Attention kidlit community, I have exciting news. Applications for the 2026 Feature Interview lineup are now OPEN! If you’ve been following my blog, you know that this window is typically only open one month out of the year, so this is a special opportunity. I hope that opening the window early will allow more people the time needed to prep their applications and give as many people a chance to share their stories!
Would you/someone you know be interested in being a guest? APPLY HERE! I’d love to hear your story!
Shout THE NEWS from the rooftops- share, share, share!
Today, I’m talking with dyslexic, neurodiverse, debut children’s book author-illustrator, and puppet and filmmaker Krista Weltner. We’ll be chatting about learning differences and disabilities and their important role in literature- especially kidlit, multi-deal publishing a book series, debut to kid-lit secrets, routes to publishing- and of course- BOOKS AND GIVEAWAY PRIZES! Don’t miss your chance to enter the October Feature Interview giveaway prize pool by COMMENTING on this blog post before the deadline: October 31st, 2024, 11:59 PM CST.
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!
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Krista- welcome to Chelsea’s World of Books literary blog! It’s so great to have you with us today. This month is a big month for neurodiverse celebrations, as October is not only DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH, it’s also ADHD AWARENESS MONTH! As a neurodiverse girl, I’m thrilled to be celebrating with a fellow neurodiverse creator!
In honor of that, I’d love to start by asking: what words of wisdom would you like to share with other neurodiverse creators today?
Thank you for having me! My advice is to set your goals high. There is no reason you can’t achieve anything you want to.
Okay, so let’s go back to the very beginning. When did you first fall in love with writing and illustrating? Have you been drawing and writing stories since you were little, and did you always know that you wanted to pursue this as a career, or did that happen later in life? Explain.
I've had a few careers. I have worked in stop-motion animation, theater, the theme park industry, and publishing. I’ve been creating since I was a kid, but I never thought I would be an author! As a kid, I made my dollhouse furniture and dioramas and painted and sewed costumes for my stuffed animals…my play was making things. I went to college for theater design and technology and then to graduate school for puppet arts. My love of inventing and creating my own stories really emerged from that time in my life. We learned how to build puppets, wrote scripts and performed them. While I was in grad school, a newly formed stop-motion class was offered in a completely different department from mine. A lot of the students in that building were pursing degrees in illustration, which is something I had never considered. The exposure to what they were doing sparked my interest and curiosity about publishing. It was something I immediately began to pursue after school.
When did you first begin actively pursuing publication? And about how long from that time did it take for you to finally achieve that big publishing moment of holding your first book in your hands?
I started forming an illustration portfolio in 2017. I held my first books earlier this year, January 2024.
I know we talk a lot about the *final product* AKA the book being published, but there are so many wonderful milestones to celebrate throughout the publishing journey. What are some little/big milestones that you were able to celebrate even BEFORE publication?
One of my favorite memories was during the acquisitions phase with Free Spirit Publishing. I had been messaging back and forth with the acquiring editor for months. There was some interest in the manuscript I submitted, which made me feel like I was on top of a mountain. I received an email asking what I thought about expanding the idea to a series and if I had more ideas for my main characters. I was working on a film with Laika Studios at the time (my partner also worked there.) I remember running down to his department to tell him about the email. I was shaking, I was so excited. What are some challenges you’ve faced on the publishing journey, and how have you overcome them?
I’m dyslexic, so there are some obvious challenges associated with that. But my biggest hurdle is time. I cannot do publishing work full-time, so I always have a 40 or 40+ hour a week job. I always make my deadlines, but I often wish I had more time to make my work that much better.
BEGINNING STEPS TO PUBLISHING: FIRST DRAFTS & QUERYING
I know we talked a little bit about the beginning of your publishing journey, as in “when” it started- now, I’d love to dive deeper into the steps that were involved in those beginning stages for some of our readers who may be anticipating diving in themselves but aren’t sure where to start.
Let’s start with the first drafts. What was that stage like for you? And who was your support system during those early stages?
In 2018, I focused on creating an illustration portfolio. My friend and critique partner challenged me to draw my dyslexia as a character. I credit him with planting the seed that would eventually develop into my book series. In the years that followed, I drafted many ideas for this character. I was also learning digital illustration. I submitted to slush piles, got feedback at conferences etc. It took years, but I also worked on other projects at the same time.
When (and how) did you find your first critique group partners and/or other writing community?
I have a fantastic critique group! We all met at the Mid-South SCBWI Conference and other events about six years ago. There are 6 of us who are all authors and Illustrators. We meet via Zoom when we can. Sometimes it’s about work, and sometimes it’s about catching up and supporting each other. I’m amazed when one of us has a book come out. It’s so fun to cheer each other on. I feel like we are on a team, and when someone has a book come out, it feels like we all won.
Were there any writing organizations, special events, or other communities that especially helped you in the early stages of publishing to stay on the path and keep moving forward? Explain.
Yes, The SCBWI was my education in publishing. I’ve been in three different chapters at this point. I think the value to be gained can depend on where you are and how active your chapter is.
Okay, so you have your writing community and your first, second, twenty-fifth, and fiftieth drafts… now you’re finally ready to enter the query trenches. Queue daunting music.
Tell us about your introduction to querying. What methods did you use to find your literary agents? Did you Google different agencies? Was there a specific literary blog you followed? Did you use QueryTracker, etc.?
Since I wanted to pursue traditional publishing, I queried publishers that took unsolicited submissions, and I researched agents on Manuscript Wish Lists. However, I still don't have an agent. I would love to find someone to work with, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’m querying agents right now with a picture book dummy and a graphic novel pitch. I’m also working on a comic series. I caught Free Spirit's attention during a #PBPitch event on X, then Twitter.
What kind of query responses did you receive from agents, if any?
Often, it’s crickets, which is okay. They are busy people. When I do get a rejection email, I have a personal policy of looking at my list of agents or publishers and sending out another query. I don’t want to sit with the disappointment for too long.
If you had to give a rough estimate, how many agents/queries would you guess you sent? And what was the timeframe?
It’s so hard to say! Maybe 50? With various projects. I don’t really know. When I was offered my three-book contract with Free Spirit, I queried five or so agents with “OFFER RECEIVED.” When I didn’t get any interest from that round, I negotiated the contract myself. I think the experience taught me a lot. I also had some contacts with other authors and illustrators who are further in their careers, and they were able to give me some invaluable advice about what to look for in the contract.
In addition to querying literary agents, you also submitted directly to editors at publishing houses. Eventually, you got an offer from an acquiring editor prior to getting literary representation. Can you tell us more about this? What was the submission process like versus the querying process?
It can be similar. Most publishers want a dummy with one or two finished illustrations plus a query letter. For publishers, it’s more about whether this book aligns with their catalog. For an agent, do I fit with what this agent is looking for? And do they fit what I’m looking for? I am looking for someone who represents authors and illustrators and supports picture books and graphic novels. I also want to know that they have authors working with publishers who do not take unsolicited submissions.
Outside of Free Spirit Publishing, did you receive any responses or offers from other publishers/editors?
I don’t think so, not for my Molly and Lexi series. The book is about supporting the social-emotional side of growing up with Dyslexia. That is incredibly specific, and Free Spirit was the perfect home for these books.
Can you tell us about the multi-book deal for your series and how that came about?
In the acquisitions phase, the acquiring editor asked if I could expand the idea to a series. We went back and forth, and I pitched a lot of ideas.
We ended up with three books centered around Molly, who is dyslexic, and Lexi, an imaginary friend or personification of dyslexia. The books focus on advocacy, self-esteem, and celebrating dyslexic strengths, but they offer a balanced perspective of dyslexia.
So, once your editor had made an offer, you queried agents, letting them know you had received a series deal but weren’t able to find an agent, so you went at it alone. Being in the position of representing yourself and going through traditional publishing without the aid of an agent, can you share your thoughts on some pros and cons of this?
The pro was that I learned a lot. I intend to keep going in this industry, and even if I do have an agent working with me next time, I will be better prepared because I went through it alone the first time. I have a family member who is a contract lawyer working in another sector, and he was able to help me understand a lot of the legal language. But he wasn’t versed in what is typical in the publishing industry. I got advice from friends who were already published, which helped. But I made some mistakes, and I think I will be more prepared if it happens again.
What are some valuable lessons you learned from this experience that you’d like to share with others?
I learned some valuable lessons about specific legal language. Also, ask for what you want. The worst they can say is no. And a piece of advice I heard from someone, “You are never guaranteed book sales, so get the largest advance you can.” I think this is really good advice. I can also recommend the book Law and Authors. I read this book recently, and I thought the information was good and would have helped me had I read it back then.
Moving forward, would you want to continue publishing directly to editors without literary representation, or would you still like to find your agent match? Why or why not?
If the publisher accepts unsolicited submissions, I think I would be comfortable negotiating for myself now that I have gone through it. If it’s a larger-scale publisher that typically doesn’t take unsolicited submissions, I think I would prefer to work with an agent.
AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATORS: MAKING SMART DUMMIES
Being in the seat of both author and illustrator, can you share a little bit about your creative process for writing vs. art and what stages you typically work with first? For example, do you find that your stories come to you in the form of mental pictures first or in words? Explain.
Often, my ideas start with an image, a character, or a concept. My ideas seem to come out of nowhere and hit me fast. I typically build the story around key illustrations. For picture books, I tend to start by sketching the entire book in thumbnails and think about the text as I go. I will have an idea of the story I want to convey, but the words come to me slowly. While developing my picture book series with Free Spirit Publishing, I worked with an editor on the three manuscripts before fleshing out the illustrations. We passed the manuscripts back and forth. They didn't need to see illustrations at this point, but I was sketching anyway while I was writing because I couldn't separate the two. I try not to get too married to illustrations during the writing stage and I tend to place greater importance on the illustrations over the text.
For new aspiring author-illustrators, could you share some formatting tips and secrets on how to make smart dummies? (If you have any picture examples that you’d like to share, feel free to share them! Just email them to me.)
I work in Photoshop and illustrate digitally. However, I like to print the pages out periodically and tape them to my wall, which helps me get a bird’s s-eye view. When you were submitting dummies to agents/editors, what (and how much) was included? Full book dummies? Partial book dummies? Pencil outline? Full color? Etc.
I do a full sketch dummy in a PDF. I choose two illustrations to finish fully. It depends on the publisher, though. Some want one finished, some want two, and some want to see a summary without the manuscript or dummy first. I’m always scratching my head at this one. When the picture book is only 200 words, but the summary is 500.
What advice would you like to offer to aspiring author-illustrators who are at the beginning of their publishing journey?
Keep going! Chip away at it every day and learn about the industry. Just move forward.
What’s one (or more) writing resource(s) that was absolutely invaluable to you, and what would you recommend to other author-illustrators?
Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics.
Comic inspired by a recent school visit
BOOKS + INSPIRATION
Okay, we’ve made it to one of my all-time favorite parts of the interview… the part where we talk about the BOOKS. Please share with us your incredibly inspiring dyslexia-centered books. We want to hear all about Molly. Who is Molly, and what does she mean to you personally?
Molly is a young dyslexic girl learning to navigate the challenges of dyslexia with creativity and determination. Her dyslexia (Lexi) appears as an imaginary friend or personification of her dyslexia. Molly can interact with and confide in Lexi. The books cover what dyslexia is all about but also dive into the emotional challenges children with learning differences face.
I am dyslexic, and prior to this series, I did and continue to do a lot of advocacy work with dyslexia students. It means the world to me that I was able to give back to dyslexic children in this way.
How many books are in the series? And can we hear a little blurb about each one?
There are three books. In the first book, Molly’s Great Discovery, Molly gets diagnosed with dyslexia and learns how to self-advocate. In Molly Tells the World, Molly's class gets a new student who is also dyslexic. Molly grapples with the idea of whether or not to tell her classmates about her dyslexia. Ultimately, she does. This book is about helping children with the words to discuss their differences, and Molly grows in her self-esteem and appreciation for Lexi. The third book is called Molly Finds A Way. In this final book, Molly and her friend Leeann (who is also dyslexic) are having a playdate at Molly’s house. They use their dyslexic strengths to solve the problems they see.
What is your inspiration for Molly and her adventures? Are her stories something that you wished you had had for yourself as a kid? Explain.
I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was seven years old. My relationship with my dyslexia has changed dramatically over the years. It was something I hated about myself for a long time. That relationship inspires my series. What if we could tell our differences how we feel about them? What if we could tell our learning disability to go away?
I was interested in providing a book to children to examine their relationship with this part of themselves in a fun, creative way. In school, dyslexic children focus greatly on reading, writing, and spelling. However, there are specific emotional challenges that children with invisible differences face, and those challenges are often overlooked. I hope my series can help parents and educators with those tough conversations.
Were there any books that helped you as a kid with seeing yourself in stories? And other than your wonderful stories, what other stories could you recommend that also have a positive message about dyslexia and other learning differences?
I think the second book in the Pony Pals series was about one of the characters being dyslexic. I loved it! but I can’t recall any other fiction books on the topic from my childhood. I like The Dyslexic Advantage for adults hoping to learn about dyslexia.
Books about dyslexia are tricky because some of the most popular books, especially in the picture book category, are outdated and have content that contributes to misconceptions about dyslexia. I recommend looking at books published in the last ten years by reputable publishers. A few titles that I find good representations in include Fish in a Tree for older kids, Aaron Slater Illustrator, and the Hank Zipzer books.
What message do you hope to share with readers with your stories?
That dyslexic children are smart and capable.
Do you have a favorite illustrative spread? If so, which one and why? Pics or it didn’t happen!
I have two.
The first is in Molly’s Great Discovery, where Molly is being tutored in a classroom filled with children with various learning disabilities. In the illustration, each child’s learning disability or difference is represented with an imaginary character like Lexi. Each character looks different and is reflective of the child he or she belongs to.
My second favorite is Molly Tells the World. Molly and Lexi have been fighting, and Lexi has gotten so angry that she expands to the size of the room.
Both of these images were in the earliest drafts; I think that’s why I love them.
If you could relay one message to kids with learning differences, what would it be?
You are brilliant! Set your goals high. Your path might look different from others but enjoy and embrace it. Thank you so much for joining us today, Krista. And now… It’s time for a GIVEAWAY!
For the month of October, Krista is offering the following giveaway prize to one winner:
A free copy of Molly’s Great Discovery (the first book in the series.)
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment on this post!
And if you haven’t already, like this post and subscribeto the blog and/or newsletter!
That’s it!
DEADLINE TO ENTER: October 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).
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Krista Weltner is a neurodiverse (dyslexic) author-llustrator. She debuted in January 2024 with her picture book series, Everyday Adventures With Molly and Dyslexia, published by Free Spirit Publishing. The series was inspired by her own experience growing up with dyslexia.
In addition to her literary pursuits, she works in stop-motion animation. Her work can be seen in the Netflix animation Wendell and Wild and Laika Studios’ upcoming Wildwood. Before her film work, she helped bring animatronic and puppet characters to life for the theme park industry. In 2016, Krista obtained a Master in Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut, where she presented her master’s project and short film, Partially Compensated (also inspired by her experience with dyslexia). Her short film has been seen in film festivals worldwide and has afforded her numerous opportunities to engage and advocate with others for a more inclusive world.
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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.
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!
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:
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
OR
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 30th, 202411:59 PM CST
And that’s it!
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).
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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.
