Where do you live?
I live in Chicago. I grew up here, have lived in Dallas, TX; Holland, MI; Taos, NM; Grants Pass, OR; and Brooklyn, NY.
How many years have you been in publishing?
My first book, Love You More (for adults), was published in 2011, but prior, to that, I published many newspaper columns, blog posts, and articles.
How did you first get published?
My first book for children was published in 2016. The opportunity to write it came after I did some consulting work for the publisher. (I'd submitted work to an anthology and then did some editing and cleaning up of a translated manuscript.) The editor asked me to write a picture book for them; I'd wanted to write for kids for a long time, so I was delighted for the chance!
Do you write full-time?
Yes, I do. I also work as an editor/editorial consultant.
What inspires you to create picture books?
I always have about a dozen stories percolating in my mind. Sometimes a snippet of conversation gives me an idea. Sometimes my dog (or another dog at the park) does something funny, and I get an idea. Sometimes, in conversation with a little kid, they'll say something hilarious or insightful and I go write that down.
What surprised you the most working as an author?
I'm always surprised at how hard it is to get a story right and how many times I need to read it out loud before calling it "done."
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
I love almost everything about it. I love the creative process, getting into flow, seeing the story come alive with visual art, and I love getting to know other children's authors.
What do you find difficult working as an author?
The promotion piece (when a book is about to launch or has just launched) is my least favorite part. I'm an introvert and having to post, Tweet, make noise about the new book on various social media platforms goes against my nature...but I know it's important as I do actually want to help people find my books.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
Reading books like Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way or other creativity books can be helpful. Honestly, though, I have a few file folders, thick with slips of paper with little germs of ideas on them.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
This might sound funny, but the only thing that comes to mind is that I have a big, backyard bird feeder and I spend a lot of time watching birds. That kind of time lets me daydream (and I have written about birds on a feeder in a new board book series that comes out in a year or so) and unclutter my mind. I try to have at least 20-30 minutes of daydreamy time every day.
Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?
Having worked for newspapers, with many writers and editors in "grown up" publishing, I can honestly say that kid lit people are the best! They're silly, inventive, and very supportive of one another. When, for instance, A Little Blue Bottle first launched, my kid lit friends came out in force, Tweeting about it, posting reviews, and generally helping spread the word about it.
Recommended reading?
Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul (self-explanatory!)
How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo (wonderful book about reading to kids at various ages, but helpful for writers, too)
Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz (one of my favorite picture books)
What's Cooking at 10 Garden Street by Felicita Sala (I discovered this online recently; such a delightful book about all the people in an apartment building making dinner; richly diverse, includes recipes, and I love the illustrations. I wish I had written it!)
Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Sally Garland (Full disclosure: Glenys, a prolific kid lit author, is a friend of mine, but honestly this is one of the best books for children I've ever read.)
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
My books for kids have won a few awards, which was really special. But I would have to say, the highlight of writing for kids is hearing how they connect with the books. I recently heard from my niece, who's a young mom, and she lives in Chicago and her 2 year-old loves my book Maybe I Can Love My Neighbor Too. She told me that, before bed, he likes her to take him outside and he shouts, "Goodnight My Neighbors" over the fence! I love that!
What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?
Perhaps to get really involved ASAP with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Go to local or national conferences. Go to online or in-person meet-ups. It's so great to have a supportive community--I'd have gotten involved sooner if someone had told me how helpful it can be.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
My most recently published picture book, A Little Blue Bottle, is about a friendship between a little girl and her elderly neighbor. When the neighbor dies, the girl begins to process her grief with her mother. It's a very quiet book, and I hope it will be a comfort to children who are grieving.
Interior art from A LITTLE BLUE BOTTLE written by Jennifer Grant, Illustrated by Gillian Whiting
What’s up next for you?
In fall 2021, I have a new picture book coming out. I'm working with the artist who illustrated A Little Blue Bottle, but she has created a very different look for the book. It's a book about the pandemic, telling the story of what happened in a way that I hope will acknowledge children's experiences of this time and also bring them hope. I have a board book series (about counting, colors, and the night sky) coming out after that.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
Sometimes people assume that, because they are short, picture books are easy to write.
I encourage anyone who would like to write this category of kid lit to get really serious about the craft, and:
a) join the SCBWI (you don't have to have published a book yet)
b) do your homework (if you were writing a work of fiction for adults, you'd spend time plotting out the arc of the story, doing research on and creating a rich back story for the characters, and so on. Do the same for your picture book.)
c) follow your favorite picture book writers online (I recommend, for instance, the writer Josh Funk's website, and he has a lot of "writer resources" on his site, https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/)
d) remember to have fun, be playful, and let your imagination take you into wonderful places.
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
Oh wow -- I graduated from high school in 1985, so I'm all about the 80s movies! Die Hard is my favorite 80s Christmas movie, I'm quite fond of the "Bill and Ted" movies (including the new, third one!), but as a Chicagoan, I have to say Ferris Bueller's Day Off is my all-time favorite with The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink as a close second and third.
Huge thank you to Jennifer for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congratulations on all your books! We can’t wait to see what you come out with next.
JENNIFER GRANT is the author of five books for adults and several for children, including the award-winning picture book Maybe God is Like That Too. A former newspaper columnist, she lives with her husband and rescue dog Scarlett in Chicago.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Jennifer or her books, visit her online at www.jennifergrant.com. Or follow her on social media:
Twitter: @jennifercgrant
Instagram: @jennifergrantwriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterJenniferGrant
ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of any of Jennifer’s books, click here.
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