Happy Thursday Critters! Can you believe it’s December 1st?! Where did the year go? We are in the final stretch of interviews for 2022, with just three left! Today we are starting off December with author Megan Litwin, whose debut picture book, TWINKLE TWINKLE WINTER NIGHT, illustrated by Nneka Myers just released in September with Clarion Books. I’m thrilled to have Megan with us today to kick off the last month of the year with a perfectly cozy and seasonal title.
So without further ado, please welcome Megan Litwin!
Where do you live?
I live in a lovely New England town about 45 minutes west of Boston.
How many years have you been in publishing?
That depends on how you look at it! I joined SCBWI and started attending conference and critique groups in 2016. So, on one hand, it has been about 6 years of being “all-in” on my goal of publishing picture books. But before that, way back in the year 2000, I went to Simmons University for graduate school because of their amazing and unique program in Children’s Literature. After graduation, I went directly into teaching, but also published a dozen work-for-hire books in the educational market and continued to keep an interested eye on the children’s book world. I guess you could say I have danced in and out of publishing for 20 years now!
How did you first get published?
My publishing story is a happy slush pile one. After deciding it was time to find an agent, and after all the necessary research, I got ready to send out round one queries. I sent my very first, pie-in-the-sky query to Steve Malk at Writers’ House – someone I respect and who, I think, holds a lot of respect for picture books specifically. So obviously I was over-the-moon thrilled when he responded with a kind and personal email. He ended up connecting me with his colleague Lindsay Auld, who also shared a number of important values with me, and we went out on submission that same season. However, that manuscript, despite quite a few close calls, never sold. It wasn’t until our second submission that I landed my first book deal – this book we’re talking about today.
Do you write full-time?
I do write full-time. But I also spend time visiting schools, both to celebrate reading and to offer classroom-based workshops on writing and revision and all sorts of things. I’m an author, but I’m very much a teacher-at-heart.
What inspired you to create picture books?
I LOVE picture books. Picture books are truly unique – a mix of story and art and theater and music. I love ALL those things! They also often hold some sort of emotional truth at their core, and as an emotional person with big feelings, picture books have always appealed to me.
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
Being on the inside of the book-making process is just the most fascinating thing. I loved every step of the two-year journey making this book once the contract was signed. Seeing early sketches, watching details change, moving text around for perfect page turns, thinking about cover art and jacket copy and the DEDICATION (oh my goodness, was there ever a harder writing assignment?) – each step was thrilling. It is a truly collaborative process with the illustrator, editor, designer (and many more hands), and I just found the whole thing magical. I’ve always thought of myself as a team player, and making books is a very cool kind of teamwork!
What do you find difficult working as an author?
Controlling my book-buying urges! I spend a lot of time in libraries and bookstores, surrounded by beautiful books, and also reading book reviews and blogs and articles about all the best new books. I want ALL THE BOOKS! And I certainly buy plenty. But I do have to draw the line somewhere, and so I also look for other ways to support good books like writing reviews or telling others or taking it out of the library. Managing my book love is like a part-time job! ☺
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
Getting outside is my go-to. I might take my dog for a walk or bring my notebook out to my porch. There is something about letting my mind wander out in nature, with all the sounds and smells, that opens things up for me creatively.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
I’m a morning writer, and it starts with coffee, a candle, and turning on the jar of twinkly lights that sit on my desk. I call them my “thinking lights” and I originally started using them during the remote-school phase so that my kids had a visual of when I was in “deep work” mode and was hoping not to be disturbed. But then I liked them so much (and the visual actually helped remind ME to stay focused), so I kept them around!
Recommended reading?
My three favorite craft books that sit near my writing desk are Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, On Writing by Stephen King, and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I reread parts of them all the time whenever I need a little inspiration on the journey.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
The launch party for Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night at nearby bookstore An Unlikely Story was something I’ll never forget. That bookstore is such a special place to me – over the years I’ve spent time browsing the shelves (with magical brooms and books dangling from the ceiling overhead), writing and dreaming and meeting with other writers in the café, and attending events on their second-floor event room with authors and illustrators I admire. So then standing on the same stage where I saw kidlit greats like Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson, Chris Van Dusen, Megan McDonald, and store owner Jeff Kinney himself…it was literally a dream coming true.
What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?
Well, someone DID tell me (way back in 2007 when I took a local writing class called “So You Want to be a Children’s Book Writer”), but I wasn’t ready to listen. The instructor told us about SCBWI and though it sounded interesting, I felt too busy with teaching and life and thought I would just continue writing on my own. I didn’t realize how important a writing community would be. I ended up joining SCBWI and a local writer’s group and attending events many years later in 2016, and made immediate strides forward. More importantly, I remember feeling like I had found my people – and that goes a long way toward sustaining creativity and resilience in this field.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night is a celebration of wintertime magic. A slight twist on a familiar song, the refrain says it all: “Twinkle, twinkle, winter night. Everywhere you look’s there light.” It was inspired by a cold, dark nighttime drive one December with my own children, when they were suddenly mesmerized by all the magic around them. No matter what you celebrate or how you do so, the world shines bright for all to see. I’m hoping this inclusive and poetic ode to the season of lights, with luminous and festive artwork from Nneka Myers, is one children will want to read again and again.
Interior art from TWINKLE TWINKLE WINTER NIGHT by Megan Litwin, illustrated by Nneka Myers, published by Clarion Books, September 2022
Interior art from TWINKLE TWINKLE WINTER NIGHT by Megan Litwin, illustrated by Nneka Myers, published by Clarion Books, September 2022
What’s up next for you?
Right now, I’m reading and celebrating Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night all around Massachusetts – ‘tis the season! Then in February, I have the first of two early readers coming out. Dirt & Bugsy: Bug Catchers, illustrated by Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn and published by Penguin Young Readers, is about two best buds who catch all kinds of bugs together. It is based on some real-life bug-tastic adventures in my household, but more importantly, I got to combine my teacher and writer hearts to create a story that would be just-right for budding readers. I also recently signed a second picture book contract, and we’ve got another on submission, so stay tuned!
And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?
MUDGE! I love so many literary dogs, but Mudge from Cynthia Rylant and Suçie Stevenson’s beloved Henry and Mudge series is my all-time favorite. Big, sloppy, sweet, lovable, and the most loyal best friend you could ever ask for.
Huge thank you to Megan for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your wonderful debut!
MEGAN LITWIN is a children’s book author, a former classroom teacher, and a forever believer in book magic. She holds a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature from Simmons University and lives in Massachusetts with her family.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Megan or her books, visit her online or follow her on social media:
Twitter: @Meg_Litwin
https://twitter.com/Meg_Litwin
IG: @meganlitwinbooks
https://www.instagram.com/meganlitwinbooks/
BUY THIS BOOK To purchase Megan’s book, click here.
WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of TWINKLE TWINKLE WINTER NIGHT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, December 8th! US addresses only please.