along with form rejections and radio silence, too, I didn’t land an agent. But I had stayed in touch with Maxine. When we connected some months after the class, she said, “Haven’t you sold that book yet?” She had always believed in it, helping me with multiple revisions. When I told her I had not sold it, she suggested I send the manuscript directly to Lawley Publishing, a small woman-owned company. They accepted it within a month – a month that happened to be during the pandemic lockdown.

-This is incredible, Stephanie. Wow! Also, having writing friends like this who believe in us can be a huge game-changer. Sometimes, we don’t see the same magic in ourselves (or our stories) that others do… That imposter syndrome is the silent dream killer. I’m so glad you had a supportive friend in your corner who pushed you to pursue publication and take chances.-

My kidlit publishing journey began when I made one of my best decisions ever – to take a class from Maxine Rose Schur, a wonderful writer, teacher, and now friend.
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PUBLISHING ROUTES: TRADITIONAL? INDEPENDENT? AGENT? NO AGENT? CONTRACTS + BOOK DEALS + MORE

What made you choose traditional publishing over independent publishing?

I did consider independent publishing, but as I mentioned, I’m not artistic. I didn’t feel confident that I could shepherd the manuscript through the whole publication process with book design as well as choosing illustrations and distribution. A traditional publisher made more sense to me, so I wouldn’t have to invent the wheel.
For readers who may be on the fence about which route to take, what are some of the pros and cons of indie/traditional? Explain.

*Note for my readers: it’s important to remember that these answers are SUBJECTIVE. What might be a pro for one person could very well be a con for another, or vice versa. Publishing is not a ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL. My advice? Do your due diligence. Figure out what YOU want out of publishing and lean into what works best for YOU.*

I want to second Chelsea’s note here about figuring out what YOU want from your writing experience – not just in choosing a route to publication but also in measuring what success means to you. To some people, book sales measure success. My primary goal is for my book to be in libraries! (remember – I love libraries. And there is a great website – worldcat.org – where you can track what libraries have your books.)

-Oh my gosh, Stephanie. How did I not know about this? Formerly a librarian myself, I’m glad you shared this resource! Thank you! As you were saying…-

My understanding is that acquisition librarians generally look to traditionally published books for their purchases. But independent publishing can be a way to get your creation out in the broader world, if that is your primary goal. But it’s also expensive. I wanted to use my resources to buy books for little free libraries rather than spend upfront to get the book created. And I liked the collaborative aspect of book creation with the publisher’s team.

Are you currently (and/or have you ever been) represented by a literary agent/agency?

I do not have an agent. As one writing colleague noted, an agent still has to sell the book.

-Very true. An agent does not guarantee a book sale. And on the other side of that coin… having no agent does not mean you won’t have a book sale.-

Is finding an agent something you want to pursue in the future? Why or why not?

I am open to finding an agent, especially a more hands-on editorial agent. As a member of the Writers Grotto, I see the range of writers who have agents, who seek them, and who are going it alone. It all really does come down to what you want your writing experience to be for you. An agent can help a writer get access to bigger publishing houses with more resources. I’m happy, though, that my books are out in the world. My definition of success, as I said, is more about getting the books into libraries to reach the largest audience.

For our readers who haven’t yet reached the other side of publication (but are eager to), could you share a little bit about your experience with book deals and contracts, specifically, contract negotiations, advances, and royalties? How do these all work?

As someone trained as a lawyer, I’m not intimidated by reading a contract. But I urge people without that training to get legal advice. The Authors’ Guild will give contract advice to members, and while I haven’t used that service, I think it would be worth the price of membership.

-Another fantastic tidbit of helpful information for our readers- thanks for sharing this resource, Stephanie!-

I have never been the best negotiator for myself, so that may be another role an agent might play. I have asked, for each book with each publisher, to have a say in selecting the illustrator, even though that condition hasn’t been a clause in the contract. Having input into the book’s creation was more important to me than anything else. Having that interaction happen is more based on trust, even with a contract clause.

Can you walk us through your experience of working with publishing houses on a project: things like working with art directors to find an illustrator for your writing and how much say, if any, you as the writer have this process?

When I worked at fundraising for social justice, we used to say, if you’ve seen one foundation, you’ve seen ONE foundation – meaning they are all so different. I believe the same may be true of publishing houses, having worked with two different ones with different approaches. One thing I have loved about Lawley Publishing is that, because they are small, the publishers begin with a Zoom meeting giving me a chance to share my vision of the book. I loved that they wanted to know my ideas, and judging from other author’s reactions, it’s kind of unusual to be asked that question. We also consulted on illustrators, and once an illustrator came on board, we had another Zoom meeting about illustrations before any sketches got created.

As someone trained as a lawyer, I’m not intimidated by reading a contract. But I urge people without that training to get legal advice. The Authors’ Guild will give contract advice to members,
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OVERCOMING CHALLENGES + HIGHLIGHTS + PIECES OF ADVICE

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced (and/or are still facing) on the publishing journey, and how have you been able to overcome them?

Having my first book debut during the pandemic was a challenge. My local bookstore suggested I pair with another writer so we could draw a larger audience to Zoom. I have found this pairing strategy a good one for future events, even post-pandemic. It’s fun to boost other authors and share that spotlight.

-I echo this! Doing group/partner book events is SO fun! When I worked for our library as the events coordinator, I used to arrange author events all the time (practically whenever I could!), and I always encouraged local authors to come in groups of 2-5, and sometimes, I’d even host larger panels over the weekends so that guests would be more drawn in by the size of the event.

Plus, as an added bonus: if you’re uncomfortable about being in the spotlight, as many authors who are introverted by nature often are, sharing it with others is always nice. And it’s a great way to build new connections within your local writing community!-

Another challenge that we all face is rejection. Having published articles and books before my kidlit journey, I was further along in understanding rejection is just part of the process – it is more the norm than acceptance. I won’t say that rejections don’t sting a little – we all would like that “yes,” of course. But so many opportunities for rejection are ever present in this business, even once you have published a book! You ask someone to review it or host you on a blog or podcast, or let you read at their bookstore (or carry your book). I’ve gotten surprising “no’s” or ghost responses, as well as surprising “yeses.” I think I’ve gotten better at just asking.

-This is so true and important for writers. The worst that you can get is a “no,” but you’ll never get the “yeses” if you don’t ASK. So, ASK! And if it’s a no, that’s okay. ASK again!-

What’s one piece of advice that you would like to share with readers who may be dealing with similar challenges?

Like I said, just ask. Submit, take the risk. Try again. Don’t spend a lot of time being bummed out or derailed. Breathe. Take a walk. And get back to writing.

-100% AGREE!-

“…Just ask. Submit, take the risk. Try again. Don’t spend a lot of time being bummed out or derailed. Breathe. Take a walk. And get back to writing.” – Stephanie Wildman

What have been some of the greatest highlights of your author journey?

So many highlights! The best are the photos of kids hugging the books, like the mom who mailed me a picture with the bookmark her daughter had made for Brave in the Water because it was her new favorite book that she was reading over and over. I also cherish the opportunities to read to children at bookstores, libraries, and schools. And, of course, the new friends I’ve made, like my wonderful, wonderful critique group and members of the Writers Grotto – the sense of community means so much. I even have online friends I’ve never met in real life.

-These are all wonderful highlights!-

In your application, you mentioned discussing steps authors might take to help librarians find their books. As a former librarian myself, I’m a huge fan of finding ways to connect with libraries, whether it’s by creating resources, hosting author events, or any other opportunity I can find. In all truth, collaborating with libraries as an author is always a mutually uplifting and beneficial experience for both parties. I’d love to hear about any experiences you may have had with connecting with your local libraries and sharing your books! What has your experience been?

Just last weekend, I read Ghost Writer (Escritor Fantasma in Spanish) at a bilingual event at my local library. The library purchased copies of the book, as part of their promoting literacy campaign, to give to patrons, and we followed the reading with crafts to build the library’s altar for Dia de los Muertos! The event occurred in the very room where I had brought my grandchildren for story times when they were preschool age. Just thrilling. I had read for this library previously in the pandemic, but they had a new children’s librarian. I just asked in an email if she would like to hear about my book. But I also introduce myself to librarians, whenever I visit a library. And I ask about storytimes. I don’t always get “yeses,” either.

-That sounds like a lot of fun! I’m so glad you got to do this.-

I participated in a fun event through the Writers Grotto about writing books for children as part of their Grotto Nights at the Library series. The recording is available on YouTube. Here's the link!

-Thanks for sharing!-

Do you offer any resources for librarians in connection with your books or otherwise? If so, I’d love to add them to my TEACHER CORNER resource page.

Educational Resources are available for each of my books both on my website and on the publisher’s.

-Note for readers: You can also find Stephanie's resources for Brave in the Water, Treasure Hunt, Breath by Breath, Ghost Writer, and Miri's Moving Day linked via Teacher Corner.-

And Lawley has a YouTube channel featuring videos where I read each of my books. *Channel Linked Here* Spanish versions are also available on this channel. Treasure Hunt, Breath by Breath, and Ghost Writer have each been made into TV Shows by Chris Castellarin, a first-grade teacher in Canada. Mr. Castellarin broadcasts Lessons from the Classroom on Vancouver Island’s Channel 4 - Roger’s Spotlight Community TV.

Links here:
Treasure Hunt: Watch it here.
Breath by Breath: Watch it here.
Ghost Writer: Watch it here.

-Wow, how awesome! Thank you so much for sharing these.-

Have you had any author events? If so, we’d love to see some pictures!

I list past author events on my webpage – here are some photos!

SHARING RESOURCES: CONTESTS + WRITING GROUPS

Were there any writing contests, groups, or organizations that were particularly helpful to you as a writer?

Mindy Alyse Weiss’s PB Party gave an early version of Miri an honorable mention, which was so encouraging. I didn’t place in other contests, but the discipline of writing something new and entering contests has been fun, especially for Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words. I love reading the entries from other writers. And I felt honored when Karen Greenwald invited me to be a judge this year for Sun, Write, Fun – a nonfiction, info fic contest. I felt like I had ARRIVED!

-How awesome! I bet that was exciting!-

For writers who are looking to build connections and forge relationships within the writing community, what are some places/resources that you’d recommend looking into and why?

I would start with SCBWI (where I found my critique group and attended local chapter events) and 12 x 12 Picture Book challenge (for the Facebook community, educational webinars, book chats, and resources in their forum community, including library requests, review requests and more). I also joined the Writers Grotto – a writers’ workspace because I love interacting with writers from all genres. My writing accountability group came from members of this organization.

THE BOOKS!

Okay, we’ve landed on the books portion of the interview. Is anyone else excited? I know I am! Stephanie, tell us about your books! What makes them special to you? What inspired you to write them? What do you hope they will give to your readers?

☺ My books are inspired by my grandchildren and the questions they ask.
Brave in the Water evolved after I spent 8 swim lessons watching one grandson sit on the edge of the pool, refusing to get in the water. (He is now on a swim team, by the way, and loves it).

The Flor, Roberto, and Luis series didn’t start as a series; it started with Treasure Hunt, based on games and crafts I did with another grandson during the pandemic. (And each book has a craft activity in the back matter).

Once that book was in the world, with the wonderful characters drawn by Estefania Razo, Flor, Roberto, and Luis returned in Breath by Breath, a bedtime (or anytime) adventure through the body. I thought the series might be complete as a trilogy with Ghost Writer (co-authored with Cecilia Populus-Eudave, who has been the Spanish translator for all these books) - a Halloween/Dia de los Muertos story inspired by a third grandson’s questions after the death of a beloved pet. But guess what!? A fourth book is coming in 2025 – Story Power! (co-authored with Simon Wildman Chung).

This grandson had an idea for another Flor, Roberto, Luis story; he is a co-author because it was his idea! He was so cute sitting with his pencil, circling words, and suggesting edits. Readers will learn the elements of writing a story.

Finally, Miri’s Moving Day (co-author Adam Ryan Chang, illustrator Dream Chen) arrived this month, again inspired by a grandson’s questions about his identity.

So you can understand how each of these books is special, coming as they did from various grandson’s questions and involvement. I hope readers relate to the interests and concerns my grandsons expressed and that the books provide insight and fun.

-This is so sweet. I love the story behind your stories!-

Any last pieces of writerly wisdom that you’d like to share with us today?

Do you need inspiration? Tara Lazar’s January blog posts (Story Storm) are full of ways to generate ideas.
Start writing! I have found the morning pages (or any time of day) practice to be beneficial. Try writing two or three pages longhand, even if it’s a grocery list – just write what you are thinking. I find I write differently using a pen than I do at the computer. Eventually, I take some of these ideas to the computer. Some writers benefit from writing sprints – set a timer for 5 minutes and write.

-I personally find writing sprints to be super helpful. Sometimes, I feel intimidated by the idea of starting a new project because I have SO MANY other things I’m trying to get accomplished between revisions and other writing deadlines, but if I just set a timer for 5 or 7 minutes, it’s amazing how much easier that feels. And the funny thing is, I usually get so into writing that I end up setting another timer so I can have more time to finish up fresh ideas.-

Exactly! There is something freeing about setting that timer.

My last piece of advice is “Have fun.” As I said, writing is my happy place – I hope it’s yours, too.

Beautiful words of wisdom to end on. Thank you so much for joining us today, Stephanie. We really enjoyed having you with us and wish you all the continued success on your author journey + the general story of life!

But that’s not all. We have one last item on the agenda. And it’s a big one! It’s time for our GIVEAWAY PRIZE(S)!

“My last piece of advice is- have fun. As I said, writing is my happy place – I hope it’s yours, too.” – Stephanie Wildman

GIVEAWAY

For the month of November, Stephanie Wildman is offering 2 prizes to 2 winners- (1 prize per winner):

One copy of Breath by Breath
One copy of Miri’s Moving Day

One copy of Breath by Breath and one copy of Miri’s Moving Day.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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

That’s it!

DEADLINE TO ENTER: 11:59 PM CST 11/30/2024

Want extra entries? Share a link to this article on X or IG and tag X @chellys books or IG @chelseasworldofbooks so I can add your extra entries!

FAQ:

Did you enjoy this interview?

Thank the author & host by purchasing/reviewing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased at your local library! Using the sponsored links below supports this blog.

AUTHOR + HOST BOOK LINKS AND IMAGES

PURCHASE Brave in the Water

PURCHASE Treasure Hunt

PURCHASE Breath by Breath

PURCHASE Miri’s Moving Day

PURCHASE ADHD and Me

AUTHOR BIO + CONNECT

Children’s book author Stephanie Wildman of Treasure Hunt (2022) and Brave in the Water (2021) both published by Lawley Publishing, became a Professor Emerita after serving as the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Chair at Santa Clara Law. She directed the school’s Center for Social Justice and Public Service. Her other books include Privilege Revealed: How Invisible Preference Undermines America 2d (with contributions by Armstrong, Davis, & Grillo) (2021); Race and Races: Cases and Resources for a Diverse America 4th (with Delgado, Perea, Cuison-Villazor, James, & Stefancic) (2022); Social Justice: Professionals Communities and Law (with Mahoney & Calmore) (2013); and Women and the Law Stories (with Schneider) (2011). Lawley published her third picture book Breath by Breath in 2024. Kar-Ben Publishing will release her fourth children’s book, Miri’s Moving Day (co-authored with Adam Chang) in 2024. Member: 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, SCBWI, Writers Grotto. Stephanie is a grandmother, mother, spouse, friend, good listener, and she can sit “criss-cross apple sauce” thanks to her yoga practice. Learn more about her at www.stephaniewildman.com. Connect with Stephanie Wildman on Instagram and/or X.

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

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

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