Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Jocelyn Rish to celebrate the release of her newest book, BATTLE OF THE BRAINS: THE SCIENCE BEHIND ANIMAL MINDS, illustrated by David Creighton-Pester, published by Running Press Kids, which just came out this week! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to chat about her road to publication, writing process, and new book.
So without further ado, please welcome Jocelyn Rish!
Where do you live?
I’m a southern gal, living outside of Charleston, SC.
How many years have you been in publishing?
I started writing seriously about fifteen years ago, but I didn’t get an agent and book deal until four years ago.
How did you first get published?
My first time getting published was actually a short story called Saying Goodbye that won the South Carolina Fiction Project in 2008 and was published in Charleston’s newspaper. I later won a grant to turn it into a short film (https://www.sayinggoodbyemovie.com/).
My first published book was BATTLE OF THE BUTTS, and it was a pretty typical publishing path. Once I wrote and revised it, I queried a bunch of agents and then refreshed my email every thirty seconds while I inhaled chocolate. I happy danced around the house when I got several offers. After signing with Tracy Marchini, we went on sub, and then I legit cried with joy when Running Press Kids acquired it. Even though the journey for BUTTS specifically was pretty short, I’d been trying to get a book published for a long time, so I was thrilled my dream was finally coming true.
Do you write full-time?
Yes, if hours of procrastination counts as writing full time!
What inspires you to create picture books?
I always thought of myself as a YA writer, and it’s what I wrote for years. But then I started tutoring with Reading Partners, which helps elementary students who struggle with reading. I loved seeing how spellbound the kids were by the picture books we read together, and it made me want to be part of creating that magic. Now my conversations with them spark story ideas and topics to investigate.
What surprised you the most working as an author?
You always hear that publishing is slow, but I was still surprised by just how slow it is. It took two and a half years after BUTTS was bought for it to be published. I wasn’t even allowed to make a public announcement about it until almost a year after it was acquired! Having to hold in the fact that my publishing dream had finally come true for that long almost made me explode!
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
I get a goofy grin on my face every time I hear kids giggling as they read or listen to BUTTS. And it’s so gratifying when they quote fanny facts because not only did I entertain them, I taught them something, too!
What do you find difficult working as an author?
As a life-long control freak, I really struggle with how much of publishing my books is out of my control. It’s a very subjective industry, so even if I write a book that’s strong on craft, that doesn’t mean any editors will want to buy it. If they do buy it, most decisions about it are out of my hands. Then publicity and marketing are a crap shoot in today’s market, and there is very little an author can do herself to move the needle on sales. So I can write the best book I’m able to write, but then after that it’s pretty much out of my control, and that’s hard and scary for me.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
I’ve subscribed to several science newsletters, like National Geographic and The Scientist. Reading studies and discoveries about animals gives me so many ideas for books, both nonfiction and fiction.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
Does scrolling Twitter count? That may seem like a flip answer, but BUTTS was inspired by a meme about farting manatees I saw on Twitter late one night. And another project I’m working on was inspired by something I saw on science Twitter. Plus, reading tweets from fellow writers motivates me and encourages me to put my booty in my writing chair.
Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?
I’ve had so many wonderful experiences in the Kid Lit community – it’s a generous and supportive network. But my favorite experience was creating a FB group called Transmedia Mutts (https://www.facebook.com/groups/transmediamutts). I started it to help people with their Twitter pitching, and I worried no one would join, but the pack has grown and grown over the years. And while we still help each other with pitching, it’s a lovely community that gives advice and encourages each other.
Recommended reading?
I’m in two different picture book groups, and all the books written by the members are wonderful. I’d highly recommend any of the books from The Picture Book Scribblers (https://bookshop.org/lists/picture-book-scribblers-releases) and 21 for the Books (https://bookshop.org/lists/21-for-the-books-releases).
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
The day two big boxes from Hachette showed up on my porch last year was amazing. I seriously started shrieking and tearing up and could barely calm down enough to bring them inside. Then cutting the box open and seeing my books in the flesh? Pulling one out and feeling the weight of its reality? Flipping through the delightful pages of animal butts? Literally holding years worth of dreams and effort in my hands? It was so incredible!
What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?
I wish someone had told me that I could approach nonfiction with the wonder of kids learning facts rather than a dry academic voice. I heard early on that publishers were hungry for nonfiction, so I took a few tentative stabs at it. But the NF I read as a kid was dry and teachy, so that’s how I wrote it, and of course failed spectacularly, Therefore, I didn’t NF was an option for me and didn’t try again for years. But once I realized I could write it with a “wow, isn’t this cool?” voice and humor, I finally found my niche. Took me long enough!
Can you tell us about your newest book?
BATTLE OF THE BRAINS is about ten animals that do some pretty incredible things with their minds. It follows the same rating and judging format as BATTLE OF THE BUTTS, but this time it’s focused on the front end rather than the back end. I selected animals that each exhibit a different type of cognitive skill (from the talking of African Gray Parrots, to the memories of elephants, to the total weirdness of octopus brains) in order to show that intelligence comes in many different forms. I learned so much as I researched and wrote, and I hope kids enjoy learning about these clever critters, too.
Interior art from BATTLE OF THE BRAINS written by Jocelyn Rish, Illustrated by David Creighton-Pester, published by Running Press Kids
What’s up next for you?
I have a secret NF project I’ve been dabbling with on and off, but I’d also like to try getting a fiction PB published. My first love is scary stories, so I’ve been sketching out a PB about something creepy in the attic.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
I always tell writers to experiment! Try different genres and formats and age groups. I really wanted to be a YA novelist, but all my successes have come from branching out and trying new things (short stories, screenwriting, NF PBs). So go play around with your words!
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
This is too hard! There are so many totally tubular movies from the 80s! But the one I’ve watched the most and can quote for almost any occasion is The Princess Bride.
Thanks for having me on Critter Lit!
Huge thank you to Jocelyn for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book!
JOCELYN RISH is a writer and filmmaker who loves researching weird and wonderful animals and sharing what she learns. Her first book was BATTLE OF THE BUTTS, about ten animals that do weird things with their butts. Her second book, BATTLE OF THE BRAINS, is about ten animals with mind-blowing brain abilities. When she’s not writing, she tutors kids to help them discover the magic of reading. Jocelyn has won numerous awards for her short stories, screenplays, films, and novels and lives in South Carolina with her dog.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Jocelyn Rish, visit her online or follow her on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelynrish/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JocelynRish
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JocelynRish.Author
BUY THIS BOOK To purchase Jocelyn Rish’s books, click here.
WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of BATTLE OF THE BRAINS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 17th! US addresses only please.