Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Karen Henry Clark, whose sophomore release, LIBRARY GIRL: How Nancy Pearl Became America's Most Celebrated Librarian, illustrated by Sheryl Murray, released this week with Little Bigfoot. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to share her newest book, writing process, and road to publication.
So without further ado, please welcome Karen Henry Clark to Critter Lit!
Where do you live?
In rural NE Ohio. I call our village a civic island surrounded by cornfield seas.
How many years have you been in publishing?
12 years, give or take.
How did you first get published?
My highly unlikely story resulted from teaching in Tulsa.
A brilliant boy, Tim (Blake Nelson), landed in my 9th grade English class. He was all quick-energy, so I suggested he audition for the fall play I was directing. He took off like lightning, eventually becoming a successful actor, director, writer.
One day he called to admit something he’d done in high school without getting caught. In the spirit of confession, I admitted to wanting to be an author, not a teacher. He wanted to help and insisted I send something.
Tim discovered children’s publishing is as tough as show business. But we succeeded. My first picture book, Sweet Moon Baby: An Adoption Tale, resulted.
Do you write full-time?
I procrastinate full-time. I write in my head constantly, but sitting down to write happens in fits and starts.
What inspires you to create picture books?
My parents read to me from big fairy tale books. When I started school, I thought even bigger books would happen. Imagine my disappointment over Dick and Jane Readers—just kids shouting verbs.
My mother recognized an educational crisis and took me to the public library. A kind librarian suggested Curious George, an adventurous book I could read myself. A library card changed everything.
I write to inspire another child in search of the world.
What surprised you the most working as an author?
Writing never gets any easier. In the beginning, I thought there was secret. Nope. It is, as Anne Lamott, wrote: “bird by bird.”
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
Seeing the illustrations for the first time. They’re always 100 times better than anything I imagined. Suddenly I know what my words mean.
What do you find difficult working as an author?
The loneliness of writing. It feels more pronounced now because I no longer have our sweet dog under my chair. We lost Maria in May because of a terrible diagnosis with no good options.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas as an author?
I wander the aisles of a local fabric outlet because color distracts me. I pretend I’m decorating a room, imagining throw pillows and drapes and trims. The staff understands I’m there for inspiration, so they just wave. Clearing my mind of words lets my imagination loose. Every time.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
I stash scrap paper and pens around the house and in the car to capture ideas, dialogue, metaphors, whatever.
Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?
Although I was nervous, I attended Jane Yolen’s Picture Book Boot Camp in 2015. She overheard me bemoaning my flimsy Nancy Pearl story and interrupted to say, “Karen, that story will sell.” I reeled from her confidence and tried again. No one wants to disappoint Jane.
Recommended reading?
Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books explains all the plates a writer has to spin.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Meeting my Knopf editor for lunch. The Random House lobby is straight out of Oz: massive lighted cases with famous books and a mile-long carpet runner to an imposing man at a counter. I thought to myself, You’re a long way from Oklahoma now, Karen.
What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?
Picture book standards will change, and there is no crystal ball. When I started, 1000-word stories were the norm. Now it’s 500ish words, a completely different style.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
Library Girl: How Nancy Pearl Became America’s Most Celebrated Librarian, illustrated by Sheryl Murray, is the true story of a child who loved reading more than recess, even though kids teased her about this book obsession. Fortunately, encouragement from both real and imaginary characters helped her gain confidence and make a discovery that changed her life.
Interior art from LIBRARY GIRL: HOW NANCY PEARL BECAME AMERICA’S MOST CELEBRATED LIBRARIAN by Karen Henry Clark, illustrated by Sheryl Murray, published by Little Bigfoot.
Nancy Pearl is an acclaimed advocate for books and libraries. She has received numerous awards for her valuable contributions and is a popular speaker, author, literary critic, television host of Seattle channel’s Book Lust, and the inspiration for three “Librarian Action Figures.”
Interior art from LIBRARY GIRL: HOW NANCY PEARL BECAME AMERICA’S MOST CELEBRATED LIBRARIAN by Karen Henry Clark, illustrated by Sheryl Murray, published by Little Bigfoot.
Interior art from LIBRARY GIRL: HOW NANCY PEARL BECAME AMERICA’S MOST CELEBRATED LIBRARIAN by Karen Henry Clark, illustrated by Sheryl Murray, published by Little Bigfoot.
What’s up next for you?
I’m taking a new look at old manuscripts. Once upon a time, editors labeled them “almost but not quite.” Those characters call to me still.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors?
Don’t be hard on yourself. Your path is unlike anyone else’s. Watch for your own helpers, arrows, landmarks. I promise they exist.
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
The Breakfast Club because I was teaching high school English, speech, and drama at the time and saw the promise in imperfectly perfect teenagers. I had all of those characters in my classes and adored each one.
Huge thank you to Karen for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your fantastic new book!
Karen Henry Clark decided to become an author when she was four years old. While figuring out how to do that, she worked as a bookstore clerk, teacher, college administrator, copywriter, and book reviewer. Her first picture book was Sweet Moon Baby, a tale based on adopting her daughter from China. Library Girl is her second book. In "Margin Notes," Karen blogs about the magic in everyday life's small moments at karenhenryclark.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Karen or her books, visit her online at karenhenryclark.com
ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of LIBRARY GIRL, click here.
WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of LIBRARY GIRL?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 6th! US addresses only please.