Interview with Debut Author Karen Greenwald

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with a debut author who found her way to picture books through the law— which I love! It’s always fascinating to me to hear how debut authors and illustrators find their way to kidlit. I’m thrilled to share Karen’s story and road to publication with all of you today in celebration of her debut picture book, A VOTE FOR SUSANNA: THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR, illustrated by Sian James, with Albert Whitman Books.

So without further ado, please welcome Karen Greenwald!

Where do you live?

Maryland.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I decided in fourth grade that one day I would write a book. Then in law school I took “Literacy and the Law.” We delved into book banning history, civil rights issues, international law issues, et al—but we also had to tutor a child and create our own picture book. It was a gift to my artistic soul! The book I wrote and illustrated (inspired by Rawls’ Theory of Justice and John and Evelyn Dewey) actually won two brand strategy industry international awards and was spoken about by the Majority Leader of Congress to a room full of women leaders a few years ago.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

I began seriously studying the art of children’s literature around five-ish years ago. One of the things that surprised me the most was how vast the difference is between the average person’s opinion/knowledge of picture book publishing versus the reality.

When I happened on a reference to Susanna Salter, I was hooked immediately. I knew I had to tell her story—especially since Salter’s history has been left to a 1954 article (and the blogs/articles, etc that use the same information). My journey from beginning to sale took about two a half years. After spending several hours over the phone with amazing librarians and genealogists at Kansas State University, I was deeply saddened to hear the next weekend that the library had burned to the ground. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. I did wonder, however, if it was a “sign”…like, don’t do this one!

For over a year and a half, in spite of various hurdles, I kept researching, trying to access anything that would give me that special something the story needed. But little could be found that fit picture book story requirements. As we know, an interesting moment or tale doesn’t necessarily fit this genre.

 Then I met (virtually) Susanna Salter’s great granddaughter. She and her brother shared with me beautiful letters, pictures, and the like. When I wrote the final draft two years in, I kept one of her letters open on my laptop desktop. I think I actually teared up when I typed the final words. (Ssh! Don’t tell anyone!)

Can you share a bit about your process?

I never knew this prior, but apparently I am a major researcher—I will not stop until I get that everything I need to make the story my own. I enjoy and am inspired by building relationships with a circle of people surrounding the topic I’m working on. This makes the experience meaningful for me. I write out the idea (I do this for art, too) in my head, moving parts around like magnetic poetry pieces. Once I feel like I have the concept, then I get typing.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Good question! I’ll let you know when I figure that one out!

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

A lack of distraction, my favorite thesaurus, and my dog napping (if you’ve ever been on the phone with me, you know why! Lol!)

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Who doesn’t inspire me?! I cannot go in a book store for this very reason. I have to pull out every book I go near.

Dream project to work on?

I feel like I’m living my dream right now with my debut. What could be better than shining a light on an incredible woman who changed American politics and world history? To be the first and only person to write her story is an honor.

Tell us about your debut book.

As I mentioned, this is a story I am so proud to tell. Susanna Salter made international history in 1887-1888. I am still surprised to the reaction I get when discussing her with everyone from elected officials to educators. Even those who think they know the story mostly have their information from this 1954 article. Her impact has never truly been taught, discussed, or considered. In all of the news coverage that she received, nobody ever asked a very important question. I wanted to tell a deeper story. Thanks to the generosity of two of her great-grandchildren and my own research, I was able to discover her heart.

What’s up next for you?

Hmm…what is next?;)

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

This is actually the hardest one of your questions—lol! Can I give a few? Clearly, When Harry Met Sally, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (the creativity of the post ending-ending), and St. Elmo’s Fire (because I’m a Georgetown alum—though, it was actually filmed at University of MD)…I really could go on… 

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Huge thank you to Suzanna for stopping by Critter Lit today!

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Karen M. Greenwald has a wide range of government, campaign, and branding experience. She’s won international awards for STEM creative, writing, video, rebranding, and self-promotion. Bylined credits include online, print magazines, and The Washington Post. Karen belongs to SCBWI, 12×12, and co-founded #SunWriteFun—a NF/Info Fic. summer contest that raises money for kidlit charities. Her picture book, A VOTE FOR SUSANNA, THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR, debuts in October (Albert Whitman). It has held steady since February on two of Amazon’s Hot New Releases lists for kids. A Phi Beta Kappa, she earned undergraduate and JD degrees from Georgetown University. Before turning to branding, Karen worked as an attorney and focused on international environmental compliance issues.

FOR MORE INFO about Karen’s work, visit her online www.karenmgreenwald.com or follow her on social media @karenmgreenwald

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Karen’s book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of A VOTE FOR SUSANNA: THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 7th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Andrea Hall

Happy Thursday Critters! We are kicking off September with an editor/author interview. I met Andrea years back at the Ohioana Book Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Since then she’s gone on to become the senior acquisitions editor at Beaming books and publish her debut picture book with Albert Whitman and Co. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to offer insight into her process and tell us about her new book, SHE’S ON THE MONEY, illustrated by Li Zhang.

So without further ado, please welcome Andrea Hall!

Where do you live?

I live in the Chicago area.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I knew I wanted to be a writer from a young age. I participated in writing contests in school growing up, was part of Power of the Pen in middle school, and majored in creative writing in college. I wrote a few picture books in college, but I was more focused on writing novels. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started writing picture books again.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

It’s been a journey! I joined SCBWI a few years out of college, and it was instrumental in learning more about writing, publishing, and the whole publication process. I attended writing conferences and made a lot of connections with industry professionals and other writers. I had the idea for this book and pitched it to the team at Albert Whitman. Now here we are!

Can you share a bit about your process?

I tend to start with a pad of paper and a pen. I find the blank Word document daunting, and the words seem to flow better for me when I handwrite them. Then as I type up a manuscript, I revise as I ago. With picture books, I try to think of the scene each spread will convey and break the story down that way. I love revising, so I’ll go back and forth on a project and let it sit before I come back and tweak some more. Then I’ll share with critique partners for their feedback before doing more revising! 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I feel like I always have new ideas! I keep a notebook of them, so I can go back and delve into whatever idea sparks something at that time. When I need to shake the rust off, I’ll sometimes switch projects to refocus, or I’ll delve into a good book and let another author’s words inspire me.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Coffee! 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many! I’m a huge fan of Madeleine L’Engle, Maurice Sendak, and Anne McCaffrey.

Dream project to work on?

This is a hard question! Honestly, any project I am able to bring to readers is a dream come true.

Tell us about your debut book.

SHE’S ON THE MONEY is a survey picture book, part women’s bio and part history of money. Women have historically been overlooked throughout the ages. I was curious about the women who have been chosen to be immortalized on money, and what accomplishments led to these women being chosen. The research was fascinating, and I learned about a few women I had never heard of! And the incredible Li Zhang illustrated. Her artwork is amazing, and I feel so lucky to have her illustrations bringing these women to life.

What’s up next for you?

I’ve got a few other picture book manuscripts I’m working on, and I also have a couple novels in first draft stage that I want to get back into.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Tough question! I’m a fan of John Hughes movies, but another favorite is Dirty Dancing. 

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Huge thank you to Andrea for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut and it’s wonderful to catch up with you!

ANDREA HALL is an author and children’s book editor. She holds a BA in English/creative writing from Miami University in Ohio. She’s a former book reviewer for the Ohioana Quarterly and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. When not writing, Andrea can be found baking, crafting, and reading.

FOR MORE INFO about Andrea, visit her online: andreahallbooks.com or follow her on social media: Twitter @andreadonall

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Andrea’s new book, SHE’S ON THE MONEY, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of SHE’S ON THE MONEY?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 9th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Norene Paulson

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Norene Paulson, who debuted her first book, BENNY’S TRUE COLORS, illustrated by Anne Passchier, during the pandemic, quickly followed up by her second, WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR?, illustrated by Camila Carrossine, which just released this past March! So exciting! I’m thrilled to have Norene with us today to talk about her road to publication, books, and process.

So without further ado, please welcome Norene Paulson!

Where do you live?

I live almost in the center of Iowa on a country acreage just north of Lynnville, a small town about 45 miles east of Des Moines.  

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I fell in love with picture books while reading Berenstain Bears books and Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter books to my young sons. I loved the merging of the words and pictures and the cadence of the sparse text as the words tumbled off my tongue.  I was the one who most often wanted to “read it again”. I’ve always loved to write and I’ve always loved to read, so at some point, it just clicked and I thought…I want to do THIS.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

My road to publication was long and bumpy with a lot of detours. When I knew I wanted to write for children I signed up for a couple ICL courses where I received the encouragement I needed to believe maybe I really could do this, and because of those courses, I did. I sold nonfiction articles to multiple children’s magazines. However, once I started teaching full-time my writing lapsed. I lost contact with my magazine editors. When I decided to take start writing again, I thought back to those Berenstain Bear and Little Critter books and my original dream of writing picture books, so I joined SCBWI, found some critique partners, started submitting, and acquired piles and piles of rejections, but I didn’t quit. I took an early retirement from teaching in 2017 and that’s when things took off…literally three decades after I decided I wanted to write picture books. In Feb. 2018, I landed an agent through #PBPitch and in less than 6 weeks, my debut story, BENNY’S TRUE COLORS, sold to Imprint/Macmillan. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

Sure, it’s a bit hit ‘n miss. I’m a big-time procrastinator so an idea will spin around in my head for quite a while until I have mentally fleshed out a rough beginning, middle, and end. Then it’s time for the first draft which takes as long as it takes. Some are drafted quickly. Others not so much. Once the first draft is done (huge sigh of relief) the fun begins…revising. After feedback from various critique groups, I revise, rewrite, revise, and rewrite for as long as it takes to shape the idea into a polished story. 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

New ideas usually globber me over the head. Something I see, read, or hear sparks an idea. I never know when it will happen so have to be prepared to jot it down when it does or it’s gone. I envy people who are creative enough to elicit ideas “on demand”. Needless to say, I’m not a good candidate for any story idea-generating challenges.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

My laptop. When I started writing I wrote all my drafts in long-hand but can’t even imagine doing that now. I also enjoy tea…hot or iced depending on the season.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

The kidlit world is filled with so many amazingly talented authors and illustrators I couldn’t list them all. However, my critique partners are the writers who keep me writing. Reading their early drafts and witnessing the process of how they develop those into amazing picture books is what keeps me inspired and motivated. It’s a privilege to be a small part of that process, and their spot-on feedback keeps me moving forward with my own writing.

Dream project to work on?

I’d love to do a sequel to WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? maybe even a series. I’ve developed quite a fondness for Bea, the main character, and would love to see where other adventures take her and her BBF Shaleah.

Tell us about your debut book.

My debut picture book, BENNY’S TRUE COLORS, released in Nov. 2020 and is the story of Benny, a bat, who knows inside he’s really a butterfly. This book highlights friendship, inclusion, empowerment, and living authentically. In simplest term--don’t judge someone by their outward appearance.

My second book, WHAT SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? released March 23 and it, too, is a story of empowerment, friendship, and inclusion. Bea, a girl with alopecia, has to figure out a way to participate in her school’s Silly Hair Day when she doesn’t have any hair. 

Interior art from WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? by Norene Paulson, illustrated by Camila Carrossine

Interior art from WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? by Norene Paulson, illustrated by Camila Carrossine

What’s up next for you?

I’m back out on submission with several newer manuscripts. Very excited about several in-person events I have scheduled this summer. Since both books published during the pandemic, I missed out on traditional book promoting opportunities, so really looking forward to being out among people (masked, of course).

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Ha! Seems like the only 1980s movies I watched were kids’ movies. Ghostbusters is probably the one I watched the most simply because my boys loved everything Ghostbusters My personal favorite movie is a 1999 movie, The Sixth Sense. I was literally dumbfounded by the ending. I didn’t catch any of the foreshadowing. 

Thanks so much for featuring me on Critter Lit. It’s been fun!

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Huge thank you to Norene for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your back to back releases! We can’t wait to see what you write next!

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NORENE PAULSON loves words. As a former language arts teacher, she was fortunate to share that love with middle school students in a rural Iowa school district for almost twenty years. Now, as a picture book author, she writes stories that celebrate friendship, acceptance, and inclusion. She is the author of BENNY’S TRUE COLORS (Macmillan/Imprint, November 2020) and WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? (Albert Whitman, March 2021). Norene lives on an acreage with her husband and rescue pup, Ellie, and when she isn’t reading or writing, you will find her playing—you guessed it! —word games.

Visit Norene online at: www.norenepaulson.com

Or follow her on social media:

Instagram - nrpaulson

Twitter - NorenePaulson

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy Norene’s books click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, June 24th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author/Illustrator Jane Smith

Happy TUESDAY Critters! I’m so excited to be featuring an interview with another illustrator this week. As you may have noticed, it’s TUESDAY, not THURSDAY! This week we will be featuring two fantastic interviews with two incredibly talented women. I can’t wait for you to meet them both and learn about their work. So without further ado, let’s kick off the first interview of the week with the immensely talented Jane Smith!

Where do you live?

I live in Wilmington, North Carolina, which is a small city along the Atlantic coast.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I’ve been working in publishing for about 18 years now.

How did you first get published?

I’ve spent the majority of my career as a freelancer, and so when I was beginning, long before I had an agent, I just sent out tons of promo postcards, dummy book submissions and answered lots of job ads for freelance illustrators in places like Craigslist. I would do whatever book publishing gigs I could—mostly educational work. I’m not sure exactly what my very first published project was, but I do remember fondly illustrating two nursery rhyme board books for a Hooked-On Phonics box set for babies that was packaged with a CD, DVD and several other board books.

Those early dummy book submissions also yielded my first published book as an author. It was a six-spread novelty pop-up book titled Fairytale Mix-Up, in which the reader could mix and match the split pop-up pages to create different versions of classic fairytale characters. I had originally proposed myself as the illustrator, but my art style at the time wasn’t right for the book. However, the project led to many more freelance book design gigs and later to an in-house position as an art director of children’s novelty books, which was where I learned the publishing business from the inside out.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

I do. However, this is a tricky question, because I think that the term “full-time” often means different things to different people! In my case, as a freelance author-illustrator, I show up and work in my studio six days a week. There are times when there’s a lot of paying jobs. There are also times when there’s not. There are also times when I’m putting in crazy hours and other times when it’s more quiet and relaxed. Sometimes I’m working on a book for a paying client. Sometimes I’m working on a book I hope to sell to a publisher. Sometimes I’m working on my portfolio, and sometimes I’m working on self-promotion. It’s a job no one can ever fire me from, because it’s a job I gave to myself!

What inspires you to create picture books?

Growing up, my mom was a school librarian, and so I was always surrounded by books. I fell in love with reading and stories and the endless ways they can inspire, connect and comfort at an early age. I spent the better part of my childhood on our screened in porch reading, writing and making art. Those experiences have carried over into adulthood.

These days, I’m inspired by pretty much everything around me—cartoons, succulents, cupcakes, unicorns, animals, adventures, mysteries, rainstorms and more—but mostly by my own deep feelings of compassion for kid’s emotional lives and experiences. The best picture books combine this with a bit of whimsy and magic is made.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

Hmmm...probably that when you’re young and everyone tells you the cliché that it’s about the journey, not the destination, they were 100% right! I don’t think you ever do get to a place where you feel like you’ve “arrived.” Beyond each milestone is the continued drive and energy to keep growing, learning, changing and creating.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

Working at home alone in my studio! And also, the flexibility that comes with it!

What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?

Also, working at home alone in my studio! Ha! It can be a lonely business at times and often it’s hard to get perspective working in a vacuum. This is why I love traveling to illustration & SCBWI conferences, visiting art friends in cities across the country and chatting with my lovely agent, Nicole Tugeau, on the phone!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I get out of the house/studio! Go for a walk. Meet up with a friend. Travel. Read a book. Visit a museum. (I LOVE museums!!!) Hang out with my family. Try a new restaurant. Cook a new recipe. 

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Every day I meditate for 10 minutes. For me it’s a must to calm my mind and body, so I can focus.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Oh, goodness! I’ve honestly had so many! It’s been my experience that the Kid Lit community, especially the SCBWI, is incredibly supportive, willing to share information and eager to champion one another!

For several years a good while back, I had the absolute pleasure of co-coordinating the SCBWI Westside Illustrators “Schmooze” (now called “Mingle”) in Los Angeles with one of my dearest friends. And it was a blast! We hosted monthly meetings and even organized a couple art exhibitions together. I meet so many talented and wonderfully kind kid lit writers and illustrators—many of whom I’m still friends with today!

Recommended reading?

Ooo! I have to admit that even though I adore reading children’s books of all genres, my pleasure reading consists mostly of creepy mysteries, crime and horror stories, which I would only recommend to a fellow lover of the macabre! So, instead, I’ll share the latest professional reading that has helped me with my children’s book work:

The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master by Martha Alderson

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Developing, selling and launching children’s picture book projects that I’ve written & illustrated myself: the 6-book CHLOE ZOE picture book series, HELLO NEW HOUSE and my forthcoming picture book, MISS MEOW! 

Interior art from HELLO, NEW HOUSE by Jane Smith

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

When I was first starting out, I wish someone had told that illustrating stories and characters is not about drawing everything “correctly” or getting the perspective or lighting “right”; that it’s actually about creating believability. The point of the artwork is not to be in service to an objective idea of what is “good,” but rather about transporting the reader in time, space and emotion. As long as it is believable within the context of the story you are telling, it doesn’t matter if the lighting is off or if the proportions are wonky. As long as you’ve convinced your reader to believe in your story that all that really matters!

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Yes, I’m absolutely thrilled to share that my new picture book, HELLO NEW HOUSE, is releasing on October 1st. with publisher Albert Whitman & Company! This title is close to my heart, because it is directly inspired by my family’s real life, coast-to-coast move from Hermosa Beach (in the Southbay of Los Angeles), California to Wilmington, North Carolina. It was a dramatic move that was a study in relative contrasts—big city vs. small town, urban vs. rural, west coast vs. east coast, desert vs. lush tropics. And the changes were both exciting and intimidating.

Interior Art from HELLO, NEW HOUSE by Jane Smith

I wrote HELLO NEW HOUSE as a kind of meditation for myself and my daughter, comparing what was new to what was different to what was still the same, as a way to calm and reassure us when adjusting to the move was hard. Through the use of short, light and direct language, it is my hope that young kids will also experience HELLO NEW HOUSE as a meditation on change and that it will be a happy, welcome tool for families adjusting to their own moves in life.

Interior art from HELLO, NEW HOUSE by Jane Smith

Interior art from HELLO, NEW HOUSE by Jane Smith

What’s up next for you?

I’m so excited to share that I’m working on final art right now for my next picture books as an author-illustrator: MISS MEOW! This is a super fun story about an unexpected intruder who ruffles the fur of Miss Meow, a little girl who loves pretending to be a very territorial family pet cat. It releases next fall in 2021 with West Margin Press.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

My best advice for aspiring author and illustrators is to remember that publishing is a long game—endurance, persistence and perseverance are the tools that will get you to where you want to go.

And always keep writing and illustrating NEW stories—don’t get stuck on one singular story and don’t be afraid of letting a story go once you’ve learned whatever it is you needed to learn from it! You are a storyteller and you have LOTS of stories inside you! 

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Ooo!!! It’s almost too hard to choose—I have LOTS of favorites! Ha! But I think I have to go with Footloose! Followed closely by Pretty in Pink, Flashdance (which totally does not hold up! Ha!) and Quicksilver!

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Huge thank you to Jane for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your wonderful books! We so appreciate your insightful answers and advice.

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JANE SMITH is the author-illustrator of the 6-book CHLOE ZOE picture book series, published by Albert Whitman & Co. Her forthcoming picture books, HELLO NEW HOUSE (Albert Whitman & Co.) and MISS MEOW (West Margin Press) will release in fall 2020 and fall 2021 respectively. Jane earned her BFA in Illustration at the Columbus College of Art & Design before beginning her career in publishing as an art director of children’s novelty books. She currently creates artwork for a variety of publishing and art licensing clients in her Wilmington, North Carolina studio, where she lives with her graphic designer husband, super star daughter and lots and lots of bugs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JANE SMITH follow her on social media:

• Personal Website: http://www.superjane.com

• Blog: https://birdmeetsworm.blogspot.com/

 • Instagram: @superjanesmith

• Twitter: @SuperJaneArtist

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperJaneSmith/

• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/superjanesmith/

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of HELLO, NEW HOUSE, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of HELLO, NEW HOUSE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Tuesday, October 6th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Lindsay H. Metcalf

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with a debut picture book author that has not one, not two, BUT THREE picture books coming out this year! What a debut year! I’m thrilled to have today’s author with us and I can’t wait for you to read about her fantastic lineup of books this year.

So without further ado, please welcome Lindsay Metcalf!

Where do you live?

I live in rural Kansas, just three miles from the wheat, corn, and soybean farm where I grew up. My whole family lives here now, so my kids are blessed with abundant grandparent and cousin time. 

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I knew the day my youngest went to preschool and I finally had a few hours to myself. I had left my job as a newspaper reporter and editor a few years earlier to be a stay-at-home mom. In those early years caring for my sons, we read together constantly. The irreverent, funny new picture books we found surprised and delighted me. I wanted to try writing one, especially for my oldest, who was born with microtia/atresia—a malformed ear and no ear canal. I wanted him to see himself in a book. The day my youngest son went to preschool, I snuggled up with my Cavalier King Charles puppy in a cozy armchair and drafted the picture book of my heart, which spilled out way too long, descriptive, and didactic. But I couldn’t stop scratching the itch to write. I read up on how the heck people got published, and later that fall, in 2015, I found SCBWI and my first critique partners. The rest is herstory.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

Because I had been writing daily for many years, I hoped my trajectory would be shorter than others who had less experience in writing. Ha. Pretty pompous, eh? Picture books spare no one, and my learning curve was steep!

I submitted that first story to all the editors and agents on faculty at my first regional SCBWI conference in 2015. Of course I submitted waaaay too soon. Fortunately, all those rejections included glimmers of kindness and encouragement. I began to understand what I had to do: attend more conferences and small, craft-focused workshops; collect critique partners; and devour craft books such as Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books. I learned the basics in Susanna Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic course, began to thread nonfiction narratives in Kristen Fulton’s Nonfiction Archaeology course (which is no longer offered, unfortunately), and refined my craft in Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab. In the meantime I signed up educational webinars and participated in ReFoReMo, Storystorm (which was called PiBoIdMo at the time), KidLit Summer School, and other free craft challenges. I subscribed to newsletters such as KidLit 411 and joined writer-focused Facebook groups such as Sub It Club while following every kidlit blog I could find. 

Then in 2017, on the same day I won a mentorship through Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie’s Writing with the Stars contest, I had “the call” with my agent. That was probably the best day of my kidlit career thus far. It took another year and a half to sell my first book. 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I get a lot of my ideas from reading the news. I subscribe to four newspapers — two local ones as well as the digital editions of the New York Times and the Washington Post. Email newsletters are also essential for nonfiction ideas. My favorites include the Smithsonian, JSTOR, Library of Congress, and the National Archives. I shake off the rust by playing with my kids. Whenever they say something clever, I sneak away to record it on my phone.

Tell us about your debut books.

I have three nonfiction picture books coming out in fall 2020. I consider all of them my debuts, so I hope you don’t mind if I tell you about all three.

BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST, illustrated by Junyi Wu (September 1, 2020, Albert Whitman & Company), is a picture-book biography focused on the interplay between the author's foundational love of science and burgeoning talent as an artist. As a child, Beatrix kept a meticulous cabinet of labeled and pinned insect specimens, and even boiled her pets after they died so she could articulate and study their bones. Then, as she traveled northern England and Scotland as a young woman, she fell in love with fungi and fell down a decade-long rabbit hole of obsession that ended with her breakthrough science on spore germination being presented to the Linnean Society, which wouldn’t allow her to attend because she was a woman. 

NO VOICE TOO SMALL: Fourteen Young Americans Making History (September 22, 2020, Charlesbridge) is a picture-book poetry anthology co-edited by me, Keila V. Dawson (THE KING CAKE BABY) and Jeanette Bradley (LOVE, MAMA), and illustrated by Bradley. It features short biographies about contemporary young activists who are taking the lead where grown-ups aren’t moving fast enough. Subjects include literacy activist Marley Dias, water protector Jasilyn Charger, Scout for Equality founder Zach Wahls, and immigration reformer Viridiana Sanchez Santos. Contributors include Nikki Grimes, Joseph Bruchac, Lesléa Newman, Guadalupe García McCall, Carole Boston Weatherford, Traci Sorell, Hena Khan, G. Neri, and more. You can find a complete list of our amazing contributors at the link above. 

FARMERS UNITE! Planting a Protest for Fair Prices (November 10, 2020, Calkins Creek) will be illustrated with archival photos and targeted toward more of a middle-grade audience. In the late 1970s, grain prices had tanked, farm auction notices filled newspapers, and people had forgotten that food didn’t grow in grocery stores. So, on February 5, 1979, thousands of tractors from all parts of the US took to the highways and flooded Washington, DC, in protest. Farmers wanted fair prices for their products and demanded action from Congress. After police corralled the tractors on the National Mall, the farmers and their tractors stayed through a snowstorm and dug out the city. Americans were now convinced they needed farmers, but the law took longer. I grew up on a Kansas farm, so this rarely told story of grassroots perseverance and economic justice hits home for me. I wrote it imagining that it would be illustrated traditionally and reach an audience of children about age 5-9. My editor, Carolyn Yoder, saw the potential for a 9-12 audience using photos, and although my manuscript hasn’t changed fundamentally, the book now spreads over 64 pages! It’s strange how these three are all coalescing at the same time. I started writing FARMERS in October 2016 as part of the Nonfiction Archaeology class. That story has been through thirty-plus major revisions. I began researching BEATRIX a year later. NO VOICE TOO SMALL sold first, though—on proposal in a whirlwind collaboration in 2018 that began in a private Facebook group for #kidlitwomen. 

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Eighties me would say it’s a toss-up between “Mannequin” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” These were my go-to sleepover flicks. My friends and I would fantasize about winning a TV dance contest or being a time-traveling mannequin while we played on a three-in-one pool, table tennis, and air hockey table and ate greasy pizza.

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Huge thank you to Lindsay for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congratulations on your THREE debuts! We can’t wait to see what you write next!

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LINDSAY H. METCALF is a journalist and author of nonfiction picture books: Beatrix Potter, Scientist; Farmers Unite! Planting a Protest for Fair Prices; and No Voice Too Small, her co-edited poetry anthology about young change-makers. Lindsay lives in north-central Kansas with her husband, two sons, and a variety of pets. You can reach her at lindsayhmetcalf.com.

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