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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!

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

You might be wondering…

WHAT ARE THEY?

WHO ARE THEY FOR?

HOW CAN THEY HELP ME?

Let me shed some light…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*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

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

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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.

Purchase ADHD AND ME

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

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Lisa Katzenberger: Author

Writes: Picture Books, Chapter Books

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

Represented by literary agent Wendi Gu.

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 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.

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.

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

What can these interviews offer YOU?

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

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

And more!

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

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

INTRODUCTIONS + 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:

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 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.

JUNE 5TH, 2024, FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH ASL CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR, EARLY LITERACY CONSULTANT, AND FOUNDER OF SMALLTALK LEARNING, DAWN BABB PROCHOVNIC, CONDUCTED BY KIDLIT WRITER, BLOGGER, & LIBRARIAN, CHELSEA DICICCO

Posted on June 5, 2024June 5, 2024 by Chelsea’s World of Books in Feature Interview Series, View all blog posts

Please give a warm welcome to our guest, the very talented and passionate children’s book author, early literacy consultant, and founder of SmallTalk Learning, Dawn Prochovnic. A little history on my background with Dawn… I first met Dawn in the summer of July of 2022 during a virtual Peer Critique at SCBWI. Immediately, Dawn’s kind nature and deep concern for people, education, and children, was clear. So, when I saw her name in my applicant list for the 2024 feature interview lineup, I knew without a doubt I wanted to add her to our wonderful collection of voices and stories!

Before we jump into our interview, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.

411 ON FEATURE INTERVIEWS

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!

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

INTRODUCTION: THE MAGIC OF PUBLISHING!

Welcome to the blog, Dawn! I’m so glad you’re joining us today.

I’m glad to be here. Thank you so much for having me! And thank you for such a kind introduction.

My first question starts back at the beginning. I’d love to hear how you came to enter the truly MAGICAL world of kidlit publishing. How did it all begin? When did it all begin? Why did it all begin?

Back in the early 2000’s I had an idea for a series of stories that incorporated early childhood language concepts and American Sign Language/ASL. The stories were an extension of the materials I developed for the sign language and early literacy workshops I teach for hearing infants/toddlers, young children, and their grown-ups.

I discovered early on that the most effective way to help people learn and remember particular signs was to teach them catchy songs they could sing and sign while they interacted with their babies and young children.

-Yes! I love this! So very true.-

I wrote all kinds of ditties for this purpose, modeled after familiar children’s songs and rhymes like “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

Soon, I discovered that preschoolers and elementary school children were also interested in learning sign language, and I developed an interest in expanding my reach beyond that which I could manage in my own classes. I wanted to share the joyful experience of signing with children and their grown-ups across the miles and decided the best way to do that would be to publish a handful of my workshop songs in the form of picture book stories.

And so, my journey to publication began.

Can you tell us a little bit about the steps involved in your publishing journey? Querying, contests, events, etc. What route of publishing did you decide on and why? Explain. *indie/traditional*

My journey to publication was long and winding, but fairly traditional.

I initially approached my quest to become a published author in the same way I approached many other business endeavors. I began by putting out feelers to my network of friends and professional associates that I was in search of an illustrator and publisher to partner with/hire to help me get my books out into the world. This was LONG before self-publishing was “a thing,” and I soon discovered that was not how publishing was done.

The good news is that through this networking process I heard about the (since discontinued) Pacific Northwest Children’s Writing and Illustrating Conference.

-How wonderful! I love learning things like this.-

I attended in the summer of 2004, full of enthusiasm and eager anticipation to get on with the business of getting my books published. I was completely naïve about how the publishing industry works, and I boldly asked every ignorant question I could think of.

-Part of the learning process. I think this is a common phenomenon for most "passionate" people who start in kidlit- because they're excited and they care!-

Thank heavens I was completely unaware that the guest editor at the conference (Arthur A. Levine, the esteemed editor of the Harry Potter dynasty) was famous in publishing circles, or I might have died of embarrassment.

-Get out. So funny!-
-I know, right?!-

And, thank heavens that Arthur Levine was so kind and encouraging, or I might have set aside my goal of getting my books published (because truth be told, my stories were not ready for publication back then).

-I'm so glad you had this positive experience. This can make all the difference. Finding kind people in publishing to give you that extra push. For me, it was an agent- Jennifer March Soloway. I queried her WAYYYYY before I should have been sending my work out *I just didn't know it yet* I hadn't had my work revised or looked at by CP yet- *I didn't even have CP yet or know they existed.* But she was kind and encouraging and helped point me in the right direction.-
-I met Jennifer at a writing conference in Portland several years back. I found her to be kind and delightful as well.-

After that conference I formed a critique group and I joined the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators / SCBWI. With the support of these groups, I worked diligently on one of my stories, SEE THE COLORS, and when I felt it was ready, I submitted my first manuscript to Arthur A. Levine Books, which was an imprint of Scholastic back then. Arthur was once again, kind and encouraging, and I will always treasure the personal letter he sent to me, gently declining my story . Over the next several years I continued to do the work of a writer, inventing new stories (many of them unrelated to my original signing idea), revising, and asking for critique over and over again. I was helped and encouraged along the way by the other writers in my critique group and by the many talented authors and editors I met at other writing conferences.

-So beautiful. I love your commitment.-
-Thank you, Chelsea. I love your positive energy and enthusiasm.-

As I developed an inventory of manuscripts that were ready for submission, I studied publishing houses and began the task of submitting my work. Over time, the editorial correspondence I received shifted from form letters to personalized notes with suggestions for revision and/or ideas for other publishers that might be a better fit for my work. The message was coming through: Several of my stories were publishable; I just needed to find the right publisher.

I initially approached my quest to become a published author in the same way I approached many other business endeavors. I began by putting out feelers to my network of friends and professional associates that I was in search of an illustrator and publisher to partner with/hire to help me get my books out into the world.

As I developed an inventory of manuscripts that were ready for submission, I studied publishing houses and began the task of submitting my work. Over time, the editorial correspondence I received shifted from form letters to personalized notes with suggestions for revision and/or ideas for other publishers that might be a better fit for my work. The message was coming through: Several of my stories were publishable; I just needed to find the right publisher.

What would you say was the pivotal point for your publishing career? Did you have any -AHA- moments where things just clicked?

The pivotal moment that comes to mind is when, at long last, a door to the just-right publishing house opened. I went to an author book sale/signing event called “Book Blast” in October 2007 at one of our local middle schools. It was a dark and stormy night. I almost didn’t go. My kids were squabbling. It would have been easier to stay at home. Thank goodness my daughter desperately wanted to meet one of the exhibiting authors, Bart King, the author of one of her favorite books at the time, “The Big Book of Girl Stuff.” So I piled the kids in the minivan, and we went to Book Blast. And then I met David. David Michael Slater. His picture books had an educational element to them. I could see my signing stories being a good fit for his publisher. I told him about that aspect of my writing, and he was kind enough to put me in touch with his editor at Abdo Publishing Group. And the rest, as they say, is history.

-This is truly a fascinating- and wonderful- story!-

When did you make your first book deal, and what publishing house did you sign with for that deal?

Abdo was a great fit for my signing stories, and I had several manuscripts that were ready for consideration. On January 22, 2008, at 12:02 PM, I received an email from an editor who would eventually offer me contracts for a total of 16 books with Abdo.

-Holy-guacamole- that's a lot of books!-
-Indeed! It was a great run ; )-

I am still grateful to both Bart and David for their role in my journey to publication, and to Abdo for publishing so many of my stories.

When did you sign with your agent?

I signed with my very first agent on February 29th, 2024, just this past year, and nearly 20 years since I attended my first writing conference. Gaby Cabezut, with The Seymour Agency, is relatively new to agenting, but not new to the industry. I’m very grateful to now have such a kind, capable, and committed partner traveling alongside me on this journey. I’m looking forward to the many good things we will bring into the world, together.

-This is remarkable. What a journey. And you stuck it out! Congratulations, Dawn!!
-Thank you, Chelsea. I feel very lucky to have connected with Gaby before she buttoned down on being open to submissions. It was serendipity!-

Can you share some of your favorite moments of the publishing journey?

There are so many favorite moments I’ve had in this journey, but one that comes immediately to mind is the first opportunity to hold my first published books in hand and share them with young readers.

My first book launch event was at the West Slope Community Library, a short walk from my home and next door to our local elementary school, where my children attended at the time. The community and my family and friends came out in full force. It was such a jubilant celebration.

-I'll bet it was!-

(As you might be able to guess from the pictures, one of the stories I read that evening has a “hat” theme!)

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

Now that we’ve touched on the highs of publishing, let’s talk a little about the lows. What challenges have you faced on your publishing journey? How were/are you able to overcome them?

I’m pretty sure I could write an entire book on this subject alone! There have been so many challenges along the way.

Although I’ve definitely developed thick skin, rejection can wear away at you. Some highlights:

Over the years I’ve had a handful of agents “lead me on,” with detailed notes, high praise and encouragement, but not offer representation. I’ve had others love one of my stories, ask for more work and then ghost me. Others have sent a form rejection 2-3 years after I submitted to them. I’ve had acquiring editors deliver really harsh critiques at writing conferences, and I’ve had several manuscripts make it all the way through acquisitions only to have someone higher up put a nix on the project. I actually think the “close calls” have been harder for me than all the other rejections combined. One in particular was when an editor took one of my manuscripts all the way to the publisher with a sticky note naming the (famous) illustrator envisioned for the story. The publisher must have ended up declining since I got the manuscript back with the sticky note “conversation” still attached. So. Close. Happily, that story (THE NEST WHERE I LIKE TO REST) did eventually get published and actually was a finalist for Oregon’s annual book awards. I’ve overcome each of these obstacles by putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. Day by day. Step by step.

-Fantastic words of wisdom. And way to go, Dawn. Never giving up! You are amazing.-
-Thank you, Chelsea :)-

Was there anything in particular that really helped you that you’d like to encourage other writers to look into?

My best advice to other writers is to get yourself a writing buddy and exchange creative writing goals and goal reports with your buddy on a regular basis.

-Great advice!-

My longtime critique partner, Sara T. Behrman (whose debut picture book just came out this past April), and I have been exchanging creative writing goals with each other for nearly 20 years. I credit our shared discipline with that practice for helping keep me on track when I’m feeling unmotivated, frustrated, or otherwise experiencing a creative struggle. I rarely complete all of my weekly goals, but having them in front of me, knowing that I will be reporting my progress to someone week after week, helps me stay on track.

What words of wisdom would you share with an author or illustrator considering pursuing kidlit publishing?

I’d say my main words of wisdom would be to develop and articulate a mission statement and a strong creative vision for your books and for your career. Begin by giving some deep thought to why you’re doing the work that you do.

Many years ago, I wrote the following mission statement related to my writing work:

I write to teach, empower, process, and persuade.

When I wrote this mission statement, the word empower was meant to convey that I wanted to write books that empower my readers. There have been times, however, that adhering to my writing practices and routines has helped empower me, particularly during periods of time filled with uncertainty and powerlessness.
I also encourage others (in any walk of life) to really think about, envision, and articulate what it is you want to create and accomplish. Some years ago, I wrote the following vision statement to help guide and shape my creative work:

My Vivid Description of the Future:
-Kids and parents who sign will seek out my sign language stories.
-My publisher will be passionate and informed about my projects.
-Educators and librarians will read my stories to the kids they serve.
-Because of my books, more and more libraries will contact me to request classes to teach them how to sign with their kids.
-My books will open doors for me to travel to new places, meet new people and continue to provide opportunities for me to teach and encourage others.
-My stories and workshops will bring the power of language and literacy to children.

-I love all of these, Dawn!-

Ideally, one’s vision and vivid description of the future becomes a living, breathing document that changes and develops over time, just as we each change, develop and grow over time. In fact, it’s about time for me to revisit my own envisioned future, as much of the above has since come to be!

The other thing I would share is a sentiment that was shared with me back when I was in grad school. One of my projects involved working with a local entrepreneur, and at the end of the project she gave me a tea mug with the following sentiment:

Do What You Love. Love What You Do. Strive to Be True to Yourself.

I think that’s a really important sentiment for writers and illustrators, too.

Before my first books were published, I was under the illusion that finding a publisher was the big, hairy, audacious goal. But I soon came to learn that after I signed with a publisher, the bulk of the work was still ahead of me: editing, more revision, more research, development and refinement of the back matter, input about design elements, marketing, etc. But finally, the wonderful opportunity to share my stories with readers, and the opportunity to inspire other writers. That is what makes it all worthwhile.

I’ve overcome each of these [publishing] obstacles by putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. Day by day. Step by step

My best advice to other writers is to get yourself a writing buddy and exchange creative writing goals and goal reports with your buddy on a regular basis… I credit our shared discipline with that practice for helping keep me on track when I’m feeling unmotivated, frustrated, or otherwise experiencing a creative struggle.

Develop and articulate a mission statement and a strong creative vision for your books and for your career. Begin by giving some deep thought to why you’re doing the work that you do.

Do What You Love. Love What You Do. Strive to Be True to Yourself.

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORIES

Dawn, you are such an accomplished *and busy* person with so much drive, motivation, and care for everything you pursue. I’d love to know more about what drives you- and your writing!

Can you tell us the story behind the stories? If you’re up for it, I’d love to hear a brief summary, from your words, of what each of your books is about *or as many as you’d care to share.*  What inspired it? What does it mean to you? And what do you hope it will give your reader?

Thank you for such kind words, Chelsea. 

My most recent book, and a story that is very dear to my heart, Lucy’s Blooms, grew out of memories and emotions that surfaced when I gazed at a little glass bird that sits on my desk, a gift from my beloved Gram, coupled with an experience I had in my own garden.

One day, as I diligently tended to the flowers in my carefully prepared flowerbeds, I observed two additional plants that had independently sprouted in a patch of soil that bordered my front walkway. I didn’t know what these plants were, only that they were beautiful and thriving. Eventually, more experienced gardeners informed me that these plants were actually weeds, and I was advised to pull them.

This vigorous and lively pair of weeds brought me such joy as I passed by them day after day, I couldn’t fathom the idea of discarding them. Instead, I nurtured them. I watered them, I talked to them, and I admired them as they grew and grew…and grew.

As I reflected on this experience, I considered the impact of socially constructed labels, such as beauty and worth, and how these labels impact our everyday actions. I became fascinated by dandelions, in particular, because they are widely considered to be an invasive nuisance that should be controlled/eliminated, and yet, every part of a dandelion (root, leaves, petals, etc.) is edible, they are rich in nutrients, and they are known to have healthful, curative properties. Plus, they are easy to grow, resilient, wildly familiar to (and beloved by) children, and in my view, absolutely beautiful.

-I am in love with this line of thought. And I completely agree.-
-Thank you, Chelsea! I think we are kindred spirits!-

And thus was planted, the seeds of Lucy’s Blooms.

My son’s imaginative play inspired Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? One day, back when he was bitsy (he’s now a senior in college), he raced around the house with a pirate patch on his eye and a diaper on his bum, repeatedly asking in a raspy little toddler voice, “Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?” I knew immediately this was the title for a book, and I started drafting a manuscript soon after. I worked on that story off and on for over a decade before getting it right.

The companion book, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, came from a self-assigned creative writing exercise after receiving a decline from an editor who loved my Pirate story, but whose sales team felt it would only appeal to boys, cutting the potential readership in half.

Although I disagreed with the sales team’s assessment, I eventually brainstormed a list of different characters to try out for the story, one of which was a cowgirl. As soon as that idea came to mind, I found myself transported to a time when my then college-aged daughter was in grade school, and her wardrobe included a bright pink pair of cowgirl boots. I paged through old photos and found the one I was looking for: A photo of my daughter dressed-up for her western-themed grade school carnival.

I now had the kernel of a very clear new character in my mind’s eye. This character was unique and separate from the Pirate character that I couldn’t let go of, and she had her own story to tell.

WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY? spilled onto the page with urgency.  

My Cowgirl story eventually landed me a two-book contract with a publisher that had a knack for publishing western-themed books and decided to acquire both Cowgirl and Pirate. Yee-Haw and Yarrrr!  

My next scheduled book, (Mama’s Home!, Familius, 2026), is a lyrical story about a child’s joy of welcoming Mama and a new sibling home. From eager anticipation and preparations for Mama’s return to sharing meals, playtime activities, and treasured routines, this sweet poem captures the special relationship between mother and child. I wrote the first draft of that story on a scrap of paper in my pocket as I once again watched my son engage in imaginative play, this time at our local children’s museum. It went through many twists and turns and subsequent revisions before finding a publishing home, and I anticipate there will be more changes to come during the forthcoming editorial and illustration processes.

Interior of LUCY’S BLOOMS, illustration by Alice Brereton

I adore every single page of Lucy’s Blooms, but the image above is one of my very favorites. For me it captures the essence of Lucy’s unconditional love for her blooms.

Interior of WHERE DOES A COWGIRL GO POTTY?, illustration by Jacob Souva

Jacob Souva’s art is amazing. It’s really difficult to narrow down my favorites, but this image on the copyright page of Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? makes me laugh every time I see it. It’s the perfect set-up for the silliness and humor to come.

Interior of WHERE DOES A PIRATE GO POTTY?, illustration by Jacob Souva

Similarly, I love this image on the title page of Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? It’s a perfect example of the magical collaboration between author and illustrator. I could have never imagined a more humorous crab character!

RESOURCES, EDUCATION & ASL

I know literacy is important to you. Can you share about some of the different organizations you’re a part of and the resources you provide- including your resources for ASL?

As I mentioned a bit earlier, my first published books grew out of my work as an early literacy consultant. I’ve provided consulting services and instructional workshops on a variety of literacy-related topics including infant/toddler sign language, literacy/early literacy enrichment, and creative writing for a wide variety of organizations over the past two decades including: The Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children; Early Head Start; Oregon Child Development Coalition; the Parent/Child Preschool Network, the Oregon and Washington Library Associations, Wordstock (now the Portland Book Festival), Willamette Writers, The Loft, and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators/ SCBWI. You can find a more comprehensive list of past clients HERE.

I originally started my blog as a way to easily share class enrichment materials with my clients. Eventually, those enrichment materials expanded to resources to support each of my books. The easiest way to access these materials is via the resources tab on my blog. From there you can jump to materials such as “Start to Finish Story Time," which provides detailed lesson plans that incorporate early childhood language themes and American Sign Language/ASL handshapes for key vocabulary words and the alphabet and “Start to Finish Story Time, Expanded,” which provides curriculum-aligned educators’ guides; themed art projects and activity guides such as readers’ theater scripts and pirate and cowgirl name generators; YouTube playlists that include animated book trailers with original songs (the companion song to Lucy’s Blooms is a work of art in its own right) and fascinating facts such as info about animal poop science; and some things that are simply fun, like links to Pinterest boards related to potty humor, including a link to a toilet flushing sound loop!

I also have several features on my blog to support writers. Some of my most popular features are:

Birth Stories for Books: Post About Paths to Publication.

Have Swag Will Travel: Tips for Planning Book Events.

The Writers’ Life.

This landing page will get you to a summary of all of my series posts.

It’s my hope that my blog is a helpful resource to everyone who visits.

-Wow! You have so many great things to offer here! Thanks so much for sharing this with our readers today.-

VISITS & EVENTS

I saw on your website that you have an events and appearances section. What kinds of visits do you offer, who do you offer them to, and how can guests book them? *Virtual/in-person/both* libraries, schools, etc.*

I consider engaging directly with young readers and writers among the supreme joys of being an author. I offer a full gamut of author visits and special appearances for schools, libraries, bookstores, community organizations, etc., and I will virtually visit (and when possible, visit in-person) with students anywhere in the world to talk about writing books, finding ideas, character development, and more!

-VERY cool.-

I participate annually in World Read Aloud Day and make every effort to find a way to go where I am invited to share my passion for reading and writing books. I even have free, self-guided author talks and young writers workshops that educators can request from me. The details of all of my offerings are available on the author visit tab of my website: https://www.dawnprochovnic.com/p/school-visits.html

If a guest wanted to hear/see a video recording of your story, where could they go?

Folks can find links to recorded book readings on my website, or they can head straight to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dprochovnic

Some highlights include: a recording of me reading Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? from my bathroom (!) and a reading of Lucy’s Blooms from my garden. You’ll also find an ASL-interpreted reading of Lucy’s Blooms provided by my friends and colleagues at Baby Fingers, LLC.

What’s your favorite part of an author visit?

I love most everything about author visits, but if I had to narrow it down, it would be the questions that kids ask and the notes they often write after school visits.

-Ha! That’s two things! : )-
-Haha. I won't tell if you won't. Besides, who says you can't have two favorites?-

I looked back over some past author visit notes, and one student asked “Do you have any problems?” My first thought was “Where do I begin?!”

I wrote back:

You asked if I have any problems. I’m guessing you are wondering if I have any problems when I sit down to write my stories. Sometimes I get distracted from a particular writing project I should be working on. When I’m having difficulty focusing, sometimes I take a break. Other times, I do a writing exercise to help my creativity start flowing. I make writing goals for myself each week and I share those goals with a writing buddy. That seems to be the best thing that helps me stay on track.

Any last pieces of wisdom, encouragement, or something else you’d like to share with readers today?

This past year, I was honored with a major award in my state, the Walt Morey Young Readers Literacy Legacy Award, presented by Oregon Literary Arts in recognition of significant contributions that have enriched Oregon’s young readers.

To say that I was in shock and disbelief to receive this award is a major understatement. It was hard for me to comprehend how my name could have even been flagged for such a meaningful acknowledgment.

As I worked on my remarks for the awards ceremony, it occurred to me that our body of work, our literary legacy, extends well beyond the books that we write and manage to get published. You can read my full remarks (and see a video of my acceptance speech here: https://www.dawnprochovnic.com/2023/04/the-literary-legacy-part-of-writing-life.html) but I will share some similar thoughts below:

I wholeheartedly believe that each of us has the power to influence the literary landscape in our own communities, in our schools and libraries, and within our families.

Someone reading this blog likely read a book by a local author to a child today. Someone else made a purchase at an indie bookstore. I’ll bet someone volunteered at their local library, someone gifted a book to a classroom teacher, and someone wrote a kind letter that will be read and re-read again and again.

My fifth grade teacher held a reading contest back in 1978 that motivated me to read, and played a role in my eventually becoming an award-winning author.

I challenge each person reading this blog to take one seemingly small action that might benefit a young reader, another children’s book creator, or another professional who gets books into the hands of young readers, such as a teacher, librarian, or bookseller. Imagine the legacy that together we’ll leave.

-This was such a powerful note to end on. Thanks so much for joining us, Dawn.-
-Thank you so much for having me, Chelsea. It was a pleasure.-

But we’re not done JUST yet- there’s still one more item on the agenda, and that’s…
THE GIVEAWAY!

Dawn Babb Prochovnic is offering the following giveaway prizes to TWO winners:

A signed copy of her most recently published book, LUCY’S BLOOMS

A 20-30 minute Virtual School Visit or Ask Me Anything for an individual or small group.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Subscribe to the blog/newsletter
Like this blog post
Comment below, letting me know you’ve done BOTH. (Please note: If the guest is offering more than one prize, please specify which prize you’d like in your comment.)

Deadline to enter: June 30^th, 202411:59 PM CST

And that’s it!

FAQ:

Did you enjoy this interview?

Thank the author & host by purchasing 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.

Purchase Lucy’s Blooms

Purchase Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?

Purchase Where Does a Pirate go Potty?

Purchase ADHD and Me

Looking for other ways to show support? Here are some free, easy options!

Leave a brief positive review of their work on places like Amazon, Goodreads & Barnes & Noble
Request it be carried at your local public or school library or bookstore
Post about it on social media and tag the author/illustrator
Share it with a friend!

Dawn Babb Prochovnic is the recipient of the 2023 Walt Morey Young Readers Literary Legacy Award in recognition of significant contributions that have enriched Oregon’s young readers, a contributor to the award-winning anthology Oregon Reads Aloud (Graphic Arts Books, 2016), and the author of 19 picture books. Dawn’s three most recent publications include two humorous titles, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty? and Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? (West Margin Press, 2019), and Lucy’s Blooms, a heartfelt, multi-generational story about the enduring nature of love (West Margin Press, 2021). Next up is Mama’s Home!, under contract with Familius for publication in 2026. Dawn continues to incorporate her earlier books, The Nest Where I Like to Rest, an Oregon Book Awards finalist, and 15 other picture books in the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes series (Abdo, 2009-2012) into her early literacy consulting work and school/library author visits and workshops.

Connect with Dawn

dawnp@smalltalklearning.com

http://www.dawnprochovnic.com

Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor

Twitter/IG: @DawnProchovnic

Bluesky: @dawnprochovnic.bsky.social

Pinterest: @DawnProchovnic

Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor

YouTube: @dprochovnic

Looking for a specific topic? Browse this list to find a link to one of these topics/questions.

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.

Barnes & Noble Book Signing in Bowling Green KY, With Children’s Author & Librarian, Chelsea DiCicco

Posted on June 9, 2023September 6, 2023 by Chelsea’s World of Books in My Writing Journey, View all blog posts

Hello everyone! I'm thrilled to announce I'll be visiting the Bowling Green Barnes and Noble, located at 1680 Campbell Ln, Bowling Green, Ky 42104 on Saturday, July 8th from 1 PM- 4 PM, for an author book signing. If you live locally and would like to stop by, I'd love to connect with you! 

In addition to the book signing, I'll be bringing all sorts of fun giveaway prizes, freebies, and goody bags. 

Freebies:
💙 lollipops 
💙 word searches/spot the difference worksheets 
💙 lesson plans grades k-3rd 
💙 family resource packets with websites, book recommendations, and tips for neurodiverse families.

NO PURCHASES REQUIRED


Goody Bundles:
💜 Semigloss laminated bookmark 
💜 Free author autograph 
💜 Special edition "believe in yourself" stickers 
💜 Special release ADHD AND ME coloring book 
💜 Packet of crayons 

FREE WITH THE PURCHASE OF BOOK ADHD AND ME, DAY OF SIGNING, AT BARNES AND NOBLE. SIMPLY BRING YOUR RECEIPT TO THE SIGNING TABLE TO CLAIM YOUR GOODY BUNDLE!

Prize Drawing:
Interested in winning prizes? Post a review of ADHD AND ME to Barnes & Noble website: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/adhd-and-me-chelsea-dicicco/1143058981?ean=9780997933413 (AND/OR post a picture of the book, ADHD AND ME to your Instagram, tagging @chelseasworldofbooks account), the day of the signing and claim your prize drawing slip from the signing table! The winner will be selected at random from the first 10 participants!

Please note: if your Instagram account is set to private, tagging will not work, so make sure to leave a review of the book to claim your drawing slip for a chance to win the giveaway prize!

Launch day! December 15th 2021: ADHD AND ME CLASSROOM EDITION

Posted on December 15, 2021June 18, 2022 by Chelsea’s World of Books in View all blog posts

Hello, friends!

Today is a very exciting day. That is because today is the scheduled release of a special edition of ADHD and Me titled ADHD and Me: Classroom Edition. ADHD and Me: Classroom Edition is designed to be used by educators grades K-3rd.

About the story:

ADHD and Me and was inspired by a true story and told from the perspective of an eight-year-old girl named Malory. Throughout the story, Malory shares observations of others around her in school and at home while also navigating her own feelings. At the end of the book, there is a message from “Malory” addressing parents, caregivers, and educators.

Why is this book so important for children and schools?

Statistics show that more than 60% of children who have been diagnosed with ADHD are also treated for other mental disorders. Many people also contend with addictive disorders, engage in self-harm or struggle with learning disabilities. There are many areas that ADHD can affect a person’s mental health.

Four common areas are:

Depression
Social anxiety
Insomnia
Low self-esteem

Depression can drain your energy. Social anxiety can make it difficult to make friends or interact in group settings. Insomnia can result in poor mental or physical performance. And low self-esteem can lead to loneliness.

A child should never have to face these things alone! Who is in the prime position to help children and students who may be struggling with these emotional needs? You guessed it- PARENTS AND EDUCATORS ARE IN THE PRIME POSTION TO HELP STUDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THESE EMOTIONAL NEEDS! So, how can we, as parents and teachers, do this? By providing our children and students with four key things:

A healthy support system
Encouragement to boost their self-esteem
Open communication
And creative outlets

This NEW RELEASE special edition of ADHD and Me: Classroom Edition is fully equipped with questions and discussion points to help children establish healthy boundaries, boost self-esteem, identify support systems, and discover creative outlets.

Teacher Perks

In addition to the launch of ADHD and Me Classroom Edition, also available on my website are FREE DOWNLOADABLE LESSON PLANS for grades K-3rd. These interactive lesson plans coincide with the story and include homework, games, questions, social projects, and much more! This curriculum was created to help educate and inspire positive emotional stimulations, social engagement, creative thinking, and group as well as individual problem-solving and is designed to be used in a classroom setting. So, what are you waiting for? Download your free lesson plans today!

Purchase your classroom copy today HERE.

Tag: adhd and me

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

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Barnes & Noble Book Signing in Bowling Green KY, With Children’s Author & Librarian, Chelsea DiCicco

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Launch day! December 15th 2021: ADHD AND ME CLASSROOM EDITION

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INTRODUCTION: THE MAGIC OF PUBLISHING!

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORIES

RESOURCES, EDUCATION & ASL

VISITS & EVENTS

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