Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a wonderful interview with an author and illustrator with fifteen years of experience in kidlit! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her newest book, MASHA MUNCHING (Yeehoo Press), her road to publication, and experiences in kidlit.
So without further ado, please welcome Amalia Hoffman!
Where do you live?
Larchmont, NY.
How many years have you been in publishing?
15 years.
How did you first get published?
I wrote a story and created a book dummy with a color cover and three finished interior pages. I really didn’t know what to do with it and how or where to send it. Then I met someone who told me about the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). I joined the society and went to a mini local conference. There I met people who told me about the SCBWI conference in LA. I flew there and took a couple of classes.
I started sending my dummy to agents. I didn’t get an agent but I sent it to those publishers who accepted non-solicited submissions.
It was a lot of work, but I learned how to write a query letter and eventually I got a “Yes!” from a publisher, located in Israel that published children’s books in English. I have a lot of family in Israel so while I was there; I visited the publisher (Gefen Publishing) and signed my first contact.
Do you write/illustrate full-time?
At this point, it’s almost full time. I do other things related to publishing, such as promotions, presentations etc. so that takes some time of my day as well.
What inspires you to create picture books?
For me, creating children’s books is almost like going back to my own childhood, remembering what I did and thinking about when I was a child.
Also, for many years I worked as a visual merchandiser. I created fantasy store windows for big stores in NYC. Kids used to stare at the window and I felt like, in a way, I was creating stories for them so I was inspired to write books.
What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?
I was most surprised when I started presenting my books to kids. I realized how perceptive they are. Kids notice the tiniest details in a book illustration.
What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?
Spending time with kids and feeling like I’m enriching their lives.
I also love sitting on a rock by the sound in my neighborhood and letting my imagination loose. I feel like a kid and that’s a most wonderful feeling.
What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?
Like most authors and illustrators, I often have to wait months before hearing back from a publisher.
Editors are very busy and they can’t look at every submission right away. But I’m aware of the fact that this is part of the business.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
I walk a lot and always end up in that wonderful park by the water. Sometimes I actually fall asleep. The Wi-Fi doesn’t work well in that area and that’s a blessing because I am completely detached and my mind opens up to new ideas.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
Every time I start a new project I clean up my studio and wipe up my work surface. This habit helps me to charge my creative battery and move on to something new and, hopefully, exciting!
Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?
I have had many wonderful experiences in the Kid Lit community. I met incredible talented, amazing and caring folks. I had a great time at the SCBWI conferences where, before the pandemic, everyone showed up one night, dressed up in costumes. Some costumes were so creative and memorable. Everyone at the hotel was dressed in business attire and the SCBWI members showed up in feathers, sequins, beads, you name it.
Recommended reading?
Stories by Sholem Aliechem.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
I can’t think of one highlight. When I receive a box of any of my new books and smell the fresh ink and see my illustrations in a new book, I feel elevated. After working on a book or so long, it’s always a highlight when I see them for the first time.
What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?
I wish someone had told me to be tough and not to fall apart at every rejection.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
Masha the goat is tired of eating the same boring farm food every day. She says goodby to her beloved friends and sets off on her search to find something else to eat.
Along the way, Masha discovers a wonderful restaurant where the waiter welcomes her in.
But Masha’s choices of “delicious foods” and her behavior doesn’t seem to be appropriate for restaurant dining. Masha realizes that everything is tastier when shared with good friends and the freedom to behave like a goat. She returns to the farm and delights her friends by using her experience at the restaurant to make new dishes for them.
The theme of the book is that sometimes, we need to explore outside of our own limited horizon, only to discover that home is where we feel the most comfortable and safe.
Masha is curious. She needs to leave her beloved friends in order to find out what’s out there. Her journey is one of discoveries and struggles along the way.
At the end, she chooses to go back home but the story makes it clear that the journey was well worth it.
Masha has gained knowledge that she can put to good use. Now, she can enrich her friends’ life by using her experiences at the restaurant and making new dishes from that wonderful basic ingredient—hay!
MASHA MUNCHING, by Amalia Hoffman, Chinese Edition, Yeehoo Press
What’s up next for you?
Besides Masha Munching, I have two other books launching in 2022 and I’m working on another story that was just acquired.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
Stay true to yourself! Don’t write what you think will sell, because truth is, no one really knows what will sell. If you’re an illustrator, don’t try to mimic someone else’s style.
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
9-5.
Thank you to Amalia for stopping by Critter Lit! Congrats on Masha!
AMALIA HOFFMAN is an author, illustrator and storyteller. She grew up in Jerusalem, Israel. She now resides in Larchmont, NY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit Amalia’s website or follow her on social media:
Facebook: @Amalia.Hoffman.5
Twitter: @AmaliaHoffman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoffman.amalia/?hl=en
BUY THIS BOOK To order MASHA MUNCHING, click here.
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