Today, I’m talking with debut kidlit author-illustrator Kim-Hoa Ung. We’ll be chatting about paths to publication, sharing motivation and resources, and discussing the importance of having inclusive books for kids by creators of marginalized backgrounds.
But before we jump into our interview, if this is your first time visiting the blog, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.
THE SCOOP: WHAT ARE FEATURE INTERVIEWS & WHO ARE THEY FOR?
Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.
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.*
Now that we’ve shared a little about what’s in store… it’s time to jump into our interview!
INTRODUCTIONS & BEGINNINGS
When did you first enter the kidlit publishing arena?
Hi, everyone! Thank you for having me on your wonderful blog, Chelsea! I discovered the kidlit publishing arena in the Fall of 2020. While reading a book with my daughter one night, she asked why I couldn’t write a book and dedicate it to her one day. So I was inspired to try for her.
What was your inspiration for wanting to be a publishing kidlit author-illustrator?
I heard that you’d have a better chance of getting published if you were both author and illustrator. So I tried to do both. I never thought of becoming either of those because writing was always hard for me. I am an amigurumi artist, so designing characters isn’t so hard for me. But to create a full-colored spread out of a blank sheet was nerve-racking for me. But I just had to try for my daughter’s dedication someday. You recently had your debut picture book come out in December of 2023. Congratulations! Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication?
Thank you so much, Chelsea! There was a writing competition happening, and I decided to join. It was the Fall Writing Frenzy hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis. I won, and my prize was a critique from an editor. During our meeting, I was surprised when she said she would like to work with me. That’s how my book found an editor. At the same time, I found an agent through a pitch event on Twitter/X. After several revisions, my book was acquired.
Staying positive in query trenches: What were the query trenches like and what were some things that helped you to keep going?
The query trenches were tough for me. I remember receiving my first rejection during the Christmas holidays. I cried. After months of rejections from agents, I felt very down. One didn’t like my storytelling style. Another didn’t like my art. I was wondering what I was capable of. What kept me going was encouragement from my family and kidlit friends. The writing community has been so supportive. There are those few who always comment, like, or share my posts. It means a lot to know I’m not alone out there struggling.
Your book was published with a traditional house, Macmillan Feiwel and Friends. While publishing with a traditional publishing house doesn’t always require literary representation, oftentimes, it helps. And in your case, you did have literary representation. Who are you currently agented by, and what agency?
My agent is Miranda Paul of Erin Murphy Literary Agency.
Did you know from the beginning that you wanted to pursue traditional publishing with the help of a literary agent, or did that decision take place later? Explain.
At first, I thought about self-publishing, but there was so much to learn. I also didn’t have the income to invest in printing books or hiring editors/designers. After enrolling in Storyteller Academy and learning more about publishing, I thought traditional publishing might be possible for me.
How did you end up with your agent & agency? Was it a cold query? A special query opportunity at a conference or other writing event/contest? Etc.
I found my agent through PBPitch on Twitter. I decided to pitch my story and art in October of 2021. I was excited to receive three hearts that day, one of those being from Miranda Paul. I queried her and was offered representation, which I accepted. Thankful for Debra Shumaker and PJ McIlvaine for hosting such a great event for the kidlit community.
For writers and illustrators who are querying now, can you share a little bit about what to expect for that agent call?
I was very nervous because this was my big chance. I made sure to have my list of questions. Justin Colon and Kelly Rice Schmitt were kind enough to put together a list of questions for agent calls and share it with the community.
-Thanks so much for sharing this awesome resource with readers, Kim-Hoa.
What made you decide to sign with the agent/agency you’re with? And why is signing with the “right” agent better than not having an agent all? Explain.
I decided to sign with Miranda because she was nice and enthusiastic about my work. Everything is so subjective in the publishing world. You just hope for someone supportive and passionate about your work. It is better to have an agent so that she can help guide you in the submission process and fight for your work.
What advice do you have to am querying author-illustrators who are looking to go into traditional publishing?
Keep writing and illustrating. Display and submit work that you truly love and are most proud of. Keep learning and being the best version of yourself. Find yourself kidlit friends who will give you helpful feedback and are supportive of you through all the ups and downs.
For author-illustrators who might be on the fence about whether or not to query for literary representation vs. submitting directly to publishing houses, what are some pros and cons of both routes?
I know that most publishing houses accept submissions from agented creators only. But I know a few creators who have successfully landed deals on their own. I, too, found my editor before my agent. So it is possible.
There are many agents looking for author-illustrators, so you have a good chance with a good portfolio and writing samples. You do what you feel most comfortable with. Even though I had interest from my editor on my dummy, I still wanted an agent so that she could help me negotiate the contract and to help me with future work.
ROAD BUMPS AND CELEBRATIONS
What have been some of your favorite parts of the publishing journey?
One of my favorite parts of the publishing journey was receiving my proofs. All of my works have been on screen or printed on regular copy paper, so seeing it big on nice glossy paper was an exciting moment for me.
Another favorite moment was seeing my children hold and read my book for the first time together. I’m grateful to be able to dedicate the book to them. Seeing all the friends and family who came to support me at my book events was heart-warming too. Grateful for all who have supported my book and journey!
-Those all sound like very exciting moments! Thanks for sharing those with us. And for sharing the picture. :)
What are some of the challenges you faced in your publishing journey? Explain.
Learning how to illustrate digitally was a challenge for me. Coloring is still difficult for me because I have a hard time seeing what colors work well together. I need to study and practice more. Writing has also been challenging. Finding ways to make your story or art unique is always tough. Just have to keep trying. What has helped you the most to stay motivated and continue on the path?
Having wonderful family, kidlit friends, and critique partners help make the journey less frightening. Seeing other people’s work on social media has also been inspiring.
-Yes! They make the journey so much better.
In your words, could you share the importance of having diverse books with creators of marginalized backgrounds and voices for our young readers?
It is so important. I wish I had those diverse books growing up. The only one I knew was Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie. I loved the book so much and was so touched when my college roommate got it for me as a gift. Diverse books are important so that other kids and adults have the opportunity to learn about other cultures. They are the windows, doors, and mirrors for the world.
“Diverse books are important so that other kids and adults have the opportunity to learn about other cultures. They are the windows, doors, and mirrors for the world.” – Kim-Hoa Ung @AutumnLeaflet
For creators who are from marginalized backgrounds, do you have any favorite writing resources or communities that you’d recommend checking out?
Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s website has been very helpful, especially for new creators.
Check out Debbie's website at THIS LINK HERE. She also conducts interviews with creators so that you can learn more about the publishing industry and other people’s creative journeys.
Mia Wenjen also has a wonderful website that features many diverse books. For holidays and other occasions, she posts about collections of related titles.
Kaitlyn Sanchez has always been so supportive of writers and illustrators. I suggest you follow her on social media because she hosts/co-hosts writing competitions like Fall Writing Frenzy and Spring Fling Kidlit, and the community is so supportive of each other.
-Follow Kaitlyn on her X account at THIS LINK HERE, or visit her website at THIS LINK HERE to discover her Fall Writing Frenzy Contest, Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, and other resources. You can also learn more about The Fall Writing Frenzy on Lydia Lukidis website at THE LINK HERE.
BOOKS + EVENTS + PUBLISHING DEBUT
Your book has been out in the world for a little less than a year. How does it feel?!
I am very grateful for all the love and support I have received for A GIFT FOR NAI NAI. It is such a special feeling to see my book on shelves in bookstores, libraries, and readers’ homes. Thank you to everyone who has read, purchased, gifted, and reviewed my book.
What kind of response have you received from readers?
Readers have told me that A GIFT FOR NAI NAI reminds them of their loved ones, especially their grandmothers, giving them handmade gifts. They have said that my illustrations are so cute and that they love the Chinese writing characters dispersed throughout the book. A few readers have made Nai Nai’s hat too. So touching to see!
-How sweet!
Have you been able to host any local/or otherwise events?
I was able to have storytime and book signings at Barnes and Noble at the Americana, Once Upon A Time Bookstore, Vroman’s Pasadena, and Bel Canto Books. I am grateful for everyone who came and was there in spirit!
Speaking of book events… this is your DEBUT book! How exciting. Could you tell us about your story and the inspiration behind it?
A GIFT FOR NAI NAI is about a girl who wants to make a special gift for her grandma’s birthday. I had not seen any picture books with crochet at the time, so that inspired me to create one. I used to crochet hats for my grandma, too, so this book is special to me.
-How special! I love that. And this picture is too cute.
Do you have a favorite illustration spread? If so, which one and why?
My favorite spread is when Nai Nai finds out the hat is for her all along, and she and Lyn Lyn hug each other. I love the sweet words Lyn Lyn has for Nai Nai. It is a blessing to have a grandma.
-So beautiful!
Any final words of wisdom that you’d like to share with our readers today?
Keep writing. Keep illustrating. Agents either didn’t like my writing or my illustrations. It was tough because it made me doubt myself. I wasn’t sure what I was capable of anymore. But the kidlit community and my family were encouraging. So, I kept writing and illustrating. It is important to find yourself supportive friends and critique partners who will help you do better. Good luck with everything, kidlit friends! I am rooting for you all!
“It is important to find yourself supportive friends and critique partners who will help you do better.”
Thank you so much for joining us today, Kim-Hoa. And now… It’s time for a GIVEAWAY!
GIVEAWAY
For the month of October, Kim-Hoa Ung is offering the following giveaway prize(s) to (x amount of) winner(s):
One winner will receive a copy of A GIFT FOR NAI NAI picture book or a giant crocheted pencil plushie!
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: 10/31/2024 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?
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.
Kim-Hoa Ung is a Chinese American author-illustrator and amigurumi artist who enjoys creating stories that explore family relationships, friendship, empathy, culture and heritage, and immigrant life. When she’s not creating stories, you can find her crocheting pieces for art shows, sending snail mail, and making arts and crafts with her kids. She lives with her family in Southern California. A Gift for Nai Nai is her debut picture book, and it was published on December 5, 2023, with Macmillan’s Feiwel and Friends.
Looking for custom writer/library/book-lover-themed swag/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 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:
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).
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.
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.
Looking for a 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!
Today, I’m talking with children’s book writer and environmentalist Megan Clendenan. We’ll be chatting about non-fiction in middle grade and how to get kids inspired to think about the world around them. We’ll also be sharing writing tips, free educator resources, and of course- giveaway prizes! So be sure to stick around to the end (or scroll to the bottom of the interview and drop a comment to enter the giveaway pool- extra entries for shares/retweets & tags!)
But before we jump into our interview, if this is your first time visiting the blog, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.
THE SCOOP: WHAT ARE FEATURE INTERVIEWS & WHO ARE THEY FOR?
Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.
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 & TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:
BEGINNINGS & INSPIRATIONS: WHY, HOW, WHEN?
ROUTES TO PUBLISHING: TO QUERY OR NOT TO QUERY?
TIPS & RESOURCES
TIMEFRAMES & EXPECTATIONS
MOTIVATIONS AND HEART
EMPATHY, AWARENESS, DIVERSITY
BOOKS
GIVEAWAY
AUTHOR BIO & CONNECT
BEGINNINGS: HOW, WHEN, WHY?
“My kidlit journey began when my son was a newborn (he is now 14!) I wrote during his nap times, scribbling away on paper as fast as I could. Years later – those scribblings turned into my first published book, OFFBEAT…” @MeganClendenan
Megan, it’s wonderful to have you on the blog with us today. And it’s wild to think we’re already this far into the year. Where does the time go? I’ve had a chance to peruse your website (which is adorable, by the way- I love your header and color palette). While I was perusing, I saw that your book, Cities: How Humans Live Together, was chosen as a Librarian Favorite for 2024. Very cool! Congratulations. But before I head down the road of your accolades, I’d love to hear how you wound up in the kidlit publishing arena. How’d you get here? And where/when did that journey start?
Thank you so much for having me on your blog! I enjoy reading your feature interviews, and I always learn something new.
-Aw, that makes me so glad to hear!
My kidlit journey began when my son was a newborn (he is now 14!). I’d always written short stories and poems, but as a new mom at home, I decided I would try writing a novel, something I’d always wanted to do. I wrote during his nap times, scribbling away on paper as fast as I could. Years later – about eight, I believe – those scribblings turned into my first published book, OFFBEAT, a middle-grade novel for reluctant readers. While that was fiction, most of my kidlit writing is non-fiction (more on that below!).
Prior to your author days, what line of work were you in (or are you currently in, outside of writing)?
For many years, I worked full-time as a communications and fund development writer for non-profit groups that focused on social and environmental issues. My job was to create written materials that would raise awareness and inspire people to donate money. For example, I worked for an environmental law organization that took governments and companies to task for pollution, and I worked for a social service organization that helped to advocate for women’s rights, access to healthy food in urban areas, and affordable housing. Later, I moved from full-time to part-time and then contract as I became more and more involved in writing for kidlit.
-How fascinating! I love hearing about your history with nonprofits. Now for the why. I love asking this question separately because I feel like it’s the most important part of it all, and so it deserves a space of its own. What is your big WHY? Why do you write the stories you write; what do they mean to YOU? And why do you want to share them with others; what do you hope they will mean to THEM?
This is such a great question! I think my ‘big why’ can be summarized into one word – curiosity! Writing non-fiction means that I get to constantly learn about new topics. I choose subjects that I’m curious and intrigued by and that I think middle-grade readers will also find interesting but that they may not have been exposed to. Although I’ve written about topics that can feel large and challenging to consider, such as climate change, food security, or human rights, I always try to leave readers with the hopeful message that small actions can go a long way and that change is possible. I hope my books spark questions, discussion, and curiosity about the world and how we can work together to find sustainable and equitable solutions for the future. I enjoy writing for middle-grade readers because I love how full of wonder and curiosity they are, with great questions and an openness to learning about the world.
-I love this!
“…My big why can be summarized into one word – curiosity! Writing NF means I get to constantly learn about new topics. I choose subjects I’m curious & intrigued by & that I think middle-grade readers will also find interesting but may not have been exposed to.” @MeganClendenan
“I hope my books spark questions, discussion, and curiosity about the world and how we can work together to find sustainable and equitable solutions for the future. I enjoy writing for middle-grade readers because I love how full of wonder and curiosity they are, with great questions and an openness to learning about the world.”
ROUTES TO PUBLISHING: FREELANCE WRITING, ROUTES TO PUBLISHING & WRITING NON-FICTION IN MIDDLE-GRADE & PICTURE BOOKS
I saw in your bio that you’re a freelance writer. Could you share a little about what freelance writing in publishing entails? And how might someone go about pursuing this as a career? How does freelance writing differ from traditional publishing? Explain. (Payments/contracts/timeframes, etc.)
I’ve pursued a few different avenues of freelance writing, some in publishing, some not. When I first started taking writing contracts, which is essentially what freelance writing means, I had just left my part-time role as a communications writer for a non-profit. The administration at the non-profit was very supportive, and they not only offered me some of my first contracts but they also recommended me to their contacts – and that’s how I got my first set of clients.
-Wow, that's so interesting!
I did ghostwriting for executives, mostly women, as well as wrote grant applications, website copy, and other business materials, to name a few things. Topics ranged from children’s psychology to engineering technology! Other clients came from word of mouth. In terms of pay, I charge an hourly fee, and I invoice my clients upon completion of the work.
But I still wanted to pursue my dream of working in kidlit. I was working on my novel, but I also put together a work-for-hire ‘package’, which was essentially my resume, my interests/area of knowledge, and a few writing samples that I created specifically for the K-12 market. After sending out A LOT of packages (I can’t remember how many, but lots!) and waiting more than six months, I was offered my first work-for-hire contract! Since then, I’ve worked for a few different publishers on a range of assignments, for example, reading comprehension passages, biographical stories, a non-fiction book for reluctant readers.
Work-for-hire in the publishing world is not a high-paid endeavor, especially compared to the contracts I do for non-profits and businesses. In my experience, I was hired to write a specific idea determined by the publisher on a flat-rate basis, half when I signed the contract and the remainder upon completion of the work. And they often have very tight timelines. But I love writing kidlit, and if you work efficiently and find opportunities that you think are fair, it can be a great way to earn some money.
“Work-for-hire in the publishing world is not a high-paid endeavor… In my experience, I was hired to write a specific idea determined by the publisher on a flat-rate basis, half when I signed the contract and the remainder upon completion of the work… And they often have very tight timelines.”
Do you have any suggestions, tips, or resources you’d like to offer writers who may be interested in looking into freelance writing?
My advice to someone who would like to pursue freelance writing would be to consider their own networks and experience. Is there a niche area where they could offer expertise as a freelance writer? If so, is there a contact they could approach? What I found was that once I had some contracts completed, people began to refer me to others, especially when I let them know I was looking for additional work.
In terms of breaking into the kidlit work-for-hire space, I recommend putting the effort in to create a quality package of writing samples. They request ‘unedited’ samples, so it can’t be work that you’ve already had published, so it does take time to research and write the samples, even though they aren’t long (I did 2-3 pages for middle-grade and about 500 words aimed at a younger audience). Specific resources that I found useful include:
Evelyn Christensen has created an amazing list of potential work-for-hire markets on her website as well as a great list of tips: http://www.evelynchristensen.com/markets.html http://evelynchristensen.com/markettips.html
I also highly recommend Laura Purdie Salas’ book Writing for the Educational Market for guidance in creating a packet to send to work-for-hire publishers. Do you write freelance writing across genres- if so, which genres do you write in? And what are some of the topics you write about? I have written in a wide variety of genres! Some of the topics I’ve written about are sustainability/environmentalism, biography, and outdoor adventure.
“My advice to someone who would like to pursue freelance writing would be to consider their own networks and experience. Is there a niche area where they could offer expertise as a freelance writer? If so, is there a contact they could approach? I found that once I had some contracts completed, people began to refer me to others, especially when I let them know I was looking for additional work.”
In terms of breaking into the kidlit work-for-hire space, I recommend putting the effort in to create a quality package of writing samples. They request ‘unedited’ samples, so it can’t be work that you’ve already had published, so it does take time to research and write the samples, even though they aren’t long (I did 2-3 pages for middle-grade and about 500 words aimed at a younger audience). Specific resources that I found useful include:
Evelyn Christensen has created an amazing list of potential work-for-hire markets on her website as well as a great list of tips:
I also highly recommend Laura Purdie Salas’ book Writing for the Educational Market for guidance in creating a packet to send to work-for-hire publishers.
- Thanks so much for sharing this information with us, Megan! These are terrific resources.
Do you write freelance writing across genres- if so, which genres do you write in? And what are some of the topics you write about?
I have written in a wide variety of genres! Some of the topics I’ve written about are sustainability/environmentalism, biography, and outdoor adventure.
So, you write non-fiction, which is so exciting because I love learning new things. Can you tell us a little bit about what it’s like writing non-fiction middle-grade novels as well as picture books and how that might differ from writing or pitching fiction?
I also love learning new things! When pitching fiction for the trade market, either with your agent or direct to publishers you need to have the full manuscript ready to go. Middle-grade non-fiction is different as it is usually sold on proposal rather than on the full manuscript. My process is to start with research and see if I can come up with a hook, structure, and a basic table of contents. If I decide I’d like to go ahead with the idea, I do more research, potentially interview an expert, and fully develop my outline. Then, I usually write at least one sample chapter. All those components will be part of the proposal that will go on submission to editors, alongside market information, curriculum tie-ins, etc. If an editor acquires the book, that’s when I would research and write the full manuscript. For picture book non-fiction, I write the full manuscript (and usually back matter as well), and that’s what goes on submission.
Now, you’ve worked on freelance projects, but you’ve also published multiple middle-grade non-fiction novels and just recently had the announcement of your debut picture book (congratulations!) that’s scheduled to come out in 2025. I’m curious: for your published middle-grade and picture book, did you have literary representation?If so, who were you represented by, and how did you end up with your agent?
Great question! For my first two middle-grade non-fiction books, I did not have an agent. Instead, I pitched my ideas directly to editors myself. In 2021, I signed with an agent. Since then, all my books have been sold through my agent.
I’m represented by Stacey Kondla at The Rights Factory. In 2021, I queried a number of agents, and right from the start, Stacey was excited about my work, and I ended up signing with her that summer.
-OH MY GOODNESS- CONGRATULATIONS!! This is HUGE news and definitely cause for celebration!
For those deciding which publishing route to take- agent, or no agent- traditional, or independent- could you talk a little bit about the differences between both and reasons why someone might choose one option over the other and vice versa?
Working with an agent is helpful for a number of reasons. They are familiar with the market, they build relationships with editors, and they can help you bring your work to the next level – important in such a competitive marketplace, and there are limited publishers that accept submissions directly from authors, so agents definitely open doors for authors in terms of access. That being said, there are publishers that accept submissions directly from authors, so some writers might want to go that route. I think it's a personal choice!
For some of our readers who may be new to the publishing scene, could you share a little bit about the steps involved with your publishing journey? (Querying & submission process, timeframes, rejections, champagne rejections, the close calls, the big call, and the final YES)
For sure! It’s definitely a long journey and can feel even longer because there is a lot of waiting involved. When I queried agents, I sent out about 15-20 queries in my first round. My agent was in that first round, and so for me, the querying process was relatively quick. After she got in touch and said she liked my work, we had ‘the call,’ and she offered representation. Yay! Then we got to work putting together a project for submission to editors. Querying editors also takes time and waiting for responses can take weeks to months to even longer! For my upcoming non-fiction picture book, I believe it took around six - seven months from the day we went on submission to an offer, and from what I’ve heard, that’s actually quite a fast timeline! However, not all manuscripts that go on submission sell, and that’s true for all the writers I know. Last year I had a project that I loved, and it did a number of rounds of submission to editors. While I received some nice feedback about the writing, ultimately, it did not sell to anyone, and I’ve had to put that one in the back of the drawer – at least for now!
“[Publishing] is definitely a long journey and can feel even longer because there’s a lot of waiting involved… Querying editors also takes time and waiting for responses can take weeks to months to even longer!” @MeganClendenan
“Working with an agent is helpful for a number of reasons. They are familiar with the market, they build relationships with editors, and they can help you bring your work to the next level, which is important in such a competitive marketplace…”
CHALLENGES, SETBACKS, AND MOTIVATIONS
“So much of what happens in publishing can’t be controlled. You can’t control what editors want or what the market is doing, supply chains, book bans, or what types of books are selling. You can’t control how long it takes a book to be published or variables like printing costs, etc. I try to keep myself focused on what I can control– which is creating quality work!”
What are some of the hurdles that may present themselves on the road to publishing?
So much of what happens in publishing cannot be controlled. You can’t control what editors want or what the market is doing, supply chains, book bans, or what types of books are selling. You can’t control how long it takes a book to be published or variables like printing costs, etc. I try to keep myself focused on what I can control, which is creating quality work!
What are some challenges you’ve faced, and how’ve you been able to overcome them? Balancing writing with the rest of life can be tricky. Work-for-hire contracts are often on tight deadlines, and so other projects, especially those without contracts and deadlines, often get pushed to the background. And life can throw curve balls! Earlier this year, I was in a serious car accident and could only minimally work for three months. I managed to fulfill my current contracts (with some extended deadlines from editors!), but I couldn’t move forward with any new work, so I’ll have to catch up. It was frustrating, but to get myself back on track, I try to find one hour a day – or at least 30 minutes – to work on a writing project that pushes me creatively. I find this helps me stay inspired and move forward more productively with all the tasks I need to accomplish. When dealing with publishing setbacks/discouragements/etc. what has helped/inspired you the most to stay on the course and continue? Rejection and setbacks are part of being a children’s author – that being said, it can still sting. Every author I know puts so much effort and heart into their writing, myself included. I rely on my writing friends to help me weather rejections. We support each other through setbacks and meanwhile, I continue to develop new ideas, which keeps me focused on the present. I’m also inspired to write by reading. I read a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, and many of my ideas have been sparked by reading. It’s pretty awesome that reading is a part of my job description! For those who may be dealing with discouragements or difficulties, what words of advice or wisdom would you like to share? Find a community of other kidlit writers! Being connected to other people who understand the industry and can offer support has been invaluable to me.
TIPS, TRICKS & RESOURCES
Here on the blog, we love sharing writing resources. I know you’ve participated in a number of groups. I’d love to hear more about some of the writing organizations you’ve worked with. (Inked Voices, 12x12, SCBWI) Could you share with our readers a little about what each organization has to offer and how it’s personally benefited you?
Absolutely! I am so grateful to all the writers' organizations I belong to; they each offer a little something different, and they have enhanced my writing and connected me to other writers. I’ve been a member of Inked Voices for many years, and it is a fabulous resource for finding critique partners and there are many other resources, such as monthly craft webinars and genre-specific community networking groups. I’ve found many wonderful critique partners on Inked Voices! I have joined 12x12 for the last two years, and it’s also an incredible resource for picture book writers. They have amazing monthly webinars and book chats, and I always take the time to watch those. For time reasons, I haven’t spent as much time using the resources available on 12x12, but there’s so much to benefit writers, and everyone in the community is very welcoming. I’m also a member of SCBWI and I have benefited from the many online resources and webinars they offer.
Speaking of AMAZING resources, you also offer resources on your website (which I’d love to link here for readers to find on my Teacher Corner tab also). Could you tell us about the resources you offer? Who are they for, and how can they be utilized?
I have free downloadable resources on my website for each of my books. They are educator guides meant to be used alongside the books to help inspire critical thinking about the topic. They could be used by teachers or parents, or older readers could use them independently if they choose. I try to create a range of discussion questions, writing exercises, and some interactive activities that might be useful in a number of subjects, for example, Language Arts, Social Studies, or Science. I’d love for you to link them here for readers. Thank you! The guide for What Do We Eat? is currently in the works and will be posted soon!
-Wonderful!
In writing, there are really no shortcuts- it requires a lot of effort, time, and commitment. But if you had a trick up your sleeve to share- what would it be?
I wish I had a trick up my sleeve, but in all honesty, I think the trick is to stay persistent and keep writing and revising.
Any final tips? I’m going to repeat myself and say 1) don’t give up, and 2) find some writer friends to share the journey with.
-Thanks so much, Megan.
“…The trick is to stay persistent and keep writing and revising.”
“I am so grateful to all the writers’ organizations I belong to; they each offer a little something different, and they have enhanced my writing and connected me to other writers.” @MeganClendenan
We’ve finally made it to the land of books. I would love to hear all about your wonderful work! What was the inspiration behind it? How did the story begin (the story behind the story?) How long did it take to get from concept to manuscript to where you are now? Everything. Go!
What Do We Eat? How Humans Find, Share and Grow Food Releasing September 17th, 2024, from Orca Books
Summary; Imagine carrying meals with you as you parachute into a war zone. Or trying to stay well-fed while building the pyramids. People have always found ways to work together to put a meal on the table. What Do We Eat? is a delicious celebration of human creativity and cooperation, wrapped up in bite-sized slices of history, with a look at what scientists and inventors are cooking for the future. We are gobbling up Earth’s resources, and food is not shared equally. But today, there's a magic tree transforming the dry African plains, food “ambulances” on the move and cities that have declared access to food a human right. Hungry to find out more? Let’s roll up our sleeves and find out what’s for dinner.
Inspiration behind What Do We Eat?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were times when I went to my local grocery store and found empty shelves. I began to wonder: how difficult would it be to survive without going to the grocery store? That led me to more questions. How did people in difficult situations in history eat? What about people exploring the world? Escaping from injustices? Stranded far from home? How do people facing climate change adapt? This book is the result of all these wonderings (and a LOT of research!). From concept to publication was more than four years!
Cities: How Humans Live Together (Orca Books, 2023)
Summary: If you could design a city that would be both a great place to live and good for the planet, what would it look like? Today, about four billion people—more than half the world’s population—live in cities. This number could rise to seven billion by 2050. Cities: How Humans Live Together travels through time to explore questions like When and why did cities form? How did people access food and water? Where did they go to the bathroom? Peek into the past to see how cities have changed through time and explore what could make cities more sustainable and welcoming for today and tomorrow.
Inspiration behind Cities: How Humans Live Together
At university, I studied environmental urban planning, but I ended up on a different professional path. But, I remained curious and interested in cities and urban planning, and I wanted to write a book about cities around the world, past, present, and future. I loved researching cities for this book! This book was also about four years from concept to publication.
Fresh Air, Clean Water: Defending Our Right to a Healthy Environment (Orca Books, 2022) explores the connections between our environment and our health and why the right to live in a healthy environment should be protected as a human right. The book features profiles of kids around the world who are taking action and important environmental rights court cases. Hear the powerful stories of those fighting for change.
Inspiration behind Fresh Air, Clean Water
I was inspired to write this book after working as a grant writer at an environmental legal non-profit, where I worked to obtain funding for many cases, including about the right to a healthy environment. The idea that the right to fresh air and clean water could be fought for as a human right, just like the right to free speech, was such an exciting idea to me. Years later, I was inspired by youth-led climate lawsuits, and I was able to interview many youth activists, which was my favorite aspect of writing this book!
What do you hope your readers will take away from each story?
With all my books, I want to leave readers with a sense of hope and the possibility that change is possible, even when considering topics like climate change. That the power of human innovation, resourcefulness, and cooperation goes a long way. I hope my books spark questions, discussion, and curiosity.
Have you been able to host any fun author events? And what has the response been to your stories?
I love visiting schools, libraries, and festivals (it’s always exciting to be able to be there in person!) to share my books. One favorite author event was a two-part writing workshop I did with a group of high school students around the theme of Earth Day. Even though my books are aimed at a younger audience, it was wonderful to connect with high school students and get their perspective. I learned a lot by speaking with them!
As well, I’ve been fortunate that readers of Fresh Air, Clean Water have shared their thoughts as well as ‘climate march’ signs in response to the book (creating a climate march sign is one of the activities on my free Educator Guide for the book – found on my website). With these students’ permission, I put together a video to showcase their art and thoughts. You can find this on my website under Resources & Fun Stuff.
I also love connecting with schools virtually because it allows me to reach so many more locations! This fall, I’ve got some events planned around the release of What Do We Eat? and I’m so excited to finally share this book with readers. -Very cool, Megan!
“I want to leave readers with a sense of hope and the possibility that change is possible… I hope my books spark questions, discussion, and curiosity.”
GIVEAWAY
For the month of September, Megan is offering the following giveaway prize to one winner.
Prize #1: A signed copy of WHAT DO WE EAT? How Humans Find, Grow and Share Food (middle-grade non-fiction)
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: September 30th, 11:59 PM CST
Want extra entries? Share this link and tag the host IG @chelseasworldofbooks X @chellysbooks to have another entry added to the prize pool.
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?
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.
Book Links
Purchase Design Like Nature Biomimicry for a Healthy Planet
Megan Clendenan is a freelance writer and award-winning children’s book author. She loves writing books that explore history, society, and the environment, and she hopes to inspire young readers to think critically about the world around them. Her books include DESIGN LIKE NATURE: BIOMIMICRY FOR A HEALTHY PLANET, which earned a starred review from School Library Journal (2021, Orca Books, co-authored with Kim Ryall Woolcock), FRESH AIR, CLEAN WATER: OUR RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, which won the 2023 Green Earth Book Award (2022, Orca Books), CITIES: HOW HUMANS LIVE TOGETHER (2023, Orca Books), WHAT DO WE EAT: HOW HUMANS FIND, GROW AND SHARE FOOD (Orca Books, Sep 2024) and JUST IN CASE,[1] a non-fiction picture book that will publish in September 2025 with Charlesbridge. To learn more and find free educator resources visit her at www.meganclendenan.com. Megan lives near Vancouver, British Columbia, with her family & two fuzzy orange cats.
Looking for custom writer/library/book-lover-themed swag/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!
Today, I’m chatting with former NASA Molecular Microbiologist, and Children’s Book Author, Heather Morris. We’ll be discussing science in kidlit, querying trenches, close calls with agents and editors, as well as sharing some of our favorite resources and tips and tricks on starting your career with work-for-hire and direct submissions.
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… 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!
Welcome to the blog, Heather! It’s so nice to have you with us. And it feels wild to think we’re already in SEPTEMBER. Where has this year gone?
INTRODUCTIONS & BEGINNINGS
Today, I’d love to start by asking you the #1 question: What led you to the beautiful yet rugged terrain of publishing?
First of all, thank you so much for inviting me to be on your blog, Chelsea! I love the way you phrased this first question - publishing is beautiful, but rugged. Full of so much joy and difficulty, all rolled into one journey. A part of me has always wanted to write - poetry, novels, essays, short stories, science articles, you name it. I think that’s what it truly means to be a “writer” - one who must write, who can’t help but write. When I was about seven years old, I found a typewriter in my grandfather’s office. I would spend hours typing poorly spelled stories. And then I never stopped. Even when I was pursuing my career in science (which I think we will get to below), I never stopped writing. So, the natural outgrowth of that is…eventually, you want to publish some of the stuff you’ve written. There’s a longing to share your work with others, and this is true for any art.
In your interview bio, you shared a little bit about your fascinating line of work as a molecular microbiologist and history working with NASA. So, I’m itching to know… how did publishing enter the mix?
Yes, in high school I found microbiology. And I decided I wanted to be an epidemiologist (a scientist who studies pandemics and the spread of disease), so I entered college as a Biology major. Because I still loved literature and stories, I ended up taking as many upper-level English classes as I could manage and still major in Biology. But eventually, I had to make a choice - what will I pursue? At that age, I couldn’t handle the subjectivity of writing. I also wasn’t able to handle the rejection that comes in this industry. I needed my answers to either be correct or not. Math, science, and chemistry filled that need.
After graduating from college, I knew I wanted to work in a laboratory, which meant graduate work. While in graduate school, I learned how crucial writing and publishing is in that world also. There’s a saying in the sciences - “publish or perish” - meaning you need to continue to experiment, continue to write up your results, continue to tell elegant “stories” in order to advance. And I LOVED it! I loved the research, I loved the writing, I loved the experimental design.
But all through this, I still wrote other things. Short stories, poetry, and more. Like I said before, I just have to write.
Then I had kids. And read to them. A LOT. And I thought to myself, “I could do this. I could write a picture book.” Ha! That sparked many years of beginning to learn how complex picture books are, and how much I DIDN’T know about how to write them.
Are you still working as a molecular microbiologist? If so, how do you manage both literary deadlines and work schedules?
I worked as a scientist for a NASA contractor until last year. At that point, I made the decision to write full-time. It was becoming impossible to balance work for NASA, the schedules of three kids, and my publishing commitments while also trying to write and revise new work. But I did juggle all of those for at least five years before taking the “plunge” into full-time writing.
Any tips for readers who may be balancing a day job in addition to pursuing publication?
It’s hard. It really is. Up until recently, I wrote after the kids went to bed most evenings. And on the weekends, and at their sporting events, and in their school pick-up lines, and I’d listen to craft books while grocery shopping. I actually still do most of these things. But now, I am usually able to enjoy being with my family in the evenings instead of disappearing to write, which is wonderful because my oldest is not far away from college! I don’t want to miss a moment with any of them! My family inspires, challenges, and delights me! They, along with my close friends, are what push me to be a better writer.
Has writing been something you’ve always enjoyed, or did this happen later in life?
Yes! I’ve always been a writer. I was the kid who talked her friends into writing fan fiction at sleepovers or while we were playing at each other’s houses! I actually have a notebook with a complete book-length novel that my friend and I co-wrote at age 11!
-I love this! And can definitely relate myself. :)
Did you ever think you’d have a career in publishing? Or was it a total surprise?
This is a dream come true! As a kid, I dreamed of writing and publishing books. As a teenager, I dreamed of writing and publishing books. As an adult, I dreamed of writing and publishing books. But I never gave myself space to pursue that dream. It wasn’t “practical.” It wasn’t a “dependable job.” I will forever be grateful to my husband who not only gives me the space to create and market and promote my writing, but who also initially pushed me to learn more. “You’ve always talked about this,” he said. “Why not give it a shot?”
Speaking of a career in publishing… I’m curious to learn more about yours. You mentioned in your bio that you were in the query trenches and have had many close calls with agents and editors. Could you elaborate on this?
As you said in your first question, the publishing industry is beautiful and rugged - filled with incredible delights and crushing disappointments. I began querying my picture book manuscripts in the fall of 2021, after I’d been writing, learning, revising, and polishing for almost two years. A few of my critique partners already had agents, and one of their agents opened for paid critiques. I sent him one of my picture book manuscripts and left glowing comments and requested more of my work! My first full request…and NOT through traditional querying.
Ultimately, he ended up passing, but I was still very encouraged that an agent at a well-known, highly respected agency had been so intrigued by my writing.
-Fascinating! I love hearing stories like this. It's so interesting to see different ways people make connections and grow in the writing community.
Behind the scenes, while I was writing picture books, I was also working on a middle-grade manuscript. My second, actually. I had already written one middle-grade book just to prove to myself that I could finish something coherent and lengthy. And the first chapter of this second book was getting lots of interest from agents at conferences I attended. I finally finished that manuscript and began querying. I sent it to forty agents (over the course of six months)…and received eight full requests! I was blown away. Two asked for revise and resubmits once they read my manuscript. And…
…all of them ended up passing.
I heard on a podcast - I think it was Manuscript Academy’s podcast - that if you’re getting a lot of full requests and then passes, your submission package is working, but there’s probably something about the full manuscript that needs tweaking. So, I took a step back, worked with a developmental editor, and learned a ton about how to really write a novel.
-Oh my gosh. I LOVE the Manuscript Academy podcast. It's full of so much great info for new (and seasoned) writers!
In the meantime, I wrote another middle-grade novel and more picture books. I queried my picture books a little. Most were passes, but I got a few requests for more work! And then…more passes. At an SCBWI conference this spring, I pitched my work to an agent who was someone I really wanted to work with. Through a long series of events (and this answer’s already long enough!), she ended up offering me representation, I signed with her in early July, and we’re on submission with a few of my picture books!
-AHH! Congratulations, Heather. What terrific news- I'm so excited for you!!
DEBUTS, PUBLISHERS, AND LITERARY AGENTS
“So often, I feel like this industry makes things out to be very black and white. For example, you either query for representation OR you submit to publishers. I did both simultaneously…” -Heather Morris @morrwriting #featureinterview #chelseasworldofbooks
I know this year you had your debut book published with Gnome Road Publishing—congratulations! That’s incredibly exciting and such a huge accomplishment, especially since you went at this without the aid of a literary agent. Could you tell us about how you ended up getting a book deal with the publisher?
Thanks so much, Chelsea! Trunk Goes Thunk! releases on October 8, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with this book and the whole publishing experience.
Gnome Road Publishing published its first round of books in the Spring of 2023. Since then, they have released four titles twice a year. Sandra Sutter, the publisher and lead editor at Gnome Road, conducted a series of interviews on blogs in 2021 and 2022. As I read about what she was looking to publish with her new press, I resonated with her focus on “re-readability.” She offered special submission opportunities on these blog interviews, one of which I was fortunate enough to win. I sent in a picture book manuscript (not Trunk), which Sandra took to her acquisitions team. Ultimately, they decided to pass, but I learned a little more about what she was looking for.
-This is great insight for readers, Heather. Thanks for sharing. There are really SO many ways for authors to go about finding a spot in publishing. You just really have to be open to putting yourself out there and making the connections.
When I wrote Trunk Goes Thunk! almost a year later, I sent it exclusively to Sandra. I wanted her to have first dibs on this story. I felt confident she would love it based on her wishlist and what I had learned from emailing with her about my other manuscript. Waiting for her response felt endless, but eventually, she wrote to say she wanted to buy it!
-Yay! I love happy endings. :)
Could you share your experience of how managing a book deal worked directly with the publisher without having representation?
It was very straightforward. Sandra and I met on Zoom to discuss her offer and any questions I might have, then she sent over her standard contract. She told me to take my time, read it through, and ask questions if I had them.
-Love this form of communication. It sound like she'd be great to work with.
Fortunately, I had made some connections in the publishing world, and a few of my author friends had already signed contracts with Gnome Road. I reached out to them to ask about their experiences, and every one of them had nothing but praise. Also, I have critique partners who, at that point, had already signed contracts with Big Five publishers. I asked them to take a look at the Gnome Road contract, and they gave it a green light also.
-So cool that you had friends with firsthand experience, who were able to help guide you and give feedback when you turned to them. Love this!
Were there any complications you ran into during this process- and if so, what was the outcome?
None whatsoever. Working with Sandra and Gnome Road has been smooth and absolutely delightful.
-We love to hear things like this!
Do you have any tips for readers who may be looking to submit directly to publishers versus querying for literary representation?
So often, I feel like this industry makes things out to be very black and white. For example, you either query for representation OR you submit to publishers. I did both simultaneously. I kept an extensive spreadsheet and tracked all my submissions, and (this is crucial) I only sent a manuscript to an agent or a publisher if I thought it would fit their list. And I tailored my query letters very specifically. Both to agents and publishers. Which is why I’ve only sent out about 60-70 agent queries total.
It takes a lot of research. Which takes a lot of time. But I sent a Southern-themed manuscript to Pelican Publishing and Peachtree Publishing, and got very nice passes from both (as in “this wasn’t a fit, but send us more of your work if you think it would fit our list”). I sent a different manuscript to other publishers. And a third to another set of publishers. All while querying those same manuscripts to agents. Ultimately, I wanted to secure representation for my long-term career, but I never thought these manuscripts were going to be the only ones I wrote, so if I happened to sell them along the way, GREAT!
Let’s talk publishing houses. What made you choose Gnome Road Publishing for your work? And did you submit to any other publishing houses or have any other competing offers?
As I mentioned in my story above, I only sent Trunk to Gnome Road. I started with Sandra because I really wanted to work with her and I thought this book would fit her list. Also, since I had not yet secured representation, I could only submit to publishers that accept unagented submissions. There are quite a few publishing houses that are well known that have open submissions (Charlesbridge, Chronicle, Holiday House), and I may have continued down my list if Gnome Road had passed…but thankfully, they didn’t!
However, because I hadn’t sent this manuscript to any agents, I couldn’t use Sandra’s offer as something to nudge agents with. Which meant I finalized the sale myself.
What kind of book deal were you offered? Was it a single sale, as in they bought one manuscript, or was it a multiple-book deal?
Gnome Road only offers single sale contracts…but there is more exciting news to come on that front that I hope to be able to share soon!
DOORS TO PUBLISHING: WORK-FOR-HIRE & EDUCATIONAL MARKET
Do you have any fun WIP brewing? If so, what genre?
I’m currently working on revisions to a new picture book idea based on a little story I wrote for a contest. It’s morphing into something quite fun and magical.
I’m also revising my fourth complete middle-grade novel. I hope to have those edits done before the end of the year in case my agent and I decide to send it out on submission.
Finally, I have another middle-grade novel idea knocking around in my brain. It’s unlike anything I’ve written before - adventure, mystery, and a hefty dose of friendship. Well, the friendship part is a theme in all my work, but the other stuff is new. 🙂
You mentioned querying agents, so what ultimately made you decide not to go the representation route for your first book deal?
As I mentioned a little earlier, I sent Trunk to Sandra exclusively. Perhaps that may not have been the most “popular” or “acceptable” decision - some may argue that I should have simultaneously submitted it to agents - but I went with my gut. Again, if Sandra and Gnome Road had passed, I am sure I would have queried this manuscript broadly, but everything worked out in the end.
Do you plan to continue publishing without literary representation in the future or do you think you’re leaning toward acquiring representation down the line? Why or why not?
Definitely not! I’ve always been interested in securing literary representation for my career. I knew I wanted help with marketing, strategizing about the best manuscripts to send on submission, help identifying interested editors, and someone to help with the business side of the publishing industry (contract negotiation, royalties, foreign rights, etc.).
Which is why I’m so overjoyed that I’ve partnered with Kristen Terrette at Martin Literary Management! And we’re already out on submission with a few of my picture book manuscripts.
Let's talk a little about your experience with the educational market and work-for-hire. Could you shed more light on these interesting avenues of publishing and how one might approach entering one of these doors?
I first heard of the write-for-hire market from a fellow writer that I met through Twitter/X. She told me about an upcoming webinar in her SCBWI region that was all about breaking into the write-for-hire market. “You’re a scientist. You’d be great for this,” she said. And after I heard the presentation, I was definitely intrigued. The presenters did a fabulous job of breaking down the steps you need to take into manageable chunks - doing research on the publishers out there, preparing a submission package (VERY different from querying agents), etc.
So I wrote a few samples, worked on my resume (not at all the resume you’re thinking of, I can assure you, this one is SUPER fun!), and wrote a cover letter. I did my research on publishers and talked to some other writers I knew who had done some write-for-hire work. Then I sent out my package to four or five educational market publishers (Roarke, Abdo, and others)...and waited.
About one year later, I heard from RedLine Editorial, one of the places I’d sent my submission package. They asked if I wanted to write one book in a series of climate books they were putting together for North Star Editions. Since then, I’ve written four books for them!
-That's incredible! How very cool. So, what has the work-for-hire experience been like for you? And what would you like to share about this with other readers who may be interested in dipping their toes into this side of publishing?
I really love the research involved in write-for-hire (everything I’ve written has been nonfiction), along with the specifications and structure from the publisher. It’s almost like putting together a puzzle - how to fit specific pieces into their places to make a beautiful picture.
CONFERENCES AND WRITING GROUPS
“My suggestion would be to have patience, persistence, and hold onto your sense of wonder. I think many people – myself included – make the mistake of thinking that breaking into publishing will be relatively easy… But like any industry, craft, and profession, it takes time to learn, to practice, to build networks and community.” -Heather Morris @morrwriting
What have been some of the most influential writing groups/conferences you’ve attended or been part of- and what specifically stood out to you about them?
This conference gives you the opportunity to meet in small groups with ABLA agents, editors, and big name writers (Neil Shusterman, Rajani La Rocca, and more). I made some close writing friends at this conference, had a wonderful time swapping stories with full-time authors, and got real-time feedback from agents. It was great, but it is pricey.
-Wow, this is a TERRIFIC resource, Heather. Thanks so much for sharing this with our readers!
The RUCCL One-to-One Plus conference is held every October on the campus of Rutgers University in New Jersey, when the leaves are changing color. It’s gorgeous! Every mentee is guaranteed an HOUR of one on one feedback with an agent, editor, or author (mentors)! And you have another hour of roundtable discussion with six mentors and six mentees, meaning you get to meet six editors, agents, and authors! There’s plenty of time to talk and mingle at lunch, and the presentations are great. It is one full day. You have to send in an application to be considered. Applications for the fall are due the summer before.
-That sounds amazing!
I heard you got to give a presentation at your regional SCBWI conference- (very cool btw!) Which region are you a member of, and what was your presentation about?
Thank you! Yes, it was an honor to be able to present at the Spring 2023 conference for Southern Breeze. Our regional advisors asked for proposals for conference topics and I had just finished my first two write-for-hire books. I reached out to another author in my region, Heather Montgomery, who has written LOTS of children’s books - both for the trade and educational markets - and asked if she wanted to do a presentation on the write-for-hire market together. She agreed! It was the “Two Heathers” presentation, and we had a blast!
In fact, if you’d like more information on the write-for-hire market - what it is and how to break into it, the slides from that presentation are on my website HERE.
-THIS IS AMAZING! I feel like I'm in resource heaven!
Later on, in November 2023, I ended up stepping in to present at a smaller Middle Grade intensive that we had for our Southern Breeze region. I talked about working with editors, and that presentation is also on my website HERE.
For people who are just starting out in this line of work… what suggestions/tips/tricks do you have on navigating the ever-changing and competitive waters of kidlit publishing? And what recommendations do you have on places where they can go to find information on the industry, improve craft, or find community?
For those starting out…welcome! And congratulations! You’re embarking on a difficult journey. It’s a long road, filled with detours, stop lights that don’t change for a LOOOONG time, potholes, and potentially dangerous paths (if you don’t stop to read the signs). But it has magnificent views! And the unbelievable joy, honor, and gift of writing for the best audience - KIDS!
My suggestion would be to have patience, persistence, and hold onto your sense of wonder. I think many people - myself included - make the mistake of thinking that breaking into publishing will be relatively easy. “I like writing. I made pretty good grades in English in college and high school.” But like any industry, craft, and profession, it takes time to learn, to practice, to build networks and community. It has helped me to think of this publishing process as not only a journey, but a career switch. I had to “go back to college” (take LOTS of courses through Highlights and the 12x12 picture book challenge and more, watch LOTS of webinars, attend LOTS of conferences, and write a LOT) for about four years before I could really enter the industry and find a “job” (i.e. sign a contract).
My suggestion would be to have patience, persistence, and hold onto your sense of wonder. I think many people – myself included – make the mistake of thinking that breaking into publishing will be relatively easy… But like any industry, craft, and profession, it takes time to learn, to practice, to build networks and community.
CHALLENGES, HIGHLIGHTS, AND THE CONTINUED JOURNEY
“It’s amazing for me to consider that kids that I’ve never met, adults I’ve never met, will read my words. I can’t express how much it means to me. The whole idea that we can make marks on a page that another person will pick up and understand and then layer their personal experience on top of…it’s magic. Sheer magic.”
What have been your favorite parts of kidlit publishing so far?
Talking with kids from schools all over the country! Interacting with readers is my FAVORITE! But…Seeing my book covers and holding my words in print were close seconds. 🙂
What are some challenges you’ve faced on this journey, and how were you able to overcome them?
About two years into this process of shifting careers, I became really disheartened. I had been writing and revising. I’d joined a critique group or two. I’d attended conferences and studied and read the books, and I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. Then I’d get on social media and try to engage, but I’d just see happy posts about book deals and agent signings and author visits. Don’t get me wrong, I was genuinely happy for these authors - they are my online community! But it was still hard.
One of the best things for me was setting boundaries on social media. And then taking the time that I had been spending scrolling and posting and taking the perfect picture or making the best Canva post…and using it to write. I wrote and wrote and wrote. All kinds of things in all kinds of genres. I played with words and did writing exercises and had FUN! I rediscovered my love of writing, for the joy of writing.
I also leaned into my family and friends, spending lots of time with them, NOT talking about the publishing industry. 🙂
Writing is a deeply personal pursuit that is highly focused on creativity. What is your main reason for writing? And what does it mean to YOU to write and share books with others?
It is amazing for me to consider that kids that I’ve never met, adults I’ve never met, will read my words. I can’t express how much it means to me. The whole idea that we can make marks on a page that another person will pick up and understand and then layer their personal experience on top of…it’s magic. Sheer magic.
Speaking of writing… it’s time for my favorite part of the interview. THE BOOKS!
BOOKS + GIVEAWAYS
“I like to say my books/stories are filled with science, wonder, and imagination. Nature also features strongly in all my writing. I love being out in the natural world.” Heather Morris @morrwriting
We’d love to hear about the book(s) you’ve published. Tell us all about it(them)!
Trunk Goes Thunk! Is my debut picture book! But I had two educational market books come out last August -
Climate Crisis in the Southeast (Focus Readers/North Star Editions) and Top Brands: Disney (Apex/North Star Editions). It was so much fun to write about Disney for that second book! And I had a blast with all the research for Climate Crisis.
I also have two more books releasing from Apex/North Star Editions this month, both in their Dog Breeds series. I got to write about Dachshunds and Staffordshire Bull Terriers and learned a ton about both of these unique and interesting breeds!
On July 8 of this year, The Haunted States of America released from Godwin Books/Macmillan. This anthology is a collection of 52 short stories by 52 different SCBWI authors representing every state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia! Each spooky story has a gorgeous illustration by the remarkable illustrator, Solomon Hughes. It’s an honor to have my ghost story - “White Thing” - represent Alabama in this cool collection!
What was your inspiration for writing it(them), and what do you hope your story/stories will give your readers?
I like to say my books/stories are filled with science, wonder, and imagination. Nature also features strongly in all my writing. I love being out in the natural world. My corner of creation is lovely - rolling hills, deep rivers, temperate forests, high biodiversity, more caves than most of the rest of the world. It’s a pretty great place for inspiration. My family also inspires me. My kids challenge me, give me great ideas, and, of course, give me honest feedback. And my grandfather gave me the idea for my “White Thing” story!
Do you have any favorite book spreads? If so, which one(s) and why? Also, if you have any pictures to share, we’d love to see them!
YES!! My illustrators for Trunk Goes Thunk!, Chantelle and Burgen Thorne, are OUTSTANDING! They are incredibly talented. I was blown away by the care and beauty that they infused into every spread of this lovely book. But I confess, I do have a favorite. I absolutely love otters, and there’s one spread in the book that shows the log in summer and in winter…and - without knowing how much I adore otters! - they drew the cutest little guys sunning on the log!! Here it is:
“I like to say my books/stories are filled with science, wonder, and imagination. Nature also features strongly in all my writing. I love being out in the natural world.”
Have you had a chance to do any book events since its launch? If so, we’d love to hear about it and see some photos if you have any and would like to share!
I have done a few book events! I did multiple Zoom and one in-person author visit last spring, where I spoke about my upcoming books and the science and inspiration that went into writing them. I’ve also participated in two different book festivals where I took pre-orders for my books and sold copies of my educational market books and some other anthologies that I’ve contributed to (adult market books).
The festivals are fun, though sometimes it feels like you’re running a lemonade stand. :) You sit and wait until someone “drives by,” and then you say “hello,” stand up, and try to engage. I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories so that part is fun! I’ve learned that you may not sell many books, but you’ll make connections, and I always have a sign-up sheet for my quarterly newsletter.
-I love that analogy.
If applicable- What has been your favorite part of author events?
I love author visits ‘cause you get to interact with KIDS! If you can’t tell, I really enjoy being around kids. They ask great questions, they won’t sugar-coat their feedback, and they’re so passionate about what they like. I can’t wait to keep booking more and more of these events!
If applicable- What kind of events have you been able to host, and how were the events arranged? Did you reach out directly? If so, how? (Email? Phone call? etc.) And what places have you been able to visit? (Farmer’s Markets/Libraries/Schools/Bookstores, ETC.)?
I’ve participated in book festivals, done one in-person author visit, multiple Zoom author visits, and been a panelist for a few different events. For two of these, I was contacted by someone I had met at another event. They told me about the book festival or author visit they wanted me to do and asked if I was interested. For all the others, I had to reach out via phone or email (I’ve done both), explain who I am and about my book, and ask if they are interested. I think calling bookstores works better because you can learn the person’s name and explain more about yourself. Then, you can follow up with an email.
Coming up in the next few months, I’ll be participating in the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson in September, and I have multiple book signings/story times booked in October!
Do you have any final words of wisdom you’d like to share with readers today that you wish you had known when you first started pursuing publication?
I’m so grateful to be writing books for kids and so thankful to be talking to you, Chelsea! I wish I had known to slow down and not be in a rush to be published. I wish I had allowed myself to “play,” to experiment, earlier. I eventually got to that point, but it took a little while.
-Lovely advice to end on, Heather. Thanks again for being with us today. It's been an absolute treasure getting to hear more about your wonderful "story behind the story" of publishing. And you've given us so many great tips, resources, and pieces of advice. I'll be keeping my eye out for your forthcoming books!
And now it's time for some GIVEAWAYS!
This month, Heather is offering TWO giveaway prizes- one prize per winner– TWO WINNERS TOTAL!
One picture book manuscript (fiction or nonfiction, 800 words or less) OR 1 query letter critique
One 30 minute, ask me anything session
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: September 30th, 11:59 PM CST
Want extra entries? Retweet on X or share on Instagram (story or post) with a link to this article and mention my handle (Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks X @chellysbooks).
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?
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.
Heather C. Morris is the grateful author of multiple books for kids – fiction, nonfiction, picture books, and middle grade – including Trunk Goes Thunk! (Gnome Road Publishing, 2024), and a ghost story in the Haunted States of America Anthology (Godwin Books/Macmillan, 2024). She is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Middle Grade Hub, and the 12×12 picture book challenge. When she’s not reading or writing, you’ll find her hiking the surrounding Appalachian Mountains with her husband, their three kids, and their rescued border collie. Heather is represented by Kristen Terrette at Martin Literary Management.
Connect with Heather: Website: www.heathercmorris.com Instagram: morr_writing Twitter/X: morrwriting
Looking for custom writer/library/book-lover-themed swag/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!
Today, I’m talking with the educator, children’s book author, and founder of Happy Days in First Grade Teaching Blog, Ha Dinh.
But before we jump into our interview, if this is your first time visiting the blog, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.
THE SCOOP: WHAT ARE FEATURE INTERVIEWS & WHO ARE THEY FOR?
Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.
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 writing 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!
THE BEGINNING: ROAD TO PUBLISHING
Welcome, Ha Dinh! It’s so nice to have you with us today. I love having educators on the blog because I feel like they have a special connection to the world of kids. Which is especially great when writing kidlit. Speaking of which…
The first question I love asking my guests is how they landed here in the world of publishing for children. How and when did your publishing journey begin?
First and foremost, thank you so much, Chelsea, for having me and allowing me to share my stories with you and your audience! I have always wanted to be a Children’s book author since I was a kid but never seriously pursued it until 2020 when my beloved mom passed away. I realized then that if I didn’t write the stories that were inspired by my childhood and my culture, they would be lost for my children and all the children who may also need them.
Once I wrote the draft of my debut picture book, WHERE WILDFLOWERS GROW, I worked on revising and editing it for a year before entering the #PBPitch Contest on Twitter, where I luckily found my agent and editor for the book.
Have you always enjoyed writing and/or reading?
Growing up, I loved journaling and writing. But since I came to America when I was 5 years old and didn’t know English, learning the language was a daily challenge for me. Reading allowed me to learn English and reading picture books encouraged me to write my own stories.
-I love this! What a special connection you had with books at that young age.-
Do you think your role as an educator influenced/influences your inspiration for writing and publishing?
I know in my heart that being an educator propelled me to my dream as an author. While I always loved writing, I also saw the lack of Vietnamese-American representation and stories in the children’s book space. As an educator, I knew that that was a need that I could meet for our children.
Can you walk us through some of the stages of how you got your footing in kidlit?
Starting a new journey can be daunting with so much uncertainty. I was so nervous since I didn’t know anyone personally who had been traditionally published. However, through various online contests including #PBChat, #PBPitch, and #50PreciousWords Contest and SCBWI, I have been blessed to have met many encouraging fellow creators and industry professionals, who allowed me to share my work, hone my craft, and supported me in my journey.
ROUTES TO PUBLISHING & CHALLENGES
I know you’re represented by Belcastro Literary Agency, which tells me that you were interested in going the traditional route to publication rather than independent. For some of our readers who are considering which route to take (and what the differences are), could you share a little bit about how these paths differ and why you chose to go the traditional route?
With teaching full-time, raising young children, and running my teaching resource online business, my time for writing and publishing was very limited when I started my journey. Therefore, I knew that the traditional route was best for me as it has allowed me to stay creative, and my wonderful agent has been amazing at handling more of the business side for me.
Any words of wisdom or advice you’d like to share with writers and/or illustrators who are trying to decide what course to take?
I think the best advice is to follow your heart and take the route that you feel is best for you.
What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced on your publishing journey, and how have you been able to endure/overcome them?
Rejection is such a big part of publishing, and while it’s something that we all can expect as creators, it still stings. However, I have learned that rejection is redirection and when our work lands in the right hands, all the heartache was all worth it even if it took some time to find the right match.
-Beautifully put. “…Rejection is redirection.”-
Do you have any favorite writing resources, tips, or organizations that have helped you to stay on the path?
My favorite tip is to continue to be open to inspiration. Sometimes a small conversation or a mention of a memory from childhood can spur into an entire story for me. When that happens, I feel like the story writes itself in my head and I’m just capturing it with my words.
Rejection is such a big part of publishing, and while it’s something that we all can expect as creators, it still stings. However, I have learned that rejection is redirection and when our work lands in the right hands, all the heartache was all worth it…
eDUCATIONAL RESOURCES: KIDS AND FAMILY
We touched briefly on your educational background. Could you tell us more about that? How long have you been teaching, and what specifically (age range/subjects) do you teach?
After receiving my bachelor's degree in English and Humanities from the University of Louisville, I received a Master of Art in Teaching degree in Early Elementary Education. In addition to wanting to be an author, I always wanted to be the kind of teacher that I was so blessed to have had growing up. I taught for three years in second grade and 13 years in first grade. After 16 years of teaching, I felt it was the right time for me to dedicate myself to writing and creating educational resources full-time.
Speaking of education… let’s talk about your teaching blog, Happy Days in First Grade. When did you first launch your teaching blog, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
When I started teaching in 2007, I found myself scouring the internet for hours at home looking for teaching resources for my classroom. After years of searching, I decided to create what I needed for my classroom instead and began sharing what I made with other teachers online. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a business that has allowed me to support myself, my family, and my community of elementary educators who love finding new, innovative, and engaging ways to reach and teach their students.
Could you tell us a little bit about the resources you offer there and who they are for?
I create teaching resources mostly for the primary grades (kindergarten, first grade, and second grade). From core subjects to classroom decorations to organizational tools for teachers to STEM to Makerspace teaching materials and more, my resources are created to help students have fun while learning and growing.
I love sharing educational resources with readers and would be thrilled to add your Happy Days in First Grade Teaching Blog to my list of resources on Teacher Corner on my website. *If you have any extra resources you’d specifically like to share, please send me an email with any/all, and I’d be happy to add them too. If you’d like to see examples, check out the “teacher corner” tab and see what other authors have there.*
Thank you so much! ** Grab your free WHERE THE WILDFLOWERS GROW activity packet & educators guide on TEACHER'S CORNER of this blog by CLICKING HERE.**
What kind of feedback have you received from your audience?
I have been so lucky to receive many wonderful and glowing reviews from my audience. In the 10 years since opening my store, I have received 8,200+ reviews with a 4.9/5 rating.
What do you hope your readers will gain from visiting your blog?
Besides classroom activities, there are lots of book lists with recommendations for various holidays and seasonal themes, information on my picture books and upcoming projects, Author Visits, my TpT Shop, travel ideas, and insights into my Author Life.
BOOKS AND REPRESENTATION
We’ve arrived at the book portion of the interview. Hooray! Tell us about your books.
My debut picture, WHERE WILDFLOWERS GROW, was inspired by my memories of living and leaving a refugee camp in the Philippines in 1989 for America after my family and I had moved from Vietnam. While it is an immigration story, it is also a story of friendship, joy, and finding hope in new beginnings no matter where we are. WHERE WILDFLOWERS GROW was published in 2023 by Waterbrook & Multnomah, an imprint of Penguin Random House and edited by Bunmi Ishola.
My second book, THE JADE BRACELET, is based on a jade bracelet that my late mom gifted me when I was seven years old. Similar to my feelings toward the bracelet at the time, the main character loves her mom but would rather blend in at school and wear the same colorful and sparkling bracelet that her friends wear at school instead. When Picture Day with the bracelet turned into a big ordeal, the main character has to decide if she wants to keep the bracelet or buy a new one. It is a book on understanding and appreciating one’s own family traditions while still holding onto one’s identity. The book is slated to be released April 2025 by Random House Studio and was edited by the Maria Modugno.
My third book, THE MOON LANTERN, follows Huy, a Vietnamese-American boy who wants to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with his own lantern. As other children make traditional star lanterns for the holiday, Huy makes one to honor the moon instead. This story introduces readers to this wonderful festival that is celebrated by numerous Asian countries while also sharing the mythical tale of a poor Vietnamese woodcutter and his magical banyan tree that is at the heart of the festival.
Writing is such a personal thing. And it can be vulnerable, too. Which is, I think, a big part of what makes books so beautiful and important. At its core… writing is an expression of oneself. Can you tell us… what does each story mean to you personally? And what do you hope it will offer readers?
Each story means so much to me and was written with so much reflection and inspiration from my childhood memories. WHERE WILDFLOWERS GROW reminds me of finding hope in new beginnings, THE JADE BRACELET reminds me to hold onto family traditions as treasured gifts, and THE MOON LANTERN reminds me of finding beauty in traditions while also making them uniquely our own.
In recent times, we’ve seen a huge effort in today’s society to help boost previously underrepresented voices and stories and give them the space they deserve. In your interview application, you talked about Vietnamese American culture and how your stories offer representation that allows young readers to connect to characters who are experiencing similar emotions and events while also learning more about experiences that they may not be familiar with. Can you talk in more detail about this?
While there is more Vietnamese American representation in Children’s literature in the last 5 years, there are still so many more Vietnamese American stories to tell, characters to write, and perspectives to share. I hope that with the addition of my books and those of other Vietnamese American authors, libraries across the country will be filled with more representation for our community and children everywhere.
-I love this thought!-
In your words… why is representation in literature so important?
Representation in literature helps all of our readers feel seen, heard, valued, and connected to the world around them.
If you could leave your readers with any last thoughts, what would they be?
Follow your heart and make all your own dreams come true!
Thank you so much for joining us today. And now… It’s time for a GIVEAWAY
“Representation in literature [is important because it] helps all of our readers feel seen, heard, valued, and connected to the world around them.”
GIVEAWAY PRIZES
For the month of August, Ha Dinh is offering the following giveaway prize to ONE winner.
-Picture Book MS Critique
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!
Want to get EXTRA entries? Share a link to this feature interview on social media (Pinterest, X, Instagram) and tag me X @chellysbooks or Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks, letting me know, so I can add YOUR extra entry!
DEADLINE TO ENTER: August 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?
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.
Author, mom, and founder of the Happy Days in First Grade Teaching Blog. Elementary school educator with 16+ years teaching experience. Debut picture book, WHERE WILDFLOWERS GROW was published in June of 2023 by Waterbrook and Multnomah, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Second book, THE JADE BRACELET will be released in the Spring of 2025 by Random House Studio.Connect IG & Twitter: @hellomrsdinhFacebook:@happydaysinfirstgradeWebsite/blog http://www.happydaysinfirstgrade.com
Today, I’m talking with children’s book author, illustrator, and educator Katie Gigliotti. We’ll be discussing the route of indie publishing as an author/illustrator, neurodiversity, overcoming challenges, and celebrating successes!
But before we jump into our interview, if this is your first time visiting the blog, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.
THE SCOOP: WHAT ARE FEATURE INTERVIEWS & WHO ARE THEY FOR?
Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.
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 an agent is a good match for you
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!
Interested in entering the GIVEAWAY? Scroll to the bottom and drop a comment! And if you haven’t already, like this post and subscribeto the blog and/or newsletter!
Not that we’ve shared a little about what’s in store… it’s time to jump into our interview!
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
WELCOME, KATIE GIGLIOTTI!
It’s so great having you with us today, Katie! I’d love to start our interview today by asking what led you here to the wondrous world of kidlit publishing? Have you always been inclined to writing and illustrating or did that come later in life?
First of all, let me take a moment to say thank you, Chelsea, for this opportunity! I feel honored to be chosen for this interview. Oddly enough, despite my grandfather’s constant encouragement as both a child and young adult and my notebooks full of stories, I never thought about actually writing and illustrating as a profession. It seemed out of reach, like something someone way more talented and creative than me would do. I actually always thought I’d write a novel before I would ever consider the world of kidlit. However, during the great slowdown of 2020, I discovered a free class on Facebook, and once I started, I was hooked!
What made you realize you wanted to go the self-publishing route, and when did that journey start?
I knew little to nothing about publishing when I first started this process in 2020. After listening to some other authors, both traditionally and self-published, I honestly thought I’d go the traditional route first. It seemed like a safer path, and I’m not one for taking risks. But after a year of developing manuscripts and illustrating a story for someone else (more on that later), I realized I could do it on my own. Once I realized I would have total control over what I was doing and I didn’t have to wait for someone to like it or buy into it, I took a gamble and introduced my first book into the world in 2022.
You mentioned in your application that you’re neurodiverse—me too! That’s part of why you ended up taking the route to publishing, which you’re currently doing, branching out with independent publishing rather than traditional publishing. If publishing has taught me anything, it’s the value of patience. As an ADHD girl myself, I know it can REALLY be a struggle to have at times. Can you share some of your personal experiences and struggles related to the long timeline of publishing and how A.D.D. affects your everyday working life?
Although I’ve never struggled to start something, I’ve ALWAYS struggled with the follow-through. When I first started writing and illustrating, my husband was wary of believing I’d stick with it. Over the years, I have been a painter of signs, baker of fancy cakes, maker of sewn stuffies, felter of cute critters, and sculptor of tiny characters; I even tried photography for a bit. I honestly didn’t even know if I’d stick with it. I got easily bored once something kept repeating itself over and over. (I’d be a terrible factory worker!) However, I find that each book is different and provides just enough intrigue to keep me going.
Before I was medicated, I was a constant scatterbrain. If I didn’t write it down or keep repeating it in my head over and over, I’d forget. I would be incredibly distracted by technology of any kind. I also suffer from time blindness. I would *think* that an illustration would only take an hour when in reality, it was taking 2-5 hours to complete.
What helped me the most, besides getting the medication I needed, was learning to be very intentional about my time. Since I have a full-time job and two kids, I knew I’d have to use pockets of time to my advantage. I’ve had to actually time myself to see just how long it takes to get a certain task done so I don’t over or under-plan. It’s been years of lists, timers, notes, reminders, and setting goals. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it!
-Wow, Katie. Yes, I totally relate to all of the above. And I love your tips on learning how to be very intentional with your time.-
On my blog, I try my best to include as diverse a group as I can, and that includes routes to publication. Many readers are striving for traditional kidlit publishing, which involves querying agents and going on sub with traditional publishing houses, but there are tons of people out there who manage to make it- and thrive- with independent publishing. And then, of course, there are hybrid authors *like me* who want to do both- traditional and indie. So, it’s wonderful being able to talk with you today because you have insider experience in the self-publishing world. And- you have that experience not only as a writer but also as an illustrator.
You said it best in your application when you said, “Self-publishing is a whole different ball game and is NOT for the faint of heart.” Having independently published my first picture book, ADHD and Me, I can wholeheartedly say I understand and agree with that statement. So, let’s talk more about that…
Tips from neurodiverse creators: “What helped me the most, besides getting the medication I needed, was learning to be very intentional about my time.“
TACKLING THE BEAST OF SELF-PUBLISHING AS AN AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR
Can you share with us some of what the behind-the-scenes of self-publishing looks like as an author/illustrator? And how does this route differ from traditional publishing?
To self-publish a book, you have to be extremely motivated. You are the author, illustrator, editor, formatter, marketer, buyer, and seller - among other things. Not to mention the business end, with taxes and bookkeeping. It’s also, at the beginning, a very lonely thing to do. Traditional publishers help with all of these things. They have people who will edit, typeset, format, and market. There are people working with you all the way from rough dummy to final draft. Plus, not only are they able to get your book into bookstores and libraries, but they also pay YOU in advance for the work. However, they also take the majority of your earnings, and because they are heavily investing in your work, they have creative control over the project.
Since I knew I wanted creative control as well as the ability to earn as much as I could, I decided to try self-publishing. Getting into this I knew I had a small budget, so I had to learn how to do everything by myself. I watched a million YouTube videos, read so many books, and became members of many groups to figure everything out on my own. It took about a year of research to finally feel comfortable with the idea.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve made A LOT of mistakes along the way. Ones that probably could have been avoided if I had a publishing company and all of their resources backing my book. As a trade-off, I’ve saved a ton of time. The year it took me to research and learn would probably have been spent creating manuscripts and dummies to query. Not to mention the year - or longer- it would have taken to get an agent and, from there, months to years to get a book deal. That doesn't even include the time it would take to finish the book!
I’ll be honest, there were times I wondered, and still wonder, if I made the right decision! However, now that I put in the work of learning how to do all the things, I’m pretty proud of myself. I know I’ve come a long way and since I’m no expert at everything, I can continue to grow as I lean into the very scary and daunting world of marketing!
For people who may be considering this route, what were the first steps you looked into? And where would you recommend other creators start?
DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST!
1. Learn how to write and/or illustrate a good story. Anyone can write a book, but you have to learn HOW to write a good book first. Take a class, watch YouTube videos, or talk to someone who has been there before to find out all the important information.
2. Learn how to market. Unless you’re trying to publish for yourself, publishing is a business, and you’ll quickly find out you’re a little fish in a big, big sea. I made a journal and published it to Amazon before I ever tried a book just to see if it would sell. I told no one of its existence, and after a year, I had sold 0 copies! It was a great experiment that made me realize the importance of marketing so it’s a good idea to learn a bit about marketing before you begin!
3. Make sure your book looks polished. There are certain unspoken rules in the picture book world, including word count, page number, ISBNs, LCCN’s, etc. that you’ll need to learn about to make your book look professional.
4. People DO judge a book by its cover. Make sure yours looks good!
5. Build up a presence online Whether it’s a website, social media account, YouTube, or something else, make sure someone can find you online. You would need this if you are self or traditionally publishing. It’s hard to sell things if people can’t find you or don’t know what you’re selling.
6. Make connections! The easiest way to find your market, critique groups, bookstores, libraries, etc., is to start making connections now. Also, don’t be afraid to tell people about your book. Most people want to publish a book but only a few are brave enough to go through with it. Be proud of yourself!
7. You’re going to hear a lot of different advice from different people. Some will tell you one thing works, while others will tell you the complete opposite. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula to make it work. You have to find out what’s right for you.
-I love all these tips and suggestions, Katie. Yes!!-
Publishing tips from an indie author: “Build up a presence online Whether it’s a website, social media account, YouTube, or something else, make sure someone can find you online… It’s hard to sell things if people can’t find you or don’t know what you’re selling.”
Publishing tips from an indie author: “Make connections! The easiest way to find your market, critique groups, bookstores, libraries, etc., is to start making connections now. Also, don’t be afraid to tell people about your book.“
How did you handle the editorial portion of your writing? Did you hire a professional editor? Did you use beta readers or critique partners?
I’m lucky enough to have a sister-in-law - thanks, Naomi!- who can edit for me, so I can’t really speak to hiring anyone professionally. However, before I send it off for editing, I heavily rely on critique partners to weigh in on the formatting, word choice, and story flow, as well as illustration critique groups to help with that part. I also have the advantage of being a teacher so I can always use the story as part of a lesson and see how the students react. Sometimes, that’s the best way to tell if a story flows well or can keep a kid's attention!
Can you walk us through the illustrative side of things? How did you learn how to create picture book dummies, and what were those early stages like? How did you revise your artwork?
Believe it or not, despite being an illustrator, when I first started out I didn’t think I could illustrate my own work! It took another friend of mine asking me to illustrate her own story to make me believe in myself.
I had somewhat of an advantage as an art teacher because I had already had college classes that focused on the basics. However, illustrating a picture book is vastly different from creating a standalone art piece. My biggest hurdles were character creation, keeping the characters consistent throughout the book, and color palette. There is also the idea of pacing the story, page count, and page turns, which were things I needed to and still do- work on.
I learned most of my dummy making through Storyteller Academy. The classes they offered helped me to work on my pacing, page turns, and think through the story. I am truly sad that they are disbanding! Thankfully, through SCBWI, I found a great group of illustrators in my region who have helped me by critiquing my work and finding parts that need tweaking.
Early on, I worked in traditional mediums since I had little experience with working digitally. I had to teach myself how to scan images in, how to save them properly, and how to format a book digitally. While I was growing as an illustrator, I was also learning how to create artwork digitally, which is the medium I prefer now.
-So fascinating hearing the details behind-the-scenes! Thank you for sharing.-
WORKING AS AN EDUCATOR
I know you have a degree in education and have been teaching art for quite a number of years now. How long have you been an art teacher?
I just finished up my 18th year as an elementary art teacher in May. Only 12 more years to go!
Can you tell us about how your educational background as a teacher contributes to or intersects with your publishing?
Being a teacher, especially an elementary teacher, keeps me immersed in the kidlit world. I have a front-row seat to the likes and interests of kids, as well as the needs of teachers and schools. This is incredibly helpful in deciding on the stories I want to work on. Although my first three books were very personal to me, the next stories I’m working on focus more on solving a need for kids, parents, and teachers, which helps make marketing much easier!
Do you ever have students ask you about your books and how they can create books of their own?
Yes! I don’t do a lot of promoting of my books at my own school -it’s slightly frowned upon by admin- but some of my colleagues, including our school librarian, are great at getting the word out there and even reading my books in class. (Thanks, guys!)
The reactions I get are sometimes shock, “Oh my goodness, you WROTE a BOOK?!”, awe, “If I buy your book, will you sign it for me?” and the occasional eye roll, depending on the student or age.
As for making books of their own, I don’t get a lot of requests since they are pretty young. However, this year, one student approached me, and I am currently working on helping him digitize his graphic novel so he and his family can look into self-publishing it.
-That's SO cool!-
Would you say that being a teacher has benefited your publishing journey by connecting you with your community- local bookstores, libraries, schools, and more?
Yes and no. On one side, I have gotten quite a few school visits from my connections, and also support from local libraries, which have been wonderful! My colleagues and some parents are also super supportive of my journey. I haven’t been very successful getting into local bookstores since we don’t have many in our small area.
However, since I tend to keep to myself a lot, I don’t think I reap the full advantage that my position offers me. It’s something I’m working on.
- Thanks for sharing such an honest perspective with us! From one introvert to another, I'm rooting for you!-
Speaking of bookstores, libraries, and schools… have you been able to host any local storytime/book events? If so, we’d love to hear about them!
I have done several school visits and vendor fairs, which are so much fun! The best part was being able to return to my hometown, in Pennsylvania, to participate in a local book event where I was able to meet some awesome authors and illustrators. I truly look forward to growing in my author career and setting up more of these events in the future!
I haven’t had any book signing events, but that’s mainly because I’m too afraid to ask! I’m not great at self-advocating, and I honestly don’t know where to start. However, as my list of available titles grows, I look forward to setting these up!
-It can be daunting to self-advocate and promote your work for sure. But it sounds like you have a very supportive local community members- schools and libraries - maybe they'll have some suggestions/connections to share when the time is right. :) -
VICTORIES AND STRUGGLES
On the blog, we love celebrating victories and sharing stories, resources, and encouragement. And sometimes… encouragement can come from sharing the hard stuff, too. Can you tell us a little bit about some of the challenges you’ve had to face during your publishing journey and how you’ve been able to overcome them?
*chuckling as I type this*
My biggest challenge is myself. I am not great at self-promotion, which is a skill that you need as a self-published author/illustrator. Like most introverted people, I’d much prefer to sit back and create and not worry about the marketing side of things. I’m also pretty terrible at scheduling things, so I tend to limit myself in that way. Oh, and of course that dreaded imposter syndrome. Since I don’t have a traditionally published book, I feel like people look at me as if I’m not good enough to get a traditional deal, even when it’s my choice to take this route.
As far as overcoming them, I will say that as time goes on, I push myself to try new things and put myself out there more (like this interview!). By making connections outside of my own circle, celebrating the small gains, and creating professional books, I am slowly growing my audience and squashing my self-limiting beliefs. I realize I don’t know it all and continue to learn new things as I walk this journey!
- *Me, cracking up.* Hey, identifying the problem is half the solution. So really, depending on your perspective, it's already a glass half full.-
Now let’s celebrate some wins- what have been some of your favorite kidlit moments? You can list as many as you’d like! And if you have pictures you’d like to share, that would be great, too!
My top 4 favorite kidlit moments:
1.Releasing my first book, Wander World
This was HUGE for me. I did everything – minus the editing and some critiquing – on my own.
-This is huge! I’m cheering.-
2.Participating in a book festival in my hometown.
It was so much fun to return home, make friends with the other local authors in attendance, and even meet some famous authors and illustrators!
-I bet!-
3.Getting my books into an actual store.
After my first book was released, I walked into a local store to ask if they would carry my book – and they said yes! This has carried on with my second and hopefully my newest book! You never know if you don’t ask.
4.Meeting all the wonderful authors and illustrators out there.
The kidlit community is one of the most fantastic groups of people I’ve ever met; it almost seems surreal at times. They are always ready to cheer you on, lend a helping hand, or provide comfort if you are feeling down. The best was one of our promotion videos where we all posed in a box.
-I love all of these, Katie. And the pictures are fantastic!-
TIPS AND RESOURCES
If you could give an aspiring kidlit illustrator or author a piece of advice (or pieces of advice), what would it (or they) be?
Just do it. If it’s something you’ve always dreamed of and you are passionate about it, get out there and create, write, draw, learn, and make it happen! There is no better feeling than accomplishing something you set out to do.
No matter what path you take, this is a long process! Learning how to write and illustrate a good book takes time. Doing it takes time. Formatting and getting it out there takes time. Don’t get discouraged when things aren’t done on time or something goes wrong. However, make sure you set some reasonable goals for yourself. If you don’t have a clear vision of where you’re going, you most likely won’t get there.
Also, echoing my statements above, make sure you are putting out professional-looking, well-crafted stories and that you have done some research and learned a bit about marketing before you start!
I know you mentioned that you are a member of SCBWI, Storyteller Academy, and numerous critique groups. Could you share with our readers a few of the benefits of each of these and how they can help you grow in your journey?
The kidlit community is AMAZING! I cannot even begin to explain how helpful, kind, and supportive they are.
SCBWI (The Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) is the gift that keeps giving. From classes to critiques, forming groups and relationships, conferences, and growing your community, they have it all! I haven’t even taken advantage of all its many resources, and I can’t begin to explain how much they have helped me. It is where I met my critique groups, which are equally amazing. They have provided support, advice, and even opportunities to write and illustrate for local publications.
Storyteller Academy has been paramount in my journey so far. The classes they provide help with everything from character design, dummy creation, rhyming, story structure, and even the business end of things. Although I believe their approach to be highly focused on traditional publishing, I know before they decided to disband, that they were moving towards and adding more classes in self-publishing. I am so sad to see this incredible resource go.
I know there are many other resources out there that I’m not currently a part of, which can be equally beneficial.
Are there any other groups/organizations or otherwise that have greatly benefited you on your writing and illustrating journey that you’d like to share?
Although there is no formal “group” or “membership,” the self-publishing community has been paramount in my ability to grow in this! Once you make a few connections, they are incredibly supportive of other author-illustrators by giving advice, sharing wins and losses, and spreading the word about your books!
Advice for aspiring kidlit authors and/or illustrators: “Just do it. If it’s something you’ve always dreamed of and you are passionate about it, get out there and create, write, draw, learn, and make it happen! There is no better feeling than accomplishing something you set out to do.”
THE BOOKS!
We’ve finally made it to the book portion of the interview. We want to hear all about your stories! I know you’ve done author/illustrator books of your own, and you’ve also done illustrations for local authors (so cool!). Let’s start with the projects that you’ve done solely yourself- as an author/illustrator.
Can you tell us a little about your stories and where the inspiration for them came from?
The first three books I’ve published as the author/illustrator have been very personal to me.
Wander World, my first book, is not only an imaginative adventure across the seven continents but also a tribute to my grandfather. Illustrated in traditional watercolor, it tells the story of an actual game we used to play. Since his encouragement propelled me into this journey, I could think of no better way of honoring him than by dedicating my first book to him.
- What a beautiful tribute.-
Below are two of my favorite illustrations from the story. In the first one, my grandpa and I are visiting Australia and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, which is something I’ve always wanted to do.
The second one is us in Venice, beside the Rialto bridge. I was supposed to travel to Italy in college, but the events of 9-11 threw a wrench in that plan, and I’ve yet to see it in person! This is one of my favorites because I’ve added some Easter eggs. The adult couple walking are my husband and I and on the opposite page –not pictured– is my son, fishing.
You are: finding God in the little things is a quiet story which takes the reader from day to night and throughout the seasons and encourages the reader to look for the little things in life and appreciate all the beauty that God has created for us. Since I like to keep to myself, and I don’t feel that pushing my faith on others is fun for anyone, I created this as my own personal ministry. It’s my way of reaching out to kids and adults who may question their faith and inspire those who have faith not to lose it.
The illustration below is certainly one of my favorites. It’s one of the summertime illustrations, which is my favorite season, and it really speaks to my love of both rainbows - or colors in general - and art! The illustrations for this book - done with painted paper cutouts and edited digitally - took me forever! Each of those stripes on her dress, the rainbow pieces, the sun rays, and bits of chalk are individually cut and glued on!
All My Love, my newest book - which only came out two days ago!- is a tribute to a mother’s love for her child.
-Whoa! Congratulations on your new book! That must be so exciting. :) –
Since my daughter just recently had a milestone birthday and graduated from high school, I wanted her to know I’d always be there for her. I wasn’t even planning on putting this out into the world, but once it was finished, I loved it so much I felt it could be appreciated by others as well. The fun part was being able to incorporate a ton of easter eggs specifically tailored to my daughter's favorite toys throughout the years.
This illustration from the story is one of my favorites because of the irony. It’s also a nod to her starting off on her own as an adult as if the meteor is the end of a season in our lives. I think any parent can relate to the way young children - or, in this case, dinosaurs - can cling to you and notice all the beautiful things in the world.
I'm currently working on a series about color, focusing on one color at a time, that will help pre-k, kindergarten, and art teachers introduce their students to colors in a fun way! I have been tinkering with these since 2020, when I was trying to teach color and noticed that a series of books like this didn’t exist.
With the dawn of AI and the threat of illustrators and writers losing their relevance, I created this for social media to remind others that human intelligence far surpasses artificial intelligence. It showcases all the different colors, each of which will have their own book.
Traditional publishing is a very long route. However, independent publishing can often move at a quicker pace. Of course, the timeline will vary from person to person. How long did it take you to get from story concept to publication?
For my first book, it took quite a long time, around a year and a half from start to finish. Mainly because I was not only writing and illustrating it, but simultaneously working a full-time job, learning how to add digital edits, format, edit, and upload to the different platforms.
Now, depending on the type of illustrations I do and how quickly I can perfect the story, it can take anywhere from 1 year to 6 months. What publishing platform(s) did you use to list your book (KDP, Lulu, IngramSpark, etc.)? And what formats do you offer—audiobook, hardcover, softcover, etc.?
I have my books available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook format. The paperback and eBook versions are available through KDP or Kindle Direct Publishing. I am enrolled in Kindle Select, so if you have a subscription, check them out! For the hardcover option, I have been using IngramSpark, which is helpful since they are a wholesale company and are able to get those books into different retail options like Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, Books-A-Million, and others!
I will say that the quality of print-on-demand books isn’t always the greatest. My next step is to run a Kickstarter campaign, which would allow me to purchase better-quality hardcover books in bulk.
Do you have any formatting tips for folks who are looking to publish independently?
I sure do!
First, if you know nothing about formatting and can afford it, find someone to do the typesetting and formatting for you. It’s much easier than learning by yourself.
I would also recommend finding someone to design your cover for you. Unfortunately, most people still judge a book by its cover, so having an eye-catching, well laid out cover is super important!
However, if you’re determined to do it on your own, make sure you find a great tutorial for your program of choice. The first book I did I used Canva, because it was free. Pro tip: Canva pro is free for educators! However, I wouldn’t recommend it. It turned out slightly blurry. Canva is great, however, for making any type of marketing material, including social media posts, videos, flyers, school visit order forms, etc.
For all the rest of my books, I’ve used Adobe Indesign, which is much more precise and has its own set of learning curves. Adobe is a paid program, so I would suggest asking someone who already owns the program to try it out before you sign up.
Please make sure, if you are illustrating your own, or if you are having someone else illustrate, you know the size of your book before you begin. Some platforms don’t support certain sizes, so be certain to check before you decide!
Also, you need to understand bleed and dimensions, which can be explained on each platform's website. Oh, and don’t forget to leave, or have your illustrator leave, space for the text on each page!
You also need to know your page count. 32 pages is standard for children’s picture books, but you can go up to 40 if need be. It always has to be in multiples of 4. Keep in mind that your first few pages should be set aside for copyright and title pages, but the best way to figure this out is going to your local library and checking out some picture books. Take note of where the important information goes, the size and type of font, and how many pages there are.
I could go on and on about this for hours. Honestly, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me!
-This is all great info, Katie! I hope it inspires/helps some of our readers today to get out there and start pursuing their dreams!-
What kind of promotional activities did you do to spread the word about your book launch? And do you have any recommendations for newbies?
As an indie author, launching strong can make or break your book. I’ve learned this the hard way! If you are publishing on Amazon, the goal is to get some attention and hopefully reviews in the first few days of publication. If you can get that, KDP will automatically show your book to people. If not, it sort of gets lost in the other millions of books out there in the world. If you are running a Kickstarter, the idea is to get pledges so you can meet your goal. If you plan on selling on your own website, building your email list is very important!
I’m still working out the kinks with book launches. Launching a book is a process, and I haven’t been very good at getting the word out early enough. So far, I’ve tried several different tactics to see how they would work, and all I can suggest is to start early!
-Yes to all of the above. Starting early, getting pledges, lining up reviewers for your launch- all of that is SO important, ESPECIALLY for indie authors.-
I’ve done a Facebook live event, which seemed to garner some attention. I also hosted a giveaway for free physical copies for people who signed up for my email list. Of course, I utilized social media to get the word out by posting at least a month or more before the actual launch. I’ve also offered free lesson plans and coloring/activity pages for people who promised to promote the launch. For my newest release, I ran a free eBook promo to garner some reviews and asked for friends and family to join my launch team in exchange for a chance to win a copy of the book.
In short, giveaways, games, parties, live events, inviting people to be a part of the story in some way, and lots and lots of promotion, months ahead of time lead to a successful launch! -Yes! Make it as fun as possible for your audience. Giveaways and games are always a hit!-
Let’s talk a little about your illustrative work locally. How did you end up doing illustrations for local authors? Were they friends of yours prior? Did you advertise commissioned artwork somewhere? Explain.
Story time:
All I can say is this was meant to be. As I was learning about the writing and publishing process, I didn’t feel confident enough to create my own illustrations. I was so upset that I would never get my story out into the world when a former colleague, now an elementary principal, contacted me one day out of the blue and asked if I’d be willing to illustrate a book for her. After much soul searching, I decided I’d give it a try, but I warned her that I’d never had any experience illustrating and I wasn’t sure how it would turn out.
She took a gamble on me, and in turn, we created our first book, The Giraffe Who Loved School. Her belief in me then inspired me to create my own work! Because she was so wonderful to work with - she basically let me have creative control over the whole project- I’ve also illustrated a second book for her, Be Nice To Your Teacher. From that, I’ve had several people ask me to illustrate some books which I am working on currently.
So, to answer your question, most of my work has been from word of mouth, friends, and family.
-Wow! I really love this.-
What has that journey been like and how does it differ from doing author/illustrator?
In some aspects, it cuts down on the time it takes me to work since the story is already planned out. My only focus is on creating characters, deciding on a color palette, and making it come to life. Not that it’s easier -illustrating takes time!- but I don’t have to work through the writing.
If you’re working with the right person, it’s a pleasant experience. You can communicate with them and they aren’t hovering over you, constantly unsatisfied with your illustrations and trying to get you to make changes. So far, I haven’t had any unpleasant experiences but I’ve heard some horror stories from other illustrators. This makes me wary to do any books with individuals who are very picky.
The one downside is not having full creative control over the entire book. Even if you, as the illustrator, want to make changes to the text layout or reword something, it’s technically NOT your book to change! I guess what I’m saying is that you can’t overstep your boundaries.
Do you have any recommendations for artists who may be looking to start doing commissioned illustrations?
Beware who you work with, and make sure you have a contract! Although my experience was wonderful, I’ve heard so many horror stories of both authors and illustrators getting cheated in some way, shape, or form. Know your worth. If you are just starting out, you might not be charging as much since you are still learning and growing. However, don’t undersell your work. If you look at how long it takes you to create a 32-page book, make sure you are getting a fair wage for all the work you are putting into it. Check with other illustrators to see their rates.
Make sure you have a portfolio of work that someone can access. On a website or social media, it’s important that people know what they are getting when they start working with you.
Know what you enjoy illustrating! Don’t promise to do a style or medium you can’t do; everyone will just end up frustrated. Also, don’t work on a story that doesn't resonate with you. Make sure you feel comfortable with the author's story and vision.
-Really great advice.-
Any final words of wisdom you’d like to leave our readers with today?
One last thing. I know how hard I can be on myself as an artist or writer, constantly trying to live up to this invisible perfection. Imposter syndrome is REAL, people!
What I’ve had to realize is that the majority of people aren’t judging your work as hard as you are. Not saying you won’t have any critics, but most people are simply impressed that you are able to do the thing!
If you have any questions about self-publishing or just want another author/illustrator to chat with, feel free to reach out at any of the places listed below!
Thank you so much for joining us today, Katie.
Thank you for having me, Chelsea! Again, I really appreciate this opportunity!
And now… It’s time for a GIVEAWAY!
This month, Katie is offering the following giveaway prize(s) to THREE people. *ONE PRIZE PER PERSON*
Signed paperback copy of Wander World, sticker, and magnet
Signed paperback copy of You Are, sticker, and magnet
Signed paperback copy of All My Love (as long as the giveaway is at the end of the month!)
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!
Want to get EXTRA entries? Share this blog post on social media (Pinterest, X, Instagram) and tag me X @chellysbooks or Instagram @chelseasworldofbooks so I can keep track!
DEADLINE TO ENTER: July 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?
You can thank the author & host by purchasing a copy of one of their books or by requesting it be purchased by your local library!
Using the sponsored links below supports this blog.
PICTURE BOOKS ARE MY JAM: A child at heart, I wish my stories and pictures inspire young minds to:dream, hope, wish, love, and wonder. Because picture books are for everyone.
I truly hope that in their lifetime, everyone experiences: the beauty of this world, the kindness of strangers, the thrill of following their dreams, and God’s all powerful and unfailing love.
You can find me gazing at a beautiful sunrise, enjoying the quiet of snow falling, soaking in sweet summer sun rays, at an amusement park, eating ice cream and junk food in general, taking pictures of weird stuff, laughing until my face hurts, or lost in my imagination.
I live in a small Virginia town spending most of my time with my husband and two teenage children, who are too embarrassed to be mentioned here.
Looking for a specific topic? Browse the list below to find a link to information on one of these topics:
Today, I’m talking with children’s book author, literary blogger, and educator Andrew Hacket.
But before we jump into our interview, if this is your first time visiting the blog, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.
THE SCOOP: WHAT ARE FEATURE INTERVIEWS & WHO ARE THEY FOR?
Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.
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!
BEGINNINGS, INSPIRATION, AND EDUCATION
How did you end up in the amazing world of kidlit publishing? My path to kidlit stemmed from a childhood creativity that lingered into adulthood. I had always liked the idea of writing, and dabbled here and there, but never had the time or energy to fully explore how to make this dream a reality.
Fast Forward to 2020 and the world was closing down. My 3 young children were going to be home learning from a computer screen, and someone had to be with them. As a result, I left my job as a teacher for the year and stayed home to support my children and their learning. What I quickly discovered was that while I was fulfilling an incredibly important role and need in my children’s lives, I was extremely, mentally, unstimulated. I was used to the fast-paced, mind constantly whirring life of a teacher, and this sudden stillness and calm in my brain was unsettling and not for me. So, with this new mental capacity, I dove headfirst into the publishing waters, listening to every webinar and podcast I could find, embracing the Twitter kidlit community, joining in with contests, and building my network of writing friends.
Outside of your work as a writer, I know you’re also a literary blogger and elementary school educator of 18+ years. Which is incredible! Can you share more about that, and how those things connect to your writing career?
Working with children is all I have ever done. I began in afterschool programs and summer camps, before doing daycare and moving into my career as a teacher. Having spent so much time with kids (and conveniently my target audience) over the years has helped me maintain a childlike outlook on the world and be in tune with how kids think and what they like. Teaching has also given me a depth of knowledge when it comes to picture books. Reading picture books is embedded in my job and has helped me learn about structure and pacing.My blog is a constant source of inspiration as well. Hearing others’ stories of publication and creativity feed my own creative spirit and motivate me to continue writing. And in addition to all of that wonderfulness, interviewing authors keeps me connected to my community and can often open my eyes to new publishers or editors I had not previously known about. Let’s talk a little bit about writing inspiration. I want to touch on a few lines from your bio because I loved them (and related to them) so much!
Andrew recognizes that being a kid is hard and he writes to create ways for children to see themselves in stories and characters, to accept and overcome their insecurities, or to escape for just a little while through the power of their imaginations.
-I just love this!
So, it’s obvious you care a lot about children and their world, emotionally and mentally. Which, being a teacher and children’s book writer, only makes sense. Can you share a little more about where this connection to kids really started? What motivated you to want to dedicate your life toward bettering the lives of young readers, and students?
I like to tell students that I am a kid at heart. I have a healthy dose of Peter Pan syndrome and always have. Some kids are excited to grow up and do all of the things they think make being an adult awesome. I never was and I think that is a large reason I work with kids. Their energy keeps me young and connected to my inner child. I have worked with children since I was 16. I began at an afterschool program which then led into summer camps and daycares. What I discovered early on was that not only did I enjoy being with kids, but I was really adept at connecting with their emotions and understanding their wants, needs, and motivations behind their actions. This set me on the path to being a teacher and I have not regretted that choice ever.
“I have a healthy dose of Peter Pan syndrome and always have. Some kids are excited to grow up and do all of the things they think make being an adult awesome. I never was and I think that is a large reason I work with kids.”
As an educator, I imagine you want to engage your readers on an emotional level and impart some educational messages as well. Can you tell us a little bit about what lessons you hope little readers (and bigger readers) can gain from your books?
My three books vary widely in topic, tone, and structure, but each one has a strong SEL connection that I think comes from my years as an educator and also my own struggles growing up. Every child wants to feel a sense of belonging, and I think at some point, every person struggles with this despite how an outside perspective might perceive it. I hope my books help young readers feel seen and can push them on the path of accepting themselves and others for who they are at that moment.
Speaking of books… I know you write across genres in kidlit: picture books, early readers, poems, and middle grade. I love talking with people who have a range of writing experience because each genre carries its own set of rules. I’m curious to know, for our readers and myself, how you balance these rules and keep your genres separated while writing? And have there been times when you’ve started, say, a picture book, that eventually “told you” it wasn’t meant to be a picture book and instead turned into something else- like an early reader or a middle-grade novel?
This is such a wonderful question. Overall, I don’t often focus too hard on “the rules”. That being said, I do think a fair amount of those rules become ingrained in our minds from when we were younger readers and perhaps the writing was a bit more formulaic.
For the majority of my writing, I approach it with the intent of creating picture books. I do try to be mindful of a smaller word count and most of all make sure I am leaving room for the art. Being on the other side of publication now, I can attest to the incredible ability illustrators have to bring our words to life while enhancing our stories in ways we could have never imagined. Leaving room for the illustrator is not only polite to the illustrator but a future gift to yourself when you get to open the pages of the book and see their creativity.
I have never made a choice to switch a genre of a WIP while working on it, but I have had the suggestion made to me by critique partners, my agent, and editors. I have a few manuscripts written with an older voice and the suggestion of MG has been tossed my way, but at this moment, I am just not ready to tackle that many words.
Another time a suggestion was made was for Curlilocks and the Three Hares. This was subbed as a picture book manuscript and the marvelous, Michele McAvoy at The Little Press had a vision for it as an early reader in their Modern Fairy-Tale Series. After chatting with Michele and hearing more about the series I decided to give it a go and luckily, it did the trick and Curlilocks and the Three Hares with illustrations by Svetla Radivoeva is now out in the world for kids and families to enjoy!
THE WORLD OF PUBLISHING PRE-PUBLISHED – AGENTS, QUERYING, SUBMISSIONS, RESOURCES
Tell us about your pre-publication journey! Starting back at query trenches/early submissions. When did you begin your professional journey?
I began approaching my writing seriously in 2020. COVID had just hit, and I found myself on leave from work, parenting three young kids who were doing remote schooling. While this was a crazy time and incredibly busy in its own right, I discovered that not being in the classroom gave me the mental capacity I had been lacking to research the writing industry and start to put the legwork into learning the craft and business of publishing.
I began with Twitter kidlit contests which is where I met so many wonderful critique partners and learned so much about myself as a writer and what I wanted to say. It was through these contests that I discovered my voice.
My time in the query trenches was short. I queried one story, which sadly has yet to make it to the published page, to about 15 agents with no bites. Then, my current agent, Dan Cramer, posted a query critique giveaway opportunity that I happened to win. I sent Dan my query and was delighted when along with his feedback, he also offered to read the manuscript. I sent that story off as quickly as I could and was amazed to hear back from Dan with an offer of representation.
While I know my experience was brief and not typical, I always encourage authors to take any and every opportunity for which they have the bandwidth. You can’t count on an experience like this happening, but if you don’t put yourself out there, you are ensuring it doesn’t happen.
-Yes. So true!
“I always encourage authors to take any and every opportunity for which they have the bandwidth… if you don’t put yourself out there, you are ensuring it doesn’t happen.”
Are you currently agented and were you currently agented for your first book deal?
Yes, I am currently agented. Dan Cramer of Page Turner Literary is still my agent, and we have been partnered together for all three of my book sales.
What was your agent experience like for that first book deal? And which book was it?
The first book deal with Dan was wonderful. We sold Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea to Page Street Kids. At that time I was such a newbie, and Dan made me feel at ease asking ALL of the questions. He took time to answer them and walked me through the process in a way that helped me understand this new and foreign side of publishing that I knew absolutely nothing about.
Dan has been my one and only agent. As my agent he researches publishing houses and editors in search of the perfect match for my manuscripts. He handles all negotiations related to our book deals and deals with the communication with the editor at the beginning of the process.
Were there any resources (writing organizations, contests, communities, etc) that were especially helpful in getting you to where you are today, that you’d like to share with aspiring traditional, hybrid, or independent kidlit authors or illustrators reading today?
Fall Writing Frenzy, Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words, and Halloweensie are the contests that introduced me to the kidlit community and it is through them that I found a sense of belonging in this industry.
I did join SCBWI early on as well and while I was not the best at accessing all they had to offer, I was able to connect with 2 of my first critique groups as a result.
Also helpful to me along the way were fast drafting events such as First Draft Friday with Hollie Wolverton and Mindy Alyse Weiss’ PBParty Critique Train. Both of these events help motivate me to get new words on the page which can be hard to do with a fulltime job and family.
-Fantastic resources, Andrew. Thanks for sharing!
THE WORLD OF PUBLISHING-POST PUBLISHED- BOOK DEALS, AUTHOR EVENTS, PROMOTION, CONNECTIONS
From the time you started pursuing publication, about how long was your journey to your first published work- and how did that feel?
It was a four year process from my first draft of my first book until its publication. And while four years is no short time, I completely recognize the years and years that many creators invest before finding the success they are looking for and I feel incredibly fortunate for where I am today.
We're so glad you are where you are today too, Andrew!
For some of our ones just starting to enter this arena, and could use some tips on where to start... could you share some details about your author visits? What activities do you provide- if any other than a basic read-aloud? What kind of visits to you offer- virtual, in person, or both? About how long is your average visit? What venues do you visit- bookstores/schools/libraries? And who schedules the visits- do you contact places directly, do they contact you directly, or is this something handled by your publisher/agent?
With three books releasing this past spring I made a concerted effort starting back in the summer and fall of 2023 to begin lining up author visits.
-Smart planning and foresight!
For the most part these have all been organized by me through contacting bookstores, libraries, and schools. There are some publishing houses who will support and assist in booking events, I just happened to choose to take the responsibility on myself.
Bookstore and library visits often last 45 minutes to an hour and include an introduction to the book, reading, a craft/related activity, and then conclude with a signing. My best advice here is to have existing relationships with these places. Long before you have a book out be a patron of your local libraries and indie bookstores. Support events that they have and learn what they have to offer as a result of attending. It is always easier for someone to book you for an event when they have seen you be supportive of others.
My offerings for school visits are a bit different. I book anything from single workshops to half days to whole days, and these can all be virtual or in person.
On my website I have a menu of workshop offerings that a school can choose from. These range from a traditional journey to publication to hands-on workshops on a variety of topics including brainstorming, fairytale writing, poetry, and character design.
-I love the range in variety.What a great way to accommodate different needs and interests.
I prefer to work with groups of one to two classes where we can be interactive and create together rather than them just listening to me.
Being a debut author this year, I found more success in booking author visits when I approached schools with whom I already had a relationship. I also applied and received multiple Cultural Council grants which helped fund a number of local visits.
-What a great idea!
Okay, so what’s your favorite part of the visit and why?
My favorite part of school visits is seeing students become inspired! It is the most amazing feeling to know that your presence and your words have sparked creativity and enthusiasm in them. As authors we know that jolt of excitement we get with a shiny new idea and it's such a privilege to be able to create that for kids.
The other part I love about school visits is being able to reach such a large number of kids in such a short amount of time. I'm used to having an impact on my class of 24 second-graders. This spring alone I've met 100s of kids in K-5 from all sorts of diverse backgrounds.
-Love this!
“My favorite part of school visits is seeing students become inspired! …As authors we know that jolt of excitement we get with a shiny new idea and it’s such a privilege to be able to create that for kids.”
Let’s talk a little about promotion. For newly debuting authors who may not yet have an author and/or illustrator platform built for themselves… where do you recommend starting? Do you have any tips on making connections in the kidlit community as well as your local community?
My biggest advice here is if you go into this industry with altruistic intentions you will receive way more than you bargained for in return. Make connections with creators, support their work, and offer to help each other, but do it all for the sake of connecting on a genuine level with another creator with no expectations of anything in return.
I recommend starting locally. Make a habit of attending author events at your local bookstore and library. Introduce yourself to the workers and guests (I know it feels scary!). Be open that you are an author. You will begin building relationships with these people and before you know it they will be calling you by name. Then when it is your time for books to come out, they will be excited to celebrate with you and support you in any way they can.
-This is such great advice. Yes!
For authors or illustrators who may be early on in their publishing journey… what words of encouragement would you like to share?
If you haven’t heard already, this industry moves at a glacial pace and there is no way to do it (that I have found) without a healthy heaping of rejection. Enter this path knowing these two facts and make choices that make the journey enjoyable. This includes finding your people who uplift and support you as well as learning how you best tackle the highs and lows associated with this career.
“…if you go into this industry with altruistic intentions you will receive way more than you bargained for in return. Make connections with creators, support their work, and offer to help each other, but do it all for the sake of connecting on a genuine level with another creator with no expectations of anything in return.”
“Make a habit of attending author events at your local bookstore and library. Introduce yourself to the workers and guests… Be open that you are an author. You will begin building relationships with these people… Then when it is your time for books to come out, they will be excited to celebrate with you and support you in any way they can.”
BOOKS + RESOURCES + FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM
Okay, we’ve arrived at arguably my favorite part of the interview… and that’s the part where we talk books! I’d love to hear about your stories. What was the inspiration for them? What are your favorite spreads/illustrations and what do you love most about them? And maybe hear a brief description of what each book is about.
Gush over my book babies? I’d love to! I am so fortunate to have had three books release this year and I love each one and am grateful for the editors, illustrators and countless others behind the scenes that helped bring them to life.
My first book, OLLIE, THE ACORN, AND THE MIGHTY IDEA (Pagestreet Kids) with illustrations by Kaz Windness follows amateur gardener, Ollie Alexander Kandersteen, a boy with a name bigger than he is, as he goes on an absurd and fantastical journey to be as big as a tree in order to stand up to his bully, Everett Lucas Montgomery. Ollie was inspired by my own feelings of smallness as a child, coupled with a summertime discussion with my children about the consequences of swallowing a watermelon seed. I love Ollie because it is a read-aloud through and through. There are refrains for kids to join in with, onomatopoeia, and unexpected antics that cause readers’ mouths to hit the floor.
Ollie has had a quiet reception in the kidlit world, but I am hoping to spread the word to teachers, parents, and librarians to get this humorous book, with a healthy heaping of SEL and messages of acceptance, into as many hands as possible.
My second book, CURLILOCKS AND THE THREE HARES (The Little Press) with illustrations by Jan Dolby follows are title character as she ventures into the Three Hares hair salon in order to take her hair into her own hands and find her just right do’ before picture day. As you can imagine, messes and mistakes ensue before our 3 hares return to find their intruder and her unruly hair. Curlilocks was inspired by my daughter and her dislike for her curls when she was younger. This story is an early, illustrated, chapter book just right for beginning readers to grow their skills and independence.
Last up is HOPE AND THE SEA (WorthyKids) with illustrations by Svetla Radivoeva. This story follows a young girl, Hope, who is having big feelings of loneliness at the beach. It doesn’t take long for Sea to notice and extend a wave and a welcoming embrace to help Hope on her way to finding friendship and belonging. This story is sweet and lyrical with sentence structure and rhythm to match the changing tide. I grew up by the ocean, and my love for the sea poured into this manuscript.
Any new books and/or book deals on the horizon?
Yes! On July 9, the spooky middle-grade anthology, THE HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA will be released from Godwin Books. This is a collection of 52 haunted short stories with one from each state, D.C., and Puerto Rico. In collaboration with SCBWI, Godwin Books put out a call for stories. I am honored to have my story, The Tunnel, included in the anthology representing Massachusetts.
In addition, I do have some secret news about a future publication. However, it is much too soon to discuss any details, so readers will need to stay tuned.
-Did you hear that readers? If you don’t wanna miss out… you should probably *ahem* subscribe to Andrew’s newsletter HERE… (find email subscription box at the bottom of the page at the link listed).
Okay, so I’ll start by saying that I love, love, love your website. I could get lost all day in the fun educational things you have going on over there. For our readers who may not know (yet) about all the resources you have… could you enlighten us to what you offer on the Educator Resources tab?
*Snippet of Andrew's offerings below...*
Thank you for the kind words about my website. I created it a few years ago using Wix, and then I hired the incredible Molly Ippy, to spruce up the design to make it more professional and cohesive, which she nailed. I cannot recommend her services enough, so if you are in need of a website facelift or educational resources don’t hesitate in reaching out to Molly. Check out her offerings HERE.
Many of the resources on my website come from my years of teaching and designing curriculum. Much of it is science and engineering based and gives educators a starting place to get their students creating and engaging with science in a hands-on manner.
I do have resources for some of my published books and those will be found under the books tab on my website.
-Download Andrew's FREE educational guide and coloring page for Curlilocks and the Three Hares and/or activity page for Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea on Teacher Corner TODAY!-
Speaking of resources… you don’t just have resources for parents, kids, and educators… you also offer resources for writers, in way of your literary blog, where, just like I’m doing today- you host fellow authors on your blog and talk about the “behind the scenes.” When did you start doing this? And what do you hope readers will gain?
I began The Backstory in 2021. It felt like authors who were gaining traction in the industry had a writing-related side gig going on. I don’t think this is necessarily true, but at that time that was my perspective. When I sat down to brainstorm what I could offer the writing community I landed on my love of learning the inspiration behind things.
-I can definitely relate to that love!
At first my intention was to provide fledgling authors a place to learn about the process and the opportunity to win critiques and AMA calls from published authors. What I didn’t realize at the time was the service I was providing for those published authors of being part of their marketing and promotion.
-Right?! It's so exciting to be a part of that!
Running the blog has provided me a tremendous amount of inspiration and has helped me build my relationships and connections with other authors.
I hope readers can glean little tidbits of knowledge that either encourage, educate, and inspire them along their path to publication.
- I completely echo this. It's so inspiring to talk with other creatives. The interchange of encouragement by way of shared experiences is indescribably valuable.And the connections made are so rewarding.
Any final words of wisdom that you’d like to share with our readers today?
I know this is not new advice, but it is a tidbit I come back to often. When you sit down to write, write for yourself. Don’t stress over rules. Don’t stress over the market. Don’t stress trying to write the manuscript you think your dream agent is looking for. Doing any or all of these things will lead you astray from who YOU are as a writer. Don’t lose yourself for someone else’s vision. Write authentically who you are in your voice. When your book gets made you will be so grateful that you represented your true self!
Such beautiful advice to end on. Thank you so much for joining us today, Andrew.
“When you sit down to write, write for yourself. Don’t stress over rules. Don’t stress over the market… Don’t lose yourself for someone else’s vision. Write authentically who you are in your voice. When your book gets made you will be so grateful that you represented your true self!”
And now… It’s time for the GIVEAWAY!
For the month of July, Andrew Hacket is offering the following giveaway prizes to three winners- 1 prize awarded to each winner.
Fiction, picture book (non rhyming) manuscript critique
30-minute Zoom AMA
Signed copy of one of my books (winner’s choice)
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: July 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).
If the host is offering more than one giveaway prize, PLEASE LIST YOUR PREFERRED PRIZE IN YOUR COMMENT. This does not guarantee that will be the prize you win, but it will be taken into consideration.
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 also supports this blog.
Andrew Hacket is the author of Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea (Page Street Kids, 4/9/24),Curlilocks and the Three Hares (The Little Press, 5/1/24), and Hope and the Sea (Worthy Kids, 5/28/24). Andrew recognizes that being a kid is hard, and he writes to create ways for children to see themselves in stories and characters, to accept and overcome their insecurities, or to escape for just a little while through the power of their imaginations. He and his family live in Massachusetts.
Today, I’m talking with children’s book author Susan Lubner. We’ll discuss writing across genres, the creative process, and how to find a critique group.
But before we jump into our interview, if this is your first time visiting the blog, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.
THE SCOOP: WHAT ARE FEATURE INTERVIEWS & WHO ARE THEY FOR?
Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.
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!
THE VERY BEGINNING: PAVING A PATH TO PUBLISHING JOURNEY
Welcome to the blog, Susan! It’s so nice to have you with us today. The first thing I like to ask my guests is: how they ended up in kidlit publishing.
Let’s take that question into three parts: when, why, and how. When did your journey to publishing begin?
Hi Chelsea! Thank you so much for inviting me here today 😊
I think the path to publication really started when I was a young girl…long before I was ever aware of it! I enjoyed reading so much and writing short poems, too. My love of words and story were the seeds planted early on that would eventually lead to my career in writing for children. But the turning point was when I was in college. I took my first creative writing class and I was encouraged by my professor to submit some of my work. I did, and two fiction stories were published in a collegiate magazine. I think that gave me a boost of confidence. But it also made me realize how much I enjoyed the process of writing. And that it was something I wanted to continue and hone.
Let’s touch on the why. What was the inspiration that led you here? Is writing something you’ve always wanted to pursue, or were there other variables that brought you down this path? Explain.
What led me finally to a career in writing children’s books, happened pretty organically. But in a nutshell, it really stemmed from a renewed love and awe of children’s picture books. After college I continued writing short fiction and taking an occasional class or workshop. Writing for children wasn’t something I had considered or even thought about pursuing until after I had my first child. My daughter and I were reading a lot of picture books. I was reminded how much I enjoyed those books! And at that point I had a new perspective, not just because I was now reading from the point of view as an adult, but also as someone who enjoyed writing. I became very aware and curious about the craft. The pairing of text with illustrations. The cadence of sentences, and the idea of writing a complete story using so few words. Then one day in 1995, my daughter was two and we were in a bookstore. I saw a poster advertising a writing for children workshop. I signed up, and I’ve been writing children’s stories ever since.
That question leads nicely into our third which involves the how. How did you end up here in the kidlit arena?
That children’s writing workshop was the portal! It was taught by author Jacqueline Dembar Greene who became my mentor. All of us in that workshop were unpublished and newbies to the world of children’s publishing. And boy did we have a lot to learn. Several of the other members of the workshop and I formed a critique group. Three of us, (plus one other author who joined later on) are still critique partners …since the mid 90’s! Also at that workshop, I met Beth Raisner Glass. Beth had a manuscript she had been working on. At the time, I was very focused on writing stories that rhymed. She asked if I wanted to help her with her story which she was working to set in rhyme. Together we revised a new version of Noises at Night which eventually was published by Abrams Books for Young Readers.
What type of publishing did you pursue? (Traditional/hybrid/independent?) And why?
In the beginning I knew so little about how to get published that I wasn’t even aware that one could self-publish! I was told to get a copy of the Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market which I did. It was also suggested to me that I try getting my stories published in children’s magazine’s too, like Highlights and Cricket. So my focus was always on the traditional route.
For our readers who may be new to publishing and don’t know the differences between these routes, could you briefly touch on what makes them different, as well as the pros and cons of each?
I don’t have any experience with hybrid or independent publishing and have not stayed current so I don’t have a lot of specific advice to offer to anyone who is taking that route nor can I speak confidently on that process. But generally, I can say that regardless of which route to publication is taken, there are so many wonderful resources that every writer can tap into to help them on their journey to publication.
Joining a writer’s critique group is invaluable! It helps enormously to have the feedback needed to get your stories really polished and ready for submission.
SCBWI offers opportunities to network, access to workshops, and the conferences are a great way to find the resources and support needed to help on the path to publication.
One of the things I have valued most from being traditionally published is the support from the amazing marketing departments at each publishing house. Marketing and selling your book is hard so, even though I have always done as much marketing and publicity on my own with each book launch, to have that support from a marketing and sales department from a publishing house too, is a valuable boost.
One of the things about traditional publishing that could fall in the con column is that it’s very difficult to get published with one. I have many manuscripts that have been rejected over the course of my career. It happens a lot! And I suppose that example of one of the downsides to traditional publishing highlights one of the awesome pros of self-publishing…that a writer has control of what gets published!
“Regardless of which route to publication is taken, there are so many wonderful resources that every writer can tap into to help them on their journey to publication.”
“Joining a writer’s critique group is invaluable! It helps enormously to have the feedback needed to get your stories really polished and ready for submission.”
“SCBWI offers opportunities to network, access to workshops, and the conferences are a great way to find the resources and support needed to help on the path to publication.”
Can you tell us a little bit about your querying/submission journey?
Things have changed so much since I started submitting my work. Back in the “olden days”, (ha!), when I was first starting out, snail mail was how the submission process worked. Prior to sending anything out, I was very careful to read as much as I could about how to submit a story. I learned how to format my manuscript and how to format a submission letter, too. Using the Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market I made lists of which publishers were accepting unsolicited manuscripts (I did not have an agent at that time) and also which publishers were accepting simultaneous submissions, and which were not.
I have a very thick folder full of the many rejections I have received over the years. The first story I ever submitted was called The Ladybug. It was rejected many times until one day in 1998 I received an acceptance letter. My very first! I only got halfway through the letter when I cried and jumped up and down and did all the things I thought I would do if I ever got a story accepted! Then I read the rest of the letter. And again I cried. Because the letter went on to explain that even though they had accepted my story for publication (they wanted me to know that!), they had also made the unfortunate decision to move away from publishing children’s books!
- Oh, what an emotional roller coaster that must have been!-
It would be five years later that I would finally sell my very first story to Spider Magazine. Ironically, that first magazine story I sold took a long time to be published. It ended up coming out after the first book I sold (Noises at Night co-authored with Beth Raisner Glass ABRAMS 2005).
I got the awesome news that I sold my first picture book on April Fool's Day in 2004 so I had to wait a whole day to tell everyone so they would believe me!
- How funny! And exciting.-
That submission process was really unique. Noises at Night had come very close to being acquired at a very big house. Unfortunately, in the end, there wasn’t a total consensus and it was rejected. However, one of the editors was moving to Abrams and asked our permission to take the manuscript there. She loved the story, and we were fortunate that it found a home. Timing can sometimes play a very important role in whether something gets acquired or not.
Two more picture books followed but the submission process was much easier for me as my editor at Abrams asked to see other manuscripts, and so just a few emails were exchanged before I had an offer on my second picture book. My third picture book was a work-for-hire. Again, my editor at Abrams asked if I would be interested in working on the project and I said yes.
By the time my third picture book was out, I was about ready to start submitting my first middle-grade novel, The Upside of Ordinary. After making a lot of rounds and many rejections later, my critique partner suggested I submit it to a former student of hers who worked at Holiday House as an assistant editor. Fortunately, she really loved it as did the publisher!
-How wonderful!-
I’ve had a pretty eclectic experience when it comes to submissions! One thing has always been consistent though, and that is the road to publication is filled with twists and turns and lots of bumps!
Are you currently agented, and if so, how did you find your agent match? (Was it through cold query/submission, was it during a contest, etc.?)
I do work with an agent who I adore. At one of my writer’s group meetings, I shared a funny picture book that they really enjoyed. One of the members of my group had recently seen a post on a particular agent’s blog who was asking to see humorous picture books. I submitted the manuscript to her. It never did sell but we are still working together almost 11 years and three books later.
If comfortable sharing what agent/agency did you sign with?
Linda Epstein who at the time was with an agency in New York but moved to the Emerald City Literary Agency and I went with her.
For writers and illustrators who are actively querying for their agent match, could you tell us about your agent call and what to expect?
My agency query in this particular instance, was very specific in the approach. The post Linda had made on her blog, requesting to see humorous picture books had instructions on how to send a manuscript. I followed those instructions and attached the manuscript right in that first email as directed. She responded pretty quickly and asked to see other manuscripts which I sent back to her right away.
What types of questions do you find more useful to ask during this call?
One of the first questions I asked Linda when we discussed working together is if she offered editorial feedback. For me, it was very important to have an agent that also could (and would be willing) to provide feedback and suggestions for edits. I think all writers benefit from a second (or third or fourth!) pair of eyes! Especially before something is to head out on submission.
-Such a great thing to look for in an agent. And wonderful that you knew beforehand what you were specifically looking for.-
Which leads to a second question I think is important: Does the agent submit only exclusively or will he or she submit to multiple publishers all at once. I have heard of agents that will only send out a manuscript to one single publisher at a time even if that publisher will accept simultaneous submissions. That is a process that would not appeal to me, as it often takes so long to hear back from editors.
-Another great thing to know before signing with an agent.-
Asking questions up front before you commit to an agent is important. It’s very exciting to receive an offer from an agent but you want to make sure that the writer and agent are compatible and share similar expectations so that hopefully the relationship is a good fit. Talk to agented writer friends, too. See what their experience has been like and figure out what is important to you regarding a relationship with an agent before you make that choice.
-Love this advice, Susan. So great!-
How did you know which agent/agency was the right match for you?
I could tell from our email exchanges that Linda is accessible and responsive (she ALWAYS answers her emails quickly), straightforward, and very honest, the latter meaning if she doesn’t know the answer to something she says so, and will try to find out. Linda is funny, kind and approachable. All great qualities. And all of these things came across in the early days of email exchanges.
I also had a history with two other agents prior to signing with Linda. Those agents were also very kind and both of those relationships ended amicably. But everyone has different expectations and ways of doing things, and it’s not about whether someone is good or bad but more about whether a particular agent is the right fit for you.
-Yes, exactly! I think you put that perfectly. It's about finding the "right fit." Just like any relationship, it's about knowing what you want, what your expectations are of each other, then communicating it clearly- which it sounds like you did by the questions you asked- and overall, those factors will show you whether you're compatible or not.-
For people considering traditional publication as their route to publishing, could you briefly describe an agent’s role/relationship with an author and/or illustrator and some of the benefits of having one?
Everything I write, Linda sees and provides feedback before the submission process, so my manuscript is very polished and is in the best shape possible (or at least until an editor asks for revisions!) Linda then puts together and shares with me a list of publishers she will be submitting to. The great thing about working with Linda is that she knows which editors are looking for what and so the submission process becomes very targeted. Having someone do all this legwork for you really frees up so much more time for me to focus on my writing which is a great benefit.
-Linda sounds like a dream agent! And you sound like a dream client, because you're a clear communicator. That's so helpful!-
Another benefit is that there are many traditional publishers that will only look at work from agented authors so having an agent helps to get your manuscript in front of more editors. That of course is a plus because the more people who get a chance to consider your manuscript, the better your chances are (hopefully!) of getting an offer.
A third great benefit is that I do not have to deal with the business side of publishing. Linda handles all of the negotiations and contract issues, and I am so grateful for that!
HIGHS, LOWS, AND WORDS OF WISDOM
We on the blog LOVE hearing all the wonderful, exciting bits of publishing. But sometimes, hearing the realities of the lows can be helpful too.
What have been some challenges you’ve faced on the road to publishing? And how were you able to overcome these challenges?
I’m dealing with a challenge I’ve never experienced before, right now. I have worked with the most wonderful editor on my new early reader chapter book series Drag and Rex, beautifully illustrated by Blythe Russo. The first book, Drag and Rex Forever Friends, launched in November of 2023 and went into a second printing a few months ago so it’s done quite well. The second book in the series Drag and Rex Sweet and Silly launches in November of 2024.
Here’s the challenge: the imprint that published Drag and Rex is changing its focus completely and going forward they will not be publishing anymore of their list. That means that I will not be working with my editor and my books will be under a different imprint. This creates a lot of unknowns!
Will the new editor love the series as much as the other editor? Is the threshold for sales higher at this imprint? Will they want more books in the series?
My agent has been communicating with the editor at the other imprint (who I have actually worked with before and is lovely!) but no matter what, right now there are still a lot of unknowns. It’s a wait-and-see.
I am hoping the second book does very well and the series will continue! That’s the best way for me to deal with this unexpected challenge…to hope for the best and to do everything I can to help the book sell very well so the new imprint wants to continue the series.
Any words of wisdom for illustrators or authors who may be facing similar challenges?
Writers don’t have a lot of control when it comes to publishing decisions and unexpected challenges. But we can control our work. I think a great way to handle these stressful unpredictable curveballs is to get back to what we do best…writing! And of course, always hope for the best.
“I think a great way to handle these stressful unpredictable curveballs is to get back to what we do best…writing! And of course, always hope for the best.“
BEHIND THE WRITER’S DESK: WRITING ACROSS GENRES & CREATIVE PROCESS
Let’s talk a bit about the magic that happens behind the writer’s desk. I know you write across genres. Tell us about that. What does writing across genres entail?
I really enjoy writing different types of stories. Each type of story involves a writing process that is different…not in just topic, or target but technique, too. Writing picture books I am always mindful that my story will be illustrated and so the marriage of art and words must be considered; as do page turn and word count. Writing middle-grade novels involves multiple storylines that are more complicated and layered. That is true of MG characters too. My characters in my middle-grade books of course have more mature and complicated problems than my picture book characters. The early reader writing experience for me I used a bit of both PB and MG techniques! I had to consider the illustrations when I wrote Drag and Rex, but I could be a bit more relaxed about word count. I think what draws me to writing a specific type of book is influenced by what I happen to be reading at the time. Early in my career, I read a lot of picture books. I was reading piles and piles of them first to my children but then also because I just loved reading them so much. As my kids got older and were reading chapter books…I did too. Now they are 31 and almost 28! But I still love reading children’s books.
What are some of the pros and cons of writing across genres?
What advice do you have for writers who are interested in pursuing writing in different areas of kidlit (magazines, middle grade, chapter books, early readers, picture books, etc.)?
I think it’s important and helpful to read the genre or type of book that you are writing. If you are writing a middle-grade novel, then read middle-grade novels. If you are writing YA, read YA books. If you are working on a mystery, read mysteries! There are so many great authors who inspire me, and I love to think about their style and technique and try to figure out what it is I like (or on occasion what I don’t like) about a particular voice or storyline and analyze what makes it work so well.
Do you have any tips on techniques for writing across genres as well as how to shift gears and mindset from one genre to the next? Explain.
Usually when I write, no matter the genre or type of book I am working on, I always start with a character. My storyline (or lines) develop from my characters. For example, in my latest book Drag and Rex Forever Friends illustrated by Blythe Russo, each character has a very distinct (and extinct!!!) personality. Drag is a dragon who is a bit scatterbrained, a little messy, and very impulsive. Those character traits helped me to develop storylines that involve gobbling up a cake before it can be delivered to a friend, and accidentally, ALMOST ruining a very snowy day.
Using that technique of developing my characters first, and therefore getting to know them helps me to develop the plotlines in my stories. It doesn’t matter what kind of book I’m writing because each story always needs a character (or two or three or more) and my stories always develop from the characters I create.
I will also reiterate what I mentioned above and that is to read whatever type of book you are writing. If you are writing a picture book, read picture books. Note the books you really loved and what it was about the style, or tone, or cadence that made it so appealing.
AUTHOR VISITS
Have you been able to have any author visits? If so, what kind of visit was it (school/library/bookstore, etc)?
This year because it was a launch year, I did a lot of events at bookstores, libraries, book fairs, conferences, and even a couple of events at a bakery. All of my school visits this year were virtual and took place over World Read Aloud Day (but all week long) I had a terrific book launch last November at Wellesley Books with one of my critique partners, author Anna Staniszewski moderating. I really enjoyed that format and it was a packed house!
What kind of response did you receive?
For the most part most of my events went very well and I had some good turnouts. But even if an event isn’t very busy, I’m always grateful to have an audience big or small to read to. I so appreciate all of the support from so many enthusiastic booksellers, librarians and teachers, and of course the readers and students are awesome!
What’s your favorite part of a visit?
I do love engaging with readers and I especially love the Q & A portion of a visit. Kids are so incredibly curious and smart. And oftentimes they will tell me what they have been reading or about stories they have written.
About how long is a visit and what kind of routine do you have?
Most of my visits are about an hour to an hour and a half. Typically the event starts off with a reading followed by an activity and then a book signing.
Do you offer any freebies or promo swag?
I always have plenty of bookmarks to hand out and lately some Drag and Rex stickers
For authors or illustrators who may be debuting and not quite sure how to set up these visits or what to do when there, could you share a little bit about the process of how you arrange your visits? Do you reach out to schools/libraries/bookstores- does your agent/editor- or do they reach out to you directly?
It’s a bit of all of that! I've been doing this for a while so I have several booksellers and librarians that I'm very comfortable reaching out to to set up an event. I think it’s always helpful to consider the timing of the event of course…
For example for picture books and early readers, scheduling a visit during a bookseller’s regular story time is an advantage as usually there's an audience or a regular group that comes to those events every week, and so you have a chance of already having a nice turnout.
Middle-grade readers can be trickier as readers that age tend to have very busy schedules. In the past I have teamed up with other authors to do book signing tours…having a group of authors at one event can add a bit more buzz and help create a lot of excitement.
There are also times when the publicity manager from my publisher will organize an event for me. Often it will be at a conference, or sometimes at a bookstore where the bookseller has reached out looking to host an event with an author.
Do you have any tips for an author and/or illustrator’s first visit?
With library or bookstore visits, I always try to create more of an event rather than just an author reading (not that reading isn’t exciting on its own of course, but making the appearance sound a bit like a party helps to add to the excitement!)
For example, at one library event over winter break we had a winter fun theme which tied in with one of the story themes in my new early reader chapter book, Drag and Rex Forever Friends. We served hot chocolate and incorporated an activity.
Other events were friendship-themed “parties” which included making friendship bracelets after a reading; at one bookstore we hosted a pajama party…I wore mine with my slippers and readers were invited to show up in theirs for a bedtime story. For both Drag and Rex and Lizzy and the Good Luck Girl I have done several very well-attended events at a local bakery. After my reading, the kids toured the bakery and then decorated either a cake or brownie that was tied in with a storyline.
One of my favorite events was after Lizzy and the Good Luck Girl first came out. That book has a subplot that involves the main character and her best friend knitting sweaters for cats to raise money for the animal shelter where they volunteer. (You can guess how that turns out…trying to put a sweater on a cat!) In the end, they knit blankets instead. I did an event at a library where everyone made little patchwork blankets and donated them to the local animal shelter. The shelter volunteers even showed up at the library, and the local paper did a story about it so I received an extra boost of publicity.
Be creative and have fun! Think about the themes in your book and how they might tie in with a particular event.
Now it’s time for BOOKS!
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!
We’d love to hear about some of your books; from the first concept and inspiration to the final product.
I had actually written the first version of Drag and Rex Forever Friends more than ten years ago. I have always loved the simple storylines in early readers, making soup or raking leaves. I am a huge fan of Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad, and James Marshall’s George and Martha and was inspired by these lovely books.
Drag and Rex started out as Bitsy and Mo and then a host of other names. I had no idea who these characters were supposed to be…a dog and a cat? A rabbit and mouse? They were constantly changing. But I had written two of the stories (though a few details changed once I figured out that they were to be a dragon and T-rex!) and then they sat untouched in a file drawer until the Covid quarantine. I took out the stories, did a bit of tweaking and sent them to my agent. She loved them even though we still didn’t know who the characters were. I decided to set aside trying to figure out who I wanted them to be and thought about instead, who would kids want them to be? And that was how they became Drag and Rex. Alison Weiss at Pixel + Ink fell in love with these two. The process for finding an illustrator took a very long time…there were actual auditions! Blythe Russo nailed it! Shetruly understood the essence of these two buddies. It was so exciting to see how she brought the pair to life!
Do you have any favorite illustrative spreads? If so, which and why?
There are so many it’s hard to pick just one but I guess if I have to…this one is really extra special. It was one of the first illustrations I saw when the book was in production and I just love how Blythe Russo so perfectly depicted these three friends about to share this yummy carrot cake!
If you had to describe in one sentence what inspires you on a daily basis to pursue writing as a career… what motivates you to put your thoughts and heart on the line and share it with others… what would it be?
I think I can actually say it in one word: Stories. I love to read, write, and listen to them. I’m so grateful to be a part of this creative kidlit world!
What have been some of your most meaningful or fulfilling projects and what makes them so special to you?
Each project has had its joys and frustrations. But I think writing Lizzy and the Good Luck girl taught me one of the most important lessons as a writer…and that is… to dig really deep into your main character. To find out what it is your character really wants. For me getting to the heart of my character meant getting to the heart of my story.
What do you hope others will take away from your books?
I hope readers just enjoy the story. Maybe laugh or feel touched in some way. I never write with the intention to provide a lesson.
Anything special you’d like to share with us today that we may not know?
The second book in the Drag and Rex series, Sweet and Silly (illustrated by Blythe Russo) will be out in the fall of 2024!
What final words of wisdom would you like to share with your readers?
Love what you do, be passionate about your writing and be persistent! All else will fall into place! Remember that there’s always something to learn, too no matter what stage of your career you are at. And finally, the best bit of advice I ever got (I am so sorry I can’t remember where I read it!!!) And that is: allow yourself to write badly. That was a stumbling block for me…that I would type something out then erase it and rewrite and rewrite until I thought it was perfect. That’s ok to do that too once in a while! But some days allow yourself to just write…and keep going no matter how awful you think it is, magic can happen if you don’t stifle the process.
Thank you so much for joining us today, Susan. And now… It’s time for a GIVEAWAY!
Susan Lubner is offering the following giveaway prizes: (one prize PER winner )
Prize 1: A signed copy of Drag and Rex Forever Friends
Prize 2: A 20-minute virtual visit with the book.
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: June 30th 2024, 11:59 PM CST
Please note: if the guest is offering more than one prize, please specify which prize you’d like in your comment.
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?
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.
Susan Lubner grew up in Bangor, Maine but has lived in Massachusetts for most of her life. She is the author of the early reader chapter book series from Pixel + Ink, Drag and Rex Forever Friends (book 1 fall 2023) and Sweet and Silly (book 2 fall 2024) illustrated by Blythe Russo; two middle grade novels, Lizzy and the Good Luck Girl (Running Press Kids/Hachette Books 2018); and The Upside of Ordinary (Holiday House 2012) and three picture books (Abrams Books for Young Readers 2005, 2006, 2008). Her stories have appeared in Spider Magazine and Highlights for Children. Susan lives with her husband David and a giant poodle named Bailey. They have two grown daughters.
It’s no surprise that I’m excited to share my monthly guest with you. Every guest is exciting in new ways, but today’s guest is especially sentimental to me because I just love her writing so much. I won’t give it all away in the intro, but you’ll hear more on this later…
If this is your first time visiting Chelsea’s World of Books literary blog, or the first feature interview segment you’ve read, welcome! You have stumbled upon something truly special. So, what are Feature Interviews? And what makes them so special?
411 ON FEATURE INTERVIEWS
In a nutshell, Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.
We share tips and resources for querying agents and submitting direct to publishing houses, we share about upcoming conferences and workshops and where to find the best writing community, as well as specific things like free and paid writing memberships, crafts workshops, writing contests, and more.
My guests share their experiences, offer advice and support, and give readers an up-close-and-personal look at the world of publishing from a unique perspective.
AND… if that’s not enough, every guest offers at least 1 giveaway prize- sometimes more.
Which means… every month, you have multiple opportunities to win prizes!
Not that we’ve shared a little about what’s in store… it’s time to jump into our interview!
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Faith, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to be here today. We’re thrilled to have you!
Thank you, Chelsea! I’m honored to be here. Let’s start with the why. WHY did you pursue publishing? What about it drew you? Was it always something you were interested in pursuing, or did that happen later in life?
I grew up steeped in books and art - my dad is a fine artist and a children’s book illustrator, and I think I just always loved stories and art and wanted to make my own.
As a young teen, I submitted stories I’d written to my dad’s editors and got some very kind rejection letters back. And then, I spent a number of years doing other things, traveling, working odd jobs, leading summer camps, getting married, and didn’t really return to writing until I was on a lengthy bed rest, pregnant with twins. I wrote a middle-grade fantasy manuscript, sent that manuscript out to editors, and received a ton of rejections and one request for changes from Maria Modugno, an editor at HarperCollins. But by the time I sent my revisions back, she had moved publishing houses and was not working with middle-grade fiction anymore. I spent several years after this writing, rewriting, and trying to get published, until in 2013, I had a stroke, followed by heart patch surgery. After that, I struggled to find a way back to writing again and took a visual storytelling class through UCSD - “Thinking in Pictures,” taught by esteemed book designer Joy Chu, to see if I could dislodge some of those words. Thanks to that class, I fell in love with the dance of art and words in picture books and set out to grow into a children’s book writer and illustrator.
I didn't know your dad was a children's book illustrator. How wonderful that it runs in the family! I can only imagine the influence that must have had on you toward children's literature growing up. And I just love that you submitted stories to his editors as a teenager.
Next, let’s explore the HOW. Tell us about your journey here. How did you end up where you’re at now? What route to publication did you choose and why? And can you explain the steps involved in that route?
After that visual storytelling course, I spent time sketching and writing every day, attending writer’s conferences, reading picture books, sending illustrated postcards to art directors, and sharing my work on social media. Which is how I ended up with an agent who saw my work on Twitter, and helped me prepare and revise one of my story ideas until it was ready to send on submission That book became my. author-illustrator debut The Starkeeper, published with Random House in June 2020. Since then, I’ve made six books and am in the process of making the seventh.
Wow! So, your agent found your work on Twitter? That's incredible. Such an inspiration for others too. How are the steps different for an author-illustrator versus text-only?
An author-illustrator needs to work at the craft of both writing and illustration. The excellent part about doing both is that you have an awareness of that balance of art and text when you’re thinking about Story. The harder part of working at both disciplines is that doing both sides of crafting a picture book takes a great amount of work and time.
I can only imagine.I think of it like being ambidextrous and trying to use both hands at the same time. Now, you work as an author-illustrator but also as an illustrator. Can you explain what this means for our readers? And which one was your first “step” into publishing?
The difference between being an illustrator vs being an author-illustrator is that an author-illustrator both writes and illustrates a book. An illustrator receives an author’s final text from a publisher and creates the visual side of the book. My ”first step” into publishing was an offer to illustrate Lynn Parrish Sutton’s Once Upon a Timely with Kane Miller books. That book came out in 2019, and was sold exclusively through Usborne Books.
About how long were you in the writing/illustrating field before your first book was acquired & then published?
About 13 years. From the time I decided to be a picture book writer and was actively pursuing this dream, though, about five years.
Are you currently represented by a literary agent? And were you for your first book deal (and forthcoming deals)?
Yes! I LOVE my agent Molly O’Neill at Root Literary.
She has represented me through these book deals: Once Upon a Timely by Lynn Parrish Sutton, illustrated by Faith Pray, Kane Miller 2019. The Starkeeper, Random House 2020. Perfectly Imperfect Mira, Little, Brown 2022. One Day, written by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Faith Pray, Harper Collins 2023. Finding Grateful, written by Dianne White, illustrated by Faith Pray Chronicle 2024. The Day We Got Lost, Little, Brown, August 2024. And The Bear Who Became a Book, by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Faith Pray, Holt 2026.
For some of our readers who may be contemplating going the traditional route and seeking representation from a literary agent, could you share what some of the benefits of that are? Why is it important and how can it help them and their career?
There are soooo many reasons I am grateful for my agent! Here are just a few: ● pep talks, encouragement ● representation, advocate, insight into publishing industry, marketing, contracts, connections that I can’t possible hope to have ● always someone in my corner! ● writing coach! Every phone call with Molly is like taking a writer’s master class
SETBACKS, COMMUNITY, RESOURCES, AND MOTIVATIONS
Were there any challenges or setbacks you faced throughout the road to publishing, or perhaps challenges you still face- and how were/are you able to overcome them?
My biggest challenges in this journey: trying to pursue a career as a writer while caring for four kids, and then overcoming numerous health obstacles, stroke recovery, and trying to find my writer’s brain again post-stroke. For a couple of years before I was published, I worked as a paraeducator at an elementary school, and it was extraordinarily challenging to come home exhausted from a day with kids, then care for my family, and eek out time for writing and illustrating in any extra snatches (usually early, early mornings and late, late nights!).
Any words of wisdom you’d like to impart to readers who may be facing similar challenges on their publication journey?
● nothing is wasted ● don’t give up ● become a learner ● enjoy the journey
Speaking of challenges… I know how invaluable my writing community is when I face bumps in the road. Can you tell us about your writing community and how they’ve helped you to grow and continue moving forward?
● My community continues expanding and connecting the more I continue in this career path. Children’s book people - librarians, booksellers, authors, illustrators, educators, editors, art directors, literary agents - are just the best people - and they all love books!
● I meet regularly with a group of author-illustrator friends for both critique and encouragement. These are peers who understand the unique challenges that come with this career. It is invaluable, perhaps even essential for writers and/or illustrators to meet regularly with peers who have a similar focus. It helps you from feeling like an island! Critique partners can really help you level up your work. But most of all, the more you expand your community, the more you find you’re cheering for each other all the time. You’re on the same team. I LOVE it when friends get book deals or book awards, because we are connected, and their happiness is my happiness.
● Here’s something I learned from debuting as an author-illustrator in June 2020. Remember June 2020? All the publishing houses were closed. All the bookstores were closed. All the libraries were closed. So since I would not be going to any book launch parties or book promotion opportunities for my book, I reached out to some respected author friends I’d met through SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and asked if they could help me host a book launch party for my debut The Starkeeper on Zoom. Remember when Zoom was new? I made Starkeeper-themed decorations that guests could print from home, fancied up my studio with stars and balloons, and had a pretty fantastic online party. A piece of advice - Create the community you wish you had. Don’t have a local writer’s group you can join? Make an online one. Need a book launch party? Make your own.
Are there any places or groups that you’d recommend other author-illustrators, in particular, check out to find that community, or maybe other helpful resources?
Here are some resources that have helped me: 1. SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators) 2. UCSD CFA program - “Thinking In Pictures,” taught by Joy Chu 3. Jolie Stekly’s Writing for Children class 4. Befriending my local children’s librarians 5. Befriending my local booksellers 6. Going to local author events, meeting local authors 7. Starting a critique group with writers/illustrators who write in a similar genre 8. Befriending kidlit peers online through hashtag searches, Twitter events, and through following other authors /illustrators and engaging with the things they post about.
● nothing is wasted ● don’t give up ● become a learner ● enjoy the journey
MARKETING STRATEGY & TIPS: PRE AND POST PUBLICATION
Let’s jump into a few marketing strategies. For an author-illustrator, or an illustrator only, do you have any suggestions on how to go about marketing your work for prospective editors or agents to see?
● SCBWI publishes a yearly resource for members that contains publisher info and addresses. I used this to send illustrated postcards to art directors, and through this, received an offer to illustrate my first book Once Upon a Timely, by Lynn Parrish Sutton, published by Kane Miller for Usborne books in 2019.
● Instagram and Twitter events like #colour_collective, #kidlitart, #kidlitartpostcard. I’ve received book jobs from showing work on my Instagram account.
● Writing conferences, retreats, and showcases is a solid way to have your work seen by agents and editors.
● You can also look up an agent’s submission page and submit your work via their submission requirements.
Wow. Your first tip here about using the info in the SCBWI to send art directors illustrated post cards is absolutely brilliant. What a creative idea! And so clever!
How important would you say having a prepped portfolio is?
I think a prepped portfolio is key. It’s really important to have a cohesive portfolio and to share only your best work- even if it’s just eight pieces. HERE is a great post about building strong portfolios from my friend Polina Gortman.
Thanks for sharing this article, Faith! I've included the quick link under 'HERE' in the sentence above.
What constitutes as “enough” ready material to begin querying/submitting?
I think that’s really up to the writer/illustrator. Sometimes it helps to just jump in and see what happens, while also simultaneously trying to learn and grow your craft.
How important would you say an online presence prior to publication is?
Writing can be a pretty lonely job. With or without publication, I think it is very helpful to have a connection with other authors and illustrators, and book lovers online. Cheering for friends and being cheered on by them when good news arrives makes every part of the journey happier. It’s also an excellent way to find out about what’s happening in publishing if there are new opportunities, conferences, hashtags, or online events that you might want to be part of, and then once you finally publish a book, your good news can be shared among the community you’ve built.
Do you recommend any specific platforms for illustrators to display their artwork?
1. It’s crucial for illustrators to have a website with a contact page to reach you quickly and easily. 2. Instagram is an image-centric platform that is a pretty standard way to connect within the children’s publishing industry. Many illustrators use Instagram as a portfolio extension.
Any tips, hashtags, or otherwise you’d like to recommend that illustrators use to help agents/editors find out about their work?
Social media events are a constantly changing mark. I think it’s a good idea to do some searching to find out about currently trending hashtags relevant to your genre. You can follow #kidlitart on both Instagram and Twitter (X) to see popular posts show up and do a little detecting to see if there are any events (art sharing, portfolio challenges, pitch contests, etc.) upcoming that you might want to be part of.
Okay, now let’s say you’ve found your editor or agent (or both), and you’re on your way to publication. Now what? How can authors and illustrators stay busy and help themselves prepare for a debut book launch?
The best thing you can do while waiting for a book to launch is to write the next book!
My local SCBWI author friend Sarah Jane Marsh shared with me her six month plan of how she set up posts and events as she neared book publication day. I now do the same for each of my books. I write a few essays on themes I want to focus on as I talk about my book, and I create graphics with art from my book to use for online posts.
Speaking of book launches... one thing I know to be very beneficial is getting yourself out in the community and finding your local libraries, schools, and book stores. Can you tell us about your experience with this?
Have you done any book events in your local area? And if so,do you have any recommendations on how to get your foot in the door with your local bookstores, libraries, and schools? And what would you say the benefits are in collaborating and connecting with local places in your community?
I haven’t done many in-person events. I love to host or do live interviews and sometimes team up with other authors and illustrators who have books arriving around the same time for online events like Instagram Live “launch parties.”
I love my local librarians and booksellers. The first thing to remember about making friends with book people is that it’s not about me and my books. It’s about relationships. About the humans behind the “job.” I like to ask them questions - what they’re reading, what they care about, how their day is going, what’s challenging them, and offer thanks and encouragement.
A great way to mutually support each other is for authors to buy books from local indie bookstores. Sometimes I bring them small art tokens to say thanks for being there. I am not a fan of just walking up to someone to demand something of them, and I think it’s important that we cultivate friendships with each other with no expectations of getting something in return.
I mean that both for booksellers and also for relationships with other authors and illustrators. I want to become the kind of person who supports and uplifts others, regardless of what happens in return. I like to do combined book launches with other authors because then we can cross-promote our event and, hopefully, each bring a few guests.
I just love that attitude. I couldn't have said it better myself. It's about relationships and cultivating friendships with each other with no expectations of getting something in return. YES!! No doubt your kind spirit is warmly appreciated not only by those in your local community, but all around the world! *After all, the writing community has no global barriers!*
But while we're discussing your home community- I was so excited to learn that you were located not far from my childhood home in the BEAUTIFUL Washington State.
Living just outside of Seattle the (at that time) small town of Bremerton, I have so many wonderful memories of weekend trips with my family to your lovely town, Port Townsend. Veering back to publishing- can you share some of your favorite moments or experiences while connecting with local places in your community?
How fabulous that you know Washington, Chelsea! It’s such a beautiful place to live!
I just finished a week leading the most fabulous creative workshops with Port Townsend elementary students. We played with storytelling and sticky notes, and I have all the hope for our future after seeing kids’ creativity absolutely ignite!
One of my favorite parts of being a children’s book creator in my community is that every year, our library asks a local illustrator to design their Summer Reading Program t-shirt, and I got to design the fairy-tale-themed reading shirt the year my first book came out. That was definitely a highlight!
How fun! I bet that was a blast. For you and the students. :)And being a librarian myself, I love that you're finding ways to connect with your local library. I can't imagine a more exciting time to participate than for summer reading program!
It’s crucial for illustrators to have a website with a contact page to reach you quickly and easily. Instagram is an image-centric platform that is a pretty standard way to connect within the children’s publishing industry. Many illustrators use Instagram as a portfolio extension.
I think it is very helpful to have a connection with other authors and illustrators, and book lovers online. Cheering for friends and being cheered on by them when good news arrives makes every part of the journey happier. It’s also an excellent way to find out about what’s happening in publishing if there are new opportunities, conferences, hashtags, or online events that you might want to be part of, and then once you finally publish a book, your good news can be shared among the community you’ve built.
THE HEART OF IT ALL … AND BOOKS!
At the beginning of our interview today I asked two questions: why and how. We touched on the why briefly. But I think the why tells so much about the heart of it all. Why are we here, doing the work we do? What is it about publishing that speaks to us?
Can you tell us in more depth about your motivations in writing and illustrating and what you hope YOUR stories and artwork will impart?
In some ways, I think the reason I create this is constantly shifting. I mean, as a writer and illustrator, my fingers are constantly itching to create. And each new book pulls out a facet of something I’m curious about, almost like walking on the beach and finding new rocks or shells to examine, different themes or questions come into focus at different times and I want to center those in my work.
Speaking of what you hope to impart… we’d love to hear about your books- both ones you’ve written and illustrated as author-illustrator and ones you’ve done the illustrations for.
My most recently published book, FINDING GRATEFUL, written by Dianne White, illustrated by me, came out in April with Chronicle Books. FINDING GRATEFUL is about looking for wonder and gratitude in every day moments, and I can’t imagine a text more suited how I want to live my life. Finding beauty in the every day dirt is pretty much what I’m all about, so when I read Dianne’s text, I instantly felt like a puzzle piece clicked into place.
And then later this year, my next author-illustrated book THE DAY WE GOT LOST comes out with Little, Brown August 20. THE DAY WE GOT LOST is about a wonderfully busy and chaotic family who are sort of disconnected from each other. They go for a hike in the woods, and get a little bit lost and sort of find each other along the way. I spent a ton of time hiking in the Pacific Northwest while writing and researching this one, and now I’m kind of obsessed with taking my puppy on hikes in the woods.
Earlier, I mentioned that today’s guest was exciting because I loved her writing. And I really do. One of my favorite books, that sits facing out on my wall in my writing room is PERFECTLY IMPERFECT, MIRA. I remember the first time I picked it up. I cracked open its pages, and there it was. This familiar weight. A weight I’ve known since childhood and carried with me to school. A weight I’ve kept in my pocket at ballet class. A weight that, even when I tried to leave it at home, somehow followed me wherever I went. The weight of worry. Mira really spoke to my heart. Her anxieties and insecurities of not being good enough were something I knew all too well, and I remember taking in a deep breath and thinking, “Oh my goodness, I wish I had this book as a little girl.” And I feel like that is such a powerful story because it’s ageless. It is an ageless human feeling that everyone, in some way or another, can relate to. The fear of not being good enough to try can be such a debilitating emotion, and if we’re not careful, it can not only suck the joy out of living… but, worse still, prevent us from even experiencing life altogether. Sitting on the sidelines because we’re too worried about the “what if I fail?” can be such a dangerous and heartbreaking thing. Being in the line of work that we are as creators, it’s a huge “heart on your sleeve” industry filled with rejection, waiting, more rejection, more waiting, and sometimes, that fear can creep in and dampen our spirits and even tempt us to give up. And I just love how Mira’s discovery of falling down isn’t the end of the world. She can keep trying, and that’s okay. But I love that she goes through those motions… the fear in the beginning and seeing how she progresses to eventually “try” and how that really is the key. The secret in life is to keep trying. And Mira’s story so beautifully illustrates that.
Okay, so I’ve talked your ear off about the story. But I’d love to ask you personally, what was the backstory of this story? How did you come up with Mira? And why did you feel it was important for her story to be shared? Explain.
PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MIRA, published by Little,Brown in 2022 is about a girl who wants to be good at something, but everyone else is already better. Think - growth mindset meets gymnasts. The story was inspired by my daughter, who, at the age of eleven, decided she was sick of being in a soccer family and wanted to try gymnastics. Gymnastics? At the age of eleven? I figured all the other gymnasts would have been tumbling for years. What if they laughed at her? What if it made her feel bad about herself? But my quiet, independent daughter braved it anyway. She stepped through the gym doors and was instantly welcomed into her gymnastics family. She grew confidence. Stood taller. Gained inner and outer strength, and she stuck with it. Not in hopes of achieving medals or recognition, but just because she loved it. I shared a little blurb about my daughter’s gymnastics story on social media and my agent wrote and said, “I think this might be your next book.” Which is how I ended up writing PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MIRA.
Any last words of wisdom or advice that you’d like to share with authors and/or illustrators?
Read heaps of books in the genre you want to write - preferably, books published in the last 5-10 years. Keep going! Try to work on your craft every day. Cheer for your kidlit community! Enjoy the journey!
Thank you, Faith. Now it's time for the last item on the agenda... THE GIVEAWAY!
Faith Pray is offering the following giveaway prize: A signed copy of her most recently published book FINDING GRATEFUL
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
Subscribe to the blog
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: May 31st, 2024, 11:59 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).
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 linksbelow supports this blog.
Already own a copy? Consider leaving a brief review on places like Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble.
Faith Pray (yes, that’s really her name, by marriage) grew up in a family of children’s book creators, so it’s no surprise that picture books have won her heart as well. Faith is the award-winning illustrator of ONE DAY, written by Joanna Ho, and the author-illustrator of PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MIRA and THE STARKEEPER. Faith lives with her husband, four kids, a rambunctious dog, and one overly helpful cat in a Victorian seaport town in the Pacific Northwest. Upcoming in 2024, Faith’s next books are FINDING GRATEFUL, written by Dianne White, illustrated by Faith Pray (Chronicle, April 2024), and her next author-illustrated picture book THE DAY WE GOT LOST (Little Brown, August 2024). Faith is represented by Molly O’Neill at Root Literary.
It’s the first day of May- and the first Wednesday of the month, which means I’m welcoming another guest onto the blog. Put your hands together for children’s book author and educator Christina Dankert.
Before I jump into our interview, though- if this is your first time visiting my blog or the feature interview segments, welcome! I’m glad you’re here, and I hope you’ll visit again. To give you an idea of what’s in store, here’s a brief overview of what feature interviews are all about and why they’re so valuable.
WHAT ARE FEATURE INTERVIEWS AND WHY ARE THEY SO GREAT?
In a nutshell, here’s what a “feature interview” is. Every month, I sit down with literary professionals –authors,illustrators,editors, andagents– at all stages of their careers- from newly debuting to well-established, seasoned best sellers- and we discuss all things kidlit publishing. (Many of my guests are also former or current educators andlibrarians!)
These interviews are a great resource for kidlit writers and illustrators no matter where they are in their journey. Not only do they offer current information on market trends, but they also give readers an up close & personal look at the world of publishing from a diverse collection of creators and perspectives.
Here’s a list of just a few of the helpful things we discuss:
Where to find both FREE and PAID for writing memberships, craft workshops, contests, and other resources
How to query agents andeditors and what they’re looking for
Where to find kidlit community and support from other writers or illustrators
What to do after you sign with your first agent – and/or make your first book deal
How to promote your books as a debuting author or illustrator
Behind the scenes of hosting author events- library/school visits
How to get your books into bookstores & schools
And, of course- during each feature interview segment- we share new publishing deals & host giveaway prizes for our readers!!! ** Giveaway PRIZES and instructions on HOW to enter are listed at the bottom of each interview**
Not that we’ve shared a little about what’s in store… it’s time to jump into our interview!
INTRODUCTION: HOW IT ALL STARTED… AND CLASSROOMS
Christina, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to have you here. The first thing I love asking my guests is where they began. Can you tell us when and how your journey to kidlit started? What were the motivating factors that led you to publishing? And where did your entry into the world first take root?
Thank you for having me! I find your author interviews very helpful and motivating, and I am honored to share part of my story. My kidlit author journey started as a Covid silver lining. I stepped away from my teaching position for a year, focused on my family, and had the opportunity to make writing a priority. Instead of writing lesson plans, prepping, and grading, I used that time to write and attend virtual conferences and writing sessions.
Have you always been a literature lover and fan of writing?
I loved reading as a child. I grew up with parents who valued reading. My mom took my sister and me to the public library frequently. I had teachers in high school who caused me to greatly dislike reading. I hated being told what I had to read and often found mandatory text boring or confusing. I went to college and had a roommate who was an English major. She traveled with a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf in each of her apartments. She would highlight books she thought I’d be interested in and I began to read for pleasure. When I had my own children, I read to them but didn’t have the time or energy for my own reading. I missed it. I made a goal to read four pages a night. FOUR PAGES! A habit was formed, and now I enjoy reading and listening to books through audiobooks as much as possible.
I know you’re a second-grade teacher. Has your teaching experience influenced your desire to publish books?
Absolutely! As a teacher, I take my read-alouds very seriously. As a mom of two and a teacher, I read a lot of picture books. There are so many beautiful and meaningful books. Since I only have 180 school days, I try to pick the best of the best.
Books that will: * help teach academic content *that will allow for discussions and celebrations of cultures and diversity *books that help explore feelings/emotions and provide strategies *and books that simply make us laugh and are meant to entertain us while building a love for reading
As a mom and teacher, I know that kindness is very important. I want my children and students to be kind humans to each other and to themselves. Kindness ended up being the focus of my first picture book.
What do your students think about the fact that their teacher is also an author? Do they think, “Wow, my teacher is SO cool! She writes books!” (I know I would have thought it was the coolest thing ever.)
They do think it is exciting! But the best part is, they are inspired to write their own stories! I have students create their own stories, outside of pieces we are working on, that they illustrated or that they work together with a friend at recess or at home. Each week, students share their stories with the class, and our basket of published books keeps growing.
I love it when students complain about how hard writing is. It allows me to pause and tell them how many times I had to reread The Kindness Machine and how many times it was edited. This allows them to see that it is okay if it’s hard, but perseverance is key.
That must be an AMAZING feeling, to see your students inspired to create and try- try again.Speaking of inspired to create... Do you ever do any creative writing assignments with your second graders?
This year, we are creating a writing portfolio. Each quarter, students add a few pieces of writing or typed stories. They range from narrative, opinion, and informational writing. I write a positive note to each student in their portfolio, and then they take it home to share with their families. It is returned with a positive note from home, and then we repeat the following quarter. I have seen more enthusiasm from reluctant writers because they know they get to share it at home. Boosting confidence is a huge piece of writing in 2nd grade.
“As a mom and teacher, I know that kindness is very important. I want my children and students to be kind humans to each other and to themselves.“
“I love when students complain about how hard writing is. It allows me to pause and tell them how many times I had to reread The Kindness Machine and how many times it was edited. This allows them to see that it is okay if it’s hard, but perseverance is key.“
PUBLISHING ROUTES & SUBMISSIONS
You published your debut picture book, The Kindness Machine, in 2022. Congratulations! Can you tell us about what publishing route you took? Did you go traditional or independent? Did you query agents for representation, or did you send submissions directly to the publisher? And why?
Thank you! I went with a hybrid publisher, Purple Butterfly Press, which had other published books featuring character strengths. Working collaboratively with a team was very beneficial since this was my first time publishing. The team was very patient and answered all of my questions. An added bonus was that this publisher allowed for not only manuscript submissions but illustrator samples as well. We will circle back to why that was so exciting in a minute. In the future, I would love to be traditionally published, and I am working on agent research and my query letter.
Was it an immediate YES on the first try? Explain.
I submitted to a few publishers and heard nothing. When I submitted it to Purple Butterfly Press, I received an email about a month later stating that they were interested in my manuscript.
Can you share some of the pros/cons of each route and what it has to offer?
There are pros and cons to each publishing route, and ultimately, you have to do what is best for you. I’d love to be published traditionally and independently to see which route I prefer. A pro for traditionally published is often a wider distribution to help get your book in the hands of readers. A pro for being independently published is that it is often a faster timeline.
Okay, so you have your manuscript(s), and you’re ready to launch out in the world. What kind of timeframe did it take to get your first book deal- from concept to publication?
Be sure to pack an extra suitcase of patience for this journey. We live in a fast-paced world where we are so used to instant gratification.
My timeline was: Fall 2020 - wrote manuscript, peer edits/feedback. March 2021 - submitted manuscript to Purple Butterfly Press. May 2021 - signed contract March 2022 - published
Are you currently represented by an agent/agency? If so, who? Not at this point. Through the 12x12 writing community, I have learned a lot about agents and representation. I hope to one day have an agent that will help bring more books into the world.
“There are pros and cons to each publishing route, and ultimately, you have to do what is best for you. A pro for traditionally published is often a wider distribution to help get your book in the hands of readers. A pro for being independently published is that it is often a faster timeline.“
Do you have anything out on submission right now or any future projects currently in the works?
My goal for 2024 is to write multiple manuscripts and revise them. All of my manuscripts feature a positive character trait: empathy, perseverance, quality time, etc. I am proud of the writing that has happened so far this year and hope to send work out on submission in 2025.
I recently received an honorable mention for my 50 Precious Word International Writing Contest submission. That was a huge boost for my confidence and is motivating me to turn those 50 words into a full manuscript.
That is such an exciting accomplishment, Christina- congratulations!! That confidence boost is well deserved and should be celebrated.
Speaking of celebrating… I also participated in this year’s 50 Precious Words Contest and made it to the honorable mentions- so I’m celebrating with you! If any of our readers would like to see me or Christina’s 2024 50 Precious Word entries, you can view them below!
AUTHOR VISITS
I know you love doing author events. Would you tell us about some of the events you’ve done? How did you get in the doors? Did you reach out to them (schools/libraries/bookstores/etc) or did they reach out to you? Are your visits paid, do you offer them voluntarily, or is it a mixture of both?
I absolutely LOVE doing author visits! To read something that you have poured your heart and soul into, to your target audience is an incredible feeling. To see children get excited when you hope they do, ask amazing questions, and often tell you that they are going to be an author is very rewarding. When the book launched, I had the opportunity to read the book to each grade level at my very supportive school. I presented the book six times as I worked my way from kindergarten to fifth. I was able to try out a few different things and cater the presentations to the different age groups.
From there, I have reached out to a few schools and been approached by local schools. At this point, the presentation is not paid but schools have an opportunity to purchase books, which my husband and I both sign. (Keep reading to find out why my husband is signing the books too!) If this was my full-time career, I would charge for the presentation, would be more willing to travel further from home and would spend a lot of time approaching school districts. Maybe someday, but right now, I look at author visits as something that brings me immense joy and is a special treat for my author heart.
“I absolutely LOVE doing author visits! To read something that you have poured your heart and soul into, to your target audience is an incredible feeling. To see children get excited when you hope they do, ask amazing questions, and often tell you that they are going to be an author is very rewarding.“
About how long do you typically stay for a visit? Can you give us a brief idea of what your format looks like? Read aloud? Q&A? Class craft or project? Etc.
A typical author visit kicks off with the importance of reading and sharing stories. I then have children look at the cover of The Kindness Machine to make a guess what it looks like under the sheet. I read the story and pause throughout to ask questions. There are little “magic questions” in the bottom right hand corner in the heart of the book that are perfect to engage listeners. I end with a Q&A and have had older students complete a kindness brainstorming activity. I also email teachers a few printables that go with the story for them to use at their convenience. Typically, the presentations are 25-40 minutes long.
What’s your favorite part of the author visit?
My favorite part of the author visit is when I read the last page of the book. I never show the last page on the large screen until after I read the last page has only one sentence. It reads, “Now let me ask you again, who has a superpower?” Student’s hands ALWAYS shoot up when they realize that kindness is the superpower they already have.
Do you ever offer (or bring) anything special to your classroom/library/bookstore, like a signed copy of your book or something else?
I like to donate a hard copy of the book to the school’s library.
What advice would you share with a debuting author or illustrator looking to get their foot in the door of a bookstore, library, or school for an author event? Any tips on how to go about this?
Reach out to school librarians, reading specialists, or parent clubs to see if an author visit is something their school would be interested in. Let them know what your book is about and what the presentation looks like so they can see if it would be a good fit.
“My favorite part of the author visit is when I read the last page of the book. Student’s hands ALWAYS shoot up when they realize that kindness is the superpower they already have.“
“Reach out to school librarians, reading specialists, or parent clubs to see if an author visit is something their school would be interested in. Let them know what your book is about and what the presentation looks like so they can see if it would be a good fit.”
OVERCOMING HURDLES & FINDING COMMUNITY
What were some of the hurdles you faced early on and maybe even later during the publishing process? And how were you able to overcome them? Explain.
Waiting is very challenging, but it is part of the process. I received excellent writing advice from a writer friend. She suggested that once you submit something and you are waiting, start working on something else. It might be another manuscript, but it might also be a blog post, application for author event, magazine article, etc. Keep working on your craft so that you continue to get better and keep your mind busy during the waiting portion on this journey.
Speaking of hurdles… one thing I’ve found to be true is the value of building connections among the writing community. They make the hardships so much more bearable and at times, they can make the difference in sticking it out until the end. Can you tell us about your experience in forging friendships among the writing community?
The kidlit community is truly incredible. Finding other authors is key. Oftentimes your family and friends will be incredible cheerleaders for you. However, you need other writers to understand your frustrations, help with accountability and celebrate even the littlest of wins. It was through a virtual writing conference in 2021 that I connected with incredible writers. We get together a few times a month via Zoom to ask questions, share work and receive feedback and then spend time writing.
Where did you go to find your writing community and what suggestions do you have for other writers or illustrators looking to branch out in this area?
As I mentioned, I was fortunate enough to click with writers during a virtual conference. However, reach out to your library, check to see if there are local writing groups or feel free to start your own with like minded people.
Are there any writing organizations, groups, podcasts, or websites that you recommend checking out?
I find the 12x12 Writing Challenge to be a very supportive community, it is where you and I first crossed paths. I appreciate the thoughtful monthly webinars and active Facebook group to ask questions and support one another.
“The kidlit community is truly incredible. Finding other authors is key. Oftentimes your family and friends will be incredible cheerleaders for you. However, you need other writers to understand your frustrations, help with accountability and celebrate even the littlest of wins.“
“I find the 12×12 Writing Challenge to be a very supportive community, it is where you and I first crossed paths. I appreciate the thoughtful monthly webinars and active Facebook group to ask questions and support one another.“
BOOKISH THINGS
Moving on to bookish things! Can you tell us about the illustrations in your story, The Kindness Machine? Did you have any say or contribution in the artwork, or was it a complete surprise? Were they what you imagined they’d be? Explain.
Ah ha! I am so excited to share that my husband, Chad, was the illustrator for The Kindness Machine! Before we were married, I told him we should merge our two professions of teacher and artist into a picture book. 14 years later and here we are! It was honestly a joy to collaborate with Chad. He knows me so well and was able to bring the story to life. Working with a hybrid publisher, we had the opportunity to pitch both the manuscript and illustration samples and they both were accepted. We spent many nights on the couch or at the dinner table after the kids went to bed, talking about illustrations as he sketched on his i-Pad. He was able to add in extra details such as the teacher looking like my best friend, adding a Free Little Library to the sketches and items from my classroom, such as a fish tank. Chad exceeded my expectations and it is something we are both very proud to have collaborated on.
Let’s talk about “the moment.” “The moment” being… the first time you saw and held your book in your hands. What were your feelings and thoughts?
It really is a big deal! I remember holding the sample copy and just smiling. Our own children saw it and my son said, “Wait! It’s out!?” It was very special reading the actual book to them that night at bedtime.
The Kindness Machine has such a wonderful message. Can you tell us about the story?
The Kindness Machine takes place in a second grade classroom with a teacher, Mr. Wilson, who is known for creating fun gadgets and gizmos. One day he brings a kindness machine to school and students have the opportunity to push different buttons to learn ways to be kind not only to others but also to themselves. In the end, students realize that they each have their own kindness machine inside them to help spread kindness wherever they go.
In your own words, can you share your inspiration for writing this book and how you hope it will leave your readers feeling?
As a mom and a teacher, we truly want all of our children and students to be kind. My hope is that the readers and listeners are reminded that kindness is not complicated. We can spread kindness through simple actions. The idea of self-love and kindness to ourselves is something that even adults struggle with. My goal is that if we start sharing this idea of loving ourselves early, we can help lay a solid foundation for self-love. I also secretly hope that the adults reading the books get a gentle reminder to not be so hard on themselves.
What has the reaction/response been from readers? Have you had any special moments that you’d like to share?
The response has been great! I love when former students tell me they read the book AGAIN before bedtime or that a teacher checked it out from the library for their class. A high school senior, who I did not know, used The Kindness Machine for a huge project. He had to create a display, read the book to a class, and create an activity to go with the book. One school counselor read the book to 17 classes and created an entire school wall with pieces from the story that they worked on together. It was so amazing to really feel the kindness ripple that has happened from publishing.
Any advice for authors and/or illustrators who are looking into breaking into the kidlit market?
Read! Read everything you can in your kidlit theme that is already out and figure out what is missing that you can add. I read over 50 books about kindness, but only one included kindness to ourselves, which is why I included that in my book. Connect with other writers and carve out time to write.
Okay, we’ve done the nitty-gritty portion. Now, let’s move on to a few fun favorites.
Favorite color? Red
Favorite animal? Panda
Favorite vacation destination? The beach!
Favorite dessert/snack? Dark chocolate, donuts
Favorite book(s)? Too many to list!
“As a mom and a teacher, we truly want all of our children and students to be kind. My hope is that the readers and listeners are reminded that kindness is not complicated. We can spread kindness through simple actions.“
“The idea of self-love and kindness to ourselves is something that even adults struggle with. My goal is that if we start sharing this idea of loving ourselves early, we can help lay a solid foundation for self-love. I also hope that the adults reading the books get a gentle reminder to not be so hard on themselves.“
Any last pieces of advice or words of wisdom that you’d like to share with our readers today?
Be patient. Trust yourself. Remember that you have a story to tell and that your words matter. Write on.
Thank you, Christina, for spending time with us today. We appreciate you and everything you’ve done to share your kindness with the world.
But don’t hurry off just yet… We still have ONE final item on our agenda. And that’s… THE GIVEAWAY!
Christina Dankert is offering the following giveaway prize: A signed copy of The Kindness Machine.
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
Subscribe to the blog
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: May 31st, 2024, 11:59 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).
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 linksbelow also supports this blog.
Already own a copy?
Consider leaving a brief review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble.
Christina Dankert is a children’s book author, second-grade teacher, and literacy enthusiast living in Ohio. As an educator, she believes books are a beautiful way to continue to learn and grow. She believes all children should be able to find themselves in picture books. It is through children’s literature and reading to the children in our lives that we will change the world.
