Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Sherry Shahan, who has published over 40 books for children, from picture books to young adult novels. Her newest book, PURPLE DAZE: A FAR OUT TRIP, 1965 just released this past December. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her experiences, career, and advice to upcoming authors and illustrators making their way into the industry.
So without further ado, please welcome Sherry Shahan!
Where do you live?
A laid-back beach town in California called Morro Bay.
How many years have you been in publishing?
My first children’s book, Fifth Grade Crush, appeared in 1986 from a school book fair publisher.
How did you first get published?
I met a presenter at a writer’s conference who agreed to critique my manuscript for a reasonable fee. She liked it so much that she shared it with one of her editors. They published my first six books.
Do you write full-time?
Yes.
What inspires you to create picture books?
Six of my seven picture books are nonfiction and were sparked from interests in the world around me. My grandson inspired my fiction picture book That’s Not How You Play Soccer Daddy.
What surprised you the most working as an author?
The community is genuinely caring, encouraging, and supportive. It’s one big, vibrant family.
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
A year ago I would’ve said visiting schools and libraries, sharing the love of creating stories with young readers. While I enjoy interactions with children on Zoom, I look forward to returning to in-person meetings.
What do you find difficult working as an author?
As in all aspects of life, things can happen that are beyond my control. I once had a four-book contract cancelled because the publisher changed directions.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
I can lose myself searching topics of interest via in Google. I subscribe to AtlasObscura.com podcast and CNN’s online newsletter “The Good Stuff.” I’m enjoying the many webinars about writing available to us right now.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
I reach for scissors and paste when I need a ‘screen’ break. I have drawers full of words and pictures snipped from magazines. I find collage a mind-quieting and creative outlet.
Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?
A student in my first course at UCLA (“Writing Picture Books”) sold the manuscript she was working on. It was the first of her many publications.
Recommended reading?
Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by award-winning author Ann Whitford Paul. I especially appreciate the revision exercises that help identify potential problems.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
Making lifelong friendships with others who are passionate about children’s literature. That includes writers, illustrators, editors, teachers, librarians and those I’ve mentored.
What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?
Give yourself permission to fail, but never give up. I once sold a nonfiction picture book manuscript after 40 rejections. People ask, “Why didn’t you send it to them in the first place?” I respond, “Because they didn’t exist when I began submitting.”
Can you tell us about your newest book?
A young adult novel in verse PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965. It was inspired by letters sent to me from a friend who served in Vietnam. I’d kept them nearly 50 years.
What’s up next for you?
I’m playing around with an idea for a picture book about hydroponics, sparked by experiments in my kitchen. I’ve been growing carrot tops and celery bottoms in jars of water on my windowsill.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
Join SCBWI and attend webinars. Sign up for writing classes. Consider a mentoring program. Seek out a critique group that has experienced writers and/or illustrators. Artists have unique viewpoints when it comes to pacing, page-turns, what should be presented in words, and what should be left to illustrations. Experiment with different genres.
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
That’s easy since I’m an avid dance student: Flashdance and Footloose.
Huge thank you to Sherry for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book! We can’t wait to read what you write next!
SHERRY SHAHAN lives in a laid-back beach town on the Central Coast of California where she grows carrot tops in ice cube trays for pesto. She has forty children’s books to her credit, preschool through young adult, fiction and nonfiction. Her YA novel in free verse and traditional poetry features a tumultuous time in history, PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965. Her short form writing has appeared in Highlights, Cricket, Cobblestone, Boys Life, and more. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and taught a creative writing course for UCLA for ten years. She enjoys hearing from other book lovers: kidbooks@thegrid.net
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Sherry or her books, visit her online: www.sherryshahan.com
ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of PURPLE DAZE: A Far Out Trip, 1965 click here.
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