Tag: Kidlit Writing Community

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

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

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

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

411 ON FEATURE INTERVIEWS

What are feature interviews & WHO are they for?

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

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

What can these interviews offer YOU?

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

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

And more!

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

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

INTRODUCTION: THE MAGIC OF PUBLISHING!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And so, my journey to publication began. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When did you sign with your agent?

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

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

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

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

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

-I'll bet it was!-

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

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Great advice!-

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

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

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

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

When I wrote this mission statement, the word empower was meant to convey that I wanted to write books that empower my readers. There have been times, however, that adhering to my writing practices and routines has helped empower me, particularly during periods of time filled with uncertainty and powerlessness. 
I also encourage others (in any walk of life) to really think about, envision, and articulate what it is you want to create and accomplish. Some years ago, I wrote the following vision statement to help guide and shape my creative work: 
 
My Vivid Description of the Future: 
-Kids and parents who sign will seek out my sign language stories.
-My publisher will be passionate and informed about my projects.
-Educators and librarians will read my stories to the kids they serve.
-Because of my books, more and more libraries will contact me to request classes to teach them how to sign with their kids.
-My books will open doors for me to travel to new places, meet new people and continue to provide opportunities for me to teach and encourage others.
-My stories and workshops will bring the power of language and literacy to children.

-I love all of these, Dawn!-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORIES

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

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

Thank you for such kind words, Chelsea. 

My most recent book, and a story that is very dear to my heart, Lucy’s Blooms, grew out of memories and emotions that surfaced when I gazed at a little glass bird that sits on my desk, a gift from my beloved Gram, coupled with an experience I had in my own garden. 
One day, as I diligently tended to the flowers in my carefully prepared flowerbeds, I observed two additional plants that had independently sprouted in a patch of soil that bordered my front walkway. I didn’t know what these plants were, only that they were beautiful and thriving. Eventually, more experienced gardeners informed me that these plants were actually weeds, and I was advised to pull them. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Although I disagreed with the sales team’s assessment, I eventually brainstormed a list of different characters to try out for the story, one of which was a cowgirl. As soon as that idea came to mind, I found myself transported to a time when my then college-aged daughter was in grade school, and her wardrobe included a bright pink pair of cowgirl boots. I paged through old photos and found the one I was looking for: A photo of my daughter dressed-up for her western-themed grade school carnival. 
I now had the kernel of a very clear new character in my mind’s eye. This character was unique and separate from the Pirate character that I couldn’t let go of, and she had her own story to tell.

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

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

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

Interior of LUCY’S BLOOMS, illustration by Alice Brereton

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

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

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

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

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

RESOURCES, EDUCATION & ASL

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

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

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

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

Birth Stories for Books: Post About Paths to Publication.

Have Swag Will Travel: Tips for Planning Book Events.

The Writers’ Life.

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

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

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

VISITS & EVENTS

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

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

-VERY cool.-

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

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

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

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

What’s your favorite part of an author visit? 

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

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

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

I wrote back:  

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

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

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

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

As I worked on my remarks for the awards ceremony, it occurred to me that our body of work, our literary legacy, extends well beyond the books that we write and manage to get published. You can read my full remarks (and see a video of my acceptance speech here: https://www.dawnprochovnic.com/2023/04/the-literary-legacy-part-of-writing-life.html) but I will share some similar thoughts below: 
 
I wholeheartedly believe that each of us has the power to influence the literary landscape in our own communities, in our schools and libraries, and within our families.
 
Someone reading this blog likely read a book by a local author to a child today. Someone else made a purchase at an indie bookstore. I’ll bet someone volunteered at their local library, someone gifted a book to a classroom teacher, and someone wrote a kind letter that will be read and re-read again and again.
 
My fifth grade teacher held a reading contest back in 1978 that motivated me to read, and played a role in my eventually becoming an award-winning author. 
 
I challenge each person reading this blog to take one seemingly small action that might benefit a young reader, another children’s book creator, or another professional who gets books into the hands of young readers, such as a teacher, librarian, or bookseller. Imagine the legacy that together we’ll leave.    

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

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

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

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

OR

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

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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

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

And that’s it!

FAQ:

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

Did you enjoy this interview?

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

Purchase Lucy’s Blooms

Purchase Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?

Purchase Where Does a Pirate go Potty?

Purchase ADHD and Me

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

  • Leave a brief positive review of their work on places like Amazon, Goodreads & Barnes & Noble
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  • Share it with a friend!

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

Connect with Dawn

dawnp@smalltalklearning.com

http://www.dawnprochovnic.com

Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor

Twitter/IG: @DawnProchovnic

Bluesky: @dawnprochovnic.bsky.social

Pinterest: @DawnProchovnic

Facebook: @DawnProchovnicAuthor

YouTube: @dprochovnic

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

APRIL 17TH, 2024, FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH FORMER K-1 TEACHER AND LITERARY SPECIALIST, NOW CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR AND EDITOR, MAYA MYERS

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

It’s time for our second Feature Interview of April, and today’s guest is a literary superstar. Not only does Maya have a background in literacy and education, but she’s also a current project manager in the world of publishing, an editor, a children’s book writer publishing across genres in kidlit, and married to a picture book author and illustrator, Matt Myers! But, before we get started, in case this is your first time visiting the blog (welcome), here’s a brief introduction to what feature interviews are all about and how they can benefit you!

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, and agents– 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 and librarians!)

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 and editors and what they’re looking for
  • Where to find kidlit community and support from other writers or illustrators
  • Diversity, empathy, and kindness in kidlit and why it matters
  • How to improve your skills and set goals
  • Writing across genres
  • How to deal with setbacks/disappointments and WAITING
  • Helpful tips and suggestions for aspiring authors and illustrators
  • Pros and cons of small publishers, hybrid (or indie) publishing, and being agented vs. unagented
  • 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!

BEGINNINGS

Maya, I’m so excited to have you with us today! I loved your book NOT LITTLE and was happy to see all the various ways you work in the world of kidlit. But before I get too deep into the details… I like starting my interviews at the very beginning.

I know you were “once upon a time” a kindergarten teacher. And now you’re a children’s book author – writing across genres! – (among other things).

So, for the author side of things, when and how did you get your start in publishing? Was it something you always knew you wanted to do, or was it something you discovered later in life? And did your previous work as an educator have anything to do with your desire to write kids’ books?

In my first career as an elementary school teacher, I designed my teaching units around books. Books were always a big part of my own life and my kids’ lives, too. When I started freelance editing, I reached out to children’s publishers because I had a lot of experience reading children’s books. But I didn’t really think I’d ever write one—until I did! I started writing picture books around the time my youngest daughter (now 16) started school. She said the funniest things and one day, I was sitting in the next room listening to her talk to my husband, and I decided to take a shot at preserving some of her childhood by writing about it. 

What were the beginning stages of your publishing journey like? Can you tell us about the early stages- querying- rejections and how you wound up with your agent?

I was lucky enough to know Neal Porter (my first editor) through my husband, who has worked with him for years. Neal read my very first story and encouraged me to keep writing, and graciously read a number of manuscripts for me over several years. The first time I showed him Not Little (my first published picture book), he liked it but said it wasn’t quite right for him. I felt good about it anyway, so I submitted it to a couple of agents, but with no luck. About six months later, I shared a completely different type of book with Neal, and while he liked it, he said he just wanted a good, solid story from me. I asked if he remembered the story about the little girl who stands up against bullying, which I had recently revisited and tweaked the ending of. I still really loved it and told Neal I didn’t think I could do much better than that. He asked to see it again, and this time, he said it was perfect and he wanted to publish it! I was shocked and thrilled. My husband’s agent’s assistant was just moving into representing clients of her own, and she accepted me as one of them.

WORK-FOR-HIRE + WRITING ACROSS GENRES

Not only are you traditionally published and agented by the lovely Hannah Mann at Writers House, but you also do work-for-hire books and work as an editor and project manager. This is the dream! Or at least- I think it’s the dream.
As someone who would love to dip her toe into work-for-hire work herself, can you tell us more about what’s involved in this process? Is it similar to the querying process? And does your agent have anything to do with your work-for-hire projects, or is this done separately?

I initially shared my resume with National Geographic Kids as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader, and I didn’t hear from them for a year. When they did reach out, it was to ask if I was interested in writing a leveled reader. I had never done anything like that before (and this was before I’d sold my first picture book), but I was excited to try! That project led to a few others like it, as well as some bigger books, and also to some project management work for NGK and then with other companies. My agent connected me with another publisher that does some projects this way, but these projects are generally not agented. I’m contacted by the publisher or organization; they offer a job with a flat fee and a schedule, and I can accept it or not.

I’ve heard that the work-for-hire projects can be more selective, and oftentimes, they’re written in-house. Can you speak to this? Would you say it’s more difficult than getting your work published traditionally with an agent and publisher?

I guess this depends on the type of project. For the work-for-hire projects I’ve done so far, I’ve just been offered the jobs, so it’s been WAY easier than trying to sell a manuscript. To me, these WFH projects feel closer to editorial work than to creative work; I’m making a product to fit a prescribed mold rather than coming up with a concept and an original way to present it. It’s a collaborative process with a whole team. I’m proud of the end result, of course, but I feel a different sense of ownership for the books I’ve generated from my imagination.

Circling back to publishing across genres in kidlit… I wonder, do you have a favorite to write or read? PB? MG? Chapter books? Personally, I write mainly picture book manuscripts- and I love reading picture books- but I also really love reading middle-grade. What about you?

I started out writing picture books with no intention of expanding to other audiences. My first chapter book started as a picture book; it was my agent’s idea to make it longer and for older kids, and I wasn’t sure it would work, but it turned out I really enjoyed writing with more room for dialogue and description. 

I love that my work as an editor lets me read as a full-time job! This gives me a chance to read a lot more MG and YA than I would otherwise have time for, and I really enjoy both. I always love picture books, too, and I miss having little people to read to on a regular basis!

What tips can you give other writers or illustrators who are trying to break into the industry?

I think no matter what age you’re writing for; a unique voice and perspective will always serve you well. And if your main character can surprise the reader in some way—give them something that’s a little different from what they were expecting because of the way the character has grown or changed in the course of the story—that helps create a more satisfying ending.

“I think no matter what age you’re writing for; a unique voice and perspective will always serve you well. And if your main character can surprise the reader in some way—give them something that’s a little different from what they were expecting because of the way the character has grown or changed in the course of the story—that helps create a more satisfying ending. “

OTHER ROLES IN PUBLISHING: SHARED PASSIONS & INSPIRATION

In addition to writing across kidlit genres, you’re also an editor and work as a project manager. Can you tell us more about those positions? What’s involved in each?  And do they have a positive crossover- if any- to your writing career- or vice-versa?

I do freelance developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for various publishers and authors. I enjoy working with text at all these different levels—big picture to tiniest detail. Project management tends to be more organizational—making sure all the moving pieces come together at the right time and in the right ways—and I’m often also the text editor for these projects (for example, a set of leveled readers) as well, so the job brings together lots of skills I’ve developed over the years as a freelancer. 

As a writer, I definitely get inspired by editing other people’s books, and I hope I’m an easy author to work with because I have some experience with the process of the book actually getting made. 

I think it’s beyond words cool that your husband also works in the kidlit arena with you. How fun to have that shared passion! And as I was writing these questions, I kept wondering how it all happened. So, here’s my question.
Which came first- the chicken or the egg? The chicken being your husband Matt, the egg being your beginning to publication. Were your two paths linked? Did you begin writing together? Did one of you start first? Were you already married when you started writing, or did the writing dream begin afterward?

Who says I’m not the chicken?? Just kidding—Matt has been at this much longer than I have, since years before we got married. He found my feedback on his own writing helpful and encouraged me to get into editing. Then, when I started writing, he encouraged me to share my work with Neal, who encouraged me further. My first story was inspired by watching Matt and my youngest bond over imaginary play.

What is it like being married to an author/illustrator? Do you ever brainstorm ideas together or get to work on projects together?

We are always each other’s first editor—an in-house (literally) critique group. We talk about story ideas, some of which come to fruition for one of us and some that fade away. If authors got to choose their own illustrators, I would choose him again and again; however, I’ve been so incredibly lucky with the illustrators for my books that I’m glad I didn’t have that option! We have not yet worked on a project together, but we hope to someday.

A double book launch for me and Matt at Park Road Books in Charlotte, North Carolina

I was also excited to see that you live in Charlotte, North Carolina (I have family there). I actually grew up in a small town outside of Asheville- and only moved to Tennessee a few years ago after getting married. (I lived there from ages 12-28). I’ve been penning tales since I was 4, so when my family moved me to NC at age 12, it definitely stirred my creative inspiration for writing. From regular weekly drives through the Blue Ridge Parkway, trips to the orchards, swimming in creeks on the side of the road, and finding hidden waterfalls along the trails, there was so much to spark the imagination!

Do you find your inspiration in similar ways, being out in nature? If not, what kinds of things inspire you to write? And what do you enjoy writing about most?

I grew up in rural Maine, and I’ve always been inspired by nature; my next picture book (Good Morning, Morning, coming in 2026 from Neal Porter Books, illustrated by Jennifer Mann) is about a child greeting the day by connecting with all the different things in their natural world. I have also always loved young kids and the funny things they say and think and do. I like watching them put the pieces of the world together, figuring out how things fit and where they fit in all of it. It feels really satisfying to represent a kid’s world view in a story.

Speaking of writing and inspiration… one thing I’ve found to be invaluable on this journey is being a part of the writing community. It helps keep you motivated to continue going even when things get tough. Do you have any recommendations or favorite places to go to find a writing community?

A lot of libraries host writing groups, and your local SCBWI chapter can also be a great resource. Attending book launches at your local bookstore is an excellent way to support both authors and bookstores, and to meet other authors and help build your own local writing community.

“A lot of libraries host writing groups, and your local SCBWI chapter can also be a great resource. Attending book launches at your local bookstore is an excellent way to support both authors and bookstores, and to meet other authors and help build your own local writing community.“

THE JOURNEY: CHALLENGES & WORDS OF WISDOM

We love cheerleading and hearing all the good things that happen for our fellow writers. But sometimes, hearing only the positives (aka half the story…) can be misleading and, at times- disheartening- because people might feel like they’re the only ones struggling. So, what are some challenges you’ve personally had to face on your publishing journey, and how have you been able to combat them?

I think the hardest things for me have been waiting and rejection. Both have certainly gotten easier over time as I’ve come to know what to expect. It was three years between when I sold my first picture book manuscript and when the book came out into the world. It’s usually many months between the time a manuscript goes out on submission and the time an editor makes an offer or (more often) a pass. It’s important to me to stay busy with other things, or I’d spend all my time obsessing over whatever book is out on submission—it’s better if I don’t think about it at all! Especially since more often than not, chances are that book will never sell. Even though I have an awesome agent and my published books have been very well received, it is still very hard to sell a new book. I know my books are not for everybody, and I do not take rejections personally. I keep a spreadsheet with notes about what worked and didn’t work for various editors, and I review those notes as I’m developing new ideas. And I know that if I never sell another book again, I’ll still be incredibly proud of the ones that have been published.

In your professional opinion, what makes publishing so hard? And what words of wisdom do you have for those just starting out?

Like any art, writing is inherently a subjective business, so some people will like your work, and some will not. Rejection is never easy, and there are very few rejection-free paths to publishing. It can be hard to believe in something you created when other people don’t seem to get it—but that doesn’t mean no one will ever get it. 

One of the best things we can do to keep our work relevant to the current market is to keep reading new books that are being published. See what’s out there, what you like and don’t like. Then you can see both where you can fit in with the crowd and what holes you can fill with your unique voice. 

While we’re talking about “words of wisdom,” do you have any “do’s and/or don’ts” to share with our readers?

Do make a storyboard for your picture book. You don’t have to be able to draw. Just thinking about where the words will go on the page will help you figure out page turns and will help you lower your word count.

Do leave room for the illustrator to do their job. In a well-balanced picture book, neither the text nor the illustrations will be as effective separately as they are together. The words don’t need to describe what things look like, and the more you can stay open to different ways your book might ultimately look in the end, the happier you are likely to be with the illustrations.

Do put every project away for long enough that you can forget how it goes. Then, try to come back to it and read it with fresh eyes. Pretend someone else wrote it. What parts work well? What could be done better?

Do share your work with others and listen to what they have to say. That’s not the same thing as doing everything they say, not at all. But hear it, decide whether it resonates with you, and either act on it or release it.

“Like any art, writing is inherently a subjective business, so some people will like your work, and some will not. Rejection is never easy, and there are very few rejection-free paths to publishing. It can be hard to believe in something you created when other people don’t seem to get it—but that doesn’t mean no one will ever get it.“

“One of the best things we can do to keep our work relevant to the current market is to keep reading new books that are being published. See what’s out there, what you like and don’t like. Then you can see both where you can fit in with the crowd and what holes you can fill with your unique voice.“

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!

Okay, we’ve made it through all the nitty-gritty publishing questions, and now it’s time to celebrate- with books! We’ve danced around the topic of your writing across genres. Now, let’s hear about your stories! Tell us about your books! 

Each story tells about a part of us. What do each of your books mean to you personally? Why’d you write them? And what do you hope they will do for your readers? What was each journey like for your story? Which one was published first- your debut book deal? What were the emotions of the process? And about how long did each book take- from the beginning (writing) to book deal and publication?

For some of our readers who are new to publishing, it might come as a surprise that not all authors in the kidlit arena are illustrators- in fact, most aren’t. Can you share a little bit about the illustration process for your books and how much or little you were involved in that?

My debut picture book was Not Little, illustrated by Hyewon Yum (Neal Porter Books / Holiday House, 2021). My inspiration for this book came from a number of tiny but fierce kids I’ve known over the years, who seemed to make up for their “little” stature with outsized spunk and determination. One of them is my youngest, who was very small as a young child and a precocious reader. She was perpetually indignant that the school librarian wouldn’t let her check out big chapter books and was often looked at skeptically when she would order (and polish off) a whole pizza in a restaurant. 

I wrote this story in 2017 when there was a new level of vitriol and unkindness flying around in the world, and I wanted to remind my own kids and others that anyone can fight back against cruelty without being cruel. I sold the manuscript in 2018, and the book was published in 2021.

I made these Dot dolls as a pandemic project—one for Neal, one for Hyewon, one for me.

I was originally hoping that Neal, my editor, would select Matt as the illustrator for my first book; after all, they’d been working together for years, so why wouldn’t he pair us up? So when Neal told me that he’d decided to go with someone else, I was a little bit disappointed. But I loved Hyewon’s work, and when I first saw the dummy (sketches) for Not Little, I was so excited to “meet” the main character and her family that I burst into happy tears. 

An illustrator’s note in the manuscript had said she came from a big family, but the multigenerational blended family Hyewon imagined was greater than I could have hoped for! 

I knew I wanted to get to know that family better, so that’s where I started the follow-up book Not Perfect, which I wrote and sold in 2021 and which is out now, in 2024 (again, a three-year turnaround). Not Perfect is for all of us who strive for perfection. It’s a reminder that it’s the striving itself—the trying, the making mistakes, and the bouncing back and trying again—that makes us strong.

Meeting Hyewon Yum at the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show, 2019

As I mentioned earlier, my first chapter book started out as a picture book called Little Red Writing Hood. My agent loved it and got it ready to go out on submission. Then, at the last minute, she said she thought the story was better suited to older readers and suggested that I rewrite it as a chapter book. It took me about a year to get on board with this idea, but once I started, I really loved writing for older kids. And when we sold that manuscript to Krissy Mohn at Capstone (summer of 2022), she said she wanted a series of four books—and all the manuscripts were due within six months! So I had to make room in my schedule for a lot more writing than I usually do, but it was a lot of fun, and I’m so thrilled to have all four books coming out this year (the first two are out now; the other two coming in August). 

Eleanor Howell did an incredible job with the illustrations! Each of the books has a curriculum-based focus (writing, scientific method, research, and graphing), nestled into some of the real social and emotional struggles that elementary-aged kids face. I liked getting back to teacher mode for these curriculum-based stories, and I really hope the books will be helpful to teachers—and fun for kids to read!
For all my books so far, and for almost all of the dozens of books I’ve seen my husband illustrate, the writing process and the illustration process are pretty separate. The author has the freedom to create the story as they envision it, and then the editor has the fun job of playing matchmaker: choosing an illustrator they think will bring this story to life in an effective, engaging way, then giving them the freedom to do just that. In return for your trust, you get the gift of having an artist enhance your story by turning your ideas into a visual experience.

What has/have been your favorite part/parts of being a published author? If you have more than one favorite – feel free to share! I know it’s hard for me to pick a single favorite, so I totally understand if you can’t choose just one.

I love connecting with kids and making them feel empowered to do things—whether it’s recovering from frustration or, standing up to a bully or writing a story of their own. It’s also super fun to work in the same field as my husband, and getting to make friends within the kid lit community together.
These pictures are awesome. Thanks so much for sharing them with us and for joining us today, Maya.

Thanks so much for having me!

But we’re not quite finished yet. Now it’s time for our GIVEAWAY.

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: Maya is offering a signed copy of Not Little or Not Perfect.

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

  1. Subscribe to the blog
  2. Like this blog post
  3. Comment below, letting me know you’ve done 1 & 2. (Please note: If the guest is offering more than one prize, please specify which prize you’d like in your comment.)

Deadline to enter: April 30th, 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 links below also supports this blog.

PURCHASE Not Perfect

PURCHASE Not Little

PURCHASE Rosie Woods in Jack and the Bean Shock

PURCHASE Rosie Woods in Little Red Writing Hood

PURCHASE Rosie Woods Rosielocks and the Three Bears (available for pre-order now)

PURCHASE Rosie Woods The Three Billy GOATs Graph (available for pre-order now)

PURCHASE National Geographic Kids Little Kids First Big Book of Baby Animals

PURCHASE National Geographic Kids Llamas

PURCHASE National Geographic Kids Puffins

PURCHASE National Geographic Kids Hippos

PURCHASE ADHD and Me

Already own a copy of one of these? Consider leaving a brief review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble.

Maya Myers writes books for kids. Her debut picture book, NOT LITTLE, was named a 2022 ALSC Notable Children’s Book. She’s also a freelance book editor and publishing project manager, working with both authors and publishers on all sorts of books, from phonics readers to memoir and everything in between. She’s a former kindergarten teacher, K-5 literacy teacher, and piccolo player. These days, when she’s not wrangling words, she’s probably cooking, digging in the garden, playing a board game with lots of pieces, or (surprise!) reading.

Maya grew up playing in the woods on the coast of Maine in a little town that is still almost thirty miles from a stoplight. She attended Duke University and has called North Carolina home ever since. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, author/illustrator Matt Myers, three kids, six chickens, and a twenty-three-pound cat.

ohmayaword.com (author site) mayamyersbooks.com (editorial site)

2024 FEATURE INTERVIEW GUEST LIST WITH CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR, BLOGGER & LIBRARIAN, CHELSEA DICICCO

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

WOW, WOW, WOW!

Hello writing friends! Welcome to my official 2024 Feature Interview Guest List announcement post. If you've kept up with my social media, it's no secret that this year's Feature Interview candidate list was nothing short of incredible. The number of talented applicants from all over the world that flowed into my inbox in just a little over a month was astounding. So much so, in fact, that it inspired me to DOUBLE up my guest list. That's right-- now, instead of one Feature Interview a month, you'll be getting two! 

And that's not the only change coming your way in 2024. In times past, I've made it my goal to post a new Feature Interview the first of every month (rain or shine). Now, my Feature Interviews will be on a set schedule: every first and third Wednesday of the month. And... if you subscribe to my newsletter (which I hope you will) you'll get a VERY brief, one paragraph email from me on the last Friday of each month that says, "Hi! These are the guests who came on the blog this month. These are the topics we discussed. Interested in reading about them? Here are the links: Link. Link." Bada-bing. Bada-boom. That's it. Simple. Brief. Helpful.

I'm sure, you probably already know the spiel on why Feature Interviews are SO invaluable, but for anyone who doesn't know- simply put, they are a free publishing resource *AKA THE INSIDE SCOOP* directly from authors, agents, editors, illustrators, etc. AHEM. Did you hear the part where I mentioned they are FREE? Yeah. That's always a good incentive. Who doesn't love a bargain?

But, that's not what we're here to talk about right now. Chances are, many of you who are reading this blog entry today are most likely curious and antsy to find out if YOU will be one of these special guests. Well, the wait is almost over! I'm about to tell you. But first, I want to share a little bit about the process.

THE PROCESS

Please be assured, the process for choosing my final guests wasn't taken lightly. I studied and studied and studied each candidate application, giving as much consideration to a numerous list of variables, to come up with a diverse list of minds and perspectives. But, when being faced with as MANY applications as I was, it comes down to making very tough choices between equally talented and inspired voices and stories. And guess what? It was HARD.

In truth, my heart would love to have EVERYONE, but my brain reminds it that this simply would not be realistic. Blah, blah, blah. You know how brains are. So logical.

So, after many cups of tea, refills of espresso, and rants on there not being enough time in a day, I finally landed on my final 24 guests. 

Below, you will find a list of their names, as well as a "guest teaser," with a photo, brief bio, and links to find out more.

Please note: if you do not see your name on this list, please, please do not assume that your application wasn't "special enough." Because it most definitely was. The choice was not a personal reflection of you or your story- simply a matter of only having so much availability. Additionally, I would LOVE to hear about your future publications! If you have a book coming out in 2024, please drop a comment below with the title/ISBN, as well as the pub date (or estimated pub date) and I would love to add it to my library order list and help share it with my writing/reading friends!

If your name and bio are up here- CONGRATULATIONS! I can't wait to talk with you more. Make sure to keep an eye on that inbox because you'll be receiving a personalized letter very soon. (Well, I hope it will be very soon.)  If your name and bio weren't on the list... but you did submit your application within the window, I'll be sending an email your way as well. 

Thank you ALL for participating in this year's application process. It was truly a treat to read all of your heartfelt applications.

Reminder: if you haven't already, make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the blog, so you don't miss out these wonderful monthly Feature Interviews. They are always filled with a ton of interesting and helpful writerly advice and information on all things publishing.

Psst! By the way... looking for great books? Visit MY SHOP PAGE on bookshop.org. There you can find my personalized book recommendations in my A MIX OF CHELSEA'S ALL TIME FAVORITES book list or browse books by my Feature Interview guests in my BOOKS BY FEATURE INTERVIEW GUESTS book list.