Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with a debut author, Ryan Uytdewilligen, to celebrate the release of his new book, THIS IS NOT MY STORY, illustrated by David Huyck, published by Kids Can Press in June. I’m a huge fan of meta picture books— especially ones that break the fourth wall, and this one does such a fantastic job! I’m thrilled to have Ryan and his wonderful new book with us today at Critter Lit.
So without further ado, please welcome Ryan Uytdewilligen!
Where do you live?
I live in York, Ontario, Canada – which is technically a part of Toronto! But it sounds fancier.
When did you know you wanted to write picture books?
I’ve wanted to be a writer all my life. When I was six, I wanted to open my own bookstore called Pages and Pages and sell only my books! I had a lengthy journey coming around to the idea, working as a creative writer for a radio station, journalist, screenwriter, and finally novelist. But I always thought that the books that made me the happiest were the ones read to me as a kid. Fond memories. And I wanted to replicate that or provide others with that memory/connection. That would have only been about five or so years ago.
Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?
I had written and published fiction and non-fiction books beginning in 2015. I tried to write a children’s picture book at that time, but didn’t know the ins and outs. It rhymed and wasn’t very good to tell the truth. I matured and learned over the next three or four years and wrote This is Not My Story in 2018 while working in a bookstore. I sent it to a few publishers and finally KidsCan Press wrote back and said they loved it!
Can you share a bit about your process?
It’s different for every genre and project really, but children’s picture books are quite the challenge because you have to keep it entertaining for a young audience. You have to make every single word count. And above all, you have to be creative. That’s probably the best part is that creativity knows no boundaries when it comes to children’s picture books. So, all of my wackiest ideas sort of gravitate to that type to book.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
I’m not one to not have ideas. I always have new ideas. Every day. Every hour. Are most good? Nope. But every now and then, I’ll perk up and one of those ideas will really grab me. Or I’ll circle back to it a few months or even years later. If that idea keeps popping up and sounding more and more attractive, I know that’s one I simply must do!
Anything you can’t live without while you write?
I’m a coffee guy. Coffee in the morning. Coffee at lunch. It feels wrong not to approach a blank page without a cup of warm coffee. Beyond that, I can write just about anywhere with just about anything.
Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?
Is it corny and too obvious to say Dr Seuss? I mean, that’s kind of like saying The Beatles is your favorite band. Its pretty much a given! But Seuss is a genius. Plain and simple. Roald Dahl also is a very creative mind that I find myself getting inspiration from. If anything, those two provide me with the drive to be as creative as I can possibly be.
Dream project to work on?
That’s a tough one, but I’m a big Hanna Barbara nerd. To do stories with characters from The Flintstones, The Jetsons, or Scooby Doo would be absolutely incredible. I get a lot of my sense of humor from those cartoons. If they ever brought them back or published books with those characters, I’d love to be a part of that!
Tell us about your debut book.
An author and his hero embark on a genre-bending journey to find the right story. It starts with this captain of a tiny spaceship who is surrounded by flying saucers. He stops the story to inform the author that he belongs in a different story. Not sci-fi. The author considers this. Then he begins again, with a story about the quickest cattle wrangler in the West. It’s still not the protagonist’s story! Is he a dragon-slaying knight? A vampire’s next victim? There is a lot of fourth wall breaks that follow the two as they trying many different stories, ultimately teaching young readers the concept of genre.
What’s up next for you?
I’ve been bitten by the children’s book bug, so I have been writing down lots of ideas. I am a giant classic film fan and have been exploring ideas to introduce tween-age readers to older movies through books.
And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?
The Cat in the Hat! He’s so sly and slick and wild! It’s every child’s dream to have a giant fancy cat show up and lead you in mischief. Heck! I would love for that to happen right now!
Huge thank you to Ryan for stopping by Critter Lit today all the way from Canada! Congrats on your debut!
Ryan Uytdewilligen is a Canadian screenwriter, historian, author, editor, and journalist.
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta and raised on the family farm outside the town of Coaldale, Uytdewilligen studied Communication Arts with a major in Broadcast Journalism at Lethbridge College – leading to work as a radio news anchor, television reporter, and copywriter.
He later studied Writing for Film and Television at Vancouver Film School where he wrote and produced the short films Tea Time and Even the Devil Swiped Right.
His first novel, Tractor, was published in 2016 by Sartoris Literary. Taking inspiration from Jack Kerouac and Larry McMurtry novels, the story follows a teenager in the early 1960s drive a tractor across the American south.
Uytdewilligen’s second novel, Akela, was published in 2019 by BHC Press – earning numerous accolades including a nomination for the Pushcart Prize. It followed the century-spanning life of an adventurous sea turtle that becomes entangled in historical events as he searches for his long-lost love.
He is also the author of numerous non-fiction works including the film history book 101 Most Influential Coming of Age Movies and The History of Lethbridge, a look at the unique story of his hometown.
His latest non-fiction work, Killing John Wayne: The Making of The Conqueror, tells the story of how the worst movie ever made, a 1956 epic starring John Wayne and produced by Howard Hughes, became a deadly disaster. It was published by Rowman and Littlefield.
Ryan’s third fiction novel, He’s No Angel, was released in July of 2022. It is an absurdist comedy book satirizing Hollywood and the afterlife.
His first children’s picture book, This is Not My Story, was published by KidsCan Press in June, 2023.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Ryan or his books, click here or follow him on social media:
Twitter - @R_Uytdewilligen
Facebook – Ryan Uytdewilligen Author
Instagram – RyanUytdewilligen
ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of THIS IS NOT MY STORY, click here.
WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of THIS IS NOT MY STORY!? Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 13th!